Tag Archives: North Farmington

North Farmington Hangs On In Battle Against Southfield 62-60

4 Mar

IMG_0192North Farmington led comfortably 43-26 against OAA Red foe Southfield with 3:50 remaining in the third quarter. The Blue Jays were ready to call it a day, however, junior forward Miguel Priest wasn’t. Priest scored seven of Southfield’s next 15 points in a 15-6 Blue Jay run to close the third quarter, and place his team down single-digits entering the fourth.

“Teams like Southfield feed of their energy and build confidence making it tough to stop,” said junior guard Billy Thomas.

Southfield’s confidence continued to build. A 10-2 spurt within the first three minutes of the fourth sparked by two threes from sophomore guard Reme Torbert knotted the game at 51-51. Three minutes later, sophomore point guard Michael Flowers connected on a three to put Southfield up one, the team’s first lead since the opening quarter. However, the lead was short lived, on the ensuing Raider possession, junior Billy Thomas connected on two free-throws to place North Farmington up 59-58. Following a series of missed Raider free-throws and Southfield blunders, the Blue Jays held the ball with less than thirty seconds remaining down one with the possibility win the game. Southfield turned the ball over just twice the entire fourth quarter, and one happened with 12.5 seconds left, Raider junior Alex Darden swiped a Blue Jay pass, and was fouled. Darden split his free-throws, Southfield ball down two with eight seconds left. Flowers brought the ball up the court, got into the lane, but his contested runner fell short. A scrum for the rebound killed the clock, North Farmington victory.

For Southfield, Priest led the way with 17 points and 13 rebounds, and senior Khary Fanning scored 14 points, hauled in seven rebounds, and assisted on four Blue Jay buckets.

The Raiders were led by senior forward Jeron Rogers with a game-high 20 points, and junior front-court mate Alex Darden with 11 points, eight rebounds, three steals and two assists.

“Jeron (Rogers) and Alex (Darden) were really helpful,” Thomas added. “They both do a great job rebounding and altering a lot of shots. Both can handle the ball very well for their size.”

For Thomas, he contributed 14 points and five rebounds as the sixth man from the bench. Billy was recently granted eligibility from the state to participate a few weeks ago, and has embraced his role thus far.

“I am perfectly fine with that,” Thomas said of him coming off the bench. “I just come in and do what I do, I want to win and if I have to come off the bench I will.”

Although he is able to play in the Raiders’ last remaining games, Thomas was ruled ineligible for the playoffs. Thomas said the school and team is continuing to seek opportunities for Thomas to participate in the post-season. With Thomas, the Raiders add another shooter and ball-handler to compliment the back-court of Anthony Qasawa and Jacob Joubert.

Depth is invaluable in the second season, for instance tonight, Qasawa, normally a reliable shooter, only scored 10 points, six off free-throws. However, it was Thomas that filled in Qasawa’s role and assisted Rogers as the team’s scorer.

The playoffs begin in a week, any plenty of questions remain regarding North Farmington. But when asked North Farmington’s goal for the rest of the season, Thomas said, “I think we are a state championship caliber team no doubt.”

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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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Five Key Transfers Across Metro Detroit

19 Jan

The day after Martin Luther King Junior Day, all transfer students who sat out the first semester are eligible for competition.  For some teams, the added personnel can mean the difference between a district playoff loss and a Breslin Center appearance.  Here are five teams who will change for the better this second half of the season.

Detroit Western– The Cowboys sit undefeated at 8-0 overall, with statement wins against Romulus and Saginaw Arthur Hill.  Junior point guard Brailen Neely has blossomed into one of the premier guards not just in the city, but state as well.  Neely is complimented by classmates in guards Armani Tinsley, Karim Murray, Efrain Hodby, and Kyree Boyton.  The newcomers are U of D Mercy commits guard Josh McFolley, and forward Gerald Blackshear.  Both transferred from Mt. Clemens over the Summer, and have played AAU together throughout high school.  The 6’8″ Blackshear will be the fourth Cowboy over 6’7,” joining seniors Julius Palmer, Kheir Maxwell, and Antwan Smith.

Oak Park– Oak Park will see a rapid change in their roster and lineup possibilities, as six new transfers will become eligible for the Knights.  After playing games this season with only eight eligible players, Oak Park is primed for a deep run in March.  Junior point guard Trevon Gardner is currently ecstatic with the new options at his disposal.  6’8″ senior forward Rodney Scales was on Oak Park last season, but went to Wisconsin to play football this past fall, and returned prior to the basketball season.  Scales will pair with 6’8″ junior Kelvon Fuller, already on the radar of division one colleges, and form a dynamic Knight front court.  Devin Mills, a transfer from Ferndale, is a high-scoring two guard in the backcourt that should provide plenty of offense, and is a carbon copy of senior guard Howard McInnis, instant offense.  River Rouge transfer Jonathan Raines, is only a sophomore, but adds even more size for the Knights at 6’7.”

Macomb Dakota- Not just a football power anymore, Paul Tocco’s Cougars won 19 games a year ago, and enter the second half of the season with a 5-2 record.  Dakota will add Mt. Clemens transfers Jermaine Jackson Junior and Charles Penn.  Jackson, son of former Detroit Piston Jermaine Jackson, is listed at 5’6″, but is as skilled as point guards at 6’6.”  He’s crafty, a great three point shooter, and exceptional creator/passer.  While Penn is 6’6,” and will give the Cougars a go-to scorer, rebounder, and versatile defender.

