Lansing Eastern Tip off Classic

-Website should be live by Monday- until then, here is a write up on the tip off classic from Saturday, December 11th, at Lansing Eastern High School.

Talk about saving the best for last. Lansing Eastern lead most of the game against rival Lansing Sexton Saturday night at Don Johnson Field House and the score read 67-60 Eastern with just over two minutes to go. Sadly for the Quakers they didn’t score again, as Sexton finished the game on a 10-0 run to win 70-67. MSU bound 2012 wing Denzel Valentine came up big in the final minute and after tying the game with 40 seconds to go on a runner in the lane, he then had a steal and a dunk to give the Sexton’s the lead for the first time in the second half. It was a second half of runs, as Eastern built a 9 point lead before Sexton came back and tied it at 42; Eastern then went on a 12-0 run themselves to retake the lead and some people even starting to end for the exits. Eastern gave Sexton a chance by taking some quick shots, having some turnovers and then missing free throws in the final two minutes. 2013 PG Cha Cha Tucker missed a front end of a one and one, and then missed his other two free throws, as well as a runner in the lane when they were down two with 3 seconds to go. After Valentine spilt from the line, Eastern had the ball down 3 with 2.5 seconds to go. A long pass gave LaDontae Hinton a contested 3 pointer at the buzzer to tie the game, but it was off the mark as the Sexton players and fans celebrated a big win. It may only be early December but the game had a March feel to it. LaDontae Hinton had his usually double double and finished with 31 points. Brain Morton, 6’2 2013 guard had a good overall game, as he hit two 3s, got some big offensive rebounds, had a handful of steals and played as good as defense as you can play on Valentine all nigh, Valentine finished with 13 points, but half of those were in the final two minutes. Morton may not get the love as Eastern’s other 2013 studs, Tucker and Steve Haney JR, who because of transfer rules is out till January, but Morton can flat out play as well. Tyrin Wade, the 6’5 senior also played well for Sexton as he joined Bryn Forbes, 6’3 2012, as the other Sexton players in double figures.

Before that game Detroit Pershing lost 97-81 to Summit Christian, as Pershing is a year away from being the normal Pershing team we have come to expect. Leading Pershing was 2012 Sherron Dorsey-Walker, who had 26 points, though it wasn’t one of his better shooting games. 2013 guard Martez Walker had 19 points as well for Pershing. For Summit Christian it was Trahson Burrell with 22 points, while Justin Edmonds had 18 and Walter Pitchford had 17. Pitchford is basically a 6’9 wing player now and showed a good touch on his mid range jump shot, while still showing that athletic ability to finish off plays above the rim and get some rebounds. He still needs to get a little stronger, but I feel the one time DePaul commit will find another division one home without too much trouble before this year is over.

Steve Schwanda
All Eyes on U Hoops
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