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Romulus 82 Saginaw Arthur Hill 71 Recap

9 Feb

The Saginaw Arthur Hill Lumberjacks traveled down I-75 to square off with fellow top 5 ranking mate Romulus in what appeared to be a game to answer a few questions for fans before the start of the MHSAA tournament in a few weeks.  The Eagles came out jumping on Arthur Hill, protecting their home court.  Leading 24-13 after the first quarter with E.C. Matthews scoring 5 points and fellow senior Jalon Plummer adding 6.  In the second quarter, the pace of the game changed from that of a slow methodical game, into that of  track meet.  Romulus still hung onto the lead at 37-28 going into the half.  In the third quarter is where Romulus started to get some separation.  Romulus outscored Saginaw 23-10 in that quarter giving them a 60-38 game going into the fourth.  And in that final quarter, Saginaw would cut the lead down to at the most ten, but were never able to respond.  Allowing Romulus to get the win.

Notes

Romulus has one of the best finishers in the area in E.C. Matthews.  You talk about going at the rim hard, that is what Matthews does.  He has nice body control when going into the lane, and has an assortment of different finishing moves he can use around the rim.  For the Lumberjacks, they might want to think about adding another scorer or two.  Because I don’t think they will go very far in the state playoffs if 58 of their 71 total points are scored by two guy in Jalen Adams and Eric Davis.  Adams with 28 and Davis with 30.  I saw Eric play earlier in the year and thought that he was just a shooter.  Well today he was different, he took defenders off the dribble to the basket and finished at the rim strong, converting on several and-ones.  He also of capable of running the fast break and dishing out a few assists.  Adams stepped up his play today.  The long athletic wing showed that he is quite the rebounder down low, while also scoring 28.

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PSL Semi-final Recaps

9 Feb

Frederick Douglass 56 vs. MLK 55: This back and forth game looked to be heading into overtime in the late fourth.  King had the ball with under twenty seconds to play in the contest, Stephon Parker drove to the bucket and was fouled.  Parker missed both free-throws.  However, King did get the ball back but Terrell Hale blocked a put back attempt giving the Hurricanes a narrow one point victory.

Pershing 70 vs. Central 50: The undefeated Pershing Doughboys came into this game looking as if they wanted to get this game over as quickly as possible and get ready for their big semi-final game on Tuesday against Douglass.  It looked like that early on as the Doughboys came out with a nine nothing run in the first four minutes of the game.  But things changed in the second.  The Trail Blazers blazed their way back to cutting the lead to only one at 29-28 at half.  And in the third, things only got better for the Trail Blazers.  Central led the Doughboys by as much as eight.  But never count the Doughboys out, who took control of the game in the fourth, as they went on to win the game 70-50.

Notes

Game 1: Keep an eye out for Darrell Davis of Frederick Douglass.  This junior point guard is a true playmaker out there.  He is a facilitator for all of his teammates and makes them look better.  Andre Frederick is a true enforcer in the paint for Douglass.  The lone big they have, he can swat you away from the perimeter as well with his quick feet.  For King, Armani Lee busted out of his miserable first round game against Western scoring only five points, hitting some nice three pointers and driving to the lane.  He is still developing, but he has a solid future for the black and gold.

Game 2: Watching Pershing junior Justin Tillman play in this game, it would make you think as if he was healthy the whole year.  The big forward, controlled the paint scoring 25 points and hauling in nine rebounds.  Which is important, because a big man is the only piece the Doughboys are missing in becoming an elite team.  Martez Walker hit a few perimeter shots in his way to 22 points on the night.  While fellow senior Lorenzo Collier finished up with 12.

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Romulus vs. Consortium Recap

6 Feb

The Romulus Eagles survived multiple comeback attempts by the second ranked team in Class C on Tuesday night, Consortium. By the time the fourth quarter started the score was only 40-42 in favor the visiting Romulus Eagles. With the crowd on their side, it looked as if Consortium was going to gain momentum pull of the upset. But this is where the senior leadership of Romulus stepped up. Led by E.C. Matthews and Jalon Plummer, Romulus was able to hit three threes in the first 1:30 of the quarter extending their lead to 51-42. Consortium was not out the game yet. Clawing their way back to being down only three with 4:05 remaining. However, Romulus hit clutch free-throws late in the game to seal the 66-59 hard-fought road victory.

Game Notes

Consortium- As usual, freshman guard Josh Jackson had a marvelous game. Finishing up with 21 points. Being guarded by the always tough defender Wes Clark. But what changed this game for the Cougars is that Vincent Hunter missed eight free-throws. A very rare occurrence for such a talented ball-player like him.

