Written Friday March 25th at 7:40 PM
Updated Saturday March 26th at 12:00 PM
Turnovers and losing a star player really hurt the Eagles.
The defending Division Two State champs Grand Rapids Catholic Central used a 15-0 third quarter run very similar to their 28-0 run in last season's game as they beat Ferndale 82-71 for the second straight year on Friday evening in the Division Two State Semifinals at the Breslin Center.
The Eagles had trouble with the Cougars fast break transition and 17 turnovers which resulted in the Grand Rapids Catholic Central student section chanting "just like last year."
Ferndale fell 81-55 in the same round last season to the Cougars.
Eagles star Jason Drake fouled out late in the third quarter. The Cougars proven experience and depth proved too much for Ferndale.
Treyvon Lewis had 32 points while Drake had 12 points before fouling out late in the third quarter.
Jack Karasinski led Grand Rapids Catholic Central with 34 points and Durral Brooks had 22 points.
Ferndale has had problems playing these type of teams like the Cougars.
It seems like when the Eagles play teams that are as athletically talented as them, along with proven experience, and deeper they tend to struggle which was evident in both meetings against the Cougars.
This season they relied a lot on Drake and Lewis. It got them through the Red, the district, and regional.
It's very tough to address because Ferndale is not a big school enrollment wise.
You can't blame Coach Juan Rickman, the players, or Athletic Director Shawn Butler.
They are doing everything they can.
Yes they schedule very tough games, they try to address this issue but it's very hard and difficult to do.
The players want to play those type of games which is understandable.
Ferndale has a lot of talent coming back next season but losing Drake and Lewis to graduation will be a challenge. It will be a very interesting offseason to see what happens with the Eagles next season.
My suggestion to Rickman if he wants to go this route is to play proven Division Two powers like Grand Rapids Catholic Central and see where they are at. Play them or even Williamston early, see where you at.
The Eagles did beat a proven Division One powerhouse in Muskegon which was huge at the time but playing a team like the Cougars will tell a lot about the program.
Ferndale will be a program to watch next season. They need to address this issue and this is a challenge they need to address.
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