Lots of Talent at Lansing Eastern SS

For some reason Homestead doesn't want to have my website go live yet, well for now, I will have this write up from the Lansing Eastern Super Scrimmage on here, please go ahead and take a look at it, and feel free to leave your comments, or email me at alleyesonuhoops@gmai.com. Thank you.


March Madness… in November

The Saturday after Thanksgiving makes most people think about the state football finals but it has become a big day in Michigan High School hoops as well. The day Lansing Eastern holds their annual super scrimmage at the Don Johnson Field house. This year 16 teams took part in the event and there was no shortage of talent on display. Even though it is very early in the year some teams were already in mid season form. I was unable to stay the entire day but here is a quick look at the teams, and some of the players, who played well during the day that I saw.

Best Teams:

Class A: Lansing Eastern- To find the most dominate Class A team look no further then the host team. Eastern played with a purpose and really made a statement during the day. They started their day by a 30 point blow out over Cass Tech. The game was over real quick. Next they took on the defending Class A Champions from Kalamazoo Central and beat them by 20. It was a around a ten point game with about 6 minutes to go, but Eastern really opening the game up, and it gave them a chance to get a lot of guys in to the game. If Eastern continues to play like this, they are going to be a tough team to beat.

Class B: The defending Class B champs may have lost a McDonald’s All American, but they sure have some talent left over. They started their day by beating Kalamazoo Central in a very good game, and then took care of Lansing Sexton. Country Day is more then just OSU bound Amir Williams, though the 6’10 center played like the top 40 player nationally that he is.

Class C: If Consortium doesn’t win the Class C title there should be an investigation. Their talent and depth is not match by many teams in the state, no matter the class. I saw them beat a Jordan Hare-less Arthur Hill team, and then they beat Detroit Loyola as well. They have a couple of really nice players.

Best Players:

Not mentioning guys who have already signed who played well, Amir Williams, LaDontae Hinton, who looks great, he has added some muscle, and TJ Buchanan who played well for Kalamazoo Central, but did get hurt in the Lasing Eastern game, and he was not moving very well, so that is something to check up on. Denzel Valentine (MSU) played the way you would expect him to play, so I will not mention him either. And again these are just some of the players who played well.

2011:

Lee Bailey- DCD-6’1- strong and takes the ball hard to the rack, he played well in what I saw, but would have to check with Football coaches on what sport he will be playing in college… adding to that, Kenny Knight, who I also think will go the football route, also showed his quickness and good handles.

Tyler Bell-K-Central-6’1- Bell did the things you would expect him to do. He looks like a player, and he is very solid but he doesn’t really do any one thing great.

Darius Norman-K-Central-6’6- Had a great chance for a big game against Amir Williams and I thought he played very well. He showed a decent mid range jump shot touch, even though he missed a few, and had a nice pump fake to get Amir in the air, and drove by him for a easy two. The two big guys battled all game long and for a guy who loves good post play it was fun to watch. There is no question in my mind Norman can play, and someone will give him a chance, it’s just too bad he sat on the bench for King James during AAU instead of played for a Michigan based team.

Dell Simon-Arthur Hill-6’1- Just built like a tank that will go through you, but he moves very well too and with Pookie gone will get a chance to handle the ball more. Baseball may be more in his future however.

Alex Williams-Benton Harbor-6’4- He is long and lanky and has a nice touch on his shot. He is just smooth, but really didn’t do as much as you would hope.

Tyrin Wade-Lansing Sexton-6’5- The big body lefty has a lot of things to like about his game, but is his attitude where you would want it? He arrived late, and was the last member of his team to show up… could be a problem.

2012:

Khaliq Spicer-Robichaud-6’8- He is long and lanky, and very athletic, dunks off of two feet with ease and gets up in a hurry. Has nice hands, but needs to post a little bigger and stronger and not get in a fight with his hands. Something that I talked to him about and he seemed to listen to, so that’s another plus, great kid.

Sherron Dorsey-Walker-Pershing-6’4- Sherron was Sherron, if you don’t know anything about his game, you’re too late. But if you need help, he is long and athletic, and can shoot the 3 or get to the rack.

