Archive | January, 2014

Oak Park Now at Full Strength

20 Jan

mi-mioakparkhighschool-letter-150January 20th is the official start of the second semester for Michigan, and that means that all transfers who sat out the first semester are now eligible if they met specific deadlines.  Teams all across the state will now be receiving key pieces to their squads that just might mean the difference between an early exit loss in the playoffs, or a deep title run in Match.  At one particular school in Metro Detroit, the eligibility of three transfers will not only offer a way to salvage a season, but an opportunity to compete for a state championship.

Welcome to Oak Park High School.  A school where the football program has undergone major changes with former St. Martin De Porres standout coach Greg Carter, who has guided the Knights to two straight MHSAA football state playoff appearances the past two seasons.  The basketball program at Oak Park looks to continue the same model as Carter laid out for the football team.  Bryant Tipton, a long time coach in the Detroit Public School League, left Detroit Cody after last season to rejuvenate an ailing basketball school.  While at Cody, Tipton led the Comets to the 2010-2011 PSL West Division Title, and the city runner ups in 2009-2010 and 2010-2011, losing to Pershing and Southeastern respectively.  Two out of the three transfers now eligible, left Cody to follow Tipton to Oak Park.  They are guard Orlando Fikes and forward Kelvon Fuller.  Fuller is a top 10 prospect in the 2016 class, who is already considered a lock to go division one.  While Fikes is the lesser of the known of the three transfers.  For Fikes, the decision to attend Oak Park was not only for basketball reasons, but an opportunity to end his high school career positively.

Fikes says he left Cody for a “Better and safer environment,” where there are “more opportunities, a better school, and more support from the school.”

Oak Park was a top 15 team in Class A during the pre-season, but are off to a shaky 2-3 start to the year, with losses to Romulus and Troy Athens.  However according to Fikes, January 20th could not come any sooner.

“We (Oak Park) will be back in effect, Ja’Christian Biles, Kelvon Fuller, and myself are coming with intensity, hunger, and fight to turn our season back around, the way it was suppose to be from the start.”

Orlando will be the point guard for the Knights, with responsibilities of being “The floor general, and the captain.”  He would rather see his teammates score than himself.  The one player on Oak Park that has had to shoulder most of the scoring load during the early part of the season has been junior Rodney Scales, who like the big three, was a transfer from Inkster a year ago.  Scales is a big, powerfully built forward that commands double-teams down low on the block, and is ready for the three transfers to step in and take some of the pressure off him.

“The three transfers coming back Monday will be a big difference, and will be the last and complete piece to the puzzle, we’ll be much stronger,” says Scales.

It would be foolish to assume that the main players on Oak Park have not played with each other before.  In fact, the three were allowed to participate in the Summer League at Romulus, where Oak Park blew teams away with superior athleticism and talent.  For Scales, each player complements each other, resulting in a team chemistry that has been in place for some time now.

“I think our biggest strength is we all have the mentality of keeping our composure no matter what situation or what the score is,” says Scales.  “Orlando brings that ‘floor general’ trait to the team.  Since he hasn’t been playing there has been numerous guys running sets and bringing the ball up, and now he’s back and he’s gonna take control of that and be the general.”

“Kelvon is just all around good.  He’s so versatile and can play any position from handling the ball to knocking down the three and crashing/getting rebounds.”

The last player to transfer to Oak Park was Ja’Christian Biles, who left Southfield-Lathrup to unite with Coach Tipton.  After a successful summer on the AAU circuit with Dorian’s Pride, one of the elite Michigan Summer teams in the state, Ja’Christian picked up a Youngstown State offer, and committed to YSU shortly after.  Biles would most likely have been a high-major player if he played all four years of high school, but while at Lathrup, he sat behind current Toledo Rocket scoring machine Jonathan Williams.  And with Biles at Oak Park, the Knights just might turn into the famed Harlem Globetrotters.

“Ja’Christian is just a freak man,” says Scales, “he’s so athletic and quick.  And can knock down any shot and finish above the rim.”

