Tag Archives: Allen Academy

Mayor’s Notebook: Allen Academy’s Jason Williams Primed for Big Year

28 Aug

jasonwilliamsA 2016 point guard many schools are looking over is Jason Williams from Detroit Allen Academy.  Williams stands a mere 5’10,” but blessed with superb speed, agility, and athleticism for a sub six-foot guard.  Jason uses a quick first-step to get past defenders and downhill for the rim with either hand.  Early in his career, Jason struggled with tunnel vision.  Playing too fast, out of control, and forcing errant shots.

By the middle of his junior year, Williams took his game to the next level.  He developed into a leader for a young Wildcat team at the point guard position.  He single-handedly carrying the team during stretches throughout the year, dropped three 40 point games, two back-to-back, and concluded the year leading Allen Academy with a 27 points-per-game and 7 assists-per-game average.

Jason spent the July live evaluation period with 17U 1Nation, alongside consensus number one 2016 prospect Josh Jackson.  Following particularly strong performances at the Under Armour Invitational and Las Vegas Fab 48, Williams caught the eye of college coaches.  Arkansas State and North Carolina A&T offered on spot in Vegas, East Tennessee State a few weeks later, as well as a Ferris State offer Williams already held.   He plans to visit two campuses in September.

Expectations will be high for Williams his senior campaign.  He has already scored more than 1,000 points in his career and dished-out more than 300 assists.  But there is one thing Jason wants more than individual numbers, a state championship.  Allen Academy opens the year as a top five team in Class C with a legitimate opportunity to finish their season at the Breslin Center.  With Williams, 6’7″ senior forward Danny Pippen, and a young nucleus of guards, Coach Craig Covington will have plenty of options at his disposal this upcoming winter.  But Williams will be the “straw that stirs the drink” according to coach.

Contributed by Al Troia

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Interview With Jason Williams of Allen Academy

26 Apr

Allen Academy’s Jason Williams has had quite the high school career, 1,000 points before his senior season.  Here, Williams reflects the past regular-season, goals for the upcoming AAU campaign, and talks recruiting.

 

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Grand Rapids Union Redhawk Showcase Recap

8 Feb

photo-6Grand Rapids Union held their first annaul Redhawk showcase with five stellar contests highlighted by premier players both in Michigan and Ohio.  A kind thank you to Union head coach Brandon Guyton for his hospitality throughout the day.  Coach Brandon will undoubtedly grow the showcase into a premier destination and event as the years come.

Results:

Baldwin 58 Paw Paw 52

Allen Academy 62 Union 60

Wyoming Godwin Heights 65 North Farmington 55

Ypsilanti Lincoln 71 Toledo Rogers 45

Lima Central Catholic 68 Kalamazoo Central 53

Overall MVP: Ty Groce 6’6″ forward Ypsilanti Lincoln

Groce had his highly anticipated coming out party on the season, scoring 33 points, and hauling in 14 rebounds.  The division one recruit Groce hit three spot-up three pointers, made several trips to the free-throw line, finished on and ones, and was extremely active around the basket on put backs and layups.

Other First Team Members:

Jason Williams 6’0″ point guard Allen Academy

It’s not an Allen Academy game unless Williams scores at least 30 points, which he did, this time finishing with 33 to reach the 1,000 point plateau only as a junior.  His jump shot wasn’t working normally, yet he knew to be effective in the game he had get downhill and drive to the basket, initiating contact with taller defenders.  Jason scored 14 of Allen’s 20 fourth quarter points, including the game winning fadeaway at the buzzer.  Williams also filled the Wildcat stat sheet, four assists, six rebounds and steals.

Video of Jason’s game winner

Dantez Walton 6’4″ forward Lima Central Catholic

Mismatch.  Walton is a walking double-double.  Dantez set the Thunderbird tone early in the team’s route of top five ranked Kalamazoo Central, 16 first half points.  Walton was methodical when he chose to go outside, four threes, and when to score from ten feet and in.  Often the tallest player on the court for Lima, Walton is called to rebound at a high level, which he did with ten.

Delaney Blaylock 6’4″ guard Wayland Godwin Heights

The Lewis bound senior Blaylock carried his Wolverines against a taller and physical North Farmington front court.  Blaylock started strong, nine in the first quarter, and 12 at half.  However, Delaney did not score the entire third.  But, the senior knocked down two crucial threes with under three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter for Godwin Heights to gain the separation needed to defeat the Raiders.  Blaylock finished with 18 points, six rebounds, and two assists.

