7th Annual Best of Michigan Holiday Classic – Day 2/Game 1

Ann Arbor Huron vs. Macomb Dakota

“After a Tough Fight in OT, Huron Pulls out the Win”

Saturday, December 17, 2017

Detroit Edison Public School Academy

Game 1 of the second day of action at the Best of Michigan Holiday Classic featured Ann Arbor Huron River Rats vs. the Cougars of Macomb Dakota.

The first half of this game would seem to move in slow motion as both teams struggled to get points on the board and combining for only 24 points for the entire half. Huron maintained control of the game thanks to junior Shamim Wambree and senior point guard Kara Wilson. The third quarter would be much of the same until the last three minutes. Both teams’ intensity seem to increase and the game became more physical and interesting.

The fourth quarter was a pure clash of the Titans. Sparked by a run from Dakota that included a nice stop and pop from senior post J’May Simmons and some big shots from junior Tara Bieniewicz, the Cougars found themselves within arm’s reach. The River Rats would quickly respond with a three point shot from junior guard Sasha Thomas. Only down two, Bieniewicz fired up a three with only seven seconds on the clock. Her miss would be Lauren Szalai’s rebound and layup to send the game into overtime.

Overtime would belong to the River Rats. Before fouling out, Wilson would hit two straight shots to fire up her team and give them the game’s momentum. Dakota worked hard on defense but were troubled with turnovers and missed shots. Huron would claim the victory.

Leading Scorers: AA Huron: Wambree 16, Wilson 13; Macomb Dakota: Langolf 11, Simmons 11, Bieniewicz 10

Game and Team Highlights

Ann Arbor Huron:

• Huron plays well together. They trust their coach and each other and it shows. That trust enabled them to not stop fighting.
• It will be very important for the River Rats to make sure they involve Marsh and Wambree more in their offense to be successful.

Macomb Dakota:

• Dakota plays with a lot fight and energy. That mindset allowed them to never get down and stay in the game.
• The Cougars needed just one of the scorers to step up and take over. The offensive inconsistency ultimately cost them the game.  

7th Annual Best of Michigan Holiday Classic – Day 2/Game 2

Detroit King vs. Hartland

“King’s third quarter rally gives them the win over Hartland”

Saturday, December 17, 2016

Detroit Edison Public School Academy

Detroit King vs. Hartland would be the featured matchup in Game 2 of the Best of Michigan Holiday Classic. The Crusaders are filled with quickness and pure athleticism while the Eagles bring discipline and multiple skilled shooters to the game. This combined with over 50 years of coaching experience in Coach Don Palmer and Coach William Winfield, we knew that this would be a great game.

The first quarter was quickly hijacked by Hartland, dominating from the opening tip. Detroit Mercy signee Lexey Tobel would start the Eagles run with a deep three pointer. Junior guard Graysen Cockerham would follow suite, knocking down two threes of her own and getting the free throw line. King was awaken by the relentless play of senior and University of Illinois-Chicago signee Tia Tedford. Tedford would score 13 points in the second quarter, including three long range threes, and cut her team’s deficit down to six before the end of the half.

King would pick up where they left off, forcing Hartland to play their game. Sophomore Del’Janae Williams knocked down three free throws after being fouled while attempting a three point shot. Shortly after, junior Jordan Lewis would drill a huge three, tying the game in the middle of the 3rd quarter. The third quarter ghost would haunt the Eagles as they were only able to put six points in the book. Going into the final quarter of the game, King would have the lead and the momentum and never let it go. Hartland never seemed to recover, only scoring eight points in the 4th quarter and not being able to stop King defensively. King would walk away with the win and remain undefeated. 

Leading Scorers: King: Williams 15, Tedford 13, Norman 9 Lewis 9; Hartland: Cockerham 15, Sollom 9, Tobel 8

Game and Team Highlights

Detroit King:

• King started out slow but definitely didn’t stay that way. They locked down on defense and stayed focused and disciplined.
• The backcourt duo of Norman and Tedford was just too much for the Eagles. They had no one to match up against the quickness and toughness of these two.

