Cranbrook sails past Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes 68-56, steams on to MHSAA Playoffs.

The Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Cranes defeated the Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes Lakers 68-56 in a CHSL crossover matchup on Tuesday.

The Cranes move to 14-5 overall, while the Lakers move to 6-12 on the season.

Cranbrook senior guard Ethan Purther led the Cranes scoring with 14 points.

Our Lady of the Lakes senior forward Grant Ross led all scorers with 20 points.

Cranbrook sprinted to a 26-10 lead in the first quarter; with freshman forward John Kerch leading the charge for the Cranes.

Ross made his presence known in the second quarter, hitting a pair of field goal and a couple of 3-pointers to put the Lakers on a charted course.

But junior forward Graeme Gump sank a 3-pointer to keep the Cranes in the lead.

Cranbrook led 33-28 at the half.

Senior guard Anthony Mersino kept the momentum going for Lakes with a pair of field goal in the third quarter even as Ross propelled the Lakers forward.

But senior forward Jordan Roebuck and junior center Bryce Hall kept the Cranes aloft with solid free throw shooting and low post play.

The game stood at 47-39 Cranes at the end of three quarters.

Senior forward Jack Loffler and senior guard Kyle Cartier rallied Lakes in the fourth quarter, scoring with several free throws and field goals. Sophomore guard Trever Kazayak hit a pair of clutch free throws to put the Lakers in sight of the shore.

But Purther, along with junior guard Cam Garner and senior forward Jack Fairman, brought the Cranes in for smooth landing, knocking down several 3-pointers and free throws as time expired.

The scoreboard showed 68-56 Cranbrook at the final buzzer.

Cranbrook will now face Pontiac Notre Dame in a MHSAA district semi-final match up on March 11, 2020. The game will be held at Detroit Country Day.

Tip-off is at 7:00 p.m.