Yin & Yang: Chelsea soph guards tough

Chelsea sophomore guard Joey Cabana.

The don’t look alike. Or play alike. Yet, Chelsea’s sophomore wing guards, 6-2 lanky blond Joey Cabana and 6-3 muscular dark-haired Jake Stephens, have complementary styles that, when meshed, will help make the Bulldogs a tough out for the next three seasons.

Cabana scored a career-high 29 point in Chelsea’s win over Michigan Center at Sping Arbor University’s Shot Clock Classic then put down his first varsity game dunk among 22 points the next day in a defeat of Carleton Airport. Cabana has the countenance, wingspan and wiggle off the dribble of a future college scholarship guard. He shoots a true jumpshot, then can also create as a driver or finisher. If anything he can can go a little too quickly, and twice had travel calls at Spring Arbor when trying to attack closeouts from the corners. Has the quickness and overall ball sense and feel to play the point at the next level.

If Stephens wants to know about the “next level,” he just has to ask across the dinner table. His dad, Greg Stephens, was a big-time Gen X hooper at Adrian who played college ball at East Tennessee State and the Naval Academy. While Cabana plays free and loose, Stephens’ game is tough and serious. He has a good feel for finding Cabana behind the arc, whether on the break, kick-outs from the drive or even in-bounds plays. While he passes like a guard, Stephens rebounds like a forward, hitting both ends of the glass and consistently looking long off the defensive boards. A good finisher because he has both strength and body control. Squares up well on defense. He was Chelea’s leading scorer in their game in Indiana against defending 2A state champion Ft. Wayne Blackhawk Christian.