Sok sports by Deb Conner

INSIDE: DISTRICT SOFTBALL PREVIEW — B4 SECTION B . (SO_B) SUNDAY, MAY 27, 2012 OBSERVER & ECCENTRIC HOMETOWNLIFE.COM

SPORTS

MARTY BUDNER, EDITOR mbudner@hometownlife.com (586) 826-7277

Top-ranked Rice is team to beat District baseball pairings, page B4

DIAMOND CHAMPS

By Marty Budner

Following are the Division 1 district baseball winners since 2002:

Eccentric Staff Writer

There’s no doubt about it. Brother Rice is the team to beat at the Division 1 district baseball tournament which begins this week at SouthfieldLathrup High School. The Warriors began the year with high expectations and have played solid baseball all season, earning their No. 1 ranking. Rice, which captured its second Catholic League crown in three years Thursday evening, rolls into the district with a formidable 26-7 overall record. The Warriors have won eight of the past 10 district titles, including four straight. “I know it’s going to be a competitive district,” said Rice’s veteran head coach Bob Riker. “It’s a matter of who gets hot at the right time, especially when you have a dominant pitcher. And, most of the teams which will be there have a dominant pitcher.” Rice is paced by a talented pitching crew that consists of Matt and Mike Ruppenthal, and Matt Constance. Matt Ruppenthal, a sophomore, tossed a brilliant two-hit shutout in the Catholic League title game. “He was dominant,” said Riker. “He only threw 62 pitches and

YEAR 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002

JOHN STORMZAND | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Seaholm designated hitter Josh Leitman is having a huge season at the plate with a .400 batting average.

he just never let up.” Mike Ruppenthal and Matt Constance are both seniors. Rice was led offensively by sophomore first baseman Randy Righter who had two hits and two RBI. Sophomore Bob-

by Cross, freshman Alex Malzone and senior Mike Cyrocki also played key roles in Thursday’s victory. “The team is playing well and we’re on an upswing,” said Riker. “They love to play

and they always compete very hard.”

Motivated Groves

Groves is another team playing with motivation and momentum. The Falcons wrapped up their second straight

WINNER Brother Rice Brother Rice Brother Rice Brother Rice W. Bloomfield Brother Rice Birm. Groves Brother Rice Brother Rice Brother Rice

OAA White Division title this past week with a double-header sweep of West Bloomfield. Groves, which sports a 19-11 overall record, also has a standout mound presence in Jake Balicki. Although he’s struggled through injuries this season, Balicki figures to be ready in time for the playoffs. In his absence, Scott Fiest really stepped it up in the pitching department. Fiest is 6-2 with a 2.80 ERA, and is also batting a hefty .355. Ryan Williams is a three-year starter at catcher and is also an offensive threat with a .365 average. Griffin Harms is 3-2 as a pitcher and hitting .368 with eight doubles. “Obviously, Brother Rice is very good and it will take a good effort Please see RICE, B2

MHSAA rule causes conﬂict for Rufﬁno State golf tournament preview, page B6

By Marty Budner Eccentric Staff Writer

It wasn’t an easy decision, but Franceso Ruffino, the reigning Mr. Golf in Michigan, has quietly left the Birmingham Seaholm High School boys golf team. Michigan High School Athletic Association rules allow golfers to compete in two non-high school events during the season. The rule leaves Ruffino in a tough position as he continues to push his game to the highest possible level. “I love high school golf and it is a lot of fun playing for the high school

team,” said Ruffino. “But, with the MHSAA rules, it was a tough situation for me. It was a rough decision because I really enjoy playing with my teammates.” Ruffino recently participated in the Michigan Amateur Qualifier at Plum Hollow Country Club in Southfield and the Horton Smith Tournament at the Detroit Golf Club. He tied for eighth at the Horton Smith tourney which attracts some of the state’s top amateurs. Participating in any future events would have exceeded that twoevent limit for Ruffino. As for the high school schedule, Birmingham Seaholm begins play this

week in the state tournament and Ruffino will not be teeing it up with the Maples. “Francesco Ruffino has decided to pursue non-high school opportunities for his golf career,” said Seaholm head coach Leon Braisted. As a freshman at Seaholm, Ruffino finished second overall at the Division 2 state tournament. Last spring, Ruffino capped an excellent season with a thirdplace finish at the Division 1 state meet. Ruffino last year became the first sophomore to ever win the prestigious Mr. Golf Please see RUFFINO, B2

Eccentric Staff Writer

JOHN STORMZAND | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Junior sprinter Philip Johnson battles resistance during a training routine last week at the Groves track. Johnson placed second in both dash races at the recent regional and will compete in the Division 1 state meet on June 2.

Birmingham Brother Rice’s track team has won its fair share of regionals over the years. The 2012 Division 1 meet hosted by Farmington on May 19 will be one for the memory bank as the Warriors prevailed by a mere half point. Rice finished with only two individual winners, but survived to claim the highly competitive 15-team regional crown with 87 points. Southfield was second with 86.50 points and Birmingham Groves notched 75 points to place third in its best ever regional showing. “This is the clos-

Southfield resident Shelly Weiss is scheduled to participate in the 2012 USGA Women’s Amateur Public Links Sectional Qualifier set for May 29 at Salem Hills Golf Club in Northville. The field, which includes players ranging from 12 to 31 years old, also includes Michigan State University golfer Caroline Powers, Eastern Michigan University golfer Sarah Johnson and Alice Chen from Princeton University. All three own handicaps of 1.9 or less. The 18-hole stroke play tournament begins 11 a.m. and will be played on the challenging Salem Hills Golf Course course which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this season. The top three finishers advance to the 35th Annual U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links Championships set for June 18-23 at Neshanic Valley Golf Club in Neshanic Station, N.J.

St. Hugo news

St. Hugo’s Viking Football Spring Camp is open to the public and will be held from 4-6 p.m. June 5-7 at the school’s football ﬁeld. The cost is $30 per player, and can be paid at the ﬁeld. Tim Morris, the varsity head football coach, and his staff will conduct the camp. They will stress basic football fundamentals, blocking techniques and introduce speed/agility drills.

Optimists golf results

DAVID REED

Franceso Rufﬁno, a junior at Birmingham Seaholm and the reigning Mr. Golf in Michigan, will not compete in the 2012 state tournament which starts this week.

Warriors win track regional; Jays second, Falcons third By Marty Budner

Weiss in qualifier

est we’ve ever won a regional by,” said veteran Brother Rice head coach Bob Star, whose team captured the Catholic League championship three days later. “Virtually everyone who participated for us in the meet scored, and we needed all those points.” Rice’s two individual winners were seniors Thomas Girardot in the 1,600 (4:25.15) and Austin Echols in the shot put (50-feet, 7.50-inches). Junior Torin Wile was second in the 800-meter run. Junior Justin Flynn (100), freshman John Penington (1,600) and Echols (discus) all garnered third-place finishes for the Warriors. Rice’s 4X100-meter relay team placed third.

Southfield standouts Southfield’s success centered around a pair of individual firsts and a pair of relay wins. Individually, senior Chris Phillips won the high jump (6-3) and junior Tre Walton sprinted to the 400-meter dash (48.69) crown. Secondplace showings went to senior Darius Durrett in the shot put and senior Cedric Hill in the 100meter dash. Southfield won the 4X200 and 4X400 relays behind the talented foursome of senior Brandon Watkins and juniors Austin Little, Alex Foster and Walton. Please see TRACK, B2

The Royal Oak Golf Club hosted 28 golfers in the annual Optimists Junior Qualifier held May 19. Following are the winners and additional qualifiers to the state tournament scheduled for later this summer at Grand Valley State University: BOYS 14-15: Winner — Matt Palazzolo (Rochester Hills), score of 81. Additional state qualifiers — Ryan Massell (Farmington Hills), Ryan Ohara (Bloomfield Hills), Aidan Folbe (Huntington Woods). BOYS 12-13: Winner — Caleb Nichols (Romeo), score of 81. Additional state qualifiers — Ahmad Reedus (Detroit); Chris Sandler (Rochester Hills); Ben Brewster (Royal Oak). BOYS 10-11: Winner — Malcolm Little (Detroit), score of 42 (nine holes); Additional state qualifiers — Chris Forkin (Shelby Township); Justin Sui (Lake Orion); Yuqi Zhou (Troy); Charlie Young (Troy).

Coaches meeting

The Metro Detroit Basketball Coaches Association will conduct its monthly meeting 6 p.m., May 31, at the West Bloomﬁeld Main Library. Agenda items include MDBCA/Saginaw Valley Challenge/Christmas Tournament update; Contract for challenge games; Christmas Tournament times, dates; Fundraising methods; Team match-ups, team contracts; DPS schools situation; Fall Shootout, dates, location and teams; Suggestions, ideas. The next scheduled meeting is Aug. 2. For more information, contact www.basketballtrainingbykelso.com.

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LOCAL SPORTS

Observer & Eccentric | Sunday, May 27, 2012

Comerica Park provides magical experiences

TRACK

Continued from page B1

“I am happy for my team with their secondplace finish,” said Southfield head coach Richard Christ, whose team won the OAA Gold Division with a perfect 7-0 dual meet record. “I didn’t focus on the overall place as much as I did on individuals and the events we hoped to qualify for states. “I was proud of the way the my team competed and worked to improve and record some of their best times of the year,” he said. “To finish high and to win the regional meet you need to have athletes in the finals and multiple athletes scoring in the same event. And being competitive in all the relays is a must.”

Groves hurdler shines Groves head coach Jason Wilson was very pleased with his team’s high placement. “It was a little better than what we expected,” said Wilson, in his first year as head coach. “It was our core group of senior sprinters that we have, plus some other talented guys, that was the difference for us. “We knew our hurdler (Ross Williams) was very good and we anticipated what he could do, but our seniors really stepped it up,” he said. Williams, a sophomore who has not lost a dualmeet hurdle race this season, rolled to first place in both disciplines. In the 110-meter highs, Williams crossed first with a time of 14.71. Williams and senior teammate Jordan Banks swept the top two spots in the 300intermediate hurdles in respective times of 35.31 and 35.76.

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See related story, page B3 By Marty Budner Eccentric Staff Writer

JOHN STORMZAND | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Only a sophomore, Ross Williams had an outstanding season as a hurdler for the Groves track team. Williams won both the high and low hurdles at the Division 1 regional and hopes to land on the podium at the upcoming state meet.

Junior Philip Johnson placed second in both the 200- (22.36) and 400-meter (49.07) dashes. Junior Jalen Williams was third in the long jump and sixth in the high jump. The Falcons set a school record in the 4X100meter relay (43.2) as the team of Williams, senior Keon Collier, Banks and senior Blake Johnson placed second. “We’ve got a good group going to states and we’re going to give it our best performance,” said Wilson. “We’re convinced our 400 relay is going to give us another solid performance. And, I think both Ross and Phillip have the ability to be on the podium which would be great experiences for them.”

Ravens sweep race

In other results, Royal Oak had a strong region-

al, placing sixth with 53 points. The Ravens opened the regional with a victory in the 3,200-meter relay in a time of 8:05.03. The winning foursome included senior Blaine Anderson, junior Max Benoit, freshman Ben Hill and senior Adam Quinn. Royal Oak also swept the top three spots in the 3,200-meter distance race behind the efforts of Hill (8:44.61), Benoit (9:45.32) and senior Dan Dobras (10:08.16). Berkley senior Kyle Braun placed first in the 800-meter with at time of 1:58.16. As a team, the Bears were 12th with 25 points. Birmingham Seaholm placed 11th (27 points) and Southfield-Lathrup went scoreless. The Division 1 state meet is set for June 2 at East Kentwood High School.

ing to lose, but it was definitely a great experience,” he said. “It’s awesome to play here. It’s a great place.” Andover head coach Mike Boyd, whose assistant Frank DiVito played a key role in setting up the classic at Comerica, watched his team suffer a second straight defeat inside the big park. The Barons lost to Harrison on a drizzly day last year in extra innings. This year, Andover was nearly shut out by its district rival in the Oakland Activities Association Blue Division encounter. Despite the setbacks, Boyd is just as thrilled to coach at Comerica as the players are to play. “Playing down here is just a great experience,” said Boyd, a former standout at Berkley High School. “It’s something that a lot of people don’t get to do,” he said. “We took it all in and we definitely enjoyed being on a great ball diamond where a lot of our heroes, and the kids’ heroes, play on a daily basis.” Lahser infielder Pat-

rick Monahan batted fifth in the order and reached base twice on a walk and an error. The Knight senior southpaw said he loved the experience. “It was completely unreal,” said Monahan. “It’s a great feeling being out here where the (professionals) that we see out there are playing. “You’re just kind of awe-struck by the whole thing,” he said. “It was just a great feeling allaround, and it was the greatest experience of my life.” Lahser’s Neal Krentz, the winning pitcher who allowed just four hits, said it was a magical time. “Like I told the team. It’s every kid’s dream to play in a pro ball park,” said Krentz. “From the moment we walked into the park, it was absolute dream-like. “I couldn’t ask for a better day. To play our rival in front of my family and friends, and with the team I’m on, I couldn’t ask for a better experience. “We all had a blast,” he said. “It’s magical out here. It’s like our Disneyland, right?”

Continued from page B1

for anyone to beat them,” said Groves head coach Jim Crosby. “But, Jake Balicki should be ready to go for us and Griffin Harms is playing well both offensively and defensively.”

The young Maples

Seaholm, which has endured its share of injuries this season, has had a “challenging” season. The Maples scored a key win over North Farmington this past week on a walk-off home run by Josh Leitman which lifted their collective spirits. Seaholm opens the state tournament June 2 against the pre-district winner involving Brother Rice and West Bloomfield. “We will be playing with nothing to lose and everything to gain,” said head coach Dan Drapal, whose team is 10-16 overall. “The season has been a challenge, but the team has grinded it out despite injuries to key pitchers/ position players. “I’m excited to see how we respond to our district draw. We have great coaches in our district so I know they will not judge us on our record but will understand that if they overlook us we can be a team that can surprise anyone. “We have a young team that is still developing talent,” he said. “They are understanding that

w e ha ve em erged s tro n g e r, m o re c on fid en t a n d m ore grou n d ed in ou rs ou n d , c on s erva tive p ri n c i p l e s . An d bec a u s e w e’ve n ever s tra yed from t h o s e p ri n c i p l e s , R a ym on d Ja m es ha s grow n s tea d ily to bec om e on e of the n a ti o n ’ s p re m i e r f i n a n c i a l s ervic es firm s - a tren d w e pla n to c on tin u e for the n ext 50 yea r a n d w ell beyon d . L IF E W E LL P L AN N E LI ELL LAN EDD .

