Tag Archives: Detroit Country Day

Country Day Betters Flint Southwestern on Senior Night

1 Feb

12471147-standardOn senior night for the Yellow Jackets of Country Day, DCD rallied from a halftime defect over Flint Southwestern to place their record above the .500 mark with seven wins and six losses midway through the season.

Trailing 18-14 after one, the Knights of Southwestern used the second quarter to gain their halftime lead.  Down 28-21 with 4:31 left in the quarter, FLSWA used a 13-5 run to lead 34-33 at end of two quarters.  In the second quarter, Country Day had no response or defense to defend Southwestern’s 6’3″ junior wing/shooting guard Neshua Wise.  Wise scored 11 of his game high 24 points in the second, including three three-pointers.

However, in the second quarter is where Country Day came out and asserted their will.  After a sluggish start to the game, McDonald’s All American Game nominee and Xavier commit Edmond Sumner came out and simply took the game over.  Getting offensive-rebounds, and-ones, hitting three’s, and slashing to the basket at will in the second half, Edmond accounted for 15 of his teams 24 points in the quarter, and DCD led the Knights 57-52 at the end of three.

By the fourth quarter, Flint Southwestern ran out of momentum they had gained in the second quarter, holding Neshua Wise to only two points in the quarter.  Country Day was able to maintain a continuous 7-10 point lead for the whole quarter, the shortest defect the Knights would have in the fourth quarter would be 64-58 with 4:21 left.  But it was not meant to be, as Country Day was able to put the game away at the free-throw line and win the game 77-67.

For Country Day, Edmond Sumner led the way with a game high 32 points, with 25 coming in the second half, Sumner also had 10 rebounds as well.  The unsung hero all knight for DCD was 6’5″ swingman Maceo Baston.  Baston came out hot and set the tempo early for the Yellow Jackets, scoring 11 of his 23 points in the first quarter, he got to the basket a few times, but hit two three-pointers and 11 free-throws, he also hauled down 6 boards.  Junior Nazir Wallace chipped in with 10 points and 10 rebounds, and senior Taylor Graffa had 9 points, all on three pointers.

For Flint Southwestern, 6’3″ Neshua Wise had a team high 24 points and 11 rebounds, Wise was effective all game long for the Knights, he hit his six three-pointers taking a very low number of shots to get there.  Fellow juniors Akileon Fisher chipped in with 20 points, and Jaire Grayer recorded a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

With the loss, Flint Southwestern now falls to 4-6 on the season.

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Sumner to Compete in Nike Global Challenge

17 Jul

sumnerThe Nike EYBL finals finished up with Each One Teach One winning the 2013 Peach Jam in South Carolina, but that doesn’t mean that Nike is done putting together quality high school hoops action. The Nike Global Challenge, held at Trinity Washington University July 18-20, will feature some of the top talent not only in the country, but also the world.  Four Regional USA teams, East, West, Midwest, and South, will challenge each other and four international teams from Africa, France, Brazil, and Canada.  All of the players competing for the Americans, compete in the EYBL, a Nike sponsored grassroots basketball league.  The EYBL has only one team from the State of Michigan, The Family, and one player from the team was selected to attend this event, Detroit Country Day 2014 point guard and Xavier commit Edmond Sumner.

Edmond, by whom many agree is the number one point guard prospect in the state, has had a very successful past year of basketball.  Edmond and his fellow Country Day Yellowjackets captured the 2012-2013 Class B title in the State of Michigan, and the ninth for former head coach Kurt Keener.  Sumner averaged 16 points per game, six assists, and three rebounds for the entire season.  But life only got better for Sumner from there on, because on the twelfth of May, Edmond decided to commit to Xavier, a decision that had been between either the Musketeers or the Minutemen of UMass.

But don’t think with all of the success that Sumner was going to lay down during the AAU Circuit with The Family this Spring.  The 6’3″ 160 pound point guard in 18 games with The Family, led the team in scoring with 14 points per game, tied for first in steals with 15, and was the leader in assists dishing out a total of 69.  Edmond is known for his quick bursts of energy, allowing him to get past defenders and to the basket with ease.  But the EYBL for AAU tends to help athletes in all levels of their respective game.  And Sumner agrees, stating, “I matured as a point guard, trying to perfect the pick-and-roll, improving consistency from three-point line, and mid-range and strength.”

