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Posted: 03/20/13

Above, junior Paul LaBaere just under the rim trying to work his way toward the basket against Rochester during Regionals. Below, junior Adam Davis hustling to throw the ball inbounds before it goes out of bounds against Rochester during Regionals.

(Observer photos by Mike Nicley)

Rochester ends Romeo's
playoff run, 59-43

by RICK DESOTELL
Observer Sports Writer

With his future Kentucky coach (John Calipari) looking on, Rochester High's All-American James Young finished with a game-high 24 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Falcons to a 59-43 Class A Regional semifinal victory over Romeo Monday, March 11, at West Bloomfield.

Rochester, which led 16-13 after one quarter and 29-24 at the half, went on a 7-0 run to open the third quarter and never looked back as they cruised by a Romeo squad that had already pulled off two huge upsets coming in.
       Led by 6-foot-8 center Arben Camaj's, who finished with 18 points, 15 rebounds and four blocks, the Falcons (20-4) dominated the inside game at both ends of the court.
       Junior guard Drew Cushingberry, who had an outstanding post season himself, led the Bulldogs with 23 points, including three 3-pointers.
       "Our concerns coming in were as much about rebounding as anything and we struggled," said Romeo Coach Dale Teller. "More than not, you don't rebound you don't win and this was the case again. Another area we stressed was possession of the basketball and we didn't do well there either. We had a ton of turnovers allowing Rochester too many easy baskets.''
       Cushingberry also had five rebounds and five assists for Romeo.
       Paul LaBaere finished with eight points, Adam Davis added five points and six rebounds before leaving with an injury, Blake Williams added four points and Jon Towne had three points for the Bulldogs who finished the year with a 13-10 overall record.
       "Zach Rizo had been nursing a bad ankle and it went out the first minute of the game so we were a little short right away,'' said Teller. "We knew Rochester was going to work Drew (Cushingberry) hard and we had some plans to move him and Zach around so that hurt us. We felt good at the half, only down by five points as bad as we played, but came out and just could not turn it around in the third. Adam (Davis) also hurt his knee and he had to come out."
       Teller said the future looks good for the team nonetheless.
       "We need to address some areas over the summer but we return 10 players and a strong junior varsity class," he said. "(We had a) good run in State playoffs. We got better; at one point we were 3-6 and struggling but the players kept at it and we ended as District champs."