RUFFINO

325 North O ld W ood w a rd Ave., S u ite 320 Birm in gha m , M I48009 T 248.540.3733 T 800.544.8754 F 248.540.4217

Continued from page B1

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JOHN STORMZAND | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Lahser senior pitcher Neal Krentz (12) accepts a few celebratory hand shakes from teammates after limiting arch rival Andover to one run on four hits Wednesday at Comerica Park.

RICE

H OW W ILL W E HOW WILL WE C E L E B R AT E CELEBRATE 5 0Y EARS? 50 YEARS? B YP L ANNING BY PLANNING F OR T HE N EXT 5 0. FOR THE NEXT 50 After 50 yea rs of s ta b l e, u n even tf u l grow th, w e like to thin k of R a ym on d Ja m es a s the vic toriou s tortois e in the fin a n c ia l d is ta n c e ra c e. T hou gh ou t ou r his tory, we h a ve re m a i n e d re s o l u te l y s u s pic iou s of exc es s i ve exu b era n c e and m a rket fa d s , a n d s tea d fa s tly d ed ic a ted to pu ttin g c lien ts firs t. W ith every m a jor m a rket c ris is s om e 1962, w hen ou r firm w a s fou n d ed ,

Most people never get a chance to step on the field, much less play inside a professional baseball stadium. Emerson Misch is one of the exceptions. Misch sprinted onto the spacious, pristine field at Comerica Park earlier this week for the second straight spring. Last year, Misch and his Bloomfield Hills Andover teammates soaked in the big-time experience against Farmington Harrison. On Wednesday, the Barons played host to district rival Bloomfield Hills Lahser at that same downtown Detroit venue. The Baron veteran will be the first to tell you playing inside a Major League Baseball stadium never ceases to be a thrill. He even spiced it up with a hit — a sixth-inning single — and run scored at Comerica for the second straight year. Last year he led off the game with a triple. “It was a great experience to play here, for sure,” said Misch moments after his team suffered a disappointing 6-1 setback. “It was a lot of fun, and everyone enjoyed it. “Everyone was pretty ecstatic over the last few days about getting the opportunity to come down here and play Lahser. That was special for all of us. It was really cool to play against our rival school. And, we even had some kids come down from school to cheer us on, so it was a lot of fun. “It’s kind of disappoint-

Award as presented by the Michigan High School Golf Coaches Association. The award recognizes the state’s top high school golfer. He will not have the

JOHN STORMZAND | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Brother Rice sophomore Bobby Cross had two hits in Rice’s Catholic League championship game Thursday evening at Comerica Park. The Warriors won the title with a 6-0 victory over U-D Jesuit.

the little things can’t be taken for granted in this game and for the most part are the difference between wins and losses.” Seaholm’s top players include Leitman, who is batting .400 as the designated hitter, shortstop Mike Doney (.373 average), center fielder Spencer Eick (.382 average) and first baseman/pitcher Max Cormier (.350 average). Steven Palmeri is one of those injured players who can make a difference when healthy

with his .472 average. “It’s been and up-anddown season for us,” said Drapal. “When we limit our physical errors on routine plays that I know they can make, and limit free bases with the walks, we have proven we can hang and be tough for many teams.” Southfield-Lathrup competes in the OAA Gold Division, placing second behind Berkley. West Bloomfield is a member of the OAA White with Seaholm and Groves.

opportunity to win the award this season. “Winning Mr. Golf was not my main goal this year,” said Ruffino. “Definitely my main goal was to help the team win the state championship. That was more important to me than winning Mr. Golf. “That’s why it was a

real tough decision for me to leave the team,” he said. Ruffino’s next tournament is the U.S. Public Links Qualifier June 11 at Dunham Hills. The talented southpaw also plans to continue playing in a number of amateur tournaments throughout the summer.

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Observer & Eccentric | Sunday, May 27, 2012

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Krentz in control at Comerica

Lahser sophomore Charlie Dauch runs the bases during Wednesday’s game at Comerica Park. Dauch had a hit, walked and scored twice. Andover junior Alec Mares snags a third-inning ﬂy ball in left ﬁeld at Comerica Park against district rival Lahser. By Marty Budner Eccentric Staff Writer

Five days prior to the big game against district rival Bloomfield Hills Andover, Lahser righthander Neal Krentz was informed he would be the starting pitcher. The nerves immediately began to flutter. Krentz knew this was going to be an extra special mound appearance. It was not only going to be the rubber-game of this spring’s three-game series against the Barons, it was also going to take place in an extraordinary venue. Lahser was to meet Andover at Comerica Park, home of the Detroit Tigers. It would prove to be a memorable experience. Once the nerves settled, Krentz, who came in with a sterling 1.30 earned-run average, went out and pitched one of his best games in a Knight uniform. Krentz had a no-hitter going for 4.2 innings and led Lahser to an impressive 6-1 triumph Wednesday from the same mound where Tiger Cy Young winner Justin Verlander nearly pitched a no-hitter against the Pittsburgh Pirates just five days earlier.

PHOTOS BY JOHN STORMZAND | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Lahser senior Neal Krentz did not allow a hit through 4.2 innings and posted a four-hit victory over Andover Wednesday afternoon in his Comerica Park debut.

Lasher’s ﬁrst-year head coach John Toth congratulates senior Robbie Emmitt after scoring a ﬁfth-inning run against Andover.

Krentz mowed down the next three batters to limit the damage.

Strong to the end

Krentz finished with a four-hitter as he went the distance. He struck out five, including two of the three Barons he faced in the bottom of the seventh to close out the game. “I was extremely nervous coming into the game, but it shows I still love the game,” said Krentz. “It was a game I really was looking forward to and I felt all right out there. “All my stuff was breaking pretty well, my fast ball, curve ball. And (catcher) Reilly (Manz) was calling some great stuff behind the plate. “We all were really looking forward to this game, Our thoughts coming in were that it was going to be a lifetime experience and let’s make the most of it. “We’re playing our

Lahser shortstop Kyle Riley (27) throws to ﬁrst and completes a third-inning double play while Andover base runner Marlon Pruitt is out sliding into second.

Barons: ‘No excuses’

Andover’s ﬁrst-base coach Frank DiVito makes a point to base runner Truman Lorick at Comerica Park.

rival on a nice, sunny day at Comerica Park,” he said. “It couldn’t have been a better experience.” Lahser broke the scoreless deadlock in the bottom of the third. Left fielder Steven Terryn smacked a single and, one batter later, sophomore Charlie Dauch followed with another single. Krentz came to the plate with two runners in scoring position, and plated them both on infield grounder that resulted in an overthrow

to first base.

Weiss smacks single

Andover’s first hit came with two outs in the top of the fifth when sophomore pinch hitter Todd Weiss lined a sharp single to left field. He was stranded at first as Krentz then retired the side on a strike out. The Knights took control with a four-run fifth inning when they sent 10 batters to the plate. Senior Robbie Emmitt highlighted the rally with a two-run single, while

Conor Wahl contributed a run-scoring single as a pinch hitter. The fourth run scored on an error. Andover’s lone run came in the sixth. Senior center fielder Emerson Misch led off with a single and went to third base on an errant pick-off attempt. Misch scored on a sharp single to right by Winston Urwiller. The following batter, Ryan Kavanagh, was hit by a pitch and the Barons had the makings of a big innings. However,

Andover inﬁelder Winston Urwiller (6) locks in on the baseball as Lahser’s Steven Terryn (44) successfully steals second.

Zach Wolfe and Weiss started the seventh with base hits for Andover, but never scored. “You hate to make excuses, but I know we were a little amped up,” said Andover head coach Mike Boyd, whose team hurt itself with three crucial errors. “We need to make sure we use this game as a learning experience and know that districts, regionals, state quarterfinals and Bat-

tle Creek are going to be, maybe not at Comerica Park, but just as important games. “Today, I give a lot of credit to Lahser. They came out and played a good game. We really didn’t have our heads in it until halfway through the game. “As it got later in the game we started focusing up, but by the time Neal Krentz was in full swing and had us off balance the entire day,” he said. “We were playing a good team, but I think we beat ourselves out there today.”

Andover junior southpaw Marlon Pruitt winds up to unleash a pitch in Wednesday’s game played at Comerica Park in downtown Detroit.

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Observer & Eccentric | Sunday, May 27, 2012

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Groves ready to defend district crown By Marty Budner Eccentric Staff Writer

Birmingham Groves is the defending district softball champion and has enjoyed a strong season after moving “up” to the OAA White Division this spring. However, head coach Ryan Minarik is not taking anything for granted as the Division 1 state tournament begins this week. Groves (21-9) will play in the five-team district hosted by SouthfieldLathrup. The other participating teams include arch rival Seaholm (25-7), fellow OAA White member West Bloomfield (1012), Catholic League foe Birmingham Marian (621-1) and the host Chargers (4-16). Play gets under way 4:30 p.m. Tuesday at Lathrup when Marian plays West Bloomfield. The district champion will be crowned after the semifinal and final games June 2. “It’s going to be interesting because I think everyone has a chance to win it,” said Minarik. “We could be favored because we have good hitting, good pitching and good defense. “But, for hitting overall, you have Seaholm which can really pound the ball. Marian can really hit the ball too and has great coaching. West Bloomfield probably has the best pitcher. “It all depends on timing and hitting,” he said. “But, I think we’re good all the way through.” Following is a brief preview of each team: BIRMINGHAM GROVES: The Falcons, who placed second and were highly competitive

na Coleman and freshman infielder Sydney Compton are among the top Lathrup players. “I think the favorites may be between Groves and West Bloomfield, but don’t count out Seaholm,” said Evans.

DISTRICT CHAMPIONS Following are the Division 1 district softball champions since 2002: YEAR 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002

WINNER Birm. Groves West Bloomfield West Bloomfield Birm. Seaholm Birm. Seaholm West Bloomfield West Bloomfield Birm. Groves Birm. Marian West Bloomfield

in the OAA White, are led by senior pitcher Keely Nowland (16-6 record, 2.39 era), catcher Zoe Schmerin (.510 average, 39 RBI) and third baseman Mamie Talty (.394 average, 24 RBI). Senior Jessica Turner is another capable power hitter. Groves swept doubleheaders from both Seaholm and West Bloomfield this season. Against each team, the Falcons survived a close onerun opening game then enjoyed a big win in the nightcap. “We’re playing well and I like where we’re going,” said Minarik. BIRMINGHAM SEAHOLM: Second-year head coach Bill Schuerman has the Maples playing excellent ball this spring. The Maples own a 257 overall record and finished second in the OAA Blue Division. “We are playing well heading into the districts, but winning will be very difficult due to the talent of the competition and some injuries to key players,” said Schuerman. “In order to have a good run in the districts, we need

DAVID REED

Second-year head coach Bill Schuerman believes his Seaholm softball squad can contend for the Division 1 district crown this season.

to stay focussed, continue to hit and pitch well and improve the consistency of our defense.” Groves is led by junior co-captain Jordan Lenington who is batting .505 and leads the team with 22 extra-base hits. Junior catcher Lexie Hamilton is hitting .434 with a teamhigh 30 RBI and three home runs. Carolynn Gragg, a senior co-captain, is 174 on the mound with an earned-run average below 3.00. The other senior co-captains include Alex Arnold (.383) and Emma Coury (.390). Freshman Maddy Cormier has performed well in her first varsity season. “Overall, we have had a very good year,” said Schuerman. “We are still very young with only three seniors in the starting lineup. Our hope is to get healthy, continue to improve and compete well in the districts.”

BASEBALL DISTRICT DRAWS DIVISION 1 AT U-D JESUIT SATURDAY, JUNE 2: Southfield vs. Oak Park, 10 a.m. (Game A); Detroit Renaissance vs. Detroit U-D Jesuit, noon (Game B). Championship game: Game A winner vs. Game B winner, 2 p.m. AT WARREN DE LA SALLE TUESDAY, MAY 29: Berkley vs. Warren De La Salle, 4 p.m. (Game A). SATURDAY, JUNE 2: Game A winner vs. Royal Oak, 10 a.m. (Game B); Warren Cousino vs. Warren Mott, 12:30 p.m. (Game C); Championship game: Game B winner vs. Game C winner, 3 p.m. AT SOUTHFIELD-LATHRUP TUESDAY, MAY 29: Birmingham Brother Rice vs. West Bloomfield, 4:30 p.m. (Game A). SATURDAY, JUNE 2: Birmingham Groves vs. SouthfieldLathrup, 10 a.m. (Game B); Game A winner vs. Birmingham Seaholm, noon (Game C); Championship game: Game B winner vs. Game C winner, 2 p.m. DIVISION 2 AT WARREN FITZGERALD TUESDAY, MAY 29: Hazel

SATURDAY, JUNE 2: Southfield vs. Oak Park, 10 a.m. (Game A); Detroit Renaissance gets bye. Championship game: Game A winner vs. Detroit Renaissance, noon. AT WARREN REGINA TUESDAY, MAY 29: Berkley vs. Warren Regina, 4 p.m. (Game A). SATURDAY, JUNE 2: Warren Cousino vs. Warren Mott, 11 a.m. (Game B); Game A winner vs. Royal Oak, 1 p.m. (Game C); ; Championship game: Game B winner vs. Game C winner, 3 p.m. AT SOUTHFIELD-LATHRUP TUESDAY, MAY 29: Birmingham Marian vs. West Bloomfield, 4:30 p.m. (Game A). SATURDAY, JUNE 2: Game A winner vs. Birmingham Seaholm, 10 a.m. (Game B); Birmingham Groves vs. Southfield-Lathrup, noon (Game C); Championship game: Game B winner vs. Game C winner, 2 p.m. DIVISION 2 AT WARREN FITZGERALD

home runs, 29 RBI) and freshman infielder Abby Bastian (.336 average, 11 runs scored). SOUTHFIELD-LATHRUP: The host Chargers are led by first-year head coach Akilah Evans. As members of the OAA Gold Division, Lathrup finished with a 4-6 league record. The young Chargers, who open up with a noon game June 2 against Groves, know the district will provide a real test for them. “My team is young, and we will have to lean heavy on our defensive game,” said Evans. “Coaching and preparing them how to compete at the district level of play is important. We are going in with a competitive mind set, not focusing on the score board, but competing each inning.” Senior first baseman Terri Brown, senior catcher/short stop Ayan-

SOCCER DISTRICT DRAWS

Park vs. Madison Heights Lamphere, 4:30 p.m. (Game A). SATURDAY, JUNE 2: Game A winner vs. Clawson, 10 a.m. (Game B); Ferndale vs. Warren Fitzgerald, 12:30 p.m. (Game C); Championship game: Game B winner vs. Game C winner, 3 p.m.

