Macomb County boys basketball fans, we’re a few weeks into the boys season and there’s plenty to write about. But I don’t want to clog up the Internet, so I’ve whittled this entry down to a few choice nuggets. Enjoy, and happy holidays.
One and (not done)
Clinton Township Chippewa Valley seems determined to not only capture the MAC Red title, but do it in exciting fashion (unless you’re Big Reds coach Kevin Voss, who might insert the word "stressful" in place of "exciting.")
The Big Reds opened division action with a pair of one-point wins. They defeated Grosse Pointe North 56-55 in overtime Dec. 12 before topping two-time defending MAC Red champ Romeo High 57-56 Dec. 18.
Celebrate 2008 with the conference's first game of the new year when Chippewa Valley and high-scoring guard Chris Lemm travel to Harrison Township L’Anse Creuse to meet the Lancers and high-scoring forward Nick Carreri (committed to Grand Valley State University).
The game tips off at 7 p.m. Jan. 2.
Pilots flying high, again
From the outside, it appeared Warren De La Salle would be going through a “rebuilding” phase this season after losing four talented starters from a team that made an epic run to the state semifinals.
But after a 4-0 start, including some impressive wins, the only building the Pilots seem to be doing is creating some momentum that just might take them back to the Breslin Center.
Coach Greg Esler’s squad is led by captains Alex Marcotullio, Alex Harville and Kevin McCarthy. The Alexes man the backcourt and are armed with some dead-eye, long-range shooting. McCarthy, who depending on who you talk to is either 6 feet 9 or 6 feet 10, is a force in the middle, regardless of who you believe.
A host of role players give Esler plenty of tools to work with, though the Pilots' defense is already scary good. And even scarier, there’s not a single senior on the team, so the future is very bright at De La Salle.
Check out the Pilots over the break as they battle Warren Lincoln in what should be a great intracity clash at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 28 at De La Salle.
“Guaranteed buckets”
His teammates call him “Q”.
I call him one of the best players in Macomb County.
The Associated Press has called him a Class B All-State honorable-mention player — twice.
You can call Quentin Jones whatever you want, just make sure you go see the St. Clair Shores South Lake senior guard before his prep balling days are over.
While it seems that South Lake’s roster is loaded with impressive athletes, Jones stands out — thanks to exceptional physical gifts and talent earned by hard work.
“Athletically, he’s unbelievable,” said South Lake coach Matt Ferguson.
Jones possesses what Ferguson refers to as “deceptive” dribbling skills, which he can use to crossover his defender in a tight spot or in the open floor, and then simply blow by him with serious speed. His strength and size at 6 feet 6 allows him to power past opponents in the post, win rebounding battles, and deny players on defense. He worked on improving his 3-point shot in the offseason, so now when defenders sag off of him in anticipation of a dribble-drive, Jones can step back and nail a trey with what Ferguson calls, “a nice, fluid shot." His high-flying ability makes him a threat to bring the crowd to its feat following a big dunk.
In short, with the arsenal of weapons Jones wields on the floor, South Lake can do some major damage.
Perhaps nobody enjoys an offensive talent like their point-guard teammate.
“Playing with 'Q,' it’s fun, because you can just feed him the ball and it’s like, easy buckets,” Cavs senior point guard Malcolm Oliver said. “It’s like guaranteed buckets as soon as the ball touches his hands. Everybody knows it’s not a one-person game, but he is a very big part of our team.”
Catch Jones and the Cavs in action over the break at Macomb L’Anse Creuse North’s Crusader Classic. But don’t just focus on South Lake, as LCN senior guard Erik Thompson is another impressive player from the MAC.
LCN is scheduled to play Port Huron at 6 p.m. Dec. 27. South Lake will face off with Livonia Franklin following that game, and more action is planned for the next day.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Monday, December 3, 2007
Here we go hoops fans
Boys basketball season is finally here. I’ve compiled a quick guide to some early season must-see games in Macomb County. Happy trails hoops fans.
Friday, Dec. 7, 7 p.m., Macomb L’Anse Creuse North at Warren De La Salle:
Expect to see a barrage of 3-pointers from two of the county’s purest shooters in Crusaders senior Erik Thompson and Pilots junior Alex Marcotullio.
Monday, Dec. 10, 7 p.m., Warren Cousino at Utica Ford:
The Falcons edged the Patriots by one game to take the Macomb Area Conference White Division title last season. While Ford’s Nate King and Kyle Hunt, and Cousino’s Ricky Powell and Bernard Edwards are among the area’s top returning starters, Patriots center Matt Balkema, a 6-foot-9 270-pound junior, may just steal the show in this early season grudge match.
Tuesday, Dec. 11, 7 p.m., Harper Woods High at Warren Conner Creek Academy West:
The Eagles may be Warren’s best-kept basketball secret. They’ll have a chance to prove their skills against the Metro Conference powerhouse. The Pioneers' aggressive, pressing defense is enough to give any opposing head coach fits, but so are the all-around skills the Eagles' 6-foot-8 junior center John Hoskins Jr.
