Breslin Bound: Boys Report Week 8
January 28, 2013
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Eight weeks of success is enough to expect that any team still undefeated – like our top team among last week's high performers – should keep making noise over the month and a half to come.
But there's something to be said about starting anew on Jan. 1. And we've got a few on this week's list as well that have surged since the calendar year got a new start.
Remember, results and overall records below are those listed in our MHSAA Score Center. Are either incorrect? Please help us out after filling in this brief registration.
1. Big Rapids (11-0) – The Cardinals have won 20 straight regular-season games dating back to the mid-point of last winter and lead the Central State Activities Association.
2. Rochester Adams (10-1) – The Highlanders’ lone loss came against Oxford all the way back on Dec. 14; they’ve won four straight by double figures and are just two wins from equaling last season’s total.
3. Zeeland East (10-2) – The Chix are in first place by a win over two others in the O-K Black and have won four straight including beating league favorite Muskegon 67-61 on Friday.
4. Allen Park Inter-City Baptist (10-2) – Before Saturday’s 14-point loss to Detroit Country Day, the Chargers had won three straight and earlier this month edged reigning Class D champion Southfield Christian by a point.
5. Lansing Waverly (9-2) – The Warriors opened this season with losses to Holt and Jackson Lumen Christi by a combined five points, but since have won nine straight including avenging that loss to the Titans on Friday.
6. Bessemer (10-1) – The Speedboys are undefeated in-state, with their only loss to Washburn, Wis., after winning 10 games total last season.
7. Crystal Falls Forest Park (6-3) – The Trojans opened this winter with two losses, but are on a roll and edged 2012 Class D Semifinalist Carney-Nadeau on Friday, 70-67.
8. Pittsford (9-2) – The Wildcats hit a rough patch from Jan. 11-15, when they lost two games; otherwise, they’re undefeated this season.
9. Temperance Bedford (8-1) – Despite losing to Sylvania Southview of Ohio on Saturday, the Kicking Mules opened with eight straight wins and beat Ann Arbor Pioneer 56-54 the night before.
10. Canton (7-5) – The Chiefs also are running well in January with five straight wins including Friday’s 55-50 victory over Westland John Glenn which avenged their last lost before the run, 53-48 to John Glenn on Jan. 4.
PHOTO: Canton players (in red) try to gather a loose ball during a game against Cincinnati Withrow on Dec. 28 at Detroit County Day. (Click to see more at HighSchoolSportsScene.com.)
Breslin Bound: Boys Report Week 9
February 5, 2013
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Being successful in the MHSAA Tournament can be all about playing well at the right time.
Some of the records for teams on this week's list of high performers aren't too pretty. But if these teams can keep up their strong play the rest of this month, postseason foes better beware.
Results and overall records below again are drawn from our MHSAA Score Center. The Breslin Bound report will not be published next week but will return Feb. 18
1. Saginaw Valley Lutheran (10-4) – The Class C Chargers beat two strong B teams, Bridgeport and Saginaw Swan Valley, in Tri-Valley Conference crossovers last week; Valley Lutheran had lost to Bridgeport by 24 on opening night.
2. Macomb L’Anse Creuse North (12-1) – The Crusaders have won 11 straight to take control in the Macomb Area Conference Red and last week finished a sweep of Macomb Dakota.
3. Battle Creek Central (11-2) – The Bearcats' two losses came over a four-game span to Richland Gull Lake and Holt; they avenged the first by beating Gull Lake 50-45 on Friday.
4. Covert (9-2) – The Bulldogs weren't their usually-powerful selves in finishing 11-13 last season, but they've won five straight and could soon eclipse last year’s win total.
5. East Jackson (9-4) – The Trojans have bounced back from three straight losses with four straight wins, including victories over solid Napoleon and Vandercook Lake.
6. Cass City (9-4) – The Red Hawks need one more win to tie last season’s total and are second in the Greater Thumb Conference West; they got one win closer to first by beating league leader Reese 52-47 last week.
7. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (6-7) – Don’t forget about the Eaglets despite their sub-.500 record; St. Mary’s has won four of its last five and beat Detroit Catholic League Central leader Detroit U-D Jesuit 77-72 last week.
8. Powers North Central (9-2) – The Jets have won five straight and beat Carney-Nadeau 52-49 last week to avenge their first loss of this season.
9. Williamston (7-6) – The Hornets have been up and down, starting 0-3, and now winning three straight for a second time. This streak includes a victory over impressive Class A DeWitt last week.
10. Paw Paw (8-5) – The Redskins have won four straight and five of their last six, and during this streak avenged an opening-night loss to Vicksburg with a 17-point victory.
PHOTO: Class C Saginaw Valley Lutheran got two wins over Class B teams during last week's league crossovers. (Click to see more at HighSchoolSportsScene.com.)