Catherine Perry (13), Rachel Mucha (27), Lily Slavin (5), Jackie Mee (21) and their Seaholm teammates open the Division 1 district tournament 7 p.m. Tuesday at Maple Field against Catholic League foe Farmington Mercy.

AT NOTRE DAME PREP TUESDAY, MAY 29: Bloomfield Hills Lahser vs. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s, 4 p.m. (Game A); Detroit Country Day vs. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, 5:30 p.m. (Game B). SATURDAY, JUNE 2: Game A winner vs. Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood, 10 a.m. (Game C); Game B winner vs. Bloomfield Hills Andover, 11:30 p.m. (Game D); Championship game: Game C winner vs. Game D winner, 1 p.m. DIVISION 4 AT SOUTHFIELD CHRISTIAN TUESDAY, MAY 29: Royal Oak Shrine vs. Novi Franklin Road Christian, 4:30 p.m. (Game A). SATURDAY, JUNE 2: Game A winner vs. West Bloomfield Frankel Jewish Academy, 10 a.m. (Game B); Birmingham Roeper vs. Southfield Christian, noon (Game C); Championship game: Game B winner vs. Game C winner, 2:30 p.m.

SOFTBALL DISTRICT DRAWS DIVISION 1 AT U-D JESUIT

BIRMINGHAM MARIAN: Marian went winless in the always-tough Catholic League and own a 6-21-1 overall record. However, the state tournament always provides another opportunity and the Mustangs would love to take advantage of the so-called ‘second season.’ “I would like to believe that playing in one of the top leagues in the state with Ladywood, Mercy and Regina, facing them four times each, that it has help us prepare for the state tournament,” said Marian head coach Mike Milczarski. “Out of the teams that I have seen play this year, I believe our district is pretty evenly matched and the team that makes the least mistakes will win.” Marian’s top players include senior outfielder Halle Robinson (.390 average, 22 runs, 14 RBI), senior catcher Emily Bruton (339 average, four

WEST BLOOMFIELD: West Bloomfield head coach Jessica Granger believes the Lakers have just as good a chance as anyone to move on to the regional round of the state tournament. “This is a very competitive district,” Granger said. “I think that any given day anyone can beat another team. It is the team that executes and makes the plays, both offensively and defensively, that will ultimately move on.” West Bloomfield is led by senior Allyson Kus, who excels both on the mound and at the plate. As the top pitcher, Kus owns 131 strike outs in 108 innings of work with a 2.75 ERA and a 9-10 personal record. At the plate, she is batting .289 with 17 RBI. Senior second baseman Taylor Rose (.301 average, 24/24 stolen bases), senior center fielder Claire Forhan (.265, nine RBI), senior shortstop Alaina Skotak (.321 average) and senior third baseman Catherine Langford are West Bloomfield’s other leading players. “We have improved every week, which was our goal at the beginning of the season,” said Granger. “We continue to strive to make and execute plays, both offensively and defensively, every inning. I believe that we have as good of a chance as anybody to win districts.”

TUESDAY, MAY 29: Hazel Park vs. Madison Heights Lamphere, 4:30 p.m. (Game A). SATURDAY, JUNE 2: Ferndale vs. Warren Fitzgerald, 10 a.m. (Game B); Game A winner vs. Clawson, noon (Game C); Championship game; Game B winner vs. Game C winner, 2 p.m. AT NOTRE DAME PREP TUESDAY, MAY 29: Bloomfield Hills Andover vs. Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood, 4:30 p.m. (Game A). SATURDAY, JUNE 2: Pontiac Notre Dame Prep vs. Bloomfield Hills Lahser, 10 a.m. (Game B); Game A winner vs. Detroit Country Day, 11:30 a.m. (Game C); Championship game: Game B winner vs. Game C winner, 1 p.m. DIVISION 4 AT SOUTHFIELD CHRISTIAN SATURDAY, JUNE 2: Royal Oak Shrine vs. Novi Franklin Road Christian, 10 a.m. (Game A); Bloomfield Hills Academy of the Sacred Heart vs. Southfield Christian, noon (Game B); Championship game: Game A winner vs. Game B winner, 2:30 p.m.

JOHN STORMZAND | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

DIVISION 1 AT NORTH FARMINGTON TUESDAY, MAY 29: Berkley at North Farmington, 7 p.m. (Game A): Southﬁeld-Lathrup at Birmingham Groves, 5 p.m. (Game B); Farmington Hills Mercy at Birmingham Seaholm, 7 p.m. (Game C). FRIDAY, JUNE 1 (at North Farmington): Game A winner vs. Game B winner, 5 p.m.; Game C winner vs. Farmington, 7 p.m. SATURDAY, JUNE 2: Championship game, 6 p.m. at North Farmington. DIVISION 2 AT WARREN FITZGERALD TUESDAY, MAY 29: Ferndale vs. Hamtramck, 4:30 p.m. (Game A); Detroit Renaissance vs. Hazel Park, 6 p.m. (Game B). THURSDAY, MAY 31: Game A winner vs. Melvindale, 4:30 p.m.; Game B winner vs. War-

ren Fitzgerald, 6 p.m. SATURDAY, JUNE 2: Championship game, 11 a.m. AT BLOOMFIELD HILLS ANDOVER TUESDAY, MAY 29: Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood at Bloomfield Hills Lahser, 4:30 p.m. (Game A): Madison Heights Lamphere at Farmington Harrison, 6 p.m. (Game B); Birmingham Marian at Bloomfield Hills Andover, 7 p.m. (Game C). THURSDAY, MAY 31: Game A winner vs. Game B winner, 5 p.m. at Andover; Game C winner vs. Auburn Hills Avondale, 7 p.m. at Andover. SATURDAY, JUNE 2: Championship game, noon at Andover. DIVISION 3 AT NOTRE DAME PREP TUESDAY, MAY 29: Clawson at Detroit Country Day, 7 p.m. (Game A): Harper Woods at

Madison Heights Madison, 4:30 p.m. (Game B); Macomb Lutheran North at Mt. Clemens, 4:30 p.m. (Game C). THURSDAY, MAY 31: Game A winner vs. Game B winner, 5 p.m. at Notre Dame Prep; Game C winner vs. Notre Dame Prep, 7 p.m. at Notre Dame Prep. SATURDAY, JUNE 2: Championship game, noon at Notre Dame Prep. DIVISION 4 AT MH BISHOP FOLEY TUESDAY, MAY 29: Southﬁeld Christian at Madison Heights Bishop Foley, 8 p.m. (Game A): Lutheran Westland at Royal Oak Shrine, 5:30 p.m. (Game B); Plymouth Christian at Detroit Cristo Rey, 6 p.m. (Game C). THURSDAY, MAY 31: Game C winner vs. Grosse Pointe University Liggett, 5 p.m. at Bishop Foley; Game A winner

vs. Game B winner, 7 p.m. at Bishop Foley. SATURDAY, JUNE 2: Championship game, 2 p.m. at Bishop Foley. AT CLARKSTON EVEREST COLLEGIATE TUESDAY, MAY 29: Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest at Clarkston Everest Collegiate, 4 p.m. (Game A): West Bloomﬁeld Frankel Jewish Academy vs. Pontiac Academy of Excellence, 6 p.m. at Everest Collegiate (Game B); Birmingham Roeper at Auburn Hills Oakland Christian, 5 p.m. (Game C). THURSDAY, MAY 31: Game C winner vs. Sterling Heights Parkway Christian, 5 p.m. at Everest Collegiate; Game A winner vs. Game B winner, 7 p.m. at Everest Collegiate. SATURDAY, JUNE 2: Championship game, 10 a.m. at Everest Collegiate.

MHSAA BOYS GOLF DISTRICT ASSIGNMENTS DIVISION 1 HOSTED BY BIRMINGHAM SEAHOLM At Huron Meadows GC (Thursday, May 31) PARTICIPATING TEAMS (12): Berkley; Birmingham Groves; Birmingham Seaholm; Birmingham Brother Rice; Farmington; Farmington Harrison; North Farmington; Southfield-Lathrup; Livonia Stevenson; Royal Oak; Southfield; West Bloomfield. DIVISION 2 HOSTED BY HOLLY

At Heather Highlands (Friday, June 1) PARTICIPATING TEAMS (13): Auburn Hills Avondale; Bloomfield Hills Andover; BLoomfield Hills Lahser; Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood; Detroit Country Day; Detroit Denby; Detroit Renaissance; Ferndale; Holly; Orchard Lake St. Mary’s; Redford Union; Redford Thurston; South Lyon East. DIVISION 3 HOSTED BY RICHMOND At Pine Valley GC

(Thursday, May 31) PARTICIPATING TEAMS (11): Algonac; Allen Park Cabrini; Almont; Armada; Clawson; Imlay City; Linden Lake Fenton; Macomb Lutheran North; Pontiac Notre Dame Prep; Richmond; Whitmore Lake. DIVISION 4 HOSTED BY CLARKSTON EVEREST COLLEGIATE At Heather Highlands GC (Thursday, May 31) PARTICIPATING TEAMS

(14): Auburn Hills Oakland Christian; Birmingham Roeper; Clarkston Everest Collegiate; Detroit Marvin L. Winans Academy of Performing Arts; Grosse Pointe University Liggett; Marine City Cardinal Mooney; Memphis; Novi Franklin Road Christian; Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest; Royal Oak Shrine Catholic; Southﬁeld Christian; Sterling Heights Parkway Christian; Macomb Christian; West Bloomﬁeld Jewish Frankel Academy.

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LOCAL SPORTS

PREP RESULTS

Observer & Eccentric | Sunday, May 27, 2012

(SO_B)

STATE CHAMPIONSHIP INFORMATION GIRLS TENNIS FINALS WHEN: June 1-2 WHERE: Division 1 - Midland Community Tennis Center; Division 2 - Stowe Stadium, Kalamazoo; Division 3 Holly/Fenton High Schools; Division 4 - Holland High School. PLAY: Begins approximately 8 a.m. each day TICKETS: $5 per individual or $10 per car where appli-

cable. BOYS & GIRLS TRACK & FIELD FINALS WHEN: June 2 WHERE: All sites in Greater Grand Rapids area...Division 1 - East Kentwood High School; Division 2 - Houseman Field; Division 3 - Comstock Park High School; Division 4 - Jenison High School. PLAY: Field events begin

9:30 a.m.; Running prelims begin 10 a.m.; Championship finals begin 12:30 p.m. TICKETS: $7 per individual. STREAMING: The FoxSportsDetroit.com and MHSAA.TV websites will stream live video of the MHSAA Network origination of running events from the Finals session at all sites. The video will be archived for on-demand viewing.

TENNIS REGIONALS

Kirsten Ulrich and her Bloomﬁeld Hills Lahser teammates will play in the Division 2 district softball tournament hosted by Pontiac Notre Dame Prep.

Boys lacrosse

NORTH AMERICAN LACROSSE INVITATIONAL: Birmingham Brother

Rice hosted eight of the best lacrosse teams from the Midwest and Canada in the second annual tournament May 19-20. Culver Academy from Indiana won the Red Division title and Bishop Timon from New York took the Blue Division crown. In the Red Division title game, Culver defeated the host and top-seeded Warriors 11-8. The teams were tied 5-5 at the half. Rice had defeated Culver earlier this season to earn its national ranking. In the Blue Division, Timon defeated Western Reserve Academy (Ohio), 14-10. Country Day lost to Western Reserve, 53. The prestigious twoday event attracted more than 25 college coaches and scouts.

Girls lacrosse

MIDWEST CHAMPIONSHIP: Birmingham

Seaholm played host to the annual Midwest Championship tournament May 19-20. Canada’s Notre Dame Prep defeated Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood in the title game, 8-7. Two Cranes were named to the All-Tournament team, including Milan Crawford and Frannie Gembis. Senior goalie Colleen Jacoby was awarded All-Region honors while Darby Stahl and Amanda Schimpke gained AllMidwest honors. Birmingham Marian, Detroit Country Day, Bloomfield Hills Academy of the Sacred Heart and the host Birmingham Women’s Lacrosse team also participated.

Girls soccer

GROVES 1, OXFORD 0:

Birmingham Groves ended the 2012 regular-season with this shutout victory over Oxford Wednesday evening. Groves goalie Lucy Mailing registered her 11th shutout. The lone goal came from Parisa Shifteh — her 13th of the season. Groves finished with a 9-6-3 overall record, including an 8-3-3 mark in the OAA Blue. SEAHOLM 4, HOLLY 0: Savannah Wiseman

scored a pair of first-half goals less than 10 minutes apart to lead Seaholm’s second-ending non-league win over Holly Wednesday evening at Maple Field on Senior Night. Defenseman Julie Naski and Hannah Haley each scored in the second half. It was Naski’s first high school goal and came on a penalty kick. Goalie Lisa White made 10 saves for her sixth shutout of

the season. Jackie Mee, Maddie Boston and J. Bess Ruby were credited with assists. The seniors recognized at halftime included Lauren Hall, Ellie Keenan, Lily Mehta, Vicky Strohm, Kristen Thut, Boston and Naski. Seaholm finished with a 10-5-2 overall record, including a 6-3-1 mark in the OAA Blue Division. SEAHOLM 16, PONTIAC 0: On Tuesday, all 16

of Seaholm’s goals were netted in the first half. J. Bess Ruby, Jackie Mee and Allison Loeffler each scored three times, while K. Halmhuber scored twice. Rachel Mucha, Maddie Boston, Marissa Damman, Hannah Haley and Kaitlyn Davis accounted for the other Maple goals.

pitcher as he allowed six hits in a complete-game effort. In the opener, Lahser’s Kyle Riley blasted a three-run round tripper and Neal Krentz contributed three hits. Jonathan Watkins went all seven innings and allowed only two earned runs.

