Southfield High boys basketball bests Southfield-Lathrup By Christian Davis LATHRUP VILLAGE — Southfield High boys basketball coach Gary Teasley believes there’s still plenty of work to do, but he took a moment to enjoy the victory against Southfield-Lathrup Feb. 5 at Lathrup. “Things are coming together. We haven’t arrived by any means — we’re going to look at the tape and try to keep improving — but without question we were the better team today, and that’s what our goal was,” Teasley said. “Now tomorrow, we have work to do.” Southfield won the crosstown clash 74-66, marking this the first time in at least 10 seasons that the Blue Jays have swept the season series. Southfield won the first meeting 69-61 Jan. 5 at home. “It’s a good feeling. The guys worked hard and believed in our defense,” Teasley said. “The guys rebounded well and played strong.” The victory made the top of the Oakland Activities Association Red Division standings quite crowded. At press time, Southfield was 5-3 in the division, tied with Lathrup, Clarkston High and North Farmington for first place. Overall, Southfield is 10-4 and Lathrup is 7-7. Southfield junior Dale Brundidge said he knew what was on the line against the Chargers. “I just told my teammates that we have to get this win,” he said. “I told them we can’t lose another game if we’re going to win this league. That’s our goal.” Lathrup led by two points heading into the third and fourth quarters, but a 15-4 run in the last six minutes of the game proved to be the difference. Brundidge did his part, leading the team with 17 points; junior Patrick Onwenu added 15. Senior Roy Marble led Lathrup with 25. After beating then first-place Clarkston in overtime earlier in the week, Lathrup went into the Southfield game with a share of the league lead. And though it was emotional victory over Clarkston, Lathrup coach Mike Avery wouldn’t use the tough stretch of games as an excuse. “I think if you’re going to be a champion, you have to be that way every night, and we didn’t show up tonight,” he said. “Southfield came in and got some things done.” Up next for the Chargers is Pontiac High at 7 p.m. Feb. 11 at Pontiac and then a home game against North Farmington at 7 p.m. Feb. 16. The Blue Jays take on Auburn Hills Avondale at 7 p.m. Feb. 11 at Avondale and meet Clarkston at 7 p.m. Feb. 19 at home. You can reach Sports Writer Christian Davis at cdavis@candgnews.com or at (586) 498-1062. |
