Football has always been associated with Thanksgiving in Detroit, but
lately the Thursday afternoon affair seems to leave fans hungry
compared to the weekend feast.
A little of the Detroit Lions Thanksgiving Day sheen has dissipated ever since the retirement of one Barry Sanders, but after the past two years of high school finals, even No. 20 himself would be hard-pressed to provide a better show.
Many assumed the 2006 Division 2 championship between Warren De La Salle and Muskegon
High could not be topped. But as is the case with most things, if you
wait long enough, you’ll be proved wrong as the 2007 Orchard Lake St.
Mary’s/East Grand Rapids Division 3 championship came very close.
Where all of last year’s dramatics were contained to regulation, you may have
read that the Eaglets one-upped their league rival Pilots and extended
their game to five overtimes.
Just like last year, the most exciting game of the weekend pitted a team from the Catholic High School League against the OK Conference with plenty of bragging rights
between public and private andEastside versus Westside at stake.
Again, the OK won as East Grand Rapids outlasted the Eaglets in a marathon just as narrowly as Muskegon’s Ronald Johnson outraced De La Salle's Don Fowler in a sprint last year.
Of course, talk to people in Macomb County and they’ll tell you the OK and Catholic League are playing for second place.
Macomb Dakota from the Mac Red Division took home its second straight Division
1 championship and Marine City High topped Detroit Country Day for the
Division 4 crown.
The Cougars put together the first Division 1 14-0 season since 1999, and answered every question and doubt they had coming into this year.
When the final game was played, Dakota was arguably more dominant than last year’s team, which was an overtime away from also being undefeated.
The Cougars won their 22nd consecutive game against Livonia Stevenson, but take into account that streak started after an overtime loss to Utica Ford II Sept. 22, and if one or two bounces went the other way, we’d be talking about a 28-game streak.
But that would be impossible ...
Given the one loss that Dakota’s JV and two freshmen teams combined for in
2007, maybe I should wait till next year before saying that.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Districts, districts and more districts
No better way to enjoy the last weekend of reasonable temperatures than catching a local district championship football game. Winter always seems to roll in the weekend of regional title games and seemingly hangs around until baseball and softball kick of their district tournaments, so be sure to get out and enjoy the brisk Friday night and Saturday afternoon at one of many local matchups.
No. 2 Rochester Adams (9-1) hosts No. 2 Birmingham Brother Rice (8-2) at 7 p.m. Nov. 2.
A lot of metro Detroit pride is on the line with this game. Both squads are ranked second in Division 2 by the Associated Press, both squads have won Division 2 state titles in the last five years, and both squads might represent the metro area’s best chance of knocking off defending Division 2 state champ No. 1 Muskegon High or their rival No. 4 Hudsonville High Nov. 23 at Ford Field.
Rice brings a rejuvenated offense, led by senior running back Caulton Ray IV and senior quarterback Andy Lentz, up against an Adams defense that has so much speed Rice coach Al Fracassa believes it to be better than the defense that beat him in the 2003 state title game.
No. 1 Macomb Dakota (10-0) hosts Clinton Township Chippewa Valley (7-3) at 7 p.m. Nov. 2.
The buzz saw that is the Dakota football team hasn’t let up on anyone since an early season 29-22 scare from Utica Eisenhower Sept. 7. Since then, the Cougars have outscored opponents 282-71, including a 39-0 win against the Big Reds Sept. 21. Of course, that was with Chippewa Valley senior quarterback Tyler Alwardt severely hampered with a leg injury. After the Big Reds fell to Dakota, they also dropped their next game, 21-14, to Utica Eisenhower, but have since rattled off four straight wins and outscored opponents 139-58 in that span.
No. 5 Warren Cousino (10-0) hosts Detroit Denby (7-3) at 7 p.m. Nov. 2.
The Patriots are following much the same path that put them in the Division 1 state semifinal a year ago. After beating a Macomb Area Conference rival in the first round — this year it was Warren Mott; last year it was Utica Stevenson — Cousino now faces Denby from the Detroit Public School League, the same team it beat a year ago to win the program’s first regional title and one of the three teams the Patriots scrimmaged during the 2007 preseason.
