Congrats to 6-6 wing Romeo Weems on receiving a scholarship offer from the University of Iowa4/29/2017
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Rockets celebrated its State Championship at Dave & Buster. Thanks to Rocket alum and Dave & Buster manager Lawyer Jones. Lawyer was a team captain on New Haven's first regional championship basketball team in 1990
Joseph Hayes
www.thetimesherald.com Clarice Williams glanced at her son and smiled. The mother of New Haven High School senior Eric Williams Jr. had finally witnessed all of her hard work pay off. For years, Clarice had worked to make her son's dream of playing college basketball come true. And on Tuesday she was there to watch him sign his letter of intent to play basketball for Division 1 Duquesne University. "I feel blessed," Clarice said. "I have always known he was talented. We've made everything in our household revolve around Eric and it just paid off. From the time he was 4 years old until now, he has been playing basketball. "We just try to put him in the right situations and I'm really happy about that." For the Williams family, that meant making the tough decision of transferring from St. Clair to New Haven after his sophomore year. Williams Jr. called it the biggest adversity he faced during his high school athletic career. "The transfer from St. Clair is the biggest reason for this (signing)," Williams Jr. said. "My development after that and the adversity of the whole situation helped me get here today. "I think the coaches here helped me get here and I'm still working." Watching from across the gym was New Haven coach Tedaro France II. The veteran coach took a moment to reflect on his senior and how far he had come since arriving at the school two short years ago. "He didn’t have the mid-range game," France II recalled. "He wasn’t in great shape. He wasn’t explosive. We got him in the weight room and worked on his speed and his shot and his ball skills and just pounded and pounded it into him. Some days he hated me but it worked out for him because that’s what he wanted. Some kids want to be coached hard. Eric was a kid that was waiting and once he got pushed he just ran with it. ADVERTISING"He is a great kid and it’s just great to see him get rewarded for his hard work. He wasn’t a kid that was highly ranked. He didn’t get mad that he wasn’t receiving the offers. He just kept working and working and it worked out for him. He bloomed late. He still hasn’t played his best ball. The sky is the limit." Williams rise to the college level won't be the last for the Rockets. The reigning Class B state champions have another player that is being heavily recruited as well. Not far from Williams Jr. stood 6-foot-6 phenom Romeo Weems, who holds offers from Michigan State and Ohio State, among others. The Rockets sophomore watched as Williams Jr. signed his letter of intent, knowing his day would also one day come. 1 Vernon Carey F Fort Lauderdale, FL
University High School 6'10"230 List 2 James Wiseman F Memphis, TN Memphis East 6'10"210 List 3 Charles Bassey CLouisville, KY Aspire Academy 6'10"225 List 4 Cole Anthony G New York, NY Archbishop Molloy 6'2"180 List 5 Matthew Hurt F Rochester, MN John Marshall 6'9"200 List 6 Ashton Hagans G Covington, GA Newton 6'4"190 List 7 Bryan Antoine G Tinton Falls, NJ Ranney Prep School 6'4"170 List 8 Scottie Lewis G Tinton Falls, NJ Ranney Prep School 6'4"170 9 Balsa Koprivica C Orlando, FL Windermere Preparatory School 7'0"240 List 10 Cassius Stanley G North Hollywood, CA Sierra Canyon 6'5"170 List 11 Precious Achiuwa F Newark, NJ St. Benedict's HS 6'7"200 List 12 Chol Marial C Cheshire, CT Cheshire Academy 7'2"220 List 13 Armando Bacot F Richmond, VA Trinity Episcopal 6'10"235 List 14 Tyrese Maxey G Garland, TX South Garland 6'4"185 List 15 Will Baker C Austin, TX Westlake 6'10"220List 16 J. Robinson-Earl F Roeland Park, KS Bishop Miege 6'8"220 List 17 LaMelo Ball G Chino HIlls, CA Chino Hills 6'3"155 UCLA 18 Trendon Watford