Event Preview: Moneyball Tipoff Classic

The mostly sparse gym you see pictured above is one of the true cathedrals of Michigan High School Basketball. The Don Johnson Fieldhouse on Lansing’s east side will host the Moneyball Tipoff Classic this Saturday. An ambitious four (maybe five) game slate that will feature top capital area squads against some of the Detroit area’s best.

Below is the schedule, followed by game capsules that will give a fan an idea of what to watch for on Saturday. Come out and support high school basketball in Michigan. A rising tide lifts all boats. We need more events like this in the Mitten.

Lansing Everett vs Lansing Catholic Central

Reason to Watch: A little Lansing royalty to start the day off. Magic Johnson High versus Cooper Rush High. While those aren’t quite the most equivalent comparisons off the court. On the court this should be an intriguing matchup of two improving but young teams. Everett has a good win over a talented Traverse City Central team to start the year. While this is Catholic Central’s opener.

Matchup to Watch: A “matchup of two rising prospects in Michigan’s 2027 class. I use the quotes on matchup intentionally. As the two stars will not be facing off positionally. Everett will be fronted by 6-2 junior Marrion May. A dynamic and athletically explosive point guard with excellent positional size. May is a versatile stat sheet stuffer. As the 25 point and 8 rebound opening stat line shows.

Catholic Central’s offense will revolve around junior Seth Hahnenberg. A 6-6 combo forward who equals May in versatility. Only he does it from the paint. Strong enough to just “bully ball” players in the post. Also skilled enough to operate in the mid range and initiate offense out of the high post. An excellent above the finisher rim as well. He can get off the ground quickly and with extreme force. A little under the radar statewide, as he runs with an Indiana AAU team. He (or May) can open some eyes with a big performance on Saturday.

Breakout Player: May is talented enough to do it all by himself. Not saying he will have to, but his position allows him to do this. As a post in the high school game, it’s a little harder for Hahnenberg to pull the solo act off. When I caught Catholic at a scrimmage a few weekends ago. I liked Zach Snitgen a 6-4 junior forward who could be a nice second option for the Cougars.

Lansing Eastern vs Pontiac

Reason to Watch: Fans of certain age (the number starts with a four) will appreciate this coaching matchup. Ron Banks (Lansing Eastern) and Dion Harris (Pontiac) could really go back in the day. This is about the kids though. This game isn’t loaded with high profile players… yet. I caught Eastern at a scrimmage a few weekends. They have some intriguing pieces, and Pontiac is very young.

Matchup to Watch: In two separate settings I have been impressed recently with Eastern’s senior point guard Raul Romero. Looked solid at a recent scrimmage and a late summer School Days open run. How he matches up with Pontiac junior JJ Claudio will be a key to the game.

Breakout Player: Could be a little late on the “breakout” front. It might have already happened. Eastern’s Ian Curtis was on one during the Quakers opening victory. A 25 point 16 rebound performance against a decent Haslett squad is impressive. Can the 6-5 junior keep that momentum going into Saturday? A breakout on the other side? You could play pick a Phoenix. As Pontiac’s young roster features three freshmen and a sophomore.

Holt vs Detroit UD Jesuit

Reason to Watch: A new era at Jesuit? The Cubs at UDJ are undoubtedly one of the 21st century blue blood programs in Michigan. With the banners to back that claim up. However they have not been a staple of the “Saturday Showcase” scene. Rarely venturing outside of the metro Detroit area for games. Can’t argue with the results. With their longtime coach retiring, Jesuit appears to have changed course slightly. They are heading down I-96 early to take on a strong Holt squad early in the 2025-2026 season.

Matchup to Watch: Ever since a dominating elite camp performance where he was still listed as an Okemos player. I’ve long been a fan of Holt’s point guard Brandon Mercer. He is not very big, but that is about all you can ding him for. Keeps defenses honest with extremely deep range on the perimeter and a very tight handle. With the graduation departure of Leroy Blyden (Toledo) How does Jesuit slow down not just Mercer, but a potent and deep Ram backcourt attack?

