MAC WHITE TEAM PREVIEWS

1. Roseville Panthers

2007-08: 15-7 (10-2 Blue) Lost to De La Salle in District Semi-final

Head Coach: Jeff Verkeyn (5^th Season)

Location: Roseville, Mi          

Enrollment: 2084

Key Losses: Erick Mack, Darrin Pierce

Overview:   The Panthers received fewer votes last preseason for MAC Blue champs then any other team in the conference within their respective division. Then they promptly went out and won 15 games, the division and pushed De La Salle to the end in the district playoffs. Now they are in the MAC white, a league which they struggled against in crossovers last year. However they return the core of the team in Gouch, Pointer and Williams all of whom have at least two seasons left. The loss of Erick Mack, a very under rated player last season and Darrin Pierce will be felt, but the maturation of the nucleus should more then make up for it. A lot of the team’s success will hinge of the role players and incoming players filling in the cracks so to speak.

   Junior Brandon Gouch, a third year starter, is this team’s leader and unquestionably one of the area’s best players and one of the states top juniors. With an all around game that has continuously improved since he debuted as a freshman Gouch returns over 18 points, 5 rebounds, 4 steals and 3 assists to the Panthers line-up. He’ll play everything from point guard to power forward for this team and his leadership will be a major factor for this team and their chances of competing in late February and March.  Alongside him is fellow junior Dominique Pointer who averaged 11 points a season ago while demonstrating some of the leagues most impressive leaping and finishing ability. If he has a weakness it’s that he doesn’t rebound as well as he could with his size and athleticism; but he is just now a junior and should improve his entire game with mental and physical maturation. Another potential frontcourt contributor for the Panthers should be junior D’Andre Turner a newcomer to the varsity and possible starter.

    One thing this years Roseville team will not have is a strong senior presence. Quinton Radney is the only returning senior on the entire roster. A pair of sophomores very well may be the mainstays in the Panther back court this season. Traye Williams took the reigns as a point guard and performed at a higher then could be expected level. Providing seven points per game, a constant play making presence and a potential one man press breaker, Williams may have been the difference in this team’s winning the MAC blue. David Green on the other hand will be making his varsity debut in this his sophomore season. The 5’11” wing is the next in a series of highly skilled underclassman call-ups for the rising Roseville program. Coach Verkeyn is very high on the basketball skills and character if his young and talented nucleus and with a player like Gouch to lead them, it’s no wonder they are the popular choice to win the White in ’08-09. 

Crucial Question: How will the Panthers handle raised competition and expectations this season?

Outlook: The jump from Blue to White division may be the toughest in the MAC. But returning three of your top four scorers as talented as Roseville has is just the solution for the challenge. If they find the chemistry that ignited their rise last season they could reach even greater heights this year.

2007-08: 9-13 (2-10 Red) Lost to Detroit Finney in District Final

Head Coach: Matt Lockhart (1^st Season)

Location: Grosse Pointe, Mi

Enrollment: 1531

Key Players Lost: Nick Waller, Jerry Claxton-Peoples

Overview: Since 2004-05 when Grosse Pointe North won its first and only MAC red title on its way to a state final four appearance it’s been hard times for the Norseman. They have not been without talent, Dwight Van Hoesen and Nick Waller were multi-year all-league players and the green and gold have been consistently one of the more experienced rosters in the conference. Still it hasn’t all come together for them since that magical run. This season like many in the past features a roster with excellent experience, size and athleticism. Five players return with at least two full seasons on the varsity roster and that doesn’t account for a group of talented second year players and the best the jayvee has to offer from a team that competed for the MAC red title last year.

     Paul Bramos (6.4ppg) is entering his fourth season on varsity with his third different coach; he’s yet to become a dominant player but has been a steady contributor since day one. Bramos can shoot the jumper from the perimeter or mid-range and good length makes him an above average defender. Returning alongside him in the backcourt is Darrin Willis; the 5’10” senior started most of the time a year ago and averaged over five points per contest. His maturity as a playmaker and leader is a key for the Norseman this season. Allowing the Norseman perimeter players to do their thing in part will be 6’6” senior twins Matt and Greg Blunden. Matt (4.3ppg) is a returning starter and has nice range for a big man. Greg (2ppg) provided toughness, rebounding and hustle off the bench a year ago for GPN. The X-factor for the Norseman could be Damian Davis the 6’4” senior forward and final third year player who has yet to find a spot in the varsity rotation.