Romulus- Senior forward Leo Edwards contributed with 21 points. Controlling the paint and doing a nice job of team-work with E.C. guarding Consortium senior forward Vince Hunter. Matthews played off-guard for most of the night finished up with 26 points and five three pointers. While fellow senior Wes Clark finished up with 12 points and seven dimes.

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2013 Horatio Williams Classic Recaps

20 Jan

Southeastern 57 vs. Detroit Community 54:  The lesson Community should take away from this game is to play with the same intensity you started the game with as you should finish the contest.  The Hurricanes built a healthy 20-9 lead after one, Bo Zeigler was hitting permitter jump shots, and sophomore Darryl Smith was playing well for a 5’7″ point guard.  But, SE would not give up.  Throughout most of the game, the only Jungaleer doing anything offensively was Jovone Haynes.  Haynes was getting to the rim and hitting the occasional jump shot.  The game became only a two point contest at 49-47 Community holding the advantage with 3:14 left in the contest.  But things became complicated for the Hurricanes, as star wing Bo Zeigler fouled out of the game.  Which ultimately led to Southeastern taking the lead on a steal-and-score by Leonard Harper-Baker with :25 left in the game, giving SE a hard-fought, well deserved win.

Detroit Douglass 51 vs. Warren De La Salle 45: This game I knew was going to be good with two bright junior combo guards competing against each other in Douglass’ Darrell Davis, and De La Salle’s A.J. Turner.  In a low scoring, defensive oriented contest, A.J. was harassed throughout most of the game by Terrell Hale of Douglass, making life tough on A.J. just to bring the ball up the court.  Darrell Davis, similar to A.J. struggled to create offense in the early portion of the game, the key word being the word early.  Davis hit a three with 5:15 left in the game to give Fred. D a 40-39 lead they would not give up the rest of they way.  Davis finished up with 16, and A.J. finished up with 10.

Detroit Renaissance 82 vs. Ann Arbor Huron 66: Coming into this game, Renaissance senior guard Clark Bishop needed 26 points to enter the 1,000 point club.  And the four-year varsity player accomplished that goal tonight with 7:20 remaining in the fourth on an and-one.  Clark finished up with a game high 29.  Ann Arbor Huron has a sophomore to keep an eye on in wing guard Xavier Cochran.  The young man finished up with 22 points, showing some nice transition moves, and penetrating abilities.

Detroit Pershing 81 vs. Flint Beecher 74: The prime time game at the Horatio Williams Classic proved to be the $10 worth of admission.  The game in the first half looked like one of those early non-conference games in NCAA Basketball, where you have a team like Kentucky going up against Mid-Majors.  Despite two early flagrant fouls in the game, Beecher held it together on the road away from the comfy confines of Mt. Morris Twp.  Everyone in the gym was surprised of Beecher’s flawless offensive execution put on in the first half.  Iowa State commit Monte Morris was doing his usually thing of scoring the ball with his jump shot and showing off some nice handles, but also being a facilitator to the likes of Emmanuel Phifer, and Eric Cooper.  Beecher was ahead at the half 48-34, leading to some Buccaneer fans in the house chanting to Pershing “overrated.”  Even though Pershing is in their first year with head coach Wydell Henry, Coach Henry must’ve been like Bob Knight in that locker room, because he lit a fire under his Doughboys.  Because Kahlil Felder hit a big three with under four minutes to go making the deficit single digits at 56-48 Beecher.  In every big game, there is that one player who doesn’t seem to make a lot of shots, but when he does make a shot, it counts.  That player was junior Doughboy point guard Darsean Woodson.  With 1:45 remaining in the third, Darsean hit the second of his back-to-back threes giving Pershing the lead at 61-58, the only shots Woodson made on the night.  In the end, Beecher fought valiantly in the fourth, but the likes of Felder and fellow senior Lorenzo Collier seemed to be too much.  Collier finished up with 20 huge points for Pershing.  Huge because stud wing Martez Walker only tallied nine points for Pershing, while Oakland bound guard Kahlil Felder finished up with 25.  Morris led Beecher with 25, CMU football commit Eric Cooper chipped in with 17, while junior forward Emmanuel Phifer added 24.  If only these two teams were in the same class we could see a rematch at the Breslin Center in late March.

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Cass Tech 82 vs. Renaissance 64

9 Jan

The Cass Tech Technecians traveled to take on their rival the Phoenix of Renaissance and pulled out with a 82-64 victory.  Much like the state championship football team at Cass Tech, the basketball team is full of division one talent.  Players like D’Andre Johnson, DeAngelo Stewart, and Kyle Steward, all have received some division one interest.  Not to be left behind are rising juniors such as Kenny Carpenter, and Charles Key.

