Michigan State Tournament: Steve’s 16U Semis Recaps

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Championship Sunday at the Prep Hoops Michigan State Tournament I was able to catch both 16U semifinals. In this article, we touch on the standouts from each team and the results of the contest.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='2075648' first='Michigan' last='Goonies'] (81) defeated [program_tooltip program_id='2076061' first='Detroit' last='Bulldogs'] (68)&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In what was a back-and-forth game of runs early on became one sided towards the end of the game. [program_tooltip program_id='2075648' first='Michigan' last='Goonies'] in the first half were led by athletic guard [player_tooltip player_id='1899423' first='Trey' last='Richardson'] who scored 14 points off athletic plays around the basket. He had a soft mid-range touch on his shot and even mixed in some one-handed floaters. [player_tooltip player_id='2218042' first='Randall' last='Rice'] was the key for the Goonies as he applied an aggressive style of play on both sides of the ball. Rice was sharp on his crossover moves when attacking the rim. He was smart enough to create contact when going to score. On defense, he was picking up 94 feet and turning guys forcing bad passes and mishaps. Randall finished with 18 points and Richardson ended with 16. The [program_tooltip program_id='2076061' first='Detroit' last='Bulldogs'] stayed competitive behind 2027 guard [player_tooltip player_id='2140520' first='Marrion' last='May']. The shifty guard who still should be coming out of 8th grade at 14 years old was dominant at times. He found ways to score in every which way. On the perimeter, he played off-ball screens turned the corner on defenders keeping them on his back and scoring in traffic. He was spot on from mid-range as he didn't miss many. May has a really good IQ for the game which is why he's playing up a level. He led all scorers with 20 in the first half. It wasn't all Marrion for the Bulldogs as he got some scoring help from Ezekiel Wilson who hit four 3s in the game. Wilson did a terrific job at moving away from the ball and getting to open spots. It wasn't enough as Goonies applied more pressure in the second half to both players and that would determine the game. May finished with 28 points and Wilson had 20.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>North Coast Premier (68) defeated United Premier (48).</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>North Coast Premier was just too much for [program_tooltip program_id='2269794' first='United' last='Persuit'], as they had 5 guys in double digits and they just couldn't keep them off the boards. North Coast had an apparent size advantage in this game and they used it right away. 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1806491' first='Owen' last='Vanderwaal'] was instrumental with inside scoring. At 6'6 he's very fundamental in the post. Keeps the ball high and above his waist at all times. He had several plays where he scored baskets was and fouled in the act. Owen ended with 13 points. 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1805262' first='Caleb' last='Claerbaut'] was the biggest player on the court at 6'8 and he provided the perimeter shooting for Premier. Hitting 2 of 5 from three he was instrumental when [program_tooltip program_id='2269794' first='United' last='Persuit'] went zone. Caleb finished with 12 points. For [program_tooltip program_id='2269794' first='United' last='Persuit'] 2026 Quentin Edwards Jr is a slick guard who did his best scoring amongst the trees. Edwards was smart to get most of his scoring off layups while North Coast were getting back on defense. Quentin led his team with 17 points in the loss.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><u>Championship Game&nbsp;</u></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>North Coast Premier (74) blew out [program_tooltip program_id='2075648' first='Michigan' last='Goonies'] (37)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In a complete route from start to finish North Coast was led by guards [player_tooltip player_id='2398933' first='Seth' last='Aukeman'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1588209' first='Adam' last='Dugener'] who both had 14. This game was never close. Premier ran away with the victory and the Michigan State Championship.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->