All Saints Celebrates on Big Screen
July 31, 2014
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Forty years ago, Bay City All Saints brought its hometown the first of two straight MHSAA boys basketball championships – which continue to stand as the only ones won by a Bay City school.
As part of the Class of 1974’s 40-year reunion this weekend, organizers will show the broadcast of that 71-59 victory over Detroit Servite in the Class C Final, on Friday at the downtown State Theater.
The team was coached by Russell “Lefty” Franz, who sits 14th in MHSAA boys basketball coaching history with 545 wins (545-215) at All Saints, Bay City St. Stanislaus and Pinconning achieved from 1953-1991. All Saints repeated as Class C champion under Franz in 1975 with a 79-69 win over Cassopolis.
The Bay City Times caught up today with three starters from that team who are expected to return for the showing of the game. Click to read more.
Rooting for Haske
Northern Michigan basketball fans and supporters from all over are cheering on Traverse City St. Francis boys basketball coach Keith Haske, who is battling throat cancer and seeking treatment in Houston, according to a report by the Petoskey News.
Haske has coached three boys teams to MHSAA Class C runner-up finishes – St. Francis in 2012 and Charlevoix in 2004 and 2001, and also coached at St. Johns prior to taking the Rayders job in 1998. He also coached the Charlevoix girls team to a Class C runner-up finish in 2004.
Click to read more about Haske and how to donate to his treatment.
Thanks, Gary Hice
The MHSAA welcomed 43 new athletic directors to East Lansing today for training as they take over their schools’ athletic departments.
An athletic director we’ll certainly miss is Petoskey’s Gary Hice.
Hice – an MHSAA Allen W. Bush Award winner in 2002 for his contributions to high school athletics – has retired after 30 years as his school’s athletic director.
Click to read more, again from the Petoskey News, about Hice’s service to his school and community.
PHOTO: The Bay City All Saints Class of 1974 reunion this weekend will include a showing of the boys basketball team’s Class C championship game win over Detroit Servite.
Wes Leonard, Remembered and Honored
February 12, 2012
Nearly a year after his unexpected and tragic death, Wes Leonard's memory lives on as his story continues to touch many on a national level.
Fennville High School added to his legacy Friday, inducting the former all-state basketball standout into its athletic Hall of Fame in a ceremony one Michigan sportswriter described as both somber and proud.
Check out his report and links to additional coverage of Friday's induction by clicking the links below, and also one for the Wes Leonard Heart Team and its efforts in preventing sudden cardiac arrest:
Wes Leonard's Fennville Hall of Fame induction one of 'deep sadness' and 'deep pride' (Kalamazoo Gazette)
Wes Leonard inducted into Fennville Hall of Fame (Holland Sentinel)
Wes Leonard inducted into Fennville Hall of Fame (The Associated Press, via Detroit Free Press)
Wes Leonard Heart Team (blog most recently updated Jan. 31)
Our MHSAA Network cameras were there for the ceremony and a feature with thoughts from his mom, coach and teammates.
Also, check out this ESPN video from May.
PHOTOS courtesy of Al LaShell Photography.