The Ypsilanti Courier
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Phoenix felled by Eagles
By Dave Merchant, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: February 28, 2008
The Ypsilanti varsity Pheonix went into Romulus last Thursday night and found out why the Eagles were ranked No. 1 overall in Class A.
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After a previous win over Belleville, the Phoenix fell 57-32 to Romulus in front of a packed crowd.
The game had all early indications of being a classic Mega Red battle. In the first quarter it was all Ypsi High senior Marvon Sanders as he poured in all of the team's 10 points. He scored three field goals and had four free throws.
The Eagles spread the scoring out more and got five of their nine points in the quarter from Laron Rodgers. In the second quarter, Romulus' Will Clyburn nailed a jumper to put the home team up 11-10 with 6:57 to play in the half.
Ypsilanti would tussle back and forth with Romulus until they took a slight 19-18 lead into the lockers at the half. The Phoenix did a tremendous job on defense on one of the best guards in the state, Dominique Buckley who had only two points in the first half. He didn't score until 55 seconds was left in the half.
The two teams must have had two entirely different types of speeches at the half because Romulus came out like team determined to steam roll the Phoenix. Ypsilanti on the other hand came out content to be playing fairly even with the Eagles.
In the third quarter, the Eagles jumped all over Ypsilanti scoring 19 points and holding the Phoenix to just two baskets (Sanders and Connor Heine).
The fourth quarter had a bit more scoring for the locals who managed 10 points. The only problem was the Eagles poured in another 19.
Ypsilanti Coach Steve Brooks couldn't quite explain what happen to his team on Thursday night.
"We didn't execute," Brooks said after the loss. "It was like we got satisfied with just being in the game."
He said it was just one of those nights. Despite the loss he said this shouldn't affect the team if they get to the second round of the playoffs and have to play Romulus again (on Wednesday).
"I think (Torren) Burns is struggling right now and he is trying to see if he can make it to the next level (college)," he said. "Marvon played a nice game and he was hard to stop tonight."
Sanders had 22 points in the loss. Martell Anderson led Romulus with 13 points and DeAndray Buckley had 11 points.
Last Tuesday, the Phoenix narrowly edged Willow Run 46-44 in overtime.
It was a tight game most of the way with Ypsilanti having to make a comeback at the end in order to force overtime.
"They were up six at the beginning of the fourth and we had to come from behind," he said. "Brian Walker hit a shot to tie it and send it to overtime."
Brooks said that the Flyers played them in a zone for the entire game and it caused them some problems.
Ypsilanti managed four points in overtime and Willow Run only had two points.
Sanders led the locals with 13 points. Heine had 10 points and Burns chipped in with nine points. Brian Cogdell led the Flyers with 19 points.
Ypsilanti High finishes the regular season at .500 with a 10-10 overall record and a 7-5 showing in the Mega Red. On Monday they will meet Belleville for the third time this season.
This time it is for all the marbles as the two teams battle in Class A district action at Wayne Memorial High School at 5:30 p.m. Ypsilanti has won the season series 2-0.
The winner of that game will get Romulus on Wednesday and both teams have lost twice this season to the Eagles.
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