Softball

LAHSER 8, CRANBROOK KINGSWOOD 5:

In a game played Tuesday, the Knights were led by senior pitcher Brittany Hackel who struck out five to pick up the win.

SOUTHFIELD CHRISTIAN 6-11, BERKLEY 5-3: South-

teams played a scoreless first half before the host Maples erupted for five straight goals. Savannah Wiseman scored twice, while Emma Kuslits, K. Halmhuber and Emily Currie claimed single tallies. J. Bess Ruby was credited with three assists.

field Christian swept this non-league doubleheader on May 19. In the first game, Maggie Vosler had two hits, scored two runs and had an RBI. Rebekah Devine was 3-3 with an RBI while Alexis Hart had two hits. The Eagles were led offensively in the nightcap by Hart (three hits, two runs scored), Maria Varano (three hits, two runs scored, two RBI) and Emily Thrasher (two hits, three runs scored). Varano was the winning pitcher in both games.

Baseball

Boys track

SEAHOLM 5, LATHRUP 0: On May 17, the

ROYAL OAK TOURNAMENT: Detroit Country

Day captured the Royal Oak Tournament title on May 19 with a 6-4 victory over Waterford Kettering. The Yellowjackets overcame a 3-0 deficit by posting six seventhinning runs. With two outs in the seventh and DCD trailing by three runs, Robert Kuhn, Mike Azzopardi, Gianmarco Rea and Nick Weinerth each logged hits which pushed across the decisive runs. Azzopardi, a junior, contributed a three-run triple and was also the winning pitcher. Country Day opened the tournament with a big 5-4 victory over highlyranked St. Clair. Country Day again rallied to win the game with a three-run seventh. Kuhn, Azzopardi and Rea each contributed a pair of hits in the win. DCD hiked its overall record to 9-7 with the two wins. LAHSER 4-6, TROY ATHENS 5-5: Both games in

this OAA Blue doubleheader on Monday were decided by a single run. Lahser registered the one-run win in the second game thanks to big games from Patrick Monahan (two hits) and Charlie Dauch (reached base three times, plus a sacrifice fly). Zach Tornow, Reilly Manz, Jack Schaffer and Steven Terryn each produced key hits. Junior Austin Burchill was the winning

DIVISION 4 REGIONAL: On May 19 at Luther-

an Westland, Royal Oak Shrine was third overall with 102 points. The Knights had three individual champions and one relay squad (3,200 relay) which placed first. Matt Sutton won the 1,600-meter run (4:50.48) and teammate Ben Kendall (4:52.31) was second in that event. In the 3,200-meter run, it was just the opposite results with Kendall winning (10:55.45) and Sutton taking second (11:16.0). Connor Lockman crossed first in the 800-meter run in 2:07.79.

Girls track

DIVISION 4 REGIONAL:

Royal Oak Shrine’s girls team captured top honors in this 13-team meet held May 19 at Lutheran Westland. The Knights finished with 173.50 points and second place Lutheran Westland scored 141.50 points. Shrine won the 400- and 800-meter relays, and was second in the 1,600- and 3,200meter relays. The Knight performance was highlighted by a sweep in the high jump behind the efforts of Taylor Kilgore (4-feet, 11-inches), Clare Romano (4-11) and Irene Peaslee (4-4). Romano was second in the high hurdles and third in the low hurdles. Kilgore (200) and Gabby Schmidt (3,200) logged secondplace finishes. Cranbrook Kingswood’s Ari Vespa (right) dodges a Notre Dame Prep defender during action in the recent Midwest Championship tournament held at Birmingham Seaholm.

DIVISION 2 AT BIRMINGHAM SEAHOLM (Thursday, May 17) TEAM STANDINGS: 1. Birmingham Marian, 29 points; 2. Birmingham Seaholm, 27; 3. Birmingham Groves, 16; 4. Berkley, 13; 5. Southfield, 5; 6. (tie) Garden City, Redford Union, 4; 8. Detroit Renaissance, 3; 9. Redford Thurston, 0. FLIGHT RESULTS SINGLES: 1. Bailey Paradiso (BM) def. Nancy Benda (BS), 6-3, 2-0 (retired); 2. Labina Petrovska (BS) def. Elaine Apaza (BM), 6-3, 6-2; 3. Lauren Frazier (BS) def. CeCe Christian (BM), 5-7, 6-4, 7-6 (3); 4. Lauren Dietz (BM) def Claire Markley (BS), 6-2, 6-0. DOUBLES: 1. Kelly Lunghamer/Olivia Underwood (BM) def. Annie Grier/Arielle Williams (BS), 6-2, 6-1; 2. Bridget O’Hara/Tatum Schwartz (BM) def. Allyson Foreman/Meghan Dooley (BS), 3-6, 6-2, 6-3; 3. Rachel Wilson/Jackie Meier (BS) def. Molly MacKenzie/Bianca Emde (BM), 6-2, 6-2; 4. Macy Hudson/Mallory Hudson (BM) def. Lauren Benderoff/ Katie Root (BS), 6-4, 6-3. AT NORTH FARMINGTON (Friday, May 18) TEAM STANDINGS: 1. Bloomfield Hills Andover, 26 points; 2. (tie) Farmington Hills Mercy and Bloomfield Hills Lahser, 19; 4. North Farmington, 14; 5. Farmington Harrison, 8; 6. Dexter, 7; 7. (tie) Auburn Hills Avondale and South Lyon, 4; 9. Farmington, 2; 10. Pinckney, 1. FLIGHT RESULTS SINGLES: 1. Mollie Fox (BHL) def. Winnie Karoub (FM), 6-2, 6-0; 2. Kristen Law (BHA) def. Ani Carvajal (BHL), 7-6

(1), 6-1; 3. Erin Weingarten (BHA) def. Meryl Reams (BHL), 6-1, 6-1; 4. Stephanie Podolsky (BHA) def. Kenya Sanchez (BHL), 6-1, 3-6, 2-0 (retired). DOUBLES: 1. Margaux Kabodian/Jessie Guindi (FM) def. Ellyce Ferguson/Jacqueline Shandler (BHL), 6-3, 6-1; 2. Paige Atkinson/Hailey Brownstein (BHA) def. Anna Hinrichs/Christy Snyder (FM), 6-4, 7-6 (6); 3. Alana Gutman/ Jenna Yousif (BHA) def. Laura Williams/Julie Flanagan (FM), 5-7, 7-5, 6-4; 4. Sydney Aronovitz/Madison Lorenz (BHA) def. Marissa Jonna/Margaret Reaume (FM), 6-2, 7-5. DIVISION 3 AT DETROIT COUNTRY DAY (Thursday, May 17) TEAM STANDINGS: 1. Bloomﬁeld Hills Cranbrook Kingswood, 29 points; 2. Detroit Country Day, 27; 3. Livonia Ladywood, 15; 4. South Lyon East, 6; 5. (tie) Ferndale, Hazel Park, 5; 7. Warren Fitzgerald, 4; 8. (tie) Dearborn Divine Child, Madison Heights Lamphere, 2. FLIGHT RESULTS SINGLES: 1. Alexandria Najarian (CK) def. Amabel Karoub (DCD), 6-2, 6-1; 2. Madelyn Karoub (DCD) def. Kendra Sweet (CK), 6-1, 3-6, 6-3; 3. Marina Selenica (DCD) Sarah Lipworth (CK), 6-4, 6-2; 4. Jane Ziecek (DCD) def. Alissa Rowens (CK), 3-6, 7-5, 6-0. DOUBLES: 1. Megan Simmons/Meg Phyle (CK) def. Chelsea Dahline/Sarah Carroll (DCD), 7-5, 6-1; 2. Claire Hut-

tenlocher/Maria Landi (CK) def. Ellie Miller/Sarah She (DCD), 6-2, 2-6, 6-2; 3. Briana Letica/Holly Meers (CK) def. Catherine Blotner/Sara Dassanayake (DCD), 6-0, 6-1; 4. Christina Roualet/Lauren Lanzon (CK) def. Lauren Mamaril/Samantha Prince (DCD), 6-0, 6-4. DIVISION 4 AT ALMONT (Friday, May 18) TEAM STANDINGS: 1. Bloomﬁeld Hills Academy of the Sacred Heart, 30 points; 2. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, 22; 3. Armada, 18; 4. Flint Powers Catholic, 15; 5. Clarkston Everest Academy, 7; 6. Almont, 6; 7. (tie) Algonac, Imlay City, 4; 9. (tie) Flint Southwestern Academy, Lake Fenton, 2; 11. Mt. Morris, 1. FLIGHT RESULTS SINGLES: 1. Jessica Davis (ASH) def. Lisa Savagian (NDP), 6-3, 6-3; 2. Kelsey Hildebrand (ASH) def. Michaela DeGrande (ARM), 6-4, 6-1; 3. Tyler Papazian (ASH) def. Kayla Stencel (NDP), 6-2, 4-0 (injury default); 4. Erin Moncrief (NDP) def. Madison Mack Sood (FP), 7-6 (3), 7-5. DOUBLES: 1. Kelsey Nagle/ Emily Nash (ASH) def. Danielle Mullis/Hannah Preuss (NDP), 6-0, 6-4; 2. Hannah Gerard/Elia Wilson (ASH) def. Ashley Ewert/Jill Reuter (ARM), 6-2, 6-0; 3. Heide Lemon/Sarah Spangler (ASH) def. Sara Hanna/Savanah Litton (NDP), 6-3, 6-3; 4. Kendall Lehmann/Teresa Walawender (ASH) def. Gabby Bering/ Maddie Riley (NDP), 6-1, 6-3.

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LOCAL SPORTS

Observer & Eccentric | Sunday, May 27, 2012

Rice, Groves, Seaholm linkers look forward to states With the boys high school state tournament set to tee off, Birmingham Brother Rice boys golf head coach Dan Bumpus is hoping the Warriors are starting to get their clubs in order. The Warriors went undefeated through their first seven dual meets and produced high-quality finishes in a number of tournaments. For instance, in the recent Oakland County tournament held at the Pontiac Country Club, Rice placed second by a mere two strokes behind Novi. It marked the team’s fourth secondplace finish of the spring. Brother Rice did manage to win the AzureDynamics/Birmingham Seaholm Golf Invitational which included a number of state-ranked teams May 7 at the Oakland Hills North Course.

12-ranked Birmingham Groves and Birmingham Seaholm. “It’s going to be tough because the teams on the west side of the state are really good,” said Bumpus following the Oakland County tournament. “If we have any chance, we have to play our absolute best. Our challenge every year is to get out of our regional because we have such a stacked regional.” “It’s been an up-anddown season and we’ve been mixing things up quite a bit, It’s getting to the point now where we’re hopefully in a groove. (The County tournament) is the start of the end of the season and I think we’re still trying to find our ‘A’ game. “We played well (at the County), but we still need a little bit of work to put things together,” he said. “We’ll use this as a bit of motivation for the rest of the season.”

State-ranked Rice

Seniors lead way

By Marty Budner Eccentric Staff Writer

The Warriors, ranked No. 7 in the state, would like to put together a few more solid performances in the Division 1 state tournament which begins Thursday with district play at Huron Meadows Golf Club. The 12-team field also includes No.

The Warriors are led by seniors Sean Friel and Lucas Belanger, junior Kyle Gaines and sophomore Jeremy Ball. All four were on last year’s squad which placed fourth at the state meet, 20 strokes behind champion Grand Rapids Forest

JOHN STORMZAND | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Lucas Belanger and his Brother Rice golf mates are hoping to again qualify for the Division 1 state meet with strong performances at the upcoming district and regional tournaments.

Hills Central. The fifth member of the team is junior Jeremy Gold who is new to the varsity, but contributing with a number of low

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scores. Friel, who is headed to Michigan State, is a fouryear varsity veteran who averages in the mid-70s. Belanger, another four-

Basketball

year varsity player who is headed to Queens University on a golf scholarship, is another steady player. “Sean is a great putter who hits the ball well,” said Bumpus. “What really saves him is on the greens. He can putt with the best of them. When he gets a hot putter he can really shoot low. “Lucas hits the ball a long way and is pretty steady most of the time,” said Bumpus. “He’s a really good ball striker. No one part of his game really stands out. He’s just got a solid, all-around game.” Belanger, a team captain along with Friel, believes Rice is ready for a big showing in the state tournament. “I think this is our year,” said Belanger. “The last couple of years we’ve done well up (at states). I think we can do it if we play good. “We have good senior leadership and we have good young players,” he said. “To be honest, I think we can do it.” Groves head coach Andre White said his team is also on the rise at the right time of the season. The Falcons finished sixth at the Oakland County tournament for one its best showings

in years.

Falcons, Maples set

Groves was led by Johnny Reid who carded a 77. Calvin Greer (80), Conor Flynn (81) and Nick Pursel (82) all hope to shoot well at the district. Seaholm, which heads into the state tournament without the reigning Mr. Golf who elected to “pursue other interests” outside of high school golf, according to head coach Leon Braisted, is also looking forward to states. The Maples did not qualify as a team last year but hope to get back this spring. Seaholm’s low scorer at the Oakland County meet was Nick Vick who shot 75 and tied for third overall. The next best scorers were Kevin Lam and R.J. Haley. Lam and teammate Dylan DeWitt have earned Evan Scholarships. “As the season is going on we’re progressing,” said Braisted, whose team was 4-1 after its first five duals. “Some of our younger kids are pushing the older kids. They’re stepping up to the plate and doing well. “If we can get through districts, I think we’ll be OK,” said Braisted. “I think we’re there.”

