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Senior Guard Eric Williams named Prep Hoops Class B Player of the Year

3/31/2017

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Braeden Proctor
​www.prephoops.com

The 2017 Prep Hoops All State Teams were selected by several contributors with knowledge of the entire state of Michigan, taking into account: how valuable they were to their team’s success, on court performance, statistics, record, strength of schedule, postseason success and recommendations from coaches.

*There is a reason Romeo Weems is not on the list. Similar to Ellison, he will be on a article posted in the near future.*
Class B Player of the Year:Eric Williams- 2017 6’5 SG New Haven
He and Romeo Weems led New Haven to places they have never gone, winning their school’s first state championship. Williams was fantastic all season, especially on the biggest stage. In the semifinals, Williams was on another level, outscoring Benton Harbor alone in the first half. He made perhaps the most exciting play of the state finals weekend as well, throwing down a huge dunk from the B1G logo in the state title game. Williams was committed to a D2 school, but wisely decommitted. He is now picking up interest from a host of D1 schools, including Ohio State. Williams had several huge scoring outbursts this year, including  50, 40 and 38 point games this season. He averaged 21 points, 6.5 rebounds, 4 assists and 3.9 steals and likely will play Division one basketball next year.
1st Team
Darian Owens-White- 2017 5’11 PG River Rouge
Lamar Norman- 2018 6’2 G Godwin Heights
Trevion Williams- 2018 6’8 PF Detroit Henry Ford Academy
Mario Whitley- 2018 6’4 SF Frankenmuth
Avery Hudson- 2017 5’9 PG Wayland (Davenport)
Carlos Johnson- 2020 6’6 F Benton Harbor
Reece Castor- 2019 6’4 G Gladstone
Jalen Miller- 2017 6’3 SF Lake Fenton
Zack Nieuwkoop- 2017 6’8 PF Wayland (Davenport)
2nd Team
Mark “Rocket” Watts- 2019 6’2 G Old Redford Academy
Troy Summers- 2018 6’8 C Grayling (NMU)
Drequan Bell- 2017 6’3 G River Rouge
Markeese Hastings- 2018 6’6 F Godwin Heights
Quinn Blair- 2018 6’6 SF Divine Child
Jacob Polakovich- 2018 6’8 PF Grand Rapids Catholic Central
Kylan Shipp- 2017 5’8 PG Detroit Collegiate Prep
Christian Rodriguez- 2017 5’10 PG Godwin Heights (Cornerstone)
Kenneth Holloway- 2017 6’4 PF Detroit Osborn
3rd Team
Sy Barnett- 2017 6’3 SF Williamston (Ferris State football)
Cole Kleiver- 2018 5’11 PG Williamston
Zach Goodline- 2019 5’10 PG Coloma
Demetri Martin- 2017 6’4 SG Big Rapids (Northwood)
Steve Pearson- 2020 6’2 G Detroit Collegiate Prep
Nick Dekkenga- 2017 5’10 G Coopersville
Armonee Felder- 2017 5’10 PG Detroit Osborn
Skylar Lipinski- 2017 6’6 F Onsted (Siena Heights)
Darius Young- 2017 6’4 SF Flint Northwestern
4th Team
Bryce Drews- 2018 6’3 G Hillsdale
Zervhontae Smith- 2017 5’10 G Sexton
Ben Davidson- 2018 6’3 G St. Clair (Ferris State)
Calvin Hackert- 2017 6’1 G Ludington
Luke Toliver- 2018 6’2 G Paw Paw
Goliath Mitchell- 2018 6’2 G Goodrich
Elijah Baxter- 2018 5’9 PG Benton Harbor
Carl Bow- 2018 6’2 G Hazel Park
Charles Garrett- 2018 6’3 G Bridgeport

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Romeo Weems named Michigan's National Guard MHSAA Performer of the Week

3/31/2017

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www.mhsaa.com

Romeo Weems New Haven sophomore –

Basketball Weems, considered by many the top sophomore in Michigan, played a starring role as New Haven won its first MHSAA boys basketball championship Saturday, earning the Michigan Army National Guard “Performance of the Week” as the Rockets downed Benton Harbor 78-49 in the Semifinal and Ludington 45-36 in the Class B title game.

The 6-foot-6 sophomore forward averaged 17.9 points, 12.5 rebounds, and just under four assists, blocks and steals per game this winter in being named the Class B “Player of the Year” by The Associated Press. He had 14 points, 13 rebounds and five assists in the Semifinal win, and 19 points, 10 rebounds, four blocked shots and three steals in the Final as New Haven scored its fewest points this season but shined defensively.