Many know the prestigious annual high school all-star games that are televised on national television, such as the Jordan Brand Classic and the McDonalds All-American Game.  Although it might not attract as much attention as those mentioned above, these very games serve as a prequel to those respective events.  Top ranked players such as Jahlil Okafor, Tyus Jones, and Cliff Alexander, who are almost locks to participate in the aforementioned,  will of be on the same midwest team as Sumner.    Notable players that will be competing against Sumner will be D’Angelo Russell, Devin Booker, and Isaiah Briscoe, who are all coveted by high major programs in college.  But don’t think Sumner is a throw in to play in this type of game.  Sumner competed against all of them in the Nike EYBL regular season, four long sessions of probably the most intense high school basketball that can be found in the country.  Players respect Edmond’s game, he states that he deserves to be regarded as one of the top prospects in the country, saying that “I already did [prove I am] in the EYBL, that’s how I earned the respect from the players.”

Not too many athletes can say that they have the chance to represent their country, and still be in high school.  Nike is no doubt an iconic world brand.  From all around the world, you will see their famous logo on clothing.  But there is something more too Nike than just apparel, it is the committment they have made to amateur athletes, not only in the United States, but also the world, to compete against fellow elite prospects ultimately making them better on the court, but also in life.  For Edmond, “Getting a chance to play against the best players in the world” is a once in a lifetime experience.  And is thankful for the EYBL because “It [has] helped a lot, because playing in the EYBL for two years, playing the best competitions in the country showed me what I have to improve on before college so I can be successful.”

Follow me on Twitter: @mdhsathletics

Follow Edmond on Twitter: @TF_32

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Sumner Decides on Xavier

13 May

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Detroit Country Day has been a mecca for high school basketball in Metro Detroit. Former greats include Chris Webber and Shane Battier, to recents who have put on the Yellow Jacket jersey such as Ray McCallum and Amir Williams. And adding a new chapter to the history of the school is C/O 2014 PG Edmond Sumner. Sumner, who competes for the EYBL team The Family, recently took a visit down to Xavier the weekend of May 4th, which pretty much put a bow on top of his recruitment with Xavier. “They have been on me the longest,” said Sumner, “and made a priority unlike other schools,” who reportedly chose between the Musketeers and the Minutemen of UMass.

Don’t think that just because Sumner is going to a smaller school means he doesn’t have game, this guy can play and had high major coaches watching. He single-handedly took over multiple playoff games in the postseason leading Country Day to a Class B crown, including a remarkable 30 point three steal performance in the semi-final victory over Cadillac. He has even continued that high level of play into the early EYBL season, averaging 12.7 points a game and dishing out 40 assists so far. Sumner wanted attend a school that fits his play style, and that school is Xavier because “At most schools they play only one point [guard], at Xavier, they play two point guards and they give them a lot of freedom.”

As far as Sumner’s game is concerned, he is hands down one of the most exciting guards to watch operate in the state. Edmond excels in the open court with great speed and court vision, with the ability to finish at the rim despite a slender frame. To go along with very quick and steady three point jump shot. All of these are skills that Xavier will need to compete in the first season for the newly formed Big East Conference.

Follow me on Twitter: @mdhsathletics

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Interview with Quacker Valley’s Micah Glenn

11 Mar

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Imagine being comfortable at one of the most prestigious high schools in Michigan, but having to move to a whole new state.  That is what Quacker Valley High School (PA) guard Micah Glenn did.  Micah still put together a solid senior season this year.  While his offensive numbers are not through the rough, he made impacts on the game through his defense.  Something any coach in America would want on their team.

Metro Detroit High School Athletics: Please list weight, height, position and school.

Micah Glenn: 6’1″, 160 lbs, PG/SG, Quacker Valley High School.

Metro Detroit High School Athletics: Individual skills?

Micah Glenn: Shooting, ball handling, and defense.  Led my section in threes made this season and usually was put on one of the opposing teams best players.

Metro Detroit High School Athletics: Season stats?

Micah Glenn: 7 points per game, 2 assists per game, and 2 rebounds per game.  I started this year at La Jolla Prep, but that program went under so I transferred here in October.  Our top three scorers besides the returning starter are between 7-9 points per game, which includes me.

Metro Detroit High School Athletics: Things that you felt that you improved on over the season?

Micah Glenn: Shot selection and being a better off-ball defender.

Metro Detroit High School Athletics: How hard was it for you to transition from a prestigious school in Michigan, Detroit Country Day, to a whole new state?

Micah Glenn: It was very hard.  I had been at DCD since 8th grade and had played against all the top players in Michigan my whole life, so it was different.  It felt like a step down at the time school wise and basketball.

Metro Detroit High School Athletics: Do you still talk to the seniors on the Country Day basketball team like Austin Price and Poet Thomas?

