Scott Keyes
Sports Scene
Beecher’s Monte Morris went through a whirlwind week leading up to the Buccaneers capturing their second consecutive Class C state championship with a 40-39 win over Laingsburg March 23 at the Breslin Center on the campus of Michigan State University.
The Monday before the finals, Morris was named Mr. Basketball, the award given to the senior player voted to be the best in the state by the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan.
Finishing with 2,130 voting points, Morris beat out Michigan signee Derrick Walton, Jr. of Chandler Park Academy (2,086) and James Young of Rochester (2,030), a McDonald’s All-American selection.
Now Morris can add Sports Scene Player of the Year honors to his impressive resume.
“Coach [Mike Williams] told me to embrace this week and cherish every minute of it,” Morris said after Beecher’s semifinal win over St. Mary Catholic Central. “To be only the third player to win the award from the Flint area is truly an honor and something that I will never forget.”
Morris is the first Flint-area player to win the award since Flint Northwestern’s Kelvin Torbert won it in 2001. Glen Rice, who also played at Northwestern, is the only other area player to be named Mr. Basketball.
Morris averaged 23 points, 9.6 assists, 5.5 rebounds and 5.6 steals this season.
Other Dream Team Members
Jalen Adams, Saginaw Arthur Hill, Sr.
The explosive, high-flying senior led the Lumberjacks to a 19-4 record before they bowed out to Saginaw in the district final. Adams, a 6’4″ senior, averaged 24 points and 14 rebounds for the Lumberjacks, who won the Saginaw Valley League title this season.
Eric Davis, Saginaw Arthur Hill, Soph.
The lone underclassman on the Dream Team, Davis averaged 22 points and nine assists for Arthur Hill this season. Davis already has numerous Division 1 colleges vying for his services in 2015.
Mitchell Myler, Sacred Heart Academy, Sr.
Myler, a 6’0″ senior, averaged 17 points and five assists for the Irish this season. Myler is a superb athlete who creates opportunities for his teammates and who plays with tremendous drive and wit on both ends of the floor.
Jalen Hayes, Lansing Sexton, Sr.
The 6’7″ Hayes, who averaged 17 points and 11 rebounds per game, is headed to Oakland University. Lansing Sexton lost in the regional final to Lumen Christi Catholic.