The Rockets finished 27-1 thanks not just to Weems, but also star senior Eric Williams, Jr., and a strong supporting cast. Last week’s Semifinal also was the first in program history, but Weems has plans to add to the legacy over the next two seasons before likely having his choice of major college programs for which to continue his career. He's also a standout football player, quarterbacking New Haven to a share of the Macomb Area Conference Bronze title in the fall.

Coach Tedaro France II said: “Because he’s unselfish, that’s why we’re the Class B state champions. He gets his teammates involved. He can play the one through five; he does so much for us. He makes each person around him better. He can pass, he can defend, and one thing about him is he can score, but he takes pride in playing defense.”

Performance Point: “We went to our man-to-man press trapping, and they called a timeout because they didn’t know what to do,” Weems said. “I got long, started giving everything I had left. Got scrappy, started rebounding more, got more aggressive. ... I think we just had to step up big, get our teammates ready to play, get people’s nerves out get everybody going. We had to play big."

Getting defensive: “I hate to lose. The object of the game is to score more points to win. If I stop them from scoring, I win. I don’t like people scoring. It’s my paint, so I try to get every blocked shot, every rebound, play my heart out.”

Williams showed the way: “Just teaching the little things. Like on the court, if I miss a free throw, he lets me know if it looked good or if I need to get it up higher. Stay low when I’m jumping, a lot of stuff like that.”

All together: “I like to get my teammates involved. One person can’t win all by himself. I can be off, and I need my teammates to be on, and they get me going. So I get them involved, I get involved, and me and E, it’s hard to stop us when we're on fire.”

Thanks, Coach: “Coach loves us. It’s more than basketball with him, really. Even if we’re just outside playing or something, he’ll come hang out with us. He’s a great guy. If we need something he’s there… . We needed tutors, he got us tutors this year. It’s more than basketball for Coach.”

- Geoff Kimmerly, Second Half editor
Every week during the 2016-17 school year, Second Half and the Michigan National Guard will recognize a “Performance of the Week" from among the MHSAA's 750 member high schools.

The Michigan Army National Guard provides trained and ready forces in support of the National Military Strategy, and responds as needed to state, local, and regional emergencies to ensure peace, order, and public safety. The Guard adds value to our communities through continuous interaction. National Guard soldiers are part of the local community. Guardsmen typically train one weekend per month and two weeks in the summer. This training maintains readiness when needed, be it either to defend our nation's freedom or protect lives and property of Michigan citizens during a local natural disaster. 
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New Haven championship 'still surreal

3/30/2017

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Rockets celebrate state title as town's wait ends

By George Pohly
@GPohly on Twitter

Tedaro France stepped to the podium and said, “It’s a great day to be a Rocket.”
With that, the New Haven boys basketball coach tipped off a celebration generations of fans have waited to witness.

New Haven honored its state Class B championship team with an assembly at the high school gymnasium Thursday night.

The players were introduced, team awards were handed out and the Rockets split into teams of Green and White for a scrimmage that gave the public a final chance to see Eric Williams Jr., A.J. Crawford III and Co. on the hardwood.

The championship celebration capped a week of heady times for the team and the town, including the Rockets’ semifinal victory over Benton Harbor on Friday, their title-game win over Ludington the next evening, a fire-truck escort on the final leg of the drive home from East Lansing on Saturday night and a welcome-home reception by hundreds of fans that lasted past midnight.

“It’s been a whirlwind, but it’s been so much fun,” New Haven school superintendent Todd Robinson said. “You don’t want it to end.

“It’s been a pleasure to see people from decades ago come out, some with tears in their eyes, to support this team. They wanted this so much for this school and this community.”

The Rockets went 27-1, with a closing 26-game winning streak, as they became the second Macomb County boys team to win a state championship and the first since Lake Shore in 1994.

“It’s still surreal,” France said. “It still seems like a dream.”

“It still doesn’t feel real,” junior forward Ashton Sherrell added.

France thanked his coaching staff plus other groups and individuals, including long-time scorebook keeper Brenda Martin and game clock operator Scott Clifford, in his remarks.

Later, New Haven village president Chris Dilbert, Lenox Township supervisor Ron Trombly and Robinson spoke.

