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Great Games February 23rd Through March 1st

23 Feb

The last full week of the season.  The first week in March for the most part is negated by girls playoffs commencing.

Tuesday February 24th

East Kentwood @ Hudsonville
Outlook: OK Conference Red Division game.  East Kentwood has already clinched. Regardless, Hudsonville will be eager to spring the upset.  As the Eagles dropped a six point decision in late January.

Southfield (9-7) @ Southfield Christian (13-3) 7:00 PM
Outlook: Southfield has stumbled to meet pre-season expectations as possibly surfacing into a Class A contender from Oakland County.  The Blue Jays meet Christian at the worst possible time, the Eagles have won 12 out their last 13 games, and are primed for a deep and meaningful run in Class C.

Warren De La Salle (8-9) vs. U of D Jesuit (15-2) @ Marian 7:30 PM
Outlook: Disregard records when these two meet, as over the past three to five years, this rivalry has been one of the best in the state.  Jesuit will be favored, but with a trip to Calihan Hall for the CHSL finals on the line, expect a tightly contested outcome.

Wednesday February 25th

Detroit Consortium (10-4) @ Flint Beecher (15-1) 7:00 PM
Outlook: Beecher thus far is the team to beat for Class C supremacy.  Their lone loss came to a ranked Detroit Henry Ford team on a neutral court in the middle of January.  On the other hand, Consortium is still looking for their identity.  A week with two important games will be telling if the Cougars are a legitimate force in Class B.

Plymouth (12-5) @ Westland John Glenn (9-8) 7:00 PM
Outlook: Fresh off a huge victory against Salem, Plymouth heads to John Glenn for KLAA Kensington Conference semi-final action.  John Glenn won the conference last year, and the winner will play either Livonia Churchill or Livonia Stevenson Saturday night.

Southfield Bradford (12-5) vs. Chandler Park (11-6) 7:00 PM
This is one semi-final of the Charter School Conference playoffs, the other is University Prep vs. Old Redford.  Chandler Park took the lone meeting of the year January 30th against Bradford 50-42.  Bradford will have plenty to prove in this one, as the Bulldogs lost to CPA last season in the league championship game.

Thursday February 26th

East English Village (13-4) @ Taylor Kennedy (14-2) 6:00 PM
Outlook: EEVP will look to find momentum heading into the playoffs after a disappointing semi-final loss to Renaissance. While Kennedy will take a break from the Downriver League and put their stellar record against a top 20 opponent.

Friday February 27th

North Farmington (15-2) @ Clarkston (17-0) 7:00 PM
Outlook: The rematch.  Clarkston went to North Farmington and handed the Raiders their first loss of the season February 4th. North Farmington, however, only sits behind the Wolves one game in the OAA Red.

Detroit Cornerstone (8-5) @ Detroit Edison (12-3)
Outlook: The second of two meetings in an eight day span.  Cornerstone pummeled Edison 80-56 last Thursday.  But if anything has been learned this year in high school basketball, the odds of beating a team twice are extremely difficult.

Milan (16-2) @ Monroe St. Mary (13-2) 7:00 PM
Outlook: Twice in less than a week the Big Reds and Falcons meet.  The Saturday prior, Milan defeated St. Mary 54-43.  A Big Red win would clinch the Huron League title outright.

New Haven (17-0) @ Mt. Clemens (12-4) 7:00 PM
Outlook: Though they have stumbled recently, New Haven has remained perfect.  Undfeated and ranked number one in Class B.  Surprisingly, Mt. Clemens has found a way to remain competitive after a mass exodus of players and coaching changes from a year ago.  The Bathers lead the MAC Blue with a record of 9-2.

Oak Park (11-4) @ Troy Athens (9-8) 7:00 PM
Outlook: Athens’ record is deceiving because the Redhawks are in a three-way tie for first in the OAA White with Oak Park and Pontiac.  Oak Park won 60-49 on February 4th.

Charter School Conference Championship TBA

Saturday Februray 28th
KLAA Lakes and Kensington Conference Championships TBA

Sunday March 1st
Catholic League A-B and C-D Championships TBA @ Calihan Hall

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Statewide And Class A-D Rankings February 23rd

23 Feb

Statewide

1. Western (17-0)
2. Muskegon (16-1)
3. Clarkston (17-0)
4. East Kentwood (17-0)
5. New Haven (17-0)
6. Forest Hills Central (17-0)
7. Kalamazoo Central (17-1)
8. Lansing Everett (15-2)
9. University of Detroit Jesuit (15-2)
10. Milan (16-2)
11. Macomb Dakota (15-2)
12. Ann Arbor Huron (14-1)
13. Wyoming Godwin Heights (16-1)
14. Flint Beecher (15-1)
15. Arthur Hill (16-3)
16. Walled Lake Western (16-1)
17. West Bloomfield (15-2)
18. Grand Ledge (16-1)
19. Romulus (13-5)
20. East English Village (13-4)
21. Holly (15-2)
22. North Farmington (15-2)
23. Wyoming (17-2)
24. Stevensville Lakeshore (15-2)
25. Taylor Kennedy (14-2)