The major difference in Cousino’s postseason road map would come if the Patriots were to win another regional title and return to the semifinals. There they would face a team from the group headed by unbeaten No. 4 Livonia Stevenson instead of Dakota — which they wouldn’t face until Nov. 24 at Ford Field in the Division 1 title game.
No. 9* Beverly Hills Detroit Country Day (8-2) hosts Detroit Crockett (6-4) at 1 p.m. Nov. 3.
The Yellowjackets’ ranking gets an asterisk because the Associated Press ranked it among the top 10 in Division 5. Country Day qualified for the Division 4 playoff bracket, and after topping one PSL foe — Detroit Douglass — in the first round, it gets another with the Rockets. Where Douglass was making its first trip to the postseason, Crockett is slightly more seasoned with this being its eighth appearance since 1997. With Crockett’s in-state losses coming against Denby (Division 1), Detroit King (Division 2) and Detroit Southeastern (Division 1), Country Day is going to need another big day from senior running back Jonas "The Benz" Gray, who in committing to Notre Dame is following in the footsteps of former Detroit MacKenzie star Jerome "the Bus" Bettis.
No. 2 Rochester Adams (9-1) hosts No. 2 Birmingham Brother Rice (8-2) at 7 p.m. Nov. 2.
A lot of metro Detroit pride is on the line with this game. Both squads are ranked second in Division 2 by the Associated Press, both squads have won Division 2 state titles in the last five years, and both squads might represent the metro area’s best chance of knocking off defending Division 2 state champ No. 1 Muskegon High or their rival No. 4 Hudsonville High Nov. 23 at Ford Field.
Rice brings a rejuvenated offense, led by senior running back Caulton Ray IV and senior quarterback Andy Lentz, up against an Adams defense that has so much speed Rice coach Al Fracassa believes it to be better than the defense that beat him in the 2003 state title game.
No. 1 Macomb Dakota (10-0) hosts Clinton Township Chippewa Valley (7-3) at 7 p.m. Nov. 2.
The buzz saw that is the Dakota football team hasn’t let up on anyone since an early season 29-22 scare from Utica Eisenhower Sept. 7. Since then, the Cougars have outscored opponents 282-71, including a 39-0 win against the Big Reds Sept. 21. Of course, that was with Chippewa Valley senior quarterback Tyler Alwardt severely hampered with a leg injury. After the Big Reds fell to Dakota, they also dropped their next game, 21-14, to Utica Eisenhower, but have since rattled off four straight wins and outscored opponents 139-58 in that span.
No. 5 Warren Cousino (10-0) hosts Detroit Denby (7-3) at 7 p.m. Nov. 2.
The Patriots are following much the same path that put them in the Division 1 state semifinal a year ago. After beating a Macomb Area Conference rival in the first round — this year it was Warren Mott; last year it was Utica Stevenson — Cousino now faces Denby from the Detroit Public School League, the same team it beat a year ago to win the program’s first regional title and one of the three teams the Patriots scrimmaged during the 2007 preseason.
The major difference in Cousino’s postseason road map would come if the Patriots were to win another regional title and return to the semifinals. There they would face a team from the group headed by unbeaten No. 4 Livonia Stevenson instead of Dakota — which they wouldn’t face until Nov. 24 at Ford Field in the Division 1 title game.
No. 9* Beverly Hills Detroit Country Day (8-2) hosts Detroit Crockett (6-4) at 1 p.m. Nov. 3.