CT built a 11-2 lead in the first 3:55 of the game.  In that first quarter, the Technecians hit six three-point shots, as Johnson, Stewart and Carpenter all hit two threes apiece.  Cass thought it would be smooth sailing from their, but not so fast.  CT was never able to create much separation in the second and third quarters as Renaissance on some occasions only trailed as much as five points.  In the fourth is where things changed.  Led by Stewart, Cass was able to put the game out of reach and left with a convincing victory.

According the my game notes, DeAngelo Stewart amassed 25 points to lead CT.  Clark Bishop, struggled through most of the early portion of the game, but came back nicely to finish up with 26 points to lead Renaissance.

Motor City Roundball Day Five Recap

1 Jan

Southfield 72 vs. Ecorse 54– The Bluejays can jump on you in a hurry.  Ecorse only trailed by six after one, but within the next couple of minutes in the second, they were done by double digits.  And the lead only got bigger during the third quarter when with 5:15 left, it was 42-23 Bluejays.  I am telling, college coaches, fans, anybody, Jeff Greer the point guard for Southfield, he can play.  Do not let his size fool you.  He is like Earl Boykins out there.  He has the handles, quickness, and the shot to compete at the next level.

Southfield Lathrup 73 vs. Detroit Loyola 88– Yes Loyola is a basketball school to go along with their division seven state final appearance on the football field.  Lathrup has one of the best scorers/shooters in Michigan if not the midwest in Jonathan Williams.  He can absolutely provide instant offense for a team.  Toledo will learn that next year.  But the supporting cast was not there for him.  Williams did finish up with 36, but Loyola Richie Gold took the MVP, scoring 26 points, while grabbing nine rebounds.

Consortium 63 vs. Chicago Hyde Park 60– Consortium just might be the most athletic team in Class C.  Josh Jackson and Vince Hunter remind me of the twin towers the Houston Rockets used to have.  However, Jackson is a completely different player.  He brought the ball up the floor a couple of times as point guard, showing that he is truly a versatile player.  Vince Hunter took home the MVP for Consortium scoring 26, grabbing 10 rebounds and dishing out three assists for the UTEP commit.  I am just saying, watch out Beecher, you may just have to beat Consortium to defend your trophy.

Chicago Orr 46 vs. Detroit Community 34– Community came out of a dogfight earlier this week after coming up short on Thursday against Pershing.  Orr really took control of this game in first quarter as they took a 17-4 lead after one and sailed to the finish line.  Louis Adams won the MVP trophy for Orr with 14 points, three rebounds, and four assists.  Orr will surprise some people this year is the Chicago Public School League.

Walled Lake Western 66 vs. Detroit Country Day 70– The final game of the 18th annual Motor City Roundball Classic proved to be the best.  Walled Lake Western, led by big man Miroslav Jaksic, actually held the lead with under 20 seconds left to play in the ball game.  But DCD tied it up with under ten seconds to play sending the game into overtime.  This is where Country Day woke up from their slumber, they jumped out on a six nothing run and never looked back.  Christien Wright took the MVP with 19 points and eight rebounds.  Jr. guard Edmund Sumner added 14, while Lehigh bound Austin Price contributed 17 points and eight total boards.

This classic could not have been held if it was not for the great people that run it.  There is a reason this classic is been around for 18 years.

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Motor City Roundball Day Four Recap

31 Dec

Melvindale ABT 67 vs. Windsor (ON) Catholic Central 61– The Gators received balanced scoring throughout their whole roster, as they had five players score double digits.  Terron Ramsey led ABT in scoring with 16 points, while grabbing seven rebounds.  Also for the Gators Claude Lewis III and Lavail Russell chipped in with ten points each.  The Comets of CC struggled on offense throughout much of the second half.  Mychal Mulder tallied a game high 20 points for CC.

Davison 31 vs. Detroit King 72– The Crusaders of Martin Luther King took advantage of Davison for a 72-31 game.  This game was only in question for King when it was 0-0 with eight minutes to go in the first quarter.  Any observer could tell that once King got on a 9-2 run in the first three minutes of the game, it was over.  Dayvon Austin took home the MVP for the Crusaders with 17 points and seven rebounds.  Austin is a 6’3″ forward who plays much more  like a 6’7″ wing.  Despite his size, he likes to bang down low and is successful in doing so.

Inkster 55 vs. Detroit Renaissance 57– Inkster will give some people a scare this year.  When Inkster has the combination of a sharpshooter like Deaven Hansbro, who shot 33% in this game, to go along with 6’8″ big man Donnell Jarmon, that is one lethal combination.  Jarmon led Inkster in scoring with 18 points and grabbed five rebounds.  The thing about Jarmon is that is super athletic.  He can out muscle you for a ball or sky above you for it.  If this kid develops a low post game, he will definitely be one to reckon with from colleges.  Clark Bishop won the MVP for Renaissance scoring 25 points and grabbing seven rebounds.