Hartland:

• This was a great test for Hartland. They will face similar style teams in the playoffs. This showed them what they need to do to prepare.
• The Eagles needed a leader in the second half. Someone to take over the game offensively and vocally.  Coaches can only do so much.

7th Annual Best of Michigan Holiday Classic – Day 2/Game 3

Farmington Hills Harrison vs. Grosse Pointe Liggett

“Liggett falls to Harrison in Best of Michigan Matchup”

Saturday, December 17, 2016

Detroit Edison Public School Academy

Game 3 of the Best of Michigan Holiday Classic was the matchup of Farmington Hills Harrison vs. Grosse Pointe South Liggett. Harrison took command right away. They only allowed one field goal, and forced Colgate University signee Nia Ahart to get all of her points from the free throw line. Ahart would go 10-11 from the line in the first half. That is pretty much all the Knights would get. They were held to only nine 2nd quarter points and went into halftime down by 18. Senior Teddi Pickens caught fire for the Hawks and finished the first half with 14 points.

The second half would be a repeat of the first. Harrison would come out and right away take control of the game. In the second half for the Hawks it would be senior guard Nyla Warren that would show to be the team’s leader. She was the floor general and main scorer. Despite a 33 point effort from Ahart, Harrison would show to be too much for Liggett and they would get a huge win.

Leading Scorers: Harrison: Warren 30, Pickens 22, Perkins 17; Liggett: Ahart 33, Bandos 6

Game and Team Highlights

Harrison:

• Harrison is well coached and a hard working team. They never gave up and never seemed unfocused.
• The Hawks’ Warren and Pickens were very impressive. They combined for 52 points and Perkins was definitely the “clean-up” crew for her team. The majority of her points were from rebounding and getting second chance opportunities.

Liggett:

• The Knights will struggle to score all season if no one steps up to help Ahart. There has to be a second option in order for them to be successful.

7th Annual Best of Michigan Holiday Classic – Day 2/Game 4

Wayne Memorial vs. Muskegon Mona Shores

“Wayne Unable to Overcome 20 point Deficit, Mona Shores with the Win”

Saturday, December 16, 2016

Detroit Edison Public School Academy

Game 4 of the Best of Michigan Holiday Classic would be the Zebras from Wayne Memorial against the Sailors of Mona Shores. With multiple Division I players on both teams, the level of play in this game was expected to be at a high level and indeed it was.

Mona Shores started the game off going full speed and setting the tone early. Wayne seemed to be caught off guard and a little bit shaken. Highly recruited sophomore Alyza Winston kicked into high gear in the first quarter and would stay that way. No one could seem to stay in front of her. At the end of the 1st quarter, the Sailors would have a double digit lead and hold on to it for a while. Clemson commit junior Camree Clegg knocked down big shots to give her team a life line. It wouldn’t be quite enough and the Zebras would head into the break down by 16.

The third quarter would play out much like the first half. Mona Shores would strike first and force Wayne to rush shots and turn the ball over. Early in the 4th quarter, Clegg would have to exit the game with an injury and the Zebras seemed to take it personal. Sparked by sophomore sensation Janae Terry, Wayne would go on a 9-2 run and fight relentlessly to get back in the game. Despite cutting their 20 point deficit down to nine, their last minute efforts would not be enough to dig them out of the hole. Mona Shores gets the win.

Leading Scorers: Wayne Memorial: Clegg 18, Terry 17, Ziegler-Griggs 9; Mona Shores: Winston 21, Walker 18, Wehler 14

Game and Team Highlights

Wayne Memorial:

• If Wayne wants to make it far in the state tournament, Terry and Clegg have to find a way to get their engines clicking at the same time. They must force teams to pick their poison when they play them.
• Towards the end of the third quarter, Wayne looked defeated. They will face more tough teams during this season and they have to be mentally tough from beginning to end.