F Birmingham, AL Mountain Brook 6'8"224 List 19 Jalen Lecque G Arden, NC Christ School 6'2"170 List 20 Romeo Weems F New Haven, MI New Haven 6'5" 180 20 Christian Brown F Columbia, SC A.C. Flora 6'6"200 List 21 Chandler Lawson F Memphis, TN Memphis East 6'8"200 List 22 Alonzo Gaffney F Cleveland, OH Garfield Heights 6'8"185 List 23 Christian Brown F Columbia, SC A.C. Flora 6'6"200 List 24 Joey Baker F Fayetteville, NC Trinity Christian 6'7"205 List 25Onyeka Okongwu F Chino Hills, CA Chino Hills 6'8"215 List Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo and assistant coach Mike Garland stopped in to watch workouts4/20/2017 After moving up to the MAC Blue from the Gold the Rockets took off from where they left off winning its 3rd consecutive MAC League championship compiling a 3 year league record of 34-0. Rockets where the 2016-2017 MAC Blue league champions and the Blue-Gold Playoff Champion MAC Blue All-League
1st Team Romeo Weems 6-6 Sophomore Wing: Most Valuable Player Eric Williams Jr 6-5 Senior Guard AJ Crawford III 5-11 Senior Guard Ashton Sherrell 6-7 Junior Forward Honorable Mention Tavares Oliver Jr 5-11 Junior Guard William Moore 5-9 Senior Guard Ronald Jeffery III 6-0 Sophomore Guard Tedaro France II: Coach of the Year After leading his Rockets to there first State Championship in school history. Head Coach Tedaro France was named Macomb Country Coach of the Year. Coach France receives this honor for the 3rd time after winning it in 2012 & 2015
After winning its First State Basketball Championship in school history and compiling a 27-1 record The New Haven Rockets boy basketball team was named Macomb County Team of the Year
After a spectacular season and helping his team to a State Championship senior guard Eric Williams Jr was named Macomb County Player of the Year
www.miprepzone.com
ALL-MACOMB COUNTY BOYS ALL-STARS FIRST TEAM Jordan Davis, Michigan Collegiate Jermaine Jackson Jr., Dakota Thomas Kithier, Dakota Romeo Weems, New Haven Eric Williams, New Haven SECOND TEAM Drew Arft, Lutheran North Jack Ballantyne, Dakota Ricky Dixon, Lake Shore Donnie Schuster, Ford Jauron Vicks, Warren Woods-Tower THIRD TEAM Lantz Barton, Center Line Tyler Gillery, Warren-Mott Jahi Hinson, Stevenson Shawn Kama, Sterling Heights Luke Pfromm, De La Salle FOURTH TEAM A.J. Crawford III, New Haven Justin Fischer, De La Salle Kyle Hensley, Parkway Christian Danny Longo, L’Anse Creuse North D’lano Woods, Chippewa Valley HONORABLE MENTION Charles Anderson, Warren Woods-Tower; Arthur Asberry, Cousino; Kenyatte Byron, Ford; Joe Charrette, Lakeview; Karry DeBose, Cousino; Joe DiBella, Center Line; Malot Dushaj, Sterling Heights; Amier Gilmore, South Lake; Kole Gjonaj, De La Salle; Jamar Green, Michigan Collegiate; Jaylen Hall, Dakota; D’Sean Hamilton, Richmond; Jalen Harrison, Warren Woods-Tower; Mark Hill, Lake Shore; Jack Hilt, Lutheran North; Alek Ivanovic, Ford; Adam Job, Armada; Charles Johnson, Warren-Mott; Matt Lockhart, Fraser; Blake McRae, Romeo; Chris Magee, Dakota; Omaure Miller, Utica; Brandon Munn, Eisenhower; Carl Pettway, Fitzgerald; Jordan Robbins, Romeo; Jaylen Ross, Chippewa Valley; Jeremey Scott, L’Anse Creuse North; Ashton Sherrell, New Haven; Antonio Simley, Michigan Collegiate; Antonio Sinishtaj, Sterling Heights; Aaron Springfield, East Detroit; Luke Stricker, Parkway Christian; Dylan Szafranski, Armada; Martell Turner, Roseville; Josh Vaillancourt, De La Salle; DeAngelo White, Lincoln. By George Pohly
