Grosse Pointe City

Southeastern boys hoops downs Warren Cousino in regional semi

By Jason Carmel Davis
C & G Sports Writer

» click to enlarge « Photo by Sean Work The Warren Cousino boys basketball team fell 51-31 to Detroit Southeastern March 11 in a MHSAA Class A regional semifinal. Pictured is Patriots junior swingman Davionne Fowler, during a March 6 win over Warren Mott. Photo by Sean Work The Warren Cousino boys basketball team fell 51-31 to Detroit Southeastern March 11 in a MHSAA Class A regional semifinal. Pictured is Patriots junior swingman Davionne Fowler, during a March 6 win over Warren Mott.

GROSSE POINTE — Stifling, suffocating defense was the name of the game, as Detroit Southeastern forced 22 turnovers in beating Warren Cousino 51-31 in a 2013 Michigan High School Athletic Association Class A regional semifinal played March 11 at Grosse Pointe North High.

The Jungaleers (17-5) allowed just seven points in the first half — one in the second quarter.

Southeastern advances to face either Clinton Township Chippewa Valley or Macomb L'Anse Creuse North in a regional final set for 6 p.m. March 13 at Grosse Pointe North.

"We did our homework. We knew our length and athleticism might be a little too much for them, and we were able to do some things," Southeastern coach George Ward Jr. said.

Southeastern led from tip to buzzer, building as much as a 24-point lead in the third quarter. The Jungaleers, which employed a full-court, trapping defense for the majority of the contest, forced 15 turnovers in the first half, compared to five forced by the Patriots (15-8).

Southeastern held Cousino almost 28 points below its season average of 59.8 points per game. The Jungaleers on the season, including two district playoff games, had been allowing 48.8 points per game before the regional semi.

The first half saw four sequences where steals led to breakway lay-ups for Southeastern.

"We just weren't here tonight," Cousino coach Chris Shepard said. "It was a quick turnaround (from our district title game March 8). We had a chance to do some things tonight and we just didn't do it."

The Patriots attempted to use a number of zone defenses to slow Southeastern down and force them to score from outside. Of the 20 field goals hit by the Jungaleers, 15 were inside the paint.

"When you play in the Detroit Public School league, you have to play with a certain level of intensity," Ward said. "I don't think we were able to sustain it for four quarters, but we got stops when we needed, and we got buckets when we needed."

Southeastern was led by junior forward Daryl Bingham, who netted 18 points in the win. Senior point guard Jovone Harris and senior guard Nathan Taylor chipped in with 17 and 11 points, respectively, for the Jungaleers.

Cousino senior forward/center Daymen Hardges led the Patriots with eight points. Senior swingman Cory Vicks scored six for Cousino in defeat.

Southeastern went four of 10 from the foul line in the game, while the Patriots hit one free throw in ust four attempts.

You can reach C & G Sports Writer Jason Carmel Davis at jdavis@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1107. Follow Jason Carmel on Twitter.