     Rounding out the potential returning players for the Norseman is Andrew Horne. Horne has a good motor, excellent length and the ability to score without having a play run for him. The Norseman could use some depth at the guard position and may get that from the jayvee players. Otherwise, as has been the story, this looks like a team with all the pieces to compete now the question is, will they?

Crucial Question: Does Grosse Pointe North finally have the right mix of players and coaches to make it work again?

Outlook: The new coaching staff is familiar with the school and the district and should bring some stability to the program. North has all the elements needed to be a yearly powerhouse and could take advantage of their move to the MAC white real quickly.  

2007-08: 4-17 (2-10 Red) Lost to Ford II in district semifinals.

Head Coach: Gerry Kraemer (9^th season)

Location: Utica, Mi

Enrollment: 1869

Key Losses: Bryan Garabrino, Zef Berishaj, Chris Robinson, Jovan Daggins

Overview: Despite coming off their second winning season in the last three years the Chieftains were sent from the Red to the MAC white. It might be good timing however as the team has just three players returning from last season and four freshman and sophomores on the roster expected to contribute. Still despite the loss of four starters including three year contributors Zef Berishaj, Bryan Garbarino and Chris Robinson, The Chieftains figure to be in the mix as they spend their first season this decade outside the Mac Red. Their athletic defensively, have a wealth of perimeter players able to contribute and quite possibly the division most explosive player.

     Joining the three seniors are six juniors and four underclassmen; three sophomores including Tim Wojniak and Freshman Mighael Hollingsworth, Mike’s younger brother. Wojniak has progressed greatly during the off-season hoping to find a role with the roster and he has. At 6’4” he’ll provide a post presence once he learns to play at the varsity pace. Mighael meanwhile will have a chance to do something few players do, run the point guard position as a freshman. He is quick, handles the ball well and can really shoot it. However Mighael surprised the coaching staff not with his skill level but with his poise and decision making despite his inexperience. The quicker he gets acclimated to the routine of high school basketball and the atmosphere of the games the quicker Utica hits its stride.

Crucial Question: Where does this team fit in amongst the MAC white contenders?

Outlook: The upside of such a young team is the unbridled enthusiasm and chemistry that can come from it, the down side is there is a lot to learn and until you hit the court, you’re not sure where to start. If they survive their time with the elder Hollingsworth and emerge stronger from it, expect them to contend for the MAC White Title.

2007-08: 11-11 (5-7 White) Lost to De La Salle in District Final

Head Coach: Jeff Borja (7^th Season)

Location: Warren, Mi

Enrollment: 1831

Key Losses: Bernard Edwards, Ricky Powell

Overview:  The Patriots struggled to get on track most of last season playing well at times but never playing consistently enough to contend for the title. Still a .500 season and a trip to the district final is a fine season and there is reason for optimism this year. The Patriots lose Bernard Edwards and Rick Powell but return a 6’10” division one recruit at center and a talented group of youngsters around him. This year’s team will make its mark on defense using their size and strength to protect the paint and control the boards. How smart they play and how consistent their effort is will determine how high in the standings they climb this year.  

    It all starts with Balkema in the middle. He was a role player as a sophomore a second option as a junior, but will be the unquestioned go-to-guy as a senior. Steadily improving since the first game he played at Cousino, his combination of size, strength and skill is unique in the conference, county and most of the state. His 14 point and near 10 rebound averages of a year ago could soar this season if he is able to stay healthy and out of foul trouble. On the other end of the spectrum for the Patriots senior David Chasney (4.3) is the next highest returning scorer and should be even more effective in his final season. His perimeter skills, shooting and decision making make him a fitting senior leader in the backcourt. Along with Balkema they are the only returning senior contributors for Cousino this year.

