If there's one thing Warren Fitzgerald girls basketball proved this season it's that the Spartans are not to be underestimated.
The defending Macomb Area Conference Silver champs and defending Class B district champions joined four new squads in the Silver Division, and proved they are still the top dog, going 8-2 and sharing the division title with Sterling Heights High.
Coach Sam Hines, who is in his second season with the Spartans, resurrected a team that had posted back to back 3-19 records.
The Spartans returned a starting five with a wealth of talent, including junior guard Kristian Hines — coach Hines' daughter — who earned the Silver MVP award last season. What's more is that college teams such as University of Louisville, University of Detroit-Mercy, North Carolina State University and UCLA are already interested in this underclassman.
At 6 feet 3 inches, sophomore center Ajai Meeks is a dominating shot blocker and dangerous on the offensive boards. With two years yet to play in preps, UConn and Penn State are already keeping tabs on her.
With only one senior graduating this year, Fitz has the potential to build a championship-caliber program — one that goes beyond conference titles.
The Spartans drew a bye in the opening round of the district tournament and play Center Line High at 5:30 p.m. March 4.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Basketball battles, league leaders
It's the home stretch. The last leg. The title fight.
With three, or in some cases four, games left to play in the Macomb Area Conference girls basketball season, division winners will soon be decided.
Here's a list of match ups that shouldn't be missed of teams that will be vying for a chance at a title.
Grosse Pointe South, which took a commanding lead in the MAC Blue this season after moving into the division after years in the MAC White, is 7-1, while rival Mount Clemens High has slowly climbed the ranks to 5-2. The two square off at 7 p.m. Feb. 19 on the Battling Bathers' home court. Although the first meeting ended in loss for Mount Clemens — 69-55 — the Bathers have spent the past two years as bridesmaids and would like that trend to stop this year, so this should be a good one.
For most of the season, Sterling Heights High sat atop the MAC Silver. With one eye on the league crown and another on Warren Fitzgerald (7-1), which climbed the standings until finally ousting Sterling (6-2) from the top spot. At 7 p.m. Feb. 25, they'll meet head to head on the Stallions' court for, more than likely, the league champion.
In the newly created Bronze Division, Clinton Township Clintondale leads the charge at 8-0. However, the Dragons won't walk away with the crown without a battle from a determined Warren Mott (7-1) group. Fans can catch these two teams square off at 7 p.m. Feb. 25 at Mott.
With three, or in some cases four, games left to play in the Macomb Area Conference girls basketball season, division winners will soon be decided.
Here's a list of match ups that shouldn't be missed of teams that will be vying for a chance at a title.
Grosse Pointe South, which took a commanding lead in the MAC Blue this season after moving into the division after years in the MAC White, is 7-1, while rival Mount Clemens High has slowly climbed the ranks to 5-2. The two square off at 7 p.m. Feb. 19 on the Battling Bathers' home court. Although the first meeting ended in loss for Mount Clemens — 69-55 — the Bathers have spent the past two years as bridesmaids and would like that trend to stop this year, so this should be a good one.
For most of the season, Sterling Heights High sat atop the MAC Silver. With one eye on the league crown and another on Warren Fitzgerald (7-1), which climbed the standings until finally ousting Sterling (6-2) from the top spot. At 7 p.m. Feb. 25, they'll meet head to head on the Stallions' court for, more than likely, the league champion.
In the newly created Bronze Division, Clinton Township Clintondale leads the charge at 8-0. However, the Dragons won't walk away with the crown without a battle from a determined Warren Mott (7-1) group. Fans can catch these two teams square off at 7 p.m. Feb. 25 at Mott.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Signed, sealed, delivered
National Letter of Intent signing day is a unique day when the tables are turned, and the power is in the hand of the high school athlete.
In the course of players’ high school athletic careers, colleges, who tout their programs in hopes of wooing a player, court them.
The spectacle that signing day has become centers mainly on football players, who may make a surprise change-of-heart decision on signing day.
But what about the track and field, soccer, cross country and water polo athletes eager to sign their name on the dotted line on Feb. 4?
I got to spend time with Birmingham Brother Rice senior Kevin Dzierzawski, who was signing his National Letter of Intent to play soccer at Dartmouth College, among four football players that were also making college commitments.
Despite a lot of hype centered on the gridiron gang, Dzierzawski relished that he was going Ivy League and proud to be the only soccer player in the group.
By the end of the signing ceremony, it didn't matter whether he was sitting next to a Division 1 football prospect or not. Sporting a green Dartmouth cap and a smile on his face proved that signing day belonged to him in his own special way.
In the course of players’ high school athletic careers, colleges, who tout their programs in hopes of wooing a player, court them.
The spectacle that signing day has become centers mainly on football players, who may make a surprise change-of-heart decision on signing day.
But what about the track and field, soccer, cross country and water polo athletes eager to sign their name on the dotted line on Feb. 4?
I got to spend time with Birmingham Brother Rice senior Kevin Dzierzawski, who was signing his National Letter of Intent to play soccer at Dartmouth College, among four football players that were also making college commitments.
Despite a lot of hype centered on the gridiron gang, Dzierzawski relished that he was going Ivy League and proud to be the only soccer player in the group.
By the end of the signing ceremony, it didn't matter whether he was sitting next to a Division 1 football prospect or not. Sporting a green Dartmouth cap and a smile on his face proved that signing day belonged to him in his own special way.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Menacing matchups
Lately, much of my time has been spent on balconies, in auxilary gyms and even in local training centers.
That's where many of the gymnastics teams have to set up shop to get their practicing in.
That's where many of the gymnastics teams have to set up shop to get their practicing in.
Though they were sometimes tough to find, I've had the opportunity to get a glimpse into the lives of those who are fighting each day to keep their sport alive and well.
Because I've been shuffling across mats and climbing over various apparatuses to get to these athletes, I've had to take a little break from covering Macomb Area Conference girls basketball.
Because I've been shuffling across mats and climbing over various apparatuses to get to these athletes, I've had to take a little break from covering Macomb Area Conference girls basketball.
But there are a couple of games rivalry games that fans in Warren and Grosse Pointe, especially, shouldn't miss.
Defending Class A state champion Grosse Pointe North takes on rival Grosse Pointe South at 7 p.m. Jan. 28 at home. Although the Norsemen got off to a slow start in non-league games, they've jumped to 3-0 in the MAC Red.
Just a short drive down 12 Mile Road separates Warren Cousino and Warren Mott. At 7 p.m. Jan. 28, their basketball teams will tangle in a crossover game.
Defending Class A state champion Grosse Pointe North takes on rival Grosse Pointe South at 7 p.m. Jan. 28 at home. Although the Norsemen got off to a slow start in non-league games, they've jumped to 3-0 in the MAC Red.
The Blue Devils, meanwhile, are also undefeated in league play, posting 3-0 in the MAC Blue. This matchup between crosstown rivals is always intense and fun for the community.
Just a short drive down 12 Mile Road separates Warren Cousino and Warren Mott. At 7 p.m. Jan. 28, their basketball teams will tangle in a crossover game.
Cousino's squad has proved to be a threat in the MAC Blue, splitting their first two league games and posting a 4-4 overall record. In the Bronze, Mott is competiting for the top spot at 2-0, tied with Clintondale.
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