Photos: StudentandAthlete
Detroit Edison Public School Academy sophomore Dakota Alston (4) drives to the basket against Grass Lake on Tuesday.
Posted February 16, 2021
Detroit Edison Public School Academy cruised to a 65-50 victory over Grass Lake on Tuesday, Feb. 16, in a battle of state championship contenders at Edison.
Edison led 21-13 after the first quarter and 40-23 at halftime. The Pioneers’ lead was never less than 12 in the second half, even as head coach Monique Brown gave her bench players extensive playing time.
Junior Ruby Whitehorn, who has offers from Michigan, Michigan State University, Mississippi State, LSU, Florida, Duke, and Oklahoma, led the Pioneers with 18 points.
Michigan State University-bound and Miss Basketball contender Damiya Hagemann scored 17 points for the Pioneers. Sophomore Dakota Alston added 15 points.
Edison had won three straight Michigan High School Athletic Association championships (Division 2 in 2019 and Class C titles in 2018 and 2017). The Pioneers were undefeated, ranked No. 1, and had reached the Region 14 championship in 2020 before the season was cancelled due to the pandemic.
Grass Lake went 18-3 last season and came into the game at 3-0 with dominating wins over Hanover-Horton (66-14) and Addison (101-11), and an impressive 80-69 victory over fellow Division 3 powerhouse Ypsilanti Arbor Preparatory on Feb. 12.
Edison’s swarming defense was too much for Grass Lake, forcing numerous turnovers and poor shot choices.
Junior Lexus Bargesser led Grass Lake with 27 points.
Detroit Edison Public School Academy junior Ruby Whitehorn (2) drives to the basket against Grass Lake on Tuesday.
Detroit Edison Public School Academy senior Damiya Hagemann (0) brings the ball down court against Grass Lake on Tuesday.
Detroit Edison Public School Academy senior Madisen Wardell (15) drives to the basket against Grass Lake on Tuesday.