Breslin Center - Redford knew how good the Trojans were after facing them back in December.  The Huskies fell to Saginaw High 70-54 in that contest.  What Redford didn't know is just how good Saginaw High could be with a state title at stake.  Saginaw High had created some doubters with 'close' wins in some of the previous games leading up to the title game.  If you looked at just the box score each night, you couldn't appreciate what this Trojan team brings to the table.  In most of their wins they held back and shortened the game, while most fans were left yearning for the explosiveness they saw when Saginaw High destroyed defending state champ Arthur Hill in the district title game.  The fans of the black and gold got what they wanted today as Saginaw High saved their best for last.

Mr. Basketball, Manny Harris struck first for the Huskies and put them up 2-0.  Bobby Lewis countered with 5 straight and just like that, the Trojans would never trail again.  Saginaw High opened up a 8 point lead at the end of one quarter.  Draymond Green had three baskets, while Deonte Wesley and Lewis had two a piece.  On the other side Manny Harris had 8 of Redford's 11 points.  The pattern of Harris supplying most of the offense became the Huskies' undoing as Harris had little help in the scoring column.  Mr. Basketball finished with 31 points but the rest of the team combined for only 26. 

The High jumped out to a 16 point lead in the 2nd but Redford stormed back at the end of the 2nd quarter.  Bobby Lewis had 8 points for the Trojans in the 2nd while Harris was racking up the points for the Huskies, scoring 11 more in the quarter for a total of 19 in the first half.  Harris scored the last 5 points of the first half, the last coming on a pretty pull-up three with 5 seconds left.  The mini burst from Harris cut the lead to 36-26 at the break.  We saw flashes of brilliance from the Trojans in the first half but the 2nd half would be their total coming out party but not before Redford made things interesting.

The Huskies jumped out to a 7-2 run to start the 3rd, which cut the lead to 5.  It was the closest that Redford would come.  The remaining portion of the game would turn into an evening to forget for the Huskies.  Up 6 points in the third, Saginaw High Head Coach, Lou Dawkins called a 30 second time-out to rally the troops with 3:58 to go in the quarter.  The pep talk worked as the Trojans finished with a flurry on a 13-3 run, taking a 54-38 lead into the final quarter.  The run was powered by 7 Day-Day Green points but was capped by a surprising three pointer from big man Deonte Wesley.  Wesley pulled up from way downtown and nailed the triple with just seconds to go in the third.  The Trojan faithful jumped from their seats in jubilation.  Beating Saginaw High when the score is 0-0 is on thing.  Trying to come back from 16 down in just one quarter is a whole different story.  The fourth quarter would see the game change from a big win to a blowout.

Just 2 and a half minutes into the final quarter, the Trojans had pushed the lead to 21 points.  'Big' Josh Southern and D. Green were an unstoppable combo underneath and were piling on the points.  Manny Harris was doing his best to keep up with the Trojans but it was similar to the hit movie '300', where the Huskies were just out-matched, out-numbered and out-gunned.  The Trojans had 44 points to the Huskies' 14 in the paint.  Redford had no quit in them but the points started to pile up for the Trojans.  The last five minutes of the game saw the most points scored during any one stretch in the game, with 28 points.  Redford did a better job of scoring late in the game but were treading water as they were just trading points with the Trojans.  Saginaw High did a great job of cashing in at the free-throw line.  Speaking of free-throws, Harris was an incredible 16 for 17 from the line.  If it wasn't for the conversions at the foul line for Harris, who knows how bad it could have been.  After the final buzzer sounded, the Trojans held their hands in the air, realizing that a summer, fall and winter of hard work, tough practices and sacrifice, finally paid off with the pinnacle of Class A basketball. 

The 79-57 win for Saginaw High solidified their status among high school basketball's elite in the history of Michigan High School basketball.  With the team accomplishments and top notch talent, what may be overlooked is the fact that we most likely saw the state's top coach in action.  Dawkins was the perfect general for the task at hand.  He used his 'units' and put the pieces where they had to go at the right time.  Adjustments were none more evident then in today's title game.  When he saw something he didn't like or a match-up he did, he immediately signaled over to his bench to plug in the correct piece.  The composure and respect that Dawkins carries not only in his games but in practice are a big reason why the Trojans were crowned today.  Dawkins treats his players like family but also dishes out tough love when they need it. 

It was almost unfair.  The great players, the great coaching and the great ethic, created a masterpiece that culminated just before 6:00 P.M. Saturday night.  The turning point for this team was after their only loss of the season to rival Arthur Hill back in January.  They learned from the loss and used it as motivation, beating the Lumberjacks the next two times they faced them.  Gone now are Southern, Lewis, Bobby Clark, Tristian Calhoun, along with several other key role players but the cupboard will be far from bare.  Back are D. Green, Mike Green and Daniel West to name a few.  The most important returnee suits up in a blazer and tie rather than a jersey and shorts.  As long as Coach Dawkins is roaming the sidelines, expect to see a title contender.  It undoubtedly will be another exciting season next year around the state with Michigan again being one of the nation's leaders in high school basketball talent, a talent pool that will be led by Draymond Green, the early favorite for Mr. Basketball.  Only 8 more months to the opening tip!