Joseph Hayes, The Times Herald
It was time to make a statement.
New Haven junior Romeo Weems weaved through several St. Clair High School defenders Monday, during the second half of the Class B regional semifinal at New Haven High School.
By the time he reached mid-court, it was already apparent what would happen next. With a surge of momentum, Weems drove through the lane and finished at the rim with a thunderous dunk.
It was yet another play that brought the crowd to its feet Monday night. But the play, in particular, appeared important to Weems, who roared with intensity while also playing to the crowd and his teammates. As the dust settled, it was one of the more memorable plays in New Haven's 76-56 victory over St. Clair.
With the win, New Haven advances to Wednesday's regional final against Detroit Country Day (7 p.m.).
"With the commotion and stuff, we have been playing teams all year that have pushed me out there and that's nothing new," said Weems, who finished the game with 22 points, 10 rebounds and five assists.
"But they pushed me on a flagrant (foul) and we got a tech. Coach (Tedaro France II) told us to protect ourselves and keep our cool because they were through. They are going to be messed up and we are fine. They just wanted to do whatever they could to make us mad."
If that was St. Clair's strategy, Monday wouldn't be the day it would work.
New Haven came out on fire and despite several big plays from St. Clair senior Ben Davidson, who scored 29 points before fouling out, there was nothing the Saints could do to slow the Rockets.
At the heart of the Saints' issues was the Rockets ball pressure defense, which appeared to come at St. Clair in waves.
"Defense, it's what we do," New Haven coach Tedaro France II said after his team recorded their 50th straight win. "Our kids have bought into playing defense and every practice and game they come out and work hard on the defensive end."
By the time halftime rolled around, New Haven was already in full control, with a 40-25 lead. But that wouldn't stop the Saints from giving it their all in the second half, even as the margin grew larger.
"This team just won a state championship," St. Clair senior Ben Davidson said. "We knew we were coming in as an underdog. I knew they held us to zero points in the first half last season. This game I was going to leave everything on the floor. I was going to go as hard as I could. I get a couple of shots in the first half. Wish I could have played better defense.
"It's the end of a career here and I loved it. All four years here with so many accomplishments and this year was the best. I wasn't going to allow myself not to be dead tired by the time this game ended."
Ashton Sherrell had 16 points and six rebounds for New Haven (24-0). Ronald Jeffrey III added 14 points. Mario Mattson added eight points for St. Clair (16-7).
Contact Joseph Hayes at (810) 989-6268 or at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @Joseph_Hayes11.
It was time to make a statement.
New Haven junior Romeo Weems weaved through several St. Clair High School defenders Monday, during the second half of the Class B regional semifinal at New Haven High School.
By the time he reached mid-court, it was already apparent what would happen next. With a surge of momentum, Weems drove through the lane and finished at the rim with a thunderous dunk.
It was yet another play that brought the crowd to its feet Monday night. But the play, in particular, appeared important to Weems, who roared with intensity while also playing to the crowd and his teammates. As the dust settled, it was one of the more memorable plays in New Haven's 76-56 victory over St. Clair.
With the win, New Haven advances to Wednesday's regional final against Detroit Country Day (7 p.m.).
"With the commotion and stuff, we have been playing teams all year that have pushed me out there and that's nothing new," said Weems, who finished the game with 22 points, 10 rebounds and five assists.
"But they pushed me on a flagrant (foul) and we got a tech. Coach (Tedaro France II) told us to protect ourselves and keep our cool because they were through. They are going to be messed up and we are fine. They just wanted to do whatever they could to make us mad."
If that was St. Clair's strategy, Monday wouldn't be the day it would work.
New Haven came out on fire and despite several big plays from St. Clair senior Ben Davidson, who scored 29 points before fouling out, there was nothing the Saints could do to slow the Rockets.
At the heart of the Saints' issues was the Rockets ball pressure defense, which appeared to come at St. Clair in waves.
"Defense, it's what we do," New Haven coach Tedaro France II said after his team recorded their 50th straight win. "Our kids have bought into playing defense and every practice and game they come out and work hard on the defensive end."
By the time halftime rolled around, New Haven was already in full control, with a 40-25 lead. But that wouldn't stop the Saints from giving it their all in the second half, even as the margin grew larger.
"This team just won a state championship," St. Clair senior Ben Davidson said. "We knew we were coming in as an underdog. I knew they held us to zero points in the first half last season. This game I was going to leave everything on the floor. I was going to go as hard as I could. I get a couple of shots in the first half. Wish I could have played better defense.
"It's the end of a career here and I loved it. All four years here with so many accomplishments and this year was the best. I wasn't going to allow myself not to be dead tired by the time this game ended."
Ashton Sherrell had 16 points and six rebounds for New Haven (24-0). Ronald Jeffrey III added 14 points. Mario Mattson added eight points for St. Clair (16-7).
Contact Joseph Hayes at (810) 989-6268 or at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @Joseph_Hayes11.
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