Wednesday, Dec. 12, 7:30 p.m., St. Clair Shores South Lake at Warren Fitzgerald:
Expect plenty of high-flying offense as there are few teams around that can match the explosiveness of the Spartans and Cavaliers. Quentin Jones, the Cavs' 6-foot-6, high-flying senior forward is a threat to score from anywhere and should be enjoyable to watch this season. There are plenty of players in this game capable of taking over in this installment of a fierce, blossoming rivalry. South Lake won a share of the MAC Blue title last season, while Fitzgerald was tied for second place.
Friday, Dec. 7, 7 p.m., Macomb L’Anse Creuse North at Warren De La Salle:
Expect to see a barrage of 3-pointers from two of the county’s purest shooters in Crusaders senior Erik Thompson and Pilots junior Alex Marcotullio.
Monday, Dec. 10, 7 p.m., Warren Cousino at Utica Ford:
The Falcons edged the Patriots by one game to take the Macomb Area Conference White Division title last season. While Ford’s Nate King and Kyle Hunt, and Cousino’s Ricky Powell and Bernard Edwards are among the area’s top returning starters, Patriots center Matt Balkema, a 6-foot-9 270-pound junior, may just steal the show in this early season grudge match.
Tuesday, Dec. 11, 7 p.m., Harper Woods High at Warren Conner Creek Academy West:
The Eagles may be Warren’s best-kept basketball secret. They’ll have a chance to prove their skills against the Metro Conference powerhouse. The Pioneers' aggressive, pressing defense is enough to give any opposing head coach fits, but so are the all-around skills the Eagles' 6-foot-8 junior center John Hoskins Jr.
Wednesday, Dec. 12, 7:30 p.m., St. Clair Shores South Lake at Warren Fitzgerald:
Expect plenty of high-flying offense as there are few teams around that can match the explosiveness of the Spartans and Cavaliers. Quentin Jones, the Cavs' 6-foot-6, high-flying senior forward is a threat to score from anywhere and should be enjoyable to watch this season. There are plenty of players in this game capable of taking over in this installment of a fierce, blossoming rivalry. South Lake won a share of the MAC Blue title last season, while Fitzgerald was tied for second place.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
No-huddle highlights on horizon
Find me a metro Detroit football fan who wouldn’t want Peyton Manning as the signal caller of the Detroit Lions and I’ll find you Atlantis.
Sure, Jon Kitna has, for now, provided some consistency in a position long prone to considerable questioning and criticism. And surely the Tom Brady fan club has a large following in the area.
But Manning’s ability to call and execute plays successfully from the line of scrimmage in the Indianapolis Colts’ no-huddle offense is a treat to watch, and a similar version may be making its way to the Motor City and Ford Field.
No, the Lions didn’t trade their next 40 first-round draft picks for the Colts QB.
But Team Michigan of the All American Football League, which begins its inaugural season in April, plans to implement a similar no-huddle offensive scheme to Ford Field under the direction of John Fontes.
Fontes, who was introduced as Team Michigan’s head coach Nov. 27, worked with Colts offensive coordinator Tom Moore when the pair were assistants under Wayne Fontes (John’s brother) when he was at the helm of the Lions in the 1990s.
Fontes hopes to tap into his friendship with Moore in bringing an exciting offense into the AAFL.
“I have a great respect for Tom Moore,” Fontes said. “Tom’s been so gracious. He said to me, ‘Any time that you get started, and you want your offensive coordinators to come sit down with us after our season’s over with, you’re more than welcome. Because this right here can work for you.'”
Moore was the Lions’ quarterbacks coach in 1994-95 and was offensive coordinator in 1995-96 and 1996-97. Detroit led the NFL in total offense in 1995 (382.1 yards-per-game) as the Lions became the first team in league history to have two receivers catch 100 passes (Herman Moore and Brett Perriman).
“His offensive style is so unique and so simple that when we draft, we’re drafting for that style of offense — no huddle,” Fontes said. “And we’re going to call the play at the line of scrimmage, just like he does. We’re going to give the quarterback one running play and two pass plays, depending on what he sees. And we’re going to line up in a formation and let it role from there.”
Before coming to Detroit, Tom Moore helped the Pittsburgh Steelers win a pair of Super Bowls as an offensive assistant coach. Since leaving Detroit, he has directed Manning and the Colts' dynamic offense, culminating in last season’s Super Bowl win over the Chicago Bears.
The AAFL, which will begin its 10-game regular season April 12 — following a national draft Jan. 25 at a to-be-determined location — requires all players to have exhausted their collegiate eligibility and earned their undergraduate degree.
While nobody expects a player of Peyton Manning’s caliber to play in the AAFL, Team Michigan Chairman Stan Edwards guaranteed the quality of talent in the league would be more than sufficient.
“You’ll get a good brand of football,” Edwards said.
Sure, Jon Kitna has, for now, provided some consistency in a position long prone to considerable questioning and criticism. And surely the Tom Brady fan club has a large following in the area.
