The Horatio Williams Foundation has been putting on outstanding basketball events for a long time. This year’s MLK Freedom Classic lineup included a ton of the state’s top players and many of them put on a show for the packed crowd at Ferndale High School.
*Note: Players not listed in any particular order*
Jalen Terry – Flint Beecher 2020: The Oregon commit was making his statement for Mr. Basketball with a loud 26-point performance and win over #1 ranked Orchard Lake St. Mary’s. He put on show making deep threes, attacking in transition and making plays for his teammates. Terry did what big time players are supposed to do… make big time plays!!
Jarvis Walker – Muskegon 2020: The IPFW commit wants BCAM voters on the east side of the state to know that west side guys can play too! Scoring 25 points and grabbing 7 rebounds against a tough Ferndale Eagles squad, he made his case on why he should be mentioned for the Michigan Mr. Basketball award.
Lorne Bowman – Orchard Lake St. Mary’s 2020: The Wisconsin commit went toe-to-toe with Oregon commit Jalen Terry and he delivered! Scoring 26 points in this high paced contest, he was able to knock down big shots to keep the Eagles in the game. Bowman has shown once again that being Mr. Basketball candidate is well deserving.
Jaden Atkins – Farmington 2021: One of the state’s top scorer’s had the arsenal on full display. He continuously was able to make shots coming off ball screens and in isolation with step back jumpers and finished with 27 points. Atkins showed why he is heralded as one of Michigan’s top 2021 prospects.
Fletcher Loyer – Clarkston 2022: When it comes to shooting the basketball… Loyer can do just that! Making 6 threes in a huge 55-41 win over Detroit King, he finished with 26 points. Known as being a high-level shooter, he also showed poise handling the ball against King’s pressure.
Zavion McClendon - Frederick Douglass 2020: This aggressive lefty was getting to the basket at will. He wastes no time with the ball in his hands looking to score and he had 24 points.
Ryan Rollins – Macomb Dakota 2020: The pace that Rollins plays with make you think the game comes easy to him. The pure point guard committed to Toledo distributed the ball well to his teammates while still being able to score. Rollins scored 19 points and dished out 10 assists in a 70-60 win over Detroit Western.
Pierre Brooks Jr. – Frederick Douglass 2021: Brooks continued his good season by staying in attack mode and getting to the rim. Knocking down key jump shots help lead the Hurricanes to a 74-61 win over Farmington. Brooks added 18 points and 8 rebounds in the contest.
Chansey Willis Jr. – Detroit King 2022: The 6’0 sophomore guard made it tough for Clarkston to escape with a win. Scoring 25 points, including 18 in 4th quarter, showed how hard he competes even when his team is down.
Joshua Hines – Macomb Dakota 2021 – A rising junior point guard in the 2021 class, Hines was silky smooth in the half court and transition. Scoring 22 points, he was the leading scorer for Macomb Dakota.
Other standout performers – Matt Nicholson – Clarkston 2020 (14 pts, 21 rebs), Treyvon Lewis – Ferndale 2022 (21 pts), Keyshawn Devlin – River Rouge 2021 (16 pts), Legend Geeter – River Rouge (14 pts, 9 rebs).