Class A
1. Western (17-0)
2. Muskegon (16-1)
3. Clarkston (17-0)
4. East Kentwood (17-0)
5. Forest Hills Central (17-0)
6. Kalamazoo Central (17-1)
7. Lansing Everett (15-2)
8. University of Detroit Jesuit (15-2)
9. Macomb Dakota (15-2)
10. Ann Arbor Huron (14-1)
11. Saginaw Arthur Hill (16-3)
12. Walled Lake Western (16-1)
13. West Bloomfield (15-2)
14. Grand Ledge (16-1)
15. Romulus (13-5)
16. East English Village (13-4)
17. Holly (15-2)
18. North Farmington (15-2)
19. Wyoming (17-2)
20. Stevensville-Lakeshore (15-2)
21. Taylor Kennedy (14-2)
22. Davison (13-3)
23. Alpena (14-2)
24. Auburn Hills Avondale (14-3)
25. Walled Lake Central (14-3)
Class B
1. New Haven (17-0)
2. Milan (16-2)
3. Wyoming Godwin Heights (16-1)
4. Yale (15-1)
5. Goodrich (16-2)
6. Otsego (14-3)
7. Benton Harbor (14-4)
8. River Rouge (12-4)
9. Battle Creek Harper Creek (15-2)
10. Detroit Henry Ford (13-5)
11. Alma (14-3)
12. Onsted (13-3)
13. Wayland (14-3)
14. Detroit CMA (13-4)
15. Detroit Consortium (10-4)
16. Detroit Community (12-4)
17. Cesar Chavez (14-0)
18. Lakeview (13-4)
19. Richmond (15-3)
20. Williamston (14-4)
Class C
1. Flint Beecher (15-1)
2. Jackson Lumen Christi (15-1)
3. Shelby (17-0)
4. Hillsdale (18-0)
5. Beaverton (17-0)
6. Iron Mouthain (17-1)
7. Lutheran Seminary (16-1)
8. Horton (16-1)
9. NorthPointe Christian (14-3)
10. Lainsburg (14-2)
11. Southfield Christian (13-3)
12. Fennville (16-1)
13. Ithaca (15-2)
14. Monroe St. Mary (15-2)
15. Detroit Loyola (11-5)
Class D
1. Cedarville (16-0)
2. Powers Nroth Central (16-0)
3. Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes (17-0)
4. Munising (16-0)
5. Hillman (17-1)

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River Rouge Point Guard LaMonta Stone Pledges To Eastern Michigan

21 Feb

Whoever coined the phrase “the low-man wins in basketball,” must have been thinking of LaMonta Stone II.  The diminutive 5’8″ senior point guard, following a transfer from Bowling Green, Ohio, has been a vital piece behind River Rouge’s ascension from a combined 26-19 the previous two years to a contender in Class B with a 12-4 record in late February.  For the record, 26-19 is subpar for a school with 14 state titles.

The latest accomplishment for Stone was where he will continue his basketball career.  Which Stone decided, on his birthday, will be in Ypsilanti, for the Eastern Michigan Eagles.

LaMonta’s father, LaMonta Senior, like Junior, is in his first year at River Rouge.  Stone won the 1999 Class B state title while the head man for Rouge, then left the year after to coach in the college ranks.  LaMonta held assistant position at three different division one programs, one of which was Eastern Michigan.

“After going to a couple games,” Stone II added, “I like their style of play and the coaching staff.”

“I’ve had a really good relationship with Coach White (Benny) throughout my high school career.”

Stone said he decided on Eastern over U of D Mercy, Bethune-Cookman, and several division one institutions.  Given his short stature, Stone has had to excel in the intangibles necessary to smaller players at high-levels of basketball.  One of which is not quickly instilled into young players, toughness.

“The coaches like my toughness,” Stone also said.   “That’s a major thing to the EMU staff.”

Stone has been the backbone of the Panthers the entire year.  He’s averaged 23 points to go along with seven assists each night.  With his recruiting finished, Stone will now exert his full attention to assisting Rouge capture their 15th state title.

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Western Holds On To Defeat Renaissance 65-64 For First PSL Title Since 1922

20 Feb

IMG_0135It happened.  For the first time since the inventions of the television, bubble gum, and microwave, the Detroit Western Cowboys are Detroit Public School League champs.  1922 to be exact.

Western, undefeated and ranked number one in the state, had averaged 67 points in contests prior to facing Detroit Renaissance in the city title game.  Fortunately for Coach McDowell’s Cowboys, the team was able adjust to a different tempo than usual.

