Event Preview: Jeff McDonald Classic

The 2nd annual Jeff McDonald Classic will held at Cadillac High School this Saturday. The four game slate will feature established stars, college commitments, and hidden gems. However… first things first.

As long as my name adorns this website, and this event bears his name. I will begin with some words about Jef McDonald. On paper, there are few coaches more accomplished than the longtime Cadillac head coach. As the cliche goes, games are not played on paper. On the playing field that really matters— life. Coach McDonald was what we call in scouting circles, an elite and rare talent.

In my job I get to interact with wide variety of coaches from both the high school and college levels. On the whole they are good and decent individuals. However the successful ones share a nearly universally trait. A hyper competitive and focused streak that can at times be a detriment.

Coach McDonald definitely had the competitive streak that fits into that category. However he was one of the more decent, kind, and classy individuals I have met. These are not the words of a former player fondly remembering his youth. I never played for him. I played against him once. He was my guidance counselor. As a somewhat jaded teenager on my second high school. I remember thinking that the “kindness” thing might have been an act. A trick they taught guidance counselors in school

As an adult when I entered the teaching field myself. I came to realize two things. One, it wasn’t an act. It was simply how he treated everyone. Second, as young teacher I realized how hard it was to actually pull it off. I challenge you to find one his former players. You would be surprised how many are still active in coaching and AAU circles. I’m sure their stories would echo or even go beyond mine.

I’ll end this soliloquy with this anecdote. He won a lot of tournament trophies over the years. I’ve never seen a coach collect a trophy, give it to his team, and vacate the area so quickly. It really was about the kids and he let them enjoy it. In that humble spirit, he would say this was a bit much. He would want the focus to be on the kids. So let’s get to it.

Game #1 Benzie Central vs Bay City Western

Two years removed from a regional final appearance. The Huskies of Benzie Central had a bit of down year last season. They are bouncing back in a big way. At the time of writing they have two losses. However they were to quality opponents in Menominee and Big Rapids.

They are led by senior wing Jaxon Childers. The explosive 6-2 athlete plays above the rim and can run and jump with anyone in the state. He is also an excellent outside shooter. The post is manned by 6-6 senior Miles Pritchett. Like Childers, Pritchett is a next level athlete who has improved rapidly throughout his career. Both the present and future are bright for the Huskies. As sophomore guard Rowan Zickert leads a host of young players who contribute.

Bay City Western is currently below .500. However those losses have came against a gauntlet of a schedule. They are led by 6-3 senior guard Kaeson Frost. Frost is coming off a good grassroots campaign with The Program and is one of the top guards in the Tri-City region. This should be a good one.

Game #2 Petoskey vs Grand Rapids Union

The second game will be a game for the guards, Both squads are returning for their second appearance in the event. After years of churning out next level big men. Petoskey is a little smaller than usual. However they feature a strong senior backcourt in Shane Izzard (5-11) and Jimmy Marshall (6-1)

After being a competitive team in the Grand Rapids area for a while. Union has hit a bit of a rough patch. They are winless on the season with some lopsided losses. That being said, they rolled up to Cadillac last year and defeated a solid Traverse City West squad in a close contest. The Red Hawks will be a hungry squad looking for a victory this Saturday.

Game #3 Traverse City West vs Sparta

The Titans of Traverse City West seem to be finding their stride in the second season under the helm of head coach Doug Bauman. They are alone in second place of the Big North Conference and they only have two losses overall. They are not very big but are led by a cadre of good guards. Leading this group is junior Lincoln Lockhart (5-11) Lockhart had an excellent summer with the West Michigan Lakers. However also watch out for juniors Winslow Robinson and Caden Stoops. Along with seniors Ben Habers and Quinten Gillespie.

The Titans have a huge week as they host undefeated and state ranked Dearborn Friday night. This is quite the 24 hour turnaround. Sparta heads north led by 6-5 senior swingman Jaden Krynicki. Like his opponent Lockhart, Krynicki is also coming off a good summer with the West Michigan Lakers. He has committed to play at Division II Northwood next season. The Spartans are hovering around .500 against a difficult schedule.

Game #4 Cadillac vs Dearborn Fordson

Like waiting for the headliner at an all day music festival. The finale should be a good one that pays off. At the time of writing Cadillac is undefeated. In their first year in Division I. They are a dark horse to make a deep run. The Vikings are led by 6-6 junior wing Charlie Howell. Howell is a versatile and athletic prospect who can play with anyone in the state. However my attention will be focused on the junior duo of Kyle McGowan (6-7) and Gavin Goetz (6-6). No other way to say it. They drew the short straw on Saturday. As they get to go up against….

Mohammad Habhab (pictured at top) Get ready Northern Michigan. Players of this caliber don’t play this far North often. Habhad is a 6-9 prospect who defies positional labels. He can do it all. Passes, shoots, and handles the ball well. He is a big time rim protector and should be good for a few powerful dunks. The Central Michigan commit is surrounded by a solid supporting cast and this should be a competitive contest to wrap up a big day of basketball.