Groves Boys Make Quick Playoff Exit With 71-51 Loss to Lathrup

boys varsity basketball coach Scott Sheckell told Justin Meredith he needed to take over the game if the Falcons were going to advance in the team’s district opener against Southfield-Lathrup Monday night at Groves.

The senior guard did his best.

Meredith scored 17 points in the second half, including four three-pointers, to try and extend Groves season one more game, but it wasn’t enough for the Falcons who lost 71-51 to Lathrup Monday night. 

“I thought Justin was terrific tonight,” Sheckell said. “I told him at halftime he had to score, it was on him and he came out and was great.”

The Falcons (7-14) kept the game within 10 points during the first half but went cold when the third quarter started.

“We went in (to halftime) down 10 and we kind of felt like we were in striking distance,” Sheckell said. “We knew that we were going to have to make a run early in the third (to win the game).”

However, the Falcons didn’t have enough offensive weapons or time on the clock to cut the lead under double digits. Despite a 10-0 run by Groves during the third quarter, Lathrup sophomore Jonathan Williams, who scored 16 points in the first half, took over.

“Their talent kind of just started to take over the game a little bit,” Sheckell said. “We just started to gradually lose control.”

Williams finished the game with 26 points to help Lathrup advance to district semifinals against , who had a bye Monday night.

Sheckell was sad to see the season end, especially for his seniors, but wasn’t disappointed with the group. Groves started the season 2-10 and could have easily given up on the season. Instead, they did the exact opposite.

“We have a very resilient group of boys,” Sheckell said. “We could have easily cashed in all their chips. Some teams do that...I’m so proud of my kids."

Brother Rice opponent set, Detroit Country Day easily moves on

While Seaholm is set to play Lathrup, the other side of the Class A bracket is also set. Brother Rice, who had a bye Monday night, will play Royal Oak after Royal Oak  defeated Andover Monday night, 46-37. The Warriors will face a Ravens team with a solid inside game, a deep bench and the talented junior Martel Porter.

The winners of the Brother Rice and Royal Oak, and Seaholm and Lathrup games will go on to face each other Friday in the Class A districts final.

Meanwhile, in the Class B bracket, the Detroit Country Day boys varsity basketball team looks like its ready for a big playoff run. The Yellowjackets beat Lahser 81-32 Monday night to advance to their Class B district semifinal against Lamphere, with Lee Bailey (13 points) and Amir Williams (12 points) setting the pace for Country Day.

Who's advancing and what's next:

• Seaholm plays Southfield-Lathrup at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Groves.
• Brother Rice plays Royal Oak at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, also at Groves.
• Detroit Country Day plays Lamphere at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Detroit Country Day.