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 District Preview
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
March 3, 2025
Nearly 700 Michigan girls basketball teams will begin their quests this week to finish as one of four holding up championship trophies three weeks from now at Michigan State University.
We always switch up our “Breslin Bound” format once the MHSAA Tournament starts, as last week’s most intriguing results below are followed this time by glances at three District brackets of note in each division. Host sites are bolded, and teams playing in those brackets are listed by seed as determined by Michigan Power Ratings (MPR).
Everything you could want to know this week about tickets, brackets and more can be found on the Girls Basketball page. To watch any of several games online, visit the NFHS Network.
“Breslin Bound” is powered by MI Student Aid 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. Farmington Hills Mercy 61, Detroit Edison 58 This win over the reigning Division 2 champion Pioneers (14-6) combined with a Thursday win over Detroit University Prep sent Mercy (17-4) from No. 15 to No. 6 in final Division 1 MPR.
2. Negaunee 58, Gladstone 44 The Miners (21-0) completed a perfect regular season, and Gladstone finished 20-2 with its only losses to Negaunee.
3. Jackson Lumen Christi 59, Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central 53 The Titans (15-6) handed the Kestrels (21-1) their lone defeat of the regular season.
4. Belleville 70, Northville 48 Bellville (21-1) repeated as overall Kensington Lakes Activities Association champion, following up on its shared title in the East by downing West winner Northville (14-8).
5. Freeland 51, Midland 49 (OT) The co-champion of the Tri-Valley Conference Red, Freeland (19-3) earned another boost into the postseason by downing Saginaw Valley League winner Midland (18-3).
Districts at a Glance
These could be among our most competitive brackets. Host sites are in bold, and teams are listed by seed:
DIVISION 1
Hartland
1. Howell (16-6), 2. Hartland (17-5), 3. Brighton (12-10), 4. Milford (13-9), 5. Fenton (12-10).
It wouldn’t be a stretch to see any of these teams shake up the bracket. Howell finished second in the KLAA West and Hartland third, and Brighton fifth, and Hartland actually moved past Howell in MPR after seeding with wins last week over White Lake Lakeland and Livonia Stevenson. Howell did sweep Hartland during the regular season; Hartland split with Brighton, and Howell swept Brighton. Milford finished fifth in the Lakes Valley Conference but defeated Midland Dow early, LVC co-champion Lakeland in their second meeting and lost a pair to the other co-champ South Lyon by a combined seven points. Fenton finished third in the Flint Metro League Stripes.
Midland Dow
1. Midland (18-3), 2. Midland Dow (14-8), 3. Mount Pleasant (15-6), 4. Cadillac (15-6), 5. Bay City Western (11-11).
SVL champion Midland tops a bracket that also includes league rivals Mount Pleasant (tied for third), Dow (tied for fifth) and Western (tied for seventh) – and the Chemics defeated possible Friday opponents Dow by three and 15 and the Oilers by eight during the regular season. Cadillac was the runner-up in the Big North Conference and had won nine straight – including a 43-40 victory last week over Mount Pleasant – before falling to Bay City Western 37-26 on Thursday. Those two open against each other tonight.
West Bloomfield
1. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (17-4), 2. West Bloomfield (14-8), 3. White Lake Lakeland (16-6), 4. Walled Lake Northern (14-8), 5. Walled Lake Central (1-21).
Reigning Division 1 champion West Bloomfield fell off the radar a bit early with a 1-4 start, but is 11-3 over the last seven weeks and finished second in the Oakland Activities Association Red – and defeated champion Clarkston 44-43 last week to avenge an earlier 48-41 loss. All of the Lakers’ losses came against opponents that have won at least 14 games. St. Mary’s shared the Catholic High School League Central West title with Mercy, and its four losses were to opponents that have all won at least 16 games. Lakeland was co-champion in the LVC and Northern finished fourth, and Lakeland’s losses also came against a tough slate as well, as all of those opponents were at least 12-game winners.
DIVISION 2
Chelsea
1. Chelsea (16-4), 2. Parma Western (20-2), 3. Michigan Center (19-2), 4. Brooklyn Columbia Central (11-10), 5. Pinckney (14-8).
Western and Columbia Central are league champions, Chelsea and Michigan Center league runners-up, and Pinckney third from a strong Southeastern Conference White that included Chelsea and one of the overall Division 2 favorites in Tecumseh. Western actually moved past Chelsea in MPR after seeding, with its only losses to league champions Belleville and Grass Lake and a win over another title winner Haslett last week plus Edison on Jan. 23. Chelsea’s losses were to Edison on Thursday, Tecumseh twice and another overall favorite in Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard. Michigan Center’s only defeats were twice to Grass Lake.
Escanaba or Higher Seed (non-traditional)
1. Negaunee (21-0), 2. Gladstone (20-2), 3. Houghton (13-9), 4. Escanaba (9-12), 5. Kingsford (10-11).
The Miners reached the Division 2 Semifinals last season and have won District titles the last three seasons. And as noted above, Negaunee defeated Gladstone last week for the second time, and both of Gladstone’s losses were to Negaunee. There’s a strong argument they are the best teams in the Upper Peninsula this season, and they could meet for a third time Friday. But don’t forget Houghton, which had a bumpy February but started this season 12-3 and lost to Gladstone only 39-36 on Dec. 19. Those two will meet again in a District Semifinal.
Fremont
1. Big Rapids (19-2), 2. Fremont (20-2), 3. Newaygo (18-4), 4. Ludington (16-5), 5. Reed City (9-12).
This bracket includes two teams that have reached Breslin over the last four years – 2021 Division 2 runner-up Newaygo and 2022 semifinalist Ludington among an overall strong group. Big Rapids was the undefeated champion in the Central State Activities Association Red, with pairs of double-digit wins over second-place Newaygo and third-place Reed City. Fremont was first and Ludington second in the West Michigan Conference Lakes, with Fremont taking both of their matchups also by double digits. The Packers have won 12 straight games to reach 20 for the second-straight season, while Big Rapids can reach 20 victories for the second time in three seasons with a win Wednesday.