Brandon Childress 6’4″ guard Baldwin

Childress is a Central Michigan commit for football, but he has a thing for basketball as well.  He was the most athletic player on the court, aggressively rising and outworking opponents for 11 rebounds.  Childress usually plays up to four positions for Baldwin, and was effective at each with 18 points, and four assists.

Second Team

Tre Cobbs 5’10” point guard Lima CC

Cobbs is a tough handle for a team, let alone one defender.  Cobbs’ handling ability is on display against a usual defensively stout Central team, Tre created separation with either hand, and exploding past defenders off the dribble.  Cobbs excells in the paint, a true playmaker.  He let the aforementioned Walton control the first half, but somehow managed to finish with 14 points on the night and six assists.  Cobbs also rebounds well for a guard, six on the night.

Nick Klingel 6’4″ shooting guard Paw Paw

Klingel dominated the first half for Paw Paw, he scored half of the team’s 30 points in the opening 16 minutes, with three threes.  His shot started to slow down in the second half, scoring only once in both quarters.  However, he has the desirable size for a small school shooting guard, but rebounds well for the position, eight on the game.

Curtis Davison 6’1″ combo guard Union

Davison is one of Michigan’s premier true scorers.  Allen held Davison scoreless in the first quarter, but Davison erupted for 15 points in the second quarter alone.  He’s a solid defender, ball handler, and athlete.  Comfortable playing with or without the ball, and has a picture perfect form on his jump shot.

Devin Haygood 6’8″ forward Ypsilanti Lincoln

Devin let his teammate Groce shine in the team’s route of Toledo Rogers, but Devin still came away with a solid day of work.  The future Youngstown State Penguin absolutely filled the stat sheet.  10 points, nine rebounds, five assists, four blocks, and two steals.  Lincoln will look to build off this win and salvage the remainder of the season after entering the year as a top ten squad.

Sherrod Motley-Dismuke 5’9″ guard Ypsilanti Lincoln

Sherrod did what a point guard needs to do on a team as talented as Lincoln, handle the ball, don’t turnover the ball, and facilitate the game.  He’s a plus shooter from outside, and strong handler and decision maker.  Dismuke finished with 12 points, and three rebounds.

Other Standouts On The Day:

Miguel Mahan 6’6″ forward Baldwin

Mahan is intriguing due to his combination of size, length, mobility, and potential.  He finished with 17 points on the day, many were within 5 feet of the basket although the lefty did hit a corner three.  Mahan could blossom into a promising shot blocker and defender.

Jeffrey Lee 6’2″ guard Union

Lee shot the ball well despite coming up short on the scoreboard to Allen Academy.  He scored from both the perimeter and the midrange department, three threes, and several midrange pull ups.  Finished with 15.

Keidren Davis 6’6″ forward Union

Davis had a battle against Allen’s Danny Pippen.  Good mobility, developing offensive skill set and footwork.  Strong rebounder, had 10 in the game, promising defender, four blocks.

Jacob Joubert 6’2″ point guard North Farmington

Deep range on three pointer off the bounce, finished with three and 11 points. Progressing into true point guard as passer, handler, and playmaker.

AJ Howard 6’5″ forward Ypsilanti Lincoln

All the physical tools necessary to thrive at the college level for a wing, just needs to put it all together.  Stat line reads eight points, four rebounds and assists.

Hunter Hale 6’1″ point guard Kalamazoo Central

Central overall struggled to have success attacking the Lima CC 2-3 zone, yet Hale found success.  He scored a team high 17 points.

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First Annual Coaches Against Violence Review

25 Jan

3L9A6857On behalf of Detroit Westside Christian head coach Greg Boler, The Prep Ball Report would like to thank all schools, players, coaches, parents, and fans who participated in the first annual Coaches Against Violence Invitational.  We would also like to send kind regards to our gracious hosts, Southfield Bradford Academy.  From 12 AM to 10 PM, five competitive games were played and accounted for a tremendous post-holiday basketball showcase atmosphere.  The defending Class C state champions made an appearance, and a new member of the 1,000 point club was admitted.