Now that the whole team is once again united, expectations are high at Oak Park.  The Knights are looking forward to the possibility of making a trip to the Breslin Center come March, and the three transfers will be key in deciding the Knight’s outcome.

“Me personally,” says Fikes, “I think my team can go as far as the state championship, with the talent we equipped on this team, the sky is the limit.”

Few can match the athleticism Oak Park has to offer on the wings and in the front-court, but that is not the only dimension of Oak Park’s game junior Scales said opposing teams should fear of.

“Opposing teams should fear our presence in that paint area, any team we play, we will dominate the paint offensively and defensively.”

Oak Park opens the second semester with a stiff test in Ohio against Toledo Rogers on Martin Luther King Jr. day.

 

 

 

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Mt. Clemens’ Martin Luther King Jr. Recap

20 Jan

MtCMt. Clemens was the sight of the Martin Luther King Jr. Classic, a two day event that had games on Saturday as well as Sunday.  Games on Sunday are rare in Michigan, regardless, it was a pleasant way to celebrate the upcoming birthday of such an iconic figure in American History Dr. King himself.

Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy 47 Detroit Allen Academy 37

The Eagles of Chandler Park pulled the upset over the top ten in Class C Allen Academy Wildcats, giving Allen their first loss of the season (9-1).  Allen Academy has a pair of guards that can score at least twenty on any given night in senior Pakiya Ellis and sophomore Jason Williams, but what Chandler Park did to win this game was use their longer and athletic front court players to dominate the paint all game long, controlling the glass, making it hard for Allen Academy to drive to the rim with their length, and getting easy layups at the rim.  CPA has a solid front court duo in sophomore football star Jalen Martin 6’3″, and senior Damon Muex 6’5″.  Martin led the Eagles with 12 points and a 14 rebounds, and Meux contributed 10 points and 10 rebounds.  The two in the third quarter turned the game into an air show with a couple of high-flying alley-oops on the break.  At the guard position, Joe Thomas had 8 points and 6 assists for CPA.  He’s no Derrick Walton, but he’s a solid floor general that gets the ball where it needs to be and lets others get involved offensively.  Ellis finished with a game high 17 points to lead Allen Academy.

Farmington 54 Ecorse 52

Farmington is now a surprising 8-1 halfway through the season after edging out a scrappy Ecorse squad.  The Hawks were led all game long by senior combo guard Avon White, who finished with a game high 15 and dealt 8 assists on the night, even though he sat out more than a quarter due to foul trouble.  White, a transfer from Massachusetts via New York, is an aggressive scoring guard that did most of his damage attacking on the break and finishing at the rim through contact with a couple of fancy and-one finishes.  Last year at South Hadley High School in Massachusetts, White led his squad all the way to the division two state final before moving to Michigan in the Summer.  It was not only White getting buckets for Farmington, but senior sniper Chris Seaborn is another reason why Farmington is off to a hot start this season.  Seaborn contributed 14 points in the win, including two crucial three pointers in the fourth quarter that helped the Hawks put the game away.  Freshman Marlin Talley had eight points and 4 assists for Ecorse.

Mt. Clemens 72 Detroit Community 53

In the marquee game of the night, defending Class B runner-ups from a year ago Detroit Community gave it all they could attempting to pull off the upset over host Mt. Clemens, trailing only 21-17 after the first quarter.  However, in the second quarter, the depth of Mt. Clemens started to show, the Bathers raced out to a 15 point halftime advantage that would not change until 5:07 in the fourth quarter when Community cut the lead down to 9 after a three pointer by sophomore Jemerio Jackson.  But Mt. Clemens would close the game on a 15-5 to keep their undefeated season hopes alive.  It is starting to become pick you poison for the Bathers this year in the front-court.  With starting junior Charles Penn in foul trouble throughout most of the game, coach Jermaine Jackson brought in junior Tariq Jones off the bench, and Jones did not disappoint.  Tariq (6’6″ 200 lbs) brought energy and a tough defensive presence to the game all night long, and contributed 14 points (10 free-throws), and 6 rebounds.  Senior front-court mate Dorian Armstrong asserted himself early in the first quarter, giving Mt. Clemens a monster 8 rebounds both offensive and defensive in the first.  He’s a high-motor kid that challenges just about every shot in his direction and is a very good athlete for his size.

