Most members of Milford’s boys basketball team left the Brighton-Hartland semifinal game at half time.
They did not get to see the real Brighton basketball team. They saw Brighton get manhandled by Hartland. They saw Brighton performing the modern version of “The Gang who can’t Shoot Straight.”
They saw a Brighton team that shot 20 percent from the field while trailing Hartland 26-9.
The Mavericks were probably surprised to learn the next day that the real Brighton Bulldogs decided to show up in the second half and rally for a 50-49 victory, beating Hartland for the third time this season.
That sets up a Friday night showdown between Milford and Brighton (6 p.m.) for the Brighton district championship.
The real Bulldogs can shoot the basketball. C.J. Sageman hit the game-winner with 24 seconds remaining and Brandon Lovejoy rallied his team by scoring 11 of 16 points in the second half.
The real Brighton basketball team featured the rough and tumble 6-foot-6 Dylan Edgewood and 6-7 junior Tristan Provancher. They were the muscle that allowed Lovejoy and Sageman to get second and third chances at putting the ball in the hoop.
The real Brighton basketball team is guard David McLaughlin hustling on defense and blocking the shots of guys four inches taller.

What is Brighton basketball?
“Definitely toughness and not giving up’” Lovejoy said.
“Our offense isn’t always going to be there,” coach Taylor Langley said. But your defense and rebounding is. As long as you do that you have a chance.”
Langley went on to describe what Brighton basketball is all about.
“Our hustle, our grit,” he said. “That’s who we are. We don’t have a chance if we don’t show it.”