Rochester bounces Stoney Creek, continues best start since 1988-89

BY DAN STICKRADT

SENIOR EDITOR

dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com

ROCHESTER HILLS — Rochester continued its best start in 23 years Tuesday and at Rochester Stoney Creek’s expense.

Playing each other for the first time since last March, where Stoney Creek upset Rochester in a Class A district semifinal at Oxford, the Falcons simply pounding the Cougars with a 57-29 OAA Blue Division victory.

CRUISING: Rochester's Taylor Perry and the Falcons downed Rochester Stoney Creek, 57-29, Tuesday for the Falcons' ninth straight win. Rochester is of to its best start in 23 years. File Photo | Dan Stickradt

Paris Pereira led Rochester (9-1, 2-0) with 17 points, but the Falcons’ starters played sparingly in the second half. Mike Murri, Taylor Perry and Manny Mendoza added six points apiece for Rochester.

“We kept our focus, which was good. We knew Stoney Creek was down this year but we still came out and played tough right from the get-go,” offered Rochester coach John Pleasant, who team captured its ninth straight win.

The start to the 2011-12 season is the best in the school since the 1988-89 school year, where the Falcons reeled of 21 straight wins before being upset by Pontiac Northern, 71-68, in triple overtime in a Class A district semifinal the season. This year the Falcons dropped their season opener to state-ranked Detroit Loyola (58-46) and have not lost since, reeling off its nine-game streak.

“I think we have been playing some very good basketball as of late, admitted Pleasant. We have to keep it going. I know the guys want to win a league and district championship this season and we have to remain focused.

“This was a nice win for us, because I got a chance to play everybody a lot of minutes,” said Pleasant. “All but one of our guys scored. That’s the most we’ve had this season in terms of guys scoring.”

Stephan Makowski and Saagar Sandhanwalia both eight points, with Sandhanwalia tallying all eight points in the fourth quarter for Stoney Creek (0-8, 0-5), which was held to only 10 field goals.

Rochester led 21-6 after the first quarter and never looked back. The Falcons, who sent 11 of 12 players into the scoring column, led 29-12 at the half and continued to punish the Winless Cougars in the second half.

Rochester used an 18-0 third quarter to bury Stoney Creek, holing a 47-12 lead entering the fourth quarter.

The Cougars outscored Rochester 17-10 in the final period to close the final margin down to 28 points.

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