By Jim Evans, The Macomb Daily
Eric Williams did not send Romeo Weems any Get Welt cards.
That’s not the official stuff of Hallmark anyway.
But the New Haven teammates had their moments during practices.
“We would go home ticked off,” said Weems, smiling in recollection. “We would push and shove and dive after loose balls. Eric was two years older. When you are between the lines, there are no friends. We would just get after it in practice.
“Do you know what; it made me a better player. That was the year we won it, too,” continued Weems.
Weems, a 6-7 senior, is the reigning Macomb County Player of the Year. He has verbally committed to play at DePaul University, an NCAA Division I school that competes in the Big East.
Weems averaged 23.5 points and 10.8 rebounds per game as a junior last year. He also had 5.3 assists, 4.0 assists and 2.0 blocks per game.
“We start and stop with Romeo Weems,” said his coach, Tedaro France II. “He’s a great leader. He’s gotten better each year and coming into this season, he has improved his jump shot and ball skills even more. He has a certain skill set. He knows how to win.”
The New Haven Rockets captured the Class B state championship in 2017 with a 45-36 victory over Ludington.
Last year’s New Haven team shattered the Macomb County record by running its seasons-long winning streak to 52 games. The Rockets finished the regular season 20-0, and won their fourth consecutive league, district and regional championships. They advanced to the final four before falling to Grand Rapids West Catholic 69-53 in the semifinals.
Weems is one of three senior starters returning at New Haven. The others are Ronald Jeffrey III, a 6-1 guard; and Jamir Farrior, a 6-0 point guard.
The Rockets will compete in the MAC White Division this season. They will join Warren-Mott, Romeo, Ford, Grosse Pointe South and Grosse Pointe North.
“The MAC White is a new league. There are some tough teams in the White, and it is always fun to play new teams and see some new gyms,” said France. “We have not really talked to the kids about the new division. We have been focused on getting better as a team and where we need to improve on.
“We have six returning players. Five of them are seniors and there is one returning junior. We have eight newcomers, and some of them will play significant roles for us. Three could even start,” continued the New Haven coach.
The other returning seniors are Javonate Kincaid, a 6-2 guard; and Malen Lewis, a 6-5 forward. The other returning varsity player is Tyree France, a 5-11 junior guard.
The newcomers include 6-4 sophomore Brent Wiles; 6-4 junior Trenell Payne; 6-0 senior Darius Brooks and 6-1 Eddie Dandridge III, who is a junior.
Among those up from the junior varsity team are Ja’me McQueen, who is a 6-1 guard; Mike Williams, another 6-0 guard; Brandon Lisko, a 6-4 junior; and JaQuan Kincaid, a 6-4 inside player.
Weems is not the only senior starter who remembers what the early acclimation process was like. So do Jeffery and Farrior.
“We have to get better as a team. We are pushing each other to get better,” said Jeffery. “It was tough as a younger player. I remember the coach screaming and stuff. The drills were hard. You just have to fight through it.”
Jeffery is a four-year varsity player. Early on, he did not know if he would even be a one-year varsity player.
“At first, I didn’t like it at all. It was crazy. Conditioning and everything. I went home the first day and told my mom it might have been a mistake,” said Jeffery, laughing. “Now, it feels great to be on the New Haven basketball team. It was all worth it.”
Farrior got his starting assignment midway through his junior season. He’s been on the varsity since he was a sophomore.
“As a starter, I have to set an example for the younger players,” he said. “I have to show them the right way and make sure they know how to do it correctly. Last year I was learning from the older people. Now, I am the one who has to be on my game at all times.
“When did I feel comfortable as a younger player on the varsity?” he echoed. “I think I felt comfortable when my teammates started pushing me and coach got on me about stuff I had to work on. Then, it made me want to push and do better and do things to help the team.”
The Rockets have accumulated a 100-6 record over the last four seasons. That’s quite a record. It is quite a program at New Haven.
