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Game Recap: King's collective talent too much for Detroit Western as they beat the Crusaders 55-41
In the first game of a big day at Martin Luther King High School in downtown Detroit, Detroit Western (3-6) took on host team Detroit King (8-4) in the Public School League Quarterfinals.
Detroit King is one of the deepest teams in the state, frequently playing 10 or more guys in their main rotation. Western in recent years have been considered one of the top teams in Michigan, but have had a down year due to transfers out of the program since last season.
Despite Western's record, they are not a team to be taken lightly. They have competed against every team they have faced this season and have even beaten a few top tier teams like Detroit Renaissance. They also posses one of the top players in the state in 2018 wing forward Tray Jackson, and also have one of the best high school coaches in PSL's illustrious history in Coach Derrick Mcdowell.
Going into this game, King was missing their top player in 6'4 wing Antonio Marshall due to an injured hand, so it gave Western a better shot at pulling off a upset. Despite missing Marshall, King still had plenty of quality options. Shooting guard Marcus Gibbs, and guards Jaquan Robinson, Jordan Whitford, Julian Walker have stepped up and led King at various points this season.
The first quarter was low scoring and slower paced. King held an 11-7 lead after 1. Both teams seemed to be feeling each other out.
The second quarter was a little better. Western outscored King 17-13 in the 2nd stanza and held a 24-21 halftime lead. Tray Jackson had a solid quarter, scoring 7 points and really putting pressure on King attacking the rim. Jackson had 12 points at half. Marcus Gibbs kept pace with Jackson, scoring 9 points in the quarter and finishing with 13 points in the first half.
The third quarter was when King's depth began to take its toll on Western. Jackson began to battle foul trouble, and had to be taken off the floor more than Western would have liked. Without Jackson, Western lost its rim protector and top offensive threat, and King really began to turn up the pressure and create turnovers. After 3, King held a 41-35 lead. Julian Walker had a big quarter and was a spark off the bench.
Jackson ended up fouling out early in the 4th, and Western had no punch to their offensive attack from there. King cruised to a 55-41 victory behind a big game from Marcus Gibbs.
Marcus Gibbs finished with a game high 21 points to lead King. He also posted 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals. Jaquan Robinson had 8 points, Jordan Whitford filled the stat sheet with 7 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists and 5 steals and Julian Walker had 5 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists.
For Western, Tray Jackson led with 18 points and 5 rebounds. Kip Clark had 12 points and 8 rebounds and Arrin Staton had 4 points, 3 rebounds, 3 steals and 3 assists.
Below are some quick notes from the game on some of the top players for each team.
Gibbs was killing Western from start to finish. His teammates did a good job at setting stagger screens for him, and Gibbs was comfortable shooting off of them. He hit numerous shots from mid range or three either off the bounce or spotted up. Gibbs also scored once or twice off his own dribble, using a good change of pace to freeze the defender. Because he is more of an undersized 2 than a PG, I think it hinders his ability to play at a higher level. He should be a very good JUCO or D3 prospect. Gibbs finished with 21 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals.
The top prospect in this game, Jackson battled foul trouble for much of the 2nd half and ended up fouling out early in the 4th. The rest of his team is not nearly as good as him, so opposing defenses put a ton of focus on Jackson. He still managed to hit some shots from the perimeter, and looked comfortable shooting free throws. He went to 6-8 at the line and knocked down a pair of threes. Jackson was tough going downhill towards the rim and finishing with his left hand. He does need to get stronger though, as he got bumped off his line when attacking the hoop a few times, and was not a great rebounding threat whenever someone got a body on him. Jackson looks to currently be a Mid major + recruit right now, with the potential to go high major if he can improve his motor and get stronger this summer. He finished with 18 points and 5 rebounds.
Robinson had himself a solid game without ever being a focal point for Western's defense. Robinson has a good looking left handed shot and he knocked down a pair of threes. He also just takes care of the ball and plays solid defense. He is a undersized shooting guard, but he does a lot of little things that make him a valuable piece of this King rotation. Robinson finished with 8 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists.
Clark is an intriguing player for Western. He has pretty good low post skills and touch inside. A little heavy footed laterally when defending on the perimeter, it is something he should look to improve in the offseason to make. Also rebounded his area well. Finished with 12 points and 8 rebounds.
Filled the stat sheet in this game. He had a game high 7 assists and was King's most decisive playmaker. He also finished with 7 points and 6 rebounds. Whitford has good size for a guard and can play on the ball as the point guard or at the 2 and can add great playmaking to the wing.
Provided a huge spark in the 3rd quarter for King that helped them pull away from Western. Had a 5-0 run that got them a lead they never relinquished. Also had 4 rebounds and 3 assists. All of these stats came in the second half.
Below are some highlights from the game: