Breslin Bound: Girls Report Week 8
January 27, 2014
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
The number of undefeated girls basketball teams left this late in the season is dwindling. But there are plenty of strong squads who have stumbled only once or a few times along the way.
These are some that impressed last week in adding to impressive runs so far this season.
1. Flat Rock (10-2, Class B) – Save for losses to outstanding Detroit County Day and Flint Powers Catholic at the Motor City Roundball Classic, Flat Rock is perfect and leads the Huron League.
2. Brighton (9-3, Class A) – The Bulldogs have a two-win lead in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association West with seven victories in their last eight games (and the only loss of that string by five to strong Waterford Mott).
3. Hamilton (9-3, Class B) – The Hawkeyes are looking good to repeat as O-K Green champions and make a run at equaling last season’s 20 wins.
4. Napoleon (8-2, Class B) – The Pirates finished second in the Cascades Conference in 2012-13 to eventual Class C champion Manchester, but beat Manchester and Michigan Center last week to move into the top spot.
5. Brooklyn Columbia Central (7-2, Class B) – The Golden Eagles are one of two teams undefeated in Lenawee County Athletic Association play; the first game against co-leader Blissfield was postponed, but another is scheduled for Feb. 6.
6. Breckenridge (9-3, Class C) – The Huskies have raised their play another level after winning 13 games a year ago; they are tied for second to St. Louis in the Tri-Valley Conference West.
7. Muskegon Oakridge (9-2, Class B) – A 12-point win over second-place Mason County Central has Oakridge atop the West Michigan Conference standings after the first round of league games.
8. Sault Ste. Marie (8-3, Class A) – The Blue Devils are nearly to last season’s 12 wins and have won four straight, all by six points or fewer.
9. Reading (10-3, Class C) – The Big 8 Conference is one of the most competitive among small-school leagues in the state, and Reading is tied for first with a win over co-leader Concord.
10. Ishpeming Westwood (7-5, Class C) – A nine-point win over rival Ishpeming on Thursday was no doubt an enjoyable way for the Patriots to equal last season’s win total.
PHOTO: St. Louis (in red uniforms), here in a win over Saginaw Valley Lutheran, is in first place in the Tri-Valley Conference West. (Click to see more at HighSchoolSportsScene.com.)
Shooters Rain Supreme at Breslin Center
March 28, 2013
The Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan awarded its top 3-point and free-throw shooters at the championship game halftimes during the Boys and Girls Basketball Finals over the last two weekends.
Four champions were crowned, while the same player finished runner-up for both boys contests.
All four shooting championship matches were broadcast on MHSAA.tv and can be watched by clicking the links below.
Girls free throw: Waterford Mott junior Lauren Hung defended her "Top Shooters" title by winning this competition for the second straight season, this time over Lincoln Alcona junior Karina Cole. Click to watch.
Girls 3-point: St. Joseph senior Lauren Brower defeated Marlette senior Jenna Hirsch for the championship. Click to watch.
Boys free throw: Carsonville-Port Sanilac senior Matt Falls edged Shelby junior Jason Beckman. Click to watch.
Boys 3-point: Sterling Heights Stevenson junior Brandon Hughes finished ahead of Beckman. Click to watch.
PHOTO: (In clockwise order) Top Shooters champions for girls free throw, boys free throw, boys 3-point and girls 3-point contests pose with their finalists certificates at the Breslin Center.