Joseph Hayes, The Times Herald
The regular season came and went in a flash.
On Monday, the Michigan High School Athletic Association district round will begin, with teams shifting their focus from winning conference titles and tournaments to going on a postseason run to the state finals.
With the playoffs only days away, let's take a look back at the high school boys basketball regular season and the top athletes the Blue Water Area had to offer this season.
Any list featuring the best athletes in the Blue Water Area must begin with a phenom who has already begun to make a name for himself around the country.
1. Romeo Weems, New Haven: Weems is in a league of his own. The New Haven junior is not only the top boys basketball player in the Blue Water Area, he's one of the best in his age group in the entire country.
Weems has the type of talent that could allow him to play upper echelon college basketball in the near future, but he walks around with the humility of an athlete still trying to prove himself.
Weems is the ultimate teammate and competitor, and is clearly the top basketball player in the area. His ability to mix offense, defense and overall athletic ability is something the area hasn't seen in years.
2. Ben Davidson, St. Clair: Davidson has been an instant sensation since arriving at St. Clair. He has gone on to become the top scorer in school history, eclipsing 1,400 points earlier this season.
Davidson has done so while playing a large role in each of his four varsity seasons and will leave the program as one of the school's all-time best basketball players.
He has become an above-average ball handler and help-side defender, while also delivering in the clutch consistency throughout his career. Davidson will take his talents to Ferris State next season on an athletic scholarship.
3. Tavaras Oliver, New Haven: Earlier this season, Oliver was on the radar. But in recent weeks, the senior guard has exploded on the scene with several huge games.
Oliver is smooth off the dribble, can shoot with range and can also find teammates for easy baskets. In addition, he is an underrated defender that helps the Rockets get into their sets.
All things considered, Oliver is the most improved player in the area and will be key for New Haven as it attempts to defend its Class B state title.
4. Daniel Everhart, Marine City Cardinal Mooney: The Cardinals senior and all-time leading scorer has had an amazing run. The son of former Cardinal Mooney girls coach Susan Everhart has literally become a coach on the floor for the Cardinals, and led the school to its first undefeated Catholic League title in school history.
Everhart is impressive with the ball in his hands, with the ability to maneuver through traffic, shoot from mid-range or even distance.
He is also an instinctive defender who has been a leader for the Cardinals since his freshman season.
5. Ashton Sherrell, New Haven: The Rockets' 6-foot-7 junior center can be an imposing force on each end of the floor. Sherrell has continued to improve since arriving at New Haven and enters the stretch run playing his best basketball. When you add Sherrell with Weems and Oliver, it's easy to understand why the Rockets have won more than 40 games in a row entering the postseason.
6. Ronald Jeffrey III, New Haven: The Rockets' junior forward is yet another long, gifted player in the lineup. Jeffrey can play several positions well and is also a terrific on-ball and help-side defender. He will be a player to watch next season as people continue to wake up to his vast potential on each end of the floor.
7. Mario Mattson, St. Clair: The Saints' senior guard has been a key player on the team for years. He is one of the most clutch players in the area, with a mix of toughness and skill that fits well with the Saints program. Mattson has been able to step up consistently to the benefit of his teammates and will be called upon once again next week when the district round begins.
8. Chase Churchill, Richmond: The Richmond leader and versatile forward seems to have success in whatever he does. After leading Richmond on the football field, he has also become their leader on the hardwood floor. Churchill can score inside and even step outside to 3-point range while also consistently rebounding for his team.
9. De'Ovion Price, Port Huron: The Big Reds' freshman point guard will be a player to watch in future seasons. He has started since the first game of the season and become an instant sensation while carrying a large load.
10. Trevor Boers, Capac: The Chiefs' leading scorer is averaging just over 17 points per game while also contributing a new school record with 81 blocks this season. Boers has been a huge reason for the program's resurgence and enters the postseason with plenty of confidence.
11. James DeLong, Port Huron Northern: The Huskies' sophomore is already the leading scorer on the team. He has added a mix of shooting and the ability to drive to the basket to give the Huskies an added element on offense.
12. Daveyon Henderson, Richmond: The 6-foot-4 sophomore is one of the rising athletes in the area. He is averaging close to a double-double while becoming the second-leading scorer and rebounder on the team. He is also known as a gifted passer who can easily find teammates for a score.
13. David Trombley, Marine City Cardinal Mooney: The Cardinals' forward can score inside-out and has taken a big step forward this season. Cardinal Mooney is having one of its best seasons in recent memory and that in part is due to the contributions of Trombley, who has been a consistent force in the lineup.
14. William Patsalis, Marine City: The senior guard can get hot and stay hot in a hurry. Patsalis has always been an explosive athlete. This season, he took his overall game to another notch and led the Mariners to a breakthrough season.
15. Tyler Balon, Port Huron: The Big Reds' leading scorer has missed the past few weeks with an ankle injury. But when Balon was healthy and in the lineup, he gave Port Huron a unique player who could score inside and outside and also contribute as a help side defender.
16. Calvin Cook, Brown City: Cook recently surpassed 1,000 career points and has enjoyed an amazing run with Brown City. Not only is he a scorer, he is known for his basketball IQ and the ability to adapt on the fly. In addition, he is also a good teammate that is looked upon in big spots.
17. Jamir Farrior, New Haven: The Rockets' junior point guard has played an increased role as the season has progressed. He is known for being an above-average defender that is instinctive with the ball in his hands.
18. Mark Donnellon, Yale: The Bulldogs' guard/forward has always shown the ability to score. This season, Donnellon has played an increased role and continues to produce from beyond the arc while making plays for teammates.
19. Andrew Sams, Capac: Sams has proven to be a versatile player for Capac that can score, defend and set up teammates. He is second on his team in scoring and leads the team in assists and steals.
20. Brian Butler, Marysville: The Vikings' point guard can play several positions and produce. He has become great at establishing tempo and getting his younger teammates involved as a coach on the floor.
21. Dane Vos, Port Huron Northern: The Huskies' versatile forward is one of the leading rebounders on his team and one of the more versatile defenders in the area. Vos is also an underrated offensive player who can score points in bunches around the rim. When Northern has been playing well this season, Vos has also been humming along. The Huskies will need him at his best as the district round begins next week.
22. Drew Davis, Richmond: The junior combo guard/forward can score from the outside or inside the lane and is also great at setting up teammates. Davis has finished the season on a high note and will be a player to watch in the district round.
23. Angelo Patsalis, Marine City: The Mariners' sophomore is one of the top up and coming athletes in the Blue Water Area. He came along well throughout the season and is finishing the year playing his best ball.
24. Nolan Julio, Cardinal Mooney: The Cardinals' sophomore guard has carried more of a load this season for the Catholic League champs. Julio can knock down the outside shot and is also good under pressure with the ball in his hands. He has been a great complement to Everhart in the Cardinals' backcourt.
25. Ascaun Johnson, New Haven: The 6-foot-5 forward is athletic and an above-average defender. He has played a key role for the Rockets throughout the season and seems to be playing with confidence entering the postseason.
Contact Joseph Hayes at (810) 989-6268 or at jahayes@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @Joseph_Hayes11.
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