SPORTS CAMPS/CLINICS

• The Brother Rice Summer Basketball Camp is set for June 18-21 and will be held at Brother Rice High School. The camp is for players entering grades 3-6 (9 a.m. to noon) and grades 7-9 (1-4 p.m.). The daily schedule includes warmups, stretching and strength work, individual and group ball-handling, team and individual drills, competition stations and competitive play and tournaments. The camp will be conducted by Brother Rich High School head coach Ed Shaffer. The goal is to ‘teach the proper and safe fundamentals.’ Camp fee is $150 and every participant will receive a t-shirt. For more information, call (248) 6472531 or e-mail shaffer@ brrice.edu. • The Bloomfield Hills Lahser Knights MidSummer Classic Shootout will be held July 23-26. Varsity basketball games will be played Tuesday and Thursday, while the JV games are set for Monday and Wednesday. Opening games begin 4 p.m., and all games will be played at Bloomfield Hills Lahser. Team entry fee is $240 and space is limited. Teams are guaranteed a minimum of five games in two nights with three available courts. For more information, contact Lahser basketball coach Duane Graves at (248) 9358351, or e-mail at coach_ dgraves@yahoo.com. • The University of Detroit-Mercy and the Titan Club will host the second annual Titan Club Basketball Camp for Special Needs. The camp will run from 9 a.m. to noon on Monday, June 25, and registration is $15 per person. The

price includes instruction from NCAA coaches and current and former student-athletes, a camp Tshirt, refreshments and certificate of completion. Detroit Titans head coaches Ray McCallum and Autumn Rademacher will be in attendance. Hospitality for parents and guardians is also provided at no extra charge. The first camp last year had a wide range of participant ability levels. The 2012 event will take place at Calihan Hall and interested parties are encouraged to register as soon as possible as the camp is expected to sell out. For questions regarding this event, contact Detroit Titan Athletics at (313) 9931700 or gotitans@udmercy.edu.

Baseball

• Total Baseball Summer Camps will offer a series of events to improve the baseball experience. The Fundamentals Baseball Camp will be held from June 18-21 for players ages 6-14. The Train and Play Camp is set for June 25-28 for players ages 6-14, and the July Summer Camp will be held from July 9-12 for players ages 6-14. All camps costs $150 per player and one-on-one instruction will be provided. For more information, call (248) 668-0166.

Football

• The Detroit Lions 2012 Youth Football Camps begins its 21-city, 23-camp summer tour at Detroit Country Day High School. The two-day Beverly Hills Quarterback/Wide Receiver Academy will be held June 9-10. It will focus one day on quarterback play and one day on the wide

receiver position. The academy is for boys and girls ages 8-14. The camp fee is $75, and space is limited to the first 75 registered participants. Detroit Lions Youth Football Camps partner with the NFL’s ‘Fuel Up To Play 60’ program to offer the following elements: noncontact fundamental football instruction; Lions camp T-shirt; Chalk talk and video sessions skills contests and scrimmages; and an opportunity to earn Detroit Lions Camp awards. For further information or to register, visit DetroitLions.com/ youthfootball or call (313) 262-2248.

Volleyball

• The Wayne State University volleyball team will conduct its summer camps from July 23-28 at the Matthaei Athletic Complex on the WSU campus. An intermediate camp is set for July 23-26 for players in grades 5-8 and will be held from 9 a.m. to noon. An advanced camp for players in grades 9-12 will be held on those same dates from 1-4 p.m. A camp for elitelevel players will be held July 27-28 and is intended for highly-skilled players with varsity and club experience. Warriors head coach Phil Nickel and assistant coach Kylie McCulley will conduct the camps along with members of WSU’s volleyball squad. Registration is $100 per player for the intermediate and advance participants. Cost for the elite camp is $160 for residents and $125 for commuters. All campers receive a WSU volleyball t-shirt. For more information or to register, call (313) 577-7541, or e-mail phil.nickel@wayne.edu.

online at hometownlife.com

LOCAL SPORTS

Observer & Eccentric | Sunday, May 27, 2012

(SO_B)

Marian’s streak ended By Brad Emons Eccentric Staff Writer

The Catholic League A-B Division championship girls soccer trophy is going take up residence in a different location for the first time in a decade. Livonia Ladywood ended Birmingham Marian’s nine-year streak of A-B titles with a dramatic 1-0 victory May 19 at home. Freshman Sam Riga scored the game-winner with 4:09 left in the second 10-minute overtime to hand the Mustangs their first Catholic League setback since 2002. Riga’s game-winning goal came off a three-onthree counter attack with senior Paige Brennan drawing the assist. Ironically, the freshman nearly had the game’s first goal just six minutes into the match when she drilled a shot off the left post. “I saw it going through to DeYana (Walker),’’ Riga said. “The (Marian) girl just miss-kicked it and I just relaxed my shoulders and I knew I had to point it to the corner. My left foot was right there and I was able to finish it – and I was very relaxed.’’ The win improves Ladywood’s overall record to 18-1-2, while Marian falls to 14-2-1. It was the first loss for Marian coach Barry Brodsky to Ladywood since he took over the program 11 years ago. “We contained and they (Ladywood) like to send it over the top and that one got through,’’ Brodsky said of the gamewinner by Riga. “It was

PHOTOS BY DOUGLAS BARGERSTOCK

Ladywood sophomore defender Lauren Wandzel (13) clears the ball out of danger with Marian’s Anna Kemp (4) in pursuit during Saturday’s Catholic League A-B Division girls soccer ﬁnal.

three-versus-three in the back, we just miscommunicated a little bit and the ball just popped out. “She (Riga) is a quality forward and when she gets the opportunity, she’s going to finish it, and she did.’’ Chances were limited on both sides with Ladywood outshooting the Mustangs 14-10. Ladywood goalkeeper Sara Even made three saves and Marian counterpart Makenzie Larson had four stops. Temperatures hovered in the low 80s under bright, sunny skies during the 96-minute marathon. “Everybody was extremely tired and you knew most of the time like that somebody’s either make a mistake, or somebody making a great play,’’ Brodsky said. “I think we bobbled it a little bit and she (Riga) made a great play. Hats off to her and great job by Ladywood.’’ It was the third meeting between the state’s

No. 1 and No. 2 ranked teams in Division 2. The first match ended in a 11 draw at Marian and the second went to the visiting Mustangs, 1-0. “The stakes were a little bit bigger today … maybe we’ll see them one more time this year,’’ Brodsky said. “We’ve had three evenly matched games and somebody is going to make a play and that team usually wins.’’ The Blazers were certainly opportunistic when converting the game-winner. “The ball came off the defender and Sam showed up in a great spot, and that was a first-class finish,’’ Ladywood coach Ken Shingledecker said. “She’s excellent. She’s really come on and Dom (Sarnecky) has been banged up. She (Riga) hit a goalpost in the first 10 minutes. She’s a great player. We’re lucky to have her on this team.’’ Keeping players fresh under the heat became a factor as the match

Livonia Ladywood freshman Sam Riga (7) scored the game-winning goal in the second overtime to beat Birmingham Marian, 1-0, for the Catholic League A-B Division title.

wore on. “Both sides have some players out, so sometimes the bench gets shortened a little bit,’’ Shingledecker said. “In those moments, you really need people to step up. There’s some players on my team that played full games, especially backline players that left it all out there. Absolutely in this heat it’s tough to go a full game. “There were no chances at all and I told the girls a couple of times it’s going to take the one

big chance and who’s going to get it and finish it. It happened for us and obviously Sam put it away, which was great.’’ The young Blazers, who have only three seniors (including the injured Morgan Chops) celebrated by hoisting the A-B Division championship trophy. “I knew it was for our seniors because Paige (Brennan) and Kelly (Capoccia) have put so much into it,’’ Riga said. “I look up to them so much and I know we

need to do it for them. It’s a good way to finish up their Catholic League.’’

C’VILLE 5, SUMMIT 3: Junior Ashley Murphy notched a hat trick and added one assist Saturday leading Livonia Clarenceville (4-9-2) to a victory over Romulus Summit Academy North (10-3). Sarah Curvin also scored twice for the Trojans, who led 3-2 at halftime. Other assists went to Lindsey Fosth and Rachel Kirschweng, the latter whom played goalkeeper during the second half after starter Jillian Bunker was injured. Sahdia Washington scored two goals for the Dragons.

REGIONAL TRACK & FIELD RESULTS BOYS TRACK & FIELD DIVISION 1 REGIONAL May 19 at Farmington TEAM SCORES: Birmingham Brother Rice 87; Southfield 86.50; Birmingham Groves 75; West Bloomfield 64; Novi 60; Royal Oak 53; North Farmington 52; Oak Park 49; Farmington 40; Farmington Harrison 34.50; Birmingham Seaholm 27; Berkley 25. 3,200-METER RELAY: 1. Royal Oak, 8:05.03; 2. Seaholm, 8:09.32; 3. Farmington, 8:09.93; 4. Novi, 8:25.04; 5. North Farmington, 8:31.35; 6. Oak Park, 8:45.79; 7. Southfield, 8:47.21; 8. Brother Rice, 8:57.58. 110 HURDLES: 1. Ross Williams (BG), 14.71; 2. Dominick Lemonious (OP), 15.24; 3. Kyle Hall (WB), 15.40; 4. Lance Lilla (N), 15.44; 5. Josh Craven (F), 15.50; 6. Jared Vier (RO), 15.50; 7. Kahlil (BR), 15.84; 8. Denzel Owens (H), 15.86. 100 DASH: 1. Jeff Aririguzo (WB), 11.13; 2. Cedric Hill (S), 11.17; 3. Justin Flynn (BR), 11.23; 4. Trae Parker (H), 11.36; 5. James Gault (OP), 11.38; 6. Keon Collier (BG), 11.41; 7. Blake Jackson (BG), 11.43; 8. Malik Washington (OP), 11.56. 800 RELAY: 1. Southfield, 1:29.05; 2. Oak Park, 1:30.38; 3. Harrison, 1:30.44; 4. Brother Rice, 1:31.71; 5. Berkley, 1:32.23; 6. Novi, 1:32.28; 7. Farmington, 1:32.84; 8. North Farmington, 1:35.91. 1,600 RUN: 1. Thomas Girardot (BR), 4:25.15; 2. Ben Griessmann (WB), 4:26.94; 3. John Penington (BR), 4:28.45; 4. Jack Howard (BS), 4:36.75; 5. Sebastian Betzer (B), 4:41.60; 6. Max Bradley (NF), 4:43.16; 7. Tim MacPherson (N), 4:45.65; 8. Leonard Jackson (RO), 4:46.38. 400 RELAY: 1. West Bloomfield, 43.10; 2. Groves, 43.58; 3. Brother Rice, 43.74; 4. Oak Park, 43.77; 5. Harrison, 44.34; 6. Berkley, 44.82; 7. Novi, 45.18; 8. Farmington, 45.47. 400 DASH: 1. Tre Walton (S), 48.69; 2. Phillip Johnson (BG), 49.07; 3. Jason Ervin (NF), 50.04; 4. Austin Little (S), 51.61; 5. Eric Braun (B), 51.71; 6. Zach Masserant (N), 52.02; 7. Matthew Almeranti (BS), 52.99; 8. Antez Ward (F), 53.04. 300 HURDLES: 1. Ross Williams (BG), 39.31; 2. Jordan Banks (BG), 39.76; 3. Brandon Bean (S), 40.52; 4. Kevin Bacon (WB), 40.81; 5. Dominick Lemonious (OP), 41.30; 6. Dorian Reid (BR), 41.60; 7. DaRon Turner (N), 42.25; 8. Mike Carey (BR), 42.72. 800 RUN: 1. Kyle Braun (B), 1:58.16; 2. Torin Wile (BR), 1:59.19; 3. Max Gomez (BS), 2:01.83; 4. Ben Griessmann (WB), 2:02.05; 5. Denzel Rich (S), 2:02.28; 6. Adam Quinn (RO), 2:02.47; 7. Brian Barnes (N), 2:02.63; 8. Nathan Hords (BG), 2:03.30. 200 DASH: 1. Jeff Aririguzo (WB), 22.18; 2. Phillip Johnson (BG), 22.36; 3. Jason Ervin (NF), 22.41; 4. Justin Flynn (BR), 22.84; 5. Brandon Watkins (S), 22.90; 6. Michael Jocz (N), 22.98; 7. Chris Massey (H), 23.06; 8. Brandon Harding (OP), 23.26. 3,200 RUN: 1. Ben Hill (RO), 9:44.61; 2. Max Benoit (RO),

9:56.32; 3. Dan Dobras (RO), 10:08.16; 4. Zack Demko (BS), 10:11.54; 5. Drew Lindman (F), 10:13.36; 6. Andrew Brown (F), 10:18.07; 7. Thomas Girardot (BR), 10:25.68; 8. John Penington (BR), 10:27.84. 1,600 RELAY: 1. Southfield, 3:22.56; 2. Groves, 3:22.69; 3. Novi, 3:28.97; 4. Brother Rice, 3:29.01; 5. Oak Park, 3:33.76; 6. Farmington, 3:35.33; 7. West Bloomfield, 3:38.0; 8. Seaholm, 3:39.46. DISCUS: 1. Justin Shelton (NF), 143-0; 2. Connor Ferguson (F), 141-7; 3. Austin Echols (BR), 140-1; 4. Bill Pieroni (BR), 135-10; 5. Steve Norris (BR), 133-6; 6. Connor Barrick (RO), 131-11; 7. Vonn Pallett (F), 131-10; 8. Robert Gibson (RO), 127-6. SHOT PUT: 1. Austin Echols (BR), 50-7.50; 2. Darius Durrett (S), 491.25; 3. Itoh Buley (NF), 46-10.25; 4. DeJuan Pope (NF), 46-0.50; 5. Marcell Cummings (OP), 43-11.50; 6. Vonn Pallett (F), 43-10; 7. Robert Gibson (RO), 43-7; 8. Jack Grisan (BR), 43-0. HIGH JUMP: 1. Chris Phillips (S), 6-3.30; 2. Quinn Culbertson (H), 6-3.20; 3. Anthony Clinton (OP), 6-3; 4. Derek Cingel (N), 6-1.10; 5. Brandon Bean (S), 6-1; 6. Jalen Williams (BG), 5-11.10; 7. Jared Vier (RO), 5-11; 8. (tie) Jair Alexander (H) and Marcus Spencer (S), 5-8. LONG JUMP: 1. Ali Taha (N), 21-4; 2. CJ Brathwaite (WB), 20-11.50; 3. Jalen Williams (BG), 20-8.50; 4. Brandon Bean (S), 20-6.50; 5. Blaine Anderson (RO), 20-2.75; 6. Jordan Degreffenreed (F), 1911.75; 7. Connor Daly (N), 19-11; 8. Anthony Clinton (OP), 19-10. POLE VAULT: 1. Collin Berenguer (N), 11-10; 2. Will Foster (H), 1011.20; 3. David Mittlebrun (NF), 10-11.10; 4. Austin Tucker (NF), 10-11. GIRLS TRACK & FIELD DIVISION 1 REGIONAL May 19 at Farmington TEAM SCORES: Novi 154; Birmingham Seaholm 106; Farmington 79; West Bloomfield 63; Southfield 57; North Farmington 47; Farmington Harrison 40; Birmingham Groves 32; Berkley 20; Farmington Hills Mercy 17; Southfield-Lathrup 13; Royal Oak 8; Oak Park 6. 3,200-METER RELAY: 1. Seaholm, 9:30.16; 2. Mercy, 9:55.85; 3. North Farmington, 10:33.63; 4. Novi, 10:55.38; 5. Royal Oak, 10:57.63; 6. West Bloomfield, 11:45.65; 7. Farmington, 11:52.12. 100 HURDLES: 1. Laticia Sims (H), 14.55; 2. Aaron Howell (F), 15.15; 3. Abby Downs (N), 15.65; 4. Maya Roberts (M), 16.28; 5. Anna Kay Barrett (S), 16.48; 6. Jenny Chang (N), 16.50; 7. Karrington Seals (NF), 16.51; 8. Morgan Kempf (RO), 16.99. 100 DASH: 1. Sydni Davis (WB), 13.04; 2. D’Maya Davis (N), 13.21; 3. Asha Freeman (NF), 13.29; 4. Shelby Allen (B), 13.36; 5. Jewel Hampton (S), 13.45; 6. Liz Kendal (BG), 13.48; 7. Tyler Bland (F), 13.69; 8. Daijah Thomas (S), 13.79. 800 RELAY: 1. Southfield, 1:43.46; 2. North Farmington, 1:43.88; 3. Farmington, 1:44.99; 4. Groves, 1:46.01; 5. Seaholm, 1:46.62; 6. Novi, 1:47.88; 7. Royal

