Wednesday, August 24, 2005

Top Basketball Teams

Lathrup seniors get final shot

By David Goricki / The Detroit News

David Guralnick / The Detroit News Timika Williams, Lathrup's 6-foot-1 center, is a dominant player inside on offense and defense. She is a fourth-year starter, along with the rest of Lathrup's lineup. Comment on this story Send this story to a friend Get Home Delivery

1. SOUTHFIELD-LATHRUP

(25-2, Class A)

LATHRUP VILLAGE - Jareica Hughes, Brittane Russell, Timika Williams, Dhanmite Slappey and Briana Whitehead have accomplished a lot since starting as freshmen at Southfield-Lathrup, but a state championship has eluded them.

This will be the talented players' last chance to live their dream. They have helped the Chargers win 92 percent of their games (68-6) during the past three years, piling up a number of league, district and regional championships along the way.

Still, it is the state championship the Chargers want. They came a point from reaching the Class A title game last season, losing to eventual champion Lansing Waverly in the semifinals.

"We're expecting to win it (the state title)," coach Michele Jackson said. "It's our goal. It's a realistic goal, too, with our experience and depth.

"This will also be the toughest year for me for one reason: You'll never get a group of kids like this ever again. They're great players, great students and great people. They've been like my daughters and it's going to be tough to hand them over to someone else after this year."

Hughes and Russell -- 5-foot-3 guards -- make up one of the quickest backcourts in the state. Hughes runs the offense and averaged 16 points, five assists and four steals. Russell, who averaged 14 points, four assists and three steals, is an outstanding perimeter shooter. They are outstanding ballhandlers and exceptional in the open court.

Williams, a 6-1 center who averaged 15 points, 12 rebounds and two blocks, is a dominant inside scorer, rebounder and shot blocker. Slappey is a small power forward at 5-8, but the team's "heart and toughness and best defender," according to Jackson. Slappey averaged four points and 10 rebounds. Whitefield, a 5-8 forward, is expected to have her best season. She averaged four points and four rebounds last season.

"We came in as starters and we've worked three long years to win a state title," Hughes said. "We've always had the talent and chances, but fell short. We feel we will get there this time and get it done. That's our main goal.

"We all know each other's game and that's a big advantage on the court. We just have to play well together ... play as one and we'll get the job done."

Norrissa Holiday, a 6-3 senior, gives the Chargers size off the bench.

2. GRANDVILLE

(22-3, Class A)

Allyssa DeHaan (26 points, 12.9 rebounds, 9.8 blocks), who is 6-8, is among four returning starters from last year's state quarterfinal team. DeHaan will have a strong supporting cast, led by 5-9 point guard Phillana Greene (nine points, three assists), 5-9 forward Melissa Gross and 5-10 junior forward Reanna Trombly.

3. DETROIT KING

(21-3, Class A)

King, the state runner-up last year, has the best frontcourt in the state in 6-3 Jasmine Stone (12 points, 14 rebounds), 6-0 Lequisha Whitfield (12 points, six rebounds), 6-3 sophomore Diamond Smith and 6-0 junior Jasmine Collins. The question mark is the backcourt: King has to replace its top four guards. Sophomores Janay Dockery, Raytoria Jones and Nadia Coffee and freshman Courtney Townsend will run the offense.

4. LANSING WAVERLY

(21-7, Class B)

Waverly, last season's Class A champion, drops to Class B. Center Lauren Aitch has moved to Michigan State, but Waverly still has a talented lineup, led by high-scoring 6-foot forward Britni Houghton (17.8 points, 8.5 rebounds). Waverly will miss 5-8 forward Kelcie Thomas (eight points, five rebounds), who is out 4-8 weeks after having knee surgery following a car accident. Guard Jocelyn Ingram (9.2 points, five rebounds), who is 5-9, 5-1 junior Jordan Dunn, 5-3 senior Lacey Best-Rowden and 5-9 junior forward Tiara Adams also return.

