Breslin Bound: Boys Report Week 6
January 21, 2014
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
This week will mark halftime of another boys basketball season – and the point when teams that surprised early are showing with sustained success that they'll continue to have a say on how the rest of the winter unfolds.
The top team in this week's list of last week's most impressive definitely fits that description.
1. Ypsilanti Lincoln (8-0, Class A) – The Railsplitters equaled last season’s win total with arguably their best of a strong start, 60-53 on Friday over rival Ypsilanti.
2. Jackson Lumen Christi (9-0, Class B) – The Titans have risen from solid to elite the last few seasons and have survived four games this winter decided by six or fewer points.
3. Kalamazoo Central (8-1, Class A) – The Maroons are looking to be back among the Class A contenders with their only loss to improving Lansing Sexton; Kalamazoo Central already has a two-game lead in the Big 16 West.
4. Leroy Pine River (8-0, Class C) – The Bucks did suffer their first loss Monday (in a nonleague game), but still appear on track to repeat as Highland Conference champions.
5. Detroit Cass Tech (7-1, Class A) – The Technicians aren’t always mentioned in conversations on Detroit’s best, but have been so far this season and beat reigning Class C champion Flint Beecher 75-47 on Saturday.
6. Hillsdale (8-1, Class C) – The Hornets haven’t fallen since opening night to powerhouse Pewamo-Westphalia and face co-Lenawee County Athletic Association leader Dundee on Friday.
7. Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart (6-1, Class D) – The Irish haven’t lost since opening night and beat a solid Muskegon Catholic Central team by a point Saturday.
8. Howell (7-2, Class A) – The Highlanders look like one of the best teams from Livingston County riding five straight wins including their most recent, a five-pointer over Belleville.
9. Lansing Sexton (4-5, Class B) – The Big Reds have won four of their last six including impressive nonleague victories over Kalamazoo Central and River Rouge.
10. Buchanan (6-1, Class B) – We saw the Bucks in person Friday as they continued a winning streak that began after falling by just a bucket on opening night.
PHOTO: Detroit Cass Tech, here against Harper Woods Chandler Park earlier this season, has opened 7-1. (Photo courtesy of the Detroit Public School League.)
More than 200 Reach Higher at Milford
July 30, 2014
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
HIGHLAND TOWNSHIP – Groups of 103 boys and 98 girls attended the annual Reaching Higher showcases this month, July 16 and 23 at Milford High School.
The event, in its sixth year, aims to give athletes a vision of what it takes to become a college basketball player and also succeed in college life.
A total of 125 of each were initially invited to Reaching Higher by the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan, which coordinated with the MHSAA to host the event.
Forty-three college programs representing all three NCAA divisions and the NAIA also attended as athletes received on-court instruction from high school coaches from across the state and off-court instruction from a number of speakers who discussed topics ranging from leadership to recruitment to NCAA eligibility.
Scrimmages for both were officiated my MHSAA referees, who were observed and instructed by a group of veteran MHSAA officials.
Click the following links for photos from the events (Girls - Boys) and below for highlights from the various speakers' discussions.
PHOTOS: (Top) Muskegon Catholic Central's Christian Martinez makes a no-look pass during his team's scrimmage. (Middle) Participants warm-up before the beginning of drills at the girls showcase.