Most likely they will try and exploit their size advantage on the perimeter. Senior Jaden Garwood is a multi faceted 6-4 weapon. Not sure he has the foot speed to stay in front of Mercer but certainly has the physicality to bother a smaller guard. Fellow senior Solomon Spann IV should also play a role in the perimeter effort. A secondary matchup is the inverse of the first. Do the Rams have the size to counter the twin tower attack of Colin (Sr 6-8) and Clark Langdon (6-6 Jr) down low? Holt’s 6-6 junior Christian Davis will give it a shot. This should be a fun one.

Breakout Player: As mentioned above, Holt is loaded with backcourt options. However they are not biggest bunch. Trevon Johnson a 6-2 junior has the prerequisite perimeter skillset but with more vertical pop. I was impressed with his play at this summer’s Ferris St elite camp.

Lansing Sexton vs Detroit Cass Tech

Reason to Watch: With a freshly minted and unique mascot. Along with a move down to Division II. The Sexton program has been on a steady rise the last few years. Culminating with a thrilling and dramatic quarterfinal run last year. They are taking on all comers this year. After opening with a loss to the defending Division I champions in East Lansing. They take on one of the largest public high schools in the state. Also, a tough conference game sandwiched in there as well. If Sexton can get through this early gauntlet at 2-1. They would clearly cement their case as Division II title contenders.

Matchup to Watch: As the penultimate matchup there will talent all over the court. However, you simply cannot ignore the billing of the top players, Keyshawn Summerville (Sexton) and Stevie Hall (Cass Tech) This might be the best point guard matchup you will see all year. Arguably the top point guards in the 2026 and 2027 classes respectively. They are also a nice contrast in styles. As a 5-10 senior, Summerville plays with a low center of gravity and plenty of craftiness accumulated over four years of varsity experience. The 6-1 Hall is bigger, plays upright, and is more of a natural scorer. Hall went for 36 in his opener against a good Belleville squad. This should be a good one.

Keys to the Game: How will Sexton handle Cass Tech’s vaunted half court press/trap? Sexton’s guards are very good but small. Will the Technicians perimeter length pose too much of problem? Towards that measure watch out for some emerging posts who might make an impact on the backside. Allowing the guards to simply go over the top of the press. Mainly Terryon Skipwith (6-4 Sr) and Korey Jackson (6-6 Jr) for Sexton. Conversely Cass Tech’s emerging junior Armani Wright (6-8) could also play an outsized role in deciding this contest.

**Correction: An earlier draft of this article mistakenly said this game was not taking place**

East Lansing vs Detroit Martin Luther King

Reason to Watch: Simply put, I’m not sure there are not too many non conference games that are going to be bigger this year. The defending Division I state champion against what some are calling the top ranked team out of Detroit. The Crusaders are probably not very happy with Lansing proper at the moment. As King dropped a close one to Lansing Waverly last weekend. It would be an understatement to say defeating the Trojans would be a nice early way to right the ship.

Matchup to Watch: A mirror image matchup. AAU teammates, KJ Torbert against Steven Jones are strong and physical wing prospects. Torbert (Bowling Green) comes in with the bigger statewide reputation. Jones is tough as nails and knows he can play with Torbert. I have a feeling there will be personal bent to this matchup.

Keys to the Game: Who dictates tempo? East Lansing gets out in transition as efficiently as any team I have seen in quite some time. They might not have the depth to play at such a breakneck pace this year. King isn’t some traditional “set it up”” slowdown unit. However, their ethos and lineup composition keeps them more in the halfcourt. Key to that composition in 6-9 junior Tyler Hunter. Hunter is a mountain of a post prospect that few in the state can match in terms of physicality. The Trojans slender 6-6 senior Dequarius Stewart will try and use his length to counter the height and girth disparity. This could be another classic Lansing/Detroit matchup on the hallowed and historic Paul Cook Court,