“At halftime I told them if we’re going to win it, we’re going to win it with our defense.”

Whether it was exceptional defense or poor offensive performances, both teams struggled to find baskets in the opening half.  Renaissance shot a dismal 8-25 from the field, and Western wasn’t much better at 10-25.

“It’s been like that the last three or four games,” McDowell said after the game.  “We just haven’t shot the ball well.”

Renaissance methodically controlled the game in the first half, limiting turnovers, forcing Western to settle for contested perimeter jump shots, and challenging 6’8″ center Gerald Blackshear at the rim.

The Phoenix led 24-23 at half, despite All-City first team member Justin Turner shooting 1-8 from the floor.  Western decided to rotate through guards Brailen Neely, Kyree Boyton, Josh McFolley, and Kareem Murray to wear down Turner.

Renaissance continued to lead by one entering the fourth.  Western needed a play to shift momentum.  Junior guard Armani Tinsley is as quality a sixth man as there is in the state.  Tinsley scored four straight points in less than a minute to begin the fourth, giving the Cowboys 40-37, a lead the Phoenix would not reclaim the remainder of the fourth.  Tinsley finished with 8 points and five rebounds.

“It’s very deep, our bench is very deep,” said senior point guard Josh McFolley.  “So when one goes down, another comes up, so they come up big.”

Western’s largest lead of the fourth was four points.  The fun didn’t start until 1:17 left on the clock, down three, Justin Turner was called for an offensive foul.  Western started to run down the clock, the Phoenix decided to foul McFolley, not their first choice, with 47 seconds remaining.  McFolley missed, Renaissance quickly out-leted the ball to Turner, he drove and scored, Phoenix down one.  With 18.5 seconds left, junior forward Alaric Jackson stumbled upon a Western blunder, Renaissance ball down one.    Western elected to foul twice, the Cowboys were under the limit with four, just enough.  Not a soul in the gym thought Turner would not get the ball.  Turner did, he missed a contested mid-range jumper, Western ball up one, five seconds left.

“It actually looked good, I was scared, I was nervous,” said Brailen Neely, who finished with a team high 14 points.  “It was in the air, a whole bunch of thoughts went through my mind.”

Gerald Blackshear rebounded it, send him to the line.  Blackshear missed.  Phoenix ball down one 1.8 left.  Freshman Jalen Tobias took the inbound, pivoted, and found senior point guard Daryl Smith.  Smith launched it from 40 feet, the ball struck iron, and fell like a feather to the ground.  Game over.

The Cowboys can take a deep breath, their undefeated record remains intact.

“Of course there’s pressure,” Blackshear referred to following the game surrounding his team.  “Because we’re number one, we lose everybody’s like aww man, but they win it’s like oh my God they won.”

McDowell adds his fourth PSL title to his résumé, his first at Western, the previous three came while the head man for Detroit Redford, now closed.

“It’s an extreme honor to win under McDowell because he expects so much out you,” Neely added.  “When you win you feel you met his expectations.”

The win is special for the aforementioned McFolley and Blackshear.  Both have played together throughout high school, previously at Mt. Clemens, and now Western.  The two are so connected, both decided to commit together and attend U of D Mercy for college.  The same court the championship game was played on.

“We were excited about it,” Gerald said about the opportunity to play on the court where he will continue his career on.  “Ever since we got to the championship, we just kept talking about it.”

McFolley is known for offense, his three point shot is his specialty.  However, he only made one shot the entire night, a three, and two free-throws.  While Gerald is the opposite.  Blackshear contributed seven points, but hauled in 12 rebounds, and deflected two shots.  Just his role on the team.

“Defense wins championship, this a championship, defense won.”

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Catholic League, KLAA, And Charter School League Tournament Previews

20 Feb

The tournament before the tournament.  Each late February, conference tournaments serve to decide the champion of a league in a bracket play format before the real state tournament in March. Here are three interesting conference tournaments to end the regular season in Southeast Michigan.

Catholic League (A-B Division)

University of Detroit Jesuit has won the past two conference crowns, and will look for a third on the shoulders of junior floor general Cassius Winston.  The 6’0″ point guard has been the heart of the Cub attack all season, he has provided multiple 30 point plus performances against elite teams from Michigan and surrounding states.  U of D, ranked top ten in the state, only lost one league game on the season, an upset to rival Brother Rice.  The two teams sit on opposite sides of the bracket due to finishing first and second respectively, meaning a potential third meeting would occur at Calihan Hall for the league championship.

The Catholic League incorporates schools from the Double A Division along with the larger Central Division.  Loyola won the league outright with a 6-2 record.  However, the Bulldogs fell short to Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, and were bested by last place Divine Child.  As one of the elite teams in Class C, it is very possible Loyola could make a run for Calihan and force a potential showdown against fellow Jesuit and City of Detroit school U of D.   Guards Demarco Dickerson, Dequan Powell, and Pierre Mitchell are all players to watch for Loyola.

