Motor City Roundball Classic Preview

It's that time of year again!

Yes, one of my favorite times of the basketball season is during the Christmas break because that means; Christmas Tournament time baby! And you get to see some great basketball and some very good match ups. I will set up shop at a couple of gyms over the next week to watch some great action. Starting with the Motor City Roundball Classic, which has the best collection of ranked teams, ranked players and top notch coaches.

Here is a preview of the must see games at the Motor City Roundball Classic

Sunday, December 26th at Detroit Country Day

#4 Harper Woods (1-2) vs. Detroit Northern (2-2) 3:20

1. This game is very intriguing. I will be looking to see if Harper Woods has rebounded from the heartbreaking 67-66 home loss to Warren De La Salle on December 14th. The #4 ranked Harper Woods (1-2) is team that I think has the tools to make a run for the Class C State Championship behind the play of the terrific senior trio of 6'3 guard Justin Popov, 6'3 guard Jerome Douglas and 6'1 guard Dan Harris. When those three share the basketball it is a thing of beauty and they become a very hard team to beat. Detroit Northern also has to be careful not to put too much emphasis on the three amigos because 6'5 sophomore Dexter Jackson and 6'3 sophomore Xavier Fowler can do damage when left unattended. Detroit Northern poses a threat to Harper Woods because of the athleticism of center Jimmie Roeper and forward Shareef Logan and by just being battle tested by playing in the PSL. Harper Woods doesn't see that type of talent as much in Class C. I think Harper Woods wins this game and uses it to get back on track.

#3 Detroit Community (4-1) vs. Warren De La Salle (5-0) 6:50

2. Whew! As Keith Jackson would say "This is a dandy!" Class C powerhouse #3 ranked Detroit Community, I thought last season that if they had not lost Bruce Carter before the districts they would've won the Class C State Championship. Detroit Community is very strong with 6'4 jr. forward Deangelo Riley, who provides scoring, rebounding and lock down defense. 6'4 jr. forward Antoine Collins provides an added scoring boost. One of the leading scorers in the metro Detroit area is 6'3 jr. forward Emanuel Williams (Ray Allen clone), averaging 27ppg and shooting over 53% from the 3pt line. Fresh off their surprise revenge win over Harper Woods, De La Salle plays again in the Motor City Roundball Classic. They always do well in this event. Head Coach Greg Esler, one of the best coaches in the state of Michigan, always has his teams well prepared and playing better than their individual talent would suggest. De La Salle does have one of the best point guards in the state with 6'2 sr. Keith Mackenzie. When this kid sets his feet you can just go get the ball out of the nets because he ain't missing. I coach AAU and I see a lot of basketball all over Michigan and the Midwest. There is no question that Keith is one of the best shooters I have seen. And if Keith is Batman, his version of Robin is 6'1 sr. guard John Novak who is averaging 17ppg. In the end I just don't think that De La Salle can stay with Community's athleticism and pace of the game.

Saginaw (4-0) vs. #2 Detroit Country Day (5-0) 8:30

3. I guess the schedule makers for the Roundball Classic wanted to save the best for last. Saginaw will be good this year but they are a year away from making a serious run for the State Championship. They are led by the high flying and super shooting 6'3 jr. point guard Larry Wright. Wright a transfer from the state of Louisiana is definitely one of the top 25 players regardless of class. I saw Larry play this past October in an open gym at Saginaw Webber Middle School and he showed me a lot. He did a very good job running the point, getting others involved, which seems to be a lost art. He also shot the lights out and finished very strong at the basket over traffic. But Larry isn't coming down to Country Day by himself; he also has a couple of nice big men in the Southern brothers. 6'6 Emanuel Southern and his little, I mean younger brother 6'8 soph Joshua Southern (again how can anyone 6'8 be considered little). Saginaw plays this season with the excellent coaching of Lou Dawkins. That will be enough to get them wins on most nights. But against #2 ranked Detroit Country Day at their place, I am just not sure that will be enough. To put it bluntly Country Day is loaded! Led by the 6'4 Super Soph. forward Alex Legion. Alex is buckets, assists, defense and flat out play making. Alex is one of the 25 best players in the state regardless of class and if he continues to work extremely hard to get better, he will play Major D-1 basketball. For Country Day it doesn't stop there, 6'5 jr. forward Omar Thomas brings scoring, play making and defense. Country Day also has one of the best freshmen in the state with 6'2 guard Darnell (Dee) Brown. This kid can go and isn't intimidated playing in big games against older competition. 6'8 sr. center Mark Coury brings defense and rebounding. Plus, Kurt Keener's coaching makes this home game a win for Country Day going away.