The Yellowjackets’ ranking gets an asterisk because the Associated Press ranked it among the top 10 in Division 5. Country Day qualified for the Division 4 playoff bracket, and after topping one PSL foe — Detroit Douglass — in the first round, it gets another with the Rockets. Where Douglass was making its first trip to the postseason, Crockett is slightly more seasoned with this being its eighth appearance since 1997. With Crockett’s in-state losses coming against Denby (Division 1), Detroit King (Division 2) and Detroit Southeastern (Division 1), Country Day is going to need another big day from senior running back Jonas "The Benz" Gray, who in committing to Notre Dame is following in the footsteps of former Detroit MacKenzie star Jerome "the Bus" Bettis.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Get ready for some football
The air is colder, and it’s October, which means football playoffs are almost upon us.
The regular season has given us a lot of great games , but there is something really special about a chilly October night leading into even colder November days as 256 teams vie for the 16 spots at Ford Field on Thanksgiving weekend.
So why not catch one of the season’s final regular-season matchups as a primer. If you’re still not convinced to brave the elements this weekend, consult my top 10 reasons for leaving the house on Friday or Saturday and checking out your local football teams.
No. 10: The Trojan War: Clawson High plays at Livonia Clarenceville at 7 p.m. Oct. 19
The Trojans of Clawson take on the Trojans of Livonia for the final time as Metro Conference rivals. Even though Clawson’s stay in the Metro wasn’t long, the two squads developed a rivalry playing for the Trojan Horse trophy constructed by Clawson High coach Jim Sparks. While this game would not impact Metro standings in the future, rumors circulate that Clawson’s move to the Macomb Area Conference will not be the end of this budding tradition.
No. 9: Sterling Heights Parkway Christian hosts Hamtramck High at 7 p.m. Oct. 19 at Fraser High.
The Parkway Christian Eagles might be the best team you know nothing about, and its junior star, Zurlon Tipton, might be the best player you know nothing about — and football isn’t even his No. 1 sport. Tipton, who also excels for the Eagles’ basketball team, is almost too fast for the competition he faces weekly in the Southern Michigan Football Conference, and chances are, he’ll be just as dominant against the Cosmos.
No. 8: Grosse Pointe South travels to Harrison Township L’Anse Creuse at 7 p.m. Oct. 19
Coach Tim Brandon has the Blue Devils on the verge of their first winning season since 2003, and this game is even more intriguing given that it’s South senior Jimmy Saros’ last chance to set the state record for career receptions. Granted, Saros needs 26 catches against the Lancers to tie the mark, but it’s still a chance to see one of the area’s great players of the last four years.
No. 7 & 6: St. Clair Shores Lake Shore hosts Warren Woods Tower at 7 p.m. Oct. 19; Warren Fitzgerald hosts Madison Heights Madison at 7 p.m. Oct. 19; Macomb L’Anse Creuse North hosts New Baltimore Anchor Bay at 7 p.m. Oct. 19 and Clinton Township Chippewa Valley travels to Port Huron High at 7 p.m. Oct. 19
These games are so big they count twice. The Shorians, Spartans, Crusaders and Big Reds all need one win to assure themselves a spot in the playoffs. All three face MAC rivals in the final week, making these, in essence, the first playoff games of the season.
Lake Shore faces a Woods Tower squad that clinched its spot in the second season with a 19-13 overtime win against Fitzgerald Oct. 12, and the Spartans have to go through the 2006 Division 5 state runner-up Eagles to punch their ticket under first-year coach Jason Byers.
The Crusaders face rival and MAC Red Division member Tars in their crossover after clinching a share of the Blue Division title. The Big Reds are hoping to extend coach Mike Carr’s return to the sideline for at least one more week at the co-Blue champion Port Huron Big Reds.
No. 5: Madison Heights Madison travels to Warren Fitzgerald at 7 p.m. Oct. 19
By all means, if you have a chance to go see the Eagles play this week, or in a playoff game, take it. Go see senior Deandre Johnson before he takes his game to such collegiate possibilities as the University of Florida or the University of Southern California. See this kid play on Friday before you see him on Saturday.
No. 4: Harper Woods High hosts Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook-Kingswood at 7 p.m. Oct. 19
The Pioneers are trying to win their first Metro Conference title under coach Heath Filber. A year ago, the Pioneers surprised many by qualifying for the playoffs, and this year they’re pushing toward their second appearance and hoping to bring home sole possession of the league title. They clinched a share of it last week beating Macomb Lutheran North, 30-28, for the first time since 2000, but are looking for the outright title and a home playoff game against the Cranes.
