Breslin Bound: Girls Report Post-Break
January 8, 2014
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
If the first month of this MHSAA girls basketball season is an indication, this winter's march to the Class A championship game could be one of the most entertaining we've seen over the last decade.
That's the clearest observation from games played during the holiday break, which included a number of Class A contenders shining against top competition.
Below are 10 teams gathered from all four classes that stuck out over the last two weeks. (Records are based on results reported to the MHSAA Score Center.)
1. Detroit Martin Luther King (6-1, Class A) – The Crusaders appear to be the team to beat again in Class A, thanks in part to a nine-point win over contender Grand Ledge at the Motor City Roundball Classic; the only loss was to Kettering Fairmont from Ohio.
2. Flint Powers Catholic (8-1, Class B) – A 33-point win over strong Flat Rock at the Roundball Classic was further proof the Chargers will be in the mix in March; the only loss was to talented Farmington Hills Mercy.
3. Waterford Kettering (5-0, Class A) – The Captains had a strong December overall, finishing with a 10-point win over Freeland and a 28-pointer over Detroit Renaissance both at the Roundball Classic.
4. Muskegon Mona Shores (5-1, Class A) – After winning nine games last season, Mona Shores is more than halfway there thanks in part to a 45-41 win over reigning Class A champion Grand Haven.
5. Grand Haven (6-1, Class A) – Stars graduate and the Buccaneers keep plugging along (aside from the loss to Mona Shores), with six wins to open the season including a three-pointer over Kent City and a one-pointer over Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central to win the Davenport Invitational.
6. Eben Junction Superior Central (7-1, Class D) – The Cougars didn’t lose last season until the Regional Semifinal, and have lost this season to only Class C Ishpeming after already beating the Hematites on opening night.
7. Williamston (4-1, Class B) – Since opening with a three-point loss to Lansing Everett, the Hornets are undefeated after picking up break wins over Frankenmuth by six and Oak Park by 17.
8. Newberry (4-2, Class C) – The Indians are more than halfway to equaling last season’s win total of seven, with their most recent loss (to Brimley) by only a bucket.
9. Gobles (6-0, Class C) – The Tigers are becoming a girls basketball power to go along with their football prowess, putting together another big start after making their District Final a year ago.
10. Northville (6-0, Class A) – The Mustangs have followed a 16-win season with six more victories including the championship at their holiday tournament thanks to a two-point win over solid Dexter.
PHOTO: Detroit Martin Luther King is playing again like a Class A favorite with a 6-1 start against tough competition. (Photo courtesy of the Detroit Public School League.)
Reaching Higher Returns for 7th Year
July 9, 2015
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
The annual Reaching Higher showcases of Michigan’s top high school basketball players will return for the seventh year beginning Wednesday, July 15, with the boys event and followed by the state’s top girls prospects taking the floor July 23. Both again will be hosted by Milford High School in Highland Township.
More than 200 athletes with aspirations to play at the college level will train and scrimmage under the tutelage of high school coaches from across the state and in front of college coaches expected to represent all three NCAA divisions, the NAIA and junior college levels. Coaches from 33 college basketball programs, including nine from Division I schools, attended the 2014 Reaching Higher events.
An educational effort by the Michigan High School Athletic Association and the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan, the Reaching Higher experience includes classroom sessions for student-athletes and their parents as well as on-court drills and scrimmaging. The events aim to give athletes a vision of what it takes to become a college basketball player and also succeed in college life.
Participants in the program were selected by a committee of BCAM members. The process began in December when local high school coaches submitted nominations to the selection committee. Participants were chosen in February.
Click for a complete list of expected attendees. The boys event begins at 3 p.m. on July 15, with scrimmages running from 5:45 to 8 p.m. The girls event begins at noon on July 23, with scrimmages from 2 to 4:25 p.m.
Speakers for the boys session include Willie Green, a graduate of Detroit Cooley who recently finished his first season with the Orlando Magic and 12th season overall in the NBA. Former Grosse Pointe North and University of Notre Dame standout Ariel Braker will be among speakers for the girls session; she led Grosse Pointe North to the Class A title in 2008 and started her final two seasons at Notre Dame while serving as captain as a senior during 2013-14 as the Fighting Irish finished NCAA runner-up.
PHOTO: A player prepares to shoot a free throw during a scrimmage at last year's Reaching Higher girls event.