The Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Cranes outdistance the Detroit Cristo Rey Wolves 89-84 in OT; advance to CHSL Tourney Semi-Final.

Written by
George Davis
Published
02/23/2020
Photo Credit
J. Roebuck

Cranbrook won an overtime thriller in the opening round of the CHSL tournament yesterday, defeating Detroit Cristo Rey 89-84.

Senior forward Jordan Roebuck led the Cranes with 23 points. Senior forward Jack Fairman put in 21 points and junior guard Cam Garner added 17 points in the win.

Cristo Rey junior guard Alonzo Fears led all scorers with 29 points. Senior center Satchel Page added 22 points in the Wolves effort.

The win moves the Cranes to 13-4 on the year, while Cristo Rey falls to 18-3 for the season.

Fears set the pace for an early charge, pouring in several field goals and free throws. Adding in a three-pointer, Cristo Rey took the early lead.

Roebuck and freshman forward John Kersh answered the Wolves’ call and kept Cranbrook in the game.

Cristo Rey led 22-20 at the end of the first quarter.

Garner joined the hunt in the second quarter, while Roebuck found his three-point shot, surging the Cranes forward.

Love carried the Wolves effort with his low-post game, but the Cranbrook defense slowed down the Cristo Rey attack.

The Cranes led 41-36 at the half.

Fairman picked up the mantle for Cranbrook after the break, driving to basket for several points. Garner found his jumper to give the Cranes a tail wind.

Sophomore guard Derrick Bolton gave Cristo Rey a leading effort in the third quarter, even as players on both sides got into foul trouble.

Cranbrook led 57-49 at the end of the third quarter.

The Wolves made a spirited charge as the fourth period began, with Fears finding his range on several jumpers. Bolton added a big three point shot to pull Cristo Rey within range to win the game.

But the Cranes countered with their own valiant effort with Kersh getting several steals on defense and a pair of field goals. Junior forward Graeme Gump drilled a three-pointer to keep the Cranes aloft.

The score stood tied at 71-71 at the end of regulation.

In overtime, Roebuck started things off for the Cranes with a three pointer. But Love raised his dominant play to counter the Cranbrook offense and give Cristo Rey hope for a victory.

But in the end, Fairman would be the difference maker, getting key rebounds and making free throws to lift the game beyond the reach of the Wolves. A field goal by senior guard Ethan Purther would put the exclamation point on the Cranes 89-84 victory.

The win advances Cranbrook to the semi-final round of the CHSL playoffs against Riverview Gabriel Richard. The game will be held on Wednesday, February 26th at Marion High School. Tip-off is at 5:30 p.m.