     This of course puts a heavy burden on the underclassmen to quickly adapt to the elevated level of competition this season. Juniors Eric Van Buren, Cody Talmore and Terrance Calhoun are expected to play major roles eventually in the backcourt and on the wings. Van Buren is an excellent athlete and could make an immediate impact on hustle and athleticism alone. Calhoun’s quickness at both ends of the floor makes him a strong ball handler and a fierce defender. Taymore is a tireless worker and his game has benefited from it becoming an excellent ball handler and jump shooter. The Patriots size is not limited to Balkema; this season’s Patriots will have four players taller then 6’5” including 6’6” Kevin Dunaj a player of considerable intrigue. The pieces are there and if the team believes in itself and plays to it’s strengths they should be in top half of the standings when all is said and done.

Crucial Question: Can their young athletes play with the intensity needed on defense at the varsity level and the poise and composure on offense to reach their potential collectively?

Outlook: The Patriots approach this year on offense should be; you know what we are going to do, try and stop it. If teams double the post and the Pats shooters connect, opponents could be hard pressed to score enough to beat them.

2007-08: 7-15 (3-9 White) Lost to Detroit Finney in District Semi-finals

Head Coach: Jim Twigg (11^th Season 2^nd at G.P South)

Location: Grosse Pointe, Mi

Enrollment: 1684

Key Losses: Jimmy Soros, PT Shirar, Timothy Quinn

Overview: The line between a 15 win team and a 15 loss team is a real fine one sometimes. Last season was a disappointing one for the Blue Devils, despite returning the majority of their nucleus from a 15 win team in ’06-07 they fell flat early and often and ended up with 15 losses, their worst finish since ’03-04 their final season in the red. Now with the departure of that inconsistent but talented core of seniors, a new group of young and hungry Blue Devils will take their place on center stage\center court. Just five players return and only two seniors are on the roster this season. They have size and they have, but strength and experience will come with time and making the best of the growing pains that are sure to come will go a long way to determining which type of teams GPS will be this year.

  The only player on the roster who was part of each of the last two seasons still active is Jarvis Wise. The junior point guard whose game took a nice leap forward in the final half of last season is poised to take the reigns for this young group as they grow together the next two seasons. Wise (9.5ppg) doubled his scoring output from his freshman to sophomore season and became a menace on the defensive end. Now the fleet footed floor general has set his sights on an improved outside game; giving him the complete package as a high school point guard. Another junior with some experience is forward Leif Rodney (2.6ppg). Rodney was a reserve as a sophomore last season and has since sprouted to 6’6”; the added height coupled with improved all around skills make him an intriguing player for sure. Finally there’s sophomore Corbet Conroy; if the name sounds familiar it’s because his brother Christian was the leading scorer for the team back in 2006. The younger Conroy was called up during his freshman season and ended the year as the team’s top scorer in the district playoffs. Seniors William Kim and Nick Pavle round out the returnees; while neither played a big role last year, both could factor in as starters or off the bench for this team.

     The junior class for the Blue Devils provides excellent depth for the program. Up front JR Roberts, Nick Hess and Carl Collins are all 6’3” or taller and Farrell Mays is 6’1” at the guard position. Their roles will be determined as the season progresses. Finally, a pair of sophomores also factor into the rotation this season for South. Victor Mattison and Ben Fry could each contend for a starting spot alongside Wise in the backcourt. Defensively Grosse Pointe South was one of the better teams in the MAC. But offensively they were sloppy with the ball and shooting percentages were too low. Despite the turn to youth they seem to have addressed these weaknesses; and this team thrives in the passing game. The developing chemistry and unselfish nature of this bunch gives a lot of reason for optimism this season and with so many young players in key roles even more for next.    

Crucial Question: Will this be a 15 win or 15 lose version of Grosse Pointe South?

2007-08: 14-8 (7-5 White) Lost to Anchor Bay in District Semi-finals

Head Coach: Brian Jamison (11^th Season)

Location:  Fort Gratiot, Mi     

Enrollment: 1552

Key Losses: Jay Thames, Spencer Thomas, John Nevado, Don Caluya

Overview: There is no question who literary has the biggest player to replace this year in the MAC white. 6’9” Jay Thames is on to Oakland University and the Huskies are now hoping to continue winning with a new formula for success. 2007-08 marked their best finish in five years and gives a renewed sense of optimism that the program can regain its form from the late 90’s and early part of this decade. Also gone are second leading scorer Spencer Thomas and two year starter at guard Don Caluya, and third leading scorer Jon Nevado as well as valuable depth. But the few players they do have back could be a nice core and allow the Huskies to compete. They’ll need to find new players to fill in the spaces and fortunately the jayvee has a number of candidates.

