- Michigan
Farmington has a three-headed backcourt monster lurking, with Akins, Shepherd and Humes
Farmington’s three-guard lineup of Jaden Akins, Tariq Shepherd and Tariq Humes is a thrill-a-minute proposition on the boys basketball court. If you don’t know about them yet, you need to. And fast.
Akins, a 6-foot-3 lefty terror with a mega motor and high hoop IQ, might be the best combo guard in the state’s sophomore class.
Shepherd, the quintessential crafty floor general who always plays with something to prove, came over to Farmington in the summer from Detroit East English Village where he was an All-PSL pick last winter as a junior.
Humes has pure sniper written all over him and just like Akins, is only a sophomore.
Last season, Akins and Humes led Farmington to a Class A district crown as fab frosh. When you throw Shepherd in the mix this year, you have a trio of playmaking guards as formidable as any backcourt in Metro Detroit.
Since the calendar turned to 2019, Farmington has won three straight to go to 6-2, including a decisive 72-57 victory against Ohio’s Maumee Valley Country Day and University of Michigan-bound guard Zeb Jackson at the second annual Prep Ball Report Classic Saturday hosted by North Farmington High School. Shepherd stuck to Jackson like glue the whole night and limited the slick southpaw to 14 points. Refusing to be outdone by his more highly-touted competition, Shepherd was the MVP Saturday (and by far the best player on the court), logging a game-high 23 points to go along with his eight assists and four steals.
Akins wasn’t too shabby himself, scoring 15 points, grabbing 11 rebounds and dishing five assists versus Maumee Valley Country Day. Humes hounded MVCD for 14 points. The Falcons are fighting for a league title in the OAA White.
“I’ll put my backcourt up against anyone in this state or their state, they fulfil every expectation” said Farmington coach Terrance Porter after the MVCD game. “They took this game, going toe-to-toe with Zeb, as a challenge. They took it personally and that’s how they played. They were tremendous.”
