Huron Varsity basketball won its 22nd game of the season and fourth in a row on Monday night, beating the Mustangs of Northville High School 56-45 in the Region five semi finals. Northville played Huron close throughout the first half, when Huron broke away in the third quarter and was able to hold their lead in the last eight minutes. Sophomore Macari Moore actually was not the team leader in scoring, that honor went to senior guard Braylon Dickerson with 20 points, Moore added 19 and senior TJ Bell was third in scoring with 9 points. 

Huron breaks away with 18 point 3rd quarter

Huron started the second half only up 2, with the score being 22-20. They proceeded to play the best single quarter of the entire playoffs so far. Huron did a great job getting out in transition and getting high percentage shots, and making them. Most of the Rats 18 points in the third came off layups or offensive rebounds. Dickerson was magnificent, scoring seven of his 20 points in the third, with Moore adding 6 of his own. The 3rd quarter was also the peak of what was an up and down night for junior big man Mohamed Doumboya. Northville was making difficult shots all game long, and they had their few in the quarter, but Huron dominated, taking a two point game and making it an 11 point lead, 40-29. 

Dickerson at his best 

Although Moore has been Huron’s MVP for the entire season and playoffs to this point, it was Dickerson who was the MVP against the Mustangs. His team-leading 20 points came with three three pointers made, also a team lead. Dickerson was the best player on the court Monday night, leading the Rats’ transition attack that was so potent. He showed a willingness to push the ball up the floor and both he and Huron were rewarded for it. The senior guard was phenomenal on both ends of the floor, on multiple occasions forcing turnovers that resulted in points at the other end. Dickerson showed that he can be the second star to go along with Macari Moore that raises this team’s ceiling even higher than it already is. If Huron wants to win that elusive state title, Dickerson will need to continue playing this well.

The good kind of foul trouble

Huron was the beneficiary of Northville being in their own foul trouble for the entire 2nd half. Near the end of the 3rd quarter, the Mustangs had already committed 7 fouls and put Huron in the bonus. It only got worse in the final quarter, and Northville had put Huron in the double bonus from the seven minute mark for the rest of the game. Huron took full advantage of this. The Rats shot 19/23 for 82% as a team from the charity stripe for the game. In the fourth quarter alone, Huron shot 16 free throws, making 12 of them. The Rats attacked the rim constantly all quarter, getting fouled and getting to the line. This helped put Huron over the top in this game, and prevented any chance at a comeback from Northville. This is what good teams do. They draw fouls, and they take advantage by making free throws. Free throws have been a strength for Huron all year long, and it will continue to be a strong suit going forward.

What’s Next?

After beating Northville, Huron now moves on to the Region Five final against Belleville (14-10). The Region Five final will be held at Ypsilanti Lincoln High School, on Wednesday, March 15 at 7 p.m. Make no mistake, Huron is a top 10 team in the state, and will be the favorite to beat the Tigers and move on to states. Belleville is coming off its third straight win, the latest a 48-45 victory over Ann Arbor Skyline.