Winter sports wrap

As the winter sports season comes to an end, I wanted to take the opportunity to share some quick thoughts on some interesting and unique experiences I came across somewhat recently before getting to my boys basketball wrap.

While I touched on it a little bit in my story about the Macomb L'Anse Creuse North swim team winning its division meet title, I feel like there's still a little more to be said about LCN senior Chris Ciesinski being named the "Swimmer of the Meet."

Ciesinski won the award after taking home four first-place medals from the division meet, pretty impressive considering that just a few years ago, Ciesinski had barely any experience playing sports, much less swimming competitively.

Yet through hard work and learning from the LCN coaching staff, Ciesinski proved that focus, effort and determination can be huge in an athlete's development and that natural physical talent isn't the only factor in sports success.

LCN coach Mike Owensby recalled that during Ciesinski's early time with the team, he struggled to swim one lone lap.

Big kudos for the kid and the coaches for sticking with it - a move that paid off with big dividends for Ciesinski and the Crusaders.

Sticking with swimming for the moment, I was also recently fortunate enough to be an honored guest at the Clinton Township Chippewa Valley's swim team's final "Circle of Honor" of the season.

The Big Reds athletes and coaches form a circle on the deck before practices to bestow honor on swimmers and divers who recorded personal bests times and set records or achieved other major accomplishments following meets.

As each athlete and their time are announced by coach Jeff Lepler - who came up with the idea after reading about a similar ritual in a book - they enter the circle and go around it getting high-fives and congratulations from their teammates.

Lepler and some of the swimmers talked about the circle as a great confidence booster that gives the athletes something to strive for, while also helping improve team chemistry.

The circle was busy this season over at Chippewa, as the Big Reds took home the division meet and dual-meet titles.

And speaking of unique atmospheres, the bowling state finals are always an exciting event. I was able to catch Ferndale High's boys squad in action during the Division 2 state semifinals against Richmond High over at Sunnybrook Lanes in Sterling Heights.
The tension-filled crowd of mostly parents (whom I suspect were far more nervous than the bowlers themselves) was standing room only.

It was tough to read the scores on the screens above the lanes, but the level of noise of the crowd's reaction seemed to relay the score of the match better anyway.

Silence engulfed the onlookers as a bowler would make his approach. A few stifled gasps would then emerge as the ball was released and began to swing toward the gutter and then straighten out, racing toward the pins. How loud the ensuing erupting noise was indicated how many pins were knocked down.

More often than not, strikes and spares were loudly received as the two talented boys teams battled back and forth.

While Ferndale ended up falling late to Richmond, the experience was a great one that hopefully the Eagles (and their parents) can look back upon one day and smile about. It was certainly an exciting time for me.

Hoops playoff guide

It’s time for the boys basketball tournament — one of my favorite times of year on the prep sports calendar.

The always exciting and unpredictable district round runs from March 9-13, and I’ve compiled some tidbits for fans to feast on, such as games and players to watch from throughout my coverage area (Macomb County, Grosse Pointe, Harper Woods, Madison Heights and Clawson). Enjoy!

District 20-A, host Grosse Pointe North
All signs point toward a terrific semifinal showdown between the host Norsemen and Detroit Finney. If North, the MAC White champs, can get by a talented St. Clair Shores Lake Shore team (co-Macomb Area Conference Silver Division champs) in the opening round, get to the gym early for the 8 p.m. semifinal March 11 — it’ll be packed for what could be an instant classic.

District 21-A, host Warren Woods Tower
Is this the year that Warren De La Salle’s district dominance ends? The Pilots have won 10 straight district titles, and DLS coach Greg Esler has one of his most talented teams — a squad led by sharpshooting guard Alex Marcotullio that has already wrapped up the Catholic High School League Central Division regular-season title and the CHSL A-B tournament championship.

But the rest of the district is loaded with talent too, including Warren Mott’s twin towers, C.J. Olanyian and Joel Asbury, Warren Cousino giant Matt Balkema, Fraser High’s Matt Carden and Roseville High’s athletic trio of Traye Williams, Brandon Gouch and Dominique Pointer.

District 27-A, host Utica Ford II
Last year, I witnessed an amazing comeback as Mike Hollingsworth poured in 35 points to rally Utica High past Harrison Township L’Anse Creuse, despite trailing 24-2 early in the second quarter of a district semifinal. Some of the teams have changed in this district, but for the most part, it stays intact, as does it’s unpredictability. Utica Eisenhower, the MAC Red champs, seems like an overwhelming favorite, but like Utica Stevenson coach Bill Lerch said, “anything is possible” in this district, which aside from Ike, is loaded with teams that began the year inexperienced but have since improved under the guidance of some of the area’s most experienced coaches.

