FLINT, Michigan — Down nearly 20 points in the first half, Team Detroit drilled Dorian’s Pride in the second half to win the first annual Great Lakes Summer Championship in the U-16 division, 82-71.
Flint Beecher may just have the best backcourt in the state this coming season after what I saw today. Sophomore to be Monte Morris and junior-to-be Antuan Burks dominated this game in the second half on both ends of the floor. Burks is a tireless defender and Morris is a straight killer with the ball. The pair, along with another Flint area guard, Denzel Watts (Flint C-A), spearheaded the comeback. Watts might not be as explosive as some of the other guards in his class, but physically he’s on another level.
Flint Powers junior-to-be Javontae Hawkins had a very poor outing in the finale, but had a great tournament overall. For the basketball pundits who continually label Hawkins as a shooter, please stop. You’re doing him a disservice. Please wait until he really develops a consistent outside shot before granting him that moniker.
Dorian’s Pride is the more talented of the two teams, at least when it’s at full strength. Pride was without Steve Haney Jr. (Lansing Eastern) and Matt Costello (Bay City Western). Their best and most efficient player was 6-3 Rochester junior Taylor Perry, who recently picked up an offer from Western Michigan. He’s a high-energy player who’s way more advanced than I had imagined. Nice mid-range game. 6-6 Saginaw junior-to-be Kevin Marshall was also a pleasant surprise. He’s filled out a little and showed the ability to make the turnaround in the paint against TD.
5-11 sophomore-to-be Richie Lewis (Flint Northern) had a nice first half against TD, showing off some range on his outside shot. I was surprised, however, to see him getting beat off the dribble against the Beecher guards. Junior-to-be Anton Wilson (Flint C-A), a 6-4 small forward, also had a strong first half for Pride. Physically, he reminds me of former Flint Northern all-stater Jaquan Hart –tall, lanky and somewhat frail. He also shoots like Hart, who was among the best shooters in the state as a senior. Hart never filled out, or panned out. Here’s hoping Wilson does. He has great potential.
Morris led all scorers with 20. Watts added 15 for TD and Wilson led Pride with 18.
As if you hadn’t noticed, these Saginaw and Detroit-based programs are loaded with Flint talent. Things are looking up around here.