Mona Shores:

• It was good to see some of the role players for Mona Shores step up and be a threat on both ends of the court. This is vital to their success for the remainder of the season.
• Western Michigan signee Jordan Walker’s leadership was very impressive during the fourth quarter. During Wayne’s run, she kept her head, kept her team composed and pulled out the victory.

7th Annual Best of Michigan Holiday Classic – Day 2/Game 5

Port Huron Northern vs. Williamston

“Northern Plays Big and Wins Big Over Williamston”

Saturday, December 17, 2016

Detroit Edison Public School Academy

Game 5 of the Best of Michigan Holiday Classic would feature Port Huron Northern vs. Williamston. Both teams are excellent shooters and fundamentally strong. This was type of game where the unexpected was to be expected.

Port Huron walked onto the court with an aura of confidence surrounding them. They were focused and determined and it showed in their play. Williamston also seemed very focused and this was clear at the end of the first quarter with just one point separating the two teams. Northern quickly changed their game plan. They turned up the level of intensity of their defense, including a box & 1, face guarding junior stand-out guard Maddie Waters. The Huskies would hold Williamston to single digit points and go into halftime with the lead and momentum in their favor.

In the beginning of the third quarter, Williamston seemed to have gotten their spark back and went toe to toe with Northern. Both teams traded shots, big defensive stops and some pretty tough fouls. Sami Klink and Jenna Koppinger would hold down the fort for Northern from a scoring perspective and Kathleen O’Connor would step up as their floor leader. Going into the 4th quarter, it was all Northern. They got huge stops and made some great finishes in transition. Once again, they held Williamston to single digit scoring and held Waters to just three free throws. The Huskies win the game.

Leading Scorers: PH Northern: Klink 20, Koppinger 17, Keyes 11; Williamston: Watters 14, Basore 8

Game and Team Highlights

PH Northern:

• The fast pace and intense style of play by Northern put a smile on my face. Their tempo is as high level as it gets in high school; both myself and the scorer’s table had a hard time keeping up.
• Northern is not only disciplined, but unselfish. They know how to move the ball around to make sure they get the best shot.

Williamston:

• With Watters being faced guarded practically the entire game, someone has to step up offensively and relieve some of the attention and pressure from her.
• Willimaston has to finish the way they start. They ran out of gas at different points in the game and it showed in more ways than one.

7th Annual Best of Michigan Holiday Classic – Day 2/Game 6

Okemos vs. Detroit Edison

“Edison Too Much For Okemos”

Saturday, December 17, 2016

Detroit Edison Public School Academy

Okemos vs. Detroit Edison would be the matchup of Game 6 at the Best of Michigan Holiday Classic. Two of the top players in the class of 2019, Rickea Jackson (Edison) and Laya Hartman (Okemos), battling to give their team the win. Edison coming off of a hug win against Whitney Young on Friday evening, was looking to keep their momentum and undefeated streak going.

Within the first few minutes of the game, it appeared as though this would be the tough matchup that the entire gym was anticipating. That would be far from the case. The Pioneers jumped out on top of Okemos right away, not allowing the hot hand of Hartman to ever get lit. They also did a good job of keeping freshman wing/post Jasmine Clerkley from getting positioned on the block and doing what she does best. Jackson would lead her team into halftime with a double digit lead.

If anyone thought that Edison had given their best shot to Okemos, they were sadly mistaken. The Pioneers literally picked up where they left off, completely smothering the Chiefs defensively. Okemos would find themselves down by 30 in the middle of the fourth quarter and time working heavily against them. To make matters worse, Edison didn’t seem to be losing any stamina or fight. In the end, Edison would blow past Okemos and end their weekend 2-0, 5-0 overall.

Leading Scorers: Okemos: Klink 20, Koppinger 17, Keyes 11; Edison: Watters 14, Basore 8

Game and Team Highlights

Okemos:

• This was not a case of Okemos playing bad, but more of Edison playing that good. The Chiefs should pick themselves up quickly and prepare for the next battle. There was nothing they could do.
• Despite the score, Okemos played hard and together. They are a good solid team.

