Another solid tip-off showcase was put on by the Horatio Williams Foundation at Detroit Edison High School. The showcase featured some of the best teams within the city of Detroit, along with a few quality teams from the surrounding suburbs. However, there was no shortage of individual talent at DEPSA. From players who have already signed or been offered by division one schools, to players eager to make a name for themselves this year, Detroit Edison was the place to be on Saturday.
Detroit Community 70 Detroit Osborn 58:
Community junior point guard Darryl Smith was the clear standout for the Hurricanes in their win over Osborn. He has grown two inches from last year, 5’7″-5’9″, and is set up to have a big 2013-2014 campaign. Smith showed a quick first step when attacking defenders from the perimeter, and then finished nicely at the rim with either hand. Smith rarely made any turnovers or mistakes the entire game, and led either team in scoring with 23.
Detroit King 54 Detroit Edison 41
If any senior in Michigan is more deserving of a college offer than King’s Tyrone Acuff, please let me know. Mr. do it all Acuff was a man on a mission against the Pioneers. The 6’6″, big bodied, long armed, broad shouldered, put the Crusaders on his back en route to victory. Despite his size, Acuff has point guard skills that make him a matchup nightmare for opposing coaches. He had everything going his way on the offensive side of the floor, hitting perimeter three pointers, took smaller defenders to the basket, rebounded offensively, finished in transition with authority, and played clutched during crutch time when DEPSA was mounting a comeback. An absolute steal for any college that wants a solid late addition to their program. Finished with 24 points and 13 rebounds.
Southfield 54 Detroit Western 51
A sloppy, error prone game did have its standouts. For Southfield, 6’7″ junior forward Isaiah Green is listed as the tallest player the Blue Jays, and they needed every inch of that going up against the long and lanky Cowboys. Green was a force all game long down low for the Blue Jays. He was the games leading shot blocker, and sometimes even blocking multiple shots on just one trip down the floor. He is good around the offensive rim, with an improving back to the basket game.
Western was led by 5’8″ sophomore point guard Brailen Neely. Although he does not have the assists he should’ve had, Neely displayed excellent court vision throughout the game finding teammates for jump shots and layup that were simply missed. The bread and butter for Neely’s offensive game is his three point jump shot. Once he makes a few, which he did late to keep the Cowboys in the game, Brailen can stroke it with anyone. Neely will be counted on for the Cowboys if they wish to contend in the PSL.
Detroit Cass Tech 86 River Rouge 58
The depth at the guard position for Cass Tech is hard to match with any team. Even with division one prospect Kenny Carpenter not playing because of an injury, it was the guard play for the Technicians that won them the game. Senior Mike Laster, one of the state’s top uncommitted seniors and had 17 for the game, did most of his damage going to the basket and finishing at the rim. Class of 2015 prospect Rob Edwards, a transfer from U of D Jesuit, will contribute size, athleticism, craftiness, and play making ability for the season, Edwards finished with 13 points and six rebounds. However, the guard that stole the show for Cass was senior Sharif Black. Sharif played sparingly last year for the Technicians, sitting behind soon to be Florida Atlantic commit D’Andre Johnson. Black was the reason why Cass had a strong second quarter and pulled away from Rouge at getting the win. Sharif is a point guard who has a nice feel for the game. He picks his spots well when he wants to attack the basket and when to set up for his teammates. Sharif did a nice job of changing speeds on the defense keeping them uncomfortable, and facilitating throughout the entire ball game. Black will be another weapon at the disposal for the Technicians if they wish to march to the Breslin Center come March.
The lone bright spot for River Rouge was 5’11” senior guard Kevin Lomax. Lomax did all he could to keep the Panthers in the game, coming out in the first half and simply balling. Hitting three’s, getting past defenders with nice ball handling skills, and using his speed to get into the lane to either create for teammates or himself, which usually got him to the free-throw line. Lomax will pair nicely with other Panther senior guard Terrell Crawford for Rouge, who compete in Class B.
Detroit Consortium 67 Detroit Douglass 52
Even though the score does not indicate, this was the most exciting high school basketball game I’ve been to in a while. The game pitted the number one player in the state, Consortium sophomore Josh Jackson, against Douglass’ Dayton commit, Darrell Davis. Josh finished with 27 points, and 22 rebounds. Yes that is right, 22 rebounds. Can you get any more versatile than that for a 6’8″ SF? Jackson showed the public that he is a big time player that can put the team on his back when needed. He struggled throughout most of first half, giving up a few turnovers, and forcing the issue quite a bit. But in the second half, is where Josh picked up his game. He found is rhythm offensively, attacking the basket and getting into the lane for his mid-range game, and don’t forget about his defensive stats, the phenom finished with six blocks. This is Jackson’s team. Unlike last year where he had fellow superstar Vince Hunter to lean on during adversity, Jackson rose to the occasion for Consortium and led them to a win.
Davis finished with 23 to lead Douglass.
Detroit Pershing 34 Westland John Glenn 12
Yeah, you read that score correctly. The Pershing vs. John Glenn game was suspended during the second half due to numerous quarrels in the stands. Regardless, Pershing was given the victory, the Doughboys are now 1-1 on the young season. The Rockets however, fall to 0-2, with both losses coming to PSL powerhouses, the other being a 72-35 setback to East English on Tuesday.
Next Horatio Williams Showcase
As previously stated, the Horatio Williams foundation does a fantastic job of organizing basketball showcases for Detroit area high schools. The next showcase will be the Horatio Williams Foundation Freedom Classic Games, held on Saturday, January 18, at Warren Fitzgerald High School. Here is the event schedule:
12:00 Warren Fitzgerald vs. Detroit Renaissance
1:45 Detroit Southeastern vs. Southfield
3:30 Detroit Western vs. Detroit Country Day
5:00 Detroit Cass Tech vs. Flint Beecher
6:30 Detroit Frederick Douglass vs. Warren De La Salle
8:30 Detroit Pershing vs. Ann Arbor Huron
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With not only the best player in the state, but also one of in the nation, the depth of the 2016 class in Michigan is hard to realize. With a good mix of wings, forwards, and guards, nearly all of the members in the class will get looks to go division one, and if they don’t, there will be some really solid division two players in this ranking. The 2016 class in Michigan has the potential to be one of if not the best in Michigan’s storied hoops history.
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