MAC BLUE TEAM PREVIEWS

2007-08: 6-15 (3-9 Blue) Lost to Roseville in Opening Round

Head Coach: Marshall Wanderi (14^th Season)

Location: Fraser, Mi

Enrollment: 1643

Key Losses: Kevin Saunders, Sammy Amine, Brett Boike

Overview:  As Dick Vitale would say, last season was Heartbreak Hotel for the Ramblers. They lost 10 games by six points or fewer, just two possessions. Those included losses to Chippewa Valley (by 3), L’Anse Creuse (by 5), Fitzgerald (by 5 & 6) and Roseville (by 2) all teams that finished the season in the top conferences top 10. The upside is that this teamed learned they can compete with anyone; the downside is they lose three starters and major contributors to graduation. Nevertheless the core that returns is strong and expectations (from outside) are raised. This team expects itself to play harder then everyone else to emphasize rebounding and defense and to play with passion. If it meets its own expectations it could exceeded others.  

     The Ramblers return seven players, three third year guys, from a year ago but only one post player. In fact only three players on the entire roster are taller then 6’1”; however center Matt Carden is one of the top big men in the MAC regardless of division and now a senior in his third year as a starter maybe ready to become a star. He is a tireless worker, a fearless leader and the team’s top returning scorer at 13 points per game. Another third year player and returning starter, Anthon Tucci (8.7ppg) will also have an increased role. He is a dangerous threat from deep and capable of playing both guard positions. Another third year returnee on the wing, 6’5” Etienne Boyer (3.5ppg) is among the most athletic and skilled players in the Blue. Emerging as a leader also he will need to rebound well this season to compliment Carden and should have his highest scoring output by far. Joining them is Chris Wouters who became eligible after transfer in the second half last season and averaged double figures for the Ramblers, second on the team. His shooting range and deceptive quickness off the dribble make him a difficult match-up for the opposition.

     The Ramblers will be extremely guard heavy, but deep allowing them to play with the intensity and energy they will demand of themselves to reach their goals. Seniors Drew Gizinski and Ryan Kepler as well as juniors Nick Clore, Drew Ulry and Blake Stamper all add to the depth at the position. Gizinski is a player who’s improved as much as any since last since when he was a minimal offensive contributor.  He is another player the Ramblers will look to for senior leadership, intense defense and steady perimeter shooting. In many ways he personifies what this team hopes to be about. They will not win with size or speed or shooting alone, they will simply maximize their collective abilities as best they can to be as successful as they are capable.

Crucial Question: Will the lack of size be their downfall and can they overcome the tough luck of the past two seasons?

Outlook: They can overcome the size issue without question, recreating a winning culture is the challenge. The talent is there but the commitment to winning is not tested until their first setback. Our hunch is this team will be playing for the league title in February.

Key Players (* returning letterman)

2007-08: 10-11 (6-6 Blue)

Head Coach: Dave Zauner (7^th Season)

Location: Eastpointe, Mi

Enrollment: 1659

Key Losses: Frank Wolfe, Russell Hicks, Demarco Chatman, Kyle Beaubien

Overview:    Last season was the first sub .500 season since 2003-04 for East Detroit as roster turnover within the season again cost the Shamrocks momentum and consistently and knocked the defending champs and expected contenders into the second half of the MAC blue standings. Now after the loss of their second leading scorer Frank Wolfe and three year post player Russell Hicks the Shamrocks look to reload and build around two of the MAC blues best seniors. They’ll need a lot of help from the rest of the roster but there is sufficient speed and athleticism on this team to contend most nights. 

    The Shamrocks do not have a lot of height coming back this season and this will put even more pressure to control the paint on their top two returning scorers Montez Richardson and John Talos. Richardson averaged over 13 points per game as a junior, bursting onto the scene early in the season with constant energy and tenacity on the glass and around the basket. He is an athletic finisher who is capable of being on of the areas best players this season. Talos (7ppg) is the teams most experienced player; a three year contributor upfront, he has typically been surrounded by other talents tall players this year that may not be the case.  His length and ability to run the floor are two of his greatest strengths. The guard position will be handled by committee until someone emerges as a leader or clear cut lead guard. No further information is available at this time. 

Crucial Question: Will Talos and Richardson be able to raise their games enough to push East Detroit back toward title contention?

Outlook: It’s hard to get a grasp on the Shamrocks, two years ago we thought they’d struggle to contend for the title and they won it, last year we figured they’d be in the mix for a repeat and they finished 6-6. This year we’re putting them in the middle of the pack until we see more.

