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Western Crowned Champions in Class A

28 Mar

CBNBnMMUcAAmdA6.jpg-large“Cream always rises to the top, you can shake it up however you want, before the game is over,” said Detroit Western head coach Derrick McDowell, “ball players usually rise to the surface.”

McDowell’s Cowboys did the rise to the top in Class A, and have plenty of ball players.

Western, 26-0, withstood multiple Saginaw Arthur Hill spurts to capture the school’s first ever basketball state championship.

In the biggest game of his life, senior Josh McFolley felt some discomfort in his leg.  His Cowboys were in the midst of a back-and-forth dog fight with Arthur Hill in the third quarter.  Josh re-entered the game, and with his team up 33-32 with under three minutes before the fourth.  McFolley scored the team’s next eight points to conclude the period.  The energy the Cowboys would ride into the fourth.

“I wasn’t going to let any little soreness get me,” said McFolley.  “I knew my team needed me.”

Fellow senior Gerald Blackshear was the recipient of three McFolley assists in the early fourth, as the Cowboys built a commanding 13 point lead at one point.

Arthur Hill would not lie down lightly, but the Lumberjacks could not get the deficit below four.  Western had a response for every Arthur Hill charge  All-state senior guard Eric Davis fouled out of the game on an and-one with 1:34.  SAH did however cut the deficit to as low as four at one point, but junior guard Karim Murray connected on four free-throws in the final minutes to secure the Cowboy hardware.  Dequavion Johnson did hit a three with 12.1 left to place the Hill down four, but the Lumberjacks lost all their timeouts in the process before so.

McFolley paced Western with a team-high 19 points, to go along with six steals, Blackshear added 16 points and 12 rebounds, and Murray contributed 15 points.

“We got production from a lot of people,” added McDowell.

Brian Bowen led the Hill with 21 points and 11 rebounds, and Texas bound Eric Davis concluded his stellar high school career with 15 points and six rebounds.

The win for McDowell hands the veteran coach his first state championship.  Coach McDowell has always been respected in Detroit basketball.  Before his current position at Western, McDowell won multiple city titles as the head man for Detroit Redford.  McDowell noted he often use to share his glory day Redford stories with his team during the season, but not anymore.

“This is my fourth time here, and I finally got it,” he added.  “I’m done with the Redford stories, it’s on to the McFolley, Blackshear, and Neely stories.”

Lost in the press of the day was junior guard Brailen Neely.  He scored just eight points, but at times during the year served at the Cowboys leading scorer, and facilitator.  Neely has seen both the good and bad of Cowboy basketball.  A three-year varsity player, Neely is astonished with the growth of the program.

“It was a process,” said Neely of getting to where he’s at today.  “Freshman year, we we’re young, we had 1 senior, we had a lot of growing to do.  Next year, we thought we had it.  We wasn’t really listening and it showed in our game.  This year we were all on Coach McDowell page.”

The 2014-2015 season for Western can be divided into two ways, before January, and after January.  Before January, the aforementioned McFolley and Blackshear could not participate following transfers from Mt. Clemens.  Despite not having two division one recruits on the floor, Western stood strong, 9-0.  Contrary to popular belief, Coach McDowell was adamant about his belief Western was a state championship contender without Josh and Gerald.

“I had all the pieces anyway, those were just extra pieces,” McDowell said.  “We weren’t looking for them to come in and be Batman and Robin.  We had enough to win.”

Coach McDowell’s persona on the sideline is of a strict general, however, his players finally managed to force their coach show some emotion.  When it was for certain his team would receive the trophy, he displayed the often unknown lighter side of him.  To the joyous reception of his players.

 

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Ford and Western Represent PSL In East Lansing

28 Mar

2d725adFor the first time in a league with as much decorated tradition as the Detroit Public School League holds, 2015 might be the most historic.  Two teams will represent the league in East Lansing for state championships, Western in Class A, and Henry Ford in Class B.

Western, the state’s number one ranked team, won the city championship this season, and have met few teams that can match the Cowboys’ combination of depth, height, and skill.

