Laingsburg has toughness needed to advance

Posted on March 12, 2013 by David Cassilo

On Monday night, I saw Laingsburg do battle with Calvin Christian. I was expecting a much closer game, but the Wolfpack controlled things throughout and eventually won 61-52.

Every rally that Calvin Christian tried to make was met with tough defense or a scoring run of its own for Laingsburg. That’s the sign of a team that is ready to compete for a title.

It’s very likely that this team will go as far a Jacob Zielinski takes it. The senior had 31 points in the regional semifinal and is capable of beating a team in a lot of ways.

This is a squad that might be flying under the radar but has what it takes to cut down the nets.

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A look ahead to girls basketball regionals

Posted on March 1, 2013 by Dick Hoekstra

TUESDAY’S GIRLS BASKETBALL AREA REGIONAL SEMIFINALS
–NOTE: Regional finals all start at 7 p.m. on Thursday
CLASS A at Holt
–Mattawan (13-9) or Portage Central (6-12) at Holt (15-7) or vs. Mason (10-12), 6 p.m.
–East Lansing (21-1) or Grand Ledge (18-4) vs. Wyoming (19-2) or Grand Rapids Christian (18-3), 7:30 p.m.
CLASS B at Parma Jackson County Western
–Jackson Northwest (16-6) or Charlotte (12-10) vs. Chelsea (15-6) or Jackson Lumen Christi (9-13), 5:30 p.m.
–Haslett (18-3) or Lansing Catholic (8-14) vs. Goodrich (19-3) or Linden Lake Fenton (15-6), 7:15 p.m.
CLASS B at Middleville Thornapple-Kellogg
–Ionia (13-8) or Lakewood (7-15) vs. Hamilton (20-1) or Holland Christian (12-9), 6 p.m.
–Grand Rapids Catholic Central (16-5) or Ada Forest Hills Eastern (12-9) vs. Grand Rapids South Christian (19-1) or Wyoming Kelloggsville (10-9), 8 p.m.
CLASS C at Springport
–Delton Kellogg (18-4) or Galesburg-Augusta (15-7) vs. Muskegon Western Michigan Christian (16-6) or Saugatuck (12-10), 5:30 p.m.
–Carson City-Crystal (19-2) or Pewamo-Westphalia (18-4) vs. Grandville Calvin Christian (16-6) or Grand Rapids Covenant Christian (10-9), 7:30 p.m.
CLASS D at Lansing Christian
–Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes (16-4) or Bloomfield Hills Roeper (7-2) vs. Marine City Cardinal Mooney (12-9) or Peck (8-4), 5:30 p.m.
–Lansing Christian (20-1) or Webberville (5-15) vs. Clarkston Everest (17-4) or Burton St. Thomas More (11-2), 7 p.m.
CLASS D at Hudsonville Freedom Christian
–Portland St. Patrick (20-1) or Fulton (10-9) vs. Muskegon Catholic Central (19-2) or Fremont Providence Christian (4-11), 5:30 p.m.
–Climax-Scotts (17-4) or Martin (10-11) vs. Hudsonville Freedom Christian (10-11) or Wyoming Potter’s House Christian (9-11), 7:15 p.m.

–

FRIDAY’S GIRLS BASKETBALL DISTRICT FINALS
CLASS A: East Lansing (21-1) at Grand Ledge (18-4), 7 p.m.
A: Holt (15-7) vs. Mason (10-12) at Battle Creek Central, 7 p.m.
B: Charlotte (12-10) at Jackson Northwest (16-6), 7 p.m.
B: Haslett (18-3) vs. Lansing Catholic (8-14) at Perry, 7 p.m.
B: Ionia (13-8) vs. Lakewood (7-15) at Middleville Thornapple-Kellogg, 7 p.m.
B: Alma (9-12) at Shepherd (15-6), 7 p.m.
C: Carson City-Crystal (19-2) at Pewamo-Westphalia (18-4), 7 p.m.
D: Lansing Christian (20-1) at Webberville (5-15), 7 p.m.
D: Portland St. Patrick (20-1) vs. Fulton (10-9) at Ashley, 7 p.m.

