Spinal Column Newsweekly honors best players in 2010-11

The Spinal Column Newsweekly is proud to present its 2011 All-Area Boys Basketball Team, made up of the best lakes area varsity basketball players during the 2010-11 season.

Selections were not only based upon players’ statistics, but also nominations from area coaches; other honors a player received, such as conference awards; and overall contributions to their team throughout the season.

As always, with so many talented nominees, narrowing down the final selections was a difficult process.

Orchard Lake St. Mary’s got off to a slow start this season, but overcame injuries and a tough regular season schedule to put together a strong run in the Class A state tournament and win its first regional championship since 2008, thanks in part to the efforts of its All-Area First Team member.

Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes stepped up in the 2010-11 season, as it won the Detroit Catholic League Intersectional Division title thanks, to two All-Area First Team selections.

Also included in the First Team is a Laker who helped lead a basketball renaissance at West Bloomfield, along with Walled Lake Northern’s sharpshooter who help the Knights reach the cusp of a district title.

FIRST TEAM

Allen Robinson
Senior Guard/Forward
Orchard Lake St. Mary’s

Returning to the Spinal Column All-Area First Team for a second straight season, Robinson recovered from injuries suffered during football season to help lead the Eaglets to a regional championship.

“He’s a great explosive player and a great finisher late in games,” St. Mary’s Head Coach George Porritt said. “He’s a great talent and can play in Division 1 (college basketball) if he wants.”

Robinson averaged 21.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, three blocks and three steals per game for St. Mary’s during the 2010-11 season and was rewarded with All-Catholic honors from the Detroit Catholic League.

A standout wide-receiver in football, as well, Robinson has committed to play football this fall at Penn State University, where his former St. Mary’s teammate, Robert Bolden, is the Nittany Lions’ starting quarterback.

Austin Karbowski
Senior Guard
Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes

An All-Catholic selection by the Detroit Catholic League, Karbowski was the go-to man for the Lakers this season.

“He was very consistent and we counted on him to put points on the board,” Our Lady Head Coach Sean Wightman said. “He was good off the dribble at creating offense and got to the free-throw line a lot because it was difficult for other teams to match up with him.”

Karbowski averaged 19.5 points, 1.75 assists and 5 rebounds per game this season in helping Our Lady to a division championship.

Jared Sheena
Junior Guard
Walled Lake Northern

Averaging 15 points, 2.7 assists and 1.5 steals a game, Sheena came up with big shots when the Knights needed them this season.

“Jared not only had to handle the ball up the court, he drew the other teams’ best defensive player and still scored 15 points a game,” Northern Head Coach Ron Thompson said. “He’s very explosive offensively but knows how to pass the ball when heavily guarded.”

In six games this season, Sheena scored 33 points, 26 points, 24 points twice, and 23 points twice.

He was rewarded with All-Kensington Lakes Activities Association (KLAA) Lakes Conference honors.

Spencer Parker
Senior Forward
West Bloomfield

Averaging 22.4 points, 10.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game, Parker helped the Lakers become contenders in the tough Oakland Activities Association (OAA) Red Division this season.

“Spencer had a tremendous season and is a big reason for our success,” said West Bloomfield Head Coach Jeremy Denha. “He can score, can pass the ball, and is a great rebounder. He’s very unselfish and carried us in a couple games this season.”

Parker was awarded an All-OAA Red selection as well as a Class A All-State honor from the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan.

Denha said Parker is receiving attention from mid-major colleges.

Garrett Ross
Sophomore Forward
Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes

Averaging 14.5 points and 7 rebounds a game this season, Ross proved that he was worthy of making the jump to varsity from the junior varsity level.

“There was a lot of pressure put on him to contribute right away,” Wightman said. “He was very productive and was our best rebounder. He also led our team in blocked shots and shoots well inside and outside. He has a bright future.”

Ross earned All-Catholic honors from the Detroit Catholic League for his efforts.

SECOND TEAM

• Adam Coric, senior guard, Walled Lake Central;

• Nick Leventis, senior forward, West Bloomfield;

• Ryan Soulet, junior forward, Walled Lake Northern;

• Louis Nelson, senior forward, Walled Lake Central;

• Parker Millington, senior guard/forward, Huron Valley Milford.

HONORABLE MENTION

Brett Hoffman, Waterford Kettering; Hayden Coe, Walled Lake Central; William Griffin, Walled Lake Western; Steve Wilson, Waterford Kettering; Ryan Zukowski, Huron Valley Lakeland; Joey Miller, Huron Valley Milford; Kevin Piper, Walled Lake Northern; Chuck Sanders, Huron Valley Lakeland; Cameron Vieaux, Walled Lake Western; Shaun Covington, Orchard Lake St. Mary’s; Zac Leimbach, Walled Lake Central; Jared Ritch, Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes.