Inside Prep Sports.net
IPS Reporters
Grand Rapids, MI.- The Grand Rapids Storm Classic became Michigan's premier tournament as they brought in almost 100 teams from mostly Michigan bust surrounding states as well in the14u-17u age group. There were also a handful of little kids running around in the younger age groups building a strong future for the Classic. Congratulations to the Storm for a well run tournament and facilities were well planned.
The Michigan Mustangs defeated the Grand Rapids Storm to win the 17u championship, the Courthouse Suns defeated the Storm for the 16u championship, Team Pride won the 15u championship by defeating the King James Shooting Stars, and the 14u championship was decided by the King James Shooting Stars getting a win against Flint Affiliation.
The Michigan Mustangs rolled through pool play and the tournament with their closest game against the Storm in the final. They were in search of chemistry after last week and through Friday. The Mustangs' lost 6'6 wing Devon Oliver '10 for two weeks and he was in an air cast and crutches soon after his ankle injury Saturday night. They were led by 6'2 guard Keith Appling '10 (Michigan State U.-verbal) who was the tournament's M.V.P. 6'9 center Walter Pickford '10 showed a lot of giddy-up when he tracked down an opponent on the break to block his shot. He was mentioned last week and one to keep an eye on. One of 6'7 forward Matt Kamieniecki's '10 strong points was his defense where he uses great foot-work to clog up the perimeter, most of the time (more on that). Sultan Muhammed '10 is a 6'2 shooting guard whom stepped up in front of his hometown by providing solid scoring games. The coaching staff changed things up by bringing 6'6 forward LaDontae Henton '11 and the still growing 6'5 wing/guard Juwan Howard, jr. off the bench. Henton went to the bucket with determination and knocked down some of his rainbow threes. Howard, jr. is finding his position on the floor and plays where he's needed whether it's the one-two-or three spot. 6'9 power forwards Alex Gauna '10 and Jon Horford '10 provided a solid duo in the post for the duration of the Classic. Both had quite a challenge last year when they faced 6'9 Nate VanArendonk last year in a game against the Shoreline Hoops 16u.
The runner-up Storm squad has a solid front line and one of
the tournament's most exciting players in 6'4 lefty wing Chris Anderson who
showed a lot of bounce, ability to get to the bucket, and finish with authority
time and time again. The Mustangs' Kamieniecki who had proved a formidable defender in prior
games had problems with