Saginaw United Basketball Preview (full story below:)

For what feels like forever, “the High vs. the Hill” was one of the top and most tense rivalries in all of Michigan HS hoops, between cross-town rivals Saginaw High and Saginaw Arthur Hill. Both schools had their own success, producing players like Draymond Green and Jason Richardson, respectively, but this summer, they officially came together as one. Saginaw United, a school created from a Saginaw High and Arthur Hill merger, will be playing their first season of basketball this year, and their personal expectations are very high.

Senior T.J. Stevenson, who had played for Saginaw High’s varsity team since his freshman year, will be the leader of this United team. Last season, Stevenson led the High to a district title and an 8-4 record in the Saginaw Valley League. His play led him to earn SVL All-Conference 1st team honors, after earning an honorable mention two seasons ago.

Currently, he holds a few collegiate offers, from the likes of schools like Central State (D2) and Olivet (D3), but more than anything right now, his focus is on his football season and the upcoming hoops season. When asked about his team goals for this upcoming season, Stevenson said, “one of our goals is to win games, and also defend at a high level.”

While Stevenson is excited to be able to continue to play with his teammates from Saginaw High, he’s also looking forward to playing with some of his former rivals. He highlighted junior Boop Hardy as somebody he’s been gelling with well, from Arthur Hill. “I love his game, he’s very confident and he plays to win,” Stevenson said when speaking on Hardy. Last season, Hardy also earned All-Conference 1st team honors in the SVL.

He also cited senior Tyler Dorsey as another guy from Arthur Hill he’s excited to play with. “Dorsey plays inside-and-out and can knock down shots. He can block shots and also play above the rim,” Stevenson told The D Zone.

When asked what we should expect from him this year, Stevenson said, “People should expect me to do whatever it takes to win big games. Adding so many different pieces, my roll from last season will look different. I’ll still be that same guy, though, just with a little bit more fire and passion.”

It’s also worthy to note that the players aren’t the only guys who came over from the High. Julian Taylor, who had been the head coach at Saginaw High for 13 years, is now the head man at Saginaw United, and it seems like that decision was popular with the players. “Having Coach Taylor for my senior year means a lot to me,” Stevenson told The D Zone, “Although he is my older cousin, he challenges me to be a better leader, and pushes me both on and off the court to become the best I can.”

In addition to Stevenson, Hardy, and Dorsey, there are a few other guys from United that people should know as their inaugural season approaches. Senior wings Deon Anderson Jr. and Torry Burt were important pieces for Saginaw High last season, and we’d imagine Taylor will give them important roles again this year.

It’ll be exciting to see what Saginaw United can do this year. Check them out in their season opener at home on November 30th at 5:00 PM, as they’re set to host Detroit Catholic Central.

Mikey Wolford is an 11th grade student at East Kentwood HS, who’s contributing stories to The DZone.