The De La Salle Collegiate varsity basketball team (2-0) began its road to the Breslin Center Saturday against Ferndale High School. The game, which was played at North Farmington HS as part of the annual Horatio Williams Foundation Tip-Off Classic, turned into an instant classic for the Pilots.   

It took two overtimes before the contest was decided, with the Purple and Gold eventually pulling out the 76-69 victory.

In the second overtime session, seniors Caleb Reese and A.J. Whitehead each played an instrumental role in helping the Pilots pull away from Ferndale.

Reese hit a big 3-pointer with about 1:35 remaining to give De La Salle a 72-69 advantage, and then, for good measure, Whitehead extended the Pilots’ lead with a strong finish at the rim. It gave the Purple and Gold a 74-69 lead, which Gjon Djokaj’s squad failed to relinquish.

According to Djokaj, the key to the win was “being resilient.”

“We had to win that game three times it felt like,” Djokaj said after the game. “The kids could’ve quit at any time, but they didn’t. They locked in. They kept telling each other that they’re good. So, the belief they had in each other was tremendous, even when they didn’t hit their free throws and missed too many layups. That confidence they have in themselves and each other is really going to help this team moving forward, too.”

Reese finished the game with 15 points, plus four assists and steals each, while junior Michael Sulaka recorded a double-double (a team-high 19 points and 11 rebounds).

The Pilots made it two wins in as many days, when they took care of Eastpointe High School at Calihan Hall Sunday, 85-36. The game was played as part of the Detroit Catholic High School League-Macomb Area Conference Challenge.  

Sulaka led the way for De La Salle with 12 points, while fellow juniors Nino Smith and Triston Nichols each contributed 11 points in the team’s blowout victory.

While Djokaj is excited about the Pilots’ solid start to the 2021-22 campaign, he is equally excited and hopeful about the opportunity to have a “normal” year.

“We are excited and hopeful to have a ‘normal’ season again and to play in front of our friends, family and the BroZone,” Djokaj said. “With so many road games this season, we hope to see our crowd travel to some great games."

Speaking of road contests, next up for Djokaj & Co. is a non-conference tilt with Canton High School Tuesday. Game is set to tip off at 7 p.m.