Monday, December 27th at U of D Jesuit

Livonia Clarenceville (2-2) vs. Detroit Mumford (2-2) 12:40

4. Livonia Clarenceville, looking to get the Metro Conference some much deserved respect, brings the high flying jr. forward Donnie Carson. Donnie has "freakish" athleticism but he has also worked hard at adding some more much needed substance to his explosive game. Clarenceville also brings 6'3 soph. guard Tyron Williams, a very solid playmaking guard and lightning fast 5'7 jr. point guard Raymond Gardner. Detroit Mumford is really good but I think they are a year away from being an elite PSL team. Where do I start? One of the smoothest players in the state, underrated 6'3 forward Martell McLemore. Martell has the perfect name because his game is as smooth as fine cognac. Martell scores in bunches and very efficiently, and he doesn't have to dominate the ball to do so. Martell plays very good defense, rebounds in traffic and passes the ball very well. Like Dion Harris, sometimes people think he isn't playing hard, but at the end of the game Martell fills up the stat sheet. Mumford also brings 6'2 jr. guard Brian Christian, who can score and plays very tenacious defense. Another good Mumford wing player is 6'2 jr. guard Adam Johnson. Mumford rounds out the front court with 6'4 forward Mike Dabney (a Renaissance transfer) and 6'4 forward Tyrone Buchanan. I think Mumford being so battled tested playing in the PSL wins this one going away.

Detroit Catholic Central (0-4) vs. #1 Detroit Rogers (3-1) 5:40

5. On paper this looks like one of the few mismatches in the Roundball Classic. Catholic Central is having a tough go out of the gate at 0-4. A quality win against a team like Detroit Rogers would be a good way to jump-start the team. CC gets most of its scoring from three players, 6'5 jr. center Aras Butkunas, Glen Senczyszyn and 5'9 sr. guard Rob Fragoso. CC must try to slow the pace and keep the game in the 40's to have a chance. Detroit Rogers is the two-time defending Class D State Champions and are not a typical small Class D team. Rogers has outstanding athletes and skilled players led by 6'4 sr. forward Jalon Perryman, a top 25 player who is averaging 20 points and 11 rebounds. But it keeps going with 6'1 sr. guard Brian Watkins who can really light it up from the outside. 6'4 sr. forward Rodney Legion, a bruiser, brings rebounding, defense and the Ben Wallace type "x-factor". And lastly, Coach Steve Hall has another gem in 5'9 freshman point guard Eric Evans. Coach Hall is an outstanding coach and always has his teams well prepared.

#2 Saginaw Buena Vista (3-1) vs. #4 Detroit Redford (4-0) 7:20

6. The #1 ranked and defending Class C State Champions Saginaw Buena Vista comes to the Metro Detroit area to give Detroiters the opportunity to watch the magic of sensational jr. point guard Tory Jackson. Last year I saw two BV games late in the season that made me a believer of Tory's talent and high ranking. Against Harper Woods in the Regional Final at Reese, Tory had 13 points, 12 assists, 7 rebounds and 5 steals. He controlled the game with Jason Kidd pass first type point guard skills. Tory fed his teammate David Richmond for all 7 of his 3 pointers. Then, two games later in the semifinals at the Breslin, he didn't leave anything to chance by putting up 27 points. Tory is a top 10 player in the State regardless of class. His comrades in basketball are 6'2 jr. guard David Richmond who brings scoring, and 5'10 Jr. Kadeem Green who plays some point allowing Tory to transform from Jason Kidd to A.I. lighting up the scoreboard. I expect Tory to play well but I think Redford brings a little too much to the table. 6'7 sr. forward Brandon Wolfe is a top 25 player. His little brother 6'6 jr forward Deshawn Wolfe and sophomores 6'3 forward Coprayle Harris and 5'11 guard Jerome Tyson are also key players. Add Derrick McDowell, one of the best coaches in the state of Michigan to the mix, and I think you get a Redford victory.

#6 Saginaw Arthur Hill (2-0) vs. #1 Detroit DePorres (3-0) 9pm

7. Man do I love the schedule makers at the Roundball Classic. They schedule a late game at 9 P.M but they definitely make it worth the wait. Saginaw Arthur Hill brings the best athlete and dunker in the state (no disrespect to Ramar Smith or Leon Freeman) down to the D' in 6'4 soph. Darquavis Tucker. Whew, is this kid explosive! Darquavis reminds me of a young Jason Richardson. When he jumps it looks like he is using the special effects from the Matrix movies because he gets up so high. I think Darquavis is going to be the best college prospect in the '07 class. Arthur Hill also brings outstanding guard play with 6'1 sr. point guard Ed "Boomer" Tucker, Dar's (older little brother), and 5'10 jr. point guard Greg McMath. Greg plays just like you would expect a coach's son to play, with poise and leadership. #1 ranked Detroit De Porres brings a whole lot to the table as well; they are no regular Class C team as they have a history of beating Class A and B schools. Let's start with Bowling Green signee 6'6 sr forward Lionell Sullivan; he is a beast in the post. Lionell is a top 25 player that has added a nice face up jump shot to his game. Then the second best sophomore in Michigan with 6'3 guard Durrell Summers, a transfer from Detroit Consortium College Prep, I saw Durrell play twice last year as a freshman and he scored 39 and 45 and then I saw him again at the Prep Spotlight Showcase at Romulus in October. He has a very nice combination of athleticism and a high skill set. But it doesn't stop there for De Porres, add 6'6 sr forward and Jacksonville State signee Chris Baugh, who brings the defense and rebounding and 6'5 sr. forward Mike Hairston and De Porres has the making of a Class C State Championship. This is going to be an up and down game with both teams wanting to push the tempo. This is a tough one to pick but I'll go with De Porres in a nail biter, they have a little bit more than Arthur Hill.