But Manning’s ability to call and execute plays successfully from the line of scrimmage in the Indianapolis Colts’ no-huddle offense is a treat to watch, and a similar version may be making its way to the Motor City and Ford Field.
No, the Lions didn’t trade their next 40 first-round draft picks for the Colts QB.
But Team Michigan of the All American Football League, which begins its inaugural season in April, plans to implement a similar no-huddle offensive scheme to Ford Field under the direction of John Fontes.
Fontes, who was introduced as Team Michigan’s head coach Nov. 27, worked with Colts offensive coordinator Tom Moore when the pair were assistants under Wayne Fontes (John’s brother) when he was at the helm of the Lions in the 1990s.
Fontes hopes to tap into his friendship with Moore in bringing an exciting offense into the AAFL.
“I have a great respect for Tom Moore,” Fontes said. “Tom’s been so gracious. He said to me, ‘Any time that you get started, and you want your offensive coordinators to come sit down with us after our season’s over with, you’re more than welcome. Because this right here can work for you.'”
Moore was the Lions’ quarterbacks coach in 1994-95 and was offensive coordinator in 1995-96 and 1996-97. Detroit led the NFL in total offense in 1995 (382.1 yards-per-game) as the Lions became the first team in league history to have two receivers catch 100 passes (Herman Moore and Brett Perriman).
“His offensive style is so unique and so simple that when we draft, we’re drafting for that style of offense — no huddle,” Fontes said. “And we’re going to call the play at the line of scrimmage, just like he does. We’re going to give the quarterback one running play and two pass plays, depending on what he sees. And we’re going to line up in a formation and let it role from there.”
Before coming to Detroit, Tom Moore helped the Pittsburgh Steelers win a pair of Super Bowls as an offensive assistant coach. Since leaving Detroit, he has directed Manning and the Colts' dynamic offense, culminating in last season’s Super Bowl win over the Chicago Bears.
The AAFL, which will begin its 10-game regular season April 12 — following a national draft Jan. 25 at a to-be-determined location — requires all players to have exhausted their collegiate eligibility and earned their undergraduate degree.
While nobody expects a player of Peyton Manning’s caliber to play in the AAFL, Team Michigan Chairman Stan Edwards guaranteed the quality of talent in the league would be more than sufficient.
“You’ll get a good brand of football,” Edwards said.
Friday, September 28, 2007
Sacrifice for success
Lakeview’s boys soccer team is doing plenty of things on paper this season that jump right off the page.
The Huskies have beaten a pair of schools about twice their size that are traditional soccer powers (Utica High and Clinton Township Chippewa Valley). They’ve gone 6-0 in the MAC Blue. Three players are averaging nearly a goal a game. They are well on track to earn their first division title under fifth-year coach Nick Spano and have to be considered a favorite to win their third straight district title. They've even crept into the statewide rankings as an honorable mention squad in Division 2.
But perhaps the most impressive thing about the team can’t be found on paper. There are no statistics to describe what Kris Trombley is doing for the team.
Trombley, a senior, is the team’s goalkeeper — a position he didn’t expect to play entering his third year on the varsity.
“All our goalies left, and I was like a last resort,” Trombley said. “Coach Spano decided to try me in goal one day, and I guess I did pretty well.”
The tough, athletic Trombley — who plays rugby in the spring for Lakeview’s club team — had minimal experience in net. He said he occasionally played the position when his travel soccer team would need someone to fill in.
“I’ve never actually gone to any goalie camps or anything like that,” Trombley said.
Trombley’s experience as a field player was evident in his goalkeeping style Sept. 26 when the Huskies hosted Fraser High. Often standing more than a dozen yards off his line, Trombley was able to clear a handful of potential Ramblers breakaways with his foot, rather than sit back in the net and make saves with his hands. Fraser tested him often, with quick counterattacks throughout the game, but he was able to turn back everything the Ramblers threw at him. The Huskies won the crucial division contest, 2-0.
“I enjoy it when it comes to games like this,” Trombley said. “I can’t stand being in goal when I don’t get any action.”
While most coaches may want to avoid the ensuing ulcers of a goalkeeper who lives near the edge of his box, rather than under the comforts of the crossbar, Spano is simply happy he’s found a solid player who was willing to sacrifice the action on the rest of the field.
“That’s not his preference to play goal, but he knows that he’s my best option,” Spano said. “He flat out said, 'I don’t love it, but it’s for this team and I’m going to do it.' That’s kind of the attitude that everyone has taken. They do what it takes to help the team, and obviously, so far it’s been successful.”
Trombley’s teammates have also taken notice of his sacrifice and solid play in net.
“It was a great surprise knowing that he could (play well in net),” senior midfielder Greg Norrod said. “It’s good knowing that we have that ability to throw him in there. It’s great that he’s willing to come in and play anywhere just to see this team become successful.”
