Get with the Program

1 November 2006

FLINT--The 21^st century has been good for the Mott Basketball Bears—real good. Since 2000, Coach Steve Schmidt’s Bears haven’t won fewer than 25 games in a season, amassing a record of 178-31 that includes a national championship and two runner-up trophies. Schmidt’s record speaks for itself, loud and clear.

But, for those of you who are hard of hearing, let me relay the message: The top junior college basketball program in the nation is right here in our backyard.

Get with the program, Flint.

This year’s team just might be Mott’s most talented. A highly anticipated crop of freshmen, including a top-rated combo guard from Chicago, Jeremie Simmons (pictured lower left), and an athletic forward from Detroit, Thomas Kennedy, lead a strong group of freshmen that includes Detroit-area guards Willie Mustin and Darius Brents. The group is rounded out by another highly-touted guard from Chicago, LaMarr Drake, and two late additions to Mott’s roster, guard Alvin Pegues (NY) and forward Adam Howard from Ortonville Brandon.

“Every one of these kids has an opportunity to contribute,” Schmidt said. “It’s probably the deepest team I’ve had in years.”

These newcomers are the perfect compliment to Schmidt’s core of dependable sophomores.

“My five sophomores have the best leadership qualities of any group I’ve ever had” Schmidt said. “They’ve helped the freshmen understand what it means to be a part of this program.”

Let me let you in on a little secret. It means hard work on the court and in the classroom.

“We work hard…Coach Schmidt is very intense” said sophomore forward, and former Flint Northern Viking, Kevin Tiggs.

But Schmidt doesn’t want his players to leave that intensity on the hardwood. They know that if they don’t perform in the classroom, they won’t have a chance to shine on the floor.

“Our program stresses accountability both on and off the floor” Schmidt said. “We strive to get our players’ best effort and work to develop habits that will benefit them for the rest of their lives.”

Turning out good players and solid young men is what this program is all about; and this year’s team is vintage Mott in every sense of the word. “We are going to be a classic Mott team” said high-flying sophomore Terrence Watson. “We can spread the floor and shoot threes.”

But that’s not all they can do. Schmidt’s system of interchangeable parts creates mismatches by emphasizing guard skills at all five positions.

“Our big men are too athletic for most post players and too big and strong for most guards” said Schmidt. “They (Tiggs and Watson) remind me of two of the top kids I’ve had.”

Those players, Jay Youngblood and Jerel Allen, both went on to play division one basketball—a dream that most every kid who comes to Mott shares; that, and winning a national championship.

“I see these sophomores as having a chance to reach for their dreams…all five of them” Coach Schmidt said with a smile.

It is a smile that belies the true extent of Schmidt’s enthusiasm. The 2006-2007 Bears could be something special.

The Mott Men open their season with four consecutive home games starting with Mohawk tonight at 7:00. The opener is followed by the must-see game of the year for basketball fans in the Flint-area when #4 ranked Owens CC comes to Ballenger Field House to take on the #1 ranked Bears at 7:30 on Saturday night.

Sophomores at a Glance:

Terrance Watson, 6’5’’ F Detroit Murray Wright

Kevin Tiggs 6’4’’ G/F Flint Northern

Greg Hamlin 6’7’’ F Flint Northern

Lorenzo McClelland 6’1’’ G Oak Park

Rob Giles 6’4’’ G/F Detroit Crockett

Some facts that might interest my hoop junkie friends:

--This year's Mott squad has somewhere in the area of eight D-1 caliber players. Come see a game or two, and see if you can guess who they are.

--Would you like dunks with that? Name the dunk and I can find you the guy to do it. Just this morning I saw sophomore G/F Rob Giles thrown one down from between his legs--no problem. But, if freaky vertical jumps are more your taste, you might want to check out 6'1'' sophomore guard Lorenzo McClelland.

--Ever heard of Derrick Rose? I'm sure you have. For those of you who don't know, he is one of the most sought-after high school seniors in the nation. Were it not for the new NBA rules regarding high-schoolers and the draft, Rose would be there next year. So, what does this have to do with Mott? Well, thanks for asking. Mott's Jeremie Simmons, remember that name, scored 34 points on Rose's Simeon squad last year. But, you wouldn't hear that from him. (That's what I'm here for.) You want a mind-image of his game? Think Chris Paul.

--After a huge performance this past summer in Tulsa, Oklahoma, sophomore Rob Giles emerged as, perhaps, the Bears' most sought-after prospect. There were a lot of coaches and recruiters in a attendance in Tulsa, so Giles picked the right venue to show off his wares. His release is cat-quick like Dell Curry--did I just age myself? Giles can stretch defenses with his great range.

--Sophomore Terrance Watson, when it's all said and done, is going to land a big-time scholarship. I would say "mark it down", but I think such a prediction is tantamount to projecting the Lions to finish below .500 this year. Watson is a tremendous athlete, with a great basketball demeanor--oh, and a seven-foot wingspan. Rebounding against TW just isn't fair. He is already being recruited by the University of Houston, Bradley, UNC-Charlotte, Wright State and others. Think Scottie Pippen with a little bit of Ben Wallace's grit.