Not since the time of the great Terry Mills has Romulus won a state championship, but it is safe to say that the time has come for Romulus head coach Nate Oats and the Romulus Eagles. Oats has led the Eagles to the Breslin Center multiple times during his tenure at Romulus, but never capturing a state title. But not winning is a hard thing to do when you have three players that a more than deserving to have been on the Mr. Basketball consideration list with E.C. Matthews, Wes Clark and Leo Edwards. Romulus got things going right away, attacking the Southeastern defense with a 7-0 run in the first two minutes of the game, and eventually leading 19-10 after the first. E.C. Matthews fresh off a 37 point performance in the semi-final tallied nine points in the opening quarter. But the Jungaleers had a run of their own in the second. Trailing by 10 with 6:57 until half, Southeastern would go on 8-2 run over the next 5:58 to only be down 24-20. Now in the third quarter already leading by 42-27 with 2:13 to go in the quarter, things were almost about to get out of hand for Southeastern, but when E.C. Matthews took a pass from Leo Edwards and went up for one of his signature tomahawk dunks, it signaled the end for Southeastern. Romulus eventually got the lead up to 19 at the end of the quarter at 51-32 and that was all she wrote for the Class A state title game. Cruising to a decisive 61-49 victory.
E.C. Matthews lead Romulus in scoring with 20, and also lead the team in rebounds with ten. Louisiana Tech commit Leo Edwards tallied 13 points and three blocks in the winning effort. And rounding out the big three for the Eagles is Missouri signee Wes Clark, finishing up with 12 points and five assists.
Romulus lost last year to Rockford in the semifinal and trust me, these guys have used that defeat as motivation to get to where they are at right now. Wes Clark, one of the most competitive guys in the State of Michigan, was not even a guarantee to play in their quarterfinal victory against Pershing. The senior had to receive a shot in his knee just to be able to play. “Last year, knowing how far we got with E.C. and Leo we could do it,” said Wes on when he knew when the team was capable of winning a state title. “Knowing how far we got and how much work we put in. So we took that as a motivator to use in the offseason and play off that.” Clark will bring this winning mentality to Frank Haith and the Missouri Tigers next year.
The Prep Ball Report 
Good job Steve. You deserve credit for the articles you have given us. Keep your head up and continued success. @J0#king82