Thanks in part to Trombley, it appears that Lakeview will at least clinch a share of the MAC Blue title. Yet there are key upcoming games that will play a major part in deciding who will be raising banners by season's end in the other divisions. Here are some can’t miss crucial approaching contests:
Utica Eisenhower at Utica Ford II, 5:30 p.m. Oct. 1. The Eagles have a tight, one-point lead over the Falcons and Utica Stevenson atop the MAC Red standings. Ike won the division last year, but Ford knocked the Eagles out of the playoffs, so this one should be tense.
Grosse Pointe South at Utica High, 7 p.m. Oct. 8. Each team still has a couple games to get through before this MAC White clash, but the Blue Devils and Chieftains are well out in front of their division foes. South, the defending champions, hold a one-game lead over Utica.
South Lake at Lake Shore, 6 p.m. Oct. 10. Again, both Shores schools have a handful of games to get through, but by the time they face off for this grudge match, the MAC Silver title will surely come into play, just as it did last year when South Lake edged Lake Shore in an all-or-nothing match. The Shorians got the last laugh, though, as they knocked the Cavaliers out of the playoffs. Lake Shore ended September in first place in the division at 5-1-0, while Marine City sat in second at 4-1-1 and South Lake was in third at 3-1-2.
The Metro Conference, home of Macomb Lutheran North, Grosse Pointe University Liggett and Harper Woods, begins its tournament Oct. 4. Warren De La Salle, meanwhile, will look to defend its Catholic League tourney title when action begins with semifinals on Oct. 8.
The Huskies have beaten a pair of schools about twice their size that are traditional soccer powers (Utica High and Clinton Township Chippewa Valley). They’ve gone 6-0 in the MAC Blue. Three players are averaging nearly a goal a game. They are well on track to earn their first division title under fifth-year coach Nick Spano and have to be considered a favorite to win their third straight district title. They've even crept into the statewide rankings as an honorable mention squad in Division 2.
But perhaps the most impressive thing about the team can’t be found on paper. There are no statistics to describe what Kris Trombley is doing for the team.
Trombley, a senior, is the team’s goalkeeper — a position he didn’t expect to play entering his third year on the varsity.
“All our goalies left, and I was like a last resort,” Trombley said. “Coach Spano decided to try me in goal one day, and I guess I did pretty well.”
The tough, athletic Trombley — who plays rugby in the spring for Lakeview’s club team — had minimal experience in net. He said he occasionally played the position when his travel soccer team would need someone to fill in.
“I’ve never actually gone to any goalie camps or anything like that,” Trombley said.
Trombley’s experience as a field player was evident in his goalkeeping style Sept. 26 when the Huskies hosted Fraser High. Often standing more than a dozen yards off his line, Trombley was able to clear a handful of potential Ramblers breakaways with his foot, rather than sit back in the net and make saves with his hands. Fraser tested him often, with quick counterattacks throughout the game, but he was able to turn back everything the Ramblers threw at him. The Huskies won the crucial division contest, 2-0.
“I enjoy it when it comes to games like this,” Trombley said. “I can’t stand being in goal when I don’t get any action.”
While most coaches may want to avoid the ensuing ulcers of a goalkeeper who lives near the edge of his box, rather than under the comforts of the crossbar, Spano is simply happy he’s found a solid player who was willing to sacrifice the action on the rest of the field.
“That’s not his preference to play goal, but he knows that he’s my best option,” Spano said. “He flat out said, 'I don’t love it, but it’s for this team and I’m going to do it.' That’s kind of the attitude that everyone has taken. They do what it takes to help the team, and obviously, so far it’s been successful.”
Trombley’s teammates have also taken notice of his sacrifice and solid play in net.
“It was a great surprise knowing that he could (play well in net),” senior midfielder Greg Norrod said. “It’s good knowing that we have that ability to throw him in there. It’s great that he’s willing to come in and play anywhere just to see this team become successful.”
Thanks in part to Trombley, it appears that Lakeview will at least clinch a share of the MAC Blue title. Yet there are key upcoming games that will play a major part in deciding who will be raising banners by season's end in the other divisions. Here are some can’t miss crucial approaching contests:
Utica Eisenhower at Utica Ford II, 5:30 p.m. Oct. 1. The Eagles have a tight, one-point lead over the Falcons and Utica Stevenson atop the MAC Red standings. Ike won the division last year, but Ford knocked the Eagles out of the playoffs, so this one should be tense.
Grosse Pointe South at Utica High, 7 p.m. Oct. 8. Each team still has a couple games to get through before this MAC White clash, but the Blue Devils and Chieftains are well out in front of their division foes. South, the defending champions, hold a one-game lead over Utica.
South Lake at Lake Shore, 6 p.m. Oct. 10. Again, both Shores schools have a handful of games to get through, but by the time they face off for this grudge match, the MAC Silver title will surely come into play, just as it did last year when South Lake edged Lake Shore in an all-or-nothing match. The Shorians got the last laugh, though, as they knocked the Cavaliers out of the playoffs. Lake Shore ended September in first place in the division at 5-1-0, while Marine City sat in second at 4-1-1 and South Lake was in third at 3-1-2.
