In a competitive matchup at Hazel Park High School, the Hartland Eagles utilized their defensive prowess and size to secure a 57-51 victory over the Warren De La Salle Pilots on December 22, 2025. With this win, Hartland improved to 5-1 for the season, marking their third consecutive triumph.
The Eagles’ strategy hinged on their significant physical advantage and effective free throw shooting. Although they managed only a 42.5 percent shooting rate from the floor, hitting 17 of 40 attempts, they excelled at the foul line, converting 19 of 22 free throws, which accounted for 86.4 percent accuracy. Additionally, Hartland made 5 of 15 from beyond the arc, effectively keeping the undersized Pilots at bay.
Defensive Dominance and Key Performers
Hartland’s rebounding efforts proved to be a crucial factor in the game, as they out-rebounded De La Salle 34-14 and forced the Pilots into committing 17 turnovers. Coach Kevin Blouin emphasized the importance of using their size to their advantage, particularly against a younger and quicker De La Salle team. “I thought we started to do a better job with that in the second quarter,” Blouin remarked.
Junior guard Logan Morrish led the Eagles with 22 points, showcasing an impressive 4-for-5 performance from three-point range and a perfect 8-for-8 from the foul line. Senior forward Parker Sundman matched his teammate’s scoring output, also finishing with 22 points and contributing seven rebounds, while shooting 8-for-8 at the charity stripe. Senior forward Kane Meyer added four points and five rebounds to the team’s efforts.
In contrast, De La Salle, struggling to find their rhythm, shot only 36.8 percent from the field, completing 18 of 49 attempts. Their three-point shooting was particularly weak, connecting on just 25 percent of their attempts, hitting 6 of 24 from long range. The Pilots did manage to convert 9 of 12 free throws during the game.
Game Flow and Turning Points
The game started with De La Salle taking an early lead, finishing the first quarter ahead 14-12. However, Hartland responded by capitalizing on their size advantage, particularly in the paint. They outscored the Pilots 18-13 in the second quarter, going into halftime with a 30-27 lead.
In the third quarter, both teams managed to score 14 points, but Hartland maintained their slim advantage, closing the quarter with a 43-41 lead. The Eagles fell behind briefly in the fourth quarter, as De La Salle’s freshman guard Jaidyn Mott executed a steal and layup to give the Pilots a brief lead at 45-44.
Responding with resilience, Hartland regained control with a basket from Sundman and launched an 8-0 run, extending their lead to 52-45 with just 2:30 remaining. The Eagles secured the game by maintaining their composure at the foul line, finishing the fourth quarter a perfect 8-for-8 from the stripe.
Blouin noted the significance of their free throw shooting, stating, “I thought free throw shooting was a big difference. We shot well from the foul line the whole game and really well in the fourth quarter.”
As the season progresses, Hartland’s ability to leverage their physical attributes and maintain defensive pressure will be key as they aim for continued success. Meanwhile, Warren De La Salle, now at 1-7, faces challenges in finding their offensive rhythm, having lost five consecutive games.