Detroit Douglass 36 vs. Chicago Orr 47– Douglass’ offense just seemed to die off in the second half.  As they only accounted for 17 total second half points.  Orr’s offense was not that much better, but once again, Tyquone Greer led the Spartains this time, coming up one rebound shy of a double-double.  Greer tallied 23 total points, and pulled down nine rebounds.  I am telling you, this kid can play.  He told me that he already has offers from some division one teams.

Chicago Hyde Park 80 vs. Toledo Rogers 62– The defending Toledo City League champions Rogers dug themselves into a deep hole when they trailed 25-11 after one quarter of play that they could not get themselves out of.  The front court of Hyde Park was the difference in this game.  Having to deal with the loss of 6’8″ Moshawn Thomas, who is one of the most feared big men in Chicago,  Jacob Taylor and Tory Mason stepped up in the loss of Thomas.  Taylor took home the MVP scoring 25 points for Hyde Park, while Mason contributed a double-double dropping 20 points, and bringing down 12 rebounds.

Gary (IN) 54 vs. Detroit Southeastern 60– The visitors from the city of Michael Jackson’s hometown fought valiantly on the road against Southeastern.  But were not able to come out with the victory.  Leonard Harper-Baker recorded 15 points for Southeastern, which helped him take home the MVP of the game.

Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy 60 vs. Detroit Pershing 70– The premier game of the day featured two of the state’s top point guards in Derrick Walton for Chandler Park and Kahlil Felder for Pershing.  Pershing is once again stacked with talent.  Martez Walker contributed with 23 points for the Doughboys.  And oh yeah that Felder guy, he scored 24 and get this, pulled down 13 rebounds.  13 rebounds, I thought 13 assists would  have been more likely for a 5’10” guard, he still did manage to get three assists.  Derrick Walton finished up with 21 points and five assists for the Eagles.  Pershing is once again scary this year, once they get Justin Tillman back from an injury, their defense will be able to stop any big man that will come in their way.

Motor City Roundball Classic Day Three Recap

31 Dec

Oak Park 37 vs. Lincoln 32– In a very sloppy game, the Knights of Oak Park did just enough to build a lead that was able to sustain a Lincoln comeback.  Stephon Williams of Oak Park won the MVP scoring nine points, and grabbing seven total rebounds.

Canton 49 vs. Cincinnati Withrow 60– No one at the tournament could match the skill and craftiness of Withrow’s Tim Coleman.  The senior finished up with 31 points, five assists, and 3 rebounds.  He can take a game over whenever he wants to, because of the fact that he has handles.

Pontiac 90 vs. Schoolcraft 62– Pontiac took down a team that won a state title two years ago because of the dynamic duo of guard Dijon Cogdill and wing Jarod Jones.  Cogdill did just about everything for Pontiac, score 27 points, grab five rebounds and dish out five assists.  Jones on the other hand, is an athletic wing man who can provide highlight dunks and keep defenders honest with his j.  Jones finished up with 17 points, four rebounds and four assists.  Watch out for Pontiac this year.  They will surprise some people come playoff time.

Harper Woods Chandler Park 78 vs. Chicago Hyde Park 69– The state’s top ranked point guard in Derrick Walton, only recorded four points in the first quarter, which resulted in Hyde Park grabbing an early 19-13 lead after a quarter of action.  But in the second is where Derrick blossomed, scoring points and dishing out assists to get his team only down by two at the half.  But in the end, Chandler Park and Walton were just too much for Hyde Park.  Walton finished up with 32 points, nine assists, and six rebounds.  Hyde Park junior guard Marcus Smith led the team in scoring with 26 points.

Chicago Orr 61 vs. East English Village 54– The other team from the Chicago, Orr, has two fine junior guards in Louis Adams and Tyquone Greer.  Adams is an athlete who accounted for a highlight dunk or two, he can also shoot the rock from beyond the arch as well.  Greer, is a 6’7″ long armed wing, who can bang inside with the big boys, but keeps them honest with his jump shot.  Senior Antoine Benford led East English going 8-13 from the field for 18 points.  Benford is also a beast on the glass, pulling down ten rebounds for the Bulldogs.

Detroit Country Day 80 vs. Bowling Green (OH) 51– The Wisconsin commit for Bowling Green, Vitto Brown, was never able to get going offensively for Bowling Green because of the defensive performance of the game MVP Poet Thomas of Country Day.  Poet scored nine points, and grabbed six rebounds in the winning effort.  Edmund Sumner of DCD added twenty points in the winning effort.  Sumner is lightning quick out there, and he is not to bad an athlete.

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