Archive | December, 2014

Pre-season Statewide Rankings (15-11)

6 Dec

The countdown rolls on, from 15-11.  Special thanks to reporter Jeff McKinney for his assistance in this post.

15. Detroit East English Village Prep (Class A)- Despite a generous amount of talent, the 2013-2014 Bulldogs underachieved throughout much of the year en route to a 10-11 record.  However, this season the Bulldogs have reloaded and are not only contenders in the PSL but Class A.  6’3″ lefty marksman Kamari Newman will form one of the state’s best junior backcourts with the addition of 5’10” point guard Chris Rollins from Warren De La Salle.  In the front court, 6’4″ forward Cedric will bring toughness, and a rebounding presence along with the athleticism of 6’5″ junior Southfield Bradford transfer Jaylin McFadden.  Junior football prospect Nate Bowlware and sophomore Greg Elliott will add depth at the guard position, while 6’7″ center Joseph Barron could be the x-factor for the Bulldogs.

14. Southfield (Class A)- The Blue Jays return five experienced players from a disappointing 6-14 output a year ago.  The triumvirate of sophomores Reme Torbert, Amauri Hardy, and Michael Flowers have each learned from their first seasons on varsity, and form one of the premier backcourts in the OAA.  Up front, 6’5″ Khary Fanning might be the most athletic player in the state, as witnessed in an Air Jordan dunk contest during the Summer, and will pair up with the more traditional power forward 6’7″ classmate Isaiah Green.

13. Clarkston (Class A)- Coach Dan Fife wins, period.  The Wolves went 20-5 last year before bowing out to eventual Class A runner up Bloomfield Hills in the regional final.  Senior 6’0″ point guard Andrew Meyers is a Madonna University signee, there is no flash to his game, but he competes relentlessly on both sides of the floor.  Junior 6’3″ Tabin Throgmorton gives the Wolves a versatile, play making wing-guard, and senior 6’7″ Miami (OH) tight-end football commit Cole Chewins will hold down the paint for Clarkston this year.

12. Macomb Dakota (Class A)- The Cougars quietly had a quality season a year ago, and will look to do more this year with two notable transfers.  5’6″ sophomore point guard Jermaine Jackson Jr., son of former Detroit Piston Jermaine Jackson Sr., has transferred from Mt. Clemens to Dakota.  The younger Jackson has six division one college scholarships, and averaged double figures as a starter on varsity.  The second transfer is Charles Penn, who comes with Jackson from Mt. Clemens to Dakota.  The 6’6″ Penn will add athleticism, rebounding, and scoring to the Cougars.

11. Hudsonville (Class A)- Brent Hibbits can play, the 6’7″ 190 forward holds several division one scholarship offers.  However, if Hudsonville will be successful this season, a point guard will need to rise and take the scoring load off of Hibbitts.

Pre-season Statewide Rankings (20-16)

6 Dec

The countdown to the state’s best team continues.  

20. River Rouge (Class B)- After years as an assistant coach in the college ranks, LaMonta Stone returns to River Rouge for the 2014-2015 season.  As the head man for the Panthers in 1999, Stone won the  Class B state championship.  Coach Stone brings with him to River Rouge son LaMonta III, who was regarded as one of Ohio’s best guards in the upcoming senior class.  At 5’10” LaMonta III will pair with 6’7″ Jalin Gibson, a bouncy, athletic hidden gem to give the Panthers a solid inside-outside presence.  If the Panthers are going to make a deep run this season, then senior guards Amir Poole, Tracy Freeman, and Mateeya Jones will have to make contributions as well to go along with 6’5″ junior forward Javon Lawrence, who will be eligible in January.  Rouge will be tested this season, with games scheduled against Muskegon, Consortium, Romulus, Flint Beecher and Allen Academy.

