Coaching Couple Guide Rising Cardinals
By
Dennis Chase
Special for MHSAA.com
January 21, 2016
By Dennis Chase
Special for Second Half
JOHANNESBURG – It's Thursday – game day in the Huff household.
Nothing unusual about that. Most winter days are game days for Heather and Troy Huff, the head varsity basketball coaches at Johannesburg-Lewiston High School.
"Monday is usually the only night we eat at home as a family," said Heather, who is in her 15th season as the girls coach.
This week's schedule is as hectic as ever – the boys hosted Bellaire on Tuesday, the girls entertained Onaway on Wednesday, the boys travel to Pellston tonight and the girls head to Mancelona on Friday.
On Saturday, the Huffs will be in Houghton Lake to watch their 12-year-old son Sheldon play.
Sunday? It's back to practice.
"We get a lot of basketball this time of year," said Troy, now in his fourth season as boys coach.
Winning basketball, too. Propelled by a strong senior class, the Cardinals are off to a combined 14-2 start – the boys are 6-1 and the girls 8-1.
The girls record is not a surprise. The Cardinals are averaging 16 wins a season under Heather Huff, who is 234-89 since she took over from her mentor, Rick Guild, who won 443 varsity games during his Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan Hall of Fame career.
The boys, though, are reaching for new heights. Troy Huff inherited a struggling program when he took over in 2012. The Cardinals finished with 10 victories that first season, and then jumped to 16 wins a year ago.
"It's amazing how far the team has come in four years," Troy said. "We had five coaches in 10 years (previously). You can't build a program like that."
Coaching stability has been a key to success at Johannesburg-Lewiston. The football program, which has won 61 percent of its games since starting the sport in 1969, has had just three head coaches since 1983. Girls basketball has had two since 1975. Kevin Kennedy will be starting his 30th season in the spring with girls track & field, a program he's led to seven league and six Regional titles. Guild is gearing up for his 41st season as baseball coach for the Cardinals, who have won 15 Districts and three Regionals in that span.
"We've been able to keep that continuity (in those programs), and that's huge," athletic director and football coach Joe Smokevitch said. "Year after year after year, the kids know the expectations."
The Huffs set the bar high in basketball.
"Troy and I were raised to work hard and set high expectations for ourselves," said Heather, who teaches math and health at the middle school. "We (ask) that from the kids that we coach, too. We hold them to a high level of accountability. I think when you do that, you get out of them what you expect out of them."
Troy agrees.
"I don't accept that 'I can't do it' type attitude," he said. "You have to push yourself to that next level."
On the court, the results are apparent.
The girls, led by four-year veterans Madison Showerman and Kelsey Cherwinski, are in contention for another Ski Valley Conference crown. The 5-foot-11 Showerman is averaging 25.3 points, 11 rebounds and 4.3 steals per game. She just went over the 1,000-career point mark. The 5-5 Cherwinski is averaging 16.2 points, 5.2 steals and 4.4 assists. The Cardinals also are getting strong play from two other seniors, Kate Heidman and Sarah Korff.
As in the past, Johannesburg-Lewiston likes to pressure the ball on defense, creating scoring opportunities off turnovers. And when the Cardinals clear a defensive rebound off the glass, they like to get out in transition.
If the fast break is not there, the Cardinals can turn to an improved halfcourt offense, Heather Huff said, that features Showerman's developing skills inside.
Another four-year varsity veteran, Logan Huff – Heather and Troy's middle son – is a key cog on the boys team. The 5-11 point guard, who carries a 3.99 grade-point average, also is averaging 18 points a game and surpassed the career 1,000-point mark earlier in the season. Troy's nephew, Brandon Huff, is a 6-3 forward who averages better than 15 points per contest. Seniors Nathan Fox, Brent Carpenter and Ori Kierczynski add to the attack. The 6-7 Carpenter, who is averaging close to 10 points, suffered a bone bruise four games into the season, so Tyson Claeys, a 6-3 freshman, stepped up, and is averaging nearly a double-double.
