A
look at the Big Nine, this year and next...
Breslin run should keep Powers on top
11 April 2008
greatlakeshoops.com
This Year:
1. Flint Carman Ainsworth
2. Grand Blanc
3. Flint Powers Catholic
4. Davison
5. Flushing
6. Flint Kearsley
.jpg)
All Conference Team
Starters:
Demondre Chapman 6’5” Sophomore Flint Carman-Ainsworth
Tyler Moreland [left] 6’3” Senior Flint Powers Catholic Central
Shane Moreland 6’2” Junior Flint Powers Catholic Central
Kieon Arkwright 6’0” Senior Flint Carman-Ainsworth
Adrian Hunter [right] 5’11” Senior Grand Blanc – Conference Player of the Year
Bench:
Aaron Badour 6’5” Senior Davison
Tony Jones 5’10” Sophomore Grand Blanc
Jeff Kline 6’4” Junior Flushing
Jon Lee [right] 6’1” Senior Flint Carman-Ainsworth
Patrick O’Brien 6’3” Sophomore Flint Powers Catholic
Reggie Stallings
6’3” Senior Flint Carman-Ainsworth.JPG)
Travis Treib 6’5” Junior Flushing
The Big Nine continues to dwindle with the loss of Flint Kearsley to the Flint Metro, but it’s an even tougher conference now. C-A was by far the most talented team in-conference this year and was close state-wide, thanks to a few suspicious transfers, but didn’t quite live up to expectations. Grand Blanc did great revolving around super senior Adrian Hunter and a scrappy group of youngsters. How they managed to sweep Powers, I will never know. Powers, despite being third in conference, almost went on to win the class B state title. Davison came within striking distance of some great teams, but just couldn’t close. I can’t help but think that the five-in, five-out thing backfires in close games. If guys like Tyler Sauer played a little more, then I really believe they could have beat teams like Detroit Country Day. Flushing seems to be missing something, and it’s not just Rodney Anderson. Kearsley was in the basement yet again, the move might be the best thing for them. I really hope the remaining five link up with the SVL, but as it is this is a tough conference to find wins in. Here’s a portrait of how next year should look:
Next Year:
1. Flint Powers Catholic
2. Grand Blanc
3. Flint Carman-Ainsworth
4. Davison
5. Flushing
Starters:
Travis Treib 6’5” Senior Flushing
Demondre Chapman 6’6” Junior Flint Carman-Ainsworth
Patrick O’Brien 6’3” Junior Flint Powers Catholic Central
Shane Moreland 6’2” Senior Flint Powers Catholic Central – Conference Player of the Year
Tony Jones 5’11” Junior Grand Blanc
Bench:
Glenn Cosey 5’11” Junior Flint Carman-Ainsworth
Jeff Kline 6’3” Senior Flushing
Patrick Lucas-Perry 5’11” Sophomore Flint Powers Catholic Central
Kevin Pickens 6’2” Junior Flint Powers Catholic Central
Ryan Schultz 6’4” Senior Davison
Daniel Thwing [right] 6’3” Senior Davison
Mitchel Vallie 6’4” Junior Grand Blanc
Davison
Davison loses its post next season, but this could be a fast, high-powered offense. This is one of the most athletic Cardinal squads in some time with a perimeter that includes burners Daniel Thwing [right] and Torey LaFerney. Ryan Schultz is due for a break-out year. He’s long, athletic and will be their best option inside. They’ll be competitive as usual.
Flint Carman-Ainsworth
C-A revolved around the perimeter this season, next year it will be the post’s chance to shine. Demondre Chapman did well last season, but should be even more successful in his junior year. He’s a strong, freakish kid that just needs polish. Jaylen Larry [left] is another big junior that has a soft touch around the basket. This pair should dominate the remaining Big Nine teams inside. Just imagine how good they could be if Terrance Keaton were eligible in his senior year. The perimeter will be inexperienced, but still talented. Glenn Cosey will do fine at point guard, up from the JV. Coach’s son, Kevin Root is a solid shooter that could be a nice kick-out guy for the post, and Marquel Ponder is a small, but cat-quick guard. If the perimeter holds up, then C-A could challenge for another conference title.
Flint Powers Catholic
My pick to win the conference next year is the Chargers. They return some nice players including two of the top players in class B from last season in Shane Moreland and Patrick O’Brien. Moreland could be the top guard in the Flint-area next season. O’Brien is on the same track as Moreland in terms of greatness. Demarco Sanders [below] and Patrick Lucas-Perry improved with every game last year and should join Moreland on the perimeter. Kevin Pickens and transfer Rodney Anderson will rotate inside with O’Brien. There’s a very good chance that they could go back to the Breslin next season.
.JPG)
Flushing
Coach Simons needs to recover the competitive edge that used to characterize Flushing athletics. Last year, the brightest spot was Travis Treib, but he’ll need others to step up. Jeff Kline looked poised for greatness as a sophomore, but fell off this year. He’s athletic enough to be a difference maker. Junior Brandon Weber could be the answer at point guard. He’s a strong and athletic kid that puts a lot of effort in his game. Next year Flushing will need more from him to be competitive.
Grand Blanc
The surprise team of this year was Grand Blanc. The Bobcats lose the best player in the Big Nine, but return some nice guys. Returning starters Tony Jones [left], William Sams and Mitchel Vallie were impressive as sophomores and will be even better next year. Jones in particular could be something special. New coach Chris Belcher seems to have these guys heading in the right direction.