–

FRIDAY’S BOYS BASKETBALL REGULAR SEASON FINALES
NONLEAGUE MAKE-UP GAMES
Ashley at Morrice
Flint Kearsley at Owosso
Ithaca at Sanford Meridian
Olivet at Laingsburg
Owosso at Flint Kearsley
Portland at Okemos
Stockbridge at Albion

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Waverly, Roberts on fire heading into the district tournament

Posted on March 1, 2013 by David Cassilo

On Tuesday, Waverly lost to Okemos and question marks arose about whether the Warriors could make a serious run in the postseason. After defeating East Lansing, 70-56, on Thursday night, many of those questions are gone.

One of the reasons why is the play of Dee Roberts. The senior got the Warriors started on Thursday with a three-pointer, and he never stopped. By game’s end he had 33 points and ended the regular season making a major statement as to why he should be named the top player in the area.

Waverly is in a tough district and will have to win some close games, but this team has talent.

How far do you think they’ll go?

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CAAC White finishes in a three-way tie

Posted on February 23, 2013 by David Cassilo

You would be hard pressed to find a more competitive boys’ basketball league this season than the CAAC White. In the six-team conference there was a three-way tie for first between Corunna, Lansing Catholic and Williamston.

Even the coach of Corunna, whose loss to Williamston on Friday allowed the three-way tie, can admit that there is something poetic about finishing the season like this.

“It’s probably fitting,” said Corunna coach Kyle Clough. “It was a good league. There were a lot of good teams and good players.”

Williamston forced the tie by winning its final eight games, including one over both Corunna and Lansing Catholic.

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Williamston boys’ basketball peaking at the right time.

Posted on February 9, 2013 by David Cassilo

The first game I covered this year in boys’ basketball was Williamston against Everett. The Vikings won, and I walked away thinking there wasn’t much to expect from the Hornets this season.

On Friday, I saw Williamston again, and what a change a few months can make. The Hornets stormed back to beat Portland, 51-46. Earlier this season, Portland beat Williamston, 44-41.

The win means that Williamston is right there in the CAAC White race. The difference has been a healthy Jimmy Kodet, who had 16 points in the win on Friday.

Williamston is peaking at the right time. Any other area teams you think are getting hot when it matters most? I’d also throw Lansing Eastern in there.

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Mid-Michigan area student-athletes committed to competing at the next level