Matt Willms-Consortium-6’10- I talked about how deep and talented Consortium is, Matt is a 6’10 JR with some D1 offers/interest and he didn’t play much for them in what I saw, that’s how deep they are. He is very long, but moves really well for his size, and has a nice touch, keeps the ball high and showed a lot of the P word. He needs to find a weight room, and quickly, but he is adjusting to the American game, he is a transfer from Canada if you hadn’t heard, and will be just fine.

Jordan Price-DCD-6’6- He may not have the upside of his younger brother, more on him in a minute, but Jordan is a player in his own right. He is long, and needs to get stronger, but has a nice touch on his shot and has 3 point range. I plan on seeing a lot more of him this winter.

Connor Tava-WDLS-6’5- Built well and he plays really hard, could be a very good D2 type player, my only question is, will he grow?

Justin Beal-WDLS-6’4- See Connor Tava

Chazz Miller-DCD-6’5- At Country Day he doesn’t get to play all that much right now but when he does he is a nice post prospect, he is built well and strong, but like Beal and Tava will he grow? He is undersized for a true post right now at the next level.

Tre Tignor-Consortium-6’5- Big body, who moves well and plays hard. Athletic too, he can get up and finish strong too.

Antoine Wilson-Ottawa Hills-6’1 OH didn’t have D Ivy, who will be out until January after surgery for a football injury but Wilson played well. He was under control all day, and can finish too. Very good passer and drives to the basket with his head up.

2013:

Vincent Hunter-Consortium-6’5- I mentioned Consortium is good right? Watching him play it is hard to believe Hunter is a sophomore. Top ten talent for sure, he is long, athletic, a great passer, attacks the rim under control, basically he’s a stud.

Jalen Hayes-Lasing Sexton-6’5- Oh to be long and athletic, slim, but he can flat out get up. Will have to watch his jump shoot and if his handles improve but he is someone to keep an eye on.

Lorenzo Bonah-Robichard-6’3- Very very athletic, great driver, who is long and lanky, BUT the jump shot needs work, a lot of work. Still a very good player though who will not be stopping his basketball career anytime soon. Also let’s not forget, he has three years of varsity ball ahead of him.

Leo Edwards-Cass Tech-6’8- He is long and moves well. Has a nice touch on a couple put backs that I saw, and if he continues to grow watch out. He also is a great student, so that’s another plus, I do need to see a little more from him though before I put him as high as some others might have him.

Austin Price-DCD-6’1- Jordan’s little brother, doesn’t have his size, but the 6’1 combo guard is going to be a star. He is built well and is under control. Plus it is hard not to get better playing against the guys he will face every day in practice. I like him to be in the top ten in this class, he has that much potential.

2014

Mory Diane-DCD-6’1- The only freshmen that I knew of who I saw play at the event, doesn’t mean there were not more, he is built really well and has a lot of upside, that is a understatement. If you are a freshman and can get some time on Country Day’s varsity you are doing something right. Top ten for sure.. closer to top 5.


Steve Schwanda
All Eyes on U Hoops Founder/SR Recruiting Analyst
alleyesonuhoops@gmail.com
www.twitter.com/alleyesonuhoops

Slide Eli Slide!

Yes it is true that Eli won a super bowl in 2007 so I tried my best to give him a pass for awhile, well guess what, his pass is done. I went crazy when the Giants gave up so much to trade and get him in the draft, ask anyone that was in my dorm room at the time and they will tell you that, I even broke a Giants hat I threw it so hard, so anyway I wasn't happy with him from the start, but I can admit he played very very well during the playoff run in 07 and did a great job in the super bowl. Since there, not so much. He is paid like, and people treat him like he is a elite QB, the only problem is, he isn't a elite QB. He isn't close to being like his brother. He isn't a bad QB, but he is not a great one. Last night he once again showed this. In a very big game on the road against Phil with first place in the NFC East on the line Eli lead a Giants offense who had 5 turnovers and a night full of the Eli face. You are going to have some bad throws in every game, and of course some times you have wide outs drop balls or run the wrong routes, and the team is playing without three pro bowlers, but still you can't turn the ball over that much, you can't throw picks, and you can't fumble, especially the fumble he had to all but end the game. The rush defense finished that job off two plays later giving up a long run. Just like the long run they gave up on 4th and 1 at midfield up one to give Phili the lead, and eventually the win.

