Ford's offense awakens to first win of the season against Sterling Heights - Macomb Daily

The Ford Falcons’ offensive display on Monday night was like an oasis in the basketball desert for head coach Jeremy Denha.

After opening their season with a 46-43 loss to Port Huron last week, the Falcons scored 47 points in the first half alone in their 66-31 win over Sterling Heights on Dec. 2 at Sterling Heights HS.

“We had to do this last Tuesday,” Denha said. “We really insisted on playing with some emotion. And I think we’ve done that from the beginning. We have a group of people who like each other, but we have questioned our passion a little. And that was the perfect first quarter for us, the perfect game for us in terms of what we needed. It wasn’t a perfect basketball game, but that’s what we needed.”

Ford opened the game with the offense he wanted, especially with good ball movement in the halfcourt and by forcing the Stallions’ ball handlers to turn the ball over for quick, runaway throws.

They led 20-8 after the first quarter and then exceeded that by outscoring SHHS 27-4 in the second quarter to open a 47-12 lead at halftime.

“We have a lot of returnees,” said Denha. “There is an expectation. So I don’t know if we really came away slow and underperforming when we started our season last Tuesday against Port Huron – and I don’t know if that was a product of some expectations or fears. The boys played much more relaxed today and had fun. I didn’t see that at all last Tuesday.”

Ford began using its reserves in the third quarter and gave them the entire fourth quarter with the clock running.

Nine different Falcons scored, including Aaron Johnson Jr. and Jamie Thomas, who each had 15 points to lead the team.

Nick Pagel and Eli Miller each had nine points.

The Falcons are confident in this group, especially with Johnson and Miller leading the way.

“When they (Johnson and Miller) play like that, it gives us a huge advantage,” Denha said. “I think we have some of the best players in the county. Last year I told these guys that (Utica’s) Mason Brodi was in our league last year and we probably had the next best players. So they had to act like that every night. They have to fill out stat sheets every night.”

Sterling Heights’ Carson Otto (10) makes a fadeaway jump shot. (BRADY MCATAMNEY – MediaNews Group)

Mostafa Faour (six points), Aiden Gillich (four), Carson Sturm (four), Rickie Mayer (two) and Danny Eid (two) completed the scoring for the Falcons.

At 1-1, Ford’s goal is, of course, to make a splash in the postseason – but that can only happen by playing their best at the right time.

“You want to win championships, you want to win a league, you want to win a district and after that you want to make a breakthrough,” Denha said. “But for us right now, my big thing and the conversation I’m having with my team in early February is: Are we going to be the best version of ourselves?”

Sterling Heights (0-2) has a little more at stake early on.

“We are young and have some injuries,” Sterling Heights head coach Torey Dixson said. “It’s always a learning process, no matter what happens. A lot of our kids haven’t really had much experience (last year). It’s really like starting from scratch. It’s still a work in progress.

“Nothing is wrong, but we just have a lot of work to do. And I love the children, they are great children. I’m just starting from scratch as I take on this new program. There’s a lot of work that needs to be done.”

Photos from Ford’s 66-31 win over Sterling Heights on Monday

Alan Elia led the Stallions with 15 points on Monday, including 11 in the fourth quarter. Justin Maton had seven, Carson Otto had five and Trenton Westover had four.

Dixson emphasized that her main goal right now is to learn from her games and practices while playing hard.

“We’ll go over a lot of the basics,” Dixson said. “There is always a beginning. And the way we were and the way we started, it’s kind of hard for me to sit here and say, “Oh, we’re officially ready.” Right, we’re not ready. But one thing we will do, we have always done: we want to play hard, we want to play, we will finish today. No matter what.”

Originally published: December 2, 2024 at 9:48 pm EST

Ford’s offense awakens to first win of the season against Sterling Heights – Macomb Daily

ByAmelia Journalton

By Amelia Journalton

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