The Metro Conference, home of Macomb Lutheran North, Grosse Pointe University Liggett and Harper Woods, begins its tournament Oct. 4. Warren De La Salle, meanwhile, will look to defend its Catholic League tourney title when action begins with semifinals on Oct. 8.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Be cool, stay in school ... then play pro football
Remember “Be cool, stay in school”? The All American Football League has picked up the old saying, dusted it off and shined it up something fierce.
The AAFL, which plans to kick off its inaugural season in April, has a requirement that every player has not only exhausted their college football eligibility, but that they also have earned their undergraduate degree.
Led by a former NCAA president, various athletics directors and conference commissioners, the AAFL wants to stress the importance of academics and doesn’t wish to serve as a destination for players who drop out of college early in hopes of making it big in the NFL.
“You go to school to graduate,” Team Michigan president and former University of Michigan fullback Chris Horn said. "For the first time in history — no American sports league, no professional sports league — has had the requirement to graduate from college."
“We think that’s a great niche,” Horn continued. “I look forward to the day (University of Michigan President) Sue Coleman calls me and says, ‘Congratulations guys, because you stand for the values for what we stand for.’ We are going to keep pushing those values. That’s our story, and we’re sticking with it.”
With so few pro football leagues, especially after the recent scuttling of NFL Europa, student-athletes need to focus on the first part of that description just as much as the second.
And the AAFL payoff appears to be a solid reward for players who get their diplomas but want to try their hand at a playing pro football.
How does minimum compensation at $50,000, “plus an attractive benefits package,” sound?
That’s according to a league press release. Not bad considering the job market, economy and the fact that it’s for playing football for about for about four months.
Some players, who will work year-round for the league making public appearances and things of that nature, will make up to $100,000 a year.
Now that’s cool.
For more on the AAFL, including some prospective players and its recent combine at Ford Field, where Team Michigan will be playing, check out the Sept. 26-27 issues of all the C & G papers or the league’s Web site at www.allamericanfootballleague.com.
Other thoughts:
Maple-syrup covered kudos go all the way out to Vermont, where freshman Brendan Symington was named America East Men’s Soccer Co-Rookie of the Week. Symington, a Grosse Pointe North graduate, notched his first career goal and assist over the weekend for the University of Vermont Catamounts. His goal couldn’t have come at a better time — Symington scored with 14 seconds left in the second overtime of the Catamounts' 1-0 win over Sacred Heart Sept. 14. The win snapped a four-game losing streak. Symington then picked up his first assist as he set up the tying goal in a 2-1 win over Central Connecticut Sept. 16, allowing the Catamounts to capture their fourth straight Nike Fall Soccer Classic in New Hampshire.
For more on how Symington’s 625-mile trek from Grosse Pointe Woods to Burlington, Vt., check out the Sept. 26 edition of the Grosse Pointe Times or our Web site.
Lastly, if you’re looking to catch some soccer action this weekend, Sept. 22 is chock full of what should prove to be some competitive non-league clashes.
-Troy High at Utica Stevenson, 11 a.m. It might be early in the day, but a meeting between these two regional powers is tough to pass up.
-Fraser at Macomb Lutheran North, 12:30 p.m. The defending MAC Blue champs visit the defending Metro Conference champs.
-Rochester Adams at Utica High, 1 p.m. The Highlanders should be a handful for the Chieftains, as Adams has received honorable mention votes in both of the season’s first two Michigan High School Soccer Coaches Association rankings.
The AAFL, which plans to kick off its inaugural season in April, has a requirement that every player has not only exhausted their college football eligibility, but that they also have earned their undergraduate degree.
Led by a former NCAA president, various athletics directors and conference commissioners, the AAFL wants to stress the importance of academics and doesn’t wish to serve as a destination for players who drop out of college early in hopes of making it big in the NFL.
“You go to school to graduate,” Team Michigan president and former University of Michigan fullback Chris Horn said. "For the first time in history — no American sports league, no professional sports league — has had the requirement to graduate from college."
“We think that’s a great niche,” Horn continued. “I look forward to the day (University of Michigan President) Sue Coleman calls me and says, ‘Congratulations guys, because you stand for the values for what we stand for.’ We are going to keep pushing those values. That’s our story, and we’re sticking with it.”
With so few pro football leagues, especially after the recent scuttling of NFL Europa, student-athletes need to focus on the first part of that description just as much as the second.
And the AAFL payoff appears to be a solid reward for players who get their diplomas but want to try their hand at a playing pro football.
How does minimum compensation at $50,000, “plus an attractive benefits package,” sound?
That’s according to a league press release. Not bad considering the job market, economy and the fact that it’s for playing football for about for about four months.
Some players, who will work year-round for the league making public appearances and things of that nature, will make up to $100,000 a year.
Now that’s cool.
For more on the AAFL, including some prospective players and its recent combine at Ford Field, where Team Michigan will be playing, check out the Sept. 26-27 issues of all the C & G papers or the league’s Web site at www.allamericanfootballleague.com.
