Dream Team
AbdurRahman Bayi
University Prep Science & Math Middle (Captain)
AbdurRahman Bayi was making waves on the chess scene over the summer before scholastic season was in full swing. He placed #1 at Troy Quads,followed by a first place finish at the very competitive Motor City Open. AbdurRahman went undefeated in the Metro Detroit Scholastic City League Junior High Division, winning 10 games and helping his team to maintain their #1 status in the City. He was also undefeated at States, winning first place in the K-9 Championship section and earning a gold medal. He consistently challenged his former teammates and various high school peers for the top 3 spots in the Open section of the Thinkers Chess Challenge tournaments this season. AbdurRahman went on to win 5.0/7.0 games at the National Junior High Championships. AbdurRahman was quite busy this year, competing in 20 tournaments helping to increase his rating to 1699.
Nolan Bryant
Frederick Douglas Academy For Young Men
Nolan Bryant is making a repeat appearance on the Dream Team. Nolan placed 1st in the U1400 section at Thinkers Challenge #6. Nolan played 1st board during the City league tournaments. Despite facing unthinkable adversity, Nolan showed tremendous tenacity as he bounced back from great personal loss this season. Besides playing chess, Nolan’s hobbies include playing basketball & video games and dancing.
Micale Garland, Jr.
Cass Tech High School
Micale Garland Jr. is no stranger to the Dream Team, having been a member since his days at Bates Academy. He is Cass Tech’s 3rd highest rated player, peaking at 1850 this year. Micale placed 2nd at the State Scholastic Club K-12 Championships winning 4.0 games. He also placed 4th in the Michigan State High School Chess Championships, winning a silver medal. Besides playing chess, Micale’s hobbies include playing football, reading and playing the drums.
Maxwell Motley
University of Detroit Jesuit High School & Academy
Maxwell Motley is making his debut with the Dream Team this year. Maxwell is the second highest rated player on his team which includes grades 7-12. He played 2nd board and stepped in as first board helping his team to win the Metro Detroit Scholastic City League High School Championship this year. He placed 1st in his class in the National Championship Blitz Tournament at High School Nationals and also won a medal at States. Maxwell is in the 8th grade and made the honor roll. Besides playing chess, Maxwell is a stand-out football player and his hobbies include playing video games, going to the movies and hanging out with his friends.
Houston Poe
University Prep Science & Math Middle School
Houston Poe is the highest rated player in the Elementary Division. Houston is a very active chess competitor, appearing in more than 20 tournaments this season. Houston placed 3rd at the Thinkers Chess Challenge #4. He is showing great promise as a student of the game. You can find Houston at the DIA leading new players in tutorial sessions. Houston is committed to chess and has increased his rating by more than 400 points.
Zachary Hooper
University of Detroit Jesuit High School
Zachary Hooper is a graduating senior and making his debut on the Dream Team. He is the captain of his school team. Zachary showed tremendous zeal this year, encouraging his team to excel at their competitions. His key win at the City League championships secured the 1st place victory for University of Detroit High School and Academy. He also placed 2nd at the Roeper Chess Tournament. Zachary plans to attend Michigan Technological University in the fall.
Daniel Randon
University Prep Science & Math Elementary School
Daniel Randon is making his first appearance as the youngest member of the Dream Team. Daniel is the highest rated player on his team. He has participated on the UPSM Elementary Chess Team for a number of years. He is a strong competitor often competing in the Open section. He drew a player rated more than 500 points higher. Daniel participates in the Elementary School National Honor Society, B-Square Advanced Math class and is apart of the Math Hoops Team. He also took 3rd place in the Science Fair this year.
Kenneth Rogers III
Renaissance High School
Kenneth Rogers is making a repeat appearance on the Drean Team. As 2nd board on his school team, he helps his fellow chess team members during tournaments by analyzing games. He placed 1st at Thinkers Challenge #2 this year. He also placed 1st in the Troy Quads. Kenneth is an honor roll student and also works with Houndstooth Research, LLC as a Junior Researcher. Kenneth is an active member and chess leader for new players needing lessons at the Detroit City Chess Club.
Bryan Wilson, Jr.
Cass Technical High School
Bryan Wilson is the only player in Detroit that has been a part of all 6 Dream Teams dating back to his days in elementary school. He is still the highest rated scholastic player in Detroit. He played 1st board on the High School State Championship team and has won 6 straight state championships at 3 different schools. He is coached by his father Coach Bryan Wilson. Besides playing chess, Bryan’s hobbies include playing basketball, drawing and playing the violin.
Dorian Smalley
Renaissance High School
Dorian Smalley is making his final appearance on the Dream Team. He made the Dream Team for the last several years since his days at Ludington Magnet Middle School. Dorian is Renaissance High School's top player and has held that position since his freshman year. He drew an Expert and a Candidate Master at the MI Bottom Half Classic. He placed 2nd in the City League High School Division winning 6.0 games. Dorian was recently awarded a S.W.A.G. scholarship from the Michigan Chronicle. He plans to attend Michigan State University in the fall.
Kameron Wilson
Cass Technical High School
Kameron Wilson is making a repeat appearance on the Dream Team. Kameron continues to show his abilities by helping his team win States this year. Kameron was the overall winner of the Open Section at this year's Thinkers Chess Challenge Series, earning 18 points. Kameron drew and Expert player at the Michigan Junior, finishing 4th overall in the tournament.