@GPohly on Twitter Kierra Fletcher, who led Cousino to a return trip to the state Class A semifinals, was named Player of the Year as the Patriots swept Macomb County post-season girls basketball awards. Cousino also won the Team of the Year award and the Patriots’ Mike Lee was named Coach of the Year in honors presented by the sports staff of The Macomb Daily and MIPrepzone.com/Macomb. State Class B champion New Haven won the boys Team of the Year award and the Rockets’ Tedaro France II was named Coach of the Year. Eric Williams Jr. of New Haven and Jermaine Jackson Jr. of Dakota were named co-winners of the Player of the Year award. Fletcher, who was named to The Associated Press all-state team, and was named the AP Class A Player of the Year, led selections to the girls All-Macomb County First Team. Also named were Nicole Austin of Lakeview, Julia Cianferra of Ford, Nija Collier of Roseville and Emily Langolf of Dakota. Fletcher (MAC Red), Austin (MAC Blue), Cianferra (MAC White) and Collier (MAC Silver) led their teams to division championships. Langolf sparked Dakota to the first regional championship in program history. Williams and Jackson were part of a boys First Team dominated by MAC Blue champion New Haven and MAC Red champion Dakota. Also named were Romeo Weems of New Haven, Thomas Kithier of Dakota and Jordan Davis of Michigan Collegiate. Davis followed being named Charter School Conference football MVP by winning the league basketball MVP award after leading the Cougars to the CSC championship. First through Fourth teams were selected for girls and boys (see lists). The players named all-county were earlier voted to Tier 1 and Tier 2 all-star teams after being nominated by their coaches. Tier 1 schools have enrollments of 1,700 or more; Tier 2 schools have fewer than 1,700 students. Fletcher averaged 22.5 points, 13 rebounds, six steals, six assists and three blocks per game as Cousino won the MAC Red championship and then went on to capture district and regional titles before winning a state quarterfinal game. The Georgia Tech recruit scored more than 1,900 career points and took more than 1,400 rebounds. As a junior, she led Cousino to the state Class A championship after the Patriots won a regional title for the first time. Williams scored 22 points in the first half of the Rockets’ 78-49 state semifinal victory over Benton Harbor, and the senior added 14 points the next day as New Haven defeated Ludington 45-36 to finish 27-1 and become the second county team to win a boys state crown. The 6-5 senior who had regular-season games of 50 and 40 points averaged 20.9 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 3.5 steals. Jackson was named MVP of the MAC Red after helping Dakota go 10-0 in the division. The senior who is considering offers from several Division I colleges averaged 26 points, five rebounds, six assists and three steals per game. He scored 39 points against L’Anse Creuse North, 38 against Detroit Pershing and 31 against Stevenson. In two seasons, Dakota went 48-0 against county teams with Jackson as its point guard. The Coach of the Year awards were the third won by both Lee and France. Mike Vukovcan
www.pittsburgsportsnow.com It didn’t take long for Eric Williams to buy into what Keith Dambrot was selling. While on his official visit to Duquesne this weekend, the Michigan native decided he wanted to attend Duquesne University. Williams is a 6-foot-5 shooting guard from New Haven High School in New Haven, Michigan. Pittsburgh Sports Now talked with Williams immediately after making his decision. “Coach Dambrot is a really good coach. Looking at his background and his resume, I feel that he can really help me get to where I want to go. That plus the coaching staff, the facilities and what they have for the future is why I committed,” said Williams. “Plus, academics were the main thing. The academics advisors that they have are great. Duquesne just seemed like a great fit for me.” Williams didn’t have an extensive relationship with Dambrot prior to the visit but did with Duquesne assistant Charles Thomas. “He saw me play in the state finals and he watched me play during my junior year in AAU ball. Coach Thomas was the main one that got on me, got me to visit, they worked me out and liked what they saw,” said Williams. “I feel like my strength is my defense, me being able to defend is what they liked the most. I also have the ability to score. I can play either the 1, 2 or 3 on the court so they can use me off