Eric Williams did not send Romeo Weems any Get Welt cards.
That’s not the official stuff of Hallmark anyway.
But the New Haven teammates had their moments during practices.
“We would go home ticked off,” said Weems, smiling in recollection. “We would push and shove and dive after loose balls. Eric was two years older. When you are between the lines, there are no friends. We would just get after it in practice.
“Do you know what; it made me a better player. That was the year we won it, too,” continued Weems.
Weems, a 6-7 senior, is the reigning Macomb County Player of the Year. He has verbally committed to play at DePaul University, an NCAA Division I school that competes in the Big East.
Weems averaged 23.5 points and 10.8 rebounds per game as a junior last year. He also had 5.3 assists, 4.0 assists and 2.0 blocks per game.
“We start and stop with Romeo Weems,” said his coach, Tedaro France II. “He’s a great leader. He’s gotten better each year and coming into this season, he has improved his jump shot and ball skills even more. He has a certain skill set. He knows how to win.”
The New Haven Rockets captured the Class B state championship in 2017 with a 45-36 victory over Ludington.
Last year’s New Haven team shattered the Macomb County record by running its seasons-long winning streak to 52 games. The Rockets finished the regular season 20-0, and won their fourth consecutive league, district and regional championships. They advanced to the final four before falling to Grand Rapids West Catholic 69-53 in the semifinals.
Weems is one of three senior starters returning at New Haven. The others are Ronald Jeffrey III, a 6-1 guard; and Jamir Farrior, a 6-0 point guard.
The Rockets will compete in the MAC White Division this season. They will join Warren-Mott, Romeo, Ford, Grosse Pointe South and Grosse Pointe North.
“The MAC White is a new league. There are some tough teams in the White, and it is always fun to play new teams and see some new gyms,” said France. “We have not really talked to the kids about the new division. We have been focused on getting better as a team and where we need to improve on.
“We have six returning players. Five of them are seniors and there is one returning junior. We have eight newcomers, and some of them will play significant roles for us. Three could even start,” continued the New Haven coach.
The other returning seniors are Javonate Kincaid, a 6-2 guard; and Malen Lewis, a 6-5 forward. The other returning varsity player is Tyree France, a 5-11 junior guard.
The newcomers include 6-4 sophomore Brent Wiles; 6-4 junior Trenell Payne; 6-0 senior Darius Brooks and 6-1 Eddie Dandridge III, who is a junior.
Among those up from the junior varsity team are Ja’me McQueen, who is a 6-1 guard; Mike Williams, another 6-0 guard; Brandon Lisko, a 6-4 junior; and JaQuan Kincaid, a 6-4 inside player.
Weems is not the only senior starter who remembers what the early acclimation process was like. So do Jeffery and Farrior.
“We have to get better as a team. We are pushing each other to get better,” said Jeffery. “It was tough as a younger player. I remember the coach screaming and stuff. The drills were hard. You just have to fight through it.”
Jeffery is a four-year varsity player. Early on, he did not know if he would even be a one-year varsity player.
“At first, I didn’t like it at all. It was crazy. Conditioning and everything. I went home the first day and told my mom it might have been a mistake,” said Jeffery, laughing. “Now, it feels great to be on the New Haven basketball team. It was all worth it.”
Farrior got his starting assignment midway through his junior season. He’s been on the varsity since he was a sophomore.
“As a starter, I have to set an example for the younger players,” he said. “I have to show them the right way and make sure they know how to do it correctly. Last year I was learning from the older people. Now, I am the one who has to be on my game at all times.
“When did I feel comfortable as a younger player on the varsity?” he echoed. “I think I felt comfortable when my teammates started pushing me and coach got on me about stuff I had to work on. Then, it made me want to push and do better and do things to help the team.”
The Rockets have accumulated a 100-6 record over the last four seasons. That’s quite a record. It is quite a program at New Haven.
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