The Downriver League, which was created as a break-off from the old Michigan Mega Conference for the 2009-2010 season, has only had one team enjoy a long post-season run, the 2009-2010 Taylor Kennedy Eagles, who made it all the way to the state quarterfinals before bowing out to Detroit Denby. Kennedy’s cross-town rival Truman, currently sitting at 11-0, good enough for first place in the Downriver League, and a top ten ranking in the Class A poll, is in prime position to gear up for what the Cougars hope to be a long and meaningful postseason run.
Truman is led by U of D Mercy commit Aaron Foster-Smith, a 6’7″ power forward who is averaging 22 points and 12 rebounds a game this year. While Aaron receives the spotlight, and rightfully so considering the fact that he recently joined the 1,000 point club for his high school career on January 25th against Allen Park Inter-City Baptist, a key player that will determine whether or not Truman has a successful season is the play of 6’2″ 180 pound senior point guard Devain Newbill.
Newbill, a former transfer from perennial state power Romulus last season, has produced a quality season so far, averaging 12 points, and five rebounds and assists a game to go along with three steals as well.
“The season has been good,” pointed out Newbill “actually we are just taking it game by game not looking ahead. I want to average a double-double and I’m close to it though.”
Devain thrives best with the ball in his hands. He is quick, explosive, athletic point guard that excels in space, especially on the break. Newbill can score the ball when he wants to, but can also drop a dime or two to keep to defense off-balanced. He also did as well a job a defender can against Inter-City Baptist’s star guard Evan Kraatz, holding him to only seven points on the game and zero in the second half. While Devain can certainly fill up the score sheet, his role on the team extends beyond the stats he averages. He says he likes to model his game after former Romulus guard and current Missouri Tiger Wes Clark, a player he looked up during his time at Romulus.
“When I’m out there I’m the coach on and off the floor,” stated Devain. “I’m the team’s captain, I just need to work on my shooting and I would be a real good player.”
No schools have reached out to Newbill in terms of offering scholarships to play basketball next year at this point. However, Devian would make for a late great addition to a variety of the programs in the State of Michigan. When asked why a college should take him, Devain responded “Because I am a hard worker, leader, coach on an off the court, I can score from anywhere on the court, I can pass, play great defense, I’m coachable, I listen, and I play my role. I am a team player.”
As the season winds down and Truman readies themselves for the district playoffs, the Cougars will be eager to erase the memories of last years opening round playoff game, a 90-48 beat down by the eventual Class A champion Romulus Eagles. It would mean even more to Newbill to not only beat Romulus because that is his old school, but because he has a developed a brotherhood with the seniors he is with at Truman currently.
“We are all brothers,” said Newbill, “that’s my family. With Kendarius (Slaughter) our shooting guard, I’ve known him since last year he’s a really good kid I love that guy. Aaron (Foster-Smith) thats my brother, I’ve known him for 2 years, he’s always in a good mood, he makes me better on and off the court, I love him too.”
The Prep Ball Report 
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