Division 2 No. 1-ranked and defending Michigan High School Athletic Association champion Detroit Edison Public School Academy Early College of Excellence held off a late rally to beat West Bloomfield 69-65 on Friday, Feb. 28, in front of a capacity crowd at Edison.
Edison improved to 19-0 with the victory.
The Pioneers led 56-35 at the end of the third quarter. With the Pioneers’ starters on the bench for the majority of the fourth quarter, the Lakers were able to close the game to 65-63 with 22.6 seconds left. The Pioneers hit four free throws in the final seconds to secure the win.
Clemson-bound and Miss Basketball finalist Gabrielle Elliott scored 16 points to lead Edison. Xavier-bound Shaulana Wagner scored nine points. Dareonna Little had 13 points. Daija Tyson scored 10 points
Photos: StudentandAthlete
Detroit Edison Public School Academy Early College of Excellence's Gabrielle Elliott (3) drives to the basket against West Bloomfield on Friday.
Edison is looking for its fourth-straight MHSAA championship this season. The Pioneers won the Division 2 championship last season and the Class C championship in 2017 and 2018 under head coach Monique Brown.
The Pioneers have impressive wins this season over Division 1 No. 1 East Lansing (65-48), Division 1 No. 3 and Detroit Public School League champion Detroit Renaissance (54-52), Division 4 No. 1 Adrian Lenawee Christian (67-62), Division 1 No. 6 and Catholic High School League champion Farmington Hills Mercy (59-41), as well as four out-of-state powers.
Edison opens the MHSAA District playoffs against Detroit International Academy for Young Women (0-9) on Monday, March 2, at Edison.
Detroit Edison Public School Academy Early College of Excellence's Daija Tyson (1) drives to the basket against West Bloomfield on Friday.
Detroit Edison Public School Academy Early College of Excellence's Damiya Hagmann (0) scores against West Bloomfield on Friday.
Detroit Edison Public School Academy Early College of Excellence's Shaulana Wagner (24) scores against West Bloomfield on Friday.
Detroit Edison Public School Academy Early College of Excellence's Da'Ja Brown (32) heads down court against West Bloomfield on Friday.
Detroit Edison Public School Academy Early College of Excellence's Dareonna Little (12) scores against West Bloomfield on Friday.
Detroit Edison Public School Academy Early College of Excellence's Ariel Jenkins (4) drives to the basket against West Bloomfield on Friday.