Best of the Decade part 3 - Purple People Eaters

Oakland County's Best Boys Basketball Teams of the 2000s

No. 3

2002 Auburn Hills Avondale Yellow Jackets

This was a super fun team to watch play. The Yellow Jackets' chemistry was evident and they rode a balanced and energetic attack to a 25-3 record and the Class B state championship, the school's first ever on the hardwood.

Head coach Tim Morton had a vicious inside-outside tandem in 2002. Inside was all-state power forward Mike Lewis, who had a monster game in Avondale's 70-65 win over Grand Rapids South Christian in the state finals, posting a double-double of 27 points and 15 rebounds. Outside was Morton's playmaking lead guard, Dionte Miller, who had 23 points in the state title tilt.

Small forward Jeremiah Handley and center Kevin McConnell filled out the 'Jackets formidable frontcourt and Wes Whiteside was a fine compliment to Miller in the backcourt and occupied the role as the team's defensive stopper. Coming off the bench that season was sophomore David Holston, one of the nation's leading scorers when he hit the college level at Chicago State in the late-2000s.

Avondale's most difficult hurdle to jump on its way to the crown came in the regional championship game at Flint Powers against Flint Southwestern. In front of a very hostile and pro-Southwestern crowd, the Yellow Jackets prevailed 75-72 in overtime and showed everyone in the state they were a team to be taken seriously. A week later, Morton, Lewis, Miller and co. were cutting down the nets at the Breslin Center. 

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