Ford on the other hand certainly has had to claw and fight their way to Michigan State’s campus.  The Trojans went just 5-4 in league, which included a 72-55 setback to Western January 27th.  In the playoffs, however, Ford has played with greater poise and confidence.  After narrow wins against both CMA and Community in the district tournament, Ford outlasted defending Class C champion Consortium, and Class B first ranked New Haven in consecutive games to secure a spot in East Lansing.

bildeThe opportunity present for the schools is also significant because of the coaches that roam the sidelines, Western’s Derrick McDowell, and Ford’s Ken Flowers.  Flowers, a ’96 graduate of Detroit Redford, was prepped by McDowell in a Husky uniform.  And when McDowell departed Redford following the 2005 campaign, Flowers assumed the role of head coach until 2007 when the school closed.  Both Flowers and McDowell guided the Huskies to two separate Class A final four appearances, ’04 and ’07.

Flowers admits the transition was difficult from Redford to Ford, considering the two were bitter west side rivals for years in the city.  Still Flowers has been able to break lines which use to divide both schools and communities, but believes basketball extends far beyond the lines.

“It’s a blessing,” said Flowers.  “It’s big for me coming from Redford to Henry Ford.  That community is huge over there.  I’ve been getting e-mails and calls the last two weeks from Henry Ford alumni all the way back to ’71.  It’s amazing how basketball can bring a community together like this.”

Ford plays Godwin Heights Saturday, and Western takes on Arthur Hill.

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Godwin Heights Edges Out Milan 70-64 For Spot In Class B Final

27 Mar

IMG_0303Down goes number one.  There will be a new recipient for the Class B crown following Wyoming Godwin Heights’ 70-64 victory against defending class champion Milan.

It wasn’t pretty, but there are no style points this time of year.  The Wolverines shot a porous 32.9% field goal percentage the entire game, 6-23 from beyond the arch, and 23-70 overall.

Fortunately for Godwin Heights, shots fell in the most important time, the fourth quarter.  With the game tied at 57 and three minutes remaining, Godwin went on a 8-2 spurt to seize control from Milan.  Six of those eight points were junior guard Leon Redd’s.  An and-one three point play, and then a cold blooded trifecta to place Godwin up six with under a 1:30 to play.  Often the case in that situation, a player would be told not to take the shot, but to work the clock and draw a foul.  However, not under first year head coach Tyler Whittemore, his players always have the green light.

“Told him to shoot it,” said of Redd’s shot.  “He’s a tough kid, confident, he knew he as going to make that shot, I knew he was going to make that shot if he got the ball.”

Redd scored 12 of his 19 points in the final stanza of play.  The senior combination of Delaney Blaylock and Mike Williams also had crucial efforts on the night as well.  The 6’4″ Williams was matched-up against Buffalo bound 6’7″ Nick Perkins, Nick scored 21, but scored just six points in the fourth and was 8-19 from the floor.  Williams concluded the contest with double-double of 13 points and 13 boards, nine of which were offensive.

“He’s been guarding the other team’s biggest/best player and most physical players,” Whittermore said of Williams.  “Being only 6’4,” but with the biggest  hear that’s the biggest thing that he does.  Plays hard and moves his feet quite well, and he’s able to get above the rim.”

The Wolverines out-rebounded the Big Reds offensively 25-19.

“We work hard in practice on offensive rebounding,” said Blaylock.  “Rebounding is just what we do.”

For Blaylock, he was part of the Wolverine backcourt that limited future Youngstown State Penguin guard Latin Davis 17 total points on 8-19 shooting, and five in the fourth.  Davis holds state-records for three pointers made in the championship round of play, which he accomplished just last year.  Davis was a major assignment for the Wolverines coming into play.

“Just keeping turning them back and forth,” said Whittermore.  “Getting the ball in other guy’s hand, had them make plays, see what they could do with it.”

“We had five guys guard him, deny him when he doesn’t have it.  Help the helper.”

