Comeback Kids

Resurgent U-16 Lakers fall in Willow Run final

Ypsilanti--Match me if you can.

The U-16 Lakers finally figured out what it takes to compete at a high level this past weekend: EFFORT.

What Lakers' head coach Marcellus Miller had only been getting consistently out of two players--Darius Wilson (pictured below) and Joey Jerisk (pictured right)--he got from everyone on Sunday.

After two setbacks on Saturday to the Detroit Rising Stars and the Detroit Dynasty, the Lakers put together two wins in tournament play. The first erased the memory of a 23-point loss to the Rising Stars on Saturday. The Lakers brought the Stars back to earth on Sunday, dominating the game on the defensive end and winning by 20 points.

In game two, the Lakers turned in a gutsy performance against a talented and undisciplined Team Detroit squad, winning by 10.

The Lakers ran out of gas against the host team, The Program, in the finale; but, not before one last gasp late in the second half to bring their lead back to 10 points.

When we were at our lowest point, The Program was winning the CDBA U-16 tournament in K-Zoo. Now we are competing with them in a championship final? Not too shabby, boys.

Take a picture

Watching the Rising Stars play on Sunday reminded me of the Lakers team I've been watching all season. Remember what that looks like. It's pathetic.

Weekend's best

Top overall player: Demarco Sanders - Sanders finally put together a great tournament on both ends of the floor. The Lakers' 6-1 shooter/scorer averaged more than 17 points per game, limited his turnovers and poor shots and got after it on defense.

Top offensive player: James Johnson - Once again, Johnson was the Lakers' greatest threat to score. If Johnson can keep himself in the game and out of foul trouble, he could be the Lakers' leading scorer the rest of the way. He poured in 20 points against the Rising Stars on Sunday.

Top defensive player: Joey Jerisk - In a word, Jerisk is relentless. Jerisk stepped into a starting role in the backcourt in place of Cody Campbell this weekend and proved once again that he is one of the best stoppers around. Jerisk single-handedly made the Dynasty's top shooter disappear in the second half on Saturday.

Top play: James Johnson's spin move and finish in transition against Detroit RS. That was S-I-C-K.

Most improved player: Troy Wright - The Lakers' point guard cut down on turnovers dramatically on Sunday and began playing his position with his heart AND his head.

Points to Ponder

--Know who your teammates are. Get to know them better; talk to them during the week; make sure you have the ability to contact EVERY ONE of your teammates.

--Let your coach talk to the officials. We did a good job of keeping our composure this weekend, even when other teams didn't. Let's not stray from that.

--Learn to love defense. Do you want to stand out to the eyes of a college coach? Take pride in defense. Coaches are NEVER impressed by players who love to score. Who doesn't love to do that?

--Play bigger. Our big guys, Ethan in particular, did a good job defensively on bigger and stronger opponents. That being said, we need our bigs to play that big on the offensive end. We have confidence in you guys.

--Screens ARE NOT for the ball only. Set picks for our scorers when they are moving away from the ball, too

--Get some !@#$%^& sleep!! There is no reason players should be zombies before games and even on the ride to the gym. Take this whole thing seriously. Get some sleep before tournaments. This is especially true of our two players from Carman-Yawnsworth.

--Do you want to keep playing? Tournaments are not free. Make full payment of your team fee by June 23rd to secure your spot for the summer season.