Sterling Heights

Strong defense lands Sterling High boys hoops in district final

By Jason Carmel Davis
C & G Sports Writer

» click to enlarge « Photo by Deb Jacques The Sterling Heights High boys basketball team used defense to advance to a 2013 MHSAA Class A district final. In three playoff games played March 4-8, the Stallions gave up 39.3 points per game, 12 points less per game than they allowed during the regular season. Pictured is Sterling Heights High senior guard Fannr Korkis (3) during a district final loss to Clinton Township Chippewa Valley March 8. Photo by Deb Jacques The Sterling Heights High boys basketball team used defense to advance to a 2013 MHSAA Class A district final. In three playoff games played March 4-8, the Stallions gave up 39.3 points per game, 12 points less per game than they allowed during the regular season. Pictured is Sterling Heights High senior guard Fannr Korkis (3) during a district final loss to Clinton Township Chippewa Valley March 8.

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — Sterling Heights High boys basketball coach Mike Griffin said the Stallions would need to win with defense if it hoped to advance in the 2013 Michigan High School Athletic Association state playoffs.

That statement came after Sterling Heights allowed just three points in the first half of a 45-34 win over Roseville High March 6 in a MHSAA Class A district semifinal.

Over the course of three playoff games March 4-8, in which the Stallions went 2-1, Sterling Heights allowed 39.3 points per gam —12 points less than the 51.3 per game they allowed in the regular season when they went 8-12.

Sterling Heights’ season came to a close following a 51-32 loss to Clinton Township Chippewa Valley in a Class A district final March 8 at Chippewa Valley. The district-final appearance was the first since 2008 for the Stallions.

The Stallions end the season at 10-13.

In advancing to the final, Sterling Heights coach Mike Griffin said his team played some of the best defense it played all season. He said he was proud of the effort his team put in on that end of the floor.

The Stallions beat Harrison Township L’Anse Creuse and Roseville to get to the district final.

Sterling Heights graduates four seniors, including starting guard Fannr Korkis, who Griffin has called his senior leader. Juniors Jimmy Turner, Jalen Dixon and Mark Berishaj — all starters — are expected back next season. Berishaj, in his first year as a varsity player, led Sterling Heights in scoring.

Stevenson also falls in district final
The Utica Stevenson boys basketball team saw its season end in a 56-34 loss to Rochester High in a Class A district final played March 8 at Stevenson.

The Titans end the season at 15-7, including a 9-3 mark and a second-place finish in the Macomb Area Conference White Division.

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