Tag Archives: MHSAA Basketball

2013-2014 Season Preview: Class C Rankings

3 Dec

beecherOne of the more intriguing classes in Michigan is Class C.  Mt. Clemens, head coached by former Detroit Piston Jermaine Jackson, on paper have all the pieces to make a deep title run.  The Bathers have one of if not the best backcourts in the state, with Jermaine Jackson Jr., and deep ball threat Josh McFolley.  Mt. Clemens also returns experience from last year’s state regional final appearance, with guard Dorian Armstrong, and forward Charles Penn.  Consortium, has the number one player in the country regardless of class, Josh Jackson, but the Cougars will only go as far as his supporting cast takes them.  Look for seniors Ronald Booth and Malik Dawson to have breakout seasons.  The defending state champions, Beecher, look to reload after losing Mr. Basketball Monte Morris, sophomore Quay Burks will need to shoulder the load if Beecher hopes to make it back to the Breslin with chances for a three-peat.  A team flying under the radar in Class C is Melvindale ABT.  The Gators always seem to be a team in the hunt come March for a state title.  To get back to a 2009-2010 title season, rising junior guard Lavail Russell is a sneaky quick point guard who will be counted on the lead the team in almost every important statistical category.  Another team that will look toward a guard to win games this year is Muskegon Heights.  The Tigers have one of the best not talked about 2014 guards in Michigan, Aaron Sydnor.  A combo guard, Sydnor is capable of heating up from long range and isn’t afraid to take it to the basket as well.  Overall, Class C is wide open for multiple teams to bring home a championship.  Don’t be surprised if a team ranked below the top ten in the pre-season rankings are crowned kings in March.

Pre-season Class C Rankings:

1. Mt. Clemens

2. Grand Rapids Northpointe Christian

3. Detroit Consortium

4. Flint Beecher

5. Pewamo-Westphalia

6. Melvindale ABT

7. Negaunee

8. Detroit Loyola

9. Monroe St. Mary’s Catholic Central

10. Muskegon Heights

11. Traverse City St. Francis

12. Lainsburg

13. Ecorse

14. New Haven

15. Madison Heights Bishop Foley

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Early C/O 2014 Rankings

23 Jun

imagesThis is way to early to be set in stone yet, but here is a list of players that have left a mark on me so far this Summer in Metro Detroit.

1. Edmond Sumner 6’3″ PG 170 lbs (Detroit Country Day/ The Family) [Verbal to Xavier]

2. Jaylen Johnson 6’8″ F 200 lbs (Ypsilanti/ Dorian’s Pride)

3. Justin Tillman 6’8″F 180 lbs (Detroit Pershing/ Reach Legends)

4. Yante Maten 6’8″ F 210 lbs (Bloomfield/ The Family)

5. Aaron Foster-Smith F (Taylor Truman/ Michigan Warriors)

6. Darrell Davis 6’3″ 150lbs Combo Guard (Detroit Douglass/ Michigan Hurricanes)

7. Kenny Carpenter 6’4″ Combo Guard (Cass Tech/ The Family)

8. Marqywell Jackson 6’4″ 180 wing (East English Village/ Detroit Stars)

9. Jamal Poplar 6’8″ F but can play multiple positions (River Rouge/ Michigan Mustangs)

10. Mory Diane 6’3″ 170 lbs (Detroit Country Day/ Reach Legends)

11.Ray Croon 6’4″ wing (Redford Thurston/ Reach Legends)

12. Juwan Clark 5’11” PG (Romulus/ Reach)

13. Leonard Harper-Baker 6’4″ wing (Detroit Southeastern/ Michigan Hurricanes)

14. Darsean Woodson 5’9″ PG (Detroit Pershing/ Reach Legends)

15. Darryl Bingham 6’4″ wing (Detroit Southeastern/ Michigan Hurricanes)

 

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Deuparo Looks to Make a Name for Himself

10 Jun

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The Class of 2016 for basketball in the State of Michigan is loaded with talent, and particularly at the point guard position.  Guards like Cassius Winston [U of D Jesuit], Corey Allen [Ypsilanti], and Brailen Neely [Detroit Western] have already established themselves as players that college coaches need to keep an eye out for.  But there is another rising tenth grader that went under the radar this previous basketball season.  Will Deuparo is a 5’8″ 150 pound point guard who played at Lincoln Park.  Though it was not the best of season for the Railsplitters, who carried a 9-10 record, Will overcame a rough start to the season and still had a excellent freshmen campaign.  Deuparo averaged 12 points a game this season, to go along with four assists.

Will says he likes to model his game around NBA All-Stars such as Rajon Rondo, Mike Conley, and Ty Lawson.  And as far as his skills are concerned, Will states that his strengths are “Ball handling, [a] good defender, and I’m really fluent with the pick-and-roll offense.”   His freshmen campaign ultimately resulted in him receiving a Downriver News Herald Honorable mention.  And in terms of recruiting and playing at the next level, Will said he enjoys watching the Kentucky Wildcats, but “Realistically, a dream offer would be from Butler.”

In addition to playing for Texas Pro and the Detroit Stars this AAU season, Deuparo will be transferring to a new school for his tenth grade season.  Some candidates include Romulus, Westside Christian, Consortium, and Taylor Truman.  Regardless of what school he attends, Will vows that the team he chooses will be receiving “A player who is willing to get better and learn.”  Will has only scratched the surface of where his game can take him.  Look for a breakout out of Deuparo next high school season.

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