Bishop Foley started the league portion of play 1-2.  However, the Ventures started to play at a high-level once senior guard Antonio Capaldi returned after suffering an injury early in the season.  Behind Capaldi and 6’8″ Gary Perry, Bishop Foley won four out of their last five division games, and could possibly give a Central Division school a quality game.

The same goes for Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, sophomore point guard Tariq Derrickson is an exceptional three-point shooter and creator.  Notre Dame Prep meets Brother Rice in an intriguing first round matchup.

Bracket Order:

U of D Jesuit vs. Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard

Bishop Foley vs. De La Salle

Loyola vs. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s

Pontiac Notre Dame Prep vs. Brother Rice

(C-D) Division

Simply put, this is Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes’ championship to lose.  The Lakers are undefeated, 17-0 overall, and 8-0 in league play.  The pure dominace by Our Lady has been noteworthy thus far, only two Laker wins were decided by single-digits, and the average margin of victory is 19 points.

Bracket Order:

Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes first round bye

Cardinal Mooney vs. Cabrini

Riverview Gabriel Richard vs. Everest Collegiate

Shrine vs. Cristo Rey

KLAA 

The KLAA is unique because the league is two separate conferences, with their own divisions and tournaments, culminating in one association title game.

Kensington Conference

Westland John Glenn won the Kensington last year, and the Rockets figure to be in the discussion again.  Despite a porous non-conference performance, Glenn won seven games in the league, eight entire wins overall.  The South Division had four teams within two games of first place.  Canton won the division with an 8-2 record, with Glenn and Churchill tied for second, 7-3, and Plymouth in fourth with a 6-4 league record.  All four have the rosters to win the Conference outright.

While in the Central Division of the conference, Salem won their second straight division title.  The Rocks raced to a 9-1 league play record, and 13-3 record overall.  Salem relies heavily on ball-movement, defense, and fundamental execution to win games against greater individually talented teams.

Bracket Order:

Salem vs. Plymouth

Northville vs. John Glenn

Novi vs. Livonia Churchill

Livonia Stevenson vs. Canton

Lakes Conference

The Lakes Conference North Division was shared by two Walled Lake schools, Central and Western, both winning on each others’ home court.  A third meeting between the two rivals is possible, unless the normally competitive Grand Blanc Bobcats have something to say.  Grand Blanc won the West Division handily, 8-2 overall.

Grand Blanc vs. Waterford Mott

Pinckney vs. Walled Lake Central

Brighton vs. Lakeland

Howell vs. Walled Lake Western

Charter School League

Talk about parody.  Despite an average 8-6 season record, Detroit Old Redford finished first in the league with a 7-1 record, including wins against Michigan Collegiate, and Chandler Park, both teams with better overall records.  Chandler Park has won the conference tournament the last three years, and the Eagles have the pieces to win it again, such as point guard Calvin Siebert, and football stud Jalen Martin.

Southfield Bradford will contend, the Bulldogs fell short last year in the championship game.  And despite a coaching change, anything but a championship will be a disappointment for Bradford.  Along with University Prep (10-4), and Michigan Collegiate (12-4), the Charter School League is a five team race between Old Redford, Chandler Park, Bradford, Michigan Collegiate, and University Prep.

Bracket Order:

Old Redford vs. Plymouth Education

Michigan Collegiate vs. University Prep

Southfield Bradford vs. Romulus Summit

Chandler Park vs. Dearborn Henry Ford

 

 

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Community Senior Point Guard Kyrahl Hunt Carries Hurricanes Past Cornerstone 58-57

18 Feb

IMG_0113Detroit Community senior point guard Kyrahl Hunt did not want to lose.

The 5’10” point guard is listed as the Hurricanes’ shortest player, yet proved he can carry a team if the opportunity arises.

Hunt scored 21 second half points, exactly half of the team’s output, for Community to erase a double-digit deficit and defeat Cornerstone 58-57.

“It was a big win after letting that Hamtramick game slip away,” Hunt said following the game.  “We had to bounce back.”

“I can’t even explain how much I didn’t want to lose.”

The Hurricane offensive performance in the first half was so poor, one Cornerstone player scored the same amount of points as Community’s entire team.  6’5″ sophomore wing Jamal Cain had 16 points and 13 rebounds in the opening half.  Cain was one of the Wolves who did not play in the first meeting on January 6th, a 78-45 Community beat down.

“It’s not always easy to beat the same team twice in one year.” Hunt added.  “We were short handed two starters also.”

Community was down usual starters James Jenkins and Demario Turner, which meant both teams had only eight players to work with.