DIVISION 3
Blissfield
1. Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central (21-1), 2. Blissfield (19-2), 3. Ottawa Lake Whiteford (14-8), 4. Erie Mason (7-15), 5. Sand Creek (3-19).
St. Mary’s only loss, discussed above, came last week to Lumen Christi, and the Kestrels finished first in a Huron league that included five teams (of eight) with winning records overall. Among early victories was a 28-pointer over Ottawa Lake Whiteford, which tied for second in the Tri-County Conference. Those two could meet again, but only if Whiteford gets through Blissfield, which won the Lenawee County Athletic Association title with losses only to TCC champ Morenci on Thursday and Tecumseh on Dec. 18. Blissfield has defeated SMCC in District play the last three seasons, including in District Finals the last two.
Galesburg-Augusta
1. Kalamazoo Hackett Catholic Prep (19-3), 2. Kalamazoo Christian (18-4), 3. Lawton (15-5), 4. Galesburg-Augusta (14-7), 5. Comstock (1-20).
Hackett and Christian played to one of the most intriguing splits this season, Christian winning the first game 52-35, Hackett the rematch 56-55, but Christian winning the Southwestern Athletic Conference Valley title by two games ahead of the Irish. Hackett’s loss to Parchment on Feb. 21 was its only defeat since Dec. 13, and Christian sharpened for the postseason with losses to Edison, Saugatuck and Paw Paw as well and a nice win last week over Ottawa-Kent Conference Silver champ Grandville Calvin Christian. Lawton finished third in the Valley, but its only non-Hackett/Christian defeat came to reigning Division 3 champion Niles Brandywine. Galesburg-Augusta was the runner-up in the SAC Central and will play on its homecourt.
Grass Lake
1. Grass Lake (18-3), 2. Jackson Lumen Christi (15-6), 3. Hanover-Horton (12-9), 4. East Jackson (14-8), 5. Napoleon (8-14).
Lumen’s win last week over Monroe St. Mary made a bracket full of surging teams even more interesting. Cascades Conference East champion Grass Lake has won 15 straight games since it’s most recent loss – Jan. 4 to Lumen Christi, 66-56. The Warriors rebounded with wins over Michigan Center and Detroit Renaissance and have rolled since. The Titans are riding an impressive five-game stretch that included a win as well over Columbia Central and with that loss to Tecumseh. Hanover-Horton was second in the Cascades West and has seven wins over its last nine games, and East Jackson – 5-17 just a season ago – has won six of its last seven with only a loss to Grass Lake during that string.
DIVISION 4
Dryden
1. Clarkston Everest Collegiate (17-2), 2. Genesee Christian (19-2), 3. Dryden (12-10), 4. Burton St. Thomas More Academy (9-9).
Everest won the CHSL Intersectional 1 and St. Anne’s Tournament championships, with its only losses to Division 2 Warren Regina and Wixom St. Catherine. But Genesee will provide a high-powered challenge, as the Soldiers are capable of putting up big numbers and have lost only to Division 2 Flint Hamady and Adrian Lenawee Christian. Dryden emerges from the Big Thumb Conference Blue, where it finished third and didn’t lose a game all season to an opponent that finished with fewer than 12 wins, taking on Sandusky and Brown City over the last two weeks.
Frankfort
1. Frankfort (14-6), 2. Leland (16-5), 3. Lake Leelanau St. Mary (14-6), 4. Grand Traverse Academy (14-7), 5. Suttons Bay (2-19), 6. Traverse City Christian (4-13).
Frankfort enters the postseason with two losses over its last three games, but got one that counted big-time as last week’s 18-11 win over Leland solidified an outright championship in the Northwest Conference. Frankfort also won their first meeting 33-26 on Jan. 29, but the Comets emerged from a tough run over the last three weeks to still finish third in the league. Lake Leelanau St. Mary could break up a potential third meeting between those two, having defeated Leland 31-26 on Jan. 14 and tested itself in losses to 20-game winners Evart and St. Ignace over the last two weeks. Grand Traverse has bounced back from a rough February stretch with three straight wins.
L’Anse or Higher Seed (non-traditional)
1. L’Anse (17-5), 2. Baraga (16-6), 3. Hancock (14-8), 4. Lake Linden-Hubbell (16-6), 5. Dollar Bay (8-14), 6. Chassell (4-18).
The second, third and fourth-place teams from the Copper Mountain Conference will contend in this bracket, and Hancock was the runner-up in the Western Peninsula Athletic Conference West. L’Anse finished fourth in the CMC but has the top seed and a recent 14-point win over Hancock but also lost to Lake Linden-Hubbell last week 54-50. LL-H has jumped past CMC runner-up Baraga and Hancock in MPR since seeding but took an 11-point loss to Hancock on Feb. 13 to go with a split with Baraga and a sweep of L’Anse. Baraga was the Division 4 runner-up just two seasons ago and fell to eventual champion Ishpeming during last year’s District. The Vikings have won 10 of their last 12 games, with the pair of losses during that run by a combined six points.
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PHOTOS (Top) West Bloomfield defenders close in on Tecumseh’s Lauren Kilbarger (12) during her team’s win over the Lakers in December. (Middle) Houghton's Eva Gerard gets a hand up as Ishpeming Peyton Kakkuri take a shot during the Hematites’ 61-49 win Thursday. (West Bloomfield/Tecumseh photo by Team Arreguin Photos. Houghton/Ishpeming photo by Cara Kamps.