Year one laid the foundation, and year two raised the standard for all future Coaches Against Violence Invitational events to follow. The Coaches Against Violence Invitational, founded by Steven Manrique of the Prep Ball Report and Dearborn ATA boys basketball coach Greg Boler, strives not only to provide a competitive high-level basketball event, but as the name says form a collaboration of coaches from across the Metro-Detroit community to address the issue of youth violence. Specifically held at the end of the Martin Luther King Jr. week, the 2016 event saw growth in terms attention surrounding the games, community support, and diversity among the teams.
Thank you to all schools, coaches, players, parents, and media involved throughout the course of the day. Your support does not go unnoticed.
A special mention goes out to both Macomb Community College and Marygrove College for their support of the 2016 Coaches Against Violence Invitational, as both school had representatives in the stands searching for prospective players. Both aiding in another goal of the invitational, to provide exposure and platforms for these student-athletes to continue their careers both academically and athletically following 12th grade.
We would also like to recognize the first ever sponsor in Coaches Against Violence Invitational history, La Carreta Market. La Carreta has three locations located throughout Southwest Detroit’s Mexicantown.
Mumford sophomore guard Brandon Green leads the Mustang youth movement.
Less than 14 hours following an epic game-winner at the buzzer the night before at Gibralter Carlson, Melvindale was unable to continue the momentum going against Detroit Mumford. With aggressive guard play, particularly on the defensive end of the floor, and timely shots, the Mustangs held off a late Cardinal surge in the fourth quarter.
With a strong nucleus of underclassmen, the Mustangs will be a team to watch in the coming years once individual talent starts to mesh with team concepts.
MVP: Mumford sophomore guard Brandon Green with 20 points.
Game Two: Detroit Chavez 59 Taylor Prep 51
With no seniors on the roster and only one junior in the starting lineup, Chavez jumped on the young Tigers early and held an 8-12 advantage throughout the course of the game.
MVP: Chavez junior wing Teddy Frazier with 16 points.
Game Three: Detroit Public Safety (5-6) 45 Detroit Southeastern (3-9) 43
Buckets were few and far in-between for these two teams. However, the game was well worth the struggle in the concluding seconds. Southeastern connected on a three and then stole the ensuing DPSA throw-in to cut the lead to one possession. With one second remaining on the clock, DPSA missed the front-end of one-and-one giving the Jungaleers a chance. However, Southeastern was unable to heave a shot off, giving the Eagles a victory.
MVP: DPSA junior guard Michael Smith with 16 points.
Junior guard Kylen Shipp is a key piece in the Colt backcourt.
Rebounding, points in the paint, and transition offense were keys for Northwestern on the night. The starting backcourt combined for more than half their total points, and several role players came up with stops on defense, hustle plays, and 50-50 balls. Northwestern is starting to place themselves as a potential dark horse in a wide-open Class B, perhaps even a deep city title run if one of the teams from the larger division doesn’t arrive for 32 minutes with the Colts.
MVP: Northwestern junior point guard Kylen Shipp with 20 points.
Senior guard Luster Johnson aims to conclude prep career strong.
Consortium is known for the historic 2013-2014 season which culminated in a Class C state crown, however, over the past decade the Cougars have been one of the state’s most winningest teams. Since the 2007-08 campaign, Consortium has won at least 15 games. It will take a strong finish this year to accomplish such a goal, but when a team can compete on both ends of the floor, odds will more often be in their favor than not. Consortium’s pressure-defense prevented any continuity in Lincoln’s attack, and their efficiently structured offensive sets both took time off the clock, and morale from the RailSplitters. Coach Tuomi is among the state’s top coaches and seizes the most out of the players he has to work with, and would be no surprise to see the Cougars end their season for the second time in three years at the Breslin Center.
MVP: Consortium senior guard Luster Johnson with 21 points, four rebounds, and four assists.
Game Six: Detroit Allen Academy (9-2) 61 Detroit Cornerstone (3-5) 59
It was a slugfest in the paint all night between Jamal Cain of Cornerstone and Danny Pippen from Allen Academy.
This game was not a game, it was a war. These two programs are under the direction by brothers who in their short coaching careers in Michigan have done far more winning than losing. This was the definition of a high school basketball game. Players who have known each other since grade school competing, boisterous cheerleaders, and a crowd summoned to their feet throughout the game. And thankfully all in attendance were treated to an extra four minutes of action. A four minutes which saw Allen do just enough to squeak past Cornerstone. This could only be round one between these two, a potential rematch is on the horizon if both teams reach the Breslin Center come March. Regardless, the fervor felt throughout the gym for those two hours will be difficult to duplicate, and no one summarized the game better than Allen Academy’s Danny Pippen who said after the game “That was probably the best game I ever played in.”
MVP: Allen Academy senior forward Danny Pippen with 18 points and 10 rebounds.
Coaches Against Violence All-Invitational Team
First Team
5’9″ Detroit Northwestern junior point guard Kylen Shipp
6’3″ Detroit Northwestern senior wing guard Terrance Sewell
6’0″ Detroit Consortium senior combo guard Luster Johnson
6’7″ Detroit Cornerstone junior wing Jamal Cain
6’8″ Detroit Allen Academy senior forward Danny Pippen
Second Team
5’11” Detroit Allen Academy senior point guard Jason Williams
6’2″ Detroit Mumford sophomore combo guard Brandon Green
6’0″ Melvindale junior combo guard Montrez Fuster
6’5″ Detroit Consortium senior forward Jaylen Sykes
6’7″ Arbor Prep senior forward Kyle Hayes
Tags: Coaches Against Violence Invitational
The Prep Ball Report 