“Our coach told us we don’t look like a championship team,” Hunt said was Coach Raymone Johnson’s message at half.  “And that we needed to come out and match the other team’s intensity.”

The Community comeback started in the third.  Kyrahl would score seven straight points late in the third to put the Hurricanes  down single digits 45-37 entering the fourth.

Hunt would continue to dominate the fourth, scoring 12 points in the stanza alone.  Community held a brief one point lead with 3:02 remaining.  However, Cornerstone point guard Trey Burton connected on a three, and then senior guard Tyreese Searles completed an and-one to give the Wolves a five point lead with 2:10 left.

Community could’ve easily folded, not on Hunt’s watch.  Kyrahl came down the court, and buried a three to place the Hurricanes down one with 1:10 left.  Searles would draw a foul with the game tied at 56 with 22 second remaining. Searles would make one.  Following a Detroit Community timeout, Kyrahl Hunt received the inbound, took a few dribbles, and found a wide open teammate at the rim from half-court to give Community the 58-57 lead they needed.

Cornerstone had the ball with nine seconds left, and then four seconds after the ball went out of bounds.  Searles drove the ball from the top of the key, got into the lane, found an open teammate, but from no where, Hunt came from the weak side to block what might have been the game winning layup for Cornerstone.

“I read the whole play,” Hunt said about his block.  “And turned out making a big play for my team.”

In an environment which modeled a playoff game, Hunt has a thing or two for when the lights shine bright.

“It was a loud atmosphere.”  “I like when the crowd is loud, it builds up my momentum.”

Hunt finished the game with 25 points, four rebounds, and three steals and assists respectively.  Hunt did most of his work at the free throw line, with 15 out of 19 on the night from the charity stripe.

Jamal Cain led Cornerstone with 23 points and 18 rebounds, however, only seven came in the second half, and three in the fourth quarter.  Searles added 15 points and five assists.

Hunt will take the win, but doesn’t believe this is the formula for Community to be successful when the stakes are higher in March.  The Hurricanes need balance from both their starters and bench players.  Fortunately for Community, the playoffs start in three weeks.

“We have to come together as a team,” Hunt added.  “We haven’t been playing together how we are suppose to.”  “We also need to learn how to execute more.”

 

 

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Michigan High School All-Star Game 2015

17 Feb

AS15_NewYorkCityThe All-Star game is an important day in the NBA season.  Although the State of Michigan limits all possibilities for an actual high school all-star game to occur, it’s entertaining to construct examples of what the event could look like.  I did my best to create a mock all-star game format with events from All-Star Saturday night, and an actual game with teams from east and west sides of Michigan.  The one rule is only juniors and seniors may play in the all-star game.  To come up with these lists was extremely difficult, it was literally splitting hairs to do so.  I know I am snubbing dozens of equally as talented players who in their own right are equally deserving of receiving a spot on the lists below.  But in a state as talented as Michigan is, it is inevitable.

Freshman vs. Sophomore Game

Freshman

Brandon Johns 6’7″ forward East Lansing

Zavon Godwin 6’4″ guard Roseville

Davian Williams 6’3″ guard Belleville

Foster Loyer 5’9″ point guard Clarkston

Elijah Collins 6’0″ guard U of D Jesuit

Jalen Tobias 6’5″ forward Detroit Renaissance

Thomas Kithier 6’7″ forward Macomb Dakota

David Dejulius 6’0″ point guard Detroit Edison

Quinn Blair 6’5″ forward Divine Child

Keyon Brown 6’0″ guard Detroit King

Shayne Scruggs 6’6″ forward Lansing Sexton

Pierre Mitchell 5’10” point guard Detroit Loyola

Sophomores

Brian Bowen 6’7″ forward Saginaw Arthur Hill

Xavier Tillman 6’7″ forward Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central