District 28-A, host Port Huron Northern
The battle of I-94, as I’ve dubbed this district, is one of the most wide-open districts around. Can do-it-all senior star Willie Cruz go out with a bang, leading L’Anse Creuse to its first district title in 33 years?

District 42-B, host Warren Fitzgerald
It seems like every year the group of teams that make up this district gets better. The parity is unparalleled, as is the overall talent when it comes to Class B districts. I would say something about it being tough top-to-bottom, but there is no top and no bottom. Each team is close, and so should each game. But what makes this district standout most is the amount of electricity among the rival teams and their fans — they’ll bring out the best in each other, ensuring some exciting down-to-the-wire finishes.

District 43-B, host Clawson High
This district features more rivals going head-to-head, as Madison Heights Lamphere will meet Clawson High in a 6:30 p.m. first-round March 9 game. Clawson has the edge playing at home and the recent strong play of transfer Joe Baker, but that’s not going to stop Lamphere from thinking about getting by the host Trojans for a matchup with another big rival — MAC Blue champs Madison Heights Madison — in a 6:30 p.m. March 11 semifinal.

The reward for whichever of the three MAC teams advances to the 7 p.m. March 13 district final is a likely date with one of the top teams in the state — Beverly Hills Detroit Country Day. Yet each coach said they’re not intimated by potentially facing the Yellowjackets — a point proven last year when Madison kept it close with Country Day in a regional semifinal, falling eventually by just two points.

District 104-D, host Sterling Heights Parkway Christian
Zurlon Tipton was the young pup as a senior-led Parkway squad advanced to the Class D state semifinals two seasons ago. Now Tipton, one of the area’s premier athletes, is the big dog for coach Jim Barker and the Eagles. The senior and his teammates could hunt down a return trip to the Breslin Center — host site of the MHSAA’s semifinals and finals for all four class tournaments — if they get on the right track early.

For complete district schedules, and for continued coverage throughout the postseason, including photo galleries, check back in the Sports section of our Web site.

Perfect games and pace

Pitching a no-hitter in baseball.

Scoring a hat trick or recording a shutout in hockey or soccer.

Posting a triple-double in basketball.

All are impressive athletic feats. Yet, not to take away from those amazing accomplishments, but none are really individual performances. Teammates play a big role in each.

Recently, though, a few athletes with local ties turned in some truly incredible individual athletic performances.

Say what you will about the athletic merits of bowling, but you can’t argue against the fact that the mental aspect of the game ranks it as one of the toughest.

The focus and concentration of throwing a perfect 300 game in bowling could be compared to that of pitching a no-hitter in baseball.

Sure, no one is standing at the end of the lane with a bat trying to make contact with the bowling ball before it reaches the pins (more on that later). But the bowler, unlike a pitcher, stands alone. There is no defense behind them on the lane.

So you can only imagine the mental pressure a pair of local high school bowlers felt as they watched their opponent throw strike after strike after strike.

In the end, Dan Pollak of Utica Eisenhower and Brad Burgess of Utica Stevenson both turned in perfect 300 games in head-to-head action Feb. 6 at Shelby Lanes during Macomb Area Conference Red Division play.

And if you want pure, raw athleticism in terms of impressive performances, look no further than what Shane Knoll recently accomplished.

The Michigan State University junior runner, a Warren Mott graduate, ran a sub-four minute mile Feb. 9 at the Meyo Invitational in South Bend, Ind.

For those unfamiliar with running, breaking four minutes in a mile competition has become the invisible barrier that separates good runners from truly great ones, and it doesn't happen all that often.

The pace a runner must push themselves at for that length of distance is remarkable. Breaking the mark also requires mental focus and courage.

Last year, Forbes.com compiled and published a list of the greatest athletic accomplishments of the past 150 years. Roger Bannister breaking four minutes in the mile for the first time May 6, 1954 ranked No. 1.

So while you take time to reflect on those impressive achievements, I’m going to go shopping for an oversized super-titanium baseball bat.

I might be on to something there. Creating a new sport might be the only way me and many others could ever achieve similar sports success. What sounds better, baseling or bowlball?

Because the only way I’m ever going to record a perfect game in regular bowling is if I stand in front of the pins and swing away with a bat (hybrid metal or wood, either could work.) And as for running a four-minute mile? Two words: Rocket skates.

Serving up some hoops

While I can’t compete with a free Grand Slam (who can?), I’m going to try my best and serve up some free advice on the one subject I think I know nearly as well as Denny’s knows breakfast — Macomb County boys basketball.

Specifically, with the Macomb Area Conference division season just past the halfway point, I’ve put together a quick rundown of the title races and some key upcoming games that could decide who ends up with a championship banner.

