Moneyball Tip-Off Classic: Preview

If you are a fan of high school sports in Michigan. You should know the logo. Sexton guard Keyshawn Summerville is sporting it in the above picture. There is a chance you might not know the accompanying name. Moneyball sportswear outfits a fair amount of high school and AAU teams. Along with sponsoring a prestigious Pro-Am League. On Saturday December 9th the company will be the feature sponsor of the six game Tip Off Classic at a venue to be determined in the greater Lansing area. Following is a breakdown of the intriguing slate of games.

Game #1 Stockbridge vs Detroit Henry Ford

The lopsided enrollment matchup of the day. Detroit Henry Ford comes from the biggest school district in the state. While the Panthers will head up the turnpike from Stockbridge to….never mind I’m old. Stockbridge will roll into the event with an enrollment of 374 students in their high school. Don’t let that fool you though. The Panthers will feature one of the biggest players of the entire day. Shannon Henderson is an emerging 6-8 post with immense physical upside. I typed 6-8, but I’m not sure if I believe it. With his length, Henderson plays much bigger than 6-8. He runs the court like a guard and continues to improve rapidly. The growth from a spring elite camp, to his recent performance at the Prep Hoops Top 250 Expo was stark.

Henry Ford is a state championship program that has been pumping out small dynamic guards for quite some time. Next up is Terrence Coker. I saw Coker play well against a good Lansing Waverly squad (see below) at a showcase in Muskegon last year. This is a program that is used to playing in these settings. Expect this game to be a contrast in styles. As Henry Ford will probably bring heavy defensive pressure throughout the game.

Game #2 Lansing Everett vs Bridgeport

Magic Johnson High versus RJ Wicks High. Maybe that isn’t the fairest comparison? However Wicks could really go for Bridgeport back in the late 90’s before heading off to Rider. Everett is coming off a bit of a down year. They should return most of their team though. If you know anything about the perennially strong Viking program. They won’t be down for long.

Bridgeport will be the first of two Saginaw area programs to participate on the day. They are coming off an excellent 20-5 season. Falling to Flint Hamady in the regional semifinals. They should be led by the returning duo of senior Fransco Lee (6-4) and junior Torrion Burt (6-1) The Bearcats defeated Everett 74-51 last year. I would expect this years version to be a little closer.

Game #3 Mason vs Adrian

As we get to the middle of the day. It’s time for the point guards to shine. The Maples will feature fast rising Stevie Elam. Elam is coming off a huge summer with The Academy on the NY2LA circuit. He is a physical broad shouldered prospect with plenty of athleticism and burst. The 6-2 junior also features a tight handle with deep range on the perimeter.

The local Bulldog program with try to fend off Elam with a two headed backcourt attack. This will be made up of senior Luke Marlan and junior Levi Stambaugh. Marlan is a little bigger at 6-2 and more of a natural scorer. He should also be eager to return to the court after coming off an injury. Stambaugh is a 6-0 point guard. Like Elam he has a tight handle and a little wiggle to his game. It will be interesting to see which player draws the Elam defensive assignment. This should be a good one.

Game #4 Holt vs Detroit Cass Tech

The defending Division I state champion might have lost a little luster with the transfer out of state of Darius Acuff. However the Technicians program is not built on flash or shine. They earned last years trophy with “hard hat” Detroit defense. They will replace Acuff with one of the top players in Michigan’s emerging 2027 class in Stevie Hall. If he shakes off the football rust quickly. Sophomore Corey Sadler should also be a factor. Outside of Acuff, Tech also loses quite a bit of senior leadership as well. However they should be bigger along the front line.

The underclassmen guard talent in this contest will be strong. As the Rams will feature Okemos transfer Brandon Mercer II. Mercer put together one of better performances I saw this summer at a Ferris St Elite Camp in August. He is not very big (maybe 5-8) but plays with the appropriate chip on his shoulder. Gets wherever he wants with a “ball on a string” handle. Keeps defenses honest with deep range on the perimeter. How quickly he assimilates to a Holt program that has good guards already returning will be key.

Game #5 Lansing Waverly vs Lansing Sexton

The penultimate game brings a crosstown rivalry that should have the gym buzzing. I could take up a lot space by just providing a listing of next level prospects in this game. I’ll limit myself to just two per team. Rod Watts’ squad will be led by forwards Deunte Phifer and Trey Miller. Pifer is a versatile 6-5 senior. He is attracting Division I interest after an excellent grassroots campaign with REACH. Miller is a 6-5 junior who plays a little more in the post out of necessity. However he shown the ability play on the perimeter during the summer with the Grand Rapids Storm.

Sexton will feature a dynamic and very young backcourt. Sophomores Keyshawn Summerville and Markese Murray are the focal points. In addition to their youth. They do not feature a lot of size. Don’t let that fool you though. They can play with anyone. Summerville is already garnering Division I interest. At 5-10 he plays beyond his years with a seasoned “snake dribble” that keeps defenders on his hip. Murray is a little smaller (5-8) but really gets after it defensively. They play off each other well and also team up in the summer on their club team. Sexton also has a bevy of other talented young guards and will be very deep in the backcourt.

Game #6 Grand Ledge vs Saginaw

The farewell tour of one of the storied programs Michigan history will make their Lansing stop early. Coming off an appearance at the Breslin Center. Saginaw returns a good portion of their rotation and should be one of top teams in Division II. The Trojans will be led by junior guard Torrion Stevenson Jr. The post attack will be anchored by Ahijah Eichelberger and Brandon McCune. McCune is a senior that has the ability to stretch the floor with his touch from beyond the arc. I saw improvement from McCune while playing with Fort Wayne based OPS Elite this spring and summer. Eichelberger is a sophomore who is continuing to grow into his body.

The Comets will be playing on their second straight Saturday. After tipping off their season way up in Petoskey the weekend prior. They will feature a post attack highlighted by 6-8 sophomore Braden James. James has a ton of long term upside. The backcourt is deep. Of late I have been impressed by 6-2 junior Carson Daly. The physical prospect is improving and has the ability to play both backcourt positions.