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DETROIT >> Romeo Weems and New Haven interrupted the Catholic League’s basketball domination at Calihan Hall.
Weems had a triple-double with 33 points, 10 assists and 14 rebounds, and three other Rockets scored in double figures to lead the defending state Class B-champion Rockets to an 82-62 victory over De La Salle in the Calihan Challenge at the University of Detroit Mercy on Sunday
Ashton Sherrell scored 18 points, Tavares Oliver 16 and Ronald Jeffery II 10 for New Haven in its season-opening game that was witnessed by Michigan State coach Tom Izzo and Ohio State coach Chris Holtmann.
Kole Gjonaj scored 18 points, Luke Pfromm 17 and Jordan Winowiecki 13 for De La Salle (0-1).
The game matched the two coaches that have led Macomb County teams to state championships. The Pilots’ Greg Esler led Lake Shore to the Class B crown in 1994, and Tedaro France guided New Haven to its crown last March.
New Haven outscored the Pilots 27-11 in the fourth quarter to break open a close game.
Ascaun Johnson’s 3-point field goal and Weems’ dunk off an alley-oop pass from Oliver gave the Rockets a 62-53 lead with 5:57 to play, and New Haven was on its way to its 28th consecutive victory.
“We locked in on defense,” Weems said, referring to the fourth quarter. “We got after it and we went on a run.
“We increased our intensity.”
MSU and OSU are among universities that have offered scholarships to Weems, a 6-foot-7 junior.
Sherrell, a senior, had 12 rebounds and Johnson had seven. Oliver and Weems had six assists apiece.
Weems scored his 29th and 30th points on a breakaway dunk, and he completed a three-point play after being fouled making a layup with 61 seconds left. He then left the game.
New Haven plays its home opener Friday against Dakota.
Catholic League teams won the first three games at Calihan Hall against opponents from the MAC.