Matt Beachler 6’3″ guard Lowell

Jermaine Jackson Jr. 5’7″ point guard Macomb Dakota

Dylan Alderson 6’3″ guard Davison

Jamal Cain 6’5″ forward Detroit Cornerstone

Donatus Eke 6’7″ forward U of D Jesuit

Jaron Faulds 6’8″ forward Holt

Isaiah Livers 6’7″ forward Kalamazoo Central

Ronquavious Southward 5’11” guard Saginaw

James Beck 6’5″ wing Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills

Armonee Felder 5’10” point guard Detroit Pershing

Skills Challenge

Cassius Winston 6’0″ junior point guard U of D Jesuit

Chris Rollins 5’10” junior point guard Detroit East English Village

Shae Somers 6’0″ junior point guard Elk Rapids

LaMonta Stone 5’10” senior point guard River Rouge

Curtis Dawson 6’0″ junior point guard Benton Harbor

Latin Davis 5’10” senior point guard Milan

Malik Ellison 5’8″ sophomore point guard Flint Beecher

Andrew Myers 5’10” senior point guard Clarkston

James Towns 5’10” junior point guard Detroit Henry Ford

Jason Williams 5’10” junior point guard Detroit Allen Academy

Three Point Contests

Matt Beachler 6’3″ sophomore guard Lowell

Josh Davis 6’5″ senior wing Detroit Henry Ford

Spencer Littleson 6’3″ guard Rochester Adams

Jaton Gunn 6’2″ junior guard Benton Harbor

Eric Davis 6’4″ senior guard Saginaw Arthur Hill

Josh McFolley 6’0″ senior guard Detroit Western

Kamari Newman 6’3″ junior guard Detroit East English Village

Anthony Qasawa 6’4″ senior guard North Farmington

Marquel Ingram 6’2″ senior guard Detroit Pershing

Cameron Dalton 6’0″ senior guard Bloomfield Hills

Cassius Winston 6’0″ junior guard U of D Jesuit

Tabin Throgmorton 6’3″ junior guard Clarkston

Austin Levan 6’3″ senior guard Millington

Tariq Derrickson 5’10” sophomore guard Notre Dame Prep

Kyle Woodruff 6’2″ junior guard Holly

Dunk Contest

Jaylin Walker 6’2″ senior guard Romulus

Kharry Fanning 6’6″ senior forward Southfield

Dylan Alderson 6’3″ sophomore guard Davison

Brandon Childress 6’4″ senior guard Baldwin

Rob Edwards 6’3″ senior guard Detroit Cass Tech

Mikhail Myles 6’2″ senior guard East Lansing

Kelvon Fuller 6’7″ junior forward Oak Park

Stephen Umfress 6’2″ junior guard Monroe St. Mary

Jaylin McFadden 6’5″ junior forward Detroit East English

Carlo Marble 6’3″ junior guard Lansing Sexton

East vs. West All-Star Game

East

Cassius Winston 6’0″ junior guard U of D Jesuit

Justin Turner 6’3″ junior guard Detroit Renaissance

Eric Davis 6’4″ senior guard Saginaw Arthur hill

Nick Perkins 6’7″ senior forward Milan

Austin Davis 6’10” junior forward Onsted

Xavier Cochran 6’4″ senior guard Ann Arbor Huron

Trevor Manuel 6’10” senior forward Lansing Everett

Jeron Rogers 6’8″ senior forward North Farmington

Jaylin Walker 6’2″ senior guard Romulus

Josh McFolley 6’0″ senior guard Detroit Western

Latin Davis 5’10” senior guard Milan

Marquel Ingram 6’2″ senior guard Detroit Pershing

Michael Edwards 6’10” senior forward Westland John Glenn

Kamari Newman 6’3″ junior guard Detroit East English Village

Josh Davis 6’5″ senior guard Detroit Henry Ford

West

Dilon Aten 6’1″ senior guard Wayland Union

Deleon Brown 6’3″ senior guard Grand Rapids Christian

Deyonta Davis 6’10” senior forward Muskegon

Curtis Davison 6’0″ senior guard Grand Rapids Union

LJ James 6’8″ senior forward Wayland

Brent Hibbits 6’7″ senior forward Hudsonville

Corey Redman 6’4″ senior guard Boyne City

Delaney Blaylock 6’3″ senior guard Wyoming Godwin Heights

Seth Dugan 6’10” senior center Otsego

Devon Daniels 6’3″ junior guard Kalamazoo Central

Braden Burke 6’9″ junior center Stevensville-Lakeshore

Brandon Childress 6’4″ senior guard Baldwin

Tanner Eubank 6’3″ senior guard Paw Paw

Brad Brechting 6’11” senior center Cedar Springs

 

 

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Great Games February 16th-21st

16 Feb

Tuesday February 17th

Detroit Allen Academy (8-7) @ Detroit Consortium (8-4) 7:00 PM

Outlook: A growing charter school rivalry in Detroit that has been relatively even the past four seasons.  Consortium defeated Allen last year in the Class C state playoffs.

Detroit Community (11-4) @ Detroit Cornerstone (7-4) 7:00 PM

Outlook: Community destroyed Cornerstone 78-45 January 6th.  But the Wolves did not have the services of junior Derrik Jamerson and sophomore Jamal Cain, two studs in their respective classes.

Haslett (12-3) @ Lansing Catholic (9-6) 7:00 PM

Outlook: CAAC crossover of first place teams.  This won’t be the last time these two meet before the season is over.

Hamtramck (10-2) @ Warren Michigan Collegiate (12-3) 7:00 PM

Collegiate has been a surprise thus far in Class C and in the Charter School League, while Hamtramck beat Class B top ten Detroit Community last Thursday.

Auburn Hills Avondale (12-3) @ West Bloomfield (13-1) 7:00 PM

Outlook: West Bloomfield sits atop the OAA Blue, with Avondale one game behind.  The Lakers beat Avondale 56-48 January 23rd.  However, Avondale has won six straight since then.