5. DETROIT RENAISSANCE

(22-3, Class B)

Six-foot Janelle Harris returns from a knee injury to join a strong nucleus that is led by returning starting guards Briana Mitchell (eight points, three assists, three steals), Kanisha Ward (six points, three assists) and Miesha Barksdale (six points). Forward Ashley Williams and 5-5 junior guard Jasmine Cooper.

6. LANSING CATHOLIC CENTRAL

(23-4, Class B)

The Cougars have three starters back from last year's state semifinal team, led by two Division 1 recruits: 5-11 guard Andrea Doneth (14 points, eight rebounds, four assists) and 6-1 center Molly Hackney (13 points, 10 rebounds). Annie Earls, a 5-11 forward, is the other returning starter. Teresa DeLuca and Katie Lambert also will play key roles.

7. DETROIT PERSHING

(15-6, Class A)

Sireece Bass and Antoinette Richbow (21 points, five assists) give Pershing the top backcourt in the PSL. Six-foot forward Lauren Martin (10 points, eight rebounds) and 6-0 junior center Tynikki Cook (eight points, 12 rebounds) provide size inside.

8. WEST BLOOMFIELD

(20-5, Class A)

Six-foot forward Randall Hurst (18.5 points, 13 rebounds) gives the Lakers inside scoring. Junior Brittany Jones (20.3 points), a talented guard who transferred from Rochester, will join sophomore Tabitha Mahoney in the backcourt.

9. TRAVERSE CITY WEST

(17-7, Class A)

Traverse City West lacks size but has quickness, including guard Kalyn McPherson (29.5 points, 11 rebounds), who is headed to Michigan, and junior point guard Erica Olson (eight points, three assists). Julian Dormitzer (four points, five rebounds), who is 5-9, also is among five returning starters.

10. AUBURN HILLS AVONDALE

(17-5, Class A)

China Threatt and Keshia Hines (12 points, eight rebounds, two blocks) are among four returning starters. Threatt, a 5-9 guard who missed most of last season because of a knee injury, has outstanding quickness. Hines, a 6-2 junior, is a strong post player who also runs the court well. Sade Johnson (11 points), a 5-9 junior, and 5-2 senior Brittany Holston also are returning starters.

11. NILES

(22-3, Class B)

Division I recruits Brandie Radde (Louisville) and Sarah Dreher (Western Michigan) are among three returning starters from last year's state quarterfinal team. Radde, a 5-11 guard, averaged 14 points, six rebounds, three steals and three assists. Dreher, a physical inside player at 5-11, averaged 18 points and seven rebounds. Megan Scameheorn returns to run the offense.

12. HOWELL

(17-7, Class A)

Heather Hatter (11.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.3 blocks), who is 6-1, and 5-11 junior guard Anna Patritto (7.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, four steals) are among four starters back for Howell, which won 13 straight before losing to state champion Lansing Waverly in a regional. Junior point guard Lindsay Davis, who is 5-6, and 5-7 guard Victoria Woodard return.

13. STERLING HEIGHTS STEVENSON

(14-8, Class A)

Four-year starters Molly Dwyer (19.8 points, seven rebounds, seven steals, five assists) and 6-2 Liana Boer (12 points, 12 rebounds) are among four returning starters. Dwyer has committed to Western Michigan and Boer is being recruited by Arizona, Valparaiso and Southwest Missouri State.

14. FLUSHING

(16-5, Class A)

Guards Taylor Silas (Southwest Missouri State), Courtney Walters and Kiley Salomon return. Silas averaged 11 points and five rebounds; Walters, a 5-5 junior, averaged 16 points, three assists and three steals, and Salomon nine points and three assists.

15. ST. CLAIR

(27-1, Class B)

Three starters return from last year's state finalist, including 5-8 guard Kari Seddon (10 points, three assists), 5-8 junior point guard Stacey Farrell and 6-4 junior Brittany Carnago (four points, five rebounds). Forward Jaclyn Carnago, who is 6-1, will be a key contributor.