Posted on February 7, 2013 by Dick Hoekstra

MID-MICHIGAN AREA STUDENT-ATHLETES COMMITTED TO COMPETING AT COLLEGES
NOTE: Please e-mail sports@lsj.com with name, high school and college or university of any student-athlete who was inadvertently not included in this list. DI is NCAA Division I, DII is NCAA Division II and DII is NCAA Division III.
Abbey Maurer, DeWitt soccer, DIII Calvin
Adam Coon, Fowlerville wrestling, DI Michigan
Adam Marsh, Okemos swimming, DI Michigan State
A.J. Hobbs, Sexton football, DII Lincoln (Pa.)
A.J. Turner, Holt football, DIII Alma
Alex Hadick, Holt soccer, NAIA Davenport
Alex Whitmer, Mason cross country/track, DI Michigan State (preferred walk-on)
Alik Helms, Ithaca cross country/track, NJCAA Lansing Community
Allison Dible, Grand Ledge cross country/track, NJCAA Lansing Community
Allison Kirk, Olivet basketball, NJCAA Kalamazoo Valley Community
Alyse Anderson, Mason soccer, NAIA Spring Arbor
Alyssa Brumbaugh, Charlotte basketball, DII Lake Erie
Alyssa Mullen, DeWitt lacrosse, NAIA Siena Heights
Andrew Clements, DeWitt football, DII Grand Valley State
Andrew Sabrosky, Holt baseball, DI Michigan State
Austin Rios, Grand Ledge cross country/track, NJCAA Lansing Community
Austin Slade, Fowlerville soccer, USCAA Cleary
Ben Cornell, Grand Ledge football, DIII Trine
Ben Whitford, St. Johns wrestling, DI Michigan
Berkleigh Brogan, Okemos volleyball, DIII Transylvania
Bill Wilson, Mason soccer, DIII Trine
Bobbie Hall, Okemos lacrosse, DI Connecticut
Brant Schafer, St. Johns wrestling, DI Indiana
Briana Devine, Alma track and field, NAIA Spring Arbor
Brian Moran, Fowlerville football, DII Grand Valley State
Bryan Reed, Charlotte baseball, NAIA Holy Cross
Bruce Hall, Leslie football, DI Brown
Caitlyn Clem, Williamston soccer, DI Wisconsin
Cassidy Hass, Mason cross country/track, NAIA Siena Heights
Cassie Brown, Lansing Catholic volleyball, DIII Olivet
Chance Conley, Portland tennis, DI Detroit Mercy
Cha’Quan Love, Everett football, NAIA Siena Heights
Charlie Coon, Williamston soccer, DIII Hope
Christy Snelgrove, Grand Ledge cross country/track, NJCAA Lansing Community
Clayton Sanders, Holt lacrosse, DIII Hope
Colin Feguer, DeWitt football, DIII Hope
Collin Lay, Portland St. Patrick football/baseball, DIII Hope
Conor Brewer, Haslett football, DIII Elmhurst
Courtney Dixon, Portland St. Patrick basketball, NAIA Davenport
Damian Williamson, Holt track, DII Northwood
Danielle Brodberg, Waverly lacrosse, NAIA Aquinas
Danielle Crilley, Lansing Catholic golf, DI Oakland
David Waterson, DeWitt soccer, DIII Calvin
Deanna Martin, Everett soccer, DII Northwood
Donny Kyre, Olivet football, DI Central Michigan
Dylan Carroll, Portland football, DII Grand Valley State
Elizabeth Campeau, Lakewood softball, DIII Covenant
Emily Hall, Mason tennis, DIII Hope
Emily Kutch, Lakewood basketball, DII Northwood
Emma Webster, Holt soccer, DII Saginaw Valley State
Emmy Virkus, Haslett tennis, DI Michigan State
Erin Binkowski, Eaton Rapids softball, DI Western Michigan
Evy Lobdell, Dansville softball, DII Saginaw Valley State
Gabrielle Corbin, Holt soccer, NAIA Siena Heights
Grace Whelan, East Lansing basketball, DII Saginaw Valley State
Greg Trierweiler, Pewamo-Westphalia cross country/track, NJCAA Lansing Community
Hannah Schneider, St. Johns softball, NJCAA Lansing Community
Jacob Schmitt, St. Johns wrestling, DI Northwestern
Jake Johnson, Lansing Catholic golf, DI Oakland
Jaleel Canty, Everett football, DI Eastern Michigan
Jalen Hayes, Sexton basketball, DI Oakland
Janie Fineis, Lansing Catholic golf, DI Notre Dame (preferred walk-on)
Jared Evers, Ithaca football, DII Findlay
Javon Haines, East Lansing football, DII Ferris State
Jenna Klynstra, Saranac cross country/track, DII Grand Valley State
Jenni King, Fowlerville softball, DIII Olivet
Jessica Burg, Grand Ledge soccer, DIII Alma
Jessica England, Fowlerville softball, NAIA Madonna
Jessica Rushford, Maple Valley cross country/track, NAIA Cornerstone
Jimmy Kodet, Williamston basketball, NAIA Spring Arbor
Joe Mraz, Holt swimming, DIII Alma
Jordan Young, Mason soccer, DI Valparaiso
Josh Crim, Lansing Eastern football, DII Northern Michigan
Josh Pennell, St. Johns wrestling, DI Michigan State
Julie Shallman, Holt volleyball, DI Akron
Kaila Black, DeWitt cross country/track, DIII Alma
Kaleb Baublitz, Ithaca cross country/track, NJCAA Lansing Community
Kaleb Coston, Ithaca cross country/track, NJCAA Lansing Community
Kallie Allen, Fowlerville basketball, DII Lake Erie
Katie Countryman, DeWitt soccer, NAIA Aquinas
Kaylee Schmitt, DeWitt volleyball, DII Saginaw Valley State
Kelsey Fraley, Olivet basketball, NAIA Goshen
Kelsey Spencer, Eaton Rapids softball, DIII Alma
Kelsey Spitzley, Portland basketball, NAIA Aquinas
Kennedy Marker, East Lansing volleyball, DII Saginaw Valley State
Kenny Wherry, Eaton Rapids cross country/track, DI Michigan State (preferred walk-on)
Laura Hartman, Laingsburg volleyball, DIII Trine
Lauren Earley, DeWitt soccer, DII Northwood
Maycee Robinson, Mason track and field, DII Hillsdale
Madison Smith, Pewamo-Westphalia volleyball, DIII Alma
Matt Freeman, Owosso football, DII Northwood
Michael Sienko, Williamston tennis, DI Army
Mona Hinamanu, Mason volleyball, DIII Olivet
Natalie Knauf, DeWitt soccer, DI Toledo
Nate Kimble, DeWitt cross country/track, NAIA Indiana Tech
Nate Riley, Lansing Catholic soccer, DIII Elmhurst
Nicholas Le, DeWitt soccer, DI Colgate
Nichole Numerich, Corunna softball, NJCAA Lansing Community
Noah Taylor, Haslett lacrosse, DI Furman
Norman Emineth, Potterville cross country/track, NJCAA Lansing Community
Olivia Davis, Lakewood volleyball, NJCAA Kalamazoo Valley Community
Payne Hayden, St. Johns wrestling, DI Michigan
Piper Tucker, East Lansing basketball, DII Grand Valley State
Quintan Harris, Olivet basketball, DII Michigan Tech
Rebecca Snyder, Portland golf, NAIA Spring Arbor
Re’Gene Thompson, Everett volleyball, DIII Olivet
Renee Hoekstra, East Lansing tennis, DII Nebraska-Kearney
Ross Needler, Williamston soccer, DIII Alma
Ryan Anderson, DeWitt football, DII Saginaw Valley State
Sam Rathbun, Haslett football, DIII Elmhurst
Scott Koenigsknecht, Waverly football, DII Grand Valley State
Shayne Wireman, Holt wrestler, DI Eastern Michigan
Stephen Merchant, Ithaca cross country/track, NJCAA Lansing Community
Taylor Grenawalt, Haslett wrestling, DI Brown
Tanner Hinkle, Mason cross country/track, DI Furman
Taylor Gordon, East Lansing softball, DII Saginaw Valley State
Taylor Radel, DeWitt soccer, DI Belmont
Tim Young, Saranac cross country/track, NJCAA Lansing Community
Tori Baise, Williamston volleyball, DIII Olivet
Tyaire Bragg, Everett football, NAIA Siena Heights
Victoria Killian, Capital Homeschool cross country/track, NAIA Aquinas
Will Farr, Grand Ledge football, DII Grand Valley State