Thursday January 19th

Detroit Edison (11-3) @ Detroit Cornerstone (7-4) 5:30 PM

Outlook: The first of two meeting between these schools in the month of February.  Edison is predominantly underclassmen oriented, but have shown no signs of youth the past month, winning by an average margin of 15 their previous five games.

Detroit Allen Academy (8-7) @ University Prep (10-4) 7:00 PM

Outlook: Allen head coach Craig Covington has turned around his Wildcats from what was a disappointing 1-4 start into an above .500 squad, and will look to keep the momentum rolling as March comes closer.

Friday January 20th

Stevensville-Lakeshore (15-1) @ Benton Harbor (13-4) 7:00 PM

Outlook: After losing in late December, Lakeshore has won 12 in a row, including a 62-42 decision against the Tigers on January 16th.  First place will be on the line in the Southwest Conference West Division.

Salem (13-3) @ Plymouth (11-5) 7:00 PM

Outlook: The most intriguing game of the first round of KLAA playoff games.  Salem went 9-1 in the Kensington Central Division while Plymouth had a 6-4 record in the South.  Although Salem does have a better overall and league record, Plymouth will host.  Which in reality isn’t much of a home court advantage, the schools are less than half a mile apart.

Western (16-0) vs. Renaissance (11-6) 7:30 PM @ Calihan Hall

Outlook: It’s been quite a season for Renaissance.  On January 20th, the Phoenix found themselves 1-4 in league play.  Since then, Renaissance has won seven consecutive games.  Their opponent, Western, has had no troubles the entire year as a whole, much less the PSL.  The Cowboys defeated Renaissance 58-41 January 13th.  However, junior standout Justin Turner was recovering from an injury and senior guard Daryl Smith had not gained eligibility yet after transferring from Detroit Community.

Flint Northwestern (12-1) @ Flint Southwestern (10-4) 7:00 PM

Two Class B powers from Flint meet in what will be an important game for the Saginaw Valley South.  Northwestern has been a surprise the entire year, while Southwestern has rebounded from a 1-4 start, including an 11 point loss to Northwestern on December 18th, to win nine of ten games.

Pontiac (9-4) @ Oak Park (8-4) 7:00 PM

The OAA White is a three team race between Pontiac, Oak Park, and Troy Athens, all with records of 4-1 in league play.  Oak Park was projected to run and hide with the division in the pre-season.  Not to say the Knights have failed this expectation, Pontiac has surfaced from no where.  Led by one of the most respected coaches in Michigan, Ben Kelso, Pontiac defeated the Knights 60-49 on January 29th.

Lansing Everett (13-2) @ Grand Ledge (15-0) 6:00 PM

Outlook: The biggest game of the year in the CAAC Blue.  If Everett wins, it will force a tie a top the division and both teams will have records of 10-1 with the Vikings having two remaining divisional games against sub .500 teams.  A win for Grand Ledge would clinch at least a share of the division title.

Saturday February 21st

Monroe St. Mary (11-1) @ Milan (14-2) 6:00 PM

The highly anticipated Huron League showdown was delayed in early February.  Both were en route to an undefeated matchup.  However, St. Mary fell to Riverview February 6th by one point.  Because of the delay, these two will meet twice in a calendar week.  The next matchup will be Friday February 27th.

Brother Rice (11-4) vs. Notre Dame Prep (11-4) 5:30 PM @ Marian

Aside from identical records, both teams made statements in their respective divisions last week.  Brother Rice upended top 5 ranked U of D Jesuit, while Notre Dame Prep bettered top 25 Detroit Loyola.

 

 

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Beecher Extends Winning Streak To Seven Following 60-43 Win Against River Rouge

14 Feb

photo-10Flint Beecher and River Rouge, two schools with celebrated basketball prestige and tradition.  The two programs have combined for 19 MHSAA state championships, River Rouge 14 and Beecher five.

Rouge and Beecher last met in the 2012 Class C quarterfinals, Beecher won 59-55 en route to a state championship.

The latest meeting was another Beecher victory, a 60-43 outcome in the Buccaneers favor.

“It’s great,” Beecher sophomore point guard Malik Ellison following the victory.  “It’s a good tune up game that’s going to lead us to the tourney in March.”

Ellison led Beecher in scoring with 18 points, ten in the first-half.

“I think I played well,” Malik added.  “I picked my spots on the court and made my teammates available to score.”

Beecher led 15-14 at the end of the first.  Rouge would lead 23-21 with 3:38 before half, the last Panther lead of the game.  The Bucs finished the half on a 11-4 spurt for a 32-27 half-time advantage.