(All games mentioned below start at approximately 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted.)

MAC Red: Utica Eisenhower knocked off Romeo High in the schools’ first meeting to wrestle sole possession of first place away from the two-time defending champions. Barring any slip-ups or surprises, that sets the stage for a final first-place showdown when the Eagles hit the road to Romeo Feb. 27 — where the Bulldogs have been nearly impossible to beat the past couple seasons.

MAC White: Grosse Pointe North has stormed out of the gate beating its first 12 opponents by an average of 20 points to start the season unbeaten. Assuming things continue to go their way, a Feb. 12 game at Roseville High should decide whether the Norsemen can lock up the title early against the second-place Panthers — who’ll be out for revenge after falling by 18 points Jan. 13 at North.

MAC Blue: Madison Heights Madison has continued to work its magic and is looking for a third straight division title after winning the MAC Gold the past two seasons. But Eastpointe East Detroit and Fraser aren’t far behind, and Warren Fitzgerald and Fair Haven Anchor Bay can still make things happen as well.

Madison will enjoy some home cooking as the Eagles look to extend their division lead with home games against Fraser (Feb. 6) and East Detroit (Feb. 18). But the title will ultimately be decided on the road when Madison visits Fitzgerald (Feb. 20), Anchor Bay (Feb. 24) and East Detroit (Feb. 27).

MAC Gold: Warren Mott, Warren Lincoln and Marysville each have one eye on the title and one on their respective schedule as the trio of schools enter the homestretch of the division slate with a chance at first place. Mount Clemens High can’t be counted out either.

If Mott wants a piece of the title, the Marauders have to become true road warriors, with away contests at Lincoln (Feb. 10), Mount Clemens (Feb. 22) and Marysville (Feb. 24 – 7:30 p.m.). The picture will become a bit clearer just before all that when Lincoln hosts Marysville at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 6.

MAC Silver: St. Clair Shores Lake Shore and Clinton Township Clintondale have emerged as the teams to beat — and the squads will meet for a second time at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 6 at Lake Shore. The Shorians edged the Dragons in overtime 59-58 in their first meeting, Jan. 7 at Clintondale.

A Dallas debacle

It’s been hard to ignore the story of the Texas high school girls basketball game that saw one school beat another 100-0.

The most recent development was the news that the winning team, Covenant School, had fired its head coach Micah Grimes.

While it’s unfortunate to see anyone lose their job, especially in this economy, Grimes’ firing seems warranted — especially after the coach reportedly refused to fully apologize for the blowout win.

He never should have been forced to apologize, because he never should have put himself in that position in the first place.

Where was Grimes’ focus during the game?

Was it on the court, where his team reportedly pressed on defense and hoisted 3-pointers until late in the fourth quarter?

Or was it on the sidelines and stands, where fans and even an assistant coach allegedly cheered the team on as it nudged closer and closer to the century mark?

Up almost 60 points at halftime, don’t you call off the dogs?

I’m no coach, but how about substituting in your bench, dropping into a zone on defense and simply running out the clock on offense by passing the ball around.

I don’t blame the Covenant players for reportedly being excited about getting to 100 points on the scoreboard, but high school athletes — teenagers — can’t always be expected to be cognizant of the big picture — that’s where a coach should have stepped in.

Scoring 100 points and holding your opponent to zero is impressive — that Covenant team must be pretty good. Most local girls teams rarely break 60 points over the course of an entire game, much less come close to it in one half.

Which leads to my final thought, and hopefully something the league that governs the pair of schools could look into if they're not already — why are these two teams playing each other in the first place?

I’m not saying the losing squad should be barred from competing — but aren’t there more competitive games out there that they can insert into its schedule?

Again, I’m no expert, but once in a while I do have flashes of common sense. It’s too bad some of the adults at that game apparently didn’t.

Teaching and encouraging sportsmanship, especially in high school sports, should be equally, if not more, important than racking up wins and points.

If this had happened in the pros or competitive collegiate ranks it'd be one thing, but the majority of high school athletes play sports to have fun, and that shouldn't come at the expense of another player or team.

Creuse-ing with Cruz

In my short time as a high school sports reporter, I’ve come into contact with few more personable student-athletes than Harrison Township L’Anse Creuse senior Willie Cruz. Maybe the only people who don’t like him are the players assigned to guard him on the basketball court.

Cruz’s skill set on the court make him one of the most dangerous players around. And off it, his charisma could perhaps even captivate the player he just dropped 30 points on.
That’s why Eastern Kentucky University got lucky when Cruz signed his official National Letter of Intent back in the fall to attend the Richmond, Ky., based Division 1 Ohio Valley Conference school.