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Expanded LSJ area basketball rankings (with losses included)

Posted on February 6, 2013 by Dick Hoekstra

GIRLS AND BOYS BASKETBALL: LSJ AREA RANKINGS
CLASS A-B GIRLS
1. East Lansing (14-1) – loss: 58-57 to defending Class B champion Goodrich at the buzzer. Okemos’ upset of Grand Ledge make it hard for any team to tie the Class A No. 4-ranked Trojans for the CAAC Blue title. EL has won 68 straight CAAC Blue games dating back to a 47-46 loss to Okemos on Jan. 18, 2008.
2. DeWitt (13-3) – losses: 51-34 to Grand Ledge, 51-50 at Detroit Country Day, 60-39 to East Lansing. The Class A honorable mention Panthers likely secured the CAAC Red title with a 40-36 win at Haslett on Friday.
3. Eaton Rapids (13-2) – losses: 45-30 to DeWitt, 47-44 to Class B No. 3 Flat Rock 47-44. The Class B No. 7 Greyhounds have a two-game lead over 10-6 Waverly atop the CAAC Gold.
4. Portland (11-3) – losses: 46-39 to DeWitt, 46-41 to Eaton Rapids, 35-32 at East Lansing. All three close losses for the Class B No. 9 Raiders came with only seven players available and two injured.
5. Grand Ledge (12-3) – losses: 56-48 at Portland in opener, 58-34 to East Lansing, 56-37 to Okemos. Okemos’ seven 3-pointers and upset win over the Comets on Tuesday hurt Grand Ledge’s CAAC Blue title hopes.
6. Olivet (13-2) – loss: 48-28 at Eaton Rapids, 33-26 at Parchment. The Class B honorable mention Eagles’ 12-game winning streak was snapped by 13-1 Parchment. Olivet had beaten the Panthers 42-23 at home on Dec. 11.
7. Haslett (12-3) – losses: 72-67 in overtime at DeWitt, 44-40 to Class C No. 3 Saginaw Nouvel Catholic, 40-36 to DeWitt. Another close loss to CAAC Red rival DeWitt means the Class B honorable mention Vikings now must focus on getting ready for their district at Perry.
8. Williamston (13-2) – losses: 41-30 at Portland, 52-27 at Haslett. The Class B honorable mention Hornets hope to avenge a 41-30 loss to Portland on Friday at home and tie the Raiders for first place.
9. Holt (11-4) – losses: 70-43 to East Lansing, 50-40 at Portland, 58-56 to Okemos, 50-28 at Grand Ledge. The Rams travel to East Lansing on Friday.
10. Okemos (8-7) – losses: 45-27 to Haslett, 56-33 to Grand Ledge, 55-43 at Portland, 56-51 to Class A honorable mention Waterford Kettering, 60-52 to DeWitt, 57-43 to East Lansing, 37-36 to Everett. The up-and-down Chiefs were upset by Everett between impressive wins over Holt and Grand Ledge.
CLASS C-D GIRLS
1. Lansing Christian (15-0) – The Class D second-ranked Pilgrims cannot meet Portland St. Patrick until the state final because they are on opposite sides of the Class D state tournament bracket.
2. Portland St. Patrick (16-1) – loss: 51-42 at Pewamo-Westphalia. The Class D No. 4 Shamrocks likely earned a share of the CMAC title with their win over Pewamo-Westphalia last Thursday.
3. Pewamo-Westphalia (12-4) – losses: 34-28 to Williamston, 41-33 at Lakewood, 32-31 at Portland St. Patrick, 31-26 to Portland. The Class C honorable mention Pirates followed a tough one-point loss to Class D No. 4 St. Patrick with an impressive effort in a five-point loss to Class B No. 9 Portland.
4. Carson City-Crystal (12-2) – losses: 37-33 at Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart, 50-45 to Portland St. Patrick. The Class C honorable mention Eagles tied for the MSAC lead with a 42-24 win over Sacred Heart in their rematch last week, and face Class B Sparta and Class C No. 3 Saginaw Nouvel Catholic to prepare for their tough district at Pewamo-Westphalia.
5. Laingsburg (11-5) – losses: 60-52 at Charlotte, 35-33 at Fowler, 49-46 to Pewamo-Westphalia, 53-38 at Portland St. Patrick, 57-31 at Lansing Christian. The Wolfpack have won their last four despite the loss of Samantha Mentus to a knee injury in the Pewamo-Westphalia game.