19. Belleville (Class A)- Head coach Adam Trumpour made great strides for the Belleville Tigers program his first year on the sidelines, from 7-13 in 2012-13, to 14-7 a year ago.  The Tigers will be led by 6’3″ junior guard Mike Bruce, a do it all point guard in Michigan’s class of 2016.  Aiding Bruce in the backcourt, will be 6’0″ freshman Davian Williams.  Williams made a name for himself in the Summer AAU circuit playing up an age division.  Davian is extremely athletic, and has improved tremendously his perimeter jump shot when he’s not attacking the basket, and has the skills to become a promising defender.  6’5″ Arlington Hambright, also a standout on the football team, will give the Tigers a aggressive/physical inside-presence.

18. Flint Beecher (Class C)- The Bucs followed a 2012-2013 state championship with a 22-4 overall record and trip to the state quarterfinals.  After their first seasons on varsity a year ago, standout sophomores Malik Ellison and Levane Blake will be only more experienced and hungry to carry on the pride and prestige the Flint Beecher program carries.  Ellison is a 5’7″ quick and elusive lead guard that excels in the open floor.  While the 6’7″ athletic, high-motored Blake and his wide wing span allow him to control the paint, with rebounds and blocks.  Not to be outdone is 6’4″ forward Aquavis Burks, a junior that has been on varsity since he was a freshman.  Burks and his defensive lineman built frame is a defensive anchor for Coach Mike Williams, who is never low on hustle and energy.

17. Detroit Allen Academy (Class C)- Coach Craig Covington will look to build after an impressive first season at Allen Academy, the Wildcats went 20-3, which included a district championship.  Allen will be led by juniors Danny Pippen and Jason Williams, the only two returning starters from a year ago.  Pippen is a 6’7″ size 20 shoe wearing stretch four-forward that can hurt opponents just as much on the perimeter as in the paint.  Williams is an attacking scoring guard that will handle most of the point guard duties as well.  Allen also adds quality sophomore guards Drequan Bell and Juwan Snoody to the program, who could be the missing pieces of a championship team once eligible after a few games.

16. Detroit Renaissance (Class A)- Another second year head coach, Venias Jordan Jr. enters the upcoming season with arguably the best scorer in Michigan, Justin Turner.  The 6’2″ Turner is a dynamic offensive threat that can fill up the bucket from anywhere on the court.  Turner is not the only member of a strong Phoenix junior class.  As 5’10” guard Richard Talley is a quick and aggressive on-ball defender who will produce a plethora of takeaways this season, and 6’6″ Alaric Jackson will see his first full season of high school basketball to go along with 6’6″ fellow lane-clogger Mike Jacobs.  Detroit Community transfer 5’10” senior point guard Darryl Smith will add depth off the bench, while 6’4″ sophomore guard LaRonde Lucas and 6’5″ freshman forward Jalen Tobias could be the breakout underclassmen the Phoenix need to make a run at Class A.

Pre-season Statewide Rankings (25-21)

6 Dec

High school hoops is near.  So the countdown begins to found out who are some of the best teams in the state for this upcoming season.  

25. Westland John Glenn (Class A)- The Rockets enter the 2014-2015 season with a new coach, Rod Watts, formerly of Lansing Eastern.  Coach Watts inherits a John Glenn teams that won their KLAA division and conference from a season ago.  Glenn will be lead by senior 6’3″ guard Mychael Bradley, and 6’9″ forward Mike Edwards, who could be the best duo in the KLAA.

24. New Haven (Class B)- Size impacts games, and that is what New Haven has.  The Rockets have four players over 6’6″, including two greater than 6’10.”  6’11” Central Michigan junior commit Innocent Nwyoko will pair with fellow 11th grader 6’10” Jerry Ben to give New Haven a dynamic front court presence.  6’6″ senior Austin Sherrell, a transfer from Waterford Mott, will give the Rockets a versatile perimeter defender, and classmate 6’6″ Josh Harris will add a scoring presence on the wing.

23. Detroit Henry Ford (Class B)- The Trojans are members of the always competitive Detroit Public Schools League.  However, as soon as the state playoffs begin, Ford could make a run to the Breslin Center.  6’4″ Western Michigan commit Josh Davis is one of the best perimeter shooters in the state, and 6’0″ James Towns is an aggressive floor general that finds ways to impact games on the defensive and offensive ends of the floor.