No. 3: Macomb Dakota hosts Grosse Pointe North at 7 p.m. Oct. 19
The only thing more shocking than the way the 2006 Cougars handle Rockford High in the 2006 Division 1 title game may be that the 2007 Cougars seem to be even better. No one in the area plays at such a high skill level and as physical as the Cougars, who are simply as dangerous a high school football team as I have ever seen and must be seen to be believed.
No. 2: Warren Cousino travels to Utica Stevenson at 7 p.m. Oct. 19
Years down the line, a Cousino victory against Stevenson may be the game Patriots fans point to as the game where it all started. While it won’t be this one — the Patriots topped the Titans in last year's playoffs en route to the programs first regional title — Cousino is making its second trip in as many weeks to Runkle Field to face a MAC Red opponent after beating Utica Ford II, 24-17, there a week ago. With the MAC realigning its divisions next year, this could be an intriguing league matchup for years.
No. 1: Catholic League Prep Bowl at 1 p.m. Oct. 20 at Ford Field
Since 1998, one of the four programs slated to play in the Prep Bowl — Warren De La Salle, Novi Detroit Catholic Central, Orchard Lake St. Mary’s and Birmingham Brother Rice — have appeared in at last one of the Michigan High School Athletic Association’s championship games. With the Warriors (No. 3 in Division 2) playing the Eaglets (No. 1 in Division 3) at 7 p.m. and the Pilots (No. 9 in Division 2) facing the Shamrocks (No. 7 in Division 1), that streak looks like it is bound to continue, and you can see them face each other for $8 on the same field they are likely to play on for a title Nov. 23-24.
The regular season has given us a lot of great games , but there is something really special about a chilly October night leading into even colder November days as 256 teams vie for the 16 spots at Ford Field on Thanksgiving weekend.
So why not catch one of the season’s final regular-season matchups as a primer. If you’re still not convinced to brave the elements this weekend, consult my top 10 reasons for leaving the house on Friday or Saturday and checking out your local football teams.
No. 10: The Trojan War: Clawson High plays at Livonia Clarenceville at 7 p.m. Oct. 19
The Trojans of Clawson take on the Trojans of Livonia for the final time as Metro Conference rivals. Even though Clawson’s stay in the Metro wasn’t long, the two squads developed a rivalry playing for the Trojan Horse trophy constructed by Clawson High coach Jim Sparks. While this game would not impact Metro standings in the future, rumors circulate that Clawson’s move to the Macomb Area Conference will not be the end of this budding tradition.
No. 9: Sterling Heights Parkway Christian hosts Hamtramck High at 7 p.m. Oct. 19 at Fraser High.
The Parkway Christian Eagles might be the best team you know nothing about, and its junior star, Zurlon Tipton, might be the best player you know nothing about — and football isn’t even his No. 1 sport. Tipton, who also excels for the Eagles’ basketball team, is almost too fast for the competition he faces weekly in the Southern Michigan Football Conference, and chances are, he’ll be just as dominant against the Cosmos.
No. 8: Grosse Pointe South travels to Harrison Township L’Anse Creuse at 7 p.m. Oct. 19
Coach Tim Brandon has the Blue Devils on the verge of their first winning season since 2003, and this game is even more intriguing given that it’s South senior Jimmy Saros’ last chance to set the state record for career receptions. Granted, Saros needs 26 catches against the Lancers to tie the mark, but it’s still a chance to see one of the area’s great players of the last four years.