Panther senior point guard LaMonta Stone entered the night having scored at least 30 points in the team’s previous two contests against Romulus and Consortium.  The 5’9″ floor general struggled to find any form of offensive rhythm.  After making his first two shots of the game, Stone would only shoot 3-14 from the field the remainder of the first.

The man primarily responsible for guarding Stone was the 5’8″ Ellison.

“We played our tempo,” Ellison said the key was to neutralizing Stone.  “And boxed out. These are things we focus on for every game.”

Stone continued to struggle in the second-half.  He shot only 2-11 from the field in the second-half.  Along with senior forwards Maurice Witherspoon and Jalin Gibson repeatedly in foul trouble, the Panthers could not find a reliable secondary scorer to compliment Stone.  Beecher took advantage of the situation and built a ten point lead entering the fourth quarter.

The Bucs would outscore the Panthers 12-5 to five in the fourth quarter.  Methodically running their offense, limiting turnovers, and receiving the coveted 50/50 balls, Beecher was able to secure a victory and end Rouge’s five game winning streak.

Stone led the Panthers in scoring, but on 7-27 from the floor, the only Panther in double figures.  Aside from Ellison, 6’2″ senior Cedric Moten added 17 points, and 13 rebounds for Beecher against a taller and athletic Panther front-court.

“Ced (Moten) plays hard every game,” Ellison would say about his teammate.  “He’s our scrapper and energy guy.  He plays a huge factor for us, and he is the reason we are where we are.”

The Bucs are currently 14-1, and had outscored the opposition on average 73-47 entering the game against River Rouge.  In a statement game against a Class B contender, Ellison wants Michigan to know Beecher might be Class C, but can compete with anyone in the state.

“We don’t want to just be number one in Class C,” Ellison stated.  “We want the whole state to know we can compete with any class in the state.”

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Jamal Cain and Derrik Jamerson Team Up For Cornerstone To Better Ferndale University

13 Feb

photo-8In high school basketball, the odds of defeating a team twice are extremely low. Especially if the team has an entirely new makeup for the second time around.

Detroit Cornerstone Health and Technology avenged an 87-77 January 15th setback to Ferndale University with a 72-58 victory.

“It felt real good,” junior guard Derrik Jamerson said following the game. “Because I had to sit and watch the first time with out being able to help my team.”

More than half of the Wolves’ starting lineup did not play the first time Cornerstone and University met. Many transferred from Melvindale ABT to follow head coach Myke Covington, including the combination of Jamerson and sophomore forward Jamal Cain.

Cain and Jamerson accounted for 50 of the team’s 72 points.  Jamerson connected on at least one three pointer in every quarter, before finishing with seven all together.

“I just tried to make sure I got my shot up high in the air,” said Jamerson was the key to his shooting.

Jamerson had three 3s in the first quarter, and the Wolves opened up a 21-9 lead.

Ferndale University continued to struggle with Cornerstone’s trapping half court defense in the second quarter. Unable to find any continuity in their offense, the Eagles shot only 4-24 from the field in the first half. Cornerstone would lead 34-19 at half.

“The plan was the get the ball out of number three’s hands (senior point guard John Moore),” Jamerson said was the mindset going in. “And make his team make decisions.”

University woke up some to start the third, an 8-2 run in the first 2:24, yet was quickly thwarted away by Cain. Jamal scored 11 of his 23 points in the third, and a Derrik Jamerson three to conclude the third gave Cornerstone a 58-40 lead, their largest of the game.

“I think our combo is very hard to stop,” Jamerson said of him and Cain. “Because we are skilled, and yes I believe we have one the best combos in the state, but we also have a lot of work to do.”

The aforementioned Moore and junior Gehringer Ramirez attempted to provide resistance to the Wolves onslaught in the fourth. Moore would connect on back-to-back threes with 5:43 remaining to trim the deficit to nine. However, the Wolves would go on a 12-3 spurt spanning the next 3:16, capped off with a Jamal Cain fast break slam to put the icing on the cake for a Cornerstone victory.

Jamerson finished with a team high 27 points, senior point guard Tyreese Scales had 10 points and three assists, and Trey Burton added seven points and seven assists, Cain had 17 rebounds to go along with his 23 points.

Moore led University with 21 points, eight rebounds, and five assists. Ramirez contributed 11 points, and forward Marcus Davis scored 13 points, and hauled in 10 rebounds.

University falls to 10-3, while Cornerstone currently holds a record of 7-4. Cornerstone is in their first year of basketball competition, and per MHSAA rules, will not be allowed to participate in the March state tournament. The school could form into a perennial Class D contender, however, the program has other plans. As early as next season, Cornerstone might not be affiliated with the MHSAA, allowing the Wolves greater freedom in scheduling games, and distances to travel for contests, similar to a modern day prep school format. While it remains to be seen what the future holds for the Wolves, one thing is for certain, there is a growing power on the west side of Detroit.

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