Troy Huff said that balance is the strength of his team.
"We have (multiple) guys that can score," he said. "It's not unusual to have three to four guys in double figures."
The Cardinals are pursuing their first boys league title since 1981. But it just got more challenging. They suffered their first loss Tuesday to Bellaire. The girls lost to Bellaire last week.
“That will be a great motivator for us,” Heather said.
Now, it will be for the boys, too.
For the Huffs, coaching at Johannesburg-Lewiston completes a circle. It’s where they went to school, where their sports journeys began.
Heather was a standout player under Guild, scoring 1,216 points during her career. She played at Alma College for a couple seasons before turning to coaching, starting at the middle school level in Alma, Breckenridge and Gaylord before returning home. She spent six years as an assistant and junior varsity coach before succeeding Guild. Her 2009 team reached the Class D MHSAA Semifinals.
Troy was a captain on the football and baseball teams in high school, but did not play basketball.
"That's one of my regrets," he said.
Troy Huff went on to spend 25 years in law enforcement, retiring from the Gaylord Police Department in 2013.
With three sons active in sports, he took on a second job during those years, coaching youth sports.
“It was in my blood,” he said.
Huff was still working in the police department when he accepted the boys varsity basketball job. Not long after, he agreed to be an assistant to Guild in baseball.
Smokevitch said Huff's personality is what stood out when he took over the basketball program.
"He's a take-charge guy," said Smokevitch. "He has that no non-sense (attitude) about him, similar to the way I coach (football)."
Huff also knew the kids. He coached most of them in youth sports.
Huff has had the joy of coaching two sons on varsity – Coalton and Logan. Sheldon, the team manager, is coming up through the ranks.
The Huffs agree the best part of their jobs is simply working with their players and “helping them be the best they can be.”
"Just watching each player develop, watching them work together as a team, and having some influence on that, is rewarding," said Heather.
That's not lost on Smokevitch. He’s seen Heather teach her craft on the court for all 15 years as head coach.
"She's constantly working with the kids, constantly teaching," he said. "I read a quote from John Wooden the other day. He said, 'It's not coaching, it's teaching.' That's what Heather does."
Smokevitch said this is a special time at the school. Teams are doing well across the board.
"We have great kids," he said.
Not just in talent, but character, he added.
Take Logan Huff, Brandon Huff and Fox, for example. They were three-year starters for Smokevitch n football. The Cardinals finished 9-2 in the fall, losing by six and eight points to St. Ignace, an eventual Division 8 semifinalist.
Brandon was the pass-run threat at quarterback, Logan was a 1,000-yard rusher and became the school's all-time leading tackler, while Fox was an all-state punter.
They visited Finlandia University in Hancock late last week and then returned home in time to attend a birthday party for Smokevitch's 7-year-old son, Joey.
"He invited those three to come to his bowling party," said Smokevitch. "They all showed up, bowled, brought presents, had pizza and cake, and hung out with a bunch of 7-year-olds. That shows you what kind of kids they are, the upbringings they've had.
"It's that small-town school atmosphere. Our school is one building, K through 12. The younger kids see the (high school) kids all the time. My son idolizes those kids, and they accept him right back."
In another month or so, those three boys, along with their teammates, would like to be accepting a league championship basketball trophy. The girls would like to be celebrating a title, too.
But there are still a lot of game days ahead. Just ask the Huffs.
Dennis Chase worked 32 years as a sportswriter at the Traverse City Record-Eagle, including as sports editor from 2000-14. He can be reached at [email protected] with story ideas for Manistee, Wexford, Missaukee, Roscommon, Ogemaw, Iosco, Alcona, Oscoda, Crawford, Kalkaska, Grand Traverse, Benzie, Leelanau, Antrim, Otsego, Montmorency, Alpena, Presque Isle, Cheboygan, Charlevoix and Emmet counties.
