Eight teams, four champions being crowned, the best day of basketball in Michigan.
Southfield Christian vs. Adrian Lenawee Christian 10:00 A.M.
The Eagles of Southfield Christian will be attempting to capture their third straight Class D title. Christian has relied on their backcourt to lead them back to the title game, a trio of Lindsey Hunter, Bakari Evelyn, and Marlo Brown have all upped their play during the playoff run. The tallest player on Christian, senior Demarco White, is a 6’6″ versatile high-energy extremely athletic presence in the pain for the Eagles.
Adrian Lenawee Christian is back at the Breslin Center for the first time since the early 2000s. One of the reasons for the Cougars success has been the emergence of three Nigerian transfers, sophomores Collins and Maxwell, and senior Kingsley all of which who go by their first names. The three all stand above 6’7″, to go along with length which helps them rebound and defend the basket. Senior guards Brad Harrah and Grant Holbein aren’t the flashiest or athletic, but can defend and create their own shot if needed. Southfield Christian will no doubt have to earn a third straight title.
Muskegon vs. Bloomfield Hills 12:00 A.M.
Muskegon enters the game with a perfect 27-0 record on the line. The Big Reds have Mr. Basketball DeShaun Thrower on their side, who has done nothing but average 19 points and six assists a game.
The main talk surrounding this game is going to be the post battle between Muskegon junior Michigan State commit Deyonta Davis, and Bloomfield Hills senior Yante Maten. Maten has proved to be nothing but a force this playoff run, a shoe-in for a double-double each playoff game this year, scoring 31 points in the quarterfinal win vs. Mott, and 25 points vs. U of D Jesuit in the semi-final , while hauling down 17 and 18 rebounds respectively. Davis is still developing his overall offensive game, but hangs his hat on the defensive side of the floor to impact the game. Will Deyonta’s length, agility, and jumping ability be able to guard the more solidly built and equally athletic Maten who can step outside for a medium ranged jumper?
Everyone is going to talk about the Davis and Maten matchup, and rightfully so. However, other players will have crucial roles in this game. Muskegon’s Joeviar Kennedy has been a pleasant surprise so far for the Big Reds in the playoffs. The long and lanky lefty has the potential to get hot and put up big numbers, just ask Ann Arbor Skyline who surrendered 25 points and eight rebounds to the junior Kennedy.
Bloomfield Hills has it’s share of role players as well. Junior Cameron Dalton is a three-point marksman for the Blackhawks that just needs to see one go through before he catches fire. Also for the Blackhawks, senior Armand Cartwright is tough minded, solid floor-general that can run the offense and hit perimeter jump shots. Fellow senior Xzavier Reynolds, a playmaking defensive presence for Bloomfield Hills, will draw the assignment of guard Muskegon’s Will Roberson. Roberson isn’t the tallest of players on the court, but when he is on his game, Muskegon is no doubt the best team in the state due to his passing and playmaking abilities in transition.
Detroit Consortium vs. Pewamo-Westphalia
Many saw Consortium’s quarterfinal win vs. Mt. Clemens as the real Class C state championship game. Consortium is now the only team left from the City of Detroit, and will looking to win the school’s first state title and bring home one for the city. Sophomore Josh Jackson has been on an absolute mission this year for the Cougars, he has been a lock all year for a double-double and sometimes a triple-double. But the Cougars are more than just Jackson, senior point guard Ronald Booth has been the engine that makes Consortium run as a fine tuned machine. Forwards Mickel Tyson and Malik Dawson aren’t afraid to get physical down low and battle for rebounds and position, and guards Kenny Turner, Rudy Smith, and Luster Johnson have all had their moments this season for Consortium.
Milan vs. Benton Harbor 6:30 P.M.
The junior duo of guard Latin Davis and forward Nick Perkins have led Milan to 24-3 record this season. While Benton Harbor is playing the role of cinderella in Class B this season with a 17-9 with wins over Wyoming Godwin Heights and Otsego, both top 15 teams within the Class. Benton Harbor does not have a traditional big on their roster, and play a four guard lineup. But don’t be fooled, the Tigers play a hard nosed old-school style of ball that has caught teams by surprise this year. Cortez Moore is a solid mid-range shooter with the ability to face-up on the block, and fits in well with the playmaking and creativeness of guards Jaton Gunn and Curtis Dawson.
The Prep Ball Report 