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High 5s: 11/28/12

November 28, 2012

The final MHSAA championships of the Fall 2012 season give us our final High 5s before heading into winter. This week, we recognize both an individual and a team that achieved new heights. 

Drake Harris
Grand Rapids Christian junior
Football

A 6-foot-4, 180-pound receiver who has committed to play both football and basketball at Michigan State beginning in 2014, Harris posted one of the finest receiving season in MHSAA history capped by playing a huge role in his team's first MHSAA championship. The Eagles beat Orchard Lake St. Mary's 40-37 in overtime Saturday for the Division 3 title. His eight catches for a Finals-record 243 yards and a touchdown put his unofficial season totals at 91 catches for 2,015 yards and 25 scores. Once confirmed, the season yardage will rank as the most in MHSAA history and 12th nationally for one season (his yards per game rank fourth and yards per catch sixth on the NFHS lists). Harris also ranked fourth for catches and second for touchdown catches on the MHSAA single-season lists.

Just ducky: "I'm probably more energized now after he hit that kick," Harris said after teammate Joel Schipper's winning field goal Saturday. "I was probably more tired a little bit during the game. But we condition all practice. We play fast. We play like Oregon, move the ball, (at) a high tempo. We're all in condition, so we really weren't that tired." 

Bring on the new guy: Harris has caught more than 3,000 yards worth of passes from senior Alex VanDeVusse over the last two seasons, but will play with a new quarterback in 2013. "I've been with Alex since sophomore year. I guess I have to start over and work hard all next season and hope to get back here."  

Be like Calvin: "Calvin Johnson, I want to be just like him when I get older. I know I'm a little skinny right now, but when I get to college, I know they'll put weight on me. I watch film on him all the time, watch him running routes. So I take my game after him. He's the best wide receiver in the NFL right now, probably one of the best wide receivers to play the game, in my opinion." 

Click to read more. 

Portland football

The Raiders, unranked despite entering the postseason 8-1, finished with their first MHSAA title won in their first trip to the Finals. Portland defeated Grand Rapids West Catholic 12-9 in the Division 5 championship game after knocking out 2011 champion Flint Powers Catholic in the Regional Final. For the playoffs, Portland outscored its five opponents 169-66 while holding three to nine or fewer points. In finishing 13-1 and setting a school record for wins, the Raiders beat nine playoff teams total including eventual Division 3 Semifinalist DeWitt. 

Click to read more. 

Previous 2012-13 honorees:

Romulus Summit Academy North’s Chance Houser dunks during his team’s Division 2 Semifinal win Friday.

Summit Leads from Start to Finish in Clinching 1st Trip to Championship Day

By Steve Vedder
Special for MHSAA.com

March 14, 2025

EAST LANSING – A simple strategy has left Romulus Summit Academy North playing for a Division 2 basketball championship.

It comes down to this: Jump on an opponent quickly, and don't let up.

Keep an opponent down, step on the gas and don't look back – which is exactly what the Dragons accomplished in Friday's methodical 52-40 Semifinal win over Kingsford at the Breslin Center.

Much like the team's previous five tournament wins by an average of nearly 40 points per game, Summit scored the first four points, led 16-6 after one quarter, 30-16 at the half and never let Kingsford climb within 12 points during the second half.

In other words, business as usual, said Dragons junior guard Marquan White.

"We don't anyone to get their first licks in," he said. "We want the advantage of keeping a lead and then going with it. We don't want to give other teams hope."

The win sends Summit (24-3) into Saturday's 6:45 p.m. championship game. Kingsford finished 22-4.

Dragons senior guard Amir Perryman said it's no accident the team starts games with a bang. It's a strategy stressed by coaches and taken to heart by players – and best of all, executed during games.

"They emphasize getting the first lead. We want to knock an opponent down and keep going the whole game," said Perryman, who finished with 10 points. 

The Dragons’ Rapheal White (2) drives while defended by Kingsford’s Jett Buckley. The quick start was a result of myriad strengths. Summit forced 17 turnovers while allowing the Flivvers to attempt 11 fewer shots (41-30). The Dragons also held a 24-13 rebounding edge.

Kingsford coach Ben Olsen said his team faced problems in falling behind by as much as 21-10 midway through the second quarter.

"We got down 10, and their pressure got to us," he said. "We weren't able to climb out of the hole. We talked about getting a quick lead and then play our style of game."

Dragons junior guard Chance Houser led his team with 21 points and seven rebounds. Gavin Grondin had 12 and Morgan Sleik 11 points for Kingsford.

Two years ago, Summit fell in the Semifinals to Grand Rapids South Christian.

"We've faced some adversity this year, but it means a lot to us – the players, coaches, assistant coaches and guys on the bench. We've all been part of it,” Houser said.

First-year Dragons coach Derek Clark said much of the credit goes to special depth at guard. He trusts at least four players to handle the ball, a strength which resulted in only 11 turnovers during the Semifinal.

"We've got a unique build to the roster. We've got a lot of good players who can handle the ball, and that gives us an advantage," he said.

As far as playing in the championship game, Clark said he refuses to underestimate any opponent.

"Anyone who makes it to this level can beat you," he said. "It's not like I'm some mad scientist and can concentrate on like 20 teams. We take it one step at a time. I haven't even been watching film of the other two (Semifinal) teams (Grand Rapids Catholic Central and Warren Lincoln). I've only been watching Kingsford."

Click for the full box score.

PHOTOS (Top) Romulus Summit Academy North’s Chance Houser dunks during his team’s Division 2 Semifinal win Friday. (Middle) The Dragons’ Rapheal White (2) drives while defended by Kingsford’s Jett Buckley. (Photos by Adam Sheehan/Hockey Weekly Action Photos.)