Out of the Blue

U-17 Lakers' 2007 Season Wrap-Up

Team overview: The U-17 Lakers started the season strong with a runner-up finish in the R & G tournament in Detroit and finished with an excellent performance at the final Aim High tournament in Lansing, finishing 4-1.

In the middle, the Lakers won the silver division title at the Camp Darryl/Bankhoops Tournament in Three Rivers, Michigan.

The U-17 Lakers proved that a first-year grassroots program could go toe-to-toe with established clubs with money to burn.

You should know that there were many great people behind the scenes volunteering their time to make this whole thing go for both teams. From running clocks, to giving rides, we owe a debt of gratitude to the following people...

Special Thanks: Marcellus Miller, Larry Weber, Stephen Rivette, Chris Matheson, John Wilmers, Chris Hutton, Jeremy Trent, Steve Schmidt, Steve Moreland, Ed Kendall, Gavin Raath, Andrew Bolton, Rudy Gay, Jim Pope, Wayne Hope, Rita Angle, Jim Fly, Josh Glitz, Joellen Reed, Paul Thwing, Terry Blanchett.

Awards

Most Valuable Player: Chris Hutton, Lapeer West

Hutton was the Lakers' most consistent scoring threat and was as good a team player as we could have asked for. Hutton gave 100 percent in practice and in games and, by season's end, really came into his own, defensively. Hutton earned the respect of his teammates, coaches and everyone involved with the Lakers. When it's all said and done, I am confident that no Laker will have been better served by the summer of 2007 than Hutton.

Best Defensive Player: Ahmad Cheers, Flint Carman-Ainsworth

This wasn't a no-brainer. The U-17 Lakers were blessed with two of the top defensive guards in the state with Cheers and IAF's Tyler Wilson. Cheers had the task of guarding Fowlerville's Sean Romsek, one of the top scorers in the state on the summer circuit, twice and held him without a basket in both games. Cheers, like Hutton, always came to practices and tournaments and always gave 100 percent. He's also not too bad defending against my constant clowning.

Most Improved Player: Devon Weaver, Flint Northwestern

This one was easy. No one could have guessed that, by season's end, the lanky 6-5 Weaver would look like an intriguing wing prospect. But, there he was, taking it to the rack and finishing with touch, defending the perimeter and hitting from mid-range. Weaver is coachable, diligent and, with added strength, should have the opportunity to play basketball in college.

Best Prospect: (Tie) Max Gover, Lansing Catholic and Tyler Moreland, Flint Powers

At 6-4, Gover has all the tools to make the college scouts take notice. He can handle the ball, get off the floor, and hit from range. Gover's high release makes his mid-range pull-up virtually unblockable. Max can go as far as he'll let himself go.

Moreland is basketball's version of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. He is powerful and precise, choppy and tranquil. Whatever it is you need him to do, he can do it. He's not yet where he needs to be defensively, but he's got enough savvy to be an impact player at the division one level.

Best team player: Steve Wilmers, Lapeer East

Wilmers, a bona fide star in the Flint Metro League, apparently doesn't know what being a star means. Unlike most players who possess immense athletic talent, Wilmers plays basketball the way it is meant to be played.

No one exemplified the team concept better than Wilmers, who doesn't know how to play any other way. Even when the outcomes of games are not in question, Wilmers still sets screens, hits the boards, and finds the open man.

Little Big Man: Ryan Praski, New Lothrop

In Physics, most of us have learned about Joules--units that measure, for lack of a better term, work. No one earned more Joules for the Lakers than Praski, who might just be the best rebounder under 6-feet in the state. But, Praski's success on the hardwood is not just about hard work. If he can't outwork you, he'll outsmart you. Here's a quick prediction: Praski will be the best player in the GAC Blue in 2007-2008.

Out of the Blue, too

U-16 Lakers' 2007 Season Wrap-Up

Team overview: Several members of the U-16 Lakers didn't really start playing with the team in actual games until the Run 'n' Slam tournament in Fort Wayne.

That fact made their play together that weekend all the more impressive.

The Lakers' goal in their first tournament coming off their great play in the Cage spring league was simply to compete--and that's exactly what they did.

The U-16 Lakers' season culminated with a semifinals appearance in the Adidas Midwest Explosion tournament at Notre Dame. The Lakers were led by the big four, Terrence Keaton, Courtland Patterson, Danny Thwing and Brian Sheridan.

The U-16 Lakers played like a team from start to finish at Notre Dame, and proved that they could compete at a high level with anyone.

Their secret? Hard work in practice and a willingness to learn.

Awards

Most Valuable Player: Brian Sheridan, New Lothrop

The task of choosing an MVP for this team was daunting. It really could have been any one of five guys. It can be said, however, that no one deserved it more than Brian Sheridan (right). No player outworked him and no player was more a part of this team.

Sheridan gave his all every time he stepped on the floor. He rebounded, scored baskets in the paint and never backed down to anyone, defensively.

Look for Sheridan to be a fixture in the paint at New Lothrop for the next two years.

Hopefully we'll see you next year, Brian.

Best Defensive Player: Daniel Thwing, Davison

At last, an easy one.

Daniel Thwing (left) is any coach's dream. He plays defense with the same vigor as he does offense, a rarity these days.

Very often in games, it came down to Daniel to guard the other team's best player--no matter what position he played.

Daniel was by far the most versatile Laker and a true stopper.

Last year at this time I didn't think Danny could play a guard spot in the Big Nine and I was wrong. I think Danny can play any one of four positions. He's just that kind of player.

Most Improved Player: Demetrius Miller, Flint Central

Everyone knows Meechie has talent, but it didn't really come to the fore until the end of the season when he started really working guys on the perimeter.

Early in the season, he was more passive and didn't seem all too comfortable in the Lakers' offensive sets. But, once Meechie got settled in he finally began to lean on his strong suit--getting to the rim and finishing. No Laker did that better than Meechie this season.

(And I still owe him five bucks for that dunk...)

Best Prospect: (Tie) Courtland Patterson and Terrence Keaton

At 6-4, Patterson (right) is long, lean and bouncy with an excellent mid-range game.

What's most exciting about Patterson, however, is his ability to play three positions with relative ease. He is at his best coming from the weak side on defense to block shots, and in transition on offense, floating to the rim for highlight reel dunks.

Patterson recently moved to North Carolina with his family. He will be missed.

An early season ankle injury was a major setback to Terrence Keaton, who appeared to be the Lakers' surefire MVP early on.

At 6-5, Keaton is stronger and more savvy than the average 16-year-old post player. What further separates him, however, is his desire to do all the things you want your big man to do--rebound, block shots, and score easy baskets. He doesn't float around the perimeter like many post players do. Keaton gets after it.

Best team player: Russell Hope, Swartz Creek

Hope's future is in basketball, at least in one way, shape or form. This young man is all smarts, and would make a great coach someday. He's never played in a game that he could win, nor has he ever met anyone he wouldn't share the ball with. He was the Lakers' vocal leader, and that much was evident from day one. He is still well over a year away from being a four year varsity starter at Swartz Creek, but you wouldn't know it by watching him. He has the basketball I.Q. of a hardwood scholar.