     The top returning scorer from last season is Thames former frontline partner Lance Cusac, the gritty forward averaged 8 points and 7 rebounds while playing excellent defense. He gives the Huskies size and skill in the pivot a valuable commodity in the MAC white. Fellow senior Alex Hawkins meanwhile should be expecting an expanded role for his senior season. He averaged just over 4 points a game off the bench a year ago, slashing and shooting his way into more minutes as the year went on. One of the guard spots could go to another returning senior, Devin Simon (2ppg) who also saw regular minutes, but in a reserve role last year. Perhaps the most pivotal returnee for the Huskies is 6’1” junior point guard Travis Reid who was called up last season when the injury bug bit the Husky back court.  Reid (3.7ppg) plays a consistent, cerebral game and deceptive skill and speed, he could be one of the surprise players in the conference this season. We don’t have any further info on the Huskies at this time.

Crucial Question: How good can they be and who fills the scoring void left with the loss of their top three contributors?

Outlook: Cusac doesn’t seem like a natural scorer and Reid is more of a play maker first scorer second based on what we’ve seen so far, this will be one of the Huskies major challenges and until we see them on the floor we can’t say just how good they’ll be.

Key Players (* returning letterman) 

*Devin Simon (5’11”, Senior, Guard)

2007-08: 2-19 (2-10 White) Lost to Eisenhower in District Semi-finals

Head Coach: Bill Lerch (7^th Season)

Location: Sterling Heights, Mi           

Enrollment: 2764

Key Losses: John Irons, Kyle Alef, Jimmy Portell, Jerome Rucker, Marko Mitkowski

Overview: The past three seasons have seen the Titans go form 18 wins to seven wins to just two wins last year. The result is a turn to youth, a new attitude and whole bunch of new faces on the roster this season. In addition to the seven seniors that graduated, several more players are no longer with the team. Only three seniors are on the roster this season; and the most experienced returnee is a junior. The new focus is defense; and the recommitment has sparked the change; this year’s team has shown great progress but until they hit the floor this season will not know how much further they have to go. Expectations are low outside the program but Stevenson has shown a tendency to improve quickly in the past and this year’s team has nowhere to go but up.

     One reason the Titans definitely could overachieve this season is 6’3” junior Mike Puzzuoli. After moving into the varsity rotation midway through last season Puzzuoli (9.8ppg) emerged as bonafide scorer with four games of 15 or more points including 21 at Romeo late in the season. A versatile inside\outside threat he’ll be a major player for the Titans. The other returning player who figures to play a key role is Dan Lydick. He’ll be the point guard for the Titans; he showed himself to be a ferocious competitor over the summer; that tenacity and his physical strength are his best assets as he controls the tempo for Stevenson. With so few player returning both Puzzuoli and Lydick will have even more responsibility to lead.

     The Titans have more size then a year ago starting with juniors Charlie Walker, Corey Stone and Josh Corbin.  Walker is strong on the glass and defense and could contend for a starting spot. Stone (6’2”) is slightly undersized but has a great motor and can score in the paint and on the offensive glass. Corbin at 6’4” is the tallest player in the roster the past two seasons. A pair of sophomores Jon Sulek, a post and Eugene Pratt a wing will also be a part of the varsity roster and could find their way into the rotation before long. This is, if nothing else a clear step in a new direction, a young core that they can build around in the next two years and contend for a third district title under coach Lerch.

Crucial Question: They are talented and committed but can the young Titans learn quickly enough on the job to show substantial improvement in the win column this season?

Outlook: The Titans are young, but so are a lot of other teams in the MAC red and white. Puzzuoli should be a steadying force and keep them in a lot of games; they have the other pieces to win those games, they quicker they learn how the more they’ll win.