Among the awards won by players, sophomore Romeo Weems was named the state Class B Player of the Year by The Associated Press, and Williams was named the Class B Player of the Year by Prep Hoops Michigan.

“It’s been sinking in,” Weems said. “It has been nice celebrating. People have been saying thank you for bringing the championship here. A lot of them have said they love watching us play.

“It has been a lot of fun.”

Williams and Crawford were the Rockets’ only senior starters.

“It’s been a great few days,” Williams said. “The community has been a great blessing for us.”

New Haven defeated Ludington 45-36 a day after dispatching Benton Harbor 78-49. Both games were played at the Breslin Center before crowds that included several hundred New Haven fans.

“After Saturday, they had to kick us out of the Breslin,” Robinson said. “We didn’t want to leave. And then after that, everyone came back here. It’s been awesome.

“I’m happy for the team and coach France and his staff. I’m even happier for our entire school district.”

France described the days since Saturday in two words.
“No sleep,” he said.

“I’ve gotten a lot of cards and emails,” the coach continued. “It’s great to see so much joy from the people.

“I didn’t know so many people were waiting for this to happen. These kids bring so much joy to so many people.”

This season was the first that New Haven got past the quarterfinal round of the state tournament.
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Rockets Celebrate State Champion with victory tour of New Haven Schools and pep ralley

3/30/2017

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Coach France and the New Haven Rockets boys basketball team celebrated there State Championship with a victory tour of New Haven Elementary schools and ended with a pep rally at the high school. The day was filled with speeches from coach France, games of h.o.r.s.e with students, dunk contest, Romeo Weems and Eric Williams went one on one with Mrs Guinn the Endeavor Middle School principle and the day ended with a intrasquad Green vs White game. It was a great day to be a Rocket.
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David Goricki’s boys basketball state finals MVPs

3/28/2017

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David Goricki of The Detroit News selects the top players in each class in this year's state tournament.

​www.detroitnews.com 


Class A

Foster Loyer, Jr., G, Clarkston
Loyer scored 29, including three 3-pointers in the opening quarter, to lead Clarkston to a 75-69 win over top-ranked Grand Rapids Christian to hand Dan Fife his first state title in 35 years of leading the program. Loyer scored 32 in a 78-35 semifinal rout of West Bloomfield.

Class B

Romeo Weems, So., G-F, New Haven
​

Weems blocked two shots and slammed home a putback dunk during the second quarter to turn a 15-7 deficit into a 23-19 halftime lead. Weems, who has offers from Michigan State and Ohio State, finished with 19 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks to help New Haven to a 45-36 victory over Ludington, giving Macomb County its first state championship since St. Clair Shores Lake Shore in 1994.


Class C

Malik Ellison, Sr., G, Flint Beecher
Ellison, who recently received his first Division I offer from Eastern Michigan, scored 32 to help Beecher win its third consecutive state championship with a 73-58 victory over Grand Rapids Covenant Christian. Beecher forced nine fourth-quarter turnovers while outscoring Covenant, 11-0, from the line during the last eight minutes.

Class D

Dawson Bilski, Sr., G, Powers North Central
After finding Seth Polfus for the winning basket as time expired in the 84-83 double-overtime victory over Southfield Christian in a semifinal showdown for the ages, Bilski set the tempo in the 78-69 championship-game win over Buckley by scoring 18 in the opening quarter, including 7-for-7 shooting (4-of-4 on 3-pointers) to help his team set a state-finals record for points in a quarter (38). Bilski finished with 25 points for the three-time state champion.
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Five For Fighting - The Beasts Of Breslin (2017 Edition)

3/28/2017

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Scott Burnstein

www.statechampsnetwork.com

FIVE FOR FIGHTING – The Top Individual Performances In The 2017 Boys BBall State Finals Saturday At The Breslin Center In East Lansing
 
1 Foster Loyer (Clarkston) – What doesn’t this kid do?  MSU-commit Foster the Phemom went HAM again on the comp in the Wolves 75-69 win over Grand Rapids Christian in Class A, dropping 29 points, five assists and five rebound on a bigger, more athletic GRC backcourt
 
2 Malik Ellison (Flint Beecher) – To quote a popular hip hop anthem of recent years: All he does is WIN, WIN, WIN…..Malik the MARVELOUS bagged yet another state-title ring with a 32-point effort in the Bucs 73-58 bopping of Grand Rapids Covenant Christian in the C finals
 