the wing, the guard, have me bring it up. I think they plan on taking advantage of me being versatile.” This was the Michigan natives first visit to Pittsburgh and feels like he’s going to love his new home. “I loved the campus. I liked the city, it was real nice and it’s a lot different from Michigan, a lot more social around here.” With the transition going on, Williams knows that if he’s able to prove himself, he’ll have a chance to play during his freshman season. “Like any coach, he didn’t guarantee I’d play but said that play well and work hard the ceiling is high for me to play a lot. www.maxpreps.com
Highlighted by National Sophomore of the Year R.J. Barrett of Montverde Academy, MaxPreps presents the 2016-17 Boys Basketball Sophomore All-American Team. Selections are based on team success, individual production and local, regional and state honors from the recently completed season. Potential at the college or professional level is not a primary consideration. Players in post-graduate or non-scholastic programs are not eligible for inclusion. Past Sophomore of the Year selections include: 2010 – DaJuan Coleman, Jamesville-DeWitt (DeWitt, N.Y.) 2011 – Aquille Carr, Patterson (Baltimore, Md.) 2012 – Andrew Wiggins, Huntington St. Joseph Prep (W.Va.) 2013 – Malik Newman, Callaway (Jackson, Miss.) 2014 – Joshua Jackson, Consortium (Detroit, Mich.); Jayson Tatum, Chaminade (St. Louis, Mo.) 2015 – James Walker Jr., Jonesboro (Ga.) 2016 – Romeo Langford, New Albany (Ind.) FIRST TEAM LaMelo Ball, Chino Hills (Calif.) 6-2 | 150 | Guard | Committed to UCLA Garnered international attention with 92-point game in February, averaged 26.7 points per game and nearly 10 assists per game on the season. MAXPREPS NATIONAL SOPHOMORE OF THE YEAR R.J. Barrett, Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.) 6-7 | 190 | Guard | Uncommitted Expected to be the centerpiece for a big run by Montverde over the next two years, averaged 22 points and seven rebounds per game on a roster loaded with future college players. Matthew Hurt, John Marshall (Rochester, Minn.) 6-9 | 200 | Forward | Uncommitted Associated Press first team All-State selection piled up 29.1 points and 9.9 rebounds per game for 25-4 Rockets. Wendell Moore Jr., Cox Mill (Concord, N.C.) 6-6 | 205 | Guard | Uncommitted Put up 25.0 points, 9.2 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game for North Carolina's Class 3A state champions. Trendon Watford, Mountain Brook (Birmingham, Ala.) 6-8 | 215 | Forward | Uncommitted Produced 23.0 points, 9.9 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game for Class 7A state champs, earning first team ASWA All-State and Birmingham All-Metro POY. SECOND TEAM Bryan Antoine, Ranney School (Tinton Falls, N.J.) 6-4 | 175 | Guard | Uncommitted Averaged over 20 points per game to help team with five sohomore starters win 22 games. Armando Bacot, Trinity Episcopal (Richmond, Va.) 6-9 | 225 | Forward | Uncommitted 20/10 production helped Titans go 35-1, win VISAA Division I state title and finish ranked No. 11 nationally by MaxPreps. Keion Brooks, North Side (Fort Wayne, Ind.) 6-7 | 195 | Forward | Uncommitted Produced 20.5 points and 7.4 rebounds per game in leading Legens to Indiana's Class 4A state title game. Joseph Girard III, Glens Falls (N.Y.) 6-1 | 165 | Guard | Uncommitted Also a standout quarterback, averaged 35.8 points per game and led Jimmer Fredette's alma mater to a 24-1 record. Romeo Weems, New Haven (Mich.) 6-6 | 190 | Wing | Uncommitted Led Rockets to Michigan's Class B state title, averaging 19.2 points, 10.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game. THIRD TEAM Tyger Campbell, La Lumiere (LaPorte, Ind.) 6-0 | 165 | Guard | Uncommitted Floor general for Independent Top 10 national champions, 56-5 in two seasons at La Lumiere. Jaelen House, Shadow Mountain (Phoenix, Ariz.) 6-1 | 150 | Guard | Uncommitted Poured in 22.3 points per game to go along with 4.9 assists and 3.9 rebounds per game for Arizona's Class 4A state champions. Chandler Lawson, Memphis East (Memphis, Tenn.) 6-9 | 195 | Forward | Uncommitted Named state tournament MVP after leading Mustangs to second straight Class AAA title. Isaac Okoro, McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.) 