CLASS A-B BOYS
1. Waverly (12-2) – losses: 54-51 at Holt, 55-53 at Jackson Lumen Christi. The Class A honorable mention and CAAC Gold co-leaders have won 12 straight and looked like they were becoming heavy favorites to win their district before the resurgence of Lansing Eastern.
2. Holt (11-3) – losses: 61-56 at Hudsonville (8-6), 68-55 to Jackson, 67-65 to Lansing Eastern in overtime. The Class A honorable mention Rams put their one-game lead in the CAAC Blue on the line at East Lansing on Friday and at home with Sexton on Tuesday.
3. Lansing Eastern (7-6) – losses: 69-60 to Holt, 59-52 to Waverly, 54-38 to Class A No. 6 Detroit Cass Tech (13-1), 66-61 at Kalamazoo Central, 52-38 at Grand Ledge, 63-48 to Chicago Curie. The Quakers have won four straight after a 3-6 start and are just one game behind Holt in the CAAC Blue, but have to avoid an upset at Everett on Friday and avenge a 52-38 loss at Grand Ledge on Tuesday at home.
4. Sexton (8-5) – losses: 67-52 to Class A No. 2 Romulus (11-1), 50-46 in overtime to Holt, 62-59 in double overtime to Everett, 54-48 at Eastern, 65-52 at Jackson. The Big Reds moved to within a game of first in the CAAC Blue after Eastern’s 67-65 overtime win at Holt last Friday, but a Tuesday loss at Jackson hurt Sexton’s league title chances.
5. Corunna (11-2) – losses: 52-38 at Lansing Catholic, 62-56 to Portland. The Cavaliers tied Lansing Catholic for the CAAC White lead with a 52-45 win over the Cougars on Friday night.
6. Owosso (11-4) – losses: 46-45 to Lansing Catholic, 70-66 to Corunna, 60-33 at St. Johns, 61-51 at Corunna. The 3-point shooting Trojans, led by Robbie Geoghegen, won 72-60 at home on Dec. 21 but must face CAAC Red co-leader DeWitt at DeWitt on Friday.
7. Lansing Catholic (9-4) – losses: 58-47 to Okemos, 70-60 at Waverly, 51-37 to Williamston, 52-45 at Corunna. The Cougars bounced back from a tough loss at Corunna on Friday with an impressive 66-56 nonleague win over DeWitt on Tuesday.
8. DeWitt (10-4) – losses: 52-41 at Hastings (10-3), 72-60 at Owosso, 61-56 to Williamston, 66-56 at Lansing Catholic. The CAAC Red co-leaders followed a five-game win streak with two nonleague losses and a one-point win at rival Haslett.
9. Okemos (7-6) – losses: 45-44 to Sexton, 56-54 at DeWitt, 63-58 to Jackson, 51-46 to Eastern. The Chiefs snapped a four-game losing streak with a 49-46 win at Grand Ledge last Friday.
10. Williamston (7-6) – The Hornets are just a game behind CAAC White co-leaders Corunna and Lansing Catholic, but must avenge a 44-41 loss to Portland on Friday at home to keep pace.
CLASS C-D BOYS
1. Pewamo-Westphalia (12-1) – loss: 52-43 to Class C No. 6 Detroit Loyola (10-2). The Pirates, whose only loss is to Class C No. 8 Detroit Loyola, moved into the top 10 of the Associated Press state rankings at No. 9 this week.
2. Laingsburg (12-2) – losses: 50-41 at Corunna in opener, 52-44 at Pewamo-Westphalia. The Wolfpack are looking forward to a rematch with P-W at Laingsburg on Feb. 20.
3. Ithaca (11-1) – loss: 63-41 at Saginaw Valley Lutheran. The Yellowjackets’ 63-41 loss at Saginaw Valley Lutheran on Jan. 25 was their first in the 2012-13 school year in football and boys basketball after going 23-0 from Aug. 23-Jan. 22.
4. Fulton (11-3) – losses: 53-35 to Laingsburg, 73-54 to P-W, 68-59 at Laingsburg. Except for one loss to P-W and two to Laingsburg, the CMAC third-place Pirates are 11-0.
5. Maple Valley (10-3) – losses: 81-73 in 3 OT at Galesburg-Augusta (8-5), 70-36 to Schoolcraft (12-2), 56-46 at Olivet (7-6). The Lions are a half-game behind second place Kalamazoo Christian in the KVA standings, which are led by Schoolcraft.