Game Results

Detroit Public Safety 38 Taylor Prep 19 (Girls)

Detroit Public Safety 62 Taylor Prep 29

Detroit Collegiate Prep-Northwestern 65 Southfield Bradford 49

Detroit Consortium 59 Farmington 49

Detroit Allen Academy 92 Detroit Westside Christian 68

Storylines:

Guards, guards, and more guards.

On the day, the Coaches Against Violence Invitational witnessed three stellar performances by guards from the City of Detroit.

3L9A6613The four o’clock game featured a breakout performance from Northwestern junior guard Terrance Sewell (pictured left).  Sewell stands 6’3,”and already has the presence and build of a college level athlete.  Terrance was not hesitant when he received a pass, he took the ball straight to the rim and finished strong with defenders repeatedly draped on him.  His points either came within five feet of the basket or at the free-throw line.  Yet, Sewell not once committed a charge or offensive turnover, he knows when to attack and read situations.  Sewell also had the highlight of the event, a flying alley-oop which brought the fans to their feet.  Sewell accumulated a game high 25 points, and nine rebounds.  Defended both forwards and guards efficiently throughout the day.

In the night cap of the day, fans were treated to an entertaining showdown between two of Detroit’s best point guards, Allen Academy’s Jason Williams and Westside Christian’s DeShawn Brocks (pictured top first).  For Brocks, he needed only 25 points to become a 1,000 point career scorer, and he exceeded that margin, pouring in a team high 38 points.  He’s a lefty, shifty, quick yet strong ball handler, and shot creator for himself anywhere on the court.  Brocks drew fouls in the paint, converted on high-difficulty isolation midrange pull-ups, and hit three threes on the day.

3L9A6798His counterpart, Williams (pictured left), matched his former AAU teammate with 38 points, but contributed eight rebounds, and five assists.  In a span of 4:30 seconds left, Williams scored a total of 15 points, and 27 overall in the second half.  Williams’ offensive game is centered around his quick first step, creating separation from defenders and getting in the paint.  Many of his points came from the mid-range department, floaters, and runners.  On the defensive side of the floor, however, Williams has quick hands that allow him to force turnovers, six of them on the night.

Consortium Shows Toughness In Tough Victory

3L9A6722-2The defending Class C state champions have had to adjust to two changes from a year ago, the departure of Josh Jackson, and a transition from Class C to B.  Yet, the Cougars find themselves with a 6-2 record with their two losses against Class A top 25 teams U of D Jesuit and Rochester Adams.

In the Cougars’ latest victory, Consortium trailed throughout much of the game against Farmington.  Coach Tobias Tuomi found his spark in 6’0″ senior Larry Williams.  Williams erupted for ten second half points and five within the final 4:39 seconds of the fourth to give the Cougars the separation needed to win an old-fashioned slug out.

Fellow senior Mykel Tyson (pictured) was also effective for the Cougars.  Tyson’s first basket didn’t come until deep in the second quarter, but somehow and someway, Mykel managed to finish with a team high 16 points and six rebounds, including the go-ahead score midway through the fourth.  Tyson is currently one of Michigan’s best remaining low-post senior options.

Junior point guard Charles Figueroa connected on four free throws to end hopes of a Falcon comeback.

Public Safety Shows Promise In Onslaught Of Taylor Prep

3L9A6595Detroit Public Safety is in their second season of varsity competition.  The Class D charter school sits in the city’s historic Corktown neighborhood, with an enrollment of barely 150.  With no senior on the roster, let alone a senior class in the school, the Eagles are a primarily a sophomore/junior laden team.  6’0″ junior shooting guard DeMario Sanders led the Eagles with 18 points, including three threes. 6’4″ sophomore guard Michael Smith had been averaging double figure scoring totals in games prior, but recorded only eight points.  Regardless, Smith found other ways to succeed.  He’s long, lanky, and a reliable facilitator with size for the position.  Smith corralled a team high 12 rebounds, assisted on four scores, and stole three Tiger passes.

DPSA had at least six players score six points.  Aside from Smith, the most complete stat line went to Eddie Rhodes, a 6’4″ powerfully built junior.   Rhodes tallied six points, 11 rebounds, three blocks, three steals, and two assists.

DPSA will not be eligible for playoff contention in 2014-2015.  However, with a young nucleus that will have played with each other for at least three years, the Eagles are a program to take notice next year and in the future of Detroit city basketball.