6-5 | 200 | Wing | Uncommitted All-State selection helped Indians spend much of the season ranked among the Top 10 nationally. Marvin Price, Patterson (Baltimore, Md.) 6-5 | 210 | Wing | Uncommitted Baltimore Sun All-Metro POY averaged 23.2 points, 8.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game for Class 2A state champions. HONORABLE MENTION Avery Anderson, Northwest (Justin, Texas) 6-2 | 160 | Guard | Uncommitted Texas Association of Basketball Coaches Class 5A All-State pick put up 20.4 points per game for 33-win Texans. Vernon Carey Jr., University (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) 6-9 | 240 | Forward | Uncommitted No. 2 overall prospect in the 2019 class put up 22 points and eight rebounds per game for 20-win team. P.J. Fuller, Nathan Hale (Seattle, Wash.) 6-3 | 160 | Guard | Uncommitted Dangerous sidekick to the Porter brothers for the unbeaten state and national champions, averaged 15.4 points per game. Ashton Hagans, Newton (Covington, Ga.) 6-4 | 180 | Guard | Uncommitted Headed to Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) next season, helped Rams go 28-2 and reach Class AAAAAAA quarterfinals. D.J. Jefferies, Olive Branch (Miss.) 6-7 | 200 | Forward | Uncommited Top 10 2019 prospect produced 22.3 points per game for Class 6A quarterfinalists. Keyshaun Langley, Southwest Guilford (High Point, N.C.) 6-1 | 150 | Guard | Committed to Virginia Tech Teamed with brothers Kam and Kobe to lead Cowboys to North Carolina's Class 4A state title, averaging 14.9 points, 4.2 assists and 3.0 rebounds per game. Scottie Lewis, Ranney School (Tinton Falls, N.J.) 6-4 | 180 | Guard | Uncommitted NJ.com All-Non Public third team pick averaged 16.1 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game. Went for 34, 14 and six in a January win over Rutgers Prep. Tyreke Locure, Des Moines North (Des Moines, Iowa) 6-0 | 160 | Guard | Uncommitted Put up 25.9 points and 7.1 assists per night for Iowa Class 4A semifinalists. Tyrese Maxey, South Garland (Garland, Texas) 6-2 | 165 | Guard | Uncommitted Baylor, Oklahoma and Texas have already offered standout guard, who averaged 21.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game. Patrick McCaffery, Iowa City West (Iowa City, Iowa) 6-7 | 175 | Forward | Uncommited Teamed with senior brother Connor and star guard Devontae Lane to help West win its fifth state title in the 2000s. Michael Moreno, Scott County (Georgetown, Ky.) 6-6 | 195 | Wing | Uncommitted Lexington Herald first team All-State pick averaged over 22 points per game for 31-win Cardinals. Paul Mulcahy, Gill St. Bernard's (Gladstone, N.J.) 6-3 | 175 | Guard | Uncommitted Put up a double-double against storied Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) in February, averaged 15.0 points and 8.8 rebounds per game en route to NJ.com All-State honors. Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Bishop Miege (Shawnee Mission, Kan.) 6-8 | 215 | Forward | Uncommitted Two years, two state titles for star forward, who averaged 13.9 points and 8.4 rebounds per game this season. Cassius Stanley, Harvard-Westlake (Studio City, Calif.) 6-6 | 195 | Guard | Uncommitted Five of top seven scorers for Harvard-Westlake were freshmen or sophomores led by high-flying guard's 17.9 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game. Marcus Watson, Buford (Buford, Ga.) 6-6 | 195 | Wing | Uncommitted Went for 27 points and seven rebounds in Buford's Class AAAAA state championship game victory. James Wiseman, Ensworth (Nashville, Tenn.) 6-9 | 200 | Forward | Uncommitted Top 10 prospect and Tennessee Mr. Basketball finalist averaged over 20 points and six rebounds per game. |
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