If you didn't see the game, or stay up for it, this is what happened. Eli made first a good play, he saw no one was open and took off, he gained the first down and a whole lot more, he is passed the 40 yard line and you are driving for the tie. the NFL does all the can to not let QB get hit, they have the slide run, give yourself up, no one can touch you, you got what you needed on the play, instead Eli slide hands and face first instead of legs first, and when he hit the ground he fumbled the ball. Now sure he was down and the ground caused the fumble, but in the NFL since he just fell forward and didn't slide, the play wasn't dead until someone touched him, which they didn't, so Phili recovers, runs the ball, and kicks a FG. I of course went crazy, I could not believe I just watched what I saw, you are a NFL veteran QB, you know the rules, how do you not slide there, how?

That's two big losses in a row for the Giants in division games and they now have to win next week at home over the Jags. They really have some winnable games coming up so hopefully they can avoid another late season melt down, but last night was not a very good start. I'm right, you're wrong.

24hr college basketball marathon aka Heaven

Yesterday was ESPN's 24 hr college tip off marathon, one of my favorite days of the year, Since CMU played at 4am est against Hawaii, I actually went to bed early and didn't see the first game, Memphis beating da U in a good game, but I saw at least a part of each game after that. Here is a quick recap.

2am game- St John's and first year coach Steve Lavin went on the road and lost to St Mary's. St Mary's is a very good team, and will actually be a real threat to the Zags this year in the WCC.

4am game- CMU lost to Hawaii by 3 in a very good game. Hawaii has 10 new players and a new coach, but they played hard, and it was a very physical game. Hawaii's zone gave CMU trouble, as they shot just 6-25 from 3. Way too much standing in the zone offense was CMU.

6am game-Stony Brook had a nice road win over Monmouth. It was also a 3 point game, as the start of the marathon all featured games decided by less then 5 points

8am game-Kent State had a great comeback against Robert Morris to get a big home win for them. Kent has been a 20+ win team for awhile now in the MAC and they always seem to have JU CO transfers and other guys that no one else can get in to school go there and do well... can you tell I don't like Kent State?

10am game- SIU lost a heart breaker in OT to Northeastern by one when SIU rebounded a miss with 4 seconds to go and called a time out when they didn't have one. It was a very good game before that, but tough tough way to lose a game

noon game- Tulsa played very well against ORU and pulled away late. Tulsa may be a nice team this year in conf usa

2pm game-Baylor had some trouble with Lasalle but was able to win by ten. Baylor has some long athletic big man, and freshmen stud Perry Jones III is one of them for sure

4pm- Va Tech did a nice job playing with Kansas State for awhile, and it was a very close game, for about 30 minutes, but the last ten belonged to the deeper team, and that was K-State, and they ended up winning 73-57

6pm game-OSU and FL was a very close game at halftime, and actually FL was up by 3, but the second half was all OSU, as they rolled the Gators on the road 93-75 for the best win so far in college basketball. OSU is going to be very good later on this year, and they already are pretty sweet.

8pm game- Butler feel well behind on the road at Louisville and they did cut the lead a little, but never could get all the way back as they ended up loosing 88-73 in a tough game for them

10pm game- The last game of the day on ESPN saw MSU beat South Car 82-73. I am sure Coach Izzo will not be too happy though as his team lost 48-40 in the second half, after playing good in the first half and being up 42-25. 48 points is way too much in a half to score on MSU and that will be talked about I promise you. South Car did play hard and showed they could be a good team in the SEC.

SDSU also got a nice win over Gonzaga on the road in a big win for Coach Fisher and his team. SDSU got off to a early lead, and held on late to win 79-76

Cuse won the other way around, having a bad first half and seeing UofD come in to the dome and be up 3 at halftime. The second half was better for the Cuse and they won 66-55

It was a great day of college basketball and I wish we could have more days like this, but I understand why we can't it takes a lot for coaches and players to get ready to play at strange times. College basketball is here, and I could not be happier. There isn't too many good games today, or really none, but tomorrow we start getting in to the early season tournaments, so I am looking forward to that. I'm right, you're wrong.

