DRAMA KINGS: Salem edges Plymouth in OT for 2nd time in 3 weeks
Liam Reynolds attacks the rim against Armani Wright.
As if Jordan Peele is writing the scripts, the Plymouth-vs.-Salem boys basketball series this season has been dripping with drama and intrigue.
For the second time in three weeks, the Rocks escaped Tuesday night with a nail-biting 74-71 overtime triumph over the Wildcats, whose season of close calls was extended to four extra-session setbacks.
Salem freshman Ezekiel Chinzadza’s three-point basket with 44 seconds remaining in overtime broke a 65-all deadlock to power the Rocks to their second-consecutive victory (they thumped Brighton, 65-47, on Valentine’s Day) and second extra-session win against their cross-campus rivals.
A fast-break layup by Salem sophomore Landen Stone 24 seconds after Chinzadza’s trey pushed the lead to two possessions before Mitch Paspal all but slammed the door on the victory with two late free throws.
(To check out video highlights from Tuesday’s game, click here.)
Both teams playing hard to the end
The result left both teams with 7-14 records. Salem finished in seventh place in the KLAA West with a 3-11 record while Plymouth capped its divisional schedule with a 2-12 mark — deceptive given the Wildcats were a handful of points here and there from earning a middle-of-the-pack standing.
Stone was spectacular for Salem, pouring in 23 points — 12 coming on four net-finding three-pointers.
Salem sophomore Mitch Paspal continued his strong season with 13 points, while junior Darrell Williams added 12. Chinzadza contributed 11 in a game where every shot mattered.
Juniors Connor Townsend (six points) and Liam Reynolds (five points) all factored into their team’s dramatic win.
Plymouth senior Amir Miller was the game’s leading scorer, filling the nets for 24 points, including one second quarter make that was preceded by an entertaining display of ball-handling.
Rue, Short top contributors
Zerry Rue scored 18 for Plymouth, which also received a significant boost from senior forward Cam Short (12 points).
The game was entertaining — at least for fans of offensive fireworks — from the get-go as Plymouth seized a 20-16 lead after one quarter.
Salem countered with a 20-point quarter of it own in the second to grab a 36-32 halftime advantage.
Six Rocks scored during the third quarter, which ended with the visitors owning a 50-44 lead.
May the fourth be with you
Plymouth stormed back in the fourth, however, led by Miller’s 11 points (nine coming on threes).
Salem took a 63-61 lead with 1:45 remaining in regulation on a slick drive by Stone.
The Wildcats answered with two Short free throws that re-knotted the contest at 63-all.
With his team trailing 65-63, Plymouth Max Hornbacher converted a driving layup to set up OT.
Here’s what’s left
Both teams will complete their 2024-25 schedule on Thursday in KLAA divisional cross-over games. Plymouth will travel to John Glenn for a 7 p.m. tipoff while Salem travels to Churchill.
The Rocks’ future is incredibly bright as all eight of the players who scored Tuesday night — and junior Nye Turner who did not play Tuesday — will return for the 2025-26 season.
Salem will open Division 1 district play on Feb. 24 at 5:30 p.m. at host Ypsilanti Lincoln.
Plymouth will play Ypsilanti Community at 7 p.m.. on Feb. 24 at Lincoln. First-round district victories would earn Plymouth another shot at Canton, which drew a first-round bye. A first-round triumph by Salem would propel it into a district semifinal game against No. 1 seed Belleville.
Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com
