Take a shopping break for some basketball

Macomb County boys basketball fans, we’re a few weeks into the boys season and there’s plenty to write about. But I don’t want to clog up the Internet, so I’ve whittled this entry down to a few choice nuggets. Enjoy, and happy holidays.

One and (not done)
Clinton Township Chippewa Valley seems determined to not only capture the MAC Red title, but do it in exciting fashion (unless you’re Big Reds coach Kevin Voss, who might insert the word "stressful" in place of "exciting.")

The Big Reds opened division action with a pair of one-point wins. They defeated Grosse Pointe North 56-55 in overtime Dec. 12 before topping two-time defending MAC Red champ Romeo High 57-56 Dec. 18.

Celebrate 2008 with the conference's first game of the new year when Chippewa Valley and high-scoring guard Chris Lemm travel to Harrison Township L’Anse Creuse to meet the Lancers and high-scoring forward Nick Carreri (committed to Grand Valley State University).
The game tips off at 7 p.m. Jan. 2.

Pilots flying high, again
From the outside, it appeared Warren De La Salle would be going through a “rebuilding” phase this season after losing four talented starters from a team that made an epic run to the state semifinals.

But after a 4-0 start, including some impressive wins, the only building the Pilots seem to be doing is creating some momentum that just might take them back to the Breslin Center.

Coach Greg Esler’s squad is led by captains Alex Marcotullio, Alex Harville and Kevin McCarthy. The Alexes man the backcourt and are armed with some dead-eye, long-range shooting. McCarthy, who depending on who you talk to is either 6 feet 9 or 6 feet 10, is a force in the middle, regardless of who you believe.

A host of role players give Esler plenty of tools to work with, though the Pilots' defense is already scary good. And even scarier, there’s not a single senior on the team, so the future is very bright at De La Salle.

Check out the Pilots over the break as they battle Warren Lincoln in what should be a great intracity clash at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 28 at De La Salle.

“Guaranteed buckets”
His teammates call him “Q”.

I call him one of the best players in Macomb County.

The Associated Press has called him a Class B All-State honorable-mention player — twice.

You can call Quentin Jones whatever you want, just make sure you go see the St. Clair Shores South Lake senior guard before his prep balling days are over.

While it seems that South Lake’s roster is loaded with impressive athletes, Jones stands out — thanks to exceptional physical gifts and talent earned by hard work.

“Athletically, he’s unbelievable,” said South Lake coach Matt Ferguson.

Jones possesses what Ferguson refers to as “deceptive” dribbling skills, which he can use to crossover his defender in a tight spot or in the open floor, and then simply blow by him with serious speed. His strength and size at 6 feet 6 allows him to power past opponents in the post, win rebounding battles, and deny players on defense. He worked on improving his 3-point shot in the offseason, so now when defenders sag off of him in anticipation of a dribble-drive, Jones can step back and nail a trey with what Ferguson calls, “a nice, fluid shot." His high-flying ability makes him a threat to bring the crowd to its feat following a big dunk.

In short, with the arsenal of weapons Jones wields on the floor, South Lake can do some major damage.

Perhaps nobody enjoys an offensive talent like their point-guard teammate.

“Playing with 'Q,' it’s fun, because you can just feed him the ball and it’s like, easy buckets,” Cavs senior point guard Malcolm Oliver said. “It’s like guaranteed buckets as soon as the ball touches his hands. Everybody knows it’s not a one-person game, but he is a very big part of our team.”

Catch Jones and the Cavs in action over the break at Macomb L’Anse Creuse North’s Crusader Classic. But don’t just focus on South Lake, as LCN senior guard Erik Thompson is another impressive player from the MAC.

LCN is scheduled to play Port Huron at 6 p.m. Dec. 27. South Lake will face off with Livonia Franklin following that game, and more action is planned for the next day.

Here we go hoops fans

Boys basketball season is finally here. I’ve compiled a quick guide to some early season must-see games in Macomb County. Happy trails hoops fans.

Friday, Dec. 7, 7 p.m., Macomb L’Anse Creuse North at Warren De La Salle:
Expect to see a barrage of 3-pointers from two of the county’s purest shooters in Crusaders senior Erik Thompson and Pilots junior Alex Marcotullio.

Monday, Dec. 10, 7 p.m., Warren Cousino at Utica Ford:
The Falcons edged the Patriots by one game to take the Macomb Area Conference White Division title last season. While Ford’s Nate King and Kyle Hunt, and Cousino’s Ricky Powell and Bernard Edwards are among the area’s top returning starters, Patriots center Matt Balkema, a 6-foot-9 270-pound junior, may just steal the show in this early season grudge match.

Tuesday, Dec. 11, 7 p.m., Harper Woods High at Warren Conner Creek Academy West:
The Eagles may be Warren’s best-kept basketball secret. They’ll have a chance to prove their skills against the Metro Conference powerhouse. The Pioneers' aggressive, pressing defense is enough to give any opposing head coach fits, but so are the all-around skills the Eagles' 6-foot-8 junior center John Hoskins Jr.

Wednesday, Dec. 12, 7:30 p.m., St. Clair Shores South Lake at Warren Fitzgerald:
Expect plenty of high-flying offense as there are few teams around that can match the explosiveness of the Spartans and Cavaliers. Quentin Jones, the Cavs' 6-foot-6, high-flying senior forward is a threat to score from anywhere and should be enjoyable to watch this season. There are plenty of players in this game capable of taking over in this installment of a fierce, blossoming rivalry. South Lake won a share of the MAC Blue title last season, while Fitzgerald was tied for second place.