Update on D’Andre Johnson of Cass Tech

13 Feb

Interest: Florida Atlantic University.

Visits Upcoming: Florida Atlantic University next weekend.

New Offers: Florida Atlantic offered last week, also Lehigh has offered as well.

Favorites So Far: Florida Atlantic, Lehigh, and St. Bonaventure.

Decision: Right before the state playoffs.  What will go into his decision will not only be basketball, but what the coaching staff has turned players into after their basketball careers are over.

My Notes

D’Andre is a quick point guard who can create offense, period.  Not to many point guards have I seen who have his quick first step.  An absolute beast in transition.  As an up and coming jump shot, but when he is on, he is on.  Also I have to say one of the more toughest point guard defenders in the state.  Willing to take a charge or two.

 

Tags: , , ,

Detroit PSL Semi-Finals Recap

13 Feb

Cass Tech 61 vs. Southeastern 60: There was no better ending to a basketball game than what happened at Cass Tech on Tuesday the 12th of February.  Trailing by double digits with a little over six minutes left in the game, most in the arena were ready to head to the parking lot.  But not SE.  Javon Haines single-handedly brought the Jungaleers back into the game, hitting a huge three at the mid-way point to cut the score to only 57-54.  Now here is how the ending went.  Cass Tech made a huge turnover with 26 seconds left in the game to give Southeastern the ball back.  SE missed the first shot on their possession, but junior Darryl Bigham was their for the put back with under 11 seconds to play.  With no timeouts remaining, Cass senior point guard D’Andre Johnson drove into the paint but was no good.  A following put back attempt by fellow senior Kyle Steward was good however, giving CT the win and sending them to Calihan Hall on Friday night.

Pershing 50 vs. Douglass 40: Similar to the earlier SE Cass game, a team attempted to make a comeback but was not to be.  Both teams struggled throughout the entire game to get into any offensive rhythm.  However, in the fourth is where things changed.  The score was 34-24 Pershing after three, but Douglass was able to make it 42-37 with 1:30 left in the contest.  But Douglass turned the ball over too much in that time span giving Pershing the hard-fought victory.

Notes

Game 1: Javon Haines might not be the tallest player on the court, but plays with huge amounts of passion.  The senior guard contributed 24 of his teams 60 points.  That is over a 1/3 of their total points!  He has the skills individually to create offense for himself at any time.  An absolute monster on the floor.  I have seen SE play many times this year, and sometimes he is the only one scoring.  I would say that he is a nice D2 prospect.  Daryl Bigham of the Jugaleers I could tell has made great strides throughout the entire season.  Against Cass he proved that he is a reliable forward who a team can dump the ball to in order to get points.  For Cass, D’Andre Johnson started of slow, but in the end finished with 19 hard earned points.

Game 2: The lone bright spot in this game for Fred D was the defensive performance was of junior Andre Frederick.  At times it looked like Pershing star junior Justin Tillman wanted no part of Andre.  Frederick has quick feet that makes him even a threat on the perimeter to block shots.  Has an improving offensive game, but defense wins championships.

Tags: , , , , ,

Update on Authur Hill’s Jalen Adams

11 Feb

Latest Interest: Villanova, Nebraska, and Auburn.

Offers: None

Visits: Waiting until the end of the season.  Needs to finish up tests.

Looking For: Run-and-gun style offense, and a quality education.

Favorites: Villanova, La Salle, and Iowa.

Decision: After the season.

My Report

Jalen would be an absolute steal for any team that can land him.  I would say that he might be the most athletic unsigned senior in the state.  Some reports have him at a 40 inch vertical. Adams has the ability to make a highlight whenever he takes flight.  Once he gains more confidence in his jump shot, it will make him a much more complete player, only making him tougher to guard.

Tags:

Update on Arthur Hill’s Eric Davis

11 Feb

imgres.jpg

Offers: NC State, Oregon, Massachusetts, MSU, and Iowa State.

Interest From: Kansas, Duke, and Kentucky.

Favorites: Open

Has Visited: NC State, U of M, and MSU.

Looking For: A solid team and strong academics.