No. 7 & 6: St. Clair Shores Lake Shore hosts Warren Woods Tower at 7 p.m. Oct. 19; Warren Fitzgerald hosts Madison Heights Madison at 7 p.m. Oct. 19; Macomb L’Anse Creuse North hosts New Baltimore Anchor Bay at 7 p.m. Oct. 19 and Clinton Township Chippewa Valley travels to Port Huron High at 7 p.m. Oct. 19
These games are so big they count twice. The Shorians, Spartans, Crusaders and Big Reds all need one win to assure themselves a spot in the playoffs. All three face MAC rivals in the final week, making these, in essence, the first playoff games of the season.
Lake Shore faces a Woods Tower squad that clinched its spot in the second season with a 19-13 overtime win against Fitzgerald Oct. 12, and the Spartans have to go through the 2006 Division 5 state runner-up Eagles to punch their ticket under first-year coach Jason Byers.
The Crusaders face rival and MAC Red Division member Tars in their crossover after clinching a share of the Blue Division title. The Big Reds are hoping to extend coach Mike Carr’s return to the sideline for at least one more week at the co-Blue champion Port Huron Big Reds.
No. 5: Madison Heights Madison travels to Warren Fitzgerald at 7 p.m. Oct. 19
By all means, if you have a chance to go see the Eagles play this week, or in a playoff game, take it. Go see senior Deandre Johnson before he takes his game to such collegiate possibilities as the University of Florida or the University of Southern California. See this kid play on Friday before you see him on Saturday.
No. 4: Harper Woods High hosts Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook-Kingswood at 7 p.m. Oct. 19
The Pioneers are trying to win their first Metro Conference title under coach Heath Filber. A year ago, the Pioneers surprised many by qualifying for the playoffs, and this year they’re pushing toward their second appearance and hoping to bring home sole possession of the league title. They clinched a share of it last week beating Macomb Lutheran North, 30-28, for the first time since 2000, but are looking for the outright title and a home playoff game against the Cranes.
No. 3: Macomb Dakota hosts Grosse Pointe North at 7 p.m. Oct. 19
The only thing more shocking than the way the 2006 Cougars handle Rockford High in the 2006 Division 1 title game may be that the 2007 Cougars seem to be even better. No one in the area plays at such a high skill level and as physical as the Cougars, who are simply as dangerous a high school football team as I have ever seen and must be seen to be believed.
No. 2: Warren Cousino travels to Utica Stevenson at 7 p.m. Oct. 19
Years down the line, a Cousino victory against Stevenson may be the game Patriots fans point to as the game where it all started. While it won’t be this one — the Patriots topped the Titans in last year's playoffs en route to the programs first regional title — Cousino is making its second trip in as many weeks to Runkle Field to face a MAC Red opponent after beating Utica Ford II, 24-17, there a week ago. With the MAC realigning its divisions next year, this could be an intriguing league matchup for years.
No. 1: Catholic League Prep Bowl at 1 p.m. Oct. 20 at Ford Field
Since 1998, one of the four programs slated to play in the Prep Bowl — Warren De La Salle, Novi Detroit Catholic Central, Orchard Lake St. Mary’s and Birmingham Brother Rice — have appeared in at last one of the Michigan High School Athletic Association’s championship games. With the Warriors (No. 3 in Division 2) playing the Eaglets (No. 1 in Division 3) at 7 p.m. and the Pilots (No. 9 in Division 2) facing the Shamrocks (No. 7 in Division 1), that streak looks like it is bound to continue, and you can see them face each other for $8 on the same field they are likely to play on for a title Nov. 23-24.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Positive-ly Cheer-ful
One of the great things about my job is that it never ceases to surprise me.
With slightly less than five years covering preps under my belt, there are plenty of folks who have been involved in high school athletics longer than myself, but every once in a while I fall into the trap of thinking I’ve seen it all. That is until something like the Sept. 19 Oakland Activities Association Division I volleyball match between host Bloomfield Hills Lahser and Birmingham Seaholm.
Knowing it was a match that could help decide the regular-season league title, I decided to cover it for our Web site as well as a feature for the Sept. 27 issue of the Birmingham-Bloomfield Eagle, but what I didn't expect was a number of firsts, including an atmosphere that lent itself more toward a playoff basketball game than a regular-season volleyball match.
