LBI Preview: 21st Annual Motor City Roundball Classic

The Motor City Roundball Classic is the premier girls’ basketball event in the state of Michigan during the holiday break. This year it kicks off on December 26th and ends on December 30th. Many of the state’s top teams and players will showcase their talents over the course of 39 total games schedule throughout the week. Here’s a look at some of the top games that will be on display.

Saturday, December 26th

Southfield Lathrup vs. Waterford Kettering - Time: 5:40 PM

The Battle: Lathrup’s Offense vs. Kettering’s Half-Court Defense

This matchup will feature the very talented Lathrup squad against a good defensive Kettering team. Kettering will be looking for a big time win to end the year. Lathrup got back on the winning track last Saturday at the Lady Phoenix Classic by defeating Ann Arbor Huron. Kettering will have to play a perfect game on the defensive end to slow down Antoinette Miller & Deja Church to have a chance at knocking off the Chargers. Lathrup will look to make this an up-tempo game as they are one of the most exciting teams in the open floor.

Sunday, December 27th 

Dewitt vs. Wayne Memorial – Time: 7:20 PM 

The Battle: DeWitt’s Experience vs Wayne Memorial’s Youth

Dewitt, who finished last season with a Class A Final 4 appearance, will be heading down to the Motor City with a perfect 6-0 record. They are led by senior post Lilly George who is capable of having huge games. Wayne is off to its best start in over a decade with a 3-1 record, led by sophomore point guard Camree’ Clegg. Junior Amare Chikwe is a solid player that will give the Zebras a good chance of pulling off the upset. Watch out for one of the best freshman guards in the state, Jenae Terry. Terry is coming off a 27 point performance in her last outing.

Tuesday, December 29th 

Williamston vs. Muskegon Mona Shores – Time: 12:40 PM 

The Battle: Williamston’s Backcourt vs Mona Shores’ Backcourt

This could be one of the best games on tap at the Motor City Roundball. Williamston is led by Ferris State signee Renee Sturm who is a solid guard that gets her teammates involved. Sophomore Maddie Watters is a lights out shooter for the Hornets and will make you pay dearly if she is left open. Mona Shores has one of the best backcourts in the state in junior Jordan Walker (Western Michigan) and freshman Alyza Winston. Both players are very capable of having big nights.

Saginaw Heritage vs. Detroit Country Day – Time: 2:20 PM

The Battle: Heritage’s Tenacity vs. Country Day’s Chemistry

The game that the entire state is buzzing about; two of the best teams in Class A and B will squaring off on a neutral court. Heritage will look to slow down the Country Day’s all-state backcourt of Destiny Pitts, Kaela Webb and Arica Tolbert. Sophomore post Maxine Moore is coming off a career high 14 points last weekend and her performance and post presence will be a key factor in the Yellow Jackets being able to effectively free up their shooters against Heritage’s tough and well executed 2-3 zone defense. If Heritage utilizes their freshman post Shine Strickland and Jaela Richardson and Courtney McInery have big games, this game will be a true battle and exciting from start to finish.

Wednesday, December 30th 

Muskegon Mona Shores vs. Midland Dow – Time: 2:20 PM

The Battle: Mona Shores’ Speed vs. Midland Dow’s Length

Midland Dow has one of the most explosive offenses in the state of Michigan as they are capable of putting huge points on the scoreboard as witnessed last week when they finished with 100 points vs. Saginaw High. With shooters Ellie Taylor, Molly Davis, Maize Taylor and post Kaylee Wasco, Mona Shores will have to use their speed to stay in front of Midland Dow and play a very good defensive game against the Chargers. It will be crucial for Mona Shores to play the lanes and be almost perfect in their deny defense. Dow must contain the Sailors dangerous backcourt of Walker and Winston, who both are capable of having huge games. Midland Dow must use their long frames to play wide and tall and keep these two from getting a clear view of the basket.

Other Top Games To Watch
Tuesday December 29th
Solon (OH)  vs.  Detroit Martin L. King 7:20 PM

Wednesday December 30th
Williamston vs. Flint Carman-Anisworth 11:00 AM
Detroit Country Day  vs.  Solon (OH) 4:00 PM
Africentric (OH) vs. Ann Arbor Huron 7:20 PM

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THE 21th ANNUAL

MOTOR CITY ROUNDBALL CLASSIC

OFFICIAL SCHEDULE – GIRLS

 

Saturday, December 26th

9:20 AM Romulus  vs  Detroit Cornerstone

11:00 AM  Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes  vs  Blissfield

12:40 PM  Warren Michigan Collegiate  vs  Bay City All Saints

2:20 PM  Kalamazoo Loy Norrix  vs  Toledo Waite

4:00 PM Flint Beecher  vs  Dearborn Henry Ford Academy 

5:40 PM Southfield Lathrup  vs  Waterford Kettering

7:20 PM Oak Park  vs  Waterford Mott

9:00 PM  Birmingham Marian vs  Grosse Pointe South

Sunday, December 27th 

11:00 AM  Blissfield  vs  Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett

12:40 PM  Toledo Waite  vs  Detroit Edison PSA

2:20 PM  Niles Brandywine  vs  Southfield

4:00 PM  Frankfort  vs  Saginaw Arthur Hill

5:40 PM  North Farmington  vs  Lansing Everett

7:20 PM  Dewitt  vs  Wayne Memorial

9:00 PM   Detroit Public Safety  vs  Harper Woods 

Monday, December 28th

9:20 AM Saginaw  vs  Woodhaven 

11:00 AM  Clio  vs  St. Ignace LaSalle 

12:40 PM  Saginaw Arthur Hill  vs  Utica Ford

2:20 PM  Detroit Martin L. King  vs  East Chicago (IN) Central

4:00 PM  Flint Powers vs Bay City John Glenn

5:40 PM  Saginaw Nouvel  vs  St. John

7:20 PM  Okemos  vs  Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy

9:00 PM  Detroit Edison PSA  vs  Pontiac

Tuesday, December 29th 

9:20 AM    East Chicago (IN) Central  vs  Detroit Cass Tech

11:00 AM  Port Huron Northern  vs  Saginaw Nouvel

12:40 PM  Williamston  vs  Muskegon Mona Shores

2:20 PM   Saginaw Heritage  vs  Beverly Hills Detroit Country Day

4:00 PM   Ludington  vs  Midland

5:40 PM   Manistee  vs  Ypsilanti Arbor Prep

7:20 PM   Solon (OH)  vs  Detroit Martin L. King

9:00 PM   Woodhaven vs Oak Park

Wednesday, December 30th 

9:20 AM   Farmington Hills Harrison  vs  Ludington

11:00 AM  Williamston vs Flint Carman-Anisworth

12:40 PM  Detroit Renaissance  vs  Manistee

2:20 PM Muskegon Mona Shores vs Midland Dow

4:00 PM  Beverly Hills Detroit Country Day  vs  Solon (OH)

 5:40 PM  Bay City John Glenn  vs  Kalamazoo Central

7:20 PM  Africentric (OH) vs  Ann Arbor Huron 

9:00 PM  Madison Heights vs  Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett

THE 2015 MOTOR CITY ROUNDBALL CLASSIC

GIRL GAMES WILL ALL BE PLAYED AT:

DETROIT EDISON PUBLIC SCHOOL ACADEMY

1903 WILKINS STREET - DETROIT, MI 48207