A look at the CAAC Blue, this year and next
Grand Ledge poised to do big things in 09
By Gavin Raath
29 June 2008
greatlakeshoops.com
This Year:
1. Jackson
2. Holt
3. Grand Ledge
4. East Lansing
5. Okemos
6. Lansing Eastern
7. Lansing Everett
All Conference Team
Starters:
Darryll Stinson 66 Senior Jackson
Charlie Woods 66 Senior East Lansing
LaDontae Henton 65 Freshman Lansing Eastern
Joe Powers 62 Senior Holt
Ryan Erickson 60 Senior Okemos
Bench:
Travis Bader 61 Junior Okemos
Adarius Beard 59 Junior Lansing Everett
Demarcus Boysaw 67 Senior Jackson
Joe Estrada 63 Junior Grand Ledge
Virgil McGuire 58 Junior Jackson
Rashawn Molden 63 Senior Holt
Jordan Schafer 64 Senior Grand Ledge
Next Year:
1. Grand Ledge
2. Okemos
3. East Lansing
4. Holt
5. Lansing Eastern
6. Jackson
7. Lansing Everett
All Conference Team
Starters:
Jon Horford 68 Junior Grand Ledge
LaDontae Henton 65 Sophomore Lansing Eastern
Travis Bader 61 Senior Okemos
Joe Estrada 63 Senior Grand Ledge
Donlunto Jackson 58 Junior Holt
Bench:
Adarius Beard 59 Senior Lansing Everett
Cole Darling 66 Junior Holt
Kai Goldynia 62 Senior Okemos
Tyreshe Knox 59 Senior Lansing Eastern
Mason Maurer 64 Senior Grand Ledge
Virgil McGuire 58 Senior Jackson
Darickieo Stewart 510 Senior Lansing Eastern
East Lansing
No one does more with less than Coach Fleming. Thats not to say that EL lacks talent, but it also shouldnt make it to the semi-finals against Saginaw. Im not sure if it matters who is on the floor, just so long as there are five guys that can buy into the coachs system. Luckily next year hell have some good ones. Eric Smith, Tyreshe Knox and Brian Spencer return to make a formidable perimeter. Inside, it may be a pair of youngsters taking over for Charlie Woods in 65 junior Spencer OHara and 64 junior Sam Whelan. More will be expected of a pair of forwards in Keyante Saxon and Wes Dolen.
Grand Ledge
GL is in a great position to take the CAAC. Jon Horford and Mason Maurer give them a talented post, while stud guard Joe Estrada and backcourt mate Steve Greenidge return to pace the team. Guards Steve Kingery and Tony Wieber return to provide depth. Maurer and Horford are talented, but need to play tough in order to take the crown in a gritty conference like the CAAC. A guy like bulky 63 center Todd Spangler may play a key role. They have the most talent.
Holt
I cant believe Joe Powers graduated. It seems like his been a Ram for a decade and Im not sure if Ill recognize this team without him. Holt actually could be in trouble this year. Junior point guard Donlunto Jackson is extremely talented and should shine next year. Zach Kramer should figure in during his senior year. Junior Cole Darling was a nice surprise this year and his improvement should give Holt the post presence it lacked this season. He could be a division one recruit. Its a new era for the Rams.
Jackson
Darryll Stinson and Demarcus Boysaw leave a huge hole inside for Jackson. Luckily their perimeter will be strong. Virgil McGuire is a witch at point guard and Jalen Jarrett will join him to make for a lightning quick backcourt. Wing Daniel Hall will be expected to have a big season. With the right game plan, Jackson will be tough.
Lansing Eastern
Eastern may have a bone to pick with me after writing that Grand Ledge has the most talented team; after all, it will return first team all stater LaDontae Henton. Henton should remind some of former Flint Northwestern star Kelvin Torbert. Slasher Darickieo Stewart helps to carry the load offensively. If 66 junior improves between now and next season, then Eastern could have one of the more balanced teams around.
Lansing Everett
Everett has certainly seen better days. Coach Jones returns two nice players in Adarius Beard and Lavelle Walker, and a pair of big time athletes Devon Beauford and Reggie Williams. What will come of it is a big question mark.
Okemos
All things considered Okemos did pretty well considering the odds it faced last season. This year they should boast a strong perimeter with wings Travis Bader and Kai Goldynia torching the nets from deep. Allen Swihart and 59 sophomore Mack McKearney should duke it out for the starting point guard spot. The post has a nice rotation between 63 junior Mitch Asmus, 64 senior Matt MacKenzie, and 63 junior Matt Morgan. Coach Stolz should be looking at a pretty good year.