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DeWitt’s Ryan Anderson is more than just a football star

Posted on February 2, 2013 by David Cassilo

If you’ve heard the name Ryan Anderson before, it’s probably been because of his football accomplishments. A star wide receiver for DeWitt, Anderson just capped off a memorable career as a Panther.

As we climb into February, Anderson is carrying his success over to the basketball court. An electric scorer, he’s one of the top candidates for Player of the Year in the Lansing area.

Against Haslett on Friday, Anderson struggled with his shot but still found a way to put up points for the Panthers. He finished with a game-high 23 points, and DeWitt would need everyone one of them in its 76-75 overtime victory.

Who’s your pick for the best player in the Lansing area?

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Rivalries

Posted on January 31, 2013 by Scott Yoshonis

I am in the middle of something of a personal, unintentional Rivalries Week, with last night’s Fowler/Pewamo-Westphalia boys basketball game, the girls game between P-W and Portland St. Patrick tonight with its usual CMAC title implications and the hockey incarnation of one of the fiercest school rivalries in the area, East Lansing/Okemos on Saturday (Chiefs vs. Eastside Stars at Suburban Ice, puck drops at 3:30), which will also have much to say about who wins the CAAC title.

While there have been many classic, memorable Fowler/P-W games through the years, last night’s was not one of them. The Eagles have struggled in the past couple of seasons, and this year the Pirates are looking to make their second consecutive deep Class C tournament run. Partly because of that disparity and partly due to the intensity of the rivalry itself, the result was never really in doubt and the game was something of a scrappy mess from beginning to end. In terms of atmosphere in the P-W Fieldhouse, there was not much difference between this and any other CMAC game, something that would have been unthinkable just a couple of years ago when the stands were full and noise level was as deafening as any I have ever heard in a high-school setting.

Afterward I asked Luke Pohl, the longtime coach of the Pirates and as intense a competitor as any coach I have ever known, if the game between two of the oldest and deepest rivals in the area was still special. The answer he gave, without a moment’s pause to stop and think about it, kind of surprised me:

“It’s always a special game and it always will be,” Pohl said. “They’re not going to stay down, those people over there have a lot of pride. They’re going to bounce back, one of these days. It’s nice for us to win, but I also would like to see them back. I think the whole league is better when Fowler is good.”

