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LBI Event Recap: Motor City Roundball Classic

By Jason Wilkins @LBinsider, 01/01/18, 9:45PM EST

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Holiday Hoops In The Motor City

Detroit, MI: The most extended and significant holiday event in the state of Michigan, the 23rd Annual Motor City Round Ball Classic took place this past week at the former Detroit Northwestern High School, now Detroit Collegiate Prep.  Schools from all over the state of Michigan, and a few schools from Ohio, battled the cold weather throughout the week to once again make this the place the to be for any basketball fan. College Coaches from all levels were in attendance along with the LBI staff.

Here is a list of the top performers:

5'8" SG Desiree Jackson 2021: Detroit Cass Tech HS
Jackson was surprisingly good in the Technicians upset 59-58 victory over River Rouge.  Jackson had a team 17 points and an array of rebounds and assists throughout the game that helped lead her team to the huge win. I was most impressed how the youngster handled the Panthers pressure defense as she either attacked the basket hard for a finish, or dumped it off to a teammate for an easy score. Jackson is a kid that has a future at the next level as she continues to improve her overall skill set.

5'7" SG Moriyah Hamell 2019: River Rouge HS
Tough, Tough, Tough. Hamell kept her team in the game against Cass Tech playing actively on both ends of the court. On the offensive end, she got into the paint off the dribble at will finishing at the rim through contact, making several three-point plays to rally her team from being down as many 15 points. Defensively, she's a ball hawk, as she played great on the ball and off the ball defense. No matter where she was, Hamell was a factor on the court. She led the Panthers with 24 points, and many of those points came from just merely out hustling everyone on the court.

5'7" CG Imani Thompson 2018: Flint Beecher HS
Thompson was one of the best players in the gym on Day 2 of the Motor City Roundball Classic. She was very efficient running the show for the Lady Bucs. Thompson displayed good vision and quickness in the open floor that led to some easy transition points for herself and teammates. She's very unselfish which makes her difficult to defend and she is willing to mix it up on the defensive end as she rebounds well on both ends. She finished the night with 14 points and eight assists. Imani is one of the top uncommitted kids in Michigan's class of 2018.

5'7" PG Jasmine Powell 2019: Detroit Country Day HS
Powell continues to impress everyone in the gym every time she steps on the court.  The ultra-quick point guard had a team-high 19 points and dished out twelve assists to help the defending Class B State Champions Country Day to a convincing 19 point victory over Bishop Hartley (OH). Powell has improved her perimeter shooting and is shooting with high confidence as she knocked down three triples on the night. She picked up a Big East offer last week, and if she continues to play like this, she will be receiving a few more in due time.

6’0” PF Maxine Moore 2018: Detroit Country Day HS (Signed with Western Michigan University)
With plenty of quality shooters on the DCDS roster, you may not see Moore on the high end of the stat sheet for points, but her presence on the floor is key and a major part of what makes DCDS such a prominent team. She is a vocal leader, and a physical force to be reckoned with under the basket. Moore cleaned up on the offensive glass scoring almost all of her 14 points on put backs and at the free throw line in the win over Bishop Hartley. Moore does the dirty work! With the ability to score inside and out, she is capable of scoring high numbers any night, however, Max’s high basketball IQ motivates her to do whatever is necessary to help her team to victory.

5’7” PG Kaela Webb 2018: Detroit County Day HS (Signed with Providence College)
Webb can flat out play. The senior guard had two solid games in the course of the tournament earning MVP in the Friday night victory over Olentangy Liberty of Ohio. Kaela shot the ball well, slashed to the basket aggressively and played spirited defense on the night. The Miss Basketball candidate showed why she is a top contender as she displayed not only her ability to score the ball in various ways, but she also showed great toughness as she was double teamed and knocked to the floor on more than one occasion. Bruised and battered, Webb got up and she led her team to a convincing win.

5'11" CG Kennedy Taylor 2018: Bishop Hartley HS (OH) (Signed with Miami of Ohio)
The more talented Yellowjackets overmatched her team, but Taylor was the main reason that her team had any chance of staying in the game. The future Miami of Ohio Redhawk pumped in a game 28 points as she was able to get into the paint and convert at a high rate. Taylor showed that she could be more than just a slasher as she drilled several deep shots when her defender gave her space. She is the primary ball handler for her squad which sometimes takes away from her scoring opportunities, but she still gets it done.

6’1” PF Shine Strickland 2019: Saginaw Heritage HS
Strickland gets better each time I see her. Known for her great athleticism, Shine has always run the floor well and been active on the boards. But now, her game has elevated to higher heights. Added to her impressive athletic ability is a strong post game and the ability to catch and score. She has also been working on her outside shot and connecting more consistently on the elbow. Shine finished with 21 points on the night and was game MVP. Already receiving several Division I offers, look for Strickland to continue her success and turn the heads of more college coaches throughout the season.

5’9” PG Moriah Joiner 2019: Saginaw Heritage HS
Mo Joiner is a coach’s dream! She plays the game with strength, tenacity, and skill. Joiner, has great court awareness and makes the right play whenever the ball is in her hands. She can get to basket and finish with contact, hit the open shot, and deliver the ball to her teammates with accuracy. Moe is an all-around player who is tough as nails. The rising junior scored 15 points, grabbed ten rebounds and made nine assists on the night. Joiner has multiple Division I offers.

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