Now its time to take a look at the Bathers guards.  For Mt. Clemens, Jermaine Jackson Jr. had a game high 21 points, including four three-pointers, all in the first half.  Jackson was in the zone early on, hitting threes off the catch on one that was a step back in the corner.  Junior Josh McFolley had a quiet 13 points, due to foul trouble early on.  Fellow junior Davonta Bandoo had 9 points off the bench.  What a luxury it is for Mt. Clemens to have a guard like Bandoo off the bench. He would most likely be a star on any other team in Michigan.  Bandoo possesses undeniable high-major athleticism when attacking the basket with the ability to finish over the rim.  He likes to get to the foul-line, and can from the mid-range as well.  Look for Bandoo to be a key factor in Mt. Clemens’ run for a Class C state title.

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Horatio Williams Freedom Classic Games Recap

19 Jan

Justin-Tillman-photoThe Horatio Williams Foundation’s 4th annual Freedom Classic Games was dominated once again by the Detroit Public Schools League, going 5-1 in games on the day.  The day featured a game being decided on a buzzer beater, one with the outcome decided with 2 seconds to play, and a 40 point performance by a Mr. Basketball candidate.  Overall, it was another successful showcase that featured some the best talent Michigan has to offer.

Scores:

Detroit Renaissance 44 Warren Fitzgerald 28

Detroit Southeastern 54 Southfield 51

Detroit Western 66 Detroit Country Day 64

Detroit Cass Tech 75 Flint Beecher 47

Warren De La Salle 49 Detroit Frederick Douglass 44

Detroit Pershing 84 Ann Arbor Huron 75

Notes

Detroit Southeastern’s Ean Blackwell is starting to become a solid point guard for the Jungaleers.  Only a sophomore and standing at 5’9″, Blackwell played clutch all game long for SE, contributing 14 points in the winning effort, including 4 three pointers.  Ean hit the game winner as time expired to give Southeastern its third win in the week.  Compared to other games this year in the past, Ean did a fantastic job of playing within himself managing the offense.  He doesn’t have to be a playmaker all the time with seniors Leonard Harper-Baker and Darryl Bingham in the front court, but if he continues to improve up to February, the Jungaleers could make a long run for a city or state title.

Southfield was led junior guard  Howard McInnis with a game high 26 points.  The third time for me seeing the Blue Jays play brought another solid performance from McInnis.  The one thing McInnis knows how to do on the basketball court is score the ball.  Whether it be hitting six three pointers, or scoring in the lane with a few floaters, McInnis provided instant offense and single handedly kept Southfield in the game.

Detroit Western has a gem in 5’8″ sophomore point guard Brailen Neely.  Neely can pass the ball as well as anyone in Michigan’s 2016 class, but today, he showed the ability to put the team on his back and be the scorer.  He had a game high 27 points, including the game winning 8-foot floater with two seconds left to give Western (1-7) the upset win over defending Class B champion Country Day.  Brailen has always been a solid three point shooter, having three in the game, but what was impressive is that he found other ways to score the ball, such as getting into the lane and eventually the foul line.  The Cowboys will rely heavily on Neely if they wish to salvage their season and become the contenders many though they would be in the PSL’s division one.

Continuing with the theme of sophomore point guards, Warren De La Salle’s Chris Rollins isn’t as known as other top guards in his class, but if he continues the play he has had to start the season, Rollins will no doubt pick up recruiting attention heading into the AAU season.  Rollins is not going to impress you with one-on-one individual skills in the half-court set, but he’s a fundamentally sound high IQ lead guard that knows how to play the game right.  He pushed the ball on the break throughout the night, did as well as a job anybody can do with guarding Dayton commit Darrell Davis holding him to 14 points, and hit crucial free-throws for De La Salle in the fourth quarter to put the game away.

