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BOYS BASKETBALL: Speice Weekend Wrap-up: Top Michigan performers
FT.WAYNE, Indiana – The Bill Hensley Memorial Run-N-Shoot Classic All-Star Classic is one of the best AAU events in the country and the best in the Midwest. Two-hundred teams, from Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Ohio, Iowa, Michigan, and as far as Washington, assembled upon Speice Fieldhouse to see some of the best players in the hoop. The Great Lakes State had 45 teams represented in the tourney, from all four age groups. National players like Eric Davis, Cassius Winston, Miles Bridges, and Deyonta Davis consistently put on a show, while local talents, Jaylin Walker, Justin Turner, David Dejulius, and Austin Davis worked to get their name out there.
2015 PF Deyonta Davis Muskegon/Speice Indy Heat 17u: The Michigan State commit was almost unstoppable over the weekend down-low in the paint. At 6-foot-9, 220-pounds, he was too big and long for most bigs he faced. Most of Davis’ points came off of dunks and just simply running the floor well. But don’t get it twisted, he can shoot the mid-range. The Spartans are getting a special one.
2015 SG Eric Davis Saginaw Arthur Hill/The Family 17u: Regarded by most, as the best player in the state for the class of 2015, Davis lived up to that status. Scorers, score, and Davis did that well in spurts. It wasn’t his best tournament, but but you could see at times why schools like UCLA are after him. He’s not the biggest two-guard, at about 6-foot-3, but he was crafty and knew how to get buckets at all three levels.
2015 SG Jaylin Walker Romulus/R.E.A.C.H. 17u: Whatever Walker ate this weekend needs to stay in his diet. He was on scoring rampage, shooting it from deep, getting to the charity stripe, and dunking on people. Walker has a great motor and did a little bit of everything. His ability to jump out the gym allowed him to play bigger that his listed 6-foot-3. Kent State offered him last week and more offers should come his way.
2018 PG David Dejulius Harper Woods Middle School/The Family 15u: He hasn’t even enrolled in high school yet, but Dejulius will be one of the best in his class when that time comes. Most eighth-graders don’t play up an age group, but Dejulius is ready. He wasn’t scared to take the big shots for his team and was able to run things on the floor. He scored 19 in a double-overtime loss, but was the reason his team was in the game any ways
2017 PG Armonee Felder Detroit Pershing/R.E.A.C.H. 15u: Pershing guards have always been known to have tough guards and Felder is next in line. He already has that aggressive nature and leadership skills to him. A bit of a combo guard, Felder filled it up, which allowed him to get his teammates involved. He comes from basketball royalty in the city, with his father and brother both starring at Pershing. Some think he could be better.
2016 C Alaric Jackson Detroit Renaissance/R.E.A.C.H. 16u: He looks like an offensive tackle in football and could be just as good in that sport. But as far as basketball goes, Jackson is a coach’s dream. He rebounded the ball well with his 6-foot-6, big-bodied frame and didn’t do more than what he was capable of. For a big man, Jackson plays below the rim and is undersized, but he still found other ways to be effective over the weekend.
2016 PG Justin Turner Detroit Renaissance/The Michigan Mustangs 16u: Besides Cassius Winston, maybe the best sophomore point guard in that state. Turner is a combo guard, who can score attacking the basket, but also use that skill to get others involved. The 6-foot-2 Turner is a budding star, who will only continue to get better. His game is so smooth and mature on the court. Central Michigan offered last week. His ceiling his high.
2017 SF Brian Bowen Saginaw Arthur Hill/The Family 16u: Bowen could play up with the 17-Under team if he could; he’s that good. He’s a legit 6-foot-6 or so and is only a freshman. The future is bright for him, but for now he can do it all. He rebounded, attacked the basket and passed the ball like a smaller guard. He already has a handful of offers and it’s scary to think what he will be in three years. Most 16-Under teams didn’t have an answer for him.
2015 SF A.J. Turner New Hampton Prep, New Hampshire/The Family 17u: Turner transferred out of state before the season started, but returned home to play AAU ball. He has always been a good 3-point shooter and that was on display all weekend. At 6-foot-6 he can get his shot off at anytime and he also helped rebound the ball, with the absence of a true big. In a win over Mac Irvin Fire, he went off for 30 and 13, including five 3-pointers.
2016 C Austin Davis Onsted/The Michigan Mustangs 16u: You can’t miss the 6-foot-10 big guy on the floor. He didn’t have another 51 and 24 performance like he did earlier this year in high school, but he was still a tough match-up for anyone. Rebounding came natural to him and got a lot of his points off of simple put-backs, using his size to his advantage. Like a lot of bigs, he still needs work, but he has time, being that he’s only a sophomore.
2015 PG Jason Boswell Orchard Lake St.Mary’s/R.E.A.C.H. 17u: Boswell was a nice boost off the bench whenever the starters weren’t playing so well. He’s only 5-foot-9, but still was a big contributor to his team’s success over the weekend. He always looked to pass first and score second, not trying to do that would hurt his team. He took advantage of the opportunities that were given to him and showed that be can run a team with the rights pieces around him.