Other thoughts:
Maple-syrup covered kudos go all the way out to Vermont, where freshman Brendan Symington was named America East Men’s Soccer Co-Rookie of the Week. Symington, a Grosse Pointe North graduate, notched his first career goal and assist over the weekend for the University of Vermont Catamounts. His goal couldn’t have come at a better time — Symington scored with 14 seconds left in the second overtime of the Catamounts' 1-0 win over Sacred Heart Sept. 14. The win snapped a four-game losing streak. Symington then picked up his first assist as he set up the tying goal in a 2-1 win over Central Connecticut Sept. 16, allowing the Catamounts to capture their fourth straight Nike Fall Soccer Classic in New Hampshire.
For more on how Symington’s 625-mile trek from Grosse Pointe Woods to Burlington, Vt., check out the Sept. 26 edition of the Grosse Pointe Times or our Web site.
Lastly, if you’re looking to catch some soccer action this weekend, Sept. 22 is chock full of what should prove to be some competitive non-league clashes.
-Troy High at Utica Stevenson, 11 a.m. It might be early in the day, but a meeting between these two regional powers is tough to pass up.
-Fraser at Macomb Lutheran North, 12:30 p.m. The defending MAC Blue champs visit the defending Metro Conference champs.
-Rochester Adams at Utica High, 1 p.m. The Highlanders should be a handful for the Chieftains, as Adams has received honorable mention votes in both of the season’s first two Michigan High School Soccer Coaches Association rankings.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Clash of the Titans, games to catch
As division play for most Macomb Area Conference boys soccer teams gets fully under way this week, I figured it was time to check in on how a couple of last year’s top squads looked in preparation of their title defenses.
Utica Eisenhower, which went undefeated en route to taking the MAC Red last year, hosted reigning MAC White champs Grosse Pointe South last Friday (Sept. 7). The Eagles appeared to have plenty of energy at the start and eventually wore down the Blue Devils' backline, which was missing a key player to injury, taking a 1-0 lead after speedy senior sophomore midfielder Raoul Fulgos scored with 17:13 left to play in the first half.
South looked stronger and began to posses the ball more in the second half, but the Blue Devils couldn’t deliver the tying goal. Instead, Ike finished the scoring when Cory Wheeler slotted home a shot from a tough angle to the side of the net with 6:17 remaining in the game to seal a 2-0 victory.
Both programs lost key players from their title teams last year, and both coaches noted their teams still needed to work out a few kinks as their non-league schedules wrap up.
“We’re getting a lot of guys playing time and getting used to each other still, so we’re starting to develop more as a team,” Ike coach Josh Van Houten said.
Van Houten added that he was impressed with the defensive effort, but wanted to see the offense make more of its chances, especially with MAC Red play looming.
“We really wanted to work for that shutout,” the coach said. “We’ve, unfortunately, given up some pretty bad goals lately, and we wanted to make sure our defense was playing solid.
After calling his team’s first-half effort against Ike “mediocre,” Grosse Pointe South coach Gene Harkins said he plans to bring up a couple JV players to solidify his lineup heading into division action. Harkins said he essentially treated the non-league schedule like a preseason, rotating players in and out of the lineup.
“They know as the year goes on my lineup tightens and gets a lot shorter,” the Blue Devils coach said. “We’re really looking to jell stronger as a team. We’re geared up for the MAC White, that’s going to be a big thing for us.”
One thing is for sure, both teams will be in for a battle every league outing as the MAC Red and White divisions appear to have more parity from top to bottom this year.
Several teams will take a quick break from their division schedules Sept. 14 to face rivals in what should be exciting, tightly contested games. So if you’re looking to kick off your weekend with some solid soccer action, check out one (or more) of these MAC crossovers:
-Macomb Dakota at Clinton Township Chippewa Valley beginning at 3 p.m. (The Big Reds won an earlier meeting, 3-1).
-St. Clair Shores Lakeview at St. Clair Shores Lake Shore beginning at 4 p.m. (The Huskies could be the team to beat in the MAC Blue, while the Shorians could be the cream of the crop in the MAC Silver).
-Warren Cousino at Warren Woods Tower, 4 p.m. (This intracity matchup includes a pair of programs that pride themselves on defense).
-Warren Mott at Sterling Heights at 5:30 p.m. (Teams with talented offensive playmakers collide in what could be a high-scoring affair for these Warren Consolidated Schools rivals).
-Roseville at East Detroit at 5:30 p.m. (The Shamrocks will be intent on winning the Friendship Cup from the Panthers after losing their ‘SLED Trophy’ to St. Clair Shores South Lake).
Utica Eisenhower, which went undefeated en route to taking the MAC Red last year, hosted reigning MAC White champs Grosse Pointe South last Friday (Sept. 7). The Eagles appeared to have plenty of energy at the start and eventually wore down the Blue Devils' backline, which was missing a key player to injury, taking a 1-0 lead after speedy senior sophomore midfielder Raoul Fulgos scored with 17:13 left to play in the first half.