Keith Appling was the last Pershing Doughboy to win Michigan’s Mr. Basketball award during the 2009-2010 season, and 6’7″ forward VCU commit Justin Tillman made a step in the right direction becoming the state’s lead front-runner to win the award this season.  Tillman recorded a triple double, scoring almost half of his teams 84 points with 40 of his own, hauling down 18 rebounds, and swatting ten shots.  Justin was too long and athletic all night long for Huron’s front court players, and with his high motor and never giving up on any play mentality, the River Rats probably would’ve needed 6 players on the court to stop Tillman.  At this point, it will only be icing on the cake for Tillman’s Mr. Basketball possibilities if the Doughboys win both the city and state titles.

U of D Jesuit Betters Loyola 75-60

18 Jan

cwinston-player-picThe University of Detroit Jesuit Cubs after a long week of studying for final exams showed the ability to balance both books and basketball at the same time, getting the win over city Jesuit rival the Loyola Bulldogs 75-60.  U of D tallest player on the team is 6’4″ senior McDonald’s All American nominee Noah King, but don’t take that lightly, the Cubs have a plethora of scrappy guards, such as Billy Thomas and Spencer Sanders, that consistently made big plays all night long for U of D, to go along with the number two prospect in Michigan for 2016 Cassius Winston.

It seems like every game I have attended this week has been decided in the first quarter, and the theme would not change for this one.  U of D opened up the game on a 13-6 run and then eventually led after the first quarter 31-14.  The play of sophomore guard Billy Thomas is what got the Cubs going offensively, often overshadowed by fellow classmate Cassius Winston, Billy could easily be a top 20 prospect in 2016 if he played on any other team.  Regardless, Thomas opened up the game with three 3 pointers, all of which came off passes from Sanders or Winston.  In the second quarter,  Loyola tried to slow the game down, not letting U of D get out in transition where they are dangerous.  The Bulldogs cut the lead down to 12 late in the second quarter at 33-21, the closet the margin would be as the Cubs closed the quarter on a 15-2 run to lead 48-23 at halftime, and never looked back coasting for the easy victory.

It was another typical day at the office for Cassius Winston, stuffing the stat sheet in just about every way, steals, rebounds, assists, and points.  The game comes so easy to him, he doesn’t over react to situations and plays every play with a focused demeanor, he finished up with 17 points, 4 rebounds, and seven assists.  Billy Thomas continued his hot shooting also in the second half, he is a dangerous spot up shooter on the wing or in the corner, he had 19 points and 5 rebounds in the win. Senior glue man Noah King contributed a 15 point and seven rebound performance, and the wildcard in the win was the play of Spencer Sanders.  Sanders did a fantastic job all night applying ball pressure to Loyola’s guards in their half-court offense, which resulted in multiple steals and easy layups in transition for the Cubs, he finished with 8 points and 6 assists on the night.

Harvey Caddell and Demarco Dickerson each at 14 points for Loyola on the night, and junior guard Michael Owens chipped in with 10 points,

Loyola is now 7-2 with the loss, while U of D Jesuit improves to 7-1 on the young season moving into Catholic League Central Division play.

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Wyandotte’s Jake Lavis Talks Notre Dame College Verbal

17 Jan
 13921423-standardDual sport standout at Wyandotte Roosevelt Jake Lavis has decided to verbally commit to Notre Dame College in Ohio for basketball.  Lavis is a tough, hard-nosed basketball player who will be an excellent glue-guy at the next level in division 2.  Here, Lavis discusses what went into his decision to pick Notre Dame.
 
How do you feel about committing?
 
Jake Lavis: It feels very good. I feel like there’s a big weight off my shoulders and I can really focus now and enjoy my last high school season.
 
Describe your recruiting process a little bit. What did you enjoy about it the most?
 
Jake Lavis: I really enjoy getting calls from different coaches and learning about there schools and programs. 
 
What made you want to commit to Notre Dame College?
 
Jake Lavis:I felt like it was the best opportunity I had. I thought the campus was very nice and really like Coach Tim Koenig.
 
What was the difference for you picking them compared to other school that were recruiting you?
 
Jake Lavis: They were one of the first schools to very seriously recruit me and have never gone away like many other schools. They showed me that they were as serious as me.
 
Talk about your relationship with some of the coaches at the school?
 