Both Williams and Blaylock were just sophomores the last time Godwin Heights made a Breslin Center appearance, 2013, a loss to Detroit Community in the semi-finals.  The Wolverines face Henry Ford representing the Detroit PSL for Class B supremacy Saturday night.

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Balance Leads Arthur Hill Past Everett 73-61 In Semi-Final

27 Mar

IMG_0299Balance, balance, and more balance.  These were the words to describe the performance on display by the Saginaw Arthur Hill Lumberjacks in the Class A semi-final against Lansing Everett.

Four different Lumberjacks tallied double-digit points, Eric Davis with 20, junior guard Billy Burton 18 points on four three pointers, sophomore forward Brian Bowen 15 points, and Dequavion Johnson added 11 points.

“All of us are capable of scoring 20,” said Texas bound senior guard Eric Davis.  “Some nights it’s probably my night, Brian’s night, Billy’s night, so you never know game-by-game.”

After holding a slim three point half-time advantage, the third quarter was dominated by Arthur Hill.  The Lumberjacks outscored Everett 23-13 paced by Bowen with eight.

Head coach Greg McMath draws on experience to illustrate the importance of third quarter play.

“I felt the last two years when we got put out the tournament by Saginaw High they dominated the third quarter.  Every drill we had the second-half of practice was just go hard.”

Everett has their own high-major college talent in 6’10” Oregon commit Trevor Manuel.  However, Manuel found little success against the Lumberjack defense, a total of 13 points.  Manuel’s inability to find a consistent rhythm was in large part the work done by football prospect Willie Rodgers, a 6’4″ sophomore defensive end.  Further illustrating the depth of Arthur Hill.

“I had a meeting with just the other 10 guys on the team,” coach McMath said referring to Davis and Bowen.  “And I told them if we’re going to make a run, if we’re going to win a state championship, it’s going to be on you guys.”

“These two (Bowen and Davis) always get the press and they deserve it, but it’s a total team effort.”

McMath returns to his first state tile game since capturing the Class A crown in 2006.  The game is also special for Davis, who in his first three years of high school had not gone past the district round.

“I’m 32 minutes away from winning a state championship,” said Davis.  “And I want to go out a winner.  This is my first time being here, and I always say ‘better late than never.'”

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Beecher Routs Horton 71-43. Advance to Class C Title

26 Mar

IMG_0286Sam said “I am,” and Horton heard his swish.

Flint Beecher’s Sam Toins has had the Breslin Center on his mind for well over a year.  Toins’ Bucs suffered a heart breaker a season ago in the quarterfinals.  The senior shooting guard swore to himself and team that would not be repeated in 2015.

In the team’s 71-43 dismantling of Hanover-Horton in the Class C semifinal, Toins led the Bucs with a game-high 20 points, including five threes, four of which occurred in the first-half.

Not too often is the case a game of this magnitude is decided in the opening eight minutes.  However, the Bucs are no ordinary team.  Beecher outscored the Comets 23-3 in the opening period of action.  Horton found difficulty managing the Buccaneer half-court trap.  Beecher forced nine Hanover turnover in the first quarter, and 21 overall.

Coach Mike Williams’ team relies heavily on pressure to gain an advantage in games.

“We want to establish a tempo,” Williams said.  “And by coming out and some  these kids have never been in these situations before.”

Williams compares his team’s game-plan similar to a fight.

“You get into a fight, you want to throw the first punch, and throw the last punch,” Williams stated.  “So it doesn’t matter you win or lose you want to gain the respect of your opponent.”

If the Comets were fortunate to break the Beecher trap, Horton found little success in the half-court.  With a 36% field goal percentage compared to Beecher’s 51% field goal percentage, Horton had little to no room for error on the offensive end of the floor.

In addition to Toins’ performance, the Bucs had a well-rounded performance throughout the roster.  Senior forward Cedric Moten added 18 points, sophomore forward LeVane Blake added nine points and eight rebounds, while sophomore point guard Malik Ellison found success facilitating the Beecher attack, limiting turnovers, and applying on-ball pressure.

