Detroit — Once again, Detroit Southeastern won with defense — holding James Young to 18 points — and defeated Rochester, 54-49, in a Class A quarterfinal Tuesday before 6,054 at Calihan Hall.
The difference this time is Southeastern had to do it without its senior point guard, Kenyatta Singleton. He suffered a gash to his facial area with 2:38 left in the first half and didn't return. The injury required 20 stitches and his status for Friday's semifinal is uncertain.
Southeastern (20-5) will play defending champion Saginaw (23-3) at Breslin Center.
Despite the severity of Singleton's injury, coach George Ward is expecting his leader in the lineup.
"I'll be surprised if I don't see Kenyatta at practice (on Wednesday)," Ward said.
Young, who finished third in Mr. Basketball voting, scored one point in the third quarter, attempted just five shots in the second half and became a non-factor down the stretch.
Ward had a plan for Young, a 6-foot-6 McDonald's All America selection who signed with Kentucky. And he waited for the second half to spring it.
"That 1-3-1 defense gave Young problems," Ward said. "We were going to shade him when he was on the wing to make it tough for him to get into the lane. It at least made him think about what he was doing."
The game was tied at 29 at the end of the third quarter, when suddenly Southeastern's offense came alive. Nathan Taylor opened the quarter with a 3-pointer and Southeastern made six of its first seven shots, the last a 3-pointer by Jo'Vone Hayes to take a 43-36 lead with 4:31 left.
Hayes finished with 18 points but fouled out with 3:50 left, leaving Southeastern without its two starting guards.
A Young basket cut the lead to 46-42 with 1:50 left, but Southeastern closed the game out by making eight consecutive free throws.
"They hit open shots in that fourth," Rochester coach John Pleasant said. "They're well-coached and a disciplined team. They played physical on Young. They're an aggressive team. We weren't concerned with the pace. We wanted to close the gaps defensively and push it when we had a chance on offense."
Young was 5-of-16 from the field and 8-of-11 from the free-throw line. Arben Camaj added 16 points and five blocks.
Kwesi Williams added 13 points for Southeastern.
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