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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:

Alex McCarthy holds up his championship sign.

McCarthy Makes Good in Finals Return with 2nd Championship

By Nick Cooper
Special for MHSAA.com

March 1, 2025

MUSKEGON – On Saturday at Northway Lanes, Alex McCarthy’s performance seemed to indicate that March madness has already begun.

McCarthy emerged as the six seed to win the Division 4 Singles Finals championship, after previously winning the 2023 title as the 10th seed.

“I believed in myself and just had to execute, and I did,” said the Saginaw Nouvel Catholic Central standout.

After winning it all in 2023, McCarthy did not reach the Finals as a junior – which he used as motivation entering this season.

“I wanted to redeem myself, and I did. It feels pretty good,” said McCarthy.

The senior collected 1,815 pins in the tournament including 499 in the final round against Houghton Lake’s Maison Christian, who tallied 351 pins.

“He's done fantastic, and this year it’s very special because obviously it’s the 100th MHSAA championship plus he was the conference champion, plus Regional champion, now state champion,” said Saginaw Nouvel head coach Brian Montini.

Exceptional bowling from Le’Veon Greewade of Taylor Trillium Academy and Jonesville’s Andrew Sackett led them to the semifinals as well.

McCarthy’s championship run was aided by an unconventional strategy that ended up paying off.

“I made a switch on the fly to the gem, and it worked out. I found a groove,” said McCarthy.

McCarthy’s growth since his first championship as a sophomore was evident when looking at the pin differential that he produced this year. The 1,815 pins he knocked down were 198 more than during his 2023 championship run.

As McCarthy’s career came to a close, the two-time champion reflected upon his career and offered words of advice to incoming freshmen.

“Never lose faith and just keep grinding,” he said. “Keep working, and you never know what could happen.”

Click for full scores.