Never had I seen an official ask an athletic director to quiet down a volleyball crowd, but the Lahser gym was plenty raucous as the fans' section called "The Positive Cheer" made sure everyone knew they were there. That, coupled with the strong play by both teams in five games, gave the match a postseason feel. The Positive Cheer fans even rushed the court following the Knights' 25-15, 25-22, 12-25, 12-25, 15-9 win.
With slightly less than five years covering preps under my belt, there are plenty of folks who have been involved in high school athletics longer than myself, but every once in a while I fall into the trap of thinking I’ve seen it all. That is until something like the Sept. 19 Oakland Activities Association Division I volleyball match between host Bloomfield Hills Lahser and Birmingham Seaholm.
Knowing it was a match that could help decide the regular-season league title, I decided to cover it for our Web site as well as a feature for the Sept. 27 issue of the Birmingham-Bloomfield Eagle, but what I didn't expect was a number of firsts, including an atmosphere that lent itself more toward a playoff basketball game than a regular-season volleyball match.
Never had I seen an official ask an athletic director to quiet down a volleyball crowd, but the Lahser gym was plenty raucous as the fans' section called "The Positive Cheer" made sure everyone knew they were there. That, coupled with the strong play by both teams in five games, gave the match a postseason feel. The Positive Cheer fans even rushed the court following the Knights' 25-15, 25-22, 12-25, 12-25, 15-9 win.
Saturday, September 8, 2007
Oh, Brother
In the final leg of my Catholic League Central Division football preview tour, I stopped in and spoke with Birmingham Brother Rice coach Al Fracassa Sept. 6. With the Warriors coming off an 11-1 2006 seasn and having to replace seven players currently on Division I college rosters, the 2007 season should be interesting for Rice.
A few notes from my time spent with the Warriors:
Michigan State University fans will be happy to know that even though they missed out on Beverly Hills Detroit Country Day running back Jonas Gray, who chose the Nebraska Cornhuskers instead of the Spartans, coach Mark Dantonio and the Spartans received a verbal commitment from Warriors running back Caulton Ray IV.
According to Rivals.com, Ray is the second-ranked running back in the state behind Gray. While he's a little smaller than Gray, Ray is very quick, and at 5 feet 9 inches with moves in the mold of Barry Sanders, he can be a very tough man to tackle.
"I found out Michigan State offered him a full scholarship, so he’s going to Michigan State," Fracassa, a Spartan alum, said. "He doesn’t have to worry about where he’s going, so hopefully he’s settled and he’s just now focused on football.
"He’s a smaller type of runner. This guy likes to do a few juking moves before he gets some yardage, and he’s very good at it."
The Warriors are also welcoming back a familiar name to the roster as freshman Jimmy Pickens joins the varsity ranks.
He's the youngest of the group of three Pickens brothers. The eldest brother, Doug, is currently the catcher for the University of Michigan baseball team. The middle brother, Matt, was a key piece of the Warriors' 2005 Division 2 state title winning defense and is currently on the Western Michigan University football roster. Jimmy Pickens is the first-ever freshman to start for Fracassa.
"Jimmy Pickens is good enough to be on the varsity," Fracassa said. "Physically, he looks a little older than the other guys. He runs better than most upperclassmen. He’s a good baseball player, and I think he plays basketball, but he plays football and does a great job for us."
A few notes from my time spent with the Warriors:
Michigan State University fans will be happy to know that even though they missed out on Beverly Hills Detroit Country Day running back Jonas Gray, who chose the Nebraska Cornhuskers instead of the Spartans, coach Mark Dantonio and the Spartans received a verbal commitment from Warriors running back Caulton Ray IV.
According to Rivals.com, Ray is the second-ranked running back in the state behind Gray. While he's a little smaller than Gray, Ray is very quick, and at 5 feet 9 inches with moves in the mold of Barry Sanders, he can be a very tough man to tackle.