Edison:

• Tonight was definitely Edison’s night. Everything was clicking and the basketball gods were on their side.
• The Pioneers are a fun team to watch. It is amazing that their top players are freshmen and sophomores and all Division I and II kids…Class C better prepare!   

7th Annual Best of Michigan Holiday Classic – Day 2/Game 7

Dearborn Heights Robichaud vs. Toledo Rogers

“Toledo Rogers travels back to Ohio with a win”

Saturday, December 17, 2016

Detroit Edison Public School Academy

In Game 7 of the Best of Michigan Holiday Classic, Dearborn Heights Robichaud faced off against Toledo Rogers. Two athletic teams looking to win big for their home state. Each was team also bringing Division I sensations to the court.

Toledo Rogers’ sophomore phenom Zia Cooke would come out the gate on fire, at one point scoring 11 of her team’s 12 points early in the second quarter. Robichaud would have an answer of their own. Penn State signee Kamaria McDaniel would drive to the hoop at will, getting to the stripe three times in a row. Detroit Mercy signee Kayla Brown also helped keep Robichaud close by hitting two deep three point shots. At halftime, although Rogers had a five point lead, it was anybody’s game.

Opening up the third quarter, Cooke seemed to hit everything she put in the air. Rogers took their five point lead and quickly turned it into a ten point lead. Both Brown and McDaniel would give earnest efforts to get their team ahead, but they could never seem to get over the hump. Rogers dominated the boards and finished big shots in transition, slowly taking the air out of the Bulldogs. By the last minute of regulation, Robichuad was playing the fouling game. Rogers would go on to close out the game strong and get the victory.

Leading Scorers: Robichaud: McDaniel 26, Brown 18, Palmer 4; Rogers: Cooke 27, Amison 7

Game and Team Highlights

Robichaud:

• The Bulldogs played some of the best defense we have seen this year. However they must be able to do so and stay out of foul trouble.
• Moving the ball around will be key to Robichaud’s success this season. If they continue to be a “one pass and shoot” team, teams will shut them down easily.

Toledo Rogers:

• Cooke showed why she is rated #1 in her class. She is very athletic and makes great decisions with the ball.
• Rogers is a very athletic squad. Although they are smaller than the teams we’ve seen in the past, they play hard and crash the boards.

7th Annual Best of Michigan Holiday Classic – Day 2/Game 8

Detroit Country Day vs. Whitney Young (IL)

“Pitts gets a career high 50 points in win over Whitney”

Saturday, December 17, 2016

Detroit Edison Public School Academy

In the 8th and final game of the Best of Michigan Holiday Classic, Whitney Young would look to redeem themselves from their loss on evening night against Detroit Edison. In Saturday’s matchup, they would face off with Class B favorites, Detroit Country Day.

Early in the game, Country Day let it be known that they were there to handle business. Led by Minnesota signee Destiny Pitts’ four three pointers, Country Day would grab control of the game on both ends of the court. Breann Beck refused to let that happen and did what she could to keep Whitney Young alive. Whether it was dropping dimes or going coast to coast and finishing with a layup, Beck let her presence be known on the court. Her efforts would not be enough to stop the Yellow jackets and Whitney Young would go into half time down by the same amount of points they had on the board.

To start the second half, Whitney Young came out swinging, giving just as hard as they got from Country Day. However they could not stop the Yellowjackets, thus never removing the deficit that they were in. The Dolphins would never come close to getting back in the game. Country Day wins big and stays undefeated.

Leading Scorers: Whitney Young: Jones 16, Williams 10, Williams 10; Country Day: Pitts 50, Powell 9, Moore 7

Game and Team Highlights

Whitney Young:

• Communication on defense is big and Whitney Young often struggled in that area. If they start using their voices more, it will start to show in the amount of points they give up.
• The score doesn’t reflect the true nature of this team. They have some very talented player, who in some cases are also young.  

Detroit Country Day:

• Country Day is a phenomenal defensive team. They suffocate teams and allow their defense to be the driving force behind their offense.
• Pitts was absolutely amazing. She was the team leader that she always is, and still found a way to give her team 50 points.