4. Madison Eagles

2007-08: 22-2 (11-1 Gold) Lost to Country Day in Regional Final

Head Coach: Tony Morse (1^st Season)

Location: Madison Heights, Mi

Enrollment: 591

Key Losses: Briahn Smith, Mario Graham, DeAndre Johnson, Damion King, Gerald Martin, Dejaun Marcellus, Duane Marcellus

Overview:  The Eagles have experienced nothing but success since they arrived in the Macomb Area Conference, winning three MAC Gold titles in four seasons and establishing themselves as one of the MAC’s top Class B powerhouses. This season however things are not as likely to go as smoothly as the past has for the Eagles. For starters they graduate 10 seniors including their top eight scorers and the nucleus of the magical two year run they’ve been on. Throw in their promotion to the MAC blue where they’ll not only have the smallest enrollment but will be competing against four schools with 1,000 more students to choose from and the added MAC red crossover games and the transition to a new coaching staff and it’s anything but a sure thing that the Eagles will soar this season.

     The other returning players are guard Tyler Turner and wing Forrest Harvey, neither of whom scored more then 4 points in a game last year, but also rarely saw the floor, and forwards Ryan Aaron and Kevin Blanton.  All four could become starters, and even though Aaron is just 6’3” he could be effective posts in the Madison system they are almost as tall as Briahn Smith and Robert McLaurin the Eagles last two dominant big men. His athletiicm will make him a crowd favorite this year. They also expect contributions from a trio of juniors in their first varsity seasons. Ashton Curd, Josh Matiyow and Demetrius Moore are all potential impact players. This team should have the same outstanding athleticism and defensive intensity as the Madison teams that controlled the MAC gold the past four years but consistency and experience will be an issue as will the tougher schedule. One thing is a given when you play the Eagles, you won’t be able to relax until the game is over.

Crucial Question: Who will emerge as the core of this season’s team and how close can they come to the last few years’ results?

Outlook: It seems likely that Madison will struggle initially with life in the blue, but ball pressure and defensive intensity win at every level. This team pushed Country Day to the limits in the Regional Final last season; they can handle the MAC blue.

5. Port Huron Big Reds

2007-08: 8-13 (4-8 White) Lost to L’Anse Creuse North in District Semi-finals

Head Coach: George Moger (13^th Season)

Location: Port Huron, Mi

Enrollment: 1642

Key Losses: Sam Seppo, Chris Cotton, Jordan Brown,

Overview:  Somehow despite seven winning seasons in nine years, a MAC white title and four 10 win seasons in the division got Port Huron moved to the MAC Blue this season. It’s true that less then two years ago the Big Reds suffered through a winless season in league play but showed great improvement last year and despite having no returning starters they could take another step in the right direction this year in part because of what might be a slightly softer schedule. There is no doubt the loss of Seppo, Cotton and Brown will be felt and the learning curb is going to be steep early on, but the hope is that a winning attitude can be instated through the competition within the team. It’s an inexperienced group but one with talent and a few pieces to build around from the junior class.

     The senior class for Port Huron may not have a major impact for the Big Reds basketball team this season, there are only three potential returnees and of those only Jordan Galanos seen notable minutes last season. This puts a lot of the burden on the junior class, both those upcoming from jayvee and the two returning members of the junior class guard Steve Sawher and Forward David Foster. Foster is the teams top returning scorer and was their top scorer off the bench a year ago at five and a half points a game. Quick, with a lean build and good length, Foster has the ability to take taller defenders inside off the dribble and finish around the rim. He will be looked upon to take a major step as a player this season for Port Huron. Likewise fellow junior Steve Sawher can expect to be entrusted with a much larger role this year. Sawher played in some games early last season but not in a major role, now the slashing wing player will be asked to put his athleticism and perimeter shooting skills to use to help keep the Big Reds in games every night.

     The team will search for leadership from their top returning senior the aforementioned Galanos. The starting Quarterback on the Gridiron, Jordan averaged nearly four points a game as a reserve last season for the Big Reds. He will be asked to quarterback the Big Reds offense and get the ball to players in positions to score with it. Offense will not likely be the Big Reds strength this season though, at least not if they are going to be successful. The Big Reds greatest strength is likely their quickness across the board. They’ll need to utilize that asset and play intense pressure defense within the schemes and system of the team to both limit their opponents scoring and create easy buckets for themselves. The timing of the move to the Blue is good for Port Huron now, but could become a terror for the rest of the league when the program returns to form. This year’s group has the first crack at reaching that goal.

Crucial Question: Can Port Huron become a title contender in the MAC Blue?

Outlook: The lack of interior size and experience may be too much for the Big Reds to overcome to find themselves in the title mix, but they should be one of the more improved teams by years end and have the potential for a very strong returning nucleus in 2009-10.

