2018 All City Team

Dream Team

Charisse Woods
University Prep Science & Math Middle (Captain)

Charisse Woods has played in a whopping 25 tournaments in this school year making her the busiest scholastic player in the city. Charisse is also the top female player in Detroit. She has qualified for the 2018 World Youth Chess Championships in Porto Carras, Halkidiki, Greece on the northern coast of the Aegean Sea. She will be playing in the Girls Under 14 playing against the worlds best girls chess players this fall. She has won the Open section at the Thinkers Challenge #2 and Challenge #4. She drew an expert player at the Canton Chess tournament which moved her over the 1800 mark. Charisse is also a strong swimmer who competes nationally as well. Besides playing chess, Charisse’s hobbies include reading, playing sports and talking to friends.

Bryan Wilson Jr.
Cass Tech High School

Bryan Wilson is the only player in Detroit that has been a part of the last 5 Dream team’s dating back to his days in elementary school. He is still the highest rated scholastic player in Detroit. He played 1st board on the 2018 High State Championship team at Baker College. Bryan also placed 1st in the Michigan Scholastic Club Championship (K-12) helping Detroit City Chess Club. He also placed 5th in the Motor City Open section which is a strong adult tournament. He is coached by his father Coach Bryan Wilson. Besides playing chess, Bryan’s hobbies include playing basketball, drawing and playing the violin.

Jaidyn Hamilton
Cass Tech High School

Jaidyn Hamilton is the top female player at the High School level in the City of Detroit. Jaidyn is no stranger to the Dream Team. She made her 1st appearance to the team as an 8th grader. She tied for 4th place in the Michigan Master/Expert tournament in Lansing which is an adult tournament. She also won a gold medal at the State Championship this year winning all 5 games. Besides playing chess, Jaidyn’s hobbies include cooking, tennis and going to the movies.

Kenneth Rogers III
Renaissance High School

Kenneth Rogers III is making his debut with the Dream Team this year. Kenneth has worked very hard this season according to his coach Robert Taliaferro. He played 2nd board all season. He placed 1st in the Queen City Chess Classic Regional tournament in Cincinnati, OH winning all 5 of his games. Kenneth is only a freshman so Renaissance High will have him for 3 more years. Besides playing chess, Kenneth’s hobbies include playing the piano, basketball, gaming researching nutrition and science information.

Kameron Wilson
Cass Tech High School

Kameron Wilson is the 2nd highest rated player on his team. Kameron went undefeated during city league play going 6-0. He placed 1st in the Thinkers Challenge #3 in the Open section. He also placed 1st in the Monday Night tournaments at All The Kings Men. He also placed 2nd in the Thinkers Challenge #2. This is also Kameron’s first time on the Dream Team. Besides playing chess, Kameron’s hobbies includes playing basketball, video games and traveling.

Brelen Wilkes
University Prep Science & Math Middle

Brelen Wilkes is also new to the Dream Team this season playing first board for his team all season. Brelen took 1st place in the Class B section at the Michigan Master/Expert tournament in Lansing which is an adult tournament. Brelen also eclipsed the 1800 mark during his final days in Jr. High. He also placed 2nd in the Regionals at the Queen City Chess Classic in Cincinnati, OH helping Detroit City Chess Club clinch victory. Besides playing chess, Brelen’s hobbies include playing baseball, basketball and video games.

Dorian Smalley
Renaissance High School

Dorian Smalley is no stranger to the Dream Team. He made the Dream Team for the last few years since his days at Ludington Magnet Middle School. Dorian is Renaissance High Schools top player and has held that position since his freshman year. He tied for 2nd at the Thinkers Challenge #2 in the Open Section. He tied for 7th place in the Michigan State Junior Championships. Besides playing chess, Dorian’s hobbies includes spending time with friends & family and traveling.

Stephen Washington Jr.
Cornerstone JDA

Stephen Washington Jr. has been a member of the All-City Chess teams for years. He is leaving Jr. High on top of his game making the Dream Team. Stephen won a Bronze medal at the Jr. High Michigan State Chess Championships at Baker College. He played 1st board for the City league tournament helping his team to a 2nd place finish. He played extremely well during the Thinkers Chess Challenge. He tied for 3rd place in the final Thinkers Challenge #5 in the Open section. Besides playing chess, Stephen’s hobbies include playing basketball, running track, playing video games and reading Greek mythology.

Tamyre Watkins
Detroit Collegiate Preparatory @ Northwestern High School

Tamyre Watkins is a newcomer to the Dream Team. Tamyre is a sophomore and has played 1st board both seasons for DCP @ Northwestern High School. Tamyre tied for 1st place in Thinkers Challenge #3 in the U1400 section. She tied for 17th place at the High School Nationals out of 456 individual players in her section. She’s been very busy in high school playing on the Varsity basketball, track and Volleyball teams; Besides playing chess, Tamyre hobbies include braiding hair and skating.

Kaitlin Cobb
University Prep Science & Math Elementary

Kaitlin Cobb is our team’s youngest player (5th grade) but she’s certainly no stranger to the All-City team. She played 1st board all season for her team that won 1st place in the City and State. She recently tied for 2nd place in the K6-U1000 section out of 207 players. She also took 1st place in the U900 at the Thinkers Challenge #1 winning all her games and gaining over 200 points in the process. She also tied for 3rd in the U1100 section at the Thinkers #2. Kaitlin’s hobbies includes swimming, watching movies, working math problems and doing anything related to computers.

1st TEAM ALL-CITY CHESS HIGH SCHOOL

1st TEAM ALL-CITY JR. HIGH

1st TEAM ALL-CITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

1st TEAM ALL-CITY PRIMARY

2nd TEAM ALL-CITY CHESS HIGH SCHOOL

2nd TEAM ALL-CITY CHESS JR. HIGH

2ND TEAM ALL-CITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

2ND TEAM ALL-CITY PRIMARY

HONORABLE MENTION: ALL-CITY CHESS TEAM

Frederick Douglas Academy For Young Men:
Kamauri Washington Jr; Ludington- Illeon Woods;
Cornerstone Nevada:
Judah Smith and Trynton Burks;
Munger:
Jared Hernandez, Kelsey Gibbs, Joshua Contrares, Jeremy Hernandez
University Prep Science & Math Middle:
Isaiah Yanish, Donovan Jackson, Ivan Ruffin, Renee Canty, Ivory Burks, Isabella Rooks, Nicholas Burton, Malcolm Johnson, Ausar Inaede, Kamari Tensley and Canaan Thomas;
Renaissance High:
Lucas Kinney, Tyler Pasha, Alayna Todd and Neo Pauling;
University Prep Science & Math Elementary:
Nolan Story, William Dunson, Kalel Garrett, Onyeka Ballard and Oscar Cobb III;
Bates Academy:
Nyla Copeland, Keilan McGinnis, Brianna Branson, Maximilian Bourgeois-Martin, Joel Evans, McKenzie Branson and Haleigh Cameron;
University Prep Science & Math High School:
Jordan Smith, Gabriel Reason, David Tinsley and Siara Smart;
Detroit Collegiate Preparatory @ Northwestern High School:
Kaleo Jones;
Blackwell Institute:
Benjamin Booth, Christopher Adams, J’Wan Smith, Tyshunna Watson and Tamara Rogers;
Washington-Parks Academy:
Khai Manley;
Chrysler Elementary
Armari Howard and Devin Lott