King upsets Groves in wild, overtime thriller to end The D Zone Showcase

BIRMINGHAM - Detroit King got the statement win it was looking for Friday night with a 75-70 overtime win against Birmingham Groves at The D Zone Showcase.

Both teams battled all game, trading baskets and showcasing all the talent the two teams boast.

After a hard-fought four quarters, more time was needed, and King persevered in overtime after a wild technical foul to win the game.

Birmingham Groves MVP: John Simpson (6-5)

One of my favorite players in the state. Simpson is long, wiry, strong and versatile enough to play almost any position. He glides through the lane, hits 3-pointers and he can rebound with the best of them. With no disrespect to Northwood, it’s puzzling how he didn’t get an offer from Oakland or Detroit. To me, he’s an obvious D1 talent with upside as he gets stronger.

Detroit King MVP: Steven Jones (6-2)

Jones is a jump shot away from being a D1 college point guard. His spacial awareness is off the charts. He’s one of the best in the state at getting to the basket and finishing in a variety of ways. He scored a game-high 32 points Friday by sheer will and determination to keep his team in the game. But his shot needs work if he’s going to take the next step into the state’s elite players.

Team Analysis:

Groves:

Simpson led the team with 23 points, but the entire starting lineup is capable of major scoring contributions. After a slow start, Alabama-Huntsville signee Joshua Gibson (6-2) scored 21 points. He’s been a prolific scorer all season and one of the state’s best shooters. Landon McKinney (6-2) was aggressive offensively, resulting in 13 points. He’s another strong guard who can shoot and lead the offense. He’s an assist magnet, usually piling up over five a game. Paul Hubbard (5-9) is a gritty, tough lead guard who is tough to stop when he gets a full head of steam. Groves has Breslin upside this season with so much senior talent and leadership.

King:

This junior-laden squad has special potential this year and next. Jones is the team’s go-to guy and can be leaned on all throughout the game. Mareon Knott (6-4) is a key returning piece after missing a couple games. He’s a powerful guard/forward who can bully defenders and hit 3-pointers. Junior Gabe Hawkins (6-2) is a great outside shooter who poured in nine points. Hawkins, Knott and Jones are a tough trio to stop. Junior guard Derrick Kilgore (6-2) is this team’s x-factor. He was a highly-regarded prospect as a freshman at Old Redford, but has seemingly lost a little confidence with his shot. He still scored eight points, including two key buckets down the stretch.