PHOTOS: Heather Huff, left, and husband Troy coach the girls and boys varsity basketball teams, respectively, at Johannesburg-Lewiston. (Photos courtesy of Brandon Folsom/Gaylord Herald Times.)
Breslin Bound: 2024-25 Girls Regional Preview
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
March 10, 2025
The first week of this girls basketball postseason proved to be a notable rematch season as well – and some familiar opponents will face off again as we move into Regionals tonight.
Our top two "Week in Review" games below were reversals of regular-season series, and multiple brackets we preview also feature rematches from the regular season or the 2024 MHSAA Tournament.
Find everything you need to know this week about tickets, brackets and more as the tournament continues on the Girls Basketball page. To watch any of several games online, visit the NFHS Network, and see below for several of the intriguing matchups. Host sites are in bold.
“Breslin Bound” is powered by MI Student Aid and based on results and schedules posted for each school at MHSAA.com.
Week in Review
The countdown of last week’s five most intriguing results:
1. Gladstone 50, Negaunee 47 Gladstone (22-2) avenged its only two losses of the regular season, downing the Miners (22-1) in a Division 2 District Final after previously losing their matchups by 17 and 14.
2. Midland Dow 58, Midland 49 The Chargers (16-8) had finished tied for fifth in the Saginaw Valley League and fallen to Midland (19-4) by three and 15 during the regular season before providing this jolt to the rivalry in their Division 1 District Final.
3. South Lyon 55, Northville 47 The Lakes Valley Conference’s Lions (20-2) won a matchup of league champions in this Division 1 District Final, ending the season for the Kensington Lakes Activities Association West’s Mustangs (15-9).
4. Blissfield 57, Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central 42 The Royals (21-2) entered the postseason off a loss but finished a Division 3 District title run by handing St. Mary (22-2) just its second of the season.
5. Harbor Beach 44, Cass City 39 The Pirates (14-7) avenged a 15-point loss from Dec. 11 and also District losses from the last three seasons in edging the Red Hawks (21-3) in this Division 3 decider.
Regionals at a Glance
These could be among our most competitive brackets. Host sites are in bold:
DIVISION 1
Howell
South Lyon (20-2) vs. Hartland (19-5)
Dexter (18-6) vs. Belleville (23-1)
It would be easy to assume KLAA East co-champion Belleville is the favorite – and tough to argue as the Tigers play to reach Breslin for the second-straight season. But it’s also not that simple. As noted above, South Lyon also a league champion, and Hartland avenged a pair of losses to Howell (17-7) on Friday with a 10-point win to advance. Dexter finished second in the Southeastern Conference Red but has won 12 of its last 13, the only defeat during that time by one point to Chelsea (18-4). But bringing things back to Belleville, it’s only loss was to Wayne Memorial, avenged two weeks later, and only one other opponent has come within single digits of catching the Tigers this season.
Traverse City Central
Traverse City Central (16-6) vs. Midland Dow (16-8)
Saginaw Heritage (21-3) vs. Rockford (23-1)
The Big North Conference champion Trojans host coming off their 14th win over their last 15 games – including also defeating Midland in their regular season finale – and now get the surging Chargers who have won 10 straight. Heritage finished second to Midland in the SVL and also has won 10 straight and defeated Dow by 11 just before that streak began. All three will hope their momentum pays off as Rockford is bringing a 21-game winning streak into this week as it continues to pursue a fourth-straight trip to Breslin. The Rams have lost only to Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard (23-1) while playing one of the state’s strongest schedules.
Westland John Glenn
Farmington Hills Mercy (19-4) vs. Wayne Memorial (18-6)
Detroit Renaissance (21-2) vs. Bloomfield Hills Marian (10-15)
This bracket includes three league champions – Wayne sharing in the KLAA East, Renaissance from the Detroit Public School League Blue and Mercy from the Catholic High School League Central West. Those three also have not played each other this season but have common opponents, adding to the intrigue. Wayne has won 16 of its last 18, Mercy 14 of its last 15 and Renaissance’s defeats both came to opponents with at least 19 wins. Marian is a great story too, emerging from fifth in the CHSL Central West to build a run of seven wins over its last 10 games, and with nine of its losses to teams that won at least 14 games during the regular season.
