No Michigan AAU team played more games than the Mustang 15’s did in July, and for the most part it was a successful July.  The Mustangs started the month by finishing 2nd in the platinum division (top division) of the Adidas “It takes 5” Classic.  Next up for the Mustangs was the 15-u AAU Nationals.  The Mustangs compiled a 5-2 record and won their pool.  The two losses came to the teams that finished 3^rd and 6^th. 

The Stangs finished their summer with a trip to Las Vegas to play in the Adidas Super 64.  The Stangs advanced all the way to the “Sweet 16” before bowing out.  Below is a breakdown of each player for the month of July.  

(Players listed in alphabetical order)

Lee Bailey, 5-11, PG, Country Day- Bailey came in and quickly became a positive and vocal leader for the Stangs in the month of July.  There were no official numbers to register but his assist-to-turnover ration was phenomenal.  Bailey knows how to control the game’s tempo.

Time after time Bailey answered the call in a variety of ways to help spark wins.  In Vegas, against DC Assault, it was Bailey’s defensive play that keyed a Mustang second half run on the way to a victory.  In Cincy, it was Bailey’s ability to spread the floor and take his man off the dribble that keyed a 1-point win over Indiana Elite.     

Urban Bingham, 6-6, PF, Country Day- made both trips to Cincy for the Adidas “It takes 5” and for AAU nationals.  He didn’t join the Mustangs till July, (after starting for The Family’s 15-u team in the spring) Bingham instantly blended in with the team which displayed great character.

Bingham likes to get physical and isn’t afraid to roll his sleeves up and get a little dirty.  He has a nice shot from 12 feet out but does most of his scoring on the offensive glass.  Bingham helped spark the Stangs in a late pool game at AAU nationals with 15 first half points, the team went on to win the game 41-39.    

Pierre Bracket, 6-3, wing, Flint Hamady- nobody improved more through out the AAU season than Brackets did.  Pierre has the ability to play up to four positions on the floor.  Whenever Pierre entered a game he brought to the table whatever the team was lacking-whether it was points, rebounds, or just pure intensity.

Against one of the Indiana Elite teams (in Cincy) Bracket registered a near triple-double with 10 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 steals.  Bracket also did a solid job containing Stevie Taylor, the nationally ranked point guard for OBC, twice in July.            

Dan Chilcote, 6-6, wing forward, Jackson Lumen Christi- Chilcote’s AAU season ended premature with a shoulder injury in the championship game of the Adidas “It Takes 5”.  A tough competitor and true team player, Dan tried to give it a go with one arm at AAU nationals but trainers disagreed.  His ability to force mismatches were desperately missed for the rest of the season.   

In the few games Dan did play in during July- he came through!  Against the Atlanta Celtics, Dan used his size advantage and ability to handle the ball to help break the Celtic’s press in a semi-final win.   

Dorian Dawkins, 5-10, combo guard, Saginaw- DD is from the class of 2013 and played up with the Stangs in Vegas.  Most players would have folded playing up two age divisions in such a competitive environment, but not Dawkins- this kid is going to be special! 

Whenever DD entered the game he quickly took control of the PG position, no matter who was on the floor.  He took care of the ball and ran the offense while still being aggressive enough to find his own shot.  Dawkins shot over 50% while in Vegas.  Dawkins is one of the top two players in Michigan for the class of 2013, as well as one of the nation’s top players for his class.   

Percy Gibson, 6-8, PF, Det. Southeastern- Gibson has the potential to be a top 100 player in the country; he is easily the top post play in Michigan.  In Cincy, for the Adidas event, Gibson proved it!  Game after game he dominated the competition.  Against Indiana Elite he single handily fouled out two 7-footers.

In July the 6-8 workhorse averaged a double-double in points and rebounds, and probably close to 5 blocks a game.  Coincidently when Gibson struggled- the Mustangs struggled.  In the final minutes of a 9 point win against DC Assault Gibson scored three straight times down the floor to secure the win.

Gibson led the Mustangs in points scored, rebounds, and block shots for the 2008 AAU season.         