South looked stronger and began to posses the ball more in the second half, but the Blue Devils couldn’t deliver the tying goal. Instead, Ike finished the scoring when Cory Wheeler slotted home a shot from a tough angle to the side of the net with 6:17 remaining in the game to seal a 2-0 victory.
Both programs lost key players from their title teams last year, and both coaches noted their teams still needed to work out a few kinks as their non-league schedules wrap up.
“We’re getting a lot of guys playing time and getting used to each other still, so we’re starting to develop more as a team,” Ike coach Josh Van Houten said.
Van Houten added that he was impressed with the defensive effort, but wanted to see the offense make more of its chances, especially with MAC Red play looming.
“We really wanted to work for that shutout,” the coach said. “We’ve, unfortunately, given up some pretty bad goals lately, and we wanted to make sure our defense was playing solid.
After calling his team’s first-half effort against Ike “mediocre,” Grosse Pointe South coach Gene Harkins said he plans to bring up a couple JV players to solidify his lineup heading into division action. Harkins said he essentially treated the non-league schedule like a preseason, rotating players in and out of the lineup.
“They know as the year goes on my lineup tightens and gets a lot shorter,” the Blue Devils coach said. “We’re really looking to jell stronger as a team. We’re geared up for the MAC White, that’s going to be a big thing for us.”
One thing is for sure, both teams will be in for a battle every league outing as the MAC Red and White divisions appear to have more parity from top to bottom this year.
Several teams will take a quick break from their division schedules Sept. 14 to face rivals in what should be exciting, tightly contested games. So if you’re looking to kick off your weekend with some solid soccer action, check out one (or more) of these MAC crossovers:
-Macomb Dakota at Clinton Township Chippewa Valley beginning at 3 p.m. (The Big Reds won an earlier meeting, 3-1).
-St. Clair Shores Lakeview at St. Clair Shores Lake Shore beginning at 4 p.m. (The Huskies could be the team to beat in the MAC Blue, while the Shorians could be the cream of the crop in the MAC Silver).
-Warren Cousino at Warren Woods Tower, 4 p.m. (This intracity matchup includes a pair of programs that pride themselves on defense).
-Warren Mott at Sterling Heights at 5:30 p.m. (Teams with talented offensive playmakers collide in what could be a high-scoring affair for these Warren Consolidated Schools rivals).
-Roseville at East Detroit at 5:30 p.m. (The Shamrocks will be intent on winning the Friendship Cup from the Panthers after losing their ‘SLED Trophy’ to St. Clair Shores South Lake).
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Goals galore, Spartans pride
How do you replace a superstar goalkeeper? Easy, you score five goals.
That’s what Utica Ford II did against Fraser in a Macomb Area Conference crossover game Aug. 30. I had barely settled into my seat at the Ramblers’ stadium before the Falcons began lighting up the scoreboard.
Ford senior forward Ionut Simon opened the scoring just two-and-a-half minutes into the contest after an impressive buildup by the Falcons. Junior midfielder Jimmy Lawson doubled the lead five minutes later to put the Falcons up, 2-0.
The game's tempo then took such a drastic change over the next 60 minutes. The ball remained mainly in the midfield, but Fraser finally got on track when senior midfielder Cameron Holloway surprised Ford with a low, hard shot to the opposite corner to cut the lead in half, 2-1, with 10:57 to play before halftime.
But the Falcons regained their golden touch from the opening minutes as the game wound down. Senior midfielder Dominic Troia found the back of the net twice in the final 10 minutes, and senior forward Lukas Dreser closed out the scoring when he took advantage of a stunned Ramblers team with a well-aimed shot from a long way out with 4:58 remaining.
“All game long we played them tough,” Fraser coach Norm Lentine said. “It was a 2-1 game for the majority of the game, then all the sudden, with 10 minutes left, we just imploded and fell apart.”
The scoring outburst relieved a lot of pressure from Ford senior goalie Alex Forton, who, along with senior Brett Sowers, must replace the graduated Jeremy Clark, who is now competing for time at Michigan State after being named a second-team All-State selection last year.
“You don’t replace Jeremy Clark, you can't, ” Ford coach Dave Crawford said. “But I have two good goalies, and I’m very comfortable with the goalie situation.”
While we’re on the topic of the Michigan State soccer team, I’d like to point out that former Warren De La Salle stars Spencer Thompson (Shelby Township) and Josh Rogers (Sterling Heights) both started MSU’s first two games of the year — a 1-0 win over Oregon State and a 2-0 victory over Western Kentucky. The Spartans' next home game is at 1 p.m. Sept. 23 against Penn State.
And speaking of area Catholic League standouts at MSU, if you diverted your eyes for a few seconds from the debacle in Ann Arbor Sept. 1, you may have noticed Jon Misch making a tackle or two in East Lansing. The former Orchard Lake St. Mary’s star led the Spartans' defense in their 55-18 win over Alabama-Birmingham with a team-high nine tackles.
