High school basketball games are notorious for "looking good on paper." Prep Spotlight's "Battle of the Best" certainly did, which is why there was standing room only at Southfield High School for Friday's nightcap. But unlike so many other events, all four of these games delivered. They were all close and exciting, and sometimes well-played too.valentines day flower delivery
Harper Woods Chandler Park beat Southfield 58-55.
Detroit Community over Saginaw Arthur Hill 55-53.
Class C No. 1 Detroit Consortium topped Birmingham Country Day 70-66.
In the marquee game Class B No. 1 Lansing Sexton beat Romulus 70-62.
Here are some players who helped make it a fun day of hoops.
Jeff Cain 6-0 Sr Lansing Sexton
Bryn Forbes and Denzel Valentine had off shooting nights. Anthony Clemmons was the man offensively for Sexton, a role he now ably fills. The Iowa signee scored 19. Sexton also got some big shots from Cain in their win over Romulus. He scored 11. He's a good athlete and would be a 20 point per game scorer a lot of places, while being one of the smart ball-handlers Sexton coach Carlton Valentine wanted in there at crunch time.
Jordan Hare 6-10 Sr Saginaw Arthur Hill
Some might tend to forget just how good he is. Hare can impact a game without scoring much (and yeah the points still come largely on dunks) and he did against Community with his defense presence (no on one in Michigan has his wingspan, and few players his height have gotten up as quickly); and smart high-post passing. Still skinny, but loved seeing Hare going out to lay wood with a mean screen.
Vincent Hunter 6-6 Sr Detroit Consortium
His "CCP" jersey was soaked a darker shade of gray in the second half. Because while Consortium's frontcourt is silly deep, Hunter's out there the most; and when he is, he plays hard. While he projects as a tweener forward so there are some skill and footwork issues to address, as a high school player Hunter's a monster because he's strong, athletic and with that motor. He wills his way to the rim as much as anything. He had 12 points, eight rebounds and, best of all, five blocked shots against Country Day.
Ray Lee 6-3 Sr Romulus
Romulus lost to Sexton, but it wasn't because Lee didn't show up. He had 15 points on a few unguardable drives and jumpshots. Romulus' problems had nothing to do with what the star players did offensively. Their main problems were defensive break-downs and getting beat to rebounds and 50-50 balls by players with state championship rings.
Deandre Martin 6-3 Jr Detroit Community
Arthur Hill played him as a shooter, and by his response Martin proved he's more than that, he's a scorer. He did most of his damage in the lane, from the baseline, tips; good hands. His best bucket came after sealing off and finishing below the state's elite shot-blocker, 6-10 Arthur Hill senior Jordan Hare. Strong body, smart positioning to catch and finish. Martin shot 7-of-11 and 2-for-2 from the stripe for 16 points. He plays -- stylistically like -- Mitch Richmond. EMU got a good one early in this Ohio transfer.
Jarell Martin 6-6 Jr Detroit Community
Renaissance transfer tries to dunk everything. Have no problem with that.
EC Matthews 6-4 Jr Romulus
He scored a team-high 23 in the Eagles' loss to Romulus. He shot 9-of-12 from the stripe. Sexton had a hard time keeping him out of the lane, obviously. Passed it better than you'd know from assists alone. Some of his teammates killed dimes like they're FDR haters. Lefty shot is still scary, but within his perimeter, in his spots, EC's lefty three-pointers go in. If there's a category for busting tail back on D to block a shot after messing up offensively, he might lead the state. It's called, wanna stay in the game! Nebraska was there to see him, so that would make Matthews officially a Big Ten recruit.
Romel Robinson 5-10 Jr Detroit Community
This kid has revolutionized his game 180 degrees and in so doing, he's given both Detroit Community a shot in the state tournament, and himself a college future. The last thing the basketball world needs is another 5-10 gunner, a past Robinson has disposed of to become a real point guard. Efficient, strong with the ball, can get to the hole; good defensive potential. His only three-pointer was a big one. It came with 28 seconds to play and gave Community a 55-53 win.
Edmond Sumner 6-1 So Birmingham Country Day
Good as the Price Bros. are shooting the ball, this baby-faced assassin brings a different look entirely. He doesn't fear much and gets things going attacking the hoop and can knock in the three-pointer too. His offensive game is so free and aggressive, but at the same time it had calculation and balance, traits rare together in players Sumner's age. Totally impressed by this guy.
Earl Swith 6-3 Jr Southfield
The homecourt Blue Jays start four juniors and are just figuring out how to play. They'll be good next year. Swith brings a Dorsey-Walker look, slender and slithery with a pretty pull-up jumper. Can finish stronger and become more of an all-around player.
Tre Tigner 6-6 Sr Detroit Consortium
He set the tone early against Country day with an authoritative and increasingly diverse post game. Particularly dangerous as a lefty from the left block. Took folks by surprise with an explosive dunk for his first bucket. "Cheeze" had a vociferous personal cheering section, and for what he's been through and become, he deserves all that and more.
Derek Walton 6-0 Jr Chandler Park Academy
The day began with a point guard clinic from Walton. He scored 21 points on 9-of-13 shooting, with five assists to one turnover. The Michigan pledge put the ball wherever he wanted against Southfield, with the dribble or pass. Despite being on the smaller side, he was usually the one initiating contact around the rim. A couple standout plays were, when he used a back-dribble to get away from Southfield's pressure and evaluate the situation, more kids should do this it's a legit and smart move if it's coming from a position of strength; and when Walton showed hustle, court awareness, quickness and balance, running down a ball going over the sideline and saving it ahead to a teammate. As well as Walton played, his efforts could have been waylaid by some of his teammates' shot selection. He needs to go Quinn Buckner and put his foot down to end that.
Troy Wilkins 5-10 So Chandler Park Academy
When kvetching about some CPA gunners, Wilkins isn't on the hit list. He's probably Walton's most talented teammate. Quick inside-outside scorer. Like all young players, needs to more quickly move along from the last bad play no matter how bad.
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