Boys 1997

Taking a look at the pre-season top ranked teams participating in the 20th Annual Motor City Roundball Classic.

Team Page (Team info, Schedule, Results, Stats)

19. Saginaw  2013-14 record: 16-8.

Outlook: The Trojans are not as big as they would have been had 6-6 Algevon Eichelberger not left to play for a club team in California, but The High never has a down year. Point guard Ron’Quavious Southward had an amazing tournament run as a freshman last March. Javon Pratt will lead the team in steals because he has a knack for getting his hands into passing lanes. Thomas Stuckey-Essex, 6-7, is an excellent rebounder and shot-blocker. Sophomore Eddie Thigpen, 6-5, was a big-time scorer on an undefeated junior varsity team last season. Marcus Baker is a talented combo guard, and 6-8 Tarrence Crumpton will be a rebounder and shot-blocker in the post. Detroit Free Press

Saginaw Trojans

Coach: Julian Taylor (4^th year, 64-14)

2013-14: 16-8 overall, 11-3 SVL North

Key players: Ronquavious Southward, so.; Javon Pratt, sr.; Thomas Stuckey, sr.; Eddie Thigpen Jr., so.; Terrance Crumptun, jr.; Day’Lontre Brooks, sr.; Jordan Caffey, jr.

2014-15 overview: The Trojans graduated a wealth of experience, but Southward is the future floor general and the future is now. He started the last half of 2013-14 as a freshman on Saginaw’s third straight district championship winning team. Pratt and Stuckey had complimentary roles last season, but now they get a chance to become primary options. Thigpen, 6-foot-5, averaged 20 points a game for the Trojans’ undefeated junior varsity as a freshman, and Crumptun was a double-double machine at 6-foot-8. “We’re going to be an up and down team,” Taylor said. “Getting up and down the court, pressure the ball and playing man-to-man defense is going to be our strength. We’re really scrappy.” Saginaw has another deep team this year with the ability to go 10-deep on the bench without suffering a drop off. Mlive

Taking a look at the pre-season top ranked teams participating in the 20th Annual Motor City Roundball Classic.

Team Page (Team info, Schedule, Results, Stats)

6. Ann Arbor Huron  2013-14 record: 16-6.

Outlook: This team could be as talented as the 2010 version that reached the Class A final. Xavier Cochran, 6-6, averaged 17.8 points and six rebounds last season while hitting 40% of his three-point shots and has an excellent midrange game. Brian Walker, 6-6, scores from the perimeter, but also uses his strength to score in the paint. Jalen Thompson is a talented combo guard, and David Wren, 6-3, is a good decision-maker who can see all of the passing lanes. Landon Piazza, 6-4, is a workhorse who will rebound and score tough inside baskets. Savva Obertas will provide long-range scoring off the bench. Detroit Free Press

Ann Arbor Huron River Rats

Coach: Waleed Samaha , 12^th year.

2013-14 record: 16-6, 13-3 SEC.

Key players: Xavier Cochran (Sr., F), Brian Walker (Sr., G), Jalen Thompson(Sr., G), David Wren (Sr., G).

2013-14 review: Won the SEC Red; lost district final to Ann Arbor Skyline.

2014-15 overview: Huron looks like the team to beat in the SEC Red Division again this season, bringing back the majority of its 2013-14 squad. Leading the River Rats again will be Xavier Cochran, with a supporting cast of David Wren, Brian Walker and Jalen Thompson. The four seniors led Huron in scoring last season and come back with more confidence and chemistry.

Huron’s roster is senior-heavy with seven upperclassmen, three juniors and four sophomores. That experience will prove beneficial in a scheme that relies on an organized press from start to finish.

The River Rats took their SEC Red title back last season after Temperance Bedford snapped their five-year winning streak, and coach Waleed Samaha said his team plans to keep its top spot.

“We’ll be much better than last year,” Samaha said. “We were fitting into new roles and it was a new experience for a lot of guys. The boys are coming back with a lot of confidence and our newcomers will have a chance to contribute.” Mlive

Taking a look at the pre-season top ranked teams participating in the 20th Annual Motor City Roundball Classic.

Team Page (Team info, Schedule, Results, Stats)

21. River Rouge (13-10, Class B): Lamonta Stone, who guided River Rouge to consecutive Class B state titles in 1998-99, is back as head coach after assisting at Eastern Michigan, Ohio State and Bowling Green (Ohio). He will work with a group, led by his son, Lamonta (18 points, five assists at Bowling Green High) and 6-7 Jaylen Gibson.. Detroit News

9. River Rouge (13-10)
Coach LaMonta Stone returns home to River Rouge this year, 15 years after he left  the Panthers program after winning a Class B state championship in 1999. Bringing his son,LaMonta Stone II, along with him, River Rouge adds a great scoring threat at guard. Senior big man Jalin Gibson (6-foot-7), is a player that coach Stone wishes he had for four years because of his athleticism. There are a lot of new, high expectations surrounding this team. Mlive

20. River Rouge (Class B)- After years as an assistant coach in the college ranks, LaMonta Stone returns to River Rouge for the 2014-2015 season.  As the head man for the Panthers in 1999, Stone won the  Class B state championship.  Coach Stone brings with him to River Rouge son LaMonta III, who was regarded as one of Ohio’s best guards in the upcoming senior class.  At 5’10” LaMonta III will pair with 6’7″ Jalin Gibson, a bouncy, athletic hidden gem to give the Panthers a solid inside-outside presence.  If the Panthers are going to make a deep run this season, then senior guards Amir Poole, Tracy Freeman, and Mateeya Jones will have to make contributions as well to go along with 6’5″ junior forward Javon Lawrence, who will be eligible in January.  Rouge will be tested this season, with games scheduled against Muskegon, Consortium, Romulus, Flint Beecher and Allen Academy. The Prep Ball Report

Taking a look at the pre-season top ranked teams participating in the 20th Annual Motor City Roundball Classic.

Team Page (Team info, Schedule, Results, Stats)

13. Detroit Henry Ford (11-12, Class B): Five-10 point guard James Towns joins high-scoring Josh Davis (Western) to make a run for the PSL title. Detroit News

9. Detroit Henry Ford 2013-14 record: 13-8.

Outlook: There will be four three-year starters, so experience won’t be a problem — and neither will talent. Josh Davis (Western Michigan), 6-5, is a lights-out shooter who also will help inside. Junior James Towns is an attacking point guard who has added a pull-up jump shot. Antaun Carter is a defensive specialist who creates offense from his defense. Jamal Edwards is another threat from the perimeter. Junior Austin Hunter, 6-4, will have to be effective in the paint offensively and defensively for the Trojans to make a run in Class B. Detroit Free Press

Ford finished 2-7 in the league last year, but, like Western, should improve this season. Only three players graduated from last year's team. Among the returnees are juniorJames Towns, who was named third-team all-city last season, and Josh Davis(Western Michigan). Those two will look to help Ford compete with Western and Renaissance. Mlive

23. Detroit Henry Ford (Class B)- The Trojans are members of the always competitive Detroit Public Schools League.  However, as soon as the state playoffs begin, Ford could make a run to the Breslin Center.  6’4″ Western Michigan commit Josh Davis is one of the best perimeter shooters in the state, and 6’0″ James Towns is an aggressive floor general that finds ways to impact games on the defensive and offensive ends of the floor. Prep Ball Report