3 Romeo Weems (New Haven) – Lets just call this young man ‘The BLUEPRINT,’ he’s the total package on the hardwood…..Romeo rocked and rolled to a double-double of 19 points and 10 boards in New Haven’s 46-36 defeat of Ludington in the B finals
 
4 Dawson Bilski (Powers North Central) – UP POWER!!! Bilski broke loose for a 25-point spot in the Jets 78-69 victory over Buckley in the D finals
 
5 (tie) Xavier Tillman (Grand Rapids Christian) – The MSU-signee in the frontcourt was his usual MANCHILD self in his squad’s loss, muscling his way to 25 points and 8 rebounds on his future college floor
 
5 (tie) Denver Cade (Buckley) – Made like an arCADE game Saturday at Breslin, firing in 25 points in defeat

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Come out Thursday and support the 2017 State Champions. Our very own New Haven Rockets #Rocket_Pride #FAMILY

3/28/2017

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Eric Williams Jr and Romeo Weems named to the BCAM Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan All-State Team

3/28/2017

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Romeo Weems was named 1st team Best of the Best and Eric Williams Jr was named to the Class B All-State First Team
bcam2016-2017.pdf
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Tedaro France leads New Haven to the promised land, captures state title

3/27/2017

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Jared Purcell
www.mlive.com

EAST LANSING, MICH. -- Tedaro France knows just how long the New Haven community has been waiting for its first state championship in boys basketball.

Basically, it has felt like forever.

France has been the head coach of New Haven for nine seasons now but before that, he was a player for the Rockets. France graduated from New Haven in 1997, having won two league and district titles.
​
With New Haven heading into the Class B state championship game, France knew exactly what was on the line.

Twenty district titles. Five Region championships. Zero state titles.

When the clock ran out in the fourth quarter and New Haven had won a defensive battle over Ludington, 45-36, the wait had ended.

Moreover, the weight had ended.

"It means a lot," France said, who was shedding tears of joy out on the Breslin Center floor just moments before. "All the fans here, it just means so much to our school and to our town, the Village of New Haven. It's like the sport here is what a lot of people live through."

The New Haven community came out in the thousands to support the team at the Breslin Center, passionately booing and cheering along with the highs and lows of the nerve-racking game. After the players hoisted the championship trophy and gathered for their state championship photo, the players rushed to the stands to thank their supporters.

For the New Haven fans, basketball is more than just a sport. It's a pastime for the entire community.
It's also an escape.

"I had a family come to a game this year -- they've been coming the last two years -- and what I didn't know was they were sick," France said. "The wife is dying. They said that they come each year to watch these kids play. When they come, they don't feel pain. They don't feel stress for that hour and a half that they're there. They're just there to watch these kids play. These kids bring so much pride to them.

"It's like that for so many people I've talked to. They see these kids play and how hard they work and they take pride in that."

It is only fitting that a hometown product of New Haven coached the Rockets to its first state title. The fact that France has lived the relationship between the basketball team and the community first hand, the current players can't help but develop the same sense of appreciation and pride for New Haven basketball.

"He's been here for 10 years now and I think he's one of the best coaches I've ever been coached by," New Haven senior Eric Williams said. "He knows what to do. I think he's just a great leader for the community. This is the first New Haven ever had so, for coach to get that, it's just a blessing for him and the community."

Day in and day out, coach tells his athletes to "win the day," which is basically his way of developing better players and better young men.

"I tell them, 'You're not just playing for yourself. You playing for more than just you,'" France said. "These kids get that."

France often occasionally gets calls from members of the community, expressing thanks for a good deed that a player had done for them. For the players, it just a way of giving thanks for all of the support they get.
"It's a great community," New Haven sophomore Romeo Weems said. "They came to every game, even Flint. It was far but they still came. Here, they still came. Everybody in the city just supports us. I like the community. I love the community."

With the basketball team reaching new success and the community continuing to give its unwavering support, France has remained the glue that keeps everything together.

"It's crazy," Weems said. "Coach loves us, man. It's more than basketball with him. He loves us, really. Even if we're just outside playing, he'll come hang out with us. He's a great guy. If we need something or if we're in trouble, he'll get us out of it. He got us tutors this year. It's more than basketball with coach."
For France, it is always about more than just basketball.

"For me, I'm blessed to be able to teach life lessons through the game of basketball," France said. "For me, I think that me building character (in the players), they become better basketball players because they become better young men."