Oak, 1:49.82; 8. West Bloomfield, 1:49.96. 1,600 RUN: 1. Erin Finn (WB), 4:55.48; 2. Tess Wilberding (BS), 5:08.16; 3. Jackie Mullins (N), 5:09.44; 4. Audrey Belf (BS), 5:10.59; 5. Danielle Bentzley (BS), 5:17.71; 6. Julia Demko (BS), 5:19.01; 7. Kendall Weinert (BS), 5:23.68; 8. Hannah Lonergan (N), 5:28.07. 400 RELAY: 1. Novi, 48.99; 2. North Farmington, 49.82; 3. Southfield, 49.87; 4. Groves, 50.27; 5. Farmington, 50.59; 6. West Bloomfield, 51.03; 7. Seaholm, 51.18; 8. Lathrup, 53.02. 400 DASH: 1. Aubrey Wilberding (BS), 56.48; 2. Latipha Cross (S), 58.67; 3. Sydney Sterling (F), 1:00.60; 4. Mallory Wilberding (BS), 1:01.20; 5. Crystal Abernathy (S), 1:01.68; 6. Taylor (N), 1:02.21; 7. Brooke Callaghan (BS), 1:02.44;

8. Shelby Sprinkle (WB), 1:03.28. 300 HURDLES: 1. Aaron Howell (F), 45.57; 2. Kelly McCloskey (N), 46.52; 3. Lina Davis (N), 47.22; 4. J’Laan Pittman (BG), 48.32; 5. Ariel Graham (NF), 49.00; 6. Allison Wegner (BS), 49.16; 7. Karrington Seals (NF), 50.71; 8. Candance Cannon (H), 51.99. 800 RUN: 1. Jackie Fiest (BG), 2:17.00; 2. Rachel DaDamio (BS), 2:17.32; 3. Jayla Fleming (OP), 2:23.05; 4. Kate Owens (BS), 2:23.13; 5. Kerri McMahan (N), 2:23.53; 6. Olivia Salinas (F), 2:26.15; 7. Selena Wallace (BS), 2:30.98; 8. Lauren Bos (RO), 2:32.60. 200 DASH: 1. Jasmine Ward (N), 25.81; 2. Latipha Cross (S), 25.90; 3. Crystal Abernathy (S), 26.64; 4. Sandra Johnson (H), 26.88; 5. Jaida Switzer, (BG), 27.12; 6. Raven Major (F), 27.29.

3,200 RUN: 1. Erin Finn (WB), 10:22.40; 2. Tess Wilberding (BS), 11:20.82; 3. Jackie Mullins (N), 11:29.15; 4. Audrey Belf (BS), 11:32.75; 5. Emily Brunett (H), 11:33.97; 6. Julia Demko (BS), 11:34.30; 7. Heather Smith (M), 11:40.51; 8. Danielle Bentzley (BS), 11:59.94. 1,600 RELAY: 1. Seaholm, 4:03.01; 2. Novi, 4:05.41; 3. Southﬁeld, 4:08.08; 4. Farmington, 4:12.30; 5. North Farmington, 4:19.54; 6. West Bloomﬁeld, 4:30.43; 7. Mercy, 4:37.33. DISCUS: 1. Sam Pavlika (N), 123-4; 2. Taylor Pavlika (N), 117-2; 3. Marlee Brown (WB), 105-11; 4. Angela Simon (B), 100-7; 5. Emily Hubbard (WB), 98-4; 6. Hailey Hurt (F), 96-11; 7. Chelsea Savage (H), 94-1; 8. Elizabeth Vermoesen (BS), 93-10. SHOT PUT: 1. Sam Pavlika (N),

40-8; 2. Chelsea Savage (H), 404.50; 3. Hailey Hurt (F), 36-5.50; 4. Taylor Pavlika (N), 36-5; 5. Angela Simon (B), 35-9.50; 6. Darby Atkinson (WB), 35-6; 7. Kyla Roland (H), 35-0; 8. Kaylyn Sanford (WB), 34-6.50. HIGH JUMP: 1. Kerri McMahan (N), 5-6; 2. Keianna Ingram (SL), 5-6; 3. Aaron Howell (F), 5-4; 4. Elizabeth Vermoesen (BS), 5-2; 5. Abby Downs (N), 5-0. LONG JUMP: 1. Aaron Howell (F), 19-0; 2. Valerie Johnson (WB), 17-2.25; 3. Shelby Allen (B), 16-10; 4. Asha Freeman (NF), 16-6.50; 5. Keianna Ingram (SL), 16-5.50; 6. Karla Ayala-Talavera (N), 16-5.25; 7. Karrington Seals (NF), 16-2.75; 8. McKenna Burr (N), 16-2. POLE VAULT: 1. McKenna Burr (N), 9-2; 2. Molly Miller (H), 8-2; 3. Megan Patton (N), 8-2; 4. Alyssa Millinoff (F), 7-8.

INSIDE: LAHSER, ANDOVER BOYS TANKERS MEET FOR FINAL TIME — B5 SECTION B . (SO_B) SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2013 OBSERVER & ECCENTRIC HOMETOWNLIFE.COM

SPORTS

MARTY BUDNER, EDITOR mbudner@hometownlife.com (586) 826-7277

Bitonti’s game plan is regional TV expansion ‘It’s all content, and we have some great story lines. All we’re trying to do is find the human interest side of it. We have highlights and I think we’re appealing to the right audience.’

By Marty Budner Staff Writer

Like every good football coach, Lou Bitonti has a solid game plan. If it unfolds the right way, Bitonti will have a regional high school sports television program across a five-state area. Bitonti, Birmingham Brother Rice’s director of Football Operations, is president of the State Champs! Sports Network (SCSN). Sports Champs! caters to the high school sports fan, featuring various accomplishments of student-athletes throughout Michigan. From the glory of the gridiron to the relative obscurity of the cross country course, be it boys or girls, State Champs! focuses on all prep sports. Bitonti said some 350 State Champs! shows have been aired in nine counties across Southeast Michigan over the past 10 years.

LOU BITONTI

State Champs! Sports Network president

Lou Bitonti, the Director of Football Operations at Brother Rice High School and president of the State Champs! Sports Network which focuses on prep sports, works out of his Bloomﬁeld Hills ofﬁce.

Award-winning show The Emmy-Award win-

ning product is shown every Sunday on CW50 in the Detroit area and reaches an audience of

more than one million households with over 50,000 viewers per week. The show recently start-

ed to air in the Grand Rapids market, and future broadcasts are scheduled for later this year in Saginaw, Lansing, Midland and Flint. Please see BITONTI, B5

Marian stops Ladywood, closes in on title

ne, who has guided the Mustangs to 11 Catholic League A-B division crowns. “They Birmingham Marian conmade a lot of mistakes, tinues to cast a large shadbut they didn’t get down. ow over the rest of the They didn’t pout, and we Catholic League Central got after them — the coachDivision girls basketball es and myself — and they teams. stayed tough. They’re getThe Mustangs control ting mentally tough. They their own desunderstand ‘I just see tiny when it they can make comes to gain- maturity ... a mistake and ing at least a bounce back they’re getting share of the better because title after dis- mentally tough. they’re mostpatching Livo- They understand ly young kids. nia Ladywood, We have few they can make 49-34, Thursseniors, but day on the that’s huge a mistake and Blazers’ home when you bounce back floor. have young Marian, now better because kids that can 13-2 overall mature fast.” they’re mostly and 5-2 in the Kilyn Bulyoung kids.’ Central (tied luck, a 5-footwith Dearborn MARY CICERONE 11 senior forDivine Child), Marian basketball head coach ward, proved can claim a bullish on the piece of the boards and crown with a win Tuesday finished with a game-high at Warren Regina. 13 points. The Mustangs were able “She’s a tough player,” to make a 30-15 halftime said Ladywood assistant lead hold up and overcame coach Amber Culloty, who 21 turnovers to eliminate assumed the bench duties Ladywood (9-6, 4-4) from for head coach Anthony title contention. Coratti (out of town on a “I just see maturity,” said Marian coach Mary CiceroPlease see HOOPS, B5 Staff Writer

JOHN STORMZAND | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Forward Matt Riggleman is one Brother Rice’s leading scorers in MIHL play this season with 14 points (ﬁve goals, nine assists).

Strongest Showcase yet awaits fans in Trenton Berkley hockey team wraps up OAA championship, B2

By Marty Budner Staff Writer

BILL BRESLER | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

The Troy Sports Center will host the Michigan Senior Olympic Hockey Tournament Feb. 4-6. Detroit Red Wings legend and four-time Stanley Cup champion Ted Lindsay again will serve as the honorary chairman and present the winning team with the trophy. The tournament includes teams comprised of players 50 and over competing for bragging rights as Michigan’s best hockey squad. The tournament championship game is set for 12:15 p.m. Feb. 6. There is no charge and all fans are encouraged to attend. Bocce, badminton, dancesport, pickleball, racquetball and weightlifting are other sports in the Michigan Senior Olympics. For more information, call Becky Ridky at (248) 608-0252, or visit www.michiganseniorolympics.org.

MWGA news

By Brad Emons

Laura Bruton (32) tallied eight points in Marian’s Catholic League Central Division win over host Ladywood Thursday.

Senior hockey faces off

The MIHL Prep Hockey Showcase is always a must-see attraction for avid high school hockey fans. This year is no different. The 13th annual event features 43 teams from Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin and Ontario, and will be held over three days starting Feb. 7. All games will be played at the Kennedy Recreation Center’s three-rink facility in Trenton. The high-quality showcase includes all three No. 1 teams — Birmingham Brother Rice (Division 1), Trenton (Division 2) and Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood (Division 3) — in the Michigan High School Hockey Coaches Association three-division ranking system. Of the 30 teams ranked in each of those divisions, 20 will be tournament participants. Besides Brother Rice and Cranbrook Kingswood, Birmingham Unified and Detroit Country Day are other Eccentricarea Showcase teams. Each team will play two games against opponents of similar ability in the Showcase, which last year attracted more than 80 scouts from junior and college hockey programs.

PREP HOCKEY CARNIVAL

WHAT: 13th annual MIHL Prep Hockey Showcase WHEN: Feb. 7-9 WHERE: Kennedy Recreation Center in Trenton FEATURING: 43 teams from Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin and Ontario (Canada). ECCENTRIC-AREA TEAMS: Birmingham Brother Rice, Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood, Birmingham United, Detroit Country Day TICKETS: Adults — $6 per day or $10 for a weekend pass; Seniors and students — $4 per day or $6 for a weekend pass. Active duty military personnel and their families admitted free with uniform and military ID.

The Showcase is put on by the Michigan Interscholastic Hockey League, one of the state’s premier leagues. For the first time, the Showcase has landed a corporate sponsor in Capital Mortgage Funding. “Our team looks forward to playing in the Showcase every year,” said veteran Cranbrook Kingswood head coach and MIHL presPlease see ICERS, B2

Teaching golf pro Bob Krause and the Michigan Women’s Golf Association (MWGA) have hooked up for an exclusive membership opportunity. Krause, who spent nine years on numerous pro tours around the country, is offering MWGA members discounts on lesson packages and on-course playing instruction. Krause provides year-around instruction at the all-weather Pure Impact Golf Studio in Commerce Township. He also will offer instructional opportunities at Fieldstone Golf Course in Auburn Hills and Lyon Oaks Golf Course in South Lyon. “My goal is to promote a professional but fun atmosphere to teach and learn the game of golf,” said Krause. “The best lesson you can receive is one that you can play with.” Membership in the MWGA is available to amateur female golfers of all ages and skill levels. The MWGA also provides a variety of golf competitions, rules and skills seminars and a match-play league which begins in April and runs through September. The MWGA’s Annual Meeting and 4-Woman Scramble is scheduled for May 4 at Salem Hills in Northville. For more information, visit the web site at www.mwgolf.org.

Baseball camp

A six-week camp offered by the U.S. Baseball Academy is slated for Ferndale High School starting Feb. 2. Ferndale baseball head coach John Sibula will be lead instructor. The camp is for players in grades 1-12 and are limited to six players per coach. Sessions include advanced hitting, pitching, catching, ﬁelding and base running. Space is limited and registration is in progress. To register, or for more information, visit www.USBaseballAcademy.com, or call toll free at (866) 622-4487.

