Roundball Classic: Sunday Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In its 29th year the Motor City Roundball Classic remains the premier Christmas basketball event in the great state of Michigan. Sunday action produced ambitious seven game slate. Following are five standouts from Sunday action. <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1437983' first='Cameron' last='Hutson'] 6-5 2025 East Lansing (pictured) </strong>The Saint Louis signee produced a transition heavy outstanding performance. Particularly at the start of the second half. Scored the first five of the second half for the Trojans. Honestly I believe it was the first seven. A casually returning halftime crowd obscured my view early for a spell in the early third quarter. These points were important and the aggression set the tone for a big second half. Important as the contest was tied at 33 at the break. Hutson is hyper charged athlete who seems to find a second gear when the rim is in sight. Attacks without fear and is in the conversation for best finisher in the state. Is the more than just a leaper. Operates well in the mid range and has a nice handle. Could really blossom at the next level with more spacing and shooting around him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1437569' first='Xavier' last='Johnson'] 6-5 2025 UD Jesuit </strong>Similar Hutson (see above) in many ways. An explosive athlete with a “jack of all trades” type of versatile game. Johnson is a lefty and excels at the rim. Had a pair of dunks that came at seemingly critical junctures of a highly charged and intense game. Beyond the highlights is loaded with intangibles as well. Competed hard and was a major factor on the defensive end. Switched and hedged out hard on many of Old Redford talented guards (see below) Led the Cubs with 19 points and continues what has been a break out senior campaign. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1588198' first='Drew' last='Wilson'] 6-1 2026 Detroit Old Redford </strong>The West Bloomfield transfer looks to be fitting in seamlessly at Old Redford. Every time I see him I am struck by how he is just hard wired to score. The 2026 version of [player_tooltip player_id='1437544' first='Phoenix' last='Glassnor'] in that regard. Like Glassnor, not sure if he is a point guard. Not sure if he has the size to be a two at the next level. But I am sure he is going to get buckets wherever he is at. Drives to the basket with power and aggression while seeking out contact. The intensity might have gotten the best of him at times. However I think that is an edge that Coach Ray Reeves will live with. Led the Ravens with 18 points in the loss. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1588155' first='Maxwell' last='Muhl'] 5-10 2026 Rochester </strong>In a four day star studded showcase.nThis underrated junior might have turned in the best shooting performance of the event. (might— I only attended two of the days) Was simply automatic from beyond the arc. I wasn't surprised as I have seen him do this multiple times playing up an age level on the Prep Hoops Circuit. Had four threes in the first half as his opponent largely played zone. Adjusted accordingly after they began to run him off the line in the second half. Moved into the mid rage and used the space to set up teammates. Good ball handler with point guard skills to go along with the shooting. With his height will probably be a point at the next level. Finished with 22 points and six threes in a loss to Redford Thurston.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Andrew Ashwood 6-1 2025 Romulus Summit Academy North </strong>I don't generally write about what I don't see in person. However I was able to stay for the first half of the Sunday night finale. In that half Ashwood continued to show the all around game that was so impressive with [program_tooltip program_id='2539820' first='The' last='Academy'] this summer. Isn't the biggest guard but makes up for it in a variety of ways. The physical component is his thick upper body and broad shoulders. This helps him absorb contact on drives. The second trait is a little more nebulous. He just plays so hard. Really gets after it with a super high motor on both ends of the court. Just a fierce next level competitor. It's easy to play the results. However as I got back into my Ark to brave the rain on the way home at the half. I literally thought “I bet Ashwood figures out a way to win that game.” Believe me or not, I wasn't surprised when I got home to see he has won it with a late three. Ashwood continues his stellar senior year and remains criminally underrated statewide. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->