On Saturday, France shaped them into champions too.
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Basketball 'first love' for Rockets' France

3/26/2017

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Former CMU football player guides New Haven to state title

By Chuck Pleiness
@VoiceMIPrepZone on Twitter

Tedaro France II remembers vividly how he felt when he received a full-ride football scholarship from Central Michigan University.

He cried.

The tears were a mix of joy and sorrow.

His unhappiness was due to one thing: His basketball career was over.

“Basketball was the game I loved,” France said. “That’s my first love. People in town know that basketball is my first love.

“Football got my college paid for, and I was blessed to play in the CFL (Canadian Football League),” France added. “Hoops is in my heart. That’s why I coach this team.”

On Saturday at the Breslin Center on the campus of Michigan State University, France guided the school from which he graduated to its first boys basketball championship after downing Ludington, 45-36, in the Class B title game.

“Basketball has been my passion ever since I was a child,” France said. “I love to teach and give back. I’m here to help these kids through this game.

“I love this school,” France added. “I love this town, and to be able to coach here is just so special.”
This didn’t happen overnight for France.

In his first season, 2008-09, the Rockets went 6-15.

“I had to cut three kids that started the year before just because a new coach comes in and expects you to weight train, skill train, practice hard, and they weren’t used to that,” France said. “The hardest thing I’ve had to teach these kids was how to win.”

The next season, New Haven went 10-12.

In his third year, the Rockets finished 17-8 and won a district championship.

“They saw that working hard got results,” France said. “Then it became fun. Then it became a culture and they expected it. Seeing it grow from that first year 'til now has just been a blessing.

"To just be able to coach in my hometown and not only coach but be able to teach life lessons.”
In that fourth year, New Haven won a regional championship.

“I remember that first season we played (Warren-Mott) at home, and at one point, it was like we were down 65-13. It was tough knowing the story here. I was just trying to get these kids to play.

“The kids came each day and gave it their all,” France continued. “That’s all I want. I want them to play hard. We knew at a point we weren’t going to win the league and we weren’t that good, but they came each day and practiced hard and played hard. Getting through those times got us to where we are now. If we’re up in games, the kids still play hard. They practice hard. That was instilled that first year, and it has carried over.

“You can be 6-15 or 25-0 and we’re still going to work hard,” France added.

France graduated in 1997 and lost in a regional final each of his last two seasons. His senior year, the team’s only loss was in the regional championship.

Each of the two seasons prior, the Rockets had fallen in a state quarterfinal, each year to Detroit Henry Ford.

“I was more concerned about that quarterfinal game than getting here,” France said of the trip to the Breslin Center for the semifinals.

“I was more worked up than playing here. Before that we used to be stuck at the regional finals for so many years. We get over that and then we get stuck at quarters for four years. Finally getting over that hump was so great to see.”

France admits he’s a tough coach and expects a lot out of his players on and off the court.

“I’ve pushed them to be the best that they can be, but in the end, it’s for them,” France said. “I want them to come back and thank me for being tough and not letting them slide or take breaks.

“Each day I wake up and make my bed,” France added. “I don’t have to. No one is going to see it, but it’s the small things like that that’ll teach you to be disciplined each day. If I walk out of the gym and tell you to do two sprints, are you going to do two sprints or are you going to jog because I’m not there? I tell them to wake up each day and make their bed because that shows we’re going to do the small things each day to be successful.”

France was led to tears again on Saturday, but these were all of joy on the court as he led his alma mater to a Class B boys basketball state championship.
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Rockets right for a new world

3/26/2017

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By George Pohly
@VoiceMIPrepZone on Twitter

New Haven is a new champion in a new world.

Romeo Weems scored points 19 points and Eric Williams Jr. had 14 to lead the Rockets to a 45-36 victory over Ludington and the state Class B boys basketball championship at the Breslin Center on Saturday night.

New Haven became the second Macomb County boys team to win a state championship and the first since Lake Shore won the Class B crown in 1994.

A lot has changed since those Shorians celebrated after defeating East Grand Rapids 38-37 on the Breslin Center floor.
Tedaro France II was a ninth-grader at New Haven that spring.

Later, he played for a couple of outstanding Rockets basketball teams, went to Central Michigan University on a football scholarship and eventually returned to his home town in 2008-09 to coach basketball.
School of choice was merely a concept when France was in high school.

Today it’s a widely used tool in education and athletics, a tool that in some minds is misused and overused.
France hears the naysayers.

He knows there are critics of the New Haven program, those who diminish the Rockets’ success because the newly minted state champions have four starters, including highly touted 6-foot-6 sophomore Weems, who didn’t grow up in New Haven like the coach did.