My Report

Eric is only sophomore, but the way you watch him play would make you think is a senior.  Eric can break you down and take you to the hole, or pull up and hit the open jump shot.  He is getting stronger, which was evident by the fact that he finished some nice shots at the rim drawing and-ones.  Not to bad a dribbler as well.  Can handle the ball on the break and drop a dime or two.

Tags:

Interview with Justin Tillman

10 Feb

Having to sit out for more than half the season is not easy.  But watching Justin Tillman for Detroit Pershing play for the first time this year, it made me think how much more dominant Pershing would be if Tillman was healthy for the whole year.  Tillman is a true glass eater down low.  But at the same time, he did knock down some perimeter jump shots for the Doughboys.  Think about it, they already have a true point guard in Kahlil Felder, a pure scorer in Martez Walker, and a knock down shooter in Lorenzo Collier.  This team will now be able to take on teams with dominant big men, because of the fact that Tillman is back now.

Tags:

Interview with Martez Walker

9 Feb

If there is one thing that Martez does exceptionally well on the basketball court, it is shoot the ball.  He loves to shoot from anywhere on the court, but is most deadly on the perimeter.  Once he gets a more fluid release of the ball, he will absolutely be deadly.  Don’t take me wrong, he is still a very good shooter with his present day release.  He is one of the most purest scorers in the state.  An absolute steal for anyone on the market looking for a solid scoring wing who can give 20+ points a night.  A high energy, high emotion type player who when you see him on the court, you can see that he enjoys playing the game of basketball.

Tags: ,

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.

Tags: ,

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.

Tags: , , , ,

Interview with Demetrius Stinson of Frederick Douglass

8 Feb

DPSGradeCheckpresentation-405-1000x666.jpg

Demetrius is the very reason why we should have better scouting in Detroit.  Here is a kid that had three thousand yard seasons and over 50 touchdowns in his career.  Tell me, how did he not go D1?  Stinson brings a nice combination of speed and power to the running back position.  But don’t think that he is only a runner.  Demetrius also has the ability to make you pay on special teams and catching the ball out of the backfield.  He has decided to continue his college career at Ferris State, who competes in the GLIAC.

Senior Stats: 1635 rushing yards, 598 receiving yards, 64 tackles, 1 interception, two forced fumbles, 2345 all purpose yards, 21 touchdowns.

Follow Demetrius on Twitter: @_OriginalMeech

Metro Detroit High School Athletics: Height, weight, and position?

Demetrius Stinson: 5’11″/205, ATH (RB, DB, LB, DE, PR, KR, S, WR)

Metro Detroit High School Athletics: Individual strengths?

Demetrius Stinson: I have great size, very versatile, have a combination of speed and strength, and I can make a defender miss, run around them or run through them.  As well as cover and come up and hit on the defensive side of the ball.

Metro Detroit High School Athletics: How would you grade your performance this previous season?

Demetrius Stinson: I would give myself a B+.

Metro Detroit High School Athletics: Talk a little about your recruitment process.

Demetrius Stinson: Well after my junior year, I was getting heavily recruited by every school in the Big Ten, the MAC, and a few schools in the Big East.  They were coming to the school as well as practices, then I unfortunately fractured my ankle before the season, and was not able to get to any of the school’s camps.  So my process was a little shaky and rough, but I’m glad I landed with Ferris State.

Metro Detroit High School Athletics: This is a very talented class for Ferris, where do you think you rank within the class?

Demetrius Stinson: I really don’t feed into the rankings, but this a very great class.  I feel that I’m one of the best that is coming in with this class, but its great talent all across the board for this Ferris class.

Metro Detroit High School Athletics: Do you have any relationships with any players at Ferris or the incoming class?

Demetrius Stinson: Not really, but I’m getting to know everybody.  Such as one of there running backs Korey Ringer who is currently there.  And Malik Washington, Garius Coleman, Brandon Harding, and Anthony Darkangelo, who are in the incoming class, we have all been trying to get connections with each other.  As well as other commits before we attend Ferris.

Metro Detroit High School Athletics: What legacy do you think you left at a small school like Fred D?

