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

“Southfield A&T rolls pass Henry Ford in Big Win”

Friday, December 15, 2016

Detroit Edison Public School Academy

The 7th Annual Best of Michigan Holiday Classic kicked-off this weekend Friday evening with a game between the Warriors of Southfield A&T and the Aviators of Henry Ford Academy. The Best of Michigan Classic features some of the top teams and players from Michigan and a few from our neighbors from the south, Ohio and Illinois. College coaches from every level fill the restricted area with pen and pad in hand, checking out so of the state’s top recruits.

From the start of the game Southfield would control the game’s tempo. They pretty much got to take any shot they wanted and did a good job of keeping Henry Ford from scoring/ However Henry Ford would start to show a glimpse of life, scoring five consecutive points and only being down by three points. The Aviator’s run was quickly ended when University of Michigan signee Deja Church knocked down three-three point shots, after tweaking her ankle earlier in the game.

The second half once again belonged to Southfield. No matter how hard Henry Ford fought, they just could not seem to get over the hump. Before the Aviators knew it, they were down by fifteen or more points and two of their best players had fouled out. Southfield battled inside and did not allow Henry Ford’s two sox footers to dominate the paint. This effort helped them walk away victorious.

Leading Scorers: Southfield A&T: Church 24, Franklin 10, Holliman 10; Henry Ford: Bridgewater 15, Williams 10, Whitford 10

Game and Team Highlights

Southfield A&T:

• Southfield looked really good on the defensive end. They crashed the boards and did a good job of communicating on defense.
• Nine out of thirteen players scored for the Warriors. If they can consistently rebound, they will be tough to beat.

Henry Ford Academy:

• The Aviators need to get there front court more involved offensively. There were times when they had their defender on their back but no one gave them the ball.
• Confidence is everything. The Avaiators’ confidence in themselves and each other needs to show more during the game.   

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

“Detroit Edison is All Gas and No Brakes in Victory of Whitney Young”

Friday, December 15, 2016

Detroit Edison Public School Academy

Game two on Friday night was the highly anticipated matchup of nationally ranked Rickea Jackson and the Detroit Edison Pioneers against Illinois’ own Whitney Young Dolphins.

The young athletic Pioneers hit the ground running, starting the game on an 8-0 run within the first two minutes of the 1st quarter, causing Whitney Young to call a timeout and regroup. Edison ran the court almost perfectly, forcing Whitney Young to rush and miss easy shots. Edison also executed in transition, moving the ball quickly up the court and ending the quarter with four players in the book and outscoring the Dolphins without Jackson playing at all. Much like game one of the Best of Michigan Holiday Classic, the second quarter would ultimately decide the game. Whitney Young struggled to score and would finish the half with only six additional points and Edison on a 9-0 run, with freshman wing Gabrielle Elliot scoring seven of them.

The Dolphins would not go away quietly. Shots that they were unable to make in the first half were now finding their way inside the basket. Point guard Breann Beck did a great job of seeing the court and making some amazing passes to her teammates. Edison would suffer a huge blow when freshman point guard and floor general Daija Tyson left the game with what appeared to be a hamstring injury. Whitney Young failed to capitalize with Tyson off the court, despite being only separated by just one point in the second half. Edison withstood Whitney Young’s power punch and would leave the gym winners. Both teams will play again on day two at the Best of Michigan Classic. Detroit Edison will face Okemos at 6:00pm, while Whitney Young will play against Detroit Country Day at 9:20pm.

Leading Scorers: Whitney Young: Beck 13, D. Williams 10, C. Williams; Detroit Edison: Elliot 19, Jackson 18, Wagner 10

Game and Team Highlights

Whitney Young:

• The Dolphins took a minute to get loose and it showed. They have to play with the same energy and effort both halves of the game if they want to head home 1-1 and not 0-2.
• Breann Beck’s passing ability and decision making was very impressive. She is a true point guard.

Detroit Edison:

• This team gets better every time I see them play. It’s hard to believe that their top players are primarily freshmen and sophomores.
• Run, run and run some more! Utilizing their athleticism and quickness will be one of the major keys I the Pioneers finishing the weekend 2-0.