“People say, ’You win because you get these kids,’” France said. “We (hear) that a lot.
“But you see it all across the state.”

France takes the chatter in stride.

“I don’t recruit kids here,” he said. “I can’t control parents who want to bring their kids here.

“I can’t tell people no, and I can’t tell people to come here. Parents are going to send their kids where they want to.”
Prior to the 2011-12 season, New Haven had won one regional championship. Then the Rockets won a 2012 regional tournament at Vassar.

“We won with all kids who went to middle school here,” France said.

Since then, the Rockets have benefited from school of choice enrollees.

“Our program is going to attract kids,” France said. “But of course I get blamed for it.

“People can say I recruit or I cheat or whatever. It doesn’t matter. We just work hard.”

New Haven won some high-scoring games this season. The Rockets beat Ludington with their lowest scoring output of the 28 games they played.

New Haven went to its trademark defense in the fourth quarter, holding the Orioles to six points.
The Rockets blocked out Ludington, not unlike the way France blocks out detractors.

“I tell my players, ‘Let’s worry about us,’” France said.

“As long as we know what we’re doing and doing it right, and we do the right things, don’t worry about what other people say.
​
“Other people will try to bring you down no matter what.”
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New Haven wins state Class B championship

3/26/2017

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Weems scores 19 in victory over Ludington
​

By Chuck Pleiness
@wingsfrontman on Twitter

New Haven 45
Ludington 36

And now there are two.

Behind 19 points from Romeo Weems and 14 out of Eric Williams Jr., the New Haven Rockets became just the second boys basketball team from Macomb County to win a state championship after downing Ludington, 45-36, to claim the Class B state title Saturday night at the Breslin Center on the campus of Michigan State University.

“It was a great game, they’re a great team,” New Haven coach Tedaro France II said. “They took away a lot of stuff we like to do.

They play a great zone. We kept our composure. It wasn’t a game if you told me we’d come here and win this way, we scored the lowest point total we scored all year, and we found a way to win.”

Lake Shore’s 1994 Class B championship had been the only boys crown won by a county team.
New Haven was the fourth county team to play in a final. South Lake (1931) and Eastland (1949) were the other two along with the Shorians.

“We stayed composed and kept fighting,” France said. “It’s still surreal to know that we’re the Class B state champions.”

The win was the Rockets’ 26th in a row. Their only loss was to Dakota.
It wasn’t easy for New Haven (27-1).

“It was weird at first,” Williams said. “We had to adjust to the tempo. They were dictating what we were doing. We had to dictate what we wanted to do and I think we did in the third and fourth quarters and we started to pick it up.”

Leading 31-30 to start the fourth, the Rockets outscored Ludington (25-3) 15-6 over the final eight minutes to pull away.

“We got them out of their comfort zone,” Weems said. “We started working hard. We started pressuring them. They started forcing turnovers and they started forcing shots. We scored off that.”

New Haven also had a nice run early in the second quarter. Down 15-7, the Rockets went on a 16-4 run to take a 23-19 lead into halftime.

“I think we did everything we talked about doing,” Ludington coach Thad Shank said. “We made it the pace we wanted. Defensively we were really good. They’re a team that really rebounds the ball and we did a good job of keeping them off the boards. We just couldn’t make shots. A lot of credit to New Haven for that, they’re long and athletic and they make it hard to finish.

“I thought we got a lot of great looks tonight, but that’s the game of basketball, sometimes they don’t always go in,” Shank continued. “But from a perspective of a coach of kids doing everything you asked I couldn’t be more proud of a basketball team.”
Weems also grabbed 10 rebounds, blocked four shots and added three steals.
Ashton Sherrell snatched 11 boards, while Williams grabbed seven and added three assists.

“When you're 6-7, 6-7 and 6-7 and you’re long and athletic like they are and quick, where we play, we’re not matching up against that level of athleticism on a regular basis,” Shank said. “They play above the rim. We’re probably the one team at the Breslin Center that hasn’t had a kid dunk a basketball in a high school basketball game. It’s obviously going to have an effect and that’s why they’re state champs.

“You have to give them credit,” Shank added. “They made it hard for us to score. We did everything we needed, but just didn’t score. You have to score a little to win.”
Ludington got 16 points from Calvin Hackert and 10 out of Sam LaDuke.