DIVISION 2
Grand Rapids South Christian
Paw Paw (20-4) vs. Grand Rapids South Christian (22-2)
Edwardsburg (15-9) vs. Vicksburg (22-2)
The Wolverine Conference has shown its power this postseason with champion Vicksburg, runner-up Paw Paw and fourth-place Edwardsburg claiming District titles last week. Vicksburg’s lone defeat was 50-47 to Paw Paw on Jan. 31 after defeating the Red Wolves 66-65 on Dec. 6, and a third meeting between them no doubt would be a gem. Edwardsburg did take a win from Paw Paw as well, on Jan. 15, and fell to Vicksburg only 33-29 in their second meeting Feb. 21. South Christian, meanwhile, shared the Ottawa-Kent Conference Gold title with Grand Rapids West Catholic (20-3), with the Sailors’ only other loss this season by two in December to Hudsonville (17-7) – which won a District title in Division 1.
Pinckney
Goodrich (21-3) vs. Eaton Rapids (13-10)
Haslett (21-3) vs. Chelsea (18-4)
Goodrich and Chelsea are coming off especially notable District Final wins, Goodrich over Flint Powers Catholic (18-6) and Chelsea over Parma Western (21-3) – and they won those games by 16 and 17 points, respectively. Goodrich’s defeats all came to teams with at least 18 wins, and Chelsea’s to opponents with at least 16 victories. Haslett defeated a familiar opponent in rival Williamston but, like Goodrich and Chelsea, has played several top teams over the course of the winter with a win over Detroit Country Day (18-5) and losses to three 20-win opponents. Eaton Rapids is bringing some juice as well with 10 wins over its last 14 games and some good losses along the way.
Tecumseh
Carleton Airport (17-7) vs. Tecumseh (22-1)
Romulus (15-5) vs. Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard (23-1)
This Regional includes two of the top contenders in Division 2 overall, as they played the second and fourth-strongest schedules during the regular season and still have just one loss apiece. Tecumseh defeated Airport 76-44 in both teams’ regular-season finale, but Airport has won 15 over its last 18 overall. The Jets were runners-up in the Huron League, and Romulus was runner-up in the Western Wayne Athletic Conference and has won 12 of its last 14. Father Gabriel Richard finished Division 2 runner-up last season after defeating Tecumseh in a Quarterfinal.
DIVISION 3
Grandville Calvin Christian
Grandville Calvin Christian (18-6) vs. Kent City (19-5)
Pewamo-Westphalia (24-0) vs. Saugatuck (23-1)
All four of these teams added District titles to league championships this season. Pewamo-Westphalia has prepped for its run by winning the Central Michigan Athletic Conference – which had three more winners of at least 17 games – and also defeated Flint Powers (see above) and New Lothrop (noted below). Saugatuck lost only to Lawton (15-6) in its first game of 2025 and owns an 11-point win over Kalamazoo Christian (also noted below), while annual contender Kent City has won 12 of its last 14 games and Calvin Christian bounced back from an 0-3 start to the season and two losses heading into the playoffs – avenging the second of those with a 45-42 win over Muskegon Western Michigan Christian in their District Final.
Niles Brandywine
Watervliet (11-13) vs. Kalamazoo Christian (20-4)
Niles Brandywine (14-0) vs. Bronson (22-2)
Reigning Division 3 runner-up Brandywine headlines a powerful field and defeated Bronson 69-37 on Jan. 14. The Bobcats’ closest game was eight points, and the rest of their wins were by double digits. Bronson hasn’t lost since – it’s only other defeat by three to Concord (19-4) – as it went on to share the Big 8 Conference title and build a 17-game winning streak. Kalamazoo Christian made it through a third matchup with rival Hackett Catholic Prep, winning the District Final 53-38 after those two split regular-season meetings, and the Comets’ other three losses were to Division 2 or 3 teams that won their Districts. Watervliet started this season 1-6 but has bounced back significantly and has six wins over its last seven games.