I recently caught up with Cruz, and even on crutches following a recent injury, he couldn’t hold back from smiling as he talked about continuing his playing career at the next level.

“To play Division 1 basketball has been my dream since I was young,” Cruz said. “And to get the opportunity to play at a school like Eastern Kentucky and have four years paid for, it’s great.”

Cruz drew the Colonels’ attention, along with plenty of other colleges, with his solid all-around play on the AAU circuit.

He said he was drawn to EKU because of their coaching staff and playing style. Cruz said the team utilizes a balanced offense, where all the players are looked on to score and play interchangeable parts. The guards are asked to play dual roles as ballhandlers and scorers —which suits a combo player such as Cruz.

“The way they play fits me perfect,” he said. “It’s up and down. There’s a lot of 3’s being shot, a lot of passing and unselfish play.”

Local hoops fans should try and catch Cruz in action once he returns from his injury (expected to be late January) and before he’s off to EKU. You don’t want to miss out on one of the premier talents, and people, in the Macomb Area Conference ... unless, of course, you have to guard him.

From Warren to the World

Brian Maisonneuve never dreamt soccer would take him around the world, much less out of the Midwest.

When the Warren native returned home recently for the holidays and to co-host a two-day soccer camp, I couldn’t pass up the short trip to speak with one of the community’s best-traveled athletes.

Maisonneuve, who was named Mr. Soccer after his senior season at Warren De La Salle, said that when he left his home to attend Indiana University, he didn’t expect a career in soccer.

“I remember when I picked Indiana – it was one of those where 'this could be the end,' because Major League Soccer wasn’t in existence,” Maisonneuve said. “The U.S. National Team was about the only thing — but everybody dreams about playing for the national team. You dream of it, but you’re never quite sure.”

The MLS was formed during Maisonneuve’s junior year at Indiana — and he would later join the Columbus Crew once he closed out his illustrious career as a Hoosier. Maisonneuve won many accolades at Indiana, capped off by the Herman Trophy (awarded to the top college soccer player) his senior year after leading the Hoosiers to the national championship game.

His dreams of playing for his country came to fruition as well, as Maisonneuve represented the United States during the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta and the 1998 World Cup in France.

He talked about some of his favorite highlights – winning the Class A 1990 state crown with De La Salle and consecutive trips to NCAA soccer’s final four — the College Cup.

More memories came from his national and international experiences, including playing against Argentina — arguably the best team in the world then — at Legion Field following the opening ceremonies during the first game of the 1994 Olympics.

“To walk out and to have 85,000 people chanting ‘USA’ was pretty special,” he said.

A highlight from the World Cup, in which he played in all three of the United State’s games, also includes a pre-game memory.

Warming up before a match against Germany, Maisonneuve looked up and spotted legendary players Jurgen Klinnsman and Lothar Mattheus getting ready across the way.

“Those were guys that I grew up watching play, it’s just like, you had to pinch yourself,” he said. “Once the whistle blows, I mean it’s a game. But warming up, I remember I was in awe.”

Maisonneuve, who describes himself as “athletically average,” said one message he wanted to relay to the kids at his camp was that if he can do it, anyone can — with the right attitude.

“It’s just a lot of hard work and dedication to the sport,” he said.

Looking back on his career, Maisonneuve said he was lucky to play for coaches like Thaier Mukhtar (the De La Salle coach he was co-hosting the camp with), Indiana’s Jerry Yeagley and national team coaches Bruce Arena and Steve Sampson.

“To have it work out the way it did, I was pretty fortunate,” he said. “And a lot of the coaches that I’ve had – I was pretty fortunate to achieve some of the stuff that brought me all over the world.”

He said all of his coaches inspired him to coach — as he does now as an assistant with the University of Louisville’s men’s team while also helping out the national youth teams.

“I was very fortunate to have great coaches,” Maisonneuve said. “I mean, you look at coach Mukhtar – the best coach ever in the state of Michigan — and you look at coach Yeagley, who’s arguably the best college coach ever in the country ... to have those guys as mentors is pretty amazing.”

Maisonneuve said he began seeing himself as a coach during his playing career, when mounting injuries started to make him think about retiring.

“I always wanted to stick with the game,” he said. “Once I got coaching, it really took over my passion for playing, now it becomes a passion for coaching – and it’s a pretty even substitute.

“I loved playing, but now I love coaching just as much – and sometimes I get more out of it,” Maisonneuve continued. “It’s amazing when you’re teaching kids how to play, and they actually pull it off on the field. To see their excitement, it translates into your excitement. It’s pretty special, and I really enjoy coaching. I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.”