“When you have a guy that’s playing with his elbow above the rim and it comes flying at you it’s going to alter your shots a little bit,” Shank said. “Some nights in basketball you’re not going to make shots, even your best shooters. I think it was a combination of both.”

New Haven has also won three boys track & field titles in Class C – 1994, 1995 and 1996.
The other team state title came in boys bowling in Division 3 was in 2007.

This was the third winter sports team to win a state title from the county. Richmond won in wrestling and De La Salle in hockey.
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New Haven May Have Won More Than The Class B Basketball State Championship

3/26/2017

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Written By Joe Cochran

The New Haven Rockets rolled to the Class B State Basketball Championship yesterday beating Ludington 45-36 capping off another great season.

Head Coach Tedaro France may emphasize defense as much as any coach in high school basketball. 
France who was a multiple sport star including a football standout first at New Haven and then as a as a four year starter at Central Michigan. A defensive back for the Chippewas France was twice named all Mid American Conference.

France’s defensive attitude has carried over to his basketball teams which have won MAC Division titles in each of the last three years and going back five seasons winning 4 district crowns and three regionals titles before winning yesterday’s State Championship.  France who just completed his ninth season at New Haven has compiled an amazing 105-19 record the last five years.

That’s just the beginning of the story as I first reported here back on February 14 th that Rockets had hired former Detroit Loyola Head Football Coach John Callahan as their new Football Coach. 

Callahan had great success in nine seasons at Loyola with eight playoff appearances, four trips to the title game and winning the Division 7 State Championship in 2014.

With a basketball team returning some great athletes and a coach like France who played football at a high level it could bring more kids out including basketball players and add that tough winning defensive attitude to the football field.

Callahan became the Rockets ninth head coach in nine years at the school which surprised many, but perhaps Callahan was looking beyond all that realizing with athletes in the building and a basketball coach with a great football mind the chance to build the football team into something special is a very good possibility.

Winning a basketball championship was a tremendous accomplishment Saturday for coach France and New Haven with one of the states best players sophomore Romeo Weems coming back the future is bright.

Could this be the start of more as we see a lot of great athletes these days playing multiple sports which makes winning contagious.
New Haven has struggled the last decade  in football, but could the school and Callahan be onto something that could really put the Rockets football program into orbit? 

Just taking a step back and looking at the big picture,yesterday’s basketball Class B Championship could be just the beginning at New Haven High School. 

Just for fun if you’re a Rockett fan and superstitious the number here is nine. France in year nine as head basketball. Callahan with nine seasons at Loyola and now the ninth football coach in nine years at New Haven.
 
The basketball team may have done much more than win a title yesterday they may have lit the fuse for future Rocket programs including football.

Having said that congratulations to Head Coach France and the New Haven Rockets
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Life is deeper than basketball at New Haven to Romeo Weems

3/25/2017

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By Brandon Hunter
www.michiganpreps.com

​EAST LANSING, Mich. - When Romeo Weems entered high school two and a half years ago, he was supposed to Detroit Country Day. Problem was, he and his family lived an hour away in New Haven. So he decided on New Haven High School, and it has turned out to be the best decision for him. Only a sophomore, Weems led the Rockets to their first Class B state basketball title in school history, and the first by a Macomb County team since 1994.

On the back of the team's warm-ups, is the word "Family" written in cursive, and that is exactly the type of atmosphere Weems has experienced at New Haven since he arrived there.

"It's a great community," Weems said of New Haven. "They came to every game, even when it was in Flint, which is far, they still came. They came here, and everybody have continued to support us, and I love the community here."

One person that Weems continuously gives the praise to, as far as his basketball development and journey as young man goes, is his head coach, Tedaro France. He went to New Haven as well, graduating in 1997, and played basketball, football, and ran track. France returned to the place he was taught the game of basketball and game of life, to spread his wealth of knowledge to players like Weems and his teammates. 

"Coaches loves us," said Weems. "It's more than just basketball with him. He really loves us. Even if we're just outside playing or something, he'll just come out and play with us. He's a great guy. If we need something, he's there. If we are in trouble, he's there to help. We needed tutoring, and he got us tutoring this year. So, it's more than just basketball with coach."

A lot of people in the state could not even tell you where New Haven is, a small community of just under 5,000 people. It was not previously known for its sports team, especially in basketball. The furthest the Rockets have ever gone in the state tournament was the quarterfinal round in 2016, 2013, and 1991. But now New Haven can add a basketball state title banner in the gym next season, dedicated to the entire Rockets community.