The win places Beecher into the Class C state championship game for the third time in the past four years, Beecher won state titles in ’12 and ’13.  Coach Williams also emphasized following the game he has lost as many state championships the same amount he has won.  Drawing on the invaluable amount of experience had led Williams to master the art of preparation.  Beecher’s special “championship practices,” involve grueling hours of sprints and scrimmages.  According to Coach Williams, it’s moments like this that have helped Beecher gain a state-wide reputation of excellence, and foster a sense of connection between the coaching staff and players in pursuit of a common goal.

“If you can’t handle me (Williams) in practice, when the pressure is on in the real game, they you won’t be able to handle it,” Williams said.  “But if you can handle me in practice, and you can get through.”

Williams’ goal for Saturday is to leave with “tears of joy.”

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Cass Tech ’13 Graduate DeAngelo Stewart Commits to IPFW

26 Mar

GUswCuNQCollege tends to change people, whether personally or athletically.  For DeAngelo Stewart, it was both.

The 6’5″ ’13 graduate of Detroit Cass Tech’s road to college is not the typical route of a college athlete.  Stewart was originally committed to SIU-Edwardsville following his high school senior season.  Just before the start of his freshman year, DeAngelo de-committed, and chose to attend Alabama State University.

Alabama State was not the right fit either for Stewart.  In his one year at ASU, DeAngelo had difficulty in receiving consistent playing time and an overall feel of comfort with the program.

DeAngelo’s third college was Northwest Tech Community College in Goodland, Kansas.  In his one year at Northwest Tech, Stewart was a vital component of a Maverick team that won 20 games.  On an individual standpoint, Stewart averaged 16 points, and seven rebounds per-game.  Northwest Tech was the right culture for Stewart to change not only as a basketball player, but as a person.

“I changed my attitude on and off the court,” Stewart said.  “I became more mature also on and off the court.  I also changed my motor and body language.”

Focusing on those aspects brought greater interest and opportunities to play on the next level.  His stellar play landed DeAngelo interest from various mid-major institutions across the Midwest.  However, Stewart decided the final destination in his collegiate career will be at IPFW in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

“It feels good,” Stewart had to say about his commitment.  “I’m back in the Midwest where I belong.  I have been waiting on this moment ever since I arrived on campus for my JUCO season.”

“It’s a blessing to get another chance at the D1 level.”

Stewart said he chose IPFW because his relationship with the program was “different.”  DeAngelo admires the up-and-down tempo the Mastadons deploy. He also has a special relationship with one current Mastadon, sophomore guard Mo Evans, the Summit League sixth man of the year.  Stewart plans on bringing a sense of versatility next season to IPFW.

“They (IPFW) plan to use me on the perimeter,” Stewart added.  “And in the post to post up smaller guards.”

DeAngelo’s journey to division one college basketball has left a profound impact on him he will carry whenever his playing days are done.  Three schools in three years is not something Stewart would recommend.  However, it’s what was learned that has helped Stewart change the outlook on his career.  From playing “in the middle of no where in Kansas,” to division one college basketball, Stewart is thankful for the changes he has endured the past two years.

And so fittingly, Stewart strives on receiving the Summit League’s “Newcomer of the Year Award.”

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State Semi-Final Podcast Preview

25 Mar

Interviews with Adam Troia and Milan’s Nick Perkins, in addition to predictions on championship weekend for all four classes.

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Western and U of D Advance Following Quarterfinals

25 Mar

IMG_0270Western Rolls Past Ypsilanti

Detroit Western International continues to create history after each win in the playoffs.  From the first city title since 1922, and district and regional crowns, the undefeated Cowboys are heading to East Lansing.

Western outmuscled Ypsilanti 58-37.  Facing a diminutive Community frontline in which the tallest player was listed at 6’3,” 6’8″ senior forward Gerald Blackshear scored 16 points, and dominated the paint with 16 rebounds and three blocks.