Springport
New Lothrop (21-3) vs. Hemlock (21-3)
Leslie (18-6) vs. Jackson Lumen Christi (17-6)
New Lothrop and Hemlock will face off in a meeting of league champions, Hemlock from the Tri-Valley Conference Blue and New Lothrop after sharing the Mid-Michigan Activities Conference title. New Lothrop’s losses this season were by a combined 11 points and all of its wins this calendar year have come by double digits. All 21 of Hemlock’s wins were by 10 or more points, with its losses to three Division 1 and 2 teams that are still playing as well. On the other side of the bracket, Leslie has emerged after finishing third in a strong Cascades Conference East, and Lumen the same from a tough CHSL Central East. Lumen defeated Cascades East champ Grass Lake (19-4) in their District Final, 59-52.
DIVISION 4
Marlette
Genesee Christian (21-2) vs. Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes (15-6)
Kingston (20-2) vs. Ubly (9-14)
Kingston finished Division 4 runner-up a year ago and loaded up to prep for another run losing only to Division 1 Saginaw Heritage (see above) and Division 2 Imlay City. The Cardinals interestingly have a 42-38 win over Ubly from Feb. 3, and the Bearcats stunned in downing Deckerville (18-6) to clinch a District title. Genesee Christian also has played several larger opponents this season, losing only to Division 2 Flint Hamady (20-1) and Adrian Lenawee Christian (12-11). The Soldiers advanced with a District Final win over Clarkston Everest Collegiate (18-3), a common opponent with Our Lady, which won its first District title since 2021 and is enjoying its winningest season since 2019-20.
McBain
Gaylord St. Mary (20-3) vs. Mio (18-5)
Buckley (17-7) vs. Frankfort (16-6)
This bracket also includes three league champions plus three repeats from a year ago. Start with Frankfort, which won the Northwest Conference but faces fourth-place Buckley for the third time after losing their first meeting by one point but winning the rematch Jan. 31 by 13. The Panthers have won 11 of their last 13 games, and Buckley has won nine of its last 11. St. Mary won the Ski Valley Conference just ahead of another 20-win District champ in Indian River Inland Lakes but faces a unique but familiar challenge in Mio. The Thunderbolts won the North Star League Little Dipper title and feature Mia McGregor, who averaged 41 points per game last season as a freshman, but St. Mary did win their Regional matchup last year 61-54 before falling to Frankfort 64-37 in the Regional Final.
Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart
Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart (20-0) vs. Onekama (20-4)
Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary (18-6) vs. Fowler (22-2)
Fowler reached the Division 4 Semifinals last season, and its only losses this winter were to Division 3 Pewamo-Westphalia (see above) – with a recent win over Division 1 Holt (17-7) another reminder of the Eagles’ potential. Sacred Heart’s undefeated run came in part against a Mid-State Activities Conference that produced four more teams with 13 or more wins, and Onekama finished second in a Northwest Conference that produced three District champs. MLS finished second in the TVC Blue to Hemlock (see above) and has wins over the second and third-place teams from the MSAC – St. Charles and Merrill, respectively – with four losses to teams that have won 21 games.
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PHOTOS (Top) Gladstone players including Lillie Johnson (21) and coaches celebrate their Division 2 District Final win over Negaunee on Friday. (Middle) DeWitt’s Golden Nicholson (24) drives to the basket with Lundyn Elam (4) defending during the Panthers’ 55-35 District title win over East Lansing in Division 1. (Gladstone/Negaunee photo by Cara Kamps. DeWitt/East Lansing photo by Terry Lyons.)