Boys Basketball: Pinckney forced to forfeit District semifinal game with Dexter

Because of COVID protocols, the Pinckney boys’ varsity basketball team has been forced to forfeit Thursday’s game with Dexter in a District 17 semifinal matchup originally scheduled for a tip-off at Dexter HS.

Skyline will play South Lyon East at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday (March 25) in the other semifinal game. The finals are at 7 p.m. on Saturday at Dexter.

The Pirates, winners of the SEC White Division, had defeated Dexter twice during the regular season and the Dreadnaughts were anxious for another shot at their talented neighbors.

“Yes, unfortunately Pinckney is forced to forfeit due to Covid protocols forcing them to quarantine,” said Dexter coach Jason Rushton. “It’s not the way we would’ve liked to earn our trip to the finals, but we are moving on to Saturday to face the winner of Skyline/South Lyon East.”

Typically, forfeits go into the books as 2-0. But this one will be a little more high scoring.

Pinckney senior Dylan Reason is sitting five points shy of 1,000 for his career.

“So, instead of making this a 2-0 forfeit, the game is ending 7-6,” Rushton said. “Dylan Reason is getting six points to end his career at 1,001. It just seems like the right thing to do in this uncontrollable year.”

Skyline Coach Mike Lovelace, whose Eagles have twice been shut down because of COVID protocols, feels bad for the Pirates in what was shaping up to be a very competitive District.

“I feel terrible for them,” Lovelace said. “They were having a very good season.”

Dexter defeated Brighton 52-49 in a first-round game while Skyline opened with a 63-44 win over South Lyon just one day after returning to the court.