TAYLOR — A pair of local boys’ basketball teams shared the floor to open up the new season Tuesday night as Dearborn Heights Robichaud visited Taylor High for a non-conference matchup.
A strong fourth quarter in this one allowed the visiting Bulldogs from Robichaud to pull away for the eventual 63-46 victory over the host Griffins.
A close game early on slowly but surely became one-sided in favor of Robichaud, who was primarily led by the duo of J’von Walker and Marcus Pettway. Two of seven different Bulldogs to score in the game, that tandem combined for 38 of the Bulldogs’ points in the win.
PHOTO GALLERY: Boys Basketball – Dearborn Heights Robichaud vs Taylor High
Pettway finished with a game-high 22 points, 10 of which came in the first quarter. Walker meanwhile scored 12 of his 16 points in the second and third quarters.
It was Walker who helped Robichaud create some separation from Taylor in the second quarter, allowing the visitors to take an eight-point lead into halftime. And after both teams netted 12 points in the third, the Bulldogs went on to outscore the Griffins 22-12 in the fourth.
Daron Clay was also a key cog in that strong finish for Robichaud as he scored all six of his points in that final stanza. Clay was one of six different Bulldogs to score in the fourth.
Robichaud also got five points from Dezmond Tolliver and Malachi Moss as well as four points each from Maurice Smith and Cornelius Jenkins.
It was a bit of a slow start for Taylor, who tallied just nine points in the opening period. The end of each half was also a big difference for the Griffins, who were outscored 40-25 in the second and fourth quarters.
Nick Clements led the way for the hosts, scoring nine of his team-high 13 points after halftime. Mar’Sean Massenburg and Damari Waymer each collected 11 points, the latter doing so on a pair of made three-point baskets and 5-for-9 from the free throw line.
Taylor certainly had their opportunities to make it a closer contest early and often as they finished just 8-for-24 from the charity stripe. Robichaud meanwhile connected on seven of their 16 freebie tries.
Robichaud a season ago finished 18-7 overall, including a 11-3 mark in Western Wayne Athletic Conference, good for a second-place tie with Romulus. The Bulldogs eventually won their third straight district championship before later falling in the Division 2 regional semifinal round to Romulus Summit Academy North.
Taylor meanwhile is looking to improve on what was an up-and-down campaign a year ago when they finished 12-11 overall and tied for fourth out of nine teams in the Downriver League with an 8-8 mark. The Griffins saw their season end to DRL rival Allen Park in the D1 district semifinal round.
UP NEXT –
Taylor (0-1) now has a quick turnaround as they are scheduled to visit Dearborn Advanced Tech Academy on November 30 (7:00p). The Griffins will then host Garden City on December 4 (7:00p) before welcoming in Allen Park to open up Downriver League play on Dec 5 (7:00p).
Robichaud (1-0) meanwhile will not take the floor again for a game until Dec 5 when they hold their home opener against Detroit East English (7:00p)
