Taking a look at the pre-season top ranked teams participating in the 20th Annual Motor City Roundball Classic.
Team Page (Team info, Schedule, Results, Stats)
19. Saginaw 2013-14 record: 16-8.
Outlook: The Trojans are not as big as they would have been had 6-6 Algevon Eichelberger not left to play for a club team in California, but The High never has a down year. Point guard Ron’Quavious Southward had an amazing tournament run as a freshman last March. Javon Pratt will lead the team in steals because he has a knack for getting his hands into passing lanes. Thomas Stuckey-Essex, 6-7, is an excellent rebounder and shot-blocker. Sophomore Eddie Thigpen, 6-5, was a big-time scorer on an undefeated junior varsity team last season. Marcus Baker is a talented combo guard, and 6-8 Tarrence Crumpton will be a rebounder and shot-blocker in the post. Detroit Free Press
Saginaw Trojans
Coach:Julian Taylor (4thyear, 64-14)
2013-14:16-8 overall, 11-3 SVL North
Key players:Ronquavious Southward, so.;Javon Pratt, sr.;Thomas Stuckey, sr.; Eddie Thigpen Jr., so.; Terrance Crumptun, jr.; Day’Lontre Brooks, sr.; Jordan Caffey, jr.
2014-15 overview:The Trojans graduated a wealth of experience, but Southward is the future floor general and the future is now. He started the last half of 2013-14 as a freshman on Saginaw’s third straight district championship winning team. Pratt and Stuckey had complimentary roles last season, but now they get a chance to become primary options. Thigpen, 6-foot-5, averaged 20 points a game for the Trojans’ undefeated junior varsity as a freshman, and Crumptun was a double-double machine at 6-foot-8. “We’re going to be an up and down team,” Taylor said. “Getting up and down the court, pressure the ball and playing man-to-man defense is going to be our strength. We’re really scrappy.” Saginaw has another deep team this year with the ability to go 10-deep on the bench without suffering a drop off. Mlive