Breslin Bound: Boys Report Post-Break
January 8, 2014
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
League games mean more, and the postseason trumps all. But some of the most intriguing matchups of each basketball season take place during holiday break.
This winter was no different.
Below is this week's list of 10 boys teams that caught my eye over the last few weeks, based in large part on some impressive wins at showcases around the state.
(Records are based on results reported to the MHSAA Score Center.)
1. Detroit Consortium (5-0, Class C) – The Cougars have built another impressive start including wins over Detroit Douglass, Saginaw by 30 and Grand Rapids Christian by 35.
2. Muskegon Heights (5-1, Class C) – The Tigers looks to be back among the contenders in their class, with holiday break wins over Benton Harbor and DeWitt both by a point and their only loss by four to Rockford.
3. Taylor Truman (5-0, Class A) – The Cougars have jumped to a quick start and tie for first place in the Downriver League, with their nonleague win over Orchard Lake St. Mary’s arguably the most impressive so far.
4. North Farmington (4-0, Class A) – The Raiders’ perfect start was punctuated by their most recent win, a one-pointer over annual Class B power Lansing Sexton at the Motor City Roundball Classic.
5. Bay City John Glenn (5-1, Class B) – The Bobcats’ lone loss was to solid Class A Okemos, and a two-point win over Flint Powers Catholic last week was a great return to the win column.
6. Otsego (5-1, Class B) – The Bulldogs have beaten all of their in-state opponents by at least nine points; their lone loss was to Ontario’s St. Marguerite d’Youville in the final of the Grand Rapids Catholic Central Tournament.
7. Holt (5-0, Class A) – The Rams can make the argument, with Okemos just behind, as the Lansing area’s best team so far in 2013-14; Holt already owns a win over Lansing Eastern, another contender for the top spot.
8. Troy Athens (5-2, Class A) – The Redhawks have rattled off five straight wins including a two-pointer over Auburn Hills Avondale, and won the championship at the Northville Holiday Tournament.
9. Muskegon Western Michigan Christian (4-1, Class C) – The Warriors have been one of the most impressive small-school teams on the west side of the state, with four wins after an opening loss to Mona Shores; the latest victory was a seven-pointer over Class D power Wyoming Tri-unity Christian.
10. Lawrence (4-1, Class D) – The Tigers won only eight games last season and are halfway to equaling that total thanks in part to a 74-40 win over Climax-Scotts, a quarterfinalist in 2012-13.
PHOTO: Detroit Consortium (gray jerseys) drove past Saginaw over holiday break and the rest of its opponents so far this season. (Click to see more at HighSchoolSportsScene.com.)
Highlight Reel: Class A-B Semifinals
March 26, 2016
By John Johnson
MHSAA Communications Director
The Finals field is set for the MHSAA Boys Basketball Tournament, presented by Sparrow Health System, with the last four teams determined during Friday’s Class A and B Semifinals at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.
To watch a game in its entirety and order DVDs, click the score of the game below. Here are Friday’s highlights:
Class A
Detroit U-D Jesuit 72, Macomb Dakota 51
Winston Makes It Happen - Cassius Winston scored a game high 27 points for U-D Jesuit, but also had 12 assists, including one on this play.
Transition Dunk - Here's a back-and-forth sequence in the second half of the Detroit U-D Jesuit vs. Macomb Dakota Class A Semifinal that ends up in a dunk for Dakota's Thomas Kithier.
North Farmington 60, Lansing Everett 48
Quick Three - Billy Thomas hit two 3-pointers in the first minute of the second half to extend North Farmington's lead against Lansing Everett in this Class A Semifinal. Thomas finished with 26 points.
Vikings Score Off Steal - Here's a steal by Lansing Everett's Victor Edwards converted into a fastbreak basket by Jamyrin Jackson, who led all scorers in this Class A Semifinal with 27 points.
Class B
Detroit Henry Ford 70, Williamston 48
Hot Hornet - Williamston's Riley Lewis led all scorers in a Class B Semifinal with Detroit Henry Ford with 32 points, including an old-fashioned three-point play on this sequence.
Bey Putback - Detroit Henry Ford had a 21-point performance from Kavon Bey - getting two here on a putback against Williamston in this Class B Semifinal.
Stevensville Lakeshore 61, Big Rapids 60
Davenport Double - Watch Big Rapids' Jeffrey Davenport with the great defensive play at one end of the court, and then he doubles his pleasure with a layup at the other end.
Breakaway Basket - A huge play in the closing moments of the Class B Semifinal between Stevensville Lakeshore and Big Rapids was this fastbreak basket by Lakeshore's Gibson Archer. Archer finished the game with 15 points.
The Boys Basketball Finals are presented by Sparrow Health System.
PHOTO: Everett's Jamyrin Jackson (11) drives toward the basket while North Farmington's Jacob Joubert (5) blocks his path.