- All
BOYS BASKETBALL: Darryl Binhgam’s 30 points, propels Southeastern into PSL semifinal rematch with Cass Tech
DETROIT – Senior Darryl Bingham remembers the finals seconds of Southeastern’s loss last year to Cass Tech in the PSL semifinals well.
The Jungaleers were holding on to a one point lead, when then senior Kyle Steward had a last second tip-in, to propel the Technicians into the city title game.
"I remember it was like 11 seconds left," he said. "We gambled a couple of times and allowed Dre (DeAndre Johnson) to get up the court fast. If we didn’t reach, we probably could have taken two or three more seconds off the clock."
Cass Tech won by a score of 61-60, before getting pummeled by Pershing, 80-61. Southeastern will have an opportunity to seek revenge against Cass Tech, when the two face-off Friday night in the PSL semifinals.
First they had to get past Henry Ford, which proved not be an issue, with an 80-63 win. Southeastern led the entire game, with little resistance from the Trojans.
"We were very focused in the first half," coach George Ward said. "These are 16 and 17 year old kids and we weren’t that focused in the second half.
Henry Ford (9-9, 2-7) is a good team and Ken Flowers is a championship coach. We knew they were going to fight and they didn’t give up, but we are playing pretty well right now."
The game was tied at 8-8 with 3:50 left in the first, but a 10-2 run gave Southeastern the 18-10 lead after one and they never looked back. The Jungaleers led by as much as 26 points, when Bingham grabbed the offensive rebound and put it back up for the 43-17 lead.
Bingham had an offensive eruption in the second half, scoring 23 of his game-high thirty points. One of the best all-around forwards in the state, Bingham also grabbed 16 boards and blocked four shots.
"When we play well, the teams plays well," he said. "As long as we bring out energy the whole game, we should be able to win."
Bingham was referring to his teammate and partner in crime, Leonard Harper-Baker. He did most of the first half damage, scoring 16 of his 25 points and blocking four shots himself.
"We are pretty strong up front with Darryl and LJ with their size and athleticism," Ward said. "We have size but we don’t have to give up our athleticism, so we can still box out and rebound and get to the basket with them."
Sophomore James Towns also had him a great night scoring the ball, hitting from different spots on the floor to finish with 30 points. Josh Davis added 14 points and four rebounds.
Southeastern (9-6, 7-2) can now focus on Cass Tech Friday night at their place and winning their first PSL title since the 2011 season. Still Ward knows it won’t be an easy road.
"Cass is very good and an athletic team and Dave Dixon is doing a heck of a job over there," he said. "It’s going to be a great battle. They know what we do, we know what they like to do, hopefully we can luck up and get one."
Cass Tech took care of East English Village Prep in the first quarterfinal game at Western, 80-62. Kenny Carpenter led them with 16 points and Sharif Black was right behind with 15. Mar’Qywell Jackson went out fighting for the Bulldogs, with 27 points and 12 rebounds.
