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.