"Winning this title means so much more than doing it for just the team," said Weems. "This was for everybody from New Haven. This was a long time coming, and we couldn't have done it without the support of our family and fans. It started for me last year, seeing how much they supported the team, and how important it would be to win it all. We accomplished what we came into the season wanting, and I'm glad our fans could experience this with us."

France told the story of how a fan came up to him and thanked him and his team for spreading joy to his dying wife's life with the manner in which they played basketball, and all the support they had received from the community. His kids are rock stars on and off the floor, especially Weems, who is a coveted prospect across the country, and as humble as they come.

"I tell them all the time they that are not playing for just themselves, but for the whole town," France said. "I am so proud of them for how hard they have worked, and the hard work had paid off with this state championship."

"Romeo is one of the leaders of our team, and his play all year has gotten us to this point. Him being a highly-touted player, if you come to our gym, he's taking charges, diving on the floor, and getting his teammates involved. It's just good to see a kid that is still 15-years-old have the IQ of a fifth-year senior. He plays the game so smart, can do it all, and is such a tremendous kid."

The last time the state's top sophomore won a state title was in 2014, when Josh Jackson led Detroit Consortium to the Class C state title. Jackson went on to be a McDonald's All-American as the top player in the nation out of high school, is currently playing at Kansas, and will be drafted in this year's NBA Draft in June. Weems' game has been compared to Jackson's when he was a sophomore, and he is on route to accomplish all that Jackson had done in high school and more.
​
"I want to win another state championship, get better, try to win Mr. Basketball, and be a McDonald's All-American," said Weems. "I think all of that is possible."
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Champions at last: New Haven claims first basketball state title

3/25/2017

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Joseph Hayes
www.thetimesherald.com

EAST LANSING - They can finally celebrate.
For the first time in school history, the New Haven Rockets boys basketball team can call themselves state champions.

After a slow start, New Haven came alive behind its defense and surged past Ludington, 45-36, for a Class B state championship at the Breslin Center on the campus of Michigan State University on Saturday.

"It was surreal," New Haven coach Tedaro France II said. "To look up at the crowd and see people standing and look at the clock and know you are going to win the game.
"It shows how far we have come in my ninth year here. It's been amazing."

New Haven (27-1) held Ludington (25-3) scoreless for the first six minutes of the fourth quarter while making timely offensive plays to take control of the game.
Romeo Weems had 19 points to lead New Haven and Eric Williams scored 14 points.

"I looked up at the end of the game and there were 18 seconds left," Weems said. "I hugged Ashton (Sherrell) and said, 'We got it.' It was great. All the hard work paid off."

Each team got off to a slow start at the onset of the game. But New Haven found momentum when Williams brought everyone to their feet with a thunderous dunk.

The big play momentarily gave the Rockets the advantage, but it was short-lived. Ludington found its groove late in the quarter and went on a quick surge to lead 11-7 entering the second quarter. The Orioles advantage continued to grow as the second quarter began.

They led by as much as 15-7 to force a New Haven timeout. Just when the Orioles seemed to be pulling away, the Rockets began to respond. Weems, Williams and Tavares Oliver recorded baskets to start a 6-0 run which quickly ballooned to an 11-2 surge.

"We got the stops we needed and that carried us over with momentum," Williams said. "To finally get here in the big stage is an honor, to know my hard work paid off."

In a flash, New Haven was right back in the game, leading 18-17 with just under three minutes left in the first half. Williams was fouled on a 3-point attempt with less than a second left in the half and after sinking all three free throws, New Haven led 23-19 at halftime.

The third quarter was highly contested as each team tried its best to take control. Ludington continued to control the pace while the Rockets struggled to find offense. But Weems added a dunk to keep the Rockets ahead and New Haven led 31-30 entering the fourth quarter.

With the game and a state championship on the line, the Rockets were at their best in the fourth quarter. New Haven held Ludington scoreless the first six minutes of the quarter to take full control.

New Haven continued to frustrate the Orioles offense down the stretch and then held them off from the free-throw line.

New Haven will graduate seniors Williams and AJ Crawford, among others. They will return Weems, who will be one of the top ranked players in the state. The soon-to-be junior is already thinking big.

"In the fourth quarter we played our tempo and we pulled it out," Weems said. "I could tell they were tired in the fourth quarter. They ran out of gas.
​

"I hope I win another state championship and continue to get better. (I'm going to) try to win Mr. Basketball and McDonald's All-American."
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