Tuesday December 28th at U of D Jesuit

#10 Detroit Finney vs. Warren De La Salle 7:20

8. Detroit Finney fresh off their so-called upset win over Detroit Pershing brings the three things that give De La Salle the most problems; size, speed and athleticism. Finney is led by 6'6 behemoth Deon Ware, a bully in the low post who cleans the glass. This is going to be a tough one for De La Salle, but Coach Esler does a great job of slowing the pace and making more athletic teams play the style that he wants. I am sure the coaching staff at Finney is well aware of how good Keith MacKenzie is. They will tell their players not leave him open, but I guarantee that Keith is going to hit at least two or three 30 foot bombs. Players are not used to having to guard someone that far from the basket. They won't believe he is that good a shooter until he drops in a few on them. However, I don't think Keith and John Novak are going to be enough to beat the Highlanders.

#1 Detroit Renaissance vs. Pontiac Northern (9pm)

9. #1 ranked Renaissance looking to prove that they are still an elite team despite the loss McDonald's All-Americans Joe Crawford (Kentucky) and Malik Hairston (Oregon). The cupboard is not bare for Renaissance. They bring man-child and U of M Football commitment 6'6 sr center Carson Butler who has really elevated his game to another level. Carson provides scoring, rebounding and is a shot blocking presence in the middle. He plays like a 6'6 Shaq! Renaissance also brings the energizer bunny in 5'6 Jr. point guard Tijuan Porter. Tijuan has really made some improvements in his game over the summer. Coach Mark White has taught Tijuan how to be a pass first point guard that gets his offense while keeping his teammates involved. This has paid dividends for Tijuan and Renaissance. He has had 10 assists twice so far this season and is averaging 8 assists per game. Don't get it twisted though, Tijaun can still shoot the basketball! I think Tijuan is the best shooter in the state because he can hit the set shot, come off screens and, what I think separates him from other good high school shooters is he can shoot it off the dribble. It doesn't end there, Renaissance brings the best freshman class in the state with 6'3 guard Paul Williams, 6'3 guard Stacy Waters and 6'7 center Chris Clarke. These youngsters all contribute. Pontiac Northern is looking to rebuild from last year's team that lost in the semifinals at the Breslin to Detroit Redford. They lost one of their best players when Damien Abram transferred to Pontiac Central. Look for Bryan Smothers and Martel Web to provide the scoring. Coach Robert Rogers' teams at Pontiac Northern are always well coached and play with structure and organization. This is the way they must play to have a chance against Renaissance (ask Denby fans about that). In the end, I think Renaissance has too much for Northern.

Wednesday December 29th at U of D Jesuit

Detroit Southeastern (3-1) vs. #4 Belleville (4-0) 7pm

10. Detroit Southeastern is going to have their hands full in this one. Belleville brings a very well coached team that seems to always win their division in the Mega and make a trip to the quarterfinals at Calihan Hall every March. Belleville is led by a couple of high flying, slick shooting juniors; Leon Freeman and Tommie Clark. Freeman is a sick wit it athlete, who can dunk with the best of them but when he squares his feet, that j is wet. I have always been impressed with the way Leon plays hard, no matter what the score is, or number of points that he has. His motor is always running. Tommie Clark can flat out score. He has a very good jump shot, and tricky athleticism. Tommie will go the basket and bang one in the half-court set. Those two, plus Romulus transfer 5'10 sr point guard Anree Partee, a defensive stopper, along with Belleville's good bench are the reasons I am picking #4 ranked Belleville to break through and get to the final four at the Breslin this year. Southeastern is a team that a lot of people think can be this year's sleeper in the PSL. They return four starters led by 6'4 jr. forward Eulis Stephens, an athletic forward who can go strong to the rack, or beat you with his touch from outside. 5'11 jr. point guard Willie Mustin has a cool demeanor and is very adept at running the team. Willie never gets rattled and is always under control. Southeastern has two very solid soldiers that handle the majority of the rebounding and set the defensive intensity in 6'5 sr. forward Dennis Anderson and 6'5 jr. forward Tristian Stringer. I think this will be a very exciting game with a lot of up and down action but I think Belleville will have just a little bit more fire- power and pull out the victory.