The Mr. Basketball competition for 2012 is becoming more
defined. Although this award is given to
the state’s “top” senior, the best players in Michigan very well could be
underclassmen. This year’s likely ballot
consists of 5 big name players that should be impact players on the next
level.
5. Vincent Hunter Detroit Consortium Class C, committed to
UTEP
The 6’7” wing is leading one of the most talented teams in
the entire state. Hunter is scoring 21
ppg while averaging 14 rebounds every contest.
He currently plays more of a power forward role, and is mostly
indefensible in Class C. While Hunter
will need to continue to improve his perimeter game for college, he will
continue to put up big numbers against the smaller schools. He reminds me of a less talented LaDonte
Henton from Lansing Eastern (currently at Providence). Consortium just upset Detroit Country Day, one
of the current Class B favorites. Hunter
will have to continue to put up big numbers against notable teams like Romulus and
Detroit Community to get people to notice his name more.
4. Khalil Felder Detroit Pershing Class A, committed to
Oakland
The 5’9” point guard has emerged as the best player on a
Doughboy roster loaded with talented guards.
Felder is currently averaging 23 ppg, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists. Pershing is looking like the favorite in
Class A if Felder can stay healthy. The
Doughboy offense looks completely different in the 3 games Felder missed so
far. From what I have seen from Khalil,
if he was 2+ inches taller with the same skill set he would be one of the
highest rated recruits in the country.
Even at 5’9”, Oakland has themselves their point guard of the future.
3. James Young Rochester Class A, committed to Kentucky
Young is a 6’7” wing player that is rated as the 6th
best player in the country, according to ESPN.
Just going by recruiting rankings, Young is the highest rated player I have
seen live. This “should” mean he is the
best player I have seen. However, I am
just not a big James Young fan at this point in his career. While Young does average 26 ppg and around 7
rebounds, it usually takes him 18+ shots per game to get his points. It seems that he is just skimming his
basketball potential, but he looks content at that. Young takes multiple plays off on the
defensive end, and just hides on the perimeter during some offensive possessions. While Derrick Walton is lower on the
rankings, and at least 5 inches shorter, he completely outplayed Young in their
matchup. James Young finished with 21
points, on 26 shots. Walton played
stronger and was able to keep Young at the 3 point line. The more disappointing thing was that the
number 6 player in the country did not match up with Walton on the defensive
side. I think there is a reason that the local teams are letting Young pass under
their nose.
2. Derrick Walton Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy Class
B, committed to Michigan
This is where the Mr. Basketball competition becomes a
popularity contest. I believe Walton is
the best senior basketball player in the state of Michigan. He continues to improve as a distributor, and
is CPA’s best defender. Of course Walton
also has a killer jump shot and can score at will in the Academy league. So far, Derrick is averaging 24 points per
game, 7 assists, 4 steals, and only turning the ball over twice per contest.
After sitting out a game with concussion-like symptoms, he came back with a 21
point 20 assist game in a 62 point win.
Yes, the competition was lacking, but 20 assists in a 32 minute high
school game is pretty impressive. While
Walton might be robbed of the state’s top honor, leading his CPA team to a
state championship in Class B would be an amazing feat.
1. Monte Morris Flint Beecher Class C, committed to Iowa
State
Michigan offered Morris and Walton at their summer camp
before each of their junior seasons.
Walton committed first, and Michigan could not take 2 point guards in
the same class. So, Iowa State is
getting a very good basketball player.
Most people in the state should know who Morris is at this point. He has led his team to the state semifinals
the past 3 seasons, with Beecher completing their first undefeated season last
year. And this year is supposed to be
the better team. The Buc’s 38 game
winning streak was just snapped by a valiant come back by Class A favorite,
Pershing. Morris is the walking triple
double, averaging 20 points, 10 rebounds, 9 assists so far. I really like the way Man Man plays the game,
since he makes his teammates better.
While he could score closer to 30 a game if needed, getting other guys
involved and picking up wins is more important.
This year’s Class C battle between Consortium and Beecher will be the
best of any class, too bad this game will likely be played in Regional Finals
and not at the Breslin. These teams are
the best two Class C has seen is quite some time.
I personally think the Mr. Basketball battle comes down to
the two point guards. I think Walton and
Morris are the most deserving. As I mentioned
before, I think Walton is the better basketball player, but nobody can argue
with the success Morris has had in his career. I am definitely rooting for both Flint Beecher
and Chandler Park to win a state title, because it will be mostly on the backs
of the two best players in the state.
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