Brelen Wilkes
Cass Tech High School
Brelen makes his second appearance on the Dream Team. He is the 2nd highest rated scholastic player in the city and the 3rd board for his school team as a Freshman. Brelen played for the championship in the U1900 section at High School Nationals, ultimately placing 5th overall in the section. He also placed first at the State High School Championship, winning a gold medal. Brelen has increased his rating more than 100 points this year and now sits at 1901.
Charisse Woods
University Prep Science & Math Middle School
Thanks in large part to the support of the DCCC extended family, Charisse competed on U.S. team at the 2018 World Youth Chess Championship in Greece. Her chess accomplishments this year include: highest rated female scholastic player in Detroit; playing 1st board on city and state champion teams; achieving a peak rating of 1876 to qualify for 2019 World Youth (India); 1st U2000 Michigan Open; 5th place individual Scholastic Club; 6th place individual U14 All-Girls Nationals; 2nd place 8th grade at Michigan Junior; 5.0/7 at Jr. High Nationals (tied for 25th trophy); wins and draws against expert players. Charisse maintained a 4.0 GPA this year.
1st TEAM ALL-CITY CHESS HIGH SCHOOL
Joseph Downs
U of D Jesuit High School
Torrance Henry
Cass Tech High School
Lucas Kinney
Renaissance High School
Canaan Thomas
Ben Carson High School
Cornelius Crawley
Detroit Collegiate Preparatory HS @ Northwestern
(Captain)
1st TEAM ALL-CITY JR. HIGH
Nicholas Burton
University Prep Science & Math Middle
Bryan Santana Gomez
Munger Middle School
Elijah Spratt
Golightly Educational Center
Jason Woolfork
Bates Academy
Myles de Jongh
U of D Jesuit High School & Academy
(Captain)
1st TEAM ALL-CITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Jonathan Byrd
Bates Academy
Braylon Fields
Chrysler Elementary
Faith Harrell
University Prep Science & Math Middle School
Chase Harris
Cornerstone Elementary School
Wallace Harris
Cornerstone Elementary School
(Captain)
1st TEAM ALL-CITY PRIMARY
Genevieve Burks
University Prep Science & Math Elementary
Hope Howard
Bates Academy
Gabriel Manolescu
Homeschool
Shelby Jones
Cornerstone Elementary School
Taharka Turner
Chrysler Elementary
(Captain)
2nd TEAM ALL-CITY CHESS HIGH SCHOOL
Charles Boyce Jr. Frederick Douglas Academy For Young Men
Ian Campbell
U of D Jesuit High School
Amayra Hill
Ben Carson High School
Tamyre Watkins
Detroit Collegiate Preparatory HS @ Northwestern
J'Nise Byrd
Cass Technical High School
(Captain)
2nd TEAM ALL-CITY CHESS JR. HIGH
CarRyn Gilbert
Cornerstone Middle School
Harper Jackson
Bates Academy
Shaun Tinker
Munger Middle School
Nicholas Williams
University Prep Science & Math Middle School
Jared Hernandez
Munger Middle School
(Captain)
2ND TEAM ALL-CITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Jeremy Hernandez
Munger Middle School
Harlan Howard Jr.
Bates Academy
Kehlil McGinnis
University Prep Science & Math Middle School
Foxx Williams
Chrysler Elementary
Jacqueline Garrett
Captain University Prep Science & Math Middle School
2ND TEAM ALL-CITY PRIMARY
Camden Bourgeois-Martin
Bates Academy
Noah Harris
University Prep Science & Math Elementary
Mekhi Howard
Chrysler Elementary
Caleb Proctor
Cornerstone Elementary School
Paige Orange
Cornerstone Elementary School
(Captain)
HONORABLE MENTION: ALL-CITY CHESS TEAM
Bates Academy Elementary & Middle School
Corey Boyce, Daelyn Trevor-Quinn Hill, Devin Christian Lott, Joel D. Evans, Judah Smith, Khyra Baker, Maximilian Bourgeois-Martin, McKenzie Branson, Michaela Lawrence, Nyla Copeland
Ben Carson High School
Eddie Echols, Jhlen Simpson, Joshua Hinds, Makayla Slater
Chrysler Elementary
Amari Howard
Cornerstone Elementary
Aubrey Ishmeal, Genesis Jones, Huey Gray, Khalid Proctor, Mason Marsh, Sheridan Tyler
Detroit Collegiate Preparatory High School @ Northwestern
Christopher Thompson
Detroit School of the Arts
Talmage Turner
Frederick Douglas Academy
Denico Lawrence, Fode Toure, Louis Smith
Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary-Middle School
Dayshon Moore, Karon Cornell
Munger Middle School
Cristian Perez, Gael Gomez, Kelsey Gibbs
Renaissance High School
Angel Duffey, Destiny Beard, Devin Owens, Malcolm Johnson, Orlando Flounory
University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy
August Marone, Caleb Jenkins, Jackson Vosburg, Marcel Green, Nicholas Keuten, Simeon Stiger
University Prep Science & Math Middle School
Isaiah Yanish, Kalel Garrett, Kamron Jones-Franklin, Madison Johnson, Preston Walker, Solmon Foster, Theodore Baloh
Western International High School
Kevin Cobb