Demetrius Stinson: I believe I left a huge legacy not the one I wanted to leave though.  I wanted to get the school its first ever state championship and first D1 athlete.  But that didn’t go as planned but a 3x thousand + yard rusher with over 55 TDs isn’t bad either.  Most people around the city and state tell me I’m the best player to come out of that school.  So I’m glad I could help put Fred D on the map.

Metro Detroit High School Athletics: Did you ever think of going to a school like Cass or King to get better attention for recruiting?

Demetrius Stinson: Both schools wanted me, and I was well respected as a player from both schools.  But once I set in at Fred D, I remained loyal to my team cause of the legacy I built there and I’ve never been the type of kid to jump ship.  At times I wish I would have but I didn’t and that’s that.

Metro Detroit High School Athletics: What are you going to miss about playing in high school?

Demetrius Stinson: The respect that I got because I was known as one of the best players in Michigan as well as Detroit and the Midwest Region.  Now that I’m at a new level, I have to start over and make a new name for myself.  I’m also going to miss hearing players and coaches on the opposing team yelling out “Watch #7!” before every play!

Metro Detroit High School Athletics: Predictions for first year at Ferris State?

Demetrius Stinson: Personally, I want to go there and play big minutes if not start as a true freshman, and be the best possible player I can as far as the team goal, to go undefeated and win a national championship.

Metro Detroit High School Athletics: And lastly what is one thing most people do not know about you?

Demetrius Stinson: Ummm, that I’m a dedicated player and hard worker, and that I’m currently working with two trainers in Chris Huff with Performance 80 Training, and John Vickers at Hype Recreation Center to prepare for the next level.

Follow us on Twitter: @mdhsathletics

 

 

Tags: ,

Interview with Nolan Neal

8 Feb

Nolan played for the Frederick Douglass Hurricanes in the DPS League.  He has committed to play at William Penn University in Iowa he will play offensive linemen.

Follow him on Twitter: @COA_Pilsberry53

Metro Detroit High School Athletics: Height, weight, and school you selected?

Nolan Neal: 6’0″/ 315 lbs, and William Penn University.

Metro Detroit High School Athletics: Strengths you have individual?

Nolan Neal: Dominant run blocker, extremely quick off the ball for my size, active hands.  Over power opponents with upper body strength, and an anchor leader on the offensive line.

Metro Detroit High School Athletics: What was it like blocking for one of the most talented running backs in the city in Demetrius Stinson?

Nolan Neal: It was something very special.  We credited off of each other, he made me look good running through my hole and I made him look good rushing.  He pushed me every practice to reach my full potential, so I am thankful for playing with him for two years.

Metro Detroit High School Athletics: What went into choosing William Penn?

Nolan Neal: They were the only school that talked about my talent as a player on the phone.  They were very impressed with my football talent and my academic [talent] as well.  I also like that one of my close friends Mario Morris committed early to William Penn.

Metro Detroit High School Athletics: Do you have any relationships with the incoming class or any players currently at William Penn?

Nolan Neal: Yes, as of I know, there is my high school teammate Damien Hill, my former teammate Mario Morris, and I trained with William Penn player Alvin Reels.

Metro Detroit High School Athletics: What have you been hearing from William Penn coaches as far as playing time?

Nolan Neal: They have told me that I’m a great player and can see lots of playing time early, maybe start.

Metro Detroit High School Athletics: Coming from a small school like Fred. D, do you think it is harder to get noticed compared to kids at King or Cass?

Nolan Neal: Yes, absolutely.  I have won MVP at the Best of the Midwest camp, and the DPS high school football camp, and I haven’t got any big notice.  But I just use all that underrated talk for motivation.

Metro Detroit High School Athletics: Goals you have set for you and the team your first year on campus?

Nolan Neal: I want to get my weight down to 290, become a more dominant player, start my freshman year as ol, and beat rivals Iowa Wesley and Grand View.

Metro Detroit High School Athletics: And lastly what is one thing most people don’t know about you?

Nolan Neal: I have an overall GPA of a 3.2, I want to major journalism, and when I was 12 I was adopted by my older brother, he was 25.  I have been living with him since then.  So I know what hard work and dedication can do for someone’s life.

 

Tags:

← Older Entries
Newer Entries →