Purring Their Way Into The City

If Detroit Pershing wins a Class A boys basketball state championship this winter it will be with the help of some star Oakland County cage transplants.

Mory Diane, a 6-foot-3 combo guard from Birmingham Detroit Country Day, transferred to perennial state hoops juggernaut Pershing earlier this week

Marquel Ingram, a 6-foot-4 shooting guard, who was at Southfield last season, landed at Pershing at the start of the summer.

Diane will be a senior, Ingram a junior.

Over last weekend, Diane accepted a college scholarship from the University of Buffalo and its head coach former Duke All-American floor general and NBA Lottery pick, Bobby Hurley.

The past three years, Diane has played on the DCD varsity, starting on a Class B state-title team in 2013 and a final four squad in 2012.

He was the only freshman on the 'Jackets 2011 final four team and prior to his transfer considered one of the best players in the county for the upcoming 2014 campaign.

With Diane walking out the door on the first week of school Country Day probably just lost out on a legit chance at the repeat. Mr. Basketball candidate Edmond Sumner (Xavier, DCD GREAT) can only be expected to do so much by himself.

Sadly, I don't see them getting past a stacked Detroit Douglas club without Diane in the line-up.

And who knows about starting power forward Maurice Ways (Michigan football commit) – due to the coaching change (Kurt Keener to Mark Bray) and the recent departure of his best friend Diane, he might not even come out for hoops his senior year.

You've got to think that the coaching shift also played a role in Diane's decision to leave – he didn't play for the 'Jackets in summer action.

Ingram is a bit of a nomad; a very talented baller that has gained a reputation of moving around a lot – three schools in the 2013-2012 school year alone. That said he can create a shot for himself like few players Ive ever seen and is a natural scorer on the wing. As a result of this skill set, Ingram is seeing interest from several DI college programs in his recruiting game.

Pershing went 25-1 last season and raised city, district and regional championship-banners