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Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Wow!!! Detroit Country Day- Kalamazoo Central Showdown


The 14th annual Motor City Roundball Classic capped the five-day showcase with a game that will be measured amongst the most exciting games in recent Michigan history. Detroit Country Day is a nationally ranked team with nine future Division I athletes on the roster and Kalamazoo Central is ranked highly in Michigan and have plenty of players on their roster. Do the math and that's what drew a standing room only crowd.

Detroit Country Day had a firm grip on the lead for the majority of the game while Kalamazoo Central made runs that kept the game competitive. The Yellow Jackets were able to fend off the Maroon Giants, 83-74.

6'5" senior forward Jordan Dumars (pictured) has committed to South Florida and scorched the nets early as he buried three after three in the first quarter. Dumars missed his first 3 of the game and scored 18 in the first quarter. He knocked down three 3s in three possessions and scored a total of 13 points in the final one minute and 53 seconds of the first quarter. 30 for the game with eight 3s. That's a lot of 3s. The first quarter score was 28-13. The Country Day lead was as high as 22 early in the second. They led by 20 points with just over three minutes to go in the second. Central cut the lead to 45-36 at the half.

D.C.D.'s 6'11" senior center DaShontae Riley, 6'9" senior and University of Miami (FL.) commit Donnavan Kirk, and 6'10" sophomore center Amir Williams drew a lot of attention on the interior loosening up Kzoo Central's perimeter defense. Riley played as well as I've seen him play in at least 12 months as he elevated the crowd with big blocked shots and monster dunks. He's still looking for suitors on the mid-major to high major levels. Riley finished with 14 points, eight rebounds, and four blocks. Kirk grabbed twelve boards, scored three, and blocked three shots.

One of the high major recruits on the DCD squad is Ray McCallum, jr. who runs the show with poise. He has offers from numerous high major programs. McCallum, jr. hit his first seven field goal attempts and tallied a total of 20 points, seven assists, and six rebounds.

Kalamazoo Central had a couple of bright spots in the first half and that was the play of 6'6 Darius Norman '11 who scored the majority of his 15 points in the first half including a couple of threes. He's one of the best in his class as he also has grown a few inches since IPS saw the talented kid back in April of 2008.
The second half frenzied the crowd and showed the firepower of these two teams.
After a so-so first half the big dogs got off the porch. 6'2 point guard Ray McCallum, jr '10 scored eleven in the third and was perfect from the field and free throw line as DCD built the lead to 62-47 and held

K-zoo Central to only two points after 6'5" junior wing Devin Oliver's three-pointer mid-way through the stanza. DCD's Kirk didn't have to do much offensively throughout the game but pulled down five boards, two boards, and a steal in the quarter. Oliver finished the game with 16 points, six boards, three steals, and three assists. Oliver is gaining the interest of many programs across the nation.

Doug Anderson was silent in the third quarter as he picked up his third foul which allowed him to play with the aggression that has made him who he is thus far on the hardwood. Anderson scored twelve of his 18 points in the fourth and had many monster dunks that are unparalleled by those on any level. Words can't explain his put back dunks, alley-oops, and assault on the rim. Anderson's recruiting is recovering quickly as he has tuned into the classroom.

K-zoo Central's 5'10 senior guard Juwan Hemphill was solid running the point and neared double digits while handing out a handful of assists.

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