Joseph Hayes, Times Herald
The Rockets are out to make history.
The New Haven High School boys basketball team finds itself in a very similar position. The Rockets are once again in the Class B state quarterfinal round, one game away from setting school history.
New Haven won its second consecutive regional title this year, but has never advanced past the state quarterfinal round. Last year, they advanced to face Detroit Henry Ford in the quarterfinal round and fell short.
New Haven (22-2) will face Henry Ford (17-6) again on March 22 at St. Clair Shores Lake Shore.
New Haven coach Tedaro France II watches the action from the sidelines during a basketball game Tuesday,
"It's just a blessing to be able to make it back here," New Haven coach Tedaro France said. "We play the same team in the same spot as last year.
"Getting here shows that through hard work, we got right back to where we were. We have never made it past this point in school history. We are looking forward to getting this opportunity."
New Haven advanced by defeating Detroit Country Day, 45-44, in the regional semifinal and Lake Fenton 53-50 in the regional final.
"Eric Williams made big shot after big shot and Alante Stevens made key plays down the stretch," coach France said. "We have a tough team.
The kids step up and make big plays late and it was great to see their growth.
"They made plays down the stretch and that got us over the top."
New Haven will now face a stiff test to establish new school history. Detroit Henry Ford is battle tested. They defeated Detroit Collegiate Prep in the regional semifinals and Detroit Osborn in the finals.
"It's a blessing that we are here and we just have to work harder than we did last year," Stevens said. "We all need to do a great job of taking care of the ball. We know we can trust each other in crunch time."
Taking care of the ball was pivotal in the Rockets loss to Henry Ford last year. New Haven had 36 turnovers and couldn't overcome its own mishaps.
"We were up by seven against them in the third," coach France said. "We didn't take care of the ball. We had 36 turnovers and we still had a chance. If you don't take care of the ball, you won't win.
"They have a great team and one of the best guards in the state. We have to stay in our lane, get out in transition and take care of the ball."
If New Haven is able to advance past Detroit Henry Ford, it will make the 2016 season even more special.
"It's great to get this far because I feel we have worked hard since the offseason to get here," New Haven guard Eric Williams said. "We have to use what we have learned.
"I feel our guard play is much stronger this year. We won't have the same problem with turning over the ball. We have been working hard since the summer and it's a blessing to get here."
The Rockets are out to make history.
The New Haven High School boys basketball team finds itself in a very similar position. The Rockets are once again in the Class B state quarterfinal round, one game away from setting school history.
New Haven won its second consecutive regional title this year, but has never advanced past the state quarterfinal round. Last year, they advanced to face Detroit Henry Ford in the quarterfinal round and fell short.
New Haven (22-2) will face Henry Ford (17-6) again on March 22 at St. Clair Shores Lake Shore.
New Haven coach Tedaro France II watches the action from the sidelines during a basketball game Tuesday,
"It's just a blessing to be able to make it back here," New Haven coach Tedaro France said. "We play the same team in the same spot as last year.
"Getting here shows that through hard work, we got right back to where we were. We have never made it past this point in school history. We are looking forward to getting this opportunity."
New Haven advanced by defeating Detroit Country Day, 45-44, in the regional semifinal and Lake Fenton 53-50 in the regional final.
"Eric Williams made big shot after big shot and Alante Stevens made key plays down the stretch," coach France said. "We have a tough team.
The kids step up and make big plays late and it was great to see their growth.
"They made plays down the stretch and that got us over the top."
New Haven will now face a stiff test to establish new school history. Detroit Henry Ford is battle tested. They defeated Detroit Collegiate Prep in the regional semifinals and Detroit Osborn in the finals.
"It's a blessing that we are here and we just have to work harder than we did last year," Stevens said. "We all need to do a great job of taking care of the ball. We know we can trust each other in crunch time."
Taking care of the ball was pivotal in the Rockets loss to Henry Ford last year. New Haven had 36 turnovers and couldn't overcome its own mishaps.
"We were up by seven against them in the third," coach France said. "We didn't take care of the ball. We had 36 turnovers and we still had a chance. If you don't take care of the ball, you won't win.
"They have a great team and one of the best guards in the state. We have to stay in our lane, get out in transition and take care of the ball."
If New Haven is able to advance past Detroit Henry Ford, it will make the 2016 season even more special.
"It's great to get this far because I feel we have worked hard since the offseason to get here," New Haven guard Eric Williams said. "We have to use what we have learned.
"I feel our guard play is much stronger this year. We won't have the same problem with turning over the ball. We have been working hard since the summer and it's a blessing to get here."
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