"I found out Michigan State offered him a full scholarship, so he’s going to Michigan State," Fracassa, a Spartan alum, said. "He doesn’t have to worry about where he’s going, so hopefully he’s settled and he’s just now focused on football.
"He’s a smaller type of runner. This guy likes to do a few juking moves before he gets some yardage, and he’s very good at it."
The Warriors are also welcoming back a familiar name to the roster as freshman Jimmy Pickens joins the varsity ranks.
He's the youngest of the group of three Pickens brothers. The eldest brother, Doug, is currently the catcher for the University of Michigan baseball team. The middle brother, Matt, was a key piece of the Warriors' 2005 Division 2 state title winning defense and is currently on the Western Michigan University football roster. Jimmy Pickens is the first-ever freshman to start for Fracassa.
"Jimmy Pickens is good enough to be on the varsity," Fracassa said. "Physically, he looks a little older than the other guys. He runs better than most upperclassmen. He’s a good baseball player, and I think he plays basketball, but he plays football and does a great job for us."
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Stick-to-itiveness
As volleyball teams across the state continue to make adjustments from competing in winter to fall, interesting little tidbits pop up here and there.
At a recent Clawson High practice, coach Jenny Brown talked about adjusting to humid gyms and the unfortunate times when her players are forced to dive for balls with what she called, "a little bit of burnt skin."
Diving on the hardcourt has always been something that made me cringe, and is probably part of the reason playing basketball never crossed my mind, but to hear Brown and players like Clawson senior Sarah Edwards describe the difference between a summer volleyball practice and a summer basketball practice by saying, "(The floor is) harder to slide on because instead of sliding, you stick," put things in context.
While volleyball players adjust to playing and conditioning during a Michigan summer, it begs to question what it's going to be like as girls basketball coaches and players have to adjust to the winter and its long, break-filled schedule. You can only imagine what kind of practices and drills veteran coaches like Grosse Pointe North's Gary Bennett will be able to come up with to fill those long winter breaks.
At a recent Clawson High practice, coach Jenny Brown talked about adjusting to humid gyms and the unfortunate times when her players are forced to dive for balls with what she called, "a little bit of burnt skin."
Diving on the hardcourt has always been something that made me cringe, and is probably part of the reason playing basketball never crossed my mind, but to hear Brown and players like Clawson senior Sarah Edwards describe the difference between a summer volleyball practice and a summer basketball practice by saying, "(The floor is) harder to slide on because instead of sliding, you stick," put things in context.
While volleyball players adjust to playing and conditioning during a Michigan summer, it begs to question what it's going to be like as girls basketball coaches and players have to adjust to the winter and its long, break-filled schedule. You can only imagine what kind of practices and drills veteran coaches like Grosse Pointe North's Gary Bennett will be able to come up with to fill those long winter breaks.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Blogging along
Welcome to my high school sports blog.
This is the space where there will normally be random ramblings and noticings from the high school and community sports I cover here at C&G Newspapers. In the fall, I cover Macomb Area Conference and Catholic High School League football, along with Oakland Activities Association volleyball.
With all of the changes in the 2007 fall sports seasons, we felt it necessary to revamp our Web site. Be sure to check out www.candgnews.com/Sports-Update.asp for new features, including
stories from all 18 of our publications, blogs, increased coverage of games, and the "Where we'll be" box, which will inform readers which games our staff writers and photographers will be covering that week.
Hope you enjoy the new features, and as always, we welcome your feedback.
Brad
This is the space where there will normally be random ramblings and noticings from the high school and community sports I cover here at C&G Newspapers. In the fall, I cover Macomb Area Conference and Catholic High School League football, along with Oakland Activities Association volleyball.
With all of the changes in the 2007 fall sports seasons, we felt it necessary to revamp our Web site. Be sure to check out www.candgnews.com/Sports-Update.asp for new features, including
stories from all 18 of our publications, blogs, increased coverage of games, and the "Where we'll be" box, which will inform readers which games our staff writers and photographers will be covering that week.
Hope you enjoy the new features, and as always, we welcome your feedback.
Brad
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