Misch, a redshirt freshman, started at strong-side linebacker for the Spartans — who host Bowling Green at noon Sept. 8 at Spartan Stadium. Former Detroit Country Day star Deon Curry, a junior wide receiver at MSU, also had three catches for 21 yards during the season-opening victory.
That’s what Utica Ford II did against Fraser in a Macomb Area Conference crossover game Aug. 30. I had barely settled into my seat at the Ramblers’ stadium before the Falcons began lighting up the scoreboard.
Ford senior forward Ionut Simon opened the scoring just two-and-a-half minutes into the contest after an impressive buildup by the Falcons. Junior midfielder Jimmy Lawson doubled the lead five minutes later to put the Falcons up, 2-0.
The game's tempo then took such a drastic change over the next 60 minutes. The ball remained mainly in the midfield, but Fraser finally got on track when senior midfielder Cameron Holloway surprised Ford with a low, hard shot to the opposite corner to cut the lead in half, 2-1, with 10:57 to play before halftime.
But the Falcons regained their golden touch from the opening minutes as the game wound down. Senior midfielder Dominic Troia found the back of the net twice in the final 10 minutes, and senior forward Lukas Dreser closed out the scoring when he took advantage of a stunned Ramblers team with a well-aimed shot from a long way out with 4:58 remaining.
“All game long we played them tough,” Fraser coach Norm Lentine said. “It was a 2-1 game for the majority of the game, then all the sudden, with 10 minutes left, we just imploded and fell apart.”
The scoring outburst relieved a lot of pressure from Ford senior goalie Alex Forton, who, along with senior Brett Sowers, must replace the graduated Jeremy Clark, who is now competing for time at Michigan State after being named a second-team All-State selection last year.
“You don’t replace Jeremy Clark, you can't, ” Ford coach Dave Crawford said. “But I have two good goalies, and I’m very comfortable with the goalie situation.”
While we’re on the topic of the Michigan State soccer team, I’d like to point out that former Warren De La Salle stars Spencer Thompson (Shelby Township) and Josh Rogers (Sterling Heights) both started MSU’s first two games of the year — a 1-0 win over Oregon State and a 2-0 victory over Western Kentucky. The Spartans' next home game is at 1 p.m. Sept. 23 against Penn State.
And speaking of area Catholic League standouts at MSU, if you diverted your eyes for a few seconds from the debacle in Ann Arbor Sept. 1, you may have noticed Jon Misch making a tackle or two in East Lansing. The former Orchard Lake St. Mary’s star led the Spartans' defense in their 55-18 win over Alabama-Birmingham with a team-high nine tackles.
Misch, a redshirt freshman, started at strong-side linebacker for the Spartans — who host Bowling Green at noon Sept. 8 at Spartan Stadium. Former Detroit Country Day star Deon Curry, a junior wide receiver at MSU, also had three catches for 21 yards during the season-opening victory.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Welcome
Well, well, well, what do we have here?
Another blog to clog up the Internet with oddball rants?
Not exactly.
There’s a ton of interesting information and stories out there in the ever-growing world of high school athletics.
Here you’ll find the stuff that slips through the cracks.
Specifically, it’ll be the offbeat and noteworthy stuff from my coverage assignments at C & G Newspapers. I'll be covering soccer, swimming and some volleyball in the MAC and the OAA.
The interesting news and notes that don’t make it into the papers — you’ll find them here. If an athlete accomplishes an amazing or bizarre feat — it’ll be here. If there are can’t miss games with rivalry and/or title implications — I’ll let you know.
To get things started, I'll be at the 4 p.m. Aug. 30 Utica Ford II at Fraser boys varsity soccer game. Expect a post related to the game in the next few days.
But I can’t be everywhere at once, nor do I claim to know all there is to know. So if you’ve got a tidbit or a lead for me, feel free to share it.
I’m looking forward to your feedback and providing some useful, entertaining and informative reading on this blog.
So here you go. Welcome, and enjoy.
Another blog to clog up the Internet with oddball rants?
Not exactly.
There’s a ton of interesting information and stories out there in the ever-growing world of high school athletics.
Here you’ll find the stuff that slips through the cracks.
Specifically, it’ll be the offbeat and noteworthy stuff from my coverage assignments at C & G Newspapers. I'll be covering soccer, swimming and some volleyball in the MAC and the OAA.
The interesting news and notes that don’t make it into the papers — you’ll find them here. If an athlete accomplishes an amazing or bizarre feat — it’ll be here. If there are can’t miss games with rivalry and/or title implications — I’ll let you know.
To get things started, I'll be at the 4 p.m. Aug. 30 Utica Ford II at Fraser boys varsity soccer game. Expect a post related to the game in the next few days.
But I can’t be everywhere at once, nor do I claim to know all there is to know. So if you’ve got a tidbit or a lead for me, feel free to share it.
I’m looking forward to your feedback and providing some useful, entertaining and informative reading on this blog.
So here you go. Welcome, and enjoy.
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