Other Individual Standouts On The Day

3L9A6703Jordan Graham (pictured) 6’4″ guard Farmington- Smooth and skilled wing.  Gets to the basket off the bounce, and solid mid-range game.  Promising defender.  Scored 14 points, and recorded seven rebounds.

Jawan Snoddy 6’3″ guard Allen Academy- Snoddy had arguably the best game he played all year for the Wildcats, with 15 points, and nine rebounds.  Often the tallest player on the court for Allen, it will be interesting to see when Snoody transitions to his more natural position of wing when 6’7″ junior Danny Pippen returns from injury.

Kylard Shipp guard Northwestern

Marvin Stewart guard Westside Christian

 

 

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Strong Guard Play Assist River Rouge In 64-44 Win Against Allen Academy

14 Jan

mi-miriverrougehighschool-letter-150River Rouge senior guard Tracy Freeman is in his first year of competition as a Panther.  After sitting out last season, Freeman has made up the final member of an all senior starting lineup for Rouge led by longtime college assistant coach and 1999 state championship winner for the Panthers, Lamonta Stone.

Stone’s Panthers are off to an impressive 5-2 start on the season, with their latest victory against Michigan Metro League rival Detroit Allen Academy, avenging last season’s 72-55 setback.

“It feels really good to start league play off with a win,” said Freeman after the game.

Tracy set the tone early for Rouge, in a 7-0 Panther run with 5:43 left in the first quarter, Freeman scored five of his total 11 points.

“I played with a lot of emotion and intensity on the defensive end,” Tracy went onto say.  “Trying to get all the 50/50 balls, and my teammates involved.”

Freeman was a key contributor for Rouge in forcing Allen Academy into 21 turnovers on the night.  Tracy’s backcourt mate, and fellow senior Lamonta Stone Jr. also left his impact on the game as well.

The 5’9″ Stone scored eight points in a decisive second quarter for River Rouge, which saw the Panthers outscore Allen 23-6, building a 36-17 halftime advantage, a lead the Wildcats would never trim down below 16 for the remainder of the contest.  Stone finished with 18 points and nine assists on the evening.

“He played really well,” according to Freeman, “they threw everything they could at him and he didn’t get rattled one bit.”

“Controlled the game, and kept us poised.  Played like one of the best point guards in the state.”

Stone and Freeman controlled the pace and rhythm of the game, not to be outdone was 6’7″ senior power forward Jalin Gibson.  Gibson enforced his will in the paint with Allen Academy’s own 6’7″ forward Danny Pippen out with an apparent hand injury.  Jalin was just one rebound away from a double-double, with 11 points, nine rebounds, and three blocks.

The triumvirate of Stone, Freeman, and Gibson were accountable for more than half of the Panther offense.  Freeman will take the win, but acknowledges the depth of the 2014-2015 Panthers.

“We are going to need a lot more from Amir Poole, Mateeya Jones, and Maurice Witherspoon.  We have a starting six that has to be clicking.”

The resurgence of River Rouge is a direct correlation to the return Coach Stone has had on the program in his first months back.  As one of the most successful programs in the State of Michigan, the past two seasons for Rouge were well below Panther standards, a combined 26-19.  Aside from win and losses, the impact Coach Stone has, according to his players, extends greater than basketball.

“He (Coach Stone) has meant a lot to me personally,” Freeman said.  “I’m playing the best basketball of my life right now and in the best shape.”

“He is really helping the community.  (The Panthers) never had this much support from the city of River Rouge, they show much love.”

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Jason Williams’ 27 Points Lead Allen Academy To 50-48 Win Over Lenawee Christian

20 Dec

“I believe he’s one of the best point guards in the state,” were the words of Detroit Allen Academy head coach Craig Covington regarding junior Jason Williams.

Williams scored 27 points leading the Wildcats in their win over Class D number one ranked Adrian Lenawee Christian.

“Just been over shadowed as a freshman & sophomore by Pakiya Ellis & now by Danny Pippen, but to me he’s my best true floor leader.”

After a rugged offensive first half for both teams, Allen Academy saw themselves trail 26-22.  However, as soon as the third started, Williams asserted his will.  He scored the team’s first nine points of the quarter to jump start the Allen attack.  The Wildcats would trail 36-35 heading into the final stanza of play.