Jake Lavis: Coach Tim Koenig (Head Coach) and I have stayed in very good contact since I met him. He came up to one of my football games this year which really impressed me.
 
Did you visit the campus already? If so, what stood out to you about it?
 
Jake Lavis: Yes I have visited NDC a few times. The school has so much going on, including multiple newly renovated facilities. Since the first time I was there they have an all new football stadium and baseball fields. I also really like the location in South Euclid, a suburb of Cleveland.
 
 
What’s it like playing for Wyandotte this year? 
 
Jake Lavis: I have really enjoyed this season. We have a new Coach, Shawn Stewart, who has done a great job adding new things to the program. I think he is really trying to make Wyandotte not only a football powerhouse but get the basketball program the recognition it deserves.
 
Was it difficult deciding to play basketball in college instead of football?
 
Jake Lavis: Not really. I have known for a few years that if I decided to play a sport in college it would be basketball. 
 
Do you know anybody on the team already or some of the incoming freshman?
 
Jake Lavis: I met some of the players while I was at a NDC football game but I haven’t met any other incoming freshman yet.
 
How do you see your game transitioning to the next level?
 
Jake Lavis: As soon as my high school season is over, I need to get bigger, faster, and stronger to put myself in the best possible shape heading into college. 
 
What’s in store for your future up to your signing day?
 
Jake Lavis: I’m completely focused on winning games. I think there would be no better way to end my high school career with a District Title on our home floor. 

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Fordson Tops Robichaud

17 Jan

Something new is happening at Fordson High School, with a school known mostly for football in the past, the Tractors are now above .500 (5-2) on the young season after defeating Dearborn Heights Robichaud 57-36 on Thursday night.  With junior guard Moe Zahr leading the way with a game high 17 points, and a smothering defense that allowed little to nothing in the middle of the paint, the game way a clear lopsided victory for Fordson.  The argument could be made that the game was won in the first quarter of the contest.  Behind Zahr’s 8 points in the first quarter, Fordson built a 16-7 lead after one, and never let the margin get under double digits the rest of the night.  The 2-3 zone the Tractors used on the Bulldogs was they key deciding factor in this game.  The zone set the tempo for the rest of the game, Robichaud was unable to receive a consistent interior post-game, and had to rely on perimeter jump shots, which didn’t fall on the night.

Also making contributions on the night for Fordson was senior Amin Haydous with 7 points, and fellow senior wing Hassan Doghman with 11 points and 4 rebounds.  Vernon Crump Jr. led Robichaud with 12 points.

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4 Important Conferences in the State

13 Jan

images-6It is January, which means conference play is just getting started or in its early beginnings.  The first month of the new year is where teams start to separate from one another for conference, district, regional, and eventually state titles.  Michigan is filled with many great conference that have teams capable of winning state championships this year, but here are four that you should keep an eye on for the remainder of the season.

Saginaw Valley League

One of Michigan’s most historic leagues for basketball, the Valley has a top 5 team in the state with Saginaw Arthur.  Led by junior Eric Davis and freshman Brian Bowen, the Lumberjacks are off to a 2-1 start in league play, the only loss coming to Mt. Pleasant.  The key for the Hill will be the supporting cast, players such as Martel Handley and Josh Jones will need to step up for Arthur Hill if they wish to end up at the Breslin.

Contenders:

Saginaw High

Mt. Pleasant

Sleepers:

Flushing

Midland Dow

Flint Southwestern Academy

Key upcoming games:

Mt. Pleasant @ Saginaw 1/14

Saginaw Arthur Hill @ Saginaw 1/28

Mt. Pleasant @ Saginaw Arthur Hill 1/31

Flushing @ Northwestern  1/21

Flint Southwestern @ Northwestern 2/4

Saginaw @ Saginaw Arthur Hill 2/14

Detroit Public Schools

One of the most competitive conferences in the state, the PSL has more than 5 teams at this point that can win the coveted city title in the new division one format.  But what is unique about the league is that these teams beat up on each other so much during the season, that it only improves the league when it comes to playoff time, such as Southeastern’s magical run to becoming the state-finalists last year.