22. Detroit Consortium (Class B)- The reigning Class C state champs have moved up to Class B this season.  With the loss of Josh Jackson, the Cougars must find ways to fill the scoring void gone from a year ago.  6’0″ junior combo guard Luster Johnson figures to handle most of the scoring load this season for Consortium, and will pair with senior Keyon Rainey in the backcourt to give the Cougars a high-tempo attack.  6’6″ lane clogger Mykel Tyson is back for his senior season, Tyson did most of the dirty work last season, getting rebounds and playing tough defense, but will develop into a go-to low-post scorer as the season develops.

21. Warren De La Salle (Class A)- The Pilots won 16 games last season, and return their leading scorer in 6’5″ forward Kevin McKay.  McKay is a division one prospect with a back to the basket type style and fundamentally sound in all aspects of the game.  With the departure of last season’s starting point guard Chris Rollins to East English, the Pilots must add a secondary scorer, and 6’7″ forward Jack Ballantyne will see an added role this season.  Ballantyne is a mobile forward that can stretch the floor with his shooting abilities, and will rebound the ball as well.

Announcing The First Annual Coaches vs. Violence Classic

2 Dec

In the spirit of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, The Prep Ball Report is honored to announce, in collaboration with Detroit Westside Christian Head Coach Greg Boler, the First Annual Coaches vs. Violence Classic, held on Saturday, January 24th at Southfield Bradford High School.

From established state powers, to up and coming programs, the Coaches vs. Violence Classic hopes to promote the messages of Dr. King in a positive, family friendly, athletic environment.

Game one features the upstart Taylor Prep Tigers, in their first year of varsity competition, against fellow charter up and coming Detroit Public Safety Academy, tip-off is set four 2:00 PM.

The second game on the day is a PSL vs. charter school tilt, with the Colts of Detroit Northwestern, led by 6’1″ junior guard Terrance Sewell and 6’2″ backcourt mate Ketquan Gatewood, taking on Southfield Bradford.  Bradford, under the guidance of first year head coach Ra Murray, will look to build off a 19 win campaign a year ago.  Tip-off is slated for 4:00 PM.

In the third game of the day, the defending Class C state champions Consortium Cougars, now in Class B, square off against the Falcons of Farmington High School.  Consortium is led by junior 6’0″ scoring machine Luster Johnson, and 6’6″ paint punisher Mykel Tyson.  Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 PM.

The nightcap on the day will pit another PSL vs. charter contest, as Detroit Allen Academy, one of the favorites to capture Class C and winners of 20 games a season ago, play the rising Communication Media Arts Phoenix from the Public School League.  The Phoenix only lose four players from a season ago, while Wildcats return junior division one recruits Jason Williams, and Danny Pippen, to go along with sophomore Drequan Bell.

Schedule:

Taylor Prep vs. Detroit Public Safety Academy @ 2:00 PM

Detroit Northwestern vs. Southfield Bradford @ 4:00 PM

Detroit Consortium vs. Farmington @ 6:00 PM

Detroit Communication Media Arts vs. Allen Academy @ 8:00 PM

Finding Southfield Bradford:

The address is 24218 Garner St Southfield, MI 48033.  North of 9 Mile and just off Telegraph.

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Hype Scrimmage Day Two Recap

1 Dec

Detroit Loyola

Pierre Mitchell ( 2018 5’9″ point guard)- Mitchell has yet to play in a high school regular season game, but plays with the poise and confidence many freshman do not have.  First off, he’s a scorer, from all three levels.  He can shoot the three, score in the mid-range with deadly floaters and runners, and finish against taller defenders at the rim.  But Pierre can also be a true point guard.  He made some flashy passes on the break, and can quickly beat defenders off the bounce going either direction and get into the lane.  Mitchell can also be a pesk when Loyola decides to pressure opposing team’s ball handlers.

