Basketball Showdowns Determine Blue Jay Bragging Rights

The Boys Varsity Basketball team has bragging rights over the Lathrup Chargers for now, after defeating them Jan. 30 by a score of 63-37.

But they are scheduled to face off again on March 1 at Southfield-Lathrup for eternal bragging rights because the two rival high schools are merging after this year.

In their first matchup this season, the boys started off strong, leading in the first quarter by 10 points, and by the end of the second quarter they were leading the game by 15 points. By the end of the third quarter, the score was 58-28, and the Blue Jays dominated until the end.

“We came out with a lot of intensity, and we really wanted to win that rivaling game,” said George Osborne, who plays on the Boys Varsity Basketball team. It was hard work, not luck, that earned the Blue Jays the win, he said.

While the boys have bragging rights for now, the girls do not have the same luxury. They lost 21-42 when they faced Lathrup earlier this season. It was their only loss so far this year. They are scheduled for their rematch with Southfield-Lathrup during the playoffs.

“Both the teams that were favored to win, both won,” said Girls Varsity Basketball Coach Jamie Glinz. Glinz said both the girls and boys played respectable games against Southfield-Lathrup and said spectators should keep an eye out in the playoffs for key players such as freshman Alexus Johnson, sophomore D’Lana Holloman and seniors Stormeigh Mattison, Bailey Hervey and Cristylynn Dubois.

Glinz predicted that if the girls basketball team fixes the “little mistakes” in their offense and defense, both teams will earn bragging rights for Southfield High.

Junior Tyler Washington of the Varsity Girls Basketball team predicts the rematch for the girls will be a nail biter.  “The game will still be pretty close, and it won’t be a blowout,” Washington said.