Reaching Higher Returns, Expands
June 19, 2019
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
The annual Reaching Higher showcases of Michigan’s top high school basketball players will return for their 10th year June 23 at Milford High School in Highland Township, and for the first time volleyball players will take part in the Reaching Higher experience during a showcase July 18 also at Milford.
Nearly 200 athletes with aspirations to play basketball and nearly 80 with hopes of playing volleyball 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 a number of NCAA, NAIA and junior college programs.
For both sports, 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 player and also succeed in college life. Reaching Higher is a combined effort by the Michigan High School Athletic Association with the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan and Michigan Interscholastic Volleyball Coaches Association.
For both sports, participants were selected by a committee of coaches association members based on nominations by member basketball or volleyball coaches. A complete list of June 23 expected attendees can be found on the basketball Reaching Higher page of the MHSAA Website, while a complete list of expected attendees for volleyball will be posted closer to that event on the Reaching Higher page for that sport.
The boys basketball event begins at 11 a.m. on June 23, with scrimmages running from 1-3:30 p.m. The girls basketball event begins at 3 p.m., with scrimmages from 5-7:30 p.m. Speakers for the boys session include Reggie Butler, a standout at Southfield-Lathrup High School who went on to play at Xavier University and professionally overseas. Girls session speakers include Cassie Breen, who starred for Brownstown Woodhaven High and Central Michigan University and played professionally this past season in Spain.
Longtime coach Dave Ginsberg will speak with athletes; he coached at a number of Michigan high schools and also was an assistant men’s basketball coach at Central Michigan University for 16 years, and he currently serves as the secretary/treasurer of the National High School Basketball Coaches Association. Longtime high school and college coach Marc Comstock – currently the boys varsity coach at Grass Lake High School – and former Saginaw Valley State University and current Flint Powers Catholic athletic director Mike Watson will conduct sessions with parents during players’ drill and practice sessions.
The volleyball event begins at 9:30 a.m. on July 18. A schedule for the day including speakers will be added to the volleyball Reaching Higher page of the MHSAA Website closer to the event.
Below, State Champs Sports Network explains a little bit more about the history of the basketball Reaching Higher event.
Story in Photos: 2025 Volleyball Division 1 & 4 Semifinals
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
November 20, 2025
BATTLE CREEK – The first day of these MHSAA Girls Volleyball Semifinals saw three of four matches go five sets over 10 hours at Kellogg Arena, with the dramatic moments starting early and ending when the final point hit the floor.
All of the excitement set up Saturday's Division 1 and 4 championship matches, and possibilities for first-time champions in both – but with highly-ranked contenders hoping to stand in the way of those aspirations.
Saturday’s first two title matches will see the following face off:
10 a.m. – Division 4 – Fowler (35-8-2) vs. Mendon (38-6-1)
Noon – Division 1 – Farmington Hills Mercy (41-5-3) vs. Bloomfield Hills (43-6-1)
Mendon is seeking its first Finals championship since 2019, and Fowler its first in program history. They finished Nos. 1 and 2, respectively, in the final regular-season coaches poll.
Mercy, No. 3 in the final Division 1 rankings, most recently won the Division 1 title in 2023. No. 2 Bloomfield Hills has never won a Finals title – but ended an incredible run by top-ranked Rockford on Thursday to earn the opportunity.
Division 2 and 3 Semifinals will be played Friday. Click here for more.
Hockey Weekly Action Photos captured the following from Thursday’s action.
Bloomfield Hills senior Kayla Nwabueze (far right) sends a kill attempt into a Rockford block during the Black Hawks' 25-19, 22-25, 21-25, 25-22, 15-13 win over Rockford. Nwabueze finished with 43 kills, which are tied for second-most for a single match during the MHSAA Semifinals or Finals since the start of the rally scoring era in 2004-05.
Rockford senior Liv Hosford (1) sends a kill attempt into the block of Bloomfield Hills junior Brynn Wilcox (2) and freshman Emily Nwabueze (8). Hosford had 23 kills for the Rams, who finished 46-2-1.
Farmington Hills Mercy junior Kate Kalcynski (2) attempts to slam a kill past Byron Center senior Lainey VanTol (5) and junior Cara Crittendon during the Marlins’ 25-27, 24-26, 25-16, 25-17, 16-14 victory. Kalcynski totaled 30 kills and 21 digs.
Byron Center junior Caitlin Hartson (1) attempts to get a kill over the Mercy block of Kalczynski and sophomore McKenzie Andrews (12). Hartson finished with 16 kills as the Bulldogs ended their season 37-6-2.
Mendon junior Karyssa Holtz (3) sets as teammates Cienna Nightingale (9) and Sabrina Monroy make their moves toward the net. Holtz finished with 40 assists, Nightingale had six kills and Monroy had four in Mendon’s 25-18, 25-22, 27-25 win.
Ubly senior Sophi Heleski (4) elevates for a kill attempt. She finished with three kills and four digs for the Bearcats (30-11-4).
Fowler players celebrate their 26-24, 30-28, 20-25, 19-25, 15-8 win over Crystal Falls Forest Park in the day’s first match.
Forest Park junior Vienna Price (4) sets with senior Elsie Williams (2) ready for the next attack. Price had 17 assists and Williams had 32. The Trojans finished this season 42-2.
TOP PHOTO Bloomfield Hills players celebrate their five-set comeback win over Rockford on Thursday at Kellogg Arena.