Allen would still trail late in the fourth quarter after a Cougar three to put the Wildcats down 48-46 with one minute to go.  But Williams didn’t only contribute on the offensive end, with fellow junior Danny Pippen in foul trouble much of the second half, Williams stepped up his defensive performance and came away with one of his game high 6 steals to set up a Pippen dunk knotting the game with 35 seconds left.  After a Cougar turnover, Williams held the ball at the top of key with 20 seconds left, beat his man off the dribble, got into the lane, and hit a floater with 11 seconds left in what turned out to be the game winner as the Wildcats would force an arrant Lenawee shot on the defensive end.

Adrian Lenawee was led by 6’8″ junior forward Maxwell.  Maxwell scored the Cougars first eight points of the game, and finished with 24 points and 12 rebounds, but only five would come in the fourth quarter.  Coach Covington wanted to spread the floor and use the team’s speed against a much taller Cougar team, which happened in the games highest scoring quarter of play.

The win for Allen comes off a disappointing loss the previous week to Farmington.  The Wildcats are still with the absence of important sophomores Juwan Snoody and Drequan Bell, who will be eligible in a few weeks.  In a statement early season game against a team that played for a state championship a season ago, Coach Covington is optimistic about where his young, but talented team can go.

“It (this win) says that Class C is in trouble, because we are so young.”

“We’re only going to get better.”

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Announcing The First Annual Coaches vs. Violence Classic

2 Dec

In the spirit of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, The Prep Ball Report is honored to announce, in collaboration with Detroit Westside Christian Head Coach Greg Boler, the First Annual Coaches vs. Violence Classic, held on Saturday, January 24th at Southfield Bradford High School.

From established state powers, to up and coming programs, the Coaches vs. Violence Classic hopes to promote the messages of Dr. King in a positive, family friendly, athletic environment.

Game one features the upstart Taylor Prep Tigers, in their first year of varsity competition, against fellow charter up and coming Detroit Public Safety Academy, tip-off is set four 2:00 PM.

The second game on the day is a PSL vs. charter school tilt, with the Colts of Detroit Northwestern, led by 6’1″ junior guard Terrance Sewell and 6’2″ backcourt mate Ketquan Gatewood, taking on Southfield Bradford.  Bradford, under the guidance of first year head coach Ra Murray, will look to build off a 19 win campaign a year ago.  Tip-off is slated for 4:00 PM.

In the third game of the day, the defending Class C state champions Consortium Cougars, now in Class B, square off against the Falcons of Farmington High School.  Consortium is led by junior 6’0″ scoring machine Luster Johnson, and 6’6″ paint punisher Mykel Tyson.  Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 PM.

The nightcap on the day will pit another PSL vs. charter contest, as Detroit Allen Academy, one of the favorites to capture Class C and winners of 20 games a season ago, play the rising Communication Media Arts Phoenix from the Public School League.  The Phoenix only lose four players from a season ago, while Wildcats return junior division one recruits Jason Williams, and Danny Pippen, to go along with sophomore Drequan Bell.

Schedule:

Taylor Prep vs. Detroit Public Safety Academy @ 2:00 PM

Detroit Northwestern vs. Southfield Bradford @ 4:00 PM

Detroit Consortium vs. Farmington @ 6:00 PM

Detroit Communication Media Arts vs. Allen Academy @ 8:00 PM

Finding Southfield Bradford:

The address is 24218 Garner St Southfield, MI 48033.  North of 9 Mile and just off Telegraph.

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Hype Scrimmage Day One Recap

1 Dec

Talent was abundant at Michigan’s largest pre-season scrimmage event.  Here’s a look at the standouts on day one of action.

Allen Academy

Danny Pippen (6’7″ forward)- Pippen had a strong battle against fellow 2016 sought after recruit Austin Davis and Onsted.  Danny was extremely active on the offensive boards, retrieving rebounds even from his own missed shots, and finished around the rim with a soft touch.  He also looked more confident with his three-point jump shot and not hesitant to pull the trigger, and more vocal on the floor for his team.  Pippen has also bulked up more since the AAU circuit to go along with his size twenty shoe, and combined with his inside-outside skill set, should make a nice mismatch problems for defenses.

