Detroit Central kicks off The D Zone Rising Teams Classic with win over Milford

AUBURN HILLS - The D Zone Rising Teams Tip-off Classic kicked off with a great game, with Detroit Central earning a 52-49 win over Milford.

Detroit Central used its quickness and explosiveness to outlast a sweet-shooting Milford squad. Both teams fought hard throughout the game.

Detroit Central showed it might be a force in Division 3 this season with a blend of height and skill from their guards.

Detroit Central MVP: Jaden McDonald, 5-10 Jr.

McDonald ran the offense, and was a terror in transition all game. He scored a team-high 21 points while locking down on defense. The junior guard was lightning quick and explosive driving to the basket. He also showed his range, draining a couple second-half 3-pointers.

Milford MVP: Carson Lutz, 6-1 Sr.

Lutz is a scoring machine. After starting his season with a 45-point game, Lutz poured in 24 against Detroit Central. His movement without the ball is special and his ability to drive and shoot through double-teams stands out. Lutz also displayed a tremendous ability as a passer, finding open men under the basket for easy scores. He’s a special player.

Team Analysis:

Detroit Central

The Trail Blazers are a team to reckon with in Division 3. They have tremendous size for a team at that level, making them a threat against smaller opponents. Tyre Acuff (6-2) carries a legendary name in the state of Michigan, and the junior guard scored 12 points while also guarding Lutz on defense. Jeremiah Gray (6-8), another junior, dominated the paint with his length and strength. He has tremendous upside as a rebounder and low-post scorer. Senior forward Alontae Turk (6-5) was also dangerous in the post and stout on defense. It would not be surprising to see this team make a long tournament run both this year and next.

Milford

Milford is a great shooting team that was fearless on the glass, often out-rebounding Central despite a significant size disadvantage. Although Lutz carried the bulk of the scoring, Owen Stark (6-3) will be an important piece throughout the season. He hit two 3-pointers in this game to stretch the court, but fought some foul trouble in the first half. Overall, this is an exciting team that can get hot in a hurry. They just need to find a third scorer.