North Farmington– North Farmington is currently 9-0, and are led by seniors Jeron Rogers and Anthony Qasawa.  The Raiders are a talented team alone, now add Billy Thomas into the equation.  Thomas, transferred home from Genesis Academy after five months of competition and receiving division one offers.  The junior was on U of D Jesuit’s semi-final team a season ago, and will contribute as a reliable perimeter scorer and ball handler.

East English Village– The Bulldogs are undefeated in Detroit Public School League play.  East English Village is a primarily guard oriented team, juniors Kamari Newman, Chris Rollins, and Nate Bowlware have all had their respective moments thus far.  Yet their lone big man, 6’5″ Cedric Lattimore, has proven capable of a workhorse power forward.  Lattimore now receives aid in the front court, 6’5″ Jaylin McFadden, a transfer from Southfield Bradford.  McFadden is a skilled athlete and leaper, he will add an offensive and defensive rebounding presence EEVP will use to challenge not only for a city title, but state championship as well.

 

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Qasawa Leads North Farmington In 71-52 Route Of Oak Park

16 Jan

photo-3Don’t look now, but the Raiders of North Farmington remain undefeated at 9-0 in the middle of January after dismantling top ten ranked and OAA member foe Oak Park.

The saying goes, “defense wins championship” has not come into fruition just yet for the Raiders, but Thursday night’s win laid the blue print on how to accomplish that feat.

North Farmington’s pressing full court defense was able to force Oak Park into 27 total team turnovers on the night.  A stat regardless of the amount of talent a team has is difficult to overcome.

“Our coach always tells us to fly around and make people go at our speed,” said senior forward Anthony Qasawa.

“Today we really made Oak Park get out of their comfort zone and forced  them to make lots of turnovers.”

North Farmington came away with 14 takeaways in the first half, and built a 31-24 intermission advantage.

The Raiders began to distance themselves early in the third quarter, starting the second half on a 10-2 run in which Qasawa netted seven of his 12 points in the quarter before finishing with a game high 25 points.

“The first half, I tried to get my teammates involved,” said Qasawa.  “In the third I just let the game come to me and not force shots.  I was in a rhythm and I just went from there.”

North Farmington even streched their lead to as much as 25 in the third, with 6 different players scoring in the stanza.  The Knights only found continuity within their offense late in the fourth,  as many starters for North Farmington found themselves seated on the bench, the lead never dwindled below 16.  Giving the Raiders a well deserved victory.

“This was a huge statement win for us because it proves we can hang and beat the top teams in the state,” Qasawa also said.

The lone bright spot for Oak Park was senior guard Howard McInnis, with a team high 18 points, followed by Kelvon Fuller with 10 points, five rebounds, and four blocks.

Aside from his 25 points, Qasawa also came away with five rebounds, and three steals and assists.  Fellow senior Jeron Rogers netted 15 points and seven rebounds, while the junior class provided support as well.  Alex Darden contributed 11 points, and five rebounds, point guard Jacob Joubert had nine points five steals and three assists, and Josh Hogans stepped in off the bench for eight total points.

The win for North Farmington comes despite key transfer in junior Billy Thomas sidelined. Thomas has been in the state for roughly two weeks, he was in attendance for the game, but did not dress.  Thomas could possibly return as early as next Tuesday when all transfers across the state gain eligibility.  Regardless, when the time comes, Thomas will add another dimension to frustrate the Raider opposition.

“I think Billy will give another scorer and somebody else who can handle the ball,” Qasawa commented.  “Which will make us a better threat to opposing teams.”

 

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Cleveland State Strikes Twice In Michigan

14 Nov

clst-11-panelnavbox-logo3Cleveland State head coach Gary Waters is no stranger to Michigan.  The Highland Park native attended Detroit Mackenzie High School, before playing at Ferris State University.  After coaching stints at Ferris State, Eastern Michigan, Kent State, and Rutgers, Waters inherited the Viking program in 2006 and formed Cleveland State into a perennial contender in the Horizon League.  Amassing 20 victories in five of nine season, and reaching the postseason in some form as many times as well.

Coach Waters has utilized the Detroit connection to Michigan when looking for future Vikings.  Currently, Cleveland State has three players from the Detroit Public Schools League on their 2014-2015 roster.  Detroit Frederick Douglass’ Terrell Hales (freshman), and Cass Tech Technician alums Kenny Carpenter (freshman) and Marlin Mason (senior).  For his 2015 class, Waters has inked two Metro-Detroit players in the Fall recruiting period, Detroit Cass Tech’s Rob Edwards, and North Farmington Jeron Rogers.

Both Rogers and Edwards were members of the Reach Legends AAU basketball program for the past couple of seasons.  At 6’2,” Rob can play both guard positions, rebound, and finish above the rim with his athleticism and strong frame.  The 6’7″ Rogers is a stretch-four forward that can shoot the perimeter jump shot, finish around the basket, handle the ball to create his own offense, and rebound at a high level.

For the mean time, the two can shift their full attention the the upcoming high school campaign.  Rob headlines a Technecian team coming off a 18-7 season which included a district championship.  While Rogers leads a hungry Raider team into the new season after bowing out to eventual Class A runner up Bloomfield Hills in the district semi-final.

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Interview with Jeron Rogers

10 Jul

Jeron Rogers is a 6’7″ 195″ wing forward who attends North Farmington High School, and competes for the Michigan Warriors AAU team.  Jeron is a matchup nightmare for opposing teams.  He is too tall to put a smaller guard on him, but he is too quick to put a bigger post defender on him.  Jeron already has offers from the likes of Toledo and Oakland.  But has Michigan State, Iowa State, and Xavier very interested in his skills.

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