College and NFL football wrap up

It's Wednesday already, I am behind on writing this, good thing no one reads it.. I hope people do. So lets get to it.

College:

Auburn had a nice win over UGA, the only thing that can stop them now is the NCAA throwing the book at them about the Can Newton thing, which I don't think they will, at least not for a few years, or the game against Bama, which after their LSU loss they find themselves with nothing left to play for but endeding Auburn's run.. that will be enough

Oregon won 15-13, yeah, they only scored 15 against Cal, what a stange game

Michigan also won a defensive game, man Purdue is bad, which was also surpising

Wisconsin was beating IU 10-3 after the first quarter, the final, 83, yes 83 to 20. What in the world are they doing, you can't say you are not running it up when you score 28, 21, and 24 in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th quarters. On the other hand, if you have your back ups and 3rd string guys in, how can you tell them not to play. Don't throw deep bombs, but they should still be able to play, it may be the only chance they get.

CMU played hard against Navy but lost 38-37, as they have done in years past they went for the two and the win instead of kicking the PAT with 4 seconds left to take the tie. Their defense hadn't really stoped Navy all day, they didn't punt once, and thought that going for two game them the best chance to win, sadly they didn't but it was nice to see them play so hard.

ND beat up on Utah, really showing that Utah isn't that good, thus TCU's big win over them really doesn't matter.


NFL:

I am still very mad about the Giants game. Give the Cowboys credit they played much better no question about it, but my G-Men also played their worst game of the year, and that had a lot to do with it. fumbles, picks, throwing a pick in the end zone that was returned for a touchdown, just a ugly ugly football game. The Giants need to regroup, becase...

Phili looked great against the Skins on the road, my god, what a butt kicking. Vick had a huge day.

The Pats came in and but up 39 on the Steelers on the road, wow. One week after looking bad in a loss to the Browns, they beat up on the Steelers, the NFL makes zero sense sometimes.

Like the Seahawks who after getting rolled by the Giants at home, went to Zona and beat the Cards, ok the Cards are not good, but still, and like I said from day one, they will win the NFC West.

Terrible football weekend for me, I went 0-3 in fantasy, thanks to vick big day going agianst me, and me leaving some bye week and hurt players in, since I was out of town for a bacholor party.. no excusses though, got to have a better week in the two leauges I am 7-3 in, the one I am 3-7 in, I have already traded away a lot of guys, for draft picks next year and I am rebuilding. I'm right, you're wrong.

Bye Bye Wade

You knew it was coming, and really most are surprised it took so long, but Wade Phillips was finally fired by the Cowboys on Monday after they didn't even show up against the Packers on Sunday night football and lost 45-7. Their next game is against the Giants so we will see how Jason Garret does. I always thought it wasn't as good of a coach as Jerry Jones did, who is paying him 3 million to be a offensive cord and head coach in waiting.. well his wait is over, but now he has to do something with a team that is 1-7 and hasn't shown up the last two weeks. Hopefully my Giants will be ready playing their rival at home, and not look past them. The Giants are coming off a big win themselves beating the Seahawks in Seattle 41-7. The Giants are really playing well right now, and I could not be happier, but it's a long season, and there are a lot of games to go.

I was 3-0 in fantasy football this week, that's sweet.

Viks had a big comeback over the terrible Cards to win that game in OT. Farve actually played well in the 4th when he needed to

The Raiders, yes Raiders, are right there in the AFC West race, as they beat the Chiefs, also right there, in OT.

The Chargers did win over the Texans and this is about the time that they usually start their winning streak in years past after slow starts, will they do it again? I think yet, and they still win the AFC West.

The Rams are tied for first place in the NFC West right now, I know, I'm shocked too, them and the Bucks are my two biggest surprises has far as doing much better then I thought they would. I still have the Seahawks winning that division though, but not if Charlie W has to be their QB for too many more games.

The Lions had a big home victory over the Jets and then gave it away, and even a bigger loss it looks like Stafford will be done for the year as he re injured his shoulder. That is a big loss for the Lions who are playing better football, they just don't know how to win close games yet. They are there, they just can't finish. If Drew Stanton is their QB I don't know if they can win, but they do have the Bills and Cowboys coming up, so you never know.