For as much as Western’s defense stifled Ypsilanti, the Cowboy offense didn’t come as quickly.  The Cowboys shot less than 30 percent in the first quarter, and seemed one-dimensional with a reliance on Blackshear’s offensive putbacks for points.

Western, however, did begin to gain separation from Ypsilanti in the third quarter.  Senior guard Josh McFolley scored 10 of his game-high 19 points in the third quarter, and the Cowboys would lead comfortably the remainder of the contest.

Winston’s Heroics

U of D Jesuit’s Cassius Winston continues to awe and amaze.  This time in front of 6,500 attendees, Winston poured in 34 total points to lead his Cubs to the Breslin Center for the second time in consecutive years.

Winston’s last two points were the most important.  After Clarkston had just tied the game with 12 seconds left at 54, Winston completed a successful give-and-go from classmate Obi Duru to streak in for a lay-up at the buzzer for the Cub victory.  Winston was met with a stampeding student section for his performance on the night.

Video of Cassius Winston’s Game Winner

The Rematch

With their respective wins, U of D Jesuit and Detroit Western will meet this Friday at the Breslin Student Event Center in East Lansing for a spot in the Class A state championship game.

The two teams have met before.  In Operation Friendship to conclude the year, Western defeated U of D 58-49.  However, the contest can be taken with a grain of salt.  The playoffs started for both teams less than four days following the game, and each squad either held back or sat key pieces to their teams.

Five State Quarterfinal Storylines

24 Mar

The final week of the season is here, so start it off right.

Premier Matchup of the Night

Muskegon meets Lansing Everett in a highly anticipated contest between Michigan’s two best senior forwards/centers, Deyonta Davis and Trevor Manuel.  Davis won Mr. Basketball just a day prior to the game, while Manuel placed third.  Davis is committed to Michigan State, and Manuel will continue his career at Oregon.

Will Arthur Hill Make the Breslin?

Eric Davis placed second in the Mr. Basketball voting, and while Deyonta has one Class A ring, Eric has never been to the Breslin Center before, let alone a district championship prior to this season.  Arthur Hill has cruised past opponents in both district and regional play.  The lone remainder in their way is Walled Lake Central, led by junior standout guard Walter Kelser.  The Vikings have managed to beat two state-ranked team along the way in the playoffs, rival Walled Lake Western, and then Holly for the regional championship in a defacto road game.

Your Point?

U of D Jesuit meets Clarkston in one of two quarterfinal games at Calihan Hall.  Jesuit’s Cassius Winston, is among one of the premier floor generals in the country for the junior class.  Winston has been to the Breslin Center before, while Clarkston floor general a year ago wasn’t even in high school.  Freshman point guard Foster Loyer plays with poise beyond his years for the Wolves, and is coming off an impressive 35 point performance in the team’s victory against Macomb Dakota.

Potential Upset

Ypsilanti exercised some demons, defeating Romulus in their regional round, the same Eagles team that ended the Grizzlies’ season last year.  Despite not carrying the amount of talent as in year’s  past, the Grizzlies are not to be taken lightly in March with the back-court duo of Corey Allen and Avery Williams.  Ypsilanti meets Western as heavy underdogs, however, it isn’t called March Magic for nothing.

Contrasting Rosters

Henry Ford has had to fight and crawl for three of their four games in the playoffs, and will need another one against New Haven for a trip to the Class B semi-finals.  Ford’s tallest player is 6’4″ Western Michigan bound Josh Davis.  However, Davis is not a center, Josh thrives on the perimeter will his silky smooth jump shot.  For the undefeated Rockets, four of their starters read 6’4,” 6’6.” “6’10,” and 6’10.”  New Haven struggled just to reach the quarters, the Rockets rallied from a seven point deficit with just 40 seconds remaining to force overtime and eventually defeat Detroit Osborn.  The very same Osborn team Ford handled relatively easily.

Prep Ball Review Podcast Quarterfinal Preview

23 Mar

Recap of last week’s regional championships, discussion on Deyonta Davis’ Mr. Basketball award, and Class A and B quarterfinal previews.

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