While some rivalries come with some measure of bitterness, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing in my opinion, there seems to be absolutely none in this one.

Now it’s your turn: What is your favorite rivalry in the area, and why?

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Expanded LSJ area basketball rankings (with losses listed)

Posted on January 31, 2013 by Dick Hoekstra

CLASS A-B GIRLS

1. East Lansing (12-1) – loss: 58-57 to defending Class B champion Goodrich at the buzzer. Only league games remain for the Class A No. 4-ranked Trojans, who have won 66 straight CAAC Blue games dating back to 2008.

2. Grand Ledge (11-2) – losses: 56-48 at Portland in opener, 58-34 to East Lansing. Two Comets missed the game with injuries and another was ill for the loss to East Lansing last week that snapped Class A honorable mention Grand Ledge’s 10-game win streak.

3. DeWitt (11-3) – losses: 51-34 to Grand Ledge, 51-50 at Detroit Country Day, 60-39 to East Lansing. Since Detroit Country Day is No. 4 in Class B, all three losses by the Class A honorable mention Panthers have come against ranked foes.

4. Eaton Rapids (13-2) – losses: 45-30 to DeWitt, 47-44 to Class B No. 2 Flat Rock 47-44. The Class B No. 5 Greyhounds have a two-game lead atop the CAAC Gold.

5. Portland (11-3) – losses: 46-39 to DeWitt, 46-41 to Eaton Rapids, 35-32 at East Lansing. All three close losses for the Class B No. 9 Raiders came with only seven players available and two injured.

6. Haslett (11-2) – losses: 72-67 in overtime at DeWitt in overtime, 44-40 to Class C No. 2 Saginaw Nouvel Catholic. The Class B honorable mention Vikings hope to tie DeWitt for the CAAC Red lead on Friday at Haslett and avenge their overtime loss.

7. Olivet (12-2) – loss: 48-28 at Eaton Rapids, 33-26 at Parchment. The Class B honorable mention Eagles’ 12-game winning streak was snapped by 13-1 Parchment on Tuesday. Olivet had beaten the Panthers 42-23 at home on Dec. 11.

8. Williamston (12-2) – losses: 41-30 at Portland, 52-27 at Haslett. The Hornets are listed among honorable mention teams in Class B.

9. Okemos (7-6) – losses: 45-27 to Haslett, 56-33 to Grand Ledge, 55-43 at Portland, 56-51 to Class A honorable mention Waterford Kettering, 60-52 to DeWitt, 57-43 to East Lansing. The Chiefs gave East Lansing a tough game before losing by 14 points on Friday night.

10. Holt (9-4) – losses: 70-43 to East Lansing, 50-40 at Portland, 58-56 to Okemos, 50-28 at Grand Ledge. The Rams are 1-3 since an 8-1 start.

10. Waverly (8-6) – losses: 72-44 to East Lansing, 46-38 to Holt, 56-48 at Jackson Lumen Christi, 48-36 to Class A No. 2 Grand Haven (13-0), 61-40 at Grand Ledge, 51-40 at Eaton Rapids. The Warriors avenged their loss by doubling Lumen Christi’s score in a 69-34 win on Friday.

CLASS C-D GIRLS

1. Lansing Christian (14-0) – The Pilgrims cannot meet St. Patrick until the state final because they are on opposite sides of the Class D state tournament bracket.

2. Pewamo-Westphalia (12-2) – losses: 34-28 to Williamston, 41-33 at Lakewood. The Class C honorable mention Pirates are back atop the CMAC after finishing below co-champions Laingsburg and Carson City-Crystal in 2011-12.

3. Portland St. Patrick (13-1) – loss: 51-42 at Pewamo-Westphalia. The Class D No. 5 Shamrocks host P-W in a rematch with CMAC title implications tonight. (see story on LSJ.com)

4. Carson City-Crystal (11-2) – losses: 37-33 at Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart, 50-45 to Portland St. Patrick. The Class C honorable mention Eagles tied for the MSAC lead with a 42-24 win over Sacred Heart in their rematch last week, and face Class B Sparta and Class C No. 3 Saginaw Nouvel Catholic to prepare for their tough district at Pewamo-Westphalia.