Contenders:

Pershing

Cass Tech

East English Village

Sleepers:

King

Frederick Douglass

Henry Ford

Southeastern

Key upcoming games:

East English Village @ Pershing 1/14

Southeastern @ Ford 1/21

Pershing @ Cass Tech 1/24

King @ East English Village 1/28

Southeastern @ Douglass 2/8

Catholic League Central Division

University of Detroit Jesuit is the lead favorite to defend the Catholic League title the Cubs won a year ago.  U of D is leaving the conference behind with the work they have done in the non-league portion of their schedule, winning the L’Anse Cruse Crusader Christmas Classic, and beating a top 10 team from Ohio coming in St. Ignatius by 30 points on the road.  What team that will challenge U of D is still to be determined at this point.  The league is full of parody.  Brother Rice got absolutely destroyed in their first league game of the year at Warren De La Salle, but came back and beat a St. Mary’s team on the road that is a top 25 team in the state.

Contenders:

U of D Jesuit

Sleepers:

Warren De La Salle

Orchard Lake St. Mary’s

Key upcoming games:

Warren De La Salle @ St. Mary’s 1/17

St. Mary’s @ U of D Jesuit 1/21

Warren De La Salle @ U of D Jesuit 1/24

U of D Jesuit @ St. Mary’s 2/7

Kensington Lakes Athletic Association

A league with two separate conference in it, the Kensington and Lakes conferences, does not disappoint when it comes to pure rivalries.  In the Kensington South division, Canton and John Glenn have had a stronghold on the conference for years, and it looks to continue that way in 2014.

In the Lakes Conference, the West Division is home to Grand Blanc, a team that is 4-1 and currently a top 25 team in Michigan.  In the North division, the Walled Lake schools are off to a rough start, however, Walled Lake Central is an impressive 6-2 record on the season, with both losses coming in league play.  Waterford Kettering, the division leader, is 2-0 in the division with wins over Walled Lake Western and Central.

Kensington Conference Contenders:

John Glenn

Canton

Sleepers:

Salem

Plymouth

Key upcoming games:

Plymouth @ John Glenn 1/21

John Glenn @ Canton 1/24

Canton @ Plymouth 1/31

Lakes Conference Contenders:

Grand Blanc

Waterford Kettering

Sleepers:

Walled Lake Central

Walled Lake Western

Howell

Key upcoming games:

Grand Blanc @ Howell 1/21

Walled Lake Central @ Waterford Kettering 1/24

Waterford Kettering @ Walled Lake Western 1/28

Walled Lake Western @ Walled Lake Central 1/31

Howell @ Grand Blanc 2/7

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Allen Academy Stays Perfect. Beats Ecorse for 7th straight Win

11 Jan

The Allen Academy Wildcats are now a perfect 7-0 on the young season after coming up with a win Friday night against the Red Raiders of Ecorse High High School winning 77-54.

It was a rough start for allen Academy, who didn’t get their first basket of the game until mid-way through the first quarter. However, Allen did get some separation in the first quarter when they slowed the game down, and played together, leading 18-9 after one.  In the second quarter is where the Wildcats got things rolling, starting the quarter on a 9-3 run to get a lead of 27-12 with 5:34 left in the second.  A key for Wildcats was the play of senior Tavierre Thomas in getting a double-digit lead.  Thomas brought energy and playmaking to the game, getting steals that resulted in easy runout for Allen, he finished up with 8 take away on the night.  Leading 41-22 at half time, it looked as if the Wildcats would walk away with an easy victory on the night, but wait a second, here comes Ecorse.  The Red Raiders started out the quarter on a 8-2 run to only trail by 13 mid-way through the third, but it was only to be short lived.  Allen Academy again, settled down the pace of the game and minimized the mistakes and led 56-40 after three and then taking over in the fourth quarter for the victory.

Leading the way for Allen Academy was senior Pakiya Ellis, who finished up with 23 points and ten rebounds on the night.  One of Michigan’s more underrated guards, Pakiya is a crafty, quick, athletic combo guard that has a good feel for the game.  His perimeter jump shot was working on the night, but that didn’t stop him, he got to the basket throughout the game, where he eventually ended up on the free-throw line.  He’s a good transition player, that run it either coming off the wing, or with the ball in his hands.