Jason Williams (6’0″ combo guard) and Drequan Bell (6’2″ combo guard)- The Wildcats also have the backcourt duo of Williams and Bell to go along with stud forward Danny Pippen.  Both got after it on defense with their quick hands and played the passing well picking off lazy passes which resulted in easy fast-break opportunities where the Wildcats thrive.  Bell can shoot the ball from the perimeter, but did most of his damage in the lane and attacking the basket.  He’s also showed he can create for his teammates when defenders leave their assignment.  Both Williams and Bell will share the point guard duties for Allen this season.

Onsted

Austin Davis (6’8″ power forward)- Just by looking at Davis, you can tell he’s a division one player.  A mobile big bodied frame are just a few reasons why he already holds scholarship offers from division one schools.  A back to the basket type player, Austin possesses soft hands and can finish around the basket with either hand.  He’s a type of forward an opponent is always going to have to boxout on either end of the floor.  A true blue-collar no nonsense type of player.

Ypsilanti Arbor Prep

Kyle Hayes (6’7″ power forward)- Kyle already holds a division one scholarship offer from Eastern Michigan.  He has the potential to become a promising wing/forward prospect with length, and athleticism.  He can rebound the ball in his area well, pass the ball, defend the rim, run the floor, and took defenders off the bounce from the wing and was rewarded with several trips to the free-throw line, playing with an added edge to his game.

Detroit Osborn

Christian Littlejohn (6’7″ power forward)- The Knights have three players on their roster with heights over 6’7.”  Littlejohn was the leader of the bunch.  As he crashed the boards hard, finished around the basket, displayed quick feet, defended the post, and blocked shots.  Osborn will be an interesting team to track in 2015.

Other standouts on the day:

Josh Davis (6’5″ wing Detroit Henry Ford)

Esa Abduljami (6’3″ guard Dearborn Heights Crestwood)

D.J. Mayo (6’3″ guard Dearborn Heights Robichaud)

Brock Washington (6’2″ guard Southfield Christian)

Marlo Brown (6’3″ guard Southfield Christian)

 

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Allen Academy’s Danny Pippen and Jason Williams are “Detroit’s Best Kept Secret”

14 Oct

IMG_0924-1Charter schools are abundant in Michigan, and particularly in the City of Detroit.    A charter school is an independently run public school given flexibility in its operations, in return accountability for performance. The “charter” is the contract detailing the school’s mission, programs, students served, performance goals, and methods of assessment.

Detroit Allen Academy is one of many charter schools located in Detroit.  The schools sits at the corner of Quincey and Blaine Street on the city’s east side.  A K-12 school, the Wildcats compete in Class C for athletics with an enrollment just barely over 250 in the high school.

Craig Covington Junior is entering his second season as the head coach at Allen Academy.   After coaching for 20+ years out of state, Coach Covington inherited a 13-8 squad, and upped their win total total nine games to 22, as well as capturing a district championship, and a spot in a regional final.

Finding talent in Detroit can be difficult.  Established basketball programs like Pershing, Cass Tech, and Renaissance routinely receive the cities coveted talent pool, leaving it hard for Allen Academy to form an identity athletically.  However, Allen is unique because they are K-12, and start basketball in the elementary school.

“Any time you are the small fish in the big pond,” Covington notes, “it is going to be difficult.  But at Allen Academy a K-12 school with basketball starting with 3rd grade, it’s kind of fun watching your players develop through the elementary and middle school years.”

dannyThen the hard part comes, convincing the athletes to stay for high school.  Family is just as much a part of the Wildcat program as any drill, or offensive play they run.  Covington learned how to develop relationships with his players by watching his father, Craig Covington Senior, who is now the head man at Detroit’s Marygrove College, growing up.  And while Covington values his relationships with all players on his team, he has built a true bond with juniors Danny Pippen, and Jason Williams.

Pippen and Williams have known each other well before high school started, they met one another at a neighborhood Boys and Girls Club.  Jason said he came to Allen Academy to play with his older cousin, Pakiya Ellis, now at Ferris State, while Danny came for the experience of a smaller school with the opportunity to play right away.  After their freshman seasons, Coach Covington was hired.  Danny decided to stay, but it took some consideration on Jason’s part not to transfer.  Coach and player relationships, especially in the early stages, are going to be difficult, full of misunderstandings.  Relationships grow and Danny, Jason, and Coach Covington, have all genuinely developed a relationship that extends deeper than basketball.