De’Quan Powell (2016 5’10” combo guard)- Powell should pair nicely with Mitchell in the Bulldog back court.  De’Quan increased his production on the day with the absence of DeMarco Dickerson.  He hit some contested mid-range jump shots at the elbow, and made some nifty drives to the basket.  But where De’Quan made a significant impact on Loyola’s games throughout the day was on the defensive end of the floor.  He takes pride in his defense, as he hustled to loose balls, got on the floor, and came away with steals.

Melvindale ABT

Elijah Smith (2017 6’5″ forward)- Smith is hard to miss when he’s on the floor, a 6’5″ 200 + lbs frame.  Smith seems to enjoy contact, using his body to carve out space vs. smaller opponents to get his hand on almost every rebound.  Don’t mistake him for being slow, he’ll get up and down the court just fine, and get off the court in a hurry as well.

Ann Arbor Skyline

Brandon Wade (6’0″ combo guard)- Another freshman guard yet to play a high school game.  Wade has good range on his jump shot, with a smooth and fluid release.  Moves well without the ball in his hand, showed flashes of being able to take defenders off the dribble, kept his head and set up teammates to score, and always seemed to be around the ball on defense.  Skyline will be a interesting team to follow this year.

Other standouts:

Lavail Russell (Melvindale ABT 5’10” point guard)

Jack Ammerman (Ann Arbor Skyline 5’9″ shooting guard)

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Hype Scrimmage Day One Recap

1 Dec

Talent was abundant at Michigan’s largest pre-season scrimmage event.  Here’s a look at the standouts on day one of action.

Allen Academy

Danny Pippen (6’7″ forward)- Pippen had a strong battle against fellow 2016 sought after recruit Austin Davis and Onsted.  Danny was extremely active on the offensive boards, retrieving rebounds even from his own missed shots, and finished around the rim with a soft touch.  He also looked more confident with his three-point jump shot and not hesitant to pull the trigger, and more vocal on the floor for his team.  Pippen has also bulked up more since the AAU circuit to go along with his size twenty shoe, and combined with his inside-outside skill set, should make a nice mismatch problems for defenses.

Jason Williams (6’0″ combo guard) and Drequan Bell (6’2″ combo guard)- The Wildcats also have the backcourt duo of Williams and Bell to go along with stud forward Danny Pippen.  Both got after it on defense with their quick hands and played the passing well picking off lazy passes which resulted in easy fast-break opportunities where the Wildcats thrive.  Bell can shoot the ball from the perimeter, but did most of his damage in the lane and attacking the basket.  He’s also showed he can create for his teammates when defenders leave their assignment.  Both Williams and Bell will share the point guard duties for Allen this season.

Onsted

Austin Davis (6’8″ power forward)- Just by looking at Davis, you can tell he’s a division one player.  A mobile big bodied frame are just a few reasons why he already holds scholarship offers from division one schools.  A back to the basket type player, Austin possesses soft hands and can finish around the basket with either hand.  He’s a type of forward an opponent is always going to have to boxout on either end of the floor.  A true blue-collar no nonsense type of player.

Ypsilanti Arbor Prep

Kyle Hayes (6’7″ power forward)- Kyle already holds a division one scholarship offer from Eastern Michigan.  He has the potential to become a promising wing/forward prospect with length, and athleticism.  He can rebound the ball in his area well, pass the ball, defend the rim, run the floor, and took defenders off the bounce from the wing and was rewarded with several trips to the free-throw line, playing with an added edge to his game.

Detroit Osborn

Christian Littlejohn (6’7″ power forward)- The Knights have three players on their roster with heights over 6’7.”  Littlejohn was the leader of the bunch.  As he crashed the boards hard, finished around the basket, displayed quick feet, defended the post, and blocked shots.  Osborn will be an interesting team to track in 2015.

Other standouts on the day:

Josh Davis (6’5″ wing Detroit Henry Ford)

Esa Abduljami (6’3″ guard Dearborn Heights Crestwood)

D.J. Mayo (6’3″ guard Dearborn Heights Robichaud)

Brock Washington (6’2″ guard Southfield Christian)

Marlo Brown (6’3″ guard Southfield Christian)

 

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