His partner in crime was sophomore Jason Williams.  The two are dangerous when their on the court at the same time.  When Jason is in, it allows Ellis to play off the ball, where he is still dangerous.  But Williams his dangerous as well.  The sophomore finished up with a game high 25 points and the night.  Williams did a good majority of his damage for the free-throw line in.  He has a good mid-range and floater game that is rare to find today in high school.  He is also a good play maker for the team, coming up with some creative passes to find his teammates.  Good ball handler in traffic to go along with elite athleticism.

Darius Williams chipped in with 12 for Ecorse.

2015 Guard Bakari Evelyn On The Move to Detroit Consortium

7 Jan

12460406-standardOnce rumored but now confirmed, and first reported by The Prep Ball Report and local talent scout Jeff McKinney, Class of 2015 point guard Bakari Evelyn has transferred from Class D Southfield Christian to Class C Detroit Consortium.  Evelyn, who already has division one offers as of now, will be eligible immediately for Consortium, because he moved, and ready to help the Cougars make a deep post season run.

The reason why Evelyn left Southfield Christian remains unclear.  He already won two state titles, and the Eagles were contenders to win another Class D state title this year, however, a potential reason for the transfer is Consortium’s star forward Josh Jackson.  Bakari played with The Family EYBL AAU team over the Summer, and Jackson has participated with them in the past.  With Josh being the number one player in Michigan and already having numerous high-major offers, the two playing together has the possibility to help raise each other’s recruiting situations, while winning at the same time.

Consortium, currently ranked number two in Class C behind Mt. Clemens, with the addition of Evelyn strengthen the depth at the guard position.  With the possibility of a starting lineup composing of seniors Ronald Booth, Malik Dawson, and Kenny Turner, with sophomore Jackson and junior Evelyn, there is no reason to think not the Cougars can make a run to the Breslin Center in March.  However, in order for Consortium to reach the final and if all chalk holds, Mt. Clemens and the Cougars will play each other in the state quarter finals at West Bloomfield.

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Michigan Represent in McDonald’s All-American Game Nominees

7 Jan

UnknownMcDonald’s has announced its list of 984 high school seniors to participate in the 37th annual McDonald’s All American game for the boys, and the 13th annual game for the girls, held at Chicago’s United Center on April 2nd.  This year’s list of both girls and boys players boast from 44 different states, and the district of Colombia.  The players were selected by high school coaches, athletic directors, principals, and members of the McDonald’s All American Games Selection Committee.

Michigan has 28 players on the list, including:

Keyon Addison (Saginaw High School)

Ja’Christian Biles (Oak Park)

Doug Bradfield (Mason)

Asia Doss (Detroit Country Day)

Frank Devos (L’anse Creuse North)

Khadim Dieng (Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian)

Danny Dixon (Grosse Pointe South)

Pakiya Ellis (Allen Academy)

Aaron Foster-Smith (Taylor Truman)

Alek Frascone (Utica Eisenhower)

Sam Hoesch (Zeeland West)

Jaylen Johnson (Ypsilanti)

Daniel King (Southfield-Lathrup)

Noah King (University of Detroit Jesuit)

Candice Leatherwood (Farmington Hills Mercy)

Marte Grays (Detroit King)

Yante Maten (Bloomfield Hills)

Anthony Martin (Ferndale University)

Luke Meyer (Addison)

Miles Miller (Ottawa Hills)

Tinara Moore (Southgate Anderson)

Cameron Morse (Flint Carmen-Ainsworth)

Jason Penn (Ferndale University)

Rio Dudgeon (Macomb Dakota)

Asia Robeson (Kalamazoo Central)

Micah Robinson (Ann Arbor Huron)

Deshaun Thrower (Muskegon)

Edmond Sumner (Detroit Country Day)

For a complete list of all nominees, please visit the following link.

The McDonald’s All American Games Selection Show, held on ESPNU, will announce the 24 members for both the boys and girls teams on January 29th, starting at 6 p.m. ET.

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