2007-08: 16-5 (10-2 Blue)

Head Coach: Matt Ferguson (2^nd Season)

Location: St. Clair Shores, Mi

Enrollment: 846

Key Losses: Quentin Jones, Derrell Williams, Gerry Hammonds, Kyle Gibson

Overview:  It’s a new era for the Cavaliers; the past three years have been about senior laden rotations and Quentin Jones as the centerpiece. This season neither of those elements will be in place. The most experienced players on this year’s team are juniors and less then 20% of last years scoring returns to the fold this season as the Cavs graduate six seniors from the playing rotation. Still it’s not a bleak situation at all; it’s an optimistic one. There is a long way to go, but there are reasons to suggest they can get there.

     South Lake has the luxury of building around a pretty solid centerpiece in junior pivot Will Bowles (5.5 ppg) who emerged as a strong interior factor in the final half of last season. With good mobility and timing at his size he is a strong rebounder and shot blocker and should progress greatly as a scorer over the next two seasons. Fellow junior William Jennings did not see as much time on a team loaded with strong veteran wings like last years Cavaliers but is now ready to emerge. A strong slasher and a threat to knock down the perimeter jump shot. He also has the tools to be a very good perimeter defender. Joining them returning to the fray is senior wing Martinique Thornton who has improved defensively and can provide occasional offense around the rim or with the jumper.

     At the point guard position senior Fabian Garner and junior Jo Wood will compete and likely split time as each brings something different to the table as a lead guard. Garner is a defensive force with excellent quickness and the strength to finish at the basket. Wood is strong ball handler and demonstrates a knack for decision making as well as good instincts. Joining Garner as a potential defensive stopper is Marquez Thornton who is still a bit raw but improving on the offensive end. One additional piece of considerable intrigue is 6’2” Sophomore CJ Bates who has advanced athleticism and is just starting to learn how to play a complete game. He could be a fan favorite as a young player and one who can provide some excitement above the rim. Like many teams in the MAC this year that lost so much experience. A commitment to team and defense first and foremost will be paramount to any success the Cavaliers have this season.

Crucial Question: Can these young Cavaliers survive and early season slip up on there challenging schedule and continue to improve all season?

Outlook: They will need to grow up fast but they have a good number of quality pieces to make it work. Their defense will have to carry them, especially early.

Key Players (* returning letterman)

7. Anchor Bay Tars

2007-08: 9-13 (4-8 Blue) Lost to L’Anse Creuse North on District Final

Head Coach: Todd Green (3^rd Season)

Location: Fair Haven, Mi

Enrollment: 1939

Key Losses: Matt Desmet, Adam Desmet, Blair Montgomery

Overview:  2004-05 was the Tars only winning season of the decade, still they have yet to implode, not finishing last a single time either. Coach Todd Green’s team made a nice jump between year one and two reaching nine wins and matching the second highest total of the decade. They went 4-3 in crossovers against the red and white including a wins over L’Anse Creuse and L’Anse Creuse North.  However they now face a daunting task replacing the scoring, athleticism and intensity of the Desmet twins as well as their third guard Blair Montgomery. All three were double figures scorers last season. In fact all five of their top scorers are gone, but still five letterman return and the Tars hope to take teams by surprise in the wide open Blue.

     Among the five returning players the top scorer and only returning starter is junior Matt Robinet. The center had some good moments throughout last season while averaging just over four points. He’ll need to add strength and extend his shooting range this season as he tries to anchor the paint for the Tars.  The four returning seniors will be the core of this team; their leadership has raised the intensity of the team as they prepare to play an up-tempo aggressive defensive style. The most experienced players back are Jason Marshall and Kenny Voog. Marshall (3.2ppg) proved a capable scorer is spot duty as a starter last season. The athletic wing scored 10 points in a near upset of Port Huron Northern starting in place of Matt Desmet. Voog (2.8ppg) gives them another body in the paint and much needed toughness, experience and leadership.

     The final returning lettermen are two of the candidates to take over in the back court; Kyle Lachowicz and Jermaine Harris will use their quickness on defense to try and create turnovers and easy scoring in transition. They newcomers from the jayvee will round out the roster and find roles amongst the team as the season progresses. There ability to pick up the intensity and playbook for the varsity level will determine this team’s rate of improvement early on.

Crucial Question: How will they replace the trio of senior guards that led them last season?

Outlook: While there is a nice foundation in the returning five, it’s not enough to get them to the level they played last season, however if the jayvee can provide depth a one or two players can elevate their game there is a chance for them to be even better.

Key Players (* returning letterman)