Special to Sports Scene
Muskegon High School will put its undefeated record on the line Saturday night, when it welcomes powerhouse Chicago Whitney Young to historic Redmond-Potter Gymnasium for the final game of the annual Muskegon Showcase tournament.
The Muskegon Showcase matches top Michigan teams against elite programs from neighboring states every year on the first Saturday in January.
This year’s three-game lineup features Westland John Glenn vs. Lighthouse Academy (Ind.) at 3 p.m., Saginaw Arthur Hill vs. Hillcrest (Ill.) at 5 p.m. and Muskegon vs. Chicago Whitney Young (Ill.) at 7 p.m.
Whitney Young, the Chicago magnet school which boasts distinguished graduates Michele Obama and Jahlil Okafor of the Philadelphia 76ers, comes into Saturday’s game with the huge advantage of 13 games under its belt – at locations all over the country. The Dolphins (10-3), who have won four in a row, boast two heavily-recruited young guards in junior Craig Beaudion and sophomore Xavier Castenada.
Muskegon (3-0), meanwhile, may not have the individual star power of recent years – with recent Michigan Mr. Basketball winners in Deshaun Thrower (2014) and Deyonta Davis (2015) – but Coach Keith Guy has one of his most diverse teams. The Big Reds have been led thus far by seniors Markell Jackson, Jermane Golidy, Anthony Bethea and Sam Cornett.
Admission to Saturday’s event is $10 and no passes of any kind will be accepted.
MUSKEGON SHOWCASE
At Muskegon High School’s Redmond-Potter Gymnasium
Tickets: $10
Saturday, Jan. 7
3 p.m. – Westland John Glenn vs. Lighthouse Academy (Ind.)
5 p.m. – Saginaw Arthur Hill vs. Hillcrest (Ill.)
7 p.m. – Muskegon vs. Chicago Whitney Young (Ill.)