Monday's roundup: Romulus tops Chicago Bogan in tournament

Detroit — The Derrick Coleman DC Elite Tip-off Tournament at Calihan Hall features some of the top talent from Metro Detroit facing off against some of the best high school teams in Chicagoland.

But for Romulus coach Jared Smith, it’s not about who the opponent is, as long as his team wins.

Romulus beat Chicago Bogan, 70-67, Monday.

“We’ve got to compete, too,” Smith said. “We’ve got kids walking around Michigan who think they are the best and kids running around Chicago thinking they’re the best. This is for our kids. Don’t get me wrong, we played sloppy but these kids have been working for this opportunity.”

Dylan Price led Romulus (1-0) with 23 points. Braedon Mongon added 12.

“I had to adjust to what they were doing,” Price, a 6-foot-3 senior forward said. “Instead of shooting my threes, I had to take it to the rim.”

Both teams got off to slow starts. Romulus went on a 6-2 run in the first four minutes, leading 16-11 after one quarter.

Romulus controlled the paint for much of the first half, but turnovers were an issue. At halftime, Romulus had a 33-31 lead.

Price hit three 3-pointers to start the second half, opening up a seven-point lead for Romulus, which was up 42-35 with five minutes left in the third quarter.

“It was just something they were giving me,” Price said. “I had to take advantage of it.”

After three, Romulus was ahead 48-42.

In the final minute and a half, Romulus caught its biggest break.

With 1:10 left, Jeremiah Washington went to the line for Bogan, shooting three free throws. He missed all three. Mungo then put down a right-handed dunk on the next possession, making it a seven-point game for Romulus.

“We just found a way to win,” Smith said. “It wasn’t a great game. We were a little shaky holding on to the ball. It was the kind of game we’re going to have to win sometimes.”

Smith said he was happy with his team’s ball movement. On nearly every basket, there was at least one assist.

“Now we’ve got guys who are really bigger than the ball,” Smith said. “That’s what it comes down to. We’re playing unselfishly. That’s what it’s really about.”

Romulus heads to Dearborn Heights Robichaud on Thursday.

Tyreon Hardin led Bogan with 21 points. Washington scored nine.

Last season’s tournament was canceled after the first day, when controversy arose regarding the legitimacy of the tournament.

The MHSAA said it did not receive the necessary paperwork from tournament organizers and participants. U-D Jesuit and a trio of PSL schools — Western, King and Renaissance — were penalized as a result.

“They gave up one of their 20 games, because (the) tournament wasn’t sanctioned,” PSL executive director Alvin Ward said. “They knew that last year. (This) tournament is sanctioned this year.”

King was originally scheduled to participate in this year’s tournament, but backed out and was replaced by Western.

Three games are scheduled for Tuesday at Calihan. Woodhaven hosts Grosse Pointe South at 5:30. Then at 7, Detroit University Prep hosts Walled Lake Central, before River Rouge takes on West Bloomfield at 8:30.

More Elite Tip-Off Tournament 

Chicago Marshall 61, Detroit Public Safety Academy 44: Jarvae Tate scored 23 for Marshall, leading all scorers. Steven Burgess had 17 points for Public Safety (0-1).

Chicago Morgan Park 71, Detroit Western 45: Ayo Dosunmu had 22 points, Nimari Burnett 12 and Cam Irvin 10 for Morgan Park. Loron Bowman scored 17 for Western (0-1).

More boys basketball

Redford Union 48, Plymouth 45: Amir Huston had 19 points and Jacob Gagnon 10 for Redford Union (1-0). Tariq Woody scored 21 for Plymouth (0-1).

Rochester Hills Stoney Creek 59, Utica 42: Nate Davis had 18 and Michael Melaregni 14 for Stoney Creek (1-0). Kavon Higdon scored 12 for Utica (0-1).

U-D Jesuit 71, Detroit Edison 42: Greg Eboigboiden scored 20, Zachary Winston 11 and Ike Eke 10 for Jesuit (1-0).

Boys basketball scores

Utica Eisenhower 72, Romeo 62

Girls basketball

Allen Park 38, Plymouth 37:  Gracen Kubik scored the game-winner on a jumper with 4 seconds left. Izzie Slate had 15 for Allen Park (1-0). Alexa Ebeling scored 14 for Plymouth (0-2).

Clarkston 91, Birmingham Groves 74: Kayla Luchenbach scored 32 and Maddie Beck added 29 for Clarkston (2-0). Kayla Nelson had 34 points and Sha Carter added 20 for Groves (1-2).

Detroit East English 63, Detroit International Academy 16: Jayla Smith had 20 points, C’Erra Maholmes had 12 points and 10 assists, and Amyre Phillips-Hood had 10 points and 10 steals for East English (3-0).

Detroit King 82, Detroit Denby 22: Del-Janae Williams had 23 points, Alicia Norman 18 and Jordon Lewis 11 for King (1-0). Asjah Hayes scored seven for Denby (0-1).

Detroit Osborn 37, Detroit Delta Prep 14: Alexis Edwards scored 17 for Osborn (1-1).

Detroit Renaissance 66, Detroit Northwestern 27: Dalyn Henderson had 18 points, Victoria Wright 10 and Nenna Nnaji 10 for Renaissance (1-0). Ajanee Horton scored 14 for Northwestern (0-1).

Detroit Southeastern 45, Detroit Pershing 16: Tannetta Nathan-Oliver had 21 points and Erica Pruitt 14 for Southeastern (1-0).

Riverview Gabriel Richard 43, Melvindale ABT 8: Maddie Szczechowski and Sharmaye Becrast had 10 points each for Gabriel Richard (1-2).

Girls basketball scores

Clarkston 91, Birmingham Groves 74

Detroit Cass Tech 66, Detroit West Side 3

Al Willman is a freelance writer; Detroit News staff contributed