“In this year,” Covington says, “I believe I have become very close with both Danny and Jason.  Not just as a player/coach but as a young man/older man.  I believe they understand that there isn’t much I wouldn’t do for them or any other player in the program for them to become successful.”

The relationship can be seen in the results on the court.  At 5’10” Jason has developed into an elite scoring option as a combo guard with college interest, while Danny has already received collegiate offers.  At 6’7″ Pippen streches the floor with his perimeter skills, and is a dangerous weapon when he combines an inside presence with three-point range.    Danny and Jason could easily be complaisant given their basketball gifts, however both acknowledge Coach Covington’s commitment to strive beyond average, but to be excellent, and to appreciate the mentality of hard work.

“Coach Covington has pushed me to limits I have never been pushed to before,” Danny notes.  While Jason added he has improved on defense, and becoming vocal leader for the team.

Covington speaks highly of his players athletic skills, but even higher does he speaks of his players off the court characteristics.  He called Danny and Jason “Detroit’s Best Kept Secret” because he admires how they carry themselves as young men within the school, classroom, community, and on the team.  Class C schools draw minimal interests from the media, college coaches, and hoop fans.  Danny and Jason embrace the title their coach has given them, it only gives the duo a greater amount of motivation to compete in Michigan’s most populated city as the proverbial “underdog.”

“I think it means we are the best many people don’t know about,” Jason chimed in, “and it’s time for us to put Allen Academy on in Detroit, as well as the State of Michigan basketball scene.”

Gone from a year ago is Pakiya Ellis, a guard who scored over 1,000 point in his high school career, and later went onto commit to Ferris State.  Allen Academy is among the pre-season favorites to capture Class C this season.  Danny and Jason will be counted upon heavily if the Wildcats are going to march to the Breslin Center this Winter.  Chemistry goes a long way in developing a winning basketball team, and despite the loss of a leader Ellis was, Pippen and Williams are confident the bond they have built with each other, and Coach Covington, separates them from any opposition they will face both on the hardwood this season, and in the endeavors life has to offer them.

“We have great chemistry…,” Danny added, “even though sometimes we (Jason and Coach Covington) don’t see eye to eye, but we both have a passion to win. We understand how each other plays and we will be able to rely on one another during the rough times because we have been together so long.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Allen Academy 2016 Guard Jason Williams Player Profile

2 Jul

IMG_5637-1• Height, weight, and position?
6’0″, 150 lbs, point guard

• High School, Summer team and Graduation Year?
Detroit Allen Academy, Reach Legends, 2016

• Players you try to model your game after?
Chris Paul and Kyrie Irvin

• Important Stats

16 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 6.5 apg, 2.6 spg

• Most memorable game in your career so far?
My freshman year when I scored 28 pts against Willow Run

⁃ How did this past high school season go for you and your team?
It was good but could’ve been better finished 21-3 and won our district championship

• Colleges that you would like to attend?
Michigan, Ohio State or Duke

• Colleges that have shown interest in you so far?
Youngstown State, Central Michigan, Oakland and Northern Kentucky

• What makes you unique from other players at your position?
The way I can change speeds and direction with my ball handling ability

• Strengths and areas you are improving in?
Strengths is ball handling and defense and working hard on my jump shot

• Goals for the upcoming AAU season?
To get better, to win and receive more D1 interest and scholarship offers

• What role do you see yourself having this year for your team?
To become a better vocal leader

• What will a coach be getting out of you at the next level?
A coach on the floor and a born leader

• What will go into your decision about choosing a college?
Education and the style of play

• Most influential person in your life? Why?
Mother…..cause she has always been there for me and pushes me to get better

• Legacy you want to leave at your school?
Championships and my name in the record books as one the best to play at Allen Academy

• Where do you see yourself in 15 years?
Educated with a degree in Science and hopefully still playing basketball somewhere professionally

• Fun/ interesting fact about you?

I love to be at home taking care of my younger brothers

• Awards, Accomplishments, other comments?
Team captain, All-League 1st team and All-State Honorable Mention Class C

• Academic Information
3.1 gpa ACT n/a

• Contact Information

Jason Williams Jr.
(313) 433-9963
jasonwilliamsJW37@gmail.com
@_jmoneywill (twitter)

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