By BUTCH HARMON
While the state of Michigan has seen a steady exodus of high school basketball stars the past few years, the return of a one-time super sophomore has a long-time Lansing-area basketball power enjoying a big season.
Trevor Manuel, who played at Oak Hill Academy last season after beginning his career at Lansing Sexton, returned to Lansing for his senior year this year and has Lansing Everett among the top teams in the state in Class A.
Manuel and his Viking teammates improved their record to 7-2 for the season when Everett traveled to Grand Rapids and defeated Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills 79-72 in the Floyd Mayweather Classic. Manuel was at the top of his game against Ottawa as he poured in 42 points in a variety of ways and blocked 10 shots.
“Trevor has been very, very dominant at times,” Everett coach Desmond Ferguson said. “Having him this year has been great for us. He scores a ton of points, blocks a lot of shots and grabs a lot of rebounds. He has really fit in well with his teammates.”
Manuel has teamed up with guard Jamyrin Jackson to give the Vikings an effective one-two punch. Jackson, a guard, is averaging 15 points per game and give Everett a threat on the perimeter to go with Manuel who is averaging 28 points per game.
Sophomore Diego Robinson is also developed into a threat on offense for the Vikings who also have a number of players capable of coming up big.
“We have a number of guys who on any given night can step up for us,” Ferguson said.
With the conference season reaching the halfway point Everett is in second in the CAAC a game behind Grand Ledge. Everett’s lone league loss was a 65-63 decision to Grand Ledge.
“We’ve lost a couple of games that I thought we should have won,” Ferguson said. “The guys have been working hard but we have to continue to get better.”
Along with competing for a CAAC title, Ferguson expects the Vikings to make a run in the state tournament.
“We have an opportunity to compete for a state championship,” Ferguson said. “As long as we continue to grow and improve I think we can make a run at it. We haven’t peaked yet and obviously you want to peak at the end of the season. I think Class A is wide open this year and we expect to compete for a state championship.”
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