Orchard Lake St. Mary's Edges U of D Jesuit in Thrilling Catholic League Bishop Championship

Detroit, MI – February 14, 2025 – In a back-and-forth battle for the Catholic High School League Boys Basketball Bishop Championship, Orchard Lake St. Mary’s narrowly defeated University of Detroit Jesuit 58-57 in a thrilling contest at a neutral-site arena in Detroit.

The game saw 15 ties and 13 lead changes, with both teams battling hard from start to finish. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s built a 12-point lead in the second quarter, but U of D Jesuit stormed back to take a six-point lead late in the third. However, clutch free throws and key plays down the stretch allowed St. Mary’s to reclaim control and seal the victory.

Key Performers:

• Trey McKenney (St. Mary’s) led the game with 22 points, and 10 rebounds displaying his all-around impact.
• Sharrod Barnes contributed 21 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 assist, providing crucial backcourt leadership.
• Mateen Cleaves II added 5 points

For U of D Jesuit, Leroy Blyden had a strong outing with 26 points and 5 rebounds, while Xavier Johnson scored 19 points with 2 rebounds. David Herron III contributed 11 points and 3 rebounds.

Game Stats:

• Field Goal Percentage:
  • St. Mary’s: 36.6% (15-41)
  • U of D Jesuit: 39.0% (16-41)
• Three-Point Shooting:
  • St. Mary’s: 16.7% (2-12)
  • U of D Jesuit: 20.0% (3-15)
• Free Throw Shooting:
  • St. Mary’s: 92.9% (26-28)
  • U of D Jesuit: 84.6% (22-26)

The game was decided in the final minutes, with St. Mary’s scoring the last field goal at 3:29 in the fourth quarter and holding off a late push from U of D Jesuit, who made a final basket at 2:38. The defensive intensity in the closing moments secured the victory for Orchard Lake St. Mary’s, giving them the Catholic League Bishop Championship.

This marks another chapter in the storied rivalry between these two programs, with St. Mary’s coming out on top in one of the most tightly contested games of the season.