Benton Harbor a beast in Class B

Benton Harbor sophomore Carlos Johnson and the Tigers look like they could return to the Breslin Center come March.

Though one of the state’s most storied programs, a state title has eluded Benton Harbor for over a half-century. After losing to eventual state champion New Haven in last year’s Class B semifinals, Benton Harbor looks like it could go all the way in 2018. They’re 3-0 on the young season winning by an average margin of over 40 points a game, most recently an 89-44 annihilation of Lansing Everett Saturday in Grand Rapids.

Long-time friend of Bank Hoops Yazeed Moore breaks down a pair of talented Tigers:

Benton Harbor is one of the best passing and sharing high school teams I’ve seen. I don’t think I saw one bad or forced shot. 6-6 sophomore Carlos Johnson is a stud. Looks and walks like a ballplayer. He’s smooth and fluid athlete with an out-of-this-world basketball IQ. He was a terror when he got the ball at the high post with seasoned ball/head fakes to go right around or up-and-under. He worked the baseline well and was active around the basket. He has kind of an LBJ setup on his jumpshot (tight windup) but still had a nice tough on the shot. The ones he missed were all front rim so it looks like Carlos is trying to get comfortable launching from the outside. Has a competent and purposeful handle too.

Berrien Springs transfer TJ Jones is a 6-3 senior and deadeye shooter. Whenever the ball was reversed it was cashed, and he showed the ability to create and make a shot off the dribble as well as get to the bucket. They’re deadly in a two-man game.  6-3 senior Shawn Hopkins and point guard Elijah Baxter look like future college players in their own right.