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Posted on Fri, Mar 8, 2013 : 10:13 p.m.

Gabriel Richard, Greenhills, Washtenaw Christian fall in district title games

By Kyle Austin

This file will be updated throughout the night

AnnArbor.com Washtenaw County Scoreboard

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The Father Gabriel Richard boys basketball team fell to Detroit Community by five in a district title game.

Daniel Brenner I AnnArbor.com

Detroit Community 41, Father Gabriel Richard 36
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Detroit Community came back from a 24-21 halftime deficit to win in the final seconds of the Class B district title at Livonia Clarenceville.

Father Gabriel Richard led 36-34 with one minute to go, but Community’s Demetrius Rose hit a 3-pointer to make the score 37-36. Gabriel Richard turned over the ensuing possession, allowing Byron Ziegler of Community to make two free throws that made the score 39-36 with 28 seconds remaining.

Kamari Davis of Gabriel Richard scored 10 points, and Evan Fosha grabbed five rebounds.

“It’s frustrating and heartbreaking,” Gabriel Richard coach Pete Schoch said. “We spread them out and ran four conrners for virtually the entire ball game. We possessed the ball, ate a lot of clock, and tonight, our only chance was to spread the floor and make them defend us. “For 95 percent of the game, we did that. Unfortanately, it was the end that cost us."

Schoch said his team showed noticeable improvement this season.

“We implemented different play to take advantage of certain talent,” Schoch added. “It took a while for that to develop, but when the process matured, it worked. We were hardly ever at full strength, but by the end of the year, we were, and the kids have grown as individuals and as a team. The seniors played a great game tonight.”

Clinton 65, Greenhills 43
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The Clinton offense broke open the game in the second quarter, outscoring Greenhills 13-4, jumping out to a 15-point lead at the half.

Ricky Miller scored a game-high 19 points with nine rebounds to lead Clinton and T.J. Baker added 18 points with five assists.

"We were playing man-to-man defense all night, and we knew who to cover in the paint," Mike Ruhl said. "We tried to limit them to tough shots, and be in the right position to rebound strong and frustrate them."

Greenhills made sure to not quit and finish the game strong by outscoring Clinton 19-17 in the fourth quarter, but it was not enough to climb out of the second and third quarter deficits.

Andrew Khouri scored 18 points to lead Greenhills.

"We usually get 10-20 points a game from turnovers but we were not able to turn (Clinton) over," Greenhills coach Andrew Wright said. "When we did turn them over, we didn't get those easy baskets. When those things happen, your offense tends to suffer."

Livingston Christian 49, Washtenaw Christian 27
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Luke Wenger scored 27 points and grabbed 18 rebounds to lead Livingston Christian, which outscored Washtenaw Christian 31-6 in the second and third quarters to capture a district title in their first year in the MHSAA.

Trenton Shelby scored nine points to lead Washtenaw Christian.

"We were great defensively, and that was the difference," Livingston Christian coach Jim Milanowski said. "Our best player, Luke, stepped up and led us offensively and defensively, and we got great effort from everyone tonight."

Washtenaw Christian coach Dan Benefiel said that foul trouble and Livingston's ability to break their press were tough to overcome.

"We were pressing to try and turn it into a full-court game, and we gave them a little trouble early, but once they adjusted they started beating our press and getting to the basket," Benefiel said. "Wenger was playing from end-line to end-line, and we couldn't contain him.

"We got into deep foul trouble in the third quarter, and we ended up having three players foul out. That changed our offense considerably and made life a lot harder for us."

Washtenaw Christian finishes the year at 12-9 overall.

"The progress our team made from the beginning of the year to the end was outstanding," Benefiel said. "We had a winning season and made it to the district finals, which is a good season.

"Assuming everyone comes back, we'll return four starters and a lot of experience. We're going to start a spring conditioning program and have some open gyms to work on some things in the offseason."