Micah Glenn: Yeah.  Austin Price is my cousin and were very close.  I come home whenever I have time off and I’m with him whenever that happens.  I’m good friends with Moe Ways and Mory (Diane) as well.

Metro Detroit High School Athletics: Do you feel as if it would have been better for you basketball wise to stay at DCD?

Micah Glenn: Sometimes, but at the same time I felt like I gained more opportunities leaving.  We had Edmond (Sumner), Mory (Diane), and Austin (Price) all coming in my sophomore year.  Plus Lee (Bailey), Chris (Fowler), and Reed (McManus) were still there.  So there wasn’t much room for guards.  I felt like my game expanded once I left.

Metro Detroit High School Athletics:  What schools have contacted or offered you?

Micah Glenn: I’m talking to Howard right now, bust mostly prep schools like Queen City Prep in North Carolina and Kingdom Prep in Iowa.  The beginning of the year I had reclassified to 2014 while at La Jolla Prep.  Looks from Northern Arizona, but after leaving and being back in 2013.  I’m probably gonna go prep.  That is where I feel I’ll have the best success.

Metro Detroit High School Athletics: Any prep schools going at you the hardest?

Micah Glenn: I’ve talked to Queen City the most.  One of my friends, Stevie Repichowski, went to Kingdom this season and is committed to Tulsa.  So I’m looking at them too.

Metro Detroit High School Athletics: What will a school be getting from a player like you?

Micah Glenn: A player that can hit shots off the dribble as well as spot up, a good passer and good defender.  Defense is what my coach has emphasized this season from day one, more than any other coach I’ve had.  It pushed me and will definitely be to my benefit at the next level.

Metro Detroit High School Athletics: Any favorites so far in recruiting so far?

Micah Glenn: Kingdom Prep is my favorite, but after I get my tapes to Howard and move forward in recruiting I’ll have a better understanding of where I’ll be next year.

Metro Detroit High School Athletics: Any shout outs you would like to give?

Micah Glenn: Yes, thanks to my coach Michael Mastroianni for what he’s done for me this past year, helped me on and off the court and I can’t thank him enough for that.

Metro Detroit High School Athletics: Lastly what is a interesting fact about you?

Micah Glenn: I collect sneakers.  I’m up to 40 right now and definitely not finished.

 

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Playoff Preview (part two cont.)

4 Mar

Class B Teams That Can Make A Run

River Rouge- Rouge is now back to full strength now after getting star forward Jamal Poplar back, who had to sit out the first semester after transferring from Willow Run.  Alongside Poplar is fellow junior Terrell Crawford.  Crawford is a raw scoring off-guard who just simply can score.  Rouge starts off in the Divine Child District, where they are faced with probably meeting up with Dearborn Heights Robichaud in the finals.  If Rouge is able to get past Robichaud, I see a path at least to the quarters.

Robichaud- As above stated, will be in the same district with River Rouge.  But don’t put anything past Robichaud as long as they have Lorenzo Bonam.  Bonam is a strong, physical point guard that can make plays.  Will have to get past Rouge in the district final.

Detroit Country Day- Might be the deepest team in the entire state.  The back court is made up of Lehigh bound Austin Price, who might have the smoothest jump shot in the area.  Complementing Price in the backcourt will be lighting fast junior point guard Edmond Sumner.  Who can go from zero to full speed in about a step.  Fellow junior Mory Diane will bring more athleticism to table and a another scorer.  Down low for the Yellow Jackets will be Texas Tech football recruit Poet Thomas, and glass eater Deshawn Lewis.  The reserves for DCD don’t lack talent as well.  Star football receiver Maurice Ways and Maceo Baston make up the bench, starters at any other school expect DCD.

Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy- Now during playoff time, some teams like to give the ball to their star players and let them do the rest.  CPA will have Michigan commit Derrick Walton to give the ball to and that is not a bad idea to do.  Derrick can go for 30 points and 10 assists any given night.  CPA will need another scorer to take pressure off Derrick, and Darius Bean will have to step up if CPA wishes to make it farther than last year’s 30 point embarrassment to DCD in the regional final.

Detroit Douglass- The funny thing is, that DCD, CPA, and now Douglass, all teams that can make it to at least the quarters, will all be paired up if they get past their respective districts into the same DCD regional.  Though low on bodies, Douglass makes up for it in talent.  Led by junior point Darrell Davis, a serious D1 recruit, Douglass has a true playmaker on the court.  If paired up with DCD, the post will be won by Douglass because of junior Andre Frederick.  Frederick is quick on his feet a real shot blocker even on the perimeter.  Junior Terrell Hale will be needed for secondary scoring in order to take pressure off from Davis.

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