Baskets were few and far in-between for both Detroit CMA and Henry Ford in a district semi-final meeting at Livonia Clarenceville. However, defense, senior leadership, and free-throws aided Ford in a 52-45 defeat of CMA.
Leading by three with two minutes remaining, Ford senior Josh Davis held the ball at the top of the key. Multiple Pharoh defenders converged on Davis for an attempt at a jump-ball. In self-defense, Davis pushed a CMA player. Davis was awarded a controversial technical foul, and CMA received two free-throws and possession. CMA connected on one free-throw, but did not score. Then with 1:15 in the fourth, CMA forward Jaylen Haiston tied the game 44-44 with a lay-up.
Then on the ensuing Trojan possession, Davis was fouled well-over 30 feet from the basket, Ford was in the bonus. Mr. PSL calmly knocked down two free-throws, in what turned out to be the game winning points.
Davis shot six free-throws in the final seconds of the game, and was perfect.
“That’s all I want,” Davis said. “I want the game in my hands.”
Although Davis averages double-figures scoring wise, it was an abnormal performance for both Josh and Trojans throughout the contest. Josh scored just six points in the first half, and made just one three-pointer. Combined with Trojan turnovers, and CMA’s unique flex-offense, the Pharohs were able to dictate tempo and control the game, holding leads by as much as nine during moments of the game.
“We had to learn how to switch,” said Davis on CMA’s offensive attack. “Because we never switched the whole season, so we had to maintain our man, and limit them to one shot.”
Davis scored 11 of his team-high 17 points in the second-half. CMA led Ford by one at half, but the Trojans found continuity and rhythm in the second-half. An 8-1 run the final three minutes of the third capped-off by a Davis three gave the Trojans an eight point advantage entering the fourth. On a night which Davis didn’t have much individual success, his teammates filled the void. Alston Hunter contributed a few second-half baskets and rebounds, junior point guard James Towns applied on-ball pressure and created turnovers, and senior shooting guard Jamal Edwards tallied 11 points, and served as the primary Trojan scorer throughout the game. This is the type of team-effort Davis has been waiting for.
“We had a real hard time staying together in the beginning of the season,” said Davis. “This is the time of the season we have to learn how come together.”
Although CMA and Ford are both in the PSL, the two had not yet met on the year. Ford competes in the prestigious division one, while CMA sits in division two. Given a near scare in the team’s opening round of the playoffs, Davis believes the Trojans cannot afford the same start against charter school power Detroit Community (16-5) on Friday in the district championship. The Hurricanes are just two years removed from playing for a Class B state title.
“We’re just going to come out harder next game,” Davis added. “This is my last year, I want to make history for the school, get us a ring, make everybody happy.”
The Prep Ball Report 
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