16. BRIGHTON

(19-4, Class A)

Four starters return from last season's Kensington Valley Conference title team, including 6-2 junior center Chelsea Albert (12 points, 11 rebounds) and junior guards Shannon Murphy (10 points, four assists, four steals), Megan Gonta (eight points, four assists, four steals) and Kirstie Malone (six points).

17. KALAMAZOO LOY NORRIX

(15-6, Class A)

Six-foot junior forward Cetera Washington (22 points, 12 rebounds, seven blocks, five assists) is among three returning starters. Point guard Jalissa Huntley (seven points, seven assists, three steals) and 5-6 sophomore guard Janell Smith (10 points, 3.5 steals, three assists) are the others. Freshman Telcia Williams also will be a key contributor.

18. MT. CLEMENS

(19-4, Class B)

Stefani Munro, a transfer from Harrison Township L'Anse Creuse, joins a team that has four returning starters who helped win the Macomb Area Conference Gold championship in 2004, including 6-0 center LaTisha Hatcher (10 points, 10 rebounds), junior guard Korea Jackson (eight points) and 5-0 guard Courtney Turner (nine points).

19. IONIA

(21-5, Class B)

Sophomore Kellie Watson, who is 6-2, and Maureen O'Mara are the returning starters from last year's team that went to the state quarterfinals. Watson averaged 18 points, nine rebounds, three assists and two steals as a freshman. O'Mara, a 6-2 center, averaged eight points and eight rebounds.

20. DETROIT COMMUNITY

(14-7, Class C)

Sicily Baker (10 points, 14 rebounds), who is 6-2, will be joined by two transfers: LaKeisha Mosley, who averaged 14 points and eight rebounds to help Detroit De Porres win the Class C championship last season; and junior guard Ciera McGaughy (16 points), who played at Southfield last season.

OTHER TEAMS TO WATCH

• Flint Northern

• Pinckney

• Southgate Anderson

• Saginaw Nouvel

• Monroe

• Fraser

• Adrian

• Flint Hamady

• Flint Powers

• Detroit Country Day

• Eaton Rapids

• Livonia Ladywood

• Birmingham Marian

• Saginaw Arthur Hill

• Detroit Cass Tech

• Grand Blanc

DAVID GORICKI'S PRESEASON RANKINGS

Super 10: 1. Southfield-Lathrup, 2. Grandville, 3. Detroit King, 4. Lansing Waverly, 5. Detroit Renaissance, 6. Lansing Catholic Central, 7. Detroit Pershing, 8. West Bloomfield, 9. Traverse City West, 10. Auburn Hills Avondale.

Class A: 1. Southfield-Lathrup, 2. Grandville, 3. Detroit King, 4. Detroit Pershing, 5. West Bloomfield, 6. Traverse City West, 7. Auburn Hills Avondale, 8. Howell, 9. Sterling Heights Stevenson, 10. (tie) Flushing, Brighton.

Class B: 1. Lansing Waverly, 2. Detroit Renaissance, 3. Lansing Catholic Central, 4. Niles, 5. St. Clair, 6. Mt. Clemens, 7. Ionia, 8. Saginaw Nouvel, 9. Flint Powers, 10. (tie) Detroit Country Day, Eaton Rapids.

Class C: 1. Detroit Community, 2. Flint Hamady, 3. Olivet, 4. Bridgman, 5. Michigan Center, 6. Charlevoix, 7. Inkster, 8. Flint Northwestern, 9. Traverse City St. Francis, 10. Brown City.

Class D: 1. Frankfort, 2. Portland St. Patrick, 3. Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart, 4. Lansing Christian, 5. Climax-Scotts, 6. St. Joseph Michigan Lutheran, 7. Bloomfield Hills Roeper, 8. Leland, 9. Auburn Hills Oakland Christian, 10. Ontonagon.

Metro Top 10: 1. Southfield-Lathrup, 2. Detroit King, 3. Detroit Renaissance, 4. Detroit Pershing, 5. West Bloomfield, 6. Auburn Hills Avondale, 7. Howell, 8. Sterling Heights Stevenson, 9. St. Clair, 10. Brighton.