Performance: East English's Kamari Newman
February 25, 2016
Kamari Newman
Detroit East English senior – Boys Basketball
Newman joined Detroit East English’s first boys varsity basketball team as a freshmen for the 2012-13 season and will graduate as the first all-time great in the young program’s history (the school opened in 2012 after the closures of Detroit Crockett and Finney). In his fourth and final opportunity, the 6-foot-4 guard led the Bulldogs to their first Detroit Public School League Tournament title to earn the Michigan National Guard’s “Performance of the Week.”
Newman scored 17 of his game-high 28 points during the first half of a 71-70 semifinal win over Detroit Collegiate Prep on Feb. 12, then scored a game-high 24 points in the 86-62 championship game win over Detroit Renaissance on Feb. 19 (East English had lost to Renaissance by four in a 2015 PSL semifinal). For the season, Newman is averaging 22 points, six rebounds, four assists and 1.5 steals per game for East English, which is 16-3. Not surprisingly, Newman has the school record for 1,591 career points and also with 193 3-pointers – which are enough to make the MHSAA’s career list in that category, and while he has at least two more games to play. Newman has been a strong shooter throughout his career, but said he's improved his rebounding and leadership most as a senior.
He also earned all-city honors in cross country in the fall and ran on that team all four years of high school along with a number of his teammates – he credits cross country with helping the basketball team train to play its uptempo style during the winter. Newman has signed to continue his basketball career at George Mason University in Virginia. He is unsure what we will study, but said the sciences are among his favorite and best subjects.
Coach Juan Rickman said: “He’s always worked hard. He likes to stay in the gym. That’s one of the biggest impacts he’s had with our program. He’s been the catalyst. When we started the (PSL) run, he made the conscious decision in his mind that he was done losing, coming up short. When the opportunity presented itself, he became more of a leader. He just didn’t want to lose.”
Performance Point: “It was a tough road. I just wanted to lead us there. We came up short (in the past), so many people were counting us out. I definitely didn’t want to come up short this time.
Best in Bulldogs history: “It means a lot, but I know I’ve got a whole lot of work to do. It’s going to be great honor (though), but we’re not done yet. The group of guys, we go so deep. That’s been my favorite part, just being around those guys. (My role) is just to push everybody, to lead, to their limit. I try to get the best out of all my teammates; they respect me.”
Had to be a Patriot: “Just the coaching staff (at George Mason), they were telling me basically what Coach Rickman tells me. They work extremely hard, and really they don’t have anybody to score the ball like that, so I want to go in there and help them where they’re struggling.”
Create like Curry: “Steph Curry; I don’t really watch him too much, because I’m not him. But sometimes I try to be like him. How quickly he gets it off, creates his own shot, that what I like about him. ... I want to get better at becoming the combo (guard), getting the ball when I need it, distributing it, seeing the floor on the defensive end and being more aware.”
– Geoff Kimmerly, Second Half editor
Every week during the 2015-16 school year, Second Half and the Michigan National Guard will recognize a “Performance of the Week" from among the MHSAA's 750 member high schools.
The Michigan Army National Guard provides trained and ready forces in support of the National Military Strategy, and responds as needed to state, local, and regional emergencies to ensure peace, order, and public safety. The Guard adds value to our communities through continuous interaction. National Guard soldiers are part of the local community. Guardsmen typically train one weekend per month and two weeks in the summer. This training maintains readiness when needed, be it either to defend our Nation's freedom, or protecting lives and property of Michigan citizens during a local natural disaster.
Previous 2015-16 honorees
Feb. 17: Jason Whitens, Powers North Central boys basketball - Read
Feb. 10: Rachel Hogan, Grand Ledge gymnastics - Read
Feb. 3: Nehemiah Mork, Midland Dow swimming & diving - Read
Jan. 27: Mardrekia Cook, Muskegon girls basketball - Read
Jan. 20: Sage Castillo, Hartland wrestling - Read
Jan. 13: Rob Zofchak, Dexter swimming & diving - Read
Jan. 6: Tyler Deming, Caro wrestling – Read
Dec. 15: Jordan Weber, East Jordan boys basketball – Read
Dec. 8: Kaitlyn Geers, Kent City girls basketball – Read
PHOTOS: (Top) Detroit East English’s Kamari Newman brings the ball upcourt during the Detroit Public School League Tournament. (Middle) Newman was the team’s leading scorer in both the semifinal and championship game. (Top photos courtesy of the Detroit East English basketball program, middle photo courtesy of the Detroit Public School League/Bonnie Warmack.)
Breslin Bound: 2025-26 Boys Report Week 1
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
December 8, 2025
Winter has certainly arrived in Michigan over the last few weeks – at least from a snowy standpoint – and right on the time to signal the start of boys basketball season and our first report on the annual march to Michigan State's Breslin Center.
Big matchups already are happening, and every game against an MHSAA Tournament opponent counts toward seeding for District brackets, and once again we're diving into the results you need to know from the previous week, teams that are showing up big in each division and matchups coming up that you won't want to miss.
“Breslin Bound” is powered by MI Student Aid and based on results and schedules posted for each school at MHSAA.com.
Week in Review
The countdown of last week’s five most intriguing results:
1. Grand Rapids South Christian 75, Grand Rapids Christian 71 The Sailors (2-0) opened by adding to last season’s District Final win over Grand Rapids Christian (1-1), and after having lost to the Eagles 72-55 in their season opener a year ago.
2. Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice 71, Detroit U-D Jesuit 42 Brother Rice (2-0) enjoyed some significant payback after falling to Jesuit twice last season, during the regular season in what eventually decided the Catholic High School League Central title and then in their Regional Semifinal matchup.
3. Saginaw United 67, Detroit Catholic Central 57 The Phoenix (2-1) opened their new fieldhouse with a notable season-opening victory over the Shamrocks (2-1), who defeated United 69-55 in their opener a year ago.
4. Grand Blanc 76, Hamtramck 75 (OT) The Bobcats (2-0) opened the season with this notable win at the Horatio Williams Tip-Off Classic.
5. Warren Fitzgerald 41, East Kentwood 40 This was another exciting finish at the Horatio Williams event, again in a faceoff of teams with high aspirations this season.
Watch List
With an eye toward March, here are two teams in each division making sparks:
DIVISION 1
Grand Haven (3-0) The Buccaneers finished an opening week of road games without a loss, defeating Coopersville 65-42 and then Traverse City Central 83-71 and Traverse West 79-77 over the weekend. Grand Haven improved from 11-12 in 2023-24 to 18-6 last season and will have some opportunities to get rolling heading into the new calendar year with a Dec. 22 matchup against Freeland and its Lake Michigan Cup on Dec. 29-30.
North Farmington (2-0) The Raiders are coming off a 12-10 finish and third place in the Oakland Activities Association Red last season, and got off to a fast start under first-year coach Peter Mantyla with a 41-35 win over Canton and a 62-47 victory over Davison while hosting the Horatio Williams Tip-Off Classic. Reigning league champion Birmingham Groves is up next, on Friday, and the first matchup with Farmington – which ended the Raiders’ season last winter – is Dec. 19.
DIVISIION 2
Dundee (3-0) The Vikings appear on track to bounce way back after going 21-5 in 2023-24 but then only 5-18 last winter. They opened last week with a 12-point win over Saline Washtenaw Christian, a 47-46 victory over Milan and a 51-45 triumph over Britton Deerfield – and after losing to Washtenaw Christian by six points during the early going a year ago.
Freeland (3-0) The Falcons are coming off a 22-4 finish and run to the Division 2 Quarterfinals last winter, so a fast start isn’t a surprise. But it was still impressive; Freeland opened with a 22-point win over Bridgeport, then defeated Menominee by 22 and Petoskey by 15 at the latter’s Sean Pollion Invitational. Showcase games against Auburn Hills Avondale and Grand Haven later this month will be opportunities to impress.
DIVISION 3
Ishpeming Westwood (3-0) The Patriots reached the Semifinals last season for the first time since 2003 with Ethan Marta leading the way, and he’s doing so again to begin his senior year as Westwood opened with sizable wins over West Iron County and Hancock. They finished a perfect first week with an 83-64 victory over rival Ishpeming.
North Muskegon (3-0) The Norsemen are off to the right start as well after last season’s 23-2 finish and Regional Final run. They won all three of their games last week by at least 20 points, defeating Division 1 Walled Lake Western 64-44 in the championship game of the Will Lynch Invitational at Benzie Central. And they celebrated senior Adam Dugener reaching 1,000 points in the season-opening win over Holton.
DIVISION 4
Clarkston Everest Collegiate (2-0) A Regional finalist and 24-2 overall last season, Everest jumped 10 wins from 2023-24 and is off to a fast start again. The Mountaineers opened with a 61-42 win over Livonia Clarenceville and followed with a 59-42 victory over Flint Beecher. Clarenceville is a Division 2 team, and the great majority of Everest’s regular-season opponents play in Division 2 or 3 with a date as well against Division 1 South Lyon East on Feb. 19.
Eben Junction Superior Central (3-0) Two of last season’s first four losses came to Hannahville Nah Tah Wahsh as Superior Central went on to finish the season 9-14 – after going 16-8 in 2023-24. But the Cougars got on the right track immediately this winter with a 57-42 win over Nah Tah Wahsh to open last week before defeating Cedarville 42-41 and Mackinaw City 48-41 on successive days to win the Battle of the Bridge hosted by the latter.
Can’t-Miss Contests
Be on the lookout for results of these games coming up:
Monday – Ishpeming Westwood (3-0) at Kingsford (2-0) – These two both made it to Breslin Center last season, Westwood reaching the Division 3 Semifinals and Kingsford the same in Division 2.
Tuesday – Flint Powers Catholic (2-0) at Bay City John Glenn (1-1) – These two Division 2 hopefuls both won 20 games last season.
Friday – Grand Rapids Catholic Central (0-0) at Rockford (1-0) – The Division 1 Rams may have won their matchup last season 70-43, but the Cougars went on to finish their season in the Division 2 Semifinals.
Saturday – Warren Lincoln (1-0) vs. Arts & Technology Academy of Pontiac (0-0) at Detroit Mercy – These two also both reached Breslin Center last season, Lincoln winning the Division 2 title and ATAP finishing Division 3 runner-up, and they will face off at the U-D Mercy Showcase.
Saturday – East Lansing (1-0) vs. Detroit Martin Luther King (0-1) at Lansing Eastern – The reigning Division 1 champion Trojans should get a strong challenge at the Moneyball Tip-Off Classic from King, which made the Quarterfinals last winter.
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PHOTO While being defended by Ishpeming's Dax Kakkuri on Friday, Ishpeming Westwood's Ethan Marta makes a move to the basket. (Photo by Cara Kamps.)