Romulus High School has cemented itself as a perennial state contender in Class A. The Eagles won the 2012-2013 state crown, and have made five trips to the Breslin Center in the last ten seasons. The program has also produced some of Michigan’s best players. From Jerrett Smith (2005), William Clyburn (2008), Justin Moss (2011), Ray Lee (2012), to Wes Clark, EC Matthews and Leo Edwards (2013), the talent pool is never dry at Romulus.
The 2013-2014 Romulus Eagles had high hopes for defending their state title captured a year ago, however were unsuccessful, falling to U of D Jesuit in the quarterfinals. Regardless, the Eagles once again captured the Western Wayne Athletic Conference title, district and regional titles. The 2013-2014 campaign also served as a building block for the future of Romulus. The aforementioned Jerrett Smith took the head coaching job once long time lead man Nate Oats departed to become an assistant for Buffalo in the college ranks. And while the Eagles took their bumps and bruises during the season, Romulus can rest assure the future of their program is in good hands of a plethora of good players, including 5’8″ point guard Sevann Williams.
Sevann made the transition from JV to varsity his sophomore season, a large part was due to Williams being a member of coach Jerrett Smith’s undefeated JV 2012-2013 team. Sophomores general do not start on high school varsity teams, as was the case with Williams. However as the season progressed, Sevann steadily gained a larger role with the team, and by the end of the season Williams was regularly playing in the vital moments of a number of contests.
In an era of basketball where the points guards of today were the small forwards of tomorrow (i.e. Michael Carter-Williams and Tyreke Evans), Williams is in the minority regarding desired height for the position. But when you’re a smaller guard, you need something that can use to your advantage against taller opponents such as quickness. Williams notes his best attribute is his ability to get into the lane and create for his teammates.
“I’m quick and can get to the bucket, but a weakness I’d say is the height disadvantage I have.”
He models his game after Kyrie Irving, for ball handling and shot creating ability, and Isaiah Thomas for the fact his height showed anybody can make it with the right determination and work put in.
The 2016 class in Michigan has the potential to become one of the best the state has ever produced. With the likes of Josh Jackson and Cassius Winston at the top, to go along with a variety of point guards and shooting guards receiving the majority of college recruiting attention, it is easy for players like Williams to go under the radar considering he has only played on season of varsity basketball. Williams said he believes U of D Mercy and Wright State are the only colleges currently expressing interest. But for Sevann, playing at a high level is important to him because he wants to prove to people height does not determine the quality of a basketball player.
“I’m not even ranked (in the 2016 class rankings),” Williams had to say. “I don’t think no one really even knows Sevann Williams, (I’m) trying to make a name for myself with basketball.” “I honestly think I can comet with any of them (players in 2016) without all the hype.”
Before Sevann and his Romulus Eagles can compete for the 2014-2014 Class A state championship, there is a long Spring and Summer portion of AAU basketball on the Horizon. Williams is a member of the Reach Legends program, one of the top travel basketball programs in the area, who have distinguished alumni such as Michigan State’s Keith Appling. AAU primarily gives kids an opportunity to improve before the school season begins, and while it is nice to win games and tournaments, Williams will use travel basketball as an chance to “make the right plays, and controlling the ball more efficiently.”
Expectations will once again be high at Romulus next season. The Eagles return dynamic scoring guard Jaylin Walker, point guard D’Angelo Hansbro, as well as developing low post forward Rio Washington. To go along with some promising JV talent for next year, when Williams was asked about his expectations for the 2014-2015 Romulus Eagles, he was clear and to the point stating, “A state championship.”
The Prep Ball Report 
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