5. Laingsburg (9-5) – losses: 60-52 at Charlotte, 35-33 at Fowler, 49-46 to Pewamo-Westphalia, 53-38 at Portland St. Patrick, 57-31 at Lansing Christian. The loss of Samantha Mentus to a knee injury in the P-W game has hurt the Wolfpack.

CLASS A-B BOYS

1. Holt (10-2) – losses: 61-56 at Hudsonville (5-5), 68-55 to Jackson. The Rams have slipped from No. 8 to 9 to honorable mention in Class A, and host a hot Eastern team on Friday.

2. Waverly (10-2) – losses: 54-51 at Holt, 55-53 at Jackson Lumen Christi. The Warriors handed CAAC Gold co-leader Jackson Lumen Christi its first loss on Friday, and then won their 10th straight on Tuesday.

3. Lansing Eastern (5-6) – losses: 69-60 to Holt, 59-52 to Waverly, 54-38 to Class A No. 7 Detroit Cass Tech (12-1), 66-61 at Kalamazoo Central, 52-38 at Grand Ledge, 63-48 to Chicago Curie. The Quakers topped Okemos and Sexton last week to climb back into CAAC Blue title contention.

4. Sexton (7-4) – losses: 67-52 to Class A No. 2 Romulus (5-1), 50-46 in overtime to Holt, 62-59 in double overtime to Everett, 54-48 at Eastern. The addition of Jeremy Williamson may help the Big Reds put an 0-2 week against their city school rivals behind them and push toward defending their CAAC Blue championship and then state title in the Class B state tournament.

5. DeWitt (9-3) – losses: 52-41 at Hastings (8-3), 72-60 at Owosso, 61-56 to Williamston. The CAAC Red co-leader Panthers’ five-game win streak was snapped in the loss to Williamston on Tuesday.

6. Okemos (7-5) – losses: 45-44 to Sexton, 56-54 at DeWitt, 63-58 to Jackson, 51-46 to Eastern, 59-58 to East Lansing. The Chiefs are 3-5 since a 4-0 start but still in contention in the extremely competitive CAAC Blue, where six of the eight teams are 4-3 or 3-4 in the league.

7. Lansing Catholic (9-3) – losses: 58-47 to Okemos, 70-60 at Waverly, 51-37 to Williamston. The Cougars are a game ahead in the CAAC White after a surprisingly one-sided 56-34 win over Portland on Friday.

8. Corunna (9-2) – losses: 52-38 at Lansing Catholic, 62-56 to Portland. The Cavaliers can tie Lansing Catholic for the CAAC White lead on Friday night.

9. Owosso (10-4) – losses: 46-45 to Lansing Catholic, 70-66 to Corunna, 60-33 at St. Johns, 61-51 at Corunna. The 3-point shooting Trojans are tied for first place with DeWitt in the CAAC Red.

10. Williamston (6-6) – losses: 65-55 at Everett, 57-51 at Lakewood, 68-58 at Eastern, 44-41 at Portland, 63-54 to Corunna, 57-47 at Owosso. The up-and-down Hornets, who also beat Lansing Catholic 51-37, avenged a loss to Lakewood and then won at DeWitt on the heels of losses to Corunna and Owosso.

CLASS C-D BOYS

1. Pewamo-Westphalia (12-1) – loss: 52-43 to Class C No. 6 Detroit Loyola (10-2). The Class C honorable mention Pirates were only three spots away this week and may move into the top 10 in next week’s AP poll.

2. Laingsburg (10-2) – losses: 50-41 at Corunna in opener, 52-44 at Pewamo-Westphalia. The Wolfpack are looking forward to a rematch with P-W at Laingsburg on Feb. 20.

3. Ithaca (9-1) – loss: 63-41 at Saginaw Valley Lutheran on Friday. The Yellowjackets’ loss on Friday was their first in the 2012-13 school year in football and boys basketball after going 23-0 from Aug. 23-Jan. 22.

4. Fulton (11-2) – losses: 53-35 to Laingsburg, 73-54 to P-W. Except for one-sided losses to P-W and Laingsburg, the CMAC third-place Pirates are 11-0.

5. Maple Valley (9-3) – losses: 81-73 in 3 OT at Galesburg-Augusta (7-4), 70-36 to Schoolcraft (11-2), 56-46 at Olivet (7-5). The Lions are tied for second place in the KVA.

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