The Browns, yes Browns beat the Pats.. in New England... What the hell is going on out here! The Pats will be fine, but wow, what a loss for them.

Pitt held on to beat Cinci on the road, after getting a big lead the Bengals came back and made it close, they played hard, but turnovers hurt them.

Ravens may be the best team in the NFL right now.. in fact, they are my pick. I'm right, you're wrong.

All is well.. for now

CMU got the football weekend started off right with their big 26-22 win on Friday night at home over hated rival western michigan on sr night on espnu. It wasn't a well played game, but it was a great game. Both teams made big plays and then some really bad ones, but CMU was able to make the last one, recovering a fumble with 1:40 left as western was about to score the go ahead touchdown inside the five. That has made me happy the rest of the weekend, and even though this season will still be a disappointment, even if we win our next two games against Navy and Toledo and finish 5-7, but beating western always, ALWAYS, feels good and will help this team in the future. It was a great win.

Michigan and Ill can score on each other.. wow, what a game, 67-65 triple OT win for Michigan, very exciting offensive game. Please someone tackel

MSU got back to winning beating a terrible Minn team.

LSU beat Bama, which surprised me, but good for LSU. Bama could still play a role in the national title game if they beat Auburn, but it is very likely a one loss SEC team would still make it to the national title game over TCU or Boise.

TCU actually kind of hurt themselves by beating up on Utah so bad, because it really shows that Utah wasn't very good, I mean their best win this year is over Pitt, and they are not exactly world beaters. Either way the BCS will most likely match up TCU and Boise again, which I hate, but them up against the big boys.. but they are scared of what could happen.

ND didn't lose on Saturday.. oh yeah, that's right, they didn't play

Oregon still has Zona at home, no problem they will score 50 on them, and at Oregon State, that will be a big game, but they should, and will, go undefeated. Oregon State is a tough one cause it's playing your biggest rival on the road, but this Oregon offense is just too good.

I will wait till tomorrow to talk NFL, since there is still one more game left this week

The Pistons won their first game of the year on Friday night, and their second last night over GS. They have problems, too many guys who do the same thing, no inside scorer and no true pg to get other people going, but I am sticking with them that they can win 40 games and be the 7th or 8th seed in the playoffs... I will stick with that until at least xmas.

Wings won on Friday night as well, but lost a tough one on Saturday, they are back at it tonight against Phx, and word is Brain R will be playing very very soon for the Wings, which is good, they get their second best defender back. I'm right, you're wrong.

Thank You Randy

Randy Moss is so funny.. He makes the NFL so much more fun. So he calls out his coach and praises the Pats and then gets cut. I really hope the Pats pick him right back up, if only for the news to come across the bottom line, Pats trade Randy Moss to the Viks for a 3rd round pick... and Randy Moss.. It would be wonderful. Moss isn't as dominate as he once was but he can still help a team, if he wants to, and judging from how much he talked about how great the Pats were, after his old new team just lost to them he must still want to be there and think he can help them win. Just a bad move for the Viks all together, they are falling apart

The Cowboys are taking some of the pressure off the Viks since they have totally fallen apart and are done, I can not tell you how happy that makes me, but if you read this blog at all you know by now how much I love the Giants and thus hate the cowboys, so you probably do know how happy that makes me.. so much for hosting a super bowl that you are playing in Jerry, you will be lucky to win another game.

Lions beat the Skins, good for them, and all my friends who are Lions fans, great call to put Rex Grossman in the game for the two minute drill, since mike S said that McNabb isn't in shape to run it.. ouch. So Rex Grossman is the way to go, good call on that, all he did was fumble on the first play and Suh picked it up and rain for a touchdown to seel the win.

Saints got a big win that they needed at home over the Steelers

Raiders won big again this time over the Seahawks, who are playing the Giants at home this week, I am worried about that game because that is a tough place to go in and come away with a win, and the last time the Giants played there it wasn't pretty.

It is really hard to tell who is good in the NFL, which is how they like it, just a lot of average teams. The Bucks keep winning, what in the world in going on here? really, someone explain it to me. The Chiefs won again as well, be it against the win less Bills in OT, but still.

