Class B quarterfinals: Detroit Community's tough schedule pays off with Breslin berth

Chelsea — Detroit Community was able to stave off a late comeback by Jackson Lumen Christi, 50-47, and advance to its first Class B semifinal.

A 7-2 run at the start of the fourth quarter, coupled with Lumen Christi's inability to make field goals or rebound, put Community (17-9) up 45-38 with two minutes left.

Lumen Christi (21-4) answered with a run of its own to cut the game to three with just 2.1 seconds left, but a half-court shot attempt fell well wide.

"We had to play some real D," said Community's Jerell Martin, who had a team-high 10 points. "Real smart. No fouls. Get rebounds."

Community coach Venias Jordan Jr. said he was fairly comfortable his team could control both the tempo and the score.

"We don't really get out of the 50s," he said. "When we're getting up in the 60s, that's not good for us."

The first half saw both teams battling it out, with a five-point Lumen Christi lead in the first quarter being the largest either team had. They went to halftime tied at 22.

"We knew it was gonna be a tough game," said Community's Byron Zeigler (nine points), who will be playing basketball at the University of South Florida.

The third quarter saw Community finally take momentum into its own hands.

Community made its first four field-goal attempts in the fourth quarter, while Lumen Christi hit only two field goals the first six minutes.

Lumen Christi then made a late comeback attempt, but it was too late.

Jordan and his team were well prepared to hold on. They had one of the toughest schedules in the state, playing the likes of Pershing, Romulus, Cass Tech, Consortium, Mumford and Chicago Orr (Ill.).

"This," said Jordan, "is what we scheduled them for."

Added Zeigler: "It helps us out, because when we get down we don't worry about it. We keep playing our game."

Community moves on to play Wyoming Godwin Heights in a semifinal Friday at Breslin Center in East Lansing.

More Class B

Detroit Country Day 79, Flint Powers Catholic 61: At Imlay City, Mory Diane had 13 points, Austin Price 12 and Edmond Sumner 11 for Country Day (23-4). Ethan Wiskur scored 15 for Powers (13-13).

Country Day gets Cadillac in the semifinal.

Blake Meakin is a freelance writer;

Detroit News staff contributed