(SO_B)

Observer & Eccentric | Sunday, February 3, 2013

online at hometownlife.com

LOCAL SPORTS

Good news is Bears ice 2nd straight OAA title By Marty Budner Staff Writer

With one full month left in the high school hockey season, the Berkley Unified hockey team can already claim success on a couple Joey Leider fronts. Berkley First, the forward Bears won their own tournament championship in early January with a 5-4 victory over Royal Oak Shrine in the title game. And, just last weekend, the Bears wrapped up their second consecutive Oakland Activities Association White Division championship with a sterling 6-0 victory over West Bloomfield. With one game left on the White Division schedule, Berkley owns a 92 overall record for 18 points. The Bears, who

have just three seniors on the roster, close out White Division play Feb. 15 when they host Avondale. “It’s great to win (the OAA title), and the kids worked really hard to wrap it up at home with back-to-back wins,” said head coach Jeff Fleming. “The kids put a lot into it. It all started back in June when they really made the commitment to working hard and running and bonding as a team. “Winning the OAA title was a goal for us and it’s quite an accomplishment,” he said. Berkley has been on quite a roll since the beginning of the new year.

Bears playing well

The Bears (not counting Saturday’s MACOAA Showcase clash with Anchor Bay) have won eight of nine games, with the lone loss coming to Royal Oak Wednesday evening. The 3-2 set-

‘We have to build a culture that is expected here and the kids are working hard to do that. It’s important that they realize they don’t have to take a back seat to anyone.’ JEFF FLEMING

Berkley Uniﬁed hockey coach

back on the road ended a nice eight-game winning streak. Berkley’s last loss prior to Wednesday was Dec. 21 to Macomb Area Conference power and No. 6ranked (Division 1) Dakota by a 4-2 score. “We kind of stumbled out of the blocks when we were missing some players,” said Fleming, in his fourth season as head coach. “But, it was kind of a wake-up call for

them. We started playing as a team and stopped taking undisciplined penalties. “Once we did that we were able to put some wins together,” he said. “We lost to Dakota — they scored into an empty net, but I thought the kids played a great game. That game gave the kids some confidence.” In its past nine games, Berkley has outscored its foes by a whopping 4815 margin. On the season, Berkley has outscored its foes by a 3-1 ratio and has two of the White Division’s top three scorers.

Top line is thriving

Senior captain Joey Leider leads the team with 43 points (18 goals, 25 assists) and line mate Ian Melrose, a freshman, is second with 41 points (20 goals, 21 assists). The third member of that high scoring line is sophomore Max Dooley with 25 points (13 goals, 12 assists).

Sophomore forward Gianni Bonello (6-19) and junior Zack Segall (10-15) also have 25 points. Junior goalie Stephen Wroe has posted 12 of Berkley’s 15 wins overall and owns a fine 1.65 goals-against average. Senior Nolan Young and assistant captains Shane Goldberg, Keith Waldrup and Alex Rawlik have all played well defensively. “We have five players with 25 points or more, so we’re getting help from multiple players,” said Fleming. “Stephen is playing very well in the net. “But, we’re staying out of the penalty box and that’s huge. You can’t play the game from the penalty box — I’m a stickler with that. “We have to build a culture that is expected here and the kids are working hard to do that,” he said. “It’s important that they realize they don’t have to take a back

ICERS

Continued from page B1

ident Andy Weidenbach. “It is a great experience for everyone involved — the players, the coaches, the scouting community, the referees and last but not least, the fans of high school hockey. The way that it is set up the games are very competitive, so there is exciting action spread over three days. For all the teams, it is an opportunity to play against some very strong competition which provides excellent preparation for the MHSAA state tournament. “I am sure that most coaches go away from the Showcase with a better evaluation of their teams and some ideas on how to improve their play,” he said.

Head coach Lou Schmidt and his No. 1-ranked (Division 1) Birmingham Brother Rice hockey team face a still challenge in this weekend’s MIHL Showcase.

Movin’ on up

Over the years, 18 former Showcase players have landed in hockey programs beyond the collegiate level. For instance, Justin Abdelkader, the 2005 Mr. Hockey award winner from Muskegon Mona Shores, is now playing for the Detroit Red Wings. Brother Rice head coach Lou Schmidt has seen many of his former players go on to play at the collegiate and junior levels. He always looks forward to this Showcase which is often referred to as the “biggest high school hockey event of the season.” Brother Rice opens Feb. 8 with an 8 p.m. game against Culver Academy from Indiana. On Feb. 9, the Warriors face off against the Ontario Hill U-18 team at

PHOTOS BY JOHN STORMZAND | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

John Chateau leads his Birmingham Uniﬁed hockey team into the prestigious MIHL Showcase this week in Trenton. It marks a second straight Showcase appearance for the Bulldogs, who skated against Marysville in Saturday’s MAC-OAA Showcase in Rochester.

12:40 p.m. “We want to play the best competition possible to see where we are as a team, and of course to showcase the players on both teams,” said Schmidt. “We know that there will be dozens of scouts there to watch, so it’s a great opportunity for many boys to make an impression that will help them move on to the next level. It’s just

a great hockey atmosphere.”

B’ham’s 2nd Showcase Birmingham United opens Feb. 7 with a game against Woodhaven at 5:20 p.m. The second game for first-year head coach John Chateau’s squad will be an 8 a.m. eye-opener Feb. 9 against MIHL foe Warren De La

Salle. “We are very honored to be invited back to the Trenton showcase,” said Chateau. “As the premier showcase in the state, this is a big deal for our team. “Not only do we get to play a very good Woodhaven team that we have not played, we have a game against De La Salle. Anytime we get an opportunity to play a MIHL team we are very excited. “The more challenges our boys see in January and February the better we will be come the MHSAA playoffs,” he said. It marks the second straight Showcase weekend for Birmingham. The Bulldogs also participated yesterday in the MACOAA Showcase against Marysville. “Our OAA playoffs, both showcases, and games against teams

Join Us in Celebration!

DCD on business trip Detroit Country Day, which is in the midst of a fine season, opens its two-game slate with a 5:20 p.m. face-off Feb. 7 against Plymouth. On Feb. 9, DCD plays a 6:20 p.m. game against Grand Rapids Catholic Central. DCD head coach Frank Novock said his team will look forward to the action with a “business-as-usual” philosophy. “Our team’s prepa-

Tough games remaining Fleming stressed the season is not over yet and it’s important to play with the same amount of determination that the team has displayed up to this point. Berkley has tough nonleague games ahead with Howell, Walled Lake Central, Canton and Livonia Franklin prior to the state tournament. The Bears will need to be prepared for a tough post-season that looms ahead in Division 1. Berkley is in a pre-regional with U-D Jesuit, St. Clair Shores Lakeview and state-ranked Grosse Pointe North. “This team seems to thrive on a good work ethic and the season is not over by a long shot,” said Fleming. “We have some tough games ahead and good hockey in front of us.”

ration and philosophy does not change a bit,” said Novock, whose team sported a fine 142-2 record after its first 18 games. “We just hope to do all the things we have been practicing and learning since the season started, and as always put forth a solid effort both mentally and physically. “I think for the guys it is the exposure to junior and college coaches/ scouts and the opportunity to play two very quality opponents,” he said. “With the matchup we have in Plymouth, and GRCC, it is going to give us a significant challenge, just as every game in the state tournament is.” Cranbrook Kingswood, owner of 15 MHSAA state championship banners, opens 4 p.m. Feb. 8 against Ontario Hill U18. The Cranes play their next game 2:40 p.m. Feb. 9 against Notre Dame Academy. “With the addition of some schools like Culver Military Academy, Notre Dame Academy (WI), Upper Canada College and Hill Academy U17, this is definitely the strongest group of teams participating in the Showcase,” said Weidenbach. “If you review the list of players who have played in the Showcase and did make to the next level, I think everyone would agree that MIHL Prep Hockey Showcase has been successful in getting exposure for these players. “This is the 13th year for the MIHL Prep Hockey Showcase and everyone involved, from the MIHL staff, team parents, Capital Mortgage Funding to the great group of volunteers at the Trenton, has worked diligently to make this year the best ever,” he said.

SPORTS SHORTS

Outdoors news

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like Port Huron Northern will be the best test for us down the stretch,” said Chateau. “Not to mention the showcases will provide our players exposure to scouts from around the Midwest. So a player that is interested in playing junior hockey will get those looks from scouts, not something that happens in our normal scheduled games.”

seat to anyone.”

AT8794059

• The Metro West Steelheaders meet Feb. 5 for a membership meeting and the guest speaker is Richard Offner. Offner is a member of the HOBI pro fishing staff and will advise all in attendance as to the challenges and benefits of fishing from a kayak. The Metro West Steelheaders meet the first Tuesday of each month at the Livonia Senior Citizens Center at 15218 Farmington Road. For information, call (734) 383-2790. • The Clinton River Muzzleloaders will hold its annual Winterfest starting 10 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 10, at the Detroit Sportsmen’s Congress in Shelby Township. The public is invited to watch and/or participate in the

1-shot woods/walk match. Registration begins 9 a.m. For more information, call (586) 286-4903.

Mat tickets on sale The annual Michigan High School Athletic Association state championship wrestling tournament is always a big draw and tickets are now on sale. The 2013 wrestling finals are scheduled for Feb. 28-March 2 at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Fans wishing to purchase advance reserved or group general admission tickets for the event may now do so exclusively through The Palace Box office. The advanced reserved ticket sales program allows the discounted

purchase of all-tournament tickets, giving the bearer admission to all five sessions of the event, reserving the same seat. Advance all-tournament tickets are $40 each, including parking privileges. For more information, visit the ‘wrestling’ page on the MHSAA website at www.mhsaa.com.

Learn to skate

The John Lindell-Royal Oak Ice Arena is in the midst of its 2012 Learn to Skate season. Classes are available for skaters ages 3 through adult. Visit www.royaloakicearena.com, or email skate director Sabrina Prevost at sprevost@ suburbanice.com for more information or to register.

online at hometownlife.com

PREP RESULTS

Observer & Eccentric | Sunday, February 3, 2013

Boys basketball

CALL IN PREP RESULTS

LAHSER 77, BERKLEY 50:

Khalil Gracey and Yante Maten continued their all-around excellent play in leading Lasher to this 27-point victory Tuesday evening over host Berkley. Maten finished with a double-double (17 points, 15 rebounds) and five blocked shots, while Gracey tallied 20 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. Armand Cartwright contributed 16 points and six assists for Lahser (9-3 overall, 2-2 OAA Blue). Berkley fell to 2-9 and 0-4.

The Eccentric Newspaper is interested in publishing your high school sports results. Coaches or designated associates are asked to report their scores on our night line service at (586) 977-7569. Simply wait for the prompts and report game or match results with as much detail as possible. Please include records, location of game/match and spell names when necessary. The two other ways to report results are: fax information to (586) 8267035, or e-mail to mbudner@hometown life. com. Sports Editor Marty Budner can be reached at (586) 826-7277.

GROVES 75, ANDOVER 73: Birmingham Groves

won on a last-second fade-away 12-foot jumper by senior Kyle Ervin Tuesday on its home court. It was the eighth straight win for coach Scott Sheckell’s squad. Ervin, a power forward who has played a key role in Groves’ best winning streak in 10 years, finished with a game high 21 points. He added 10 rebounds to post a clutch double-double. Junior guard Eddie Reese logged 17 points, including three treys. Groves’ senior guard Emmanuel Thomas also hit double figures with 15 points. For Andover, Zach Smoler netted a team-high 19 points (four treys). MT. CLEMENS 76, CLAWSON 44: Clawson traveled

to Mt. Clemens Thursday and left with this 32point defeat. Blake Blue led the Trojans with 15 points while teammate Alex Mason added seven. Junior Marquian Johnson contributed five points, five rebounds and 13 blocked shots. Clawson fell to 5-8 overall. CLARKSTON 60, LATHRUP 48: Clarkston never

trailed in this OAA Red Division battle played Tuesday in Clarkston. The Wolves were led by Jordan Dasuqi who netted a game-high 25 points. For the Chargers, Jonathan Williams (17) and JaChristian Biles (15) each hit double figures. Frederick John led Lathrup with 10 rebounds. “We played hard, but we missed a lot of shots we had been making the past few games,” said Lathrup head coach Desmond Denham, whose team could get no closer than five points late in the game. “We will learn from this and grow and continue to get better.” INTER-CITY BAPTIST 69, ROEPER 42: Garrett

House ripped in 26 points in a losing cause for the visiting Roughriders. All-Stater Evan Kraatz led the Allen Park-based squad with 21 points. Roeper fell to 5-7 on the season. NEW HAVEN 63, CLAWSON 56: The host Trojans

had two players reach double digits in scoring but it wasn’t enough to prevent this MAC Gold loss to New Haven on Tuesday. Jared Ocampo led Clawson with 14 points while Blake Blue added 10 points and eight assists. Junior Marquian Johnson also had a fine all-around game with eight points, 11 rebounds, seven blocks, five assists and four steals. Alex Mason hit nine points for Clawson. COUNTRY DAY 79, FLINT NORTHERN 60: Detroit

Country Day outscored Northern in each of the first three quarters and went on to register this 19-point win Tuesday. Junior Edmond Sumner led the DCD offense with 19 points and five assists, while sophomore forward DeShawn Lewis added 16 points. Senior guard Austin Price hit a double-double (11 points, 10 rebounds) and added five steals and four assists. Junior Maceo Bastion came off the bench and connected for 10 points. Carlos Boone led Northern with a dozen points. Country Day improved to 12-2.

OXFORD 45, ROYAL OAK 41: In a close, back-and-

forth battle on Tuesday, visiting Oxford scored the three-point win. The

my Thursday night to raise its overall record to 12-4. The Cranes were led by Katie Payne who scored a game high 18 points and hauled in nine rebounds. Jaimee Beckett had a fine night with 10 points, six steals and five rebounds. Betsy Hafke added five points, five rebounds and three assists.

GROVES 56, SEAHOLM 33: Visiting Groves used

JOHN STORMZAND | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Lahser’s Alex Jackson (24) drives against Southﬁeld senior Ki’Yana Williams during Thursday’s game. The host Blue Jays scored a 43-40 triumph.

Ravens were led by Devin Carmen with 17 points, including a pair of treys. Oxford’s Devonte Bandoo matched Carmen’s 17-point effort.