What do I know about the NFL after 8 weeks? Well, the Ravens, Steelers, Pats, Jets, and Colts are good in the AFC. I believe that the Texans will still take that last wild card spot, but a team from the West has to be in, so will it be the Chiefs, or the Raiders, or will the Chargers stop messing around and still make it.. I think they will. In the NFC, I still think the Packers will make it, and the Saints and ATL have a great chance as well. I think the Giants are in great shape to win the East, and I still think the Seahawks will win the West by default. Can the Viks rebound and still make the playoffs? yes, but with each passing week I am starting to think they will not.

I saw the SF Giants won the World Series last night, congrats to them and their fans, and to me for not watching one pitch, but instead watching NBA basketball. I'm right, you're wrong.

I knew it was coming

I pushed it back all year, MSU was playing great but I didn't want to buy in, I have seen this before, I kept thinking they were going to lose, but they kept winning. So then last week I finally gave in and wrote this:

"I am all in on MSU now, they are winning the big ten, meaning Iowa will beat them 31-17"

Turns out it wasn't even that close. MSU lost 37-6 and was never in the game, made worse was the fact that Chris L Rucker got out of jail on Thursday and then traveled with the team on Friday and played in the game. This is such a MSU thing to do. As soon as people start talking about big ten title, and a chance at the national title, which they never really had, they go and get killed. I like MSU, and they are not a bad team, but where they are ranked now 15 or 16 depending on the poll, it about right, compared to the 5 or 6 range that they were going in to the game. MSU has only beaten one good team all year, and that was Wisconsin at home, which is a good win, but the only other good team they played, Iowa, they got killed. A team with one good win isn't a contender. I hope they can rebound and still win at least a share of the big ten and go to a bowl, but this is what usually happens, they start good, then they have a big loss, and then they start their tailspin, I hope it doesn't happen this year, they have a good defense and a great running game, hopefully they can bounce back.

Michigan can score... they just can't stop anyone, and PSU got a good win for them, because as I have said many times, and use to joke with my old college rm chaz about, you don't go in to happy valley and win at night.

Mizzu got killed by Nebraska just like I thought

Auburn kept winning, as did Oregon, though I was right, USC hung around for awhile. They still need to play Zona, coming up, big game, and then their big rival Oregon state at the end of the year but if I had to pick right now I would say Oregon plays in the national title game, against.... Bama. Yes Auburn will keep winning, until that Bama game at the end of the year, Bama will then win the SEC title game and get to the national title game. There is no way they wouldn't jump a undefeated Boise or who ever wins TCU-Utah.

ND lost to Tulsa.... very sad about the student dieing on the video tower this week, my thoughts and prayers are with his friends and family.. but as far as the game.. suck one bk.

I need to enjoy bk doing bad since CMU is having a terrible year themselves, loosing their third home game, and 6th game overall in a row on Saturday, 17-14 over a bad Bowling Green team. After being down 10-0 at half they then took the lead 14-10 until a fumble by Paris Cotton with just over 2 minutes to go gave BG the ball back, and they scored with 21 seconds left. Tough tough year for CMU football, on Friday they play our biggest rival Western Michigan in our last home game. That would be a big game to get, and would really help this team and all the fans, though nothing will help make this a good season at this point, just get a win. We have won 4 in a row against western, and they would love nothing more then to beat us at our place for just the second time since 1973, they have one tie as well in that time. Lucky for me, and other CMU fans, the basketball season is here, there will be a ex game on Wednesday night at mt p hs, and then the new events center opens DEC 1st against Temple.

The Pistons were up 19 on the Bulls and ended up loosing on Saturday night, it sucked, they were outscored 33-9 in the 4th, and our now 0-3. They lost on Friday night to the Thunder by one, after CV31 made a 3 to go up one, Jeff Green drove by Jason M like he was standing still and no one helped in time and he made a lay up for the win, Ben G didn't even get a shot off in the final 2.5 seconds, and basically dribbled out the clock, since we didn't have a time out left.

Wings did win 5-2 on Saturday night, so that is good, and the news is Jimmy Howard will be back in net starting on Wednesday, so that's good.

Someone told me the World Series is still going, but I can not confirm that. I'm right, you're wrong.