Tuesday: Big Games and Matchups in Michigan

The first Tuesday of 2009 and the high school basketball season continues with early divisional battles and recruiting opportunities.

4pm: Detroit's PSL

The day starts early in Detroit as a battle of undefeateds go head-up in a PSL East battle for first place. Pershing (6-0) is the top dog on the porch but Southeastern's (6-0) pups are growing up fast. Recruits galore and a game for Spartan fans as '10-'11 recruit Keith Appling is back after a wrist injury and '09-'10 recruit Derrick Nix gets a nice test with Southeastern's big men. 6'5 guard Brandan Kearey '11 and 6'7 forward Percy Gibson '11 get their first test of what could be a very memorable 2009.

Crockett (4-3) doesn't travel far to meet up with Southwest division rival City (2-3) and their records aren't the greatest either but they have a couple of junior bigs that are sure to square off, 6'6 power forward Devon Long defies gravity and 6'7 center Chris Beecham is long with bounce. City's main weapon is 6'5 wing Devin Patton '09. Crocket's 6'4 forward Brandon Donelson is a consistent 15-foot jumper from serious looks.

Henry Ford (5-0) battles Cody (5-1) on the road in a West division showdown that could be the first of four meetings through the season. The game will be highly competitive and great matchups are abundant. Cody's trio of 5'9 guard Demetrius Ford '09, 6'6 power forward Damon Johnson '09, and 6'4 wing Angelo Lewis '10 features a mirror in 5'8 point guard Demario Prince '09, 6'6 power forward Karriem Baker '09, and 6'5 wing Matthew Hunter '10.

7pm:

Clarkston (3-0) travels to North Farmington (4-0) and the Wolves can deepend on a solid trio in 6'5 guard Tom Staton, 6'3 guard Brandon Pokley, and 6'7 forward Matt Kamienieki '10 while 6' guard Kyle Vinales '10 has been putting up big numbers for the Raiders. The Wolves could be road raiders if they win this and Friday's O.A.A. contest at Southfield -Lathrup.

An O.K. Gold matchup, Grand Rapids South Christian (2-1) at Grand Rapids Catholic Central (3-1) 6'2 guard Joe Brockhuizer '09 is a solid shooter but will that be enough for G.R.C.C.'s high-powered guards 6'3 Duke Mondy '09 (Providence C.) and 6'1 Sultan Muhammed '10. 6'6 forward Thomas Drew adds size to the G.R.C.C. post.

Another O.K. Gold matchup features Wayland (4-0) with 6'4 Northwood U. commit Alex Lyle '09 against Hastings (4-0) with 6'6 forward Adam Skedgell '09. Lyle put up nice numbers in December.

In a non-conference game, Ludington (4-0) travels up Lake Michigan to take on Traverse City Central (2-1). Ludington is one of Class B's premier programs in the Lakes 8 Activies Conference and Northern Michigan.

An O.K. Red showdown pitts Grand Haven (3-3) on the road with Grandville (2-1) and while the records aren't the greatest there's talent. Grand Haven's 6'3 guard Austin Harper '09 is headed to Western Michigan and will be an early test for 6'1 guard Jake Blauwkamp '11. The match-up in the middle could feature a couple of top ten centers in Michigan's 2010 class, G.H.'s 6'9 Nate Van Arendonk and Grandville's 6'9 Collin DeHaan.

Orchard Lake St. Mary's (2-1) travels up I-75 to take-on Flint Powers (4-1) in a game that should have coaches looking for unsigned seniors on a frenzy. The match-ups are great with OLSM's 6'5 forward Dion Sims '09 and Powers' 6'7 forward Rodney Anderson '09; Powers' 6'2 guard Shane Moreland '09 and OLSM's 6' guard Jeff Jones '09; OLSM's 5'10 guard Juwan Moody '11 and Powers' 5'10 guard Patrick Lucas-Perry. Powers is one of the top teams in Class B and juniors 6'3 forward Patrick O'Brien and 6'2 guard DeMarco Sanders are a talented duo. OLSM brings speed with 5'10 guard Gary Hunter '10 and one of the state's top freshman.

Forest Hills Central (3-1) hosts E. Grand Rapids (3-1) where a couple of 6'8 seniors are due to face off, Central's Mike Martin is ready for a big year and E.G.R.'s Victor Beals has played well in the first month of the season. E.G.R.'s other big, 6'8 Colin Voss '10 is a skilled big man and a difference maker in the post and athletically. E.G.R.'s point guard AJ McKewan '10 runs the show with precision.

Taylor Kennedy (3-0) battles Novi CC (4-0) in non-conference action. Kennedy's 6' guard Breland Hogan '09 takes his team on the road where 6'2 guard Brett Smith '09 and 6'7 forward Tim Dizelski '09 will be waiting.

Davison (3-0) will shock the mid-west if they're able to leave Detroit Country Day's (6-0) gym with a win. Davison's 6'4 wing Ryan Shultz '09 will have his hands full. D.C.D.'s writeup is in last weeks' blog, they're good.

Auburn Hills Avondale goes on the road to face Berkley in an OAA battle. Avondale's 6'4 guard Jeff Hines '09 is the leader of a solid and young perimeter group. The Cubs have experienced seniors in 5'10 guard Jake Olds '09, 6'5 forward Fred Williams '09, 6'5 forward Ron Hudson '09, and 5'10 gaurd Marcellus Wilford '09.

W. Ottawa hosts Hudsonville and a couple of sophomores point guards, W. Ottawa's 5'10 Jorddan Myrick '11 and Hudsonville's 5'7 Anthony Allen, face-off and both have their own creative qualities.

Flint Carman-Ainsworth travels to Utica Eisenhower where a couple of solid Class A teams featuring plenty of talent will battle in non-conference action. Eisenhowers 6'8 center Corey Petros '10 has close to ten offers along the MM level and Carman-Ainsworth's 6'8 center Jaylen Larry '10 will have similar offers as he continues to improve. A couple of unsigned 6'5 senior wings face off, Eisenhower's Dragan Bijelic and Carman-Ainsworth's Courtland Patterson. The difference maker in this game is 6'1 guard Glenn Cosey (pictured) '10, he's gaining looks and as he continues his strong play will have offers of his own.

The game of the evening in Mid-Michigan features Lansing Eastern making the short trip to Lansing Sexton. This is also the return of Oakland U. commit 6'5 wing Drew Valentine '09 who has been mending a knee since early fall. 6'5 forward LaDontae Henton '11 is among the top players in Michigan, regardless of class and the same will be said for 6'4 guard Denzel Valentine '12 as he continues to improve. 6'2 guard Nate Duhon '09 is getting looks on the DI level and is a difference maker in this Lansing rivalry.