Nice Michigan State connections around MSU target Monte Morris

Earlier this week when previewing this weekend's high school basketball semifinals and finals at the Breslin Center, I included a note to keep an eye on Class C, where Flint Beecher and Detroit Consortium were likely to make Saturday's final.

Beecher's Monte Morris and Consortium's Travon Baker are two of the top guards in their respective classes, so that matchup was sure to have scouts from MSU and other high major colleges in attendance. The only problem? Both teams were surprisingly upset in their semifinal matchups Thursday. But there was still a bit of good news for those hoping Morris will consider MSU when he makes his college choice.

Eric Woodyard of the Flint Journal caught this tidbit after the postgame press conferences:

Even after posting a game-high 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists, Morris and the Bucs collapsed just short of a state title. So as he stepped down from the podium and out of the media room, his dreams were shattered for the time being. The sophomore fought back the tears until he was approached by a familiar face while heading to the locker room: Mateen Cleaves.Morris has been dubbed as Flint’s next breakout star on the hardwood, as he deserves to be, so it was only right that the city’s most notable hoops figure take him under his wing and attempt to keep his spirits high. The two exchanged cell phone numbers and Cleaves promised him he would get him ready for next season with intense off-season workouts. Anyone surrounding the two could feel the torch being passed.

Ryan Slocum's report in the above video also mentions that former Beecher standout and MSU player Marquise Gray has spent time working with Morris. Morris, who is being recruited by several schools, including Michigan, Syracuse and Georgetown, will have plenty of teams to choose from his final two years of high school basketball, but it's a good sign that there is certainly a strong Michigan State presence in his life.