Brandan Kearney, 6-4, PG, Det. Southeastern- What a July “The King” had!  With a Michigan offer already in his back pocket, BK put his name on the national stage with the opportunity to be a top 25 player in the country.  BK became the leader of this team with his high basketball I.Q., leadership skills, and ability to make the BIG play.

Time after time BK made a key play to help deliver a win.  At AAU Nationals it was Kearney’s turn around pull up with 3 seconds left that broke a tied game and gave the Stangs a 41-39 win.  In Vegas Kearney showcased his range by knocking down at least three 3-pointers in every game.  But don’t forget BK is a point guard and not just a scorer.  As long as BK can continue to stay humble and display the hard work ethic that he already has, than he has a very bright future ahead of him!

 

Tommie McCune, 6-7, wing Forward, Saginaw High- McCune joined the team back in May and quickly became a fan favorite and the most liked teammate- which says a lot about his play and character.  McCune is always outspoken in a positive way.  After winning a State Championship as a freshman at Saginaw High- the bouncy and athletic wing knows what it takes to win and isn’t afraid to show it! 

Besides being a voice of the team, McCune will be a nationally ranked player- guaranteed!  It was McCune’s offensive rebound and bucket that gave the Stangs the lead for good in the 2^nd OT against Oakland, CA.  Oh, and what a game he had in the “sweet 16” against OBC’s Chane Bahanan.  McCune completely dominated the nation’s #1 forward on both ends of the court.  Against OBC McCune blocked everything in sight, rebounded everything around him, and then had the skills to push the ball up the court himself.     

Juwan Moody, 5-10, combo guard, OLSM- the sharpshooter was only able to play in AAU Nationals however his 3-pointers were missed dearly in the other two national events.

While at AAU Nationals, the Mustangs’ final pool game would determine the winner of the pool.  The game was suppose to be close against Team Champions, a Nike team out of Florida, but Moody rang up five first half 3-pointers to break the game open.         

Matt Poches, 6-4, wing, Hartland- I still haven’t seen many players in the country that can keep pace with Poches in the scoring department.  He shoots a high percentage and can score any way possible.  A bulk of his scoring comes from his conditioning that allows the 6-4 wing to get out ahead of the pack in transition.  He can split any zone as well as hit the deep 3-pointer with consistency.

Poches proved in July he can also play some pretty good defense.  While in Cincy, Poches constantly took the other team’s best player out of the game.  Against Team Champions, Poches guarded Shane Larkin and held him to 3 points, Larkin had been averaging 25+ points a game.     

Denzel Valentine, 6-3, combo guard, Lansing Sexton- time after time I have to remind myself that Zel is from the class of 2012, because it doesn’t show in his play.  I have to give credit to Valentine because he could have easily played his age group and been dominate but he decided to come off the bench and play up against tougher competition. 

In July Valentine completely took over two games.  The first against one of the Indiana Elite teams in Cincy.  Valentine was moved to the PG, and simply took over by producing points for himself and teammates.  The other game coming in Vegas- in a playoff game against IEBP, Valentine started the game and ignited a 8-0 run by himself where he produced 4 points and 2 assist.     

Christian Vaughn, 6-1, combo guard, St. Marks (MA)- In this article we’ve talked about guys joining the team and instantly fitting in.  Vaughn joined the Stangs for the Vegas trip and was just another case of a “team first” mentality. 

Vaughn quickly showed his value on the defensive end by giving the Stangs another lock-down defender.  He has great instincts on the court, which allow him to jump passing lanes and get his hands on loose balls.  Offensively C.V. was able to drive and break down defenses.  He’s always looking to make the extra pass that usually results in easy lay-ups for teammates.  At times Vaughn gets too unselfish, and needs to shoot more- especially with the high percentage shot he has.      

Darren Washington, 6-9, center, Det. Southeastern- some people label D-Wash a project but that label is quickly coming off.  Just ask Cleveland State, the school that handed D-Wash his first offer.  At times minute came tough, especially when you play behind players like Gibson and McCune.  But in a couple years these guys might be playing behind Washington. 

No matter who he played against, he was always the first big down the floor.  He has that toughness that allows him to hold his own and battle for rebounds.  D-Wash’s summer lasted a little longer because after Vegas he flew to the University of Florida for their elite camp.