LIVONIA, Michigan — The Michigan Mustangs, long considered among the best AAU basketball programs in the Midwest, seems to have fallen on hard times. At the IPS Tournament in Metro Detroit on Saturday, the Mustangs lost twice to the Michigan Hurricanes (at the buzzer) and OAA Select.
It’s not as if the Mustangs are short on talent. They’re big, athletic and suit up the newest Spartan, Dwaun Anderson. In truth, they are three times more talented than OAA Select, which actually has a couple sophomores on its roster. OAA Select won for no other reason than they simply play harder, and as a team.
The victory for OAA Select is really a victory for all grassroots programs in the state. I love seeing the “name” programs get shot out. It’s a guilty pleasure.
A few names from IPS:
Ben Lanning (6-8 PF, Michigan Hurricanes): Big, long, athletic and skilled. I’m always suspicious of guys like Lanning, but he’s really good.
Gary Cooper (6-8 PG, Ohio Gators): Best and most dominant player I’ve seen this spring. Basically unstoppable.
Jordan Myrick (6-0 PG, GR Storm): He’s the class of the 2011 point guards. Wicked good ballhandler.
Josh Fugate (6-0 SG, OAA Select): Merely a good shooter at Holly, he’s turned into a great shooter this summer. Got the best of his friend and fellow sharpshooter Kody Chandler (ACB) in another big win.
Dwaun Anderson (6-4 SG, Mustangs): Uber athletic, but takes pains to prove to the fans on Spartan Tailgate that he can actually shoot. He really can’t. Still a great prospect.
Marquavis Ford (6-1 SG, Team Pride): Big-time talent. Quick, athletic and energetic. Didn’t show his full potential enough during the high school season.
Nathan Sauvola (6-4 SF, MM Lakers): Great inside/outside game. Skilled Euro-style forward. NAIAs and D-3s should be all over him.