BROTHER RICE 48, CATHOLIC CENTRAL 33: On Jan.

25, Rice defeated arch rival CC by 15 points. Rice received strong efforts from junior Patrick Sparks, senior Andrew Toth, senior Alvin Bates and sophomores Dominic Downs and Kevin Hayes. The Warriors evened their overall record to 6-6 and hiked their Catholic League Central Division mark to 3-2. “We’ve been playing better every game,” said Rice head coach Ed Shaffer, whose team suffered losses in its three previous games. “But the way these guys are working every day, I think their best is still ahead of us. Our focus is to be playing our best ball when the Catholic League Tourney opens and we head into the postseason on Feb. 16. I was really proud how we came out Friday night against CC, after those three straight tough losses. We were very focused, very businesslike, and that’s a really good thing to see.”

SOUTHFIELD CHRISTIAN 71, CESAR CHAVEZ 34: Southfield Christian

standout Charity Godbold outscored Chavez by herself with 35 points. Teammates Leanne Krick and Kelley Brooks each tallied 15 points for the winners. The Eagles improved to 4-10 on the season.

JOHN STORMZAND | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Junior Jennifer Kendall, who scored a 32.90 all around during Wednesday’s win over Waterford United, provides Birmingham Uniﬁed’s gymnastics team with versatility and leadership.

TOWER 57, CLAWSON 38: On Jan. 25, Marqui-

an Johnson had 11 points and 10 rebounds in this loss to Tower. Jared Ocampo also hit double figures for the Trojans with 11 points.

SEAHOLM 66, BERKLEY 41: On Jan. 25 in Bir-

mingham, the Maples devoured the Bears led by Paris Bass’ 22 points, 14 rebounds, five assists and three blocks. Brandon Yousif had 14 points and Brett Houghton contributed 13 for Seaholm. “It was a very solid game for us from start to finish,” said Seaholm head coach Jose Andrades.

Girls basketball

SOUTHFIELD 43, LAHSER 40: Southfield trailed ear-

ly but rallied in the second half to win by three points Thursday evening over Lahser. The

CRANBROOK KINGSWOOD 48, BISHOP FOLEY 46: The Cranes with-

stood a fourth-quarter rally to score this victory over Bishop Foley on Tuesday. The Cranes were led by Tierra Binder who scored 23 points. Katie Payne hit for 15 points and 12 rebounds for the winners.

ROYAL OAK 38, SOUTHFIELD 26: On Jan. 25,

COUNTRY DAY 73, INTER-CITY BAPTIST 59:

On Jan. 26, DCD had four players reach double figures against Baptist. The offense was led by sophomore forward DeShawn Lewis with 15 points. Mory Diane (15), Austin Price (11) and Maurice Ways (10) also hit in doubles for DCD. Price added a career-high nine rebounds. Evan Kraatz scored 18 for Inter-City Baptist.

a strong second half to slip by rival Seaholm in this game Tuesday evening. The Maples held a 20-14 halftime lead, only to see the Falcons outscore them by a 4213 second half margin. Groves had three players record double figures, including Shontay Graham (14), Jordan Blackwell (13) and Nicole Prentiss (12). Seaholm was led by Elise Tolbert and Katie Davis who each netted nine points.

MICHELLE DORIAN

Bloomﬁeld Chargers senior Sonny Kim netted the gamewinning goal against Troy in a 3-2 Senior Night outcome Jan. 26 at the Detroit Skating Club.

host Blue Jays were led by Dominique Gillespie who scored 12 points and was two rebounds shy of a double-double with eight. Southfield teammate Ki’Yana Williams, a senior, added six points and eight rebounds. OXFORD 57, GROVES 36: Oxford remained in

the hunt for the OAA White Division title with this victory at Groves on Thursday. The Wildcats (13-2 overall, 11-1 White) were led by the Murphy sisters, Jessica who scored 19 and Miranda with 17 points and seven rebounds. Zoe Schmerin led the Falcons (6-7) with 11 points. ADAMS 42, ANDOVER 37: The Barons held

a lead through three quarters only to have Adams rally for the victory Thursday evening. Andover owned a 16-13 halftime advantage and led by one point heading into the fourth quarter. “Adams forced us into some turnovers and then we got into some serious foul trouble and we had a couple players foul out,” said Andover head coach

Jeff Rubin. “Adams took advantage of that. We missed a couple shots down the stretch and Adams came out with the win.” Adams (11-4, 9-2) was led by Amber Jamison’s 16 points. Jaime Lederman led Andover (10-4, 7-4) with 14. ROEPER 45, INTERCITY BAPTIST 22: Roeper

junior Alyssa Flynn logged a team-high 10 points in this win Thursday at Allen Park. Junior Torri Farrow finished with seven points and 10 rebounds for the Roughriders (10-2, 5-2 MIAC). ROYAL OAK 54, HAZEL PARK 14: The host

Ravens dominated winless Hazel Park Thursday. Senior guard Sami Stormont netted a gamehigh 20 points, and added four assists and four steals. Sophomore Bailey Haran and junior Ashley Krenzer each scored eight points for Royal Oak (11-3, 8-1 OAA Blue). CRANBROOK KINGSWOOD 50, JEWISH ACADEMY 25: Cran-

brook Kingswood doubled up Jewish Acade-

senior guard Sami Stormont connected for 22 points in this victory over Southfield. Stormont also added five assists, four steals and nine rebounds. Jessica Ross and Ashley Krenzer provided outstanding defensive efforts for the Ravens. Cortney Williams scored seven points for the Blue Jays. LIGGETT 74, SOUTHFIELD CHRISTIAN 32: On

Jan. 25, Liggett logged this 42-point win over Southfield Christian. Lola Ristorski and Jessica Ropzoll scored 14 points each to lead Liggett. Charity Godbold led the Eagles with 15 points. MARIAN 57, GABRIEL RICHARD 15: On Jan. 25,

the host Mustangs dominated Gabriel Richard on Senior Night. The Mustangs outscored Richard in every quarter. Kilyn Bulluck led Marian with 12 points.

Boys hockey

BLOOMFIELD UNITED 3, TROY 2: On Jan. 26 at

the Detroit Skating Club, sophomore Sonny Kim scored the game-winning goal in the third period to cap a Senior Night victory. He was assisted by Kevin Allen and Collin Asmar. Chase Smith accounted for Bloomfield’s other two goals. All three senior goalies — Michael Blumenthal, Skyler Kallabat and Nick Dingwall — played for the Chargers. “It was a great night for the team, especially the seniors,”

(SO_B)

said head coach Bruce McAlister.

COUNTRY DAY 7, ROYAL OAK 1: Country Day

raised its record to 14-22 with this six-goal victory over Royal Oak Jan. 26 at the John Lindell Arena. Zach Bensinger paced the Yellowjacket offense with three goals. Austin Hickner (two), Sebastian Stankiewicz and Jack Bergmann accounted for the other four goals. DCD goalie Chris Cantrell made 16 saves. BLOOMFIELD UNITED 3, AVONDALE 1: On Jan. 24,

Avondale scored first but Bloomfield responded with the next three goals for the victory. Chase Smith netted a pair of goals and Kevin Barnett added the other. COUNTRY DAY 7, ST. CLAIR 1: On Jan. 25, DCD

scored four second-period goals to ice the victory. Toby Murray paced the offense with two goals. Jack Bergmann chipped in with a goal and assist.

Boys swimming

SEAHOLM 133.5, FARMINGTON-HARRISON 50.5:

Seaholm set pool records in this win at Farmington High School on Tuesday. The 200-free relay foursome of Evan Burke, Max Gomez, Jimmy Aldrich and Enrique Hernandez won in a recordsetting time of 1:32.11. In the very next event, Connor Saeli established a pool record of 54.99 in winning the 100back. Addison Williams (breast), Hernandez (500free), Nick Ross (100free), Zach Miller (fly), Andrew Trestrail (diving) and Alex Hoeck (200-IM) were Seaholm’s other individual winners. SEAHOLM 134, LAKE ORION 52: On Jan. 24,

Seaholm’s Evan Burke (200-IM, 100-breast) and Enrique Hernandez (50free, 100-free) were double winners. The Maples won both freestyle relays.

FERNDALE 85, LATHRUP 77: Ferndale defeated

Lathrup by eight points in this close meet on Tuesday. “It was a good meet with close finishes in several events,” said Lathrup head coach Larry Nunnery.

Gymnastics

BIRMINGHAM UNIFIED 133.15, WATERFORD UNITED 123.15: On

Senior Night, the team’s lone senior — newcomer Abbey Robb — took all-around honors with a score of 34.55. Robb won the balance beam with a score of 9.15 and tied for top honors on the uneven bars with teammate Jennifer Kendall at 8.45. Kendall was second allaround at 32.90. Isabelle Cutler won the vault competition (8.50) and Sydney Moosekian (8.65) was tops in floor exercises. Birmingham, 8-1 on the season, next competes at Troy Athens 6:30 p.m. Feb. 6.

Boys skiing

BROTHER RICE 10, WALLED LAKE WESTERN 34: Rice took the top

four spots in this dual meet at Alpine Valley on Jan. 24. Robbie Cort won his fifth straight race with a combined time of 36.64. Geoff Becker, Daniel Lunghamer and Evan Thomas were Rice’s next three finishers. Brother Rice also defeated Lakeland, 14-28, and is 6-0 on the season.

Girls skiing

MARIAN 11, WALLED LAKE WESTERN 33: Mar-

ian swept the top three spots to post this victory Jan. 14 at Alpine Valley. Freshman Breann Lunghamer led the Mustangs with a first-place time of 40.23. Haley Goeckel and Madison McCready were the next two finishers for Marian. The Mustangs also defeated Lakeland, 14-30, to remain undefeated after six meets.

(SO_B)

Observer & Eccentric | Sunday, February 3, 2013

online at hometownlife.com

LOCAL SPORTS

Shabana’s return to MCO a smashing success By Marty Budner

MCO CHAMPIONSHIP SQUASH LADDER

Staff Writer

Amr Shabana made the most of his return to the Motor City. The pro squasher from Egypt last participated in the Motor City Open in 2004 when the tournament was still in its infancy. That season, Shabana made it to the semifinal round. In 2003, he did not advance past the quarterfinals. On Tuesday, in his third tournament appearance and first in eight years, Shabana claimed the Motor City Open’s 14th championship at the Birmingham Athletic Club. The 33-year-old tour veteran took top honors after his opponent, Karim Darwish, was forced to retire in the second game with a calf injury. It was a much-anticipated match as both finalists were former world number one players. However, the sold-out crowd at the BAC witnessed less than a half-hour of action in the anti-climatic end to a tremendous week of squash. Shabana won the first game 11-4, but Darwish came on in the second game and streaked to a 62 lead. At that point, he pulled up lame and was granted an injury time out. He never returned and Shabana was awarded his first MCO crown. “This is a great tournament,” said Shabana, considered one of the sport’s premier players. “I came here twice before, so, having come back here after eight years, and being able to finish the week off with a win is a tremendous feeling. “A lot of huge names have won this tournament over the years and it’s an honor for me to be on that list,” he said. “For the crowd it was too bad (the final match ended with a retirement), but for me I’ll take it. It happens to us all. It’s a shame because Karim is not one of those players who pulls out.

The 14th Motor City Open professional squash tournament hosted by the Birmingham Athletic Club concluded Tuesday. Following is a list of the past champions and their native countries:

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE BAC

Amr Shabana (dark shirt) smacks a forehand against Karim Darwish in Tuesday’s Motor City Open championship match at the Birmingham Athletic Club.

‘This tournament is now one of the classics of the PSA tour. It has been going on for 14 years now and you have to congratulate the organizers for that.’ AMR SHABANA

2013 Motor City Open champion

Amr Shabana, a veteran Professional Squash Association touring pro from Egypt and former world number one player, captured the 2013 Motor City Open championship Tuesday at the Birmingham Athletic Club. This year’s highly-competitive tournament included four former MCO champions.

“If he’s just 10 percent and he can play, he’ll play,” he said. “The way he went out today showed he was totally injured. Normally he is not the type of player who will pull out, so you have to

give all the credit to him because he made it to the final.”

Courting excellence

Shabana, the MCO’s No. 4 seed, dropped only one game in winning four

matches. He cruised to straight-game wins in his first two rounds, then met top-seeded countryman Mohamed El Shorbagy in the semifinal. Shabana defeated El Shorbagy, the 2011 MCO champion, in four games that lasted 65 minutes. “I can’t play any better than I did this week,” said Shabana, whose $20,000 winning prize package included a coveted Rolex watch donated by Greenstone’s Fine Jewelers of Birmingham. “Everything happened perfectly for me. I got off to a great start with a win over Nicolas Mueller from Switzerland who beat me the last time I played him.” The 2013 Motor City

YEAR 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

CHAMPION Peter Marshall David Palmer Tommy Berden Nick Taylor Jonathan Power Gregory Gaultier Jonathan Power John White Olli Touminen Date moved to 2009 Borja Golen Karim Darwish Mohd. El Shorbagy Ong Beng Hee Amr Shabana

Open attracted the highest-quality field in its history. The tournament attracted four of the world’s top 10 players and 12 of the top 25. It also included four former MCO champions. The $70,000 total purse makes it one of the Professional Squash Association’s top tournaments. The MCO, sponsored by The Suburban Collection, is fast becoming a required stop on the PSA tour.

Strong depth of field “You can see from the depth of the playing field what kind of tournament this has become,” said Shabana. “It’s a very strong tournament. Everyone knows how well organized the tournament is and that’s why they come here. It’s a very respected tournament. “Everything is always taken care of and that’s why the players always come back. If the players feel it does not run smoothly, they won’t come back. But that is not the case here. “This tournament is now one of the classics of the PSA tour,” he said. “It has been going on for 14

COUNTRY England Australia Netherlands England Canada France Canada Scotland Finland Spain Egypt Egypt Malaysia Egypt

years now and you have to congratulate the organizers for that.” MCO co-chairman Mike Beauregard indicated, no matter how you measure it, this was the most successful tournament to date. He is not surprised the tournament has attained such steady growth. “We had 63 corporate and professional sponsors and we had the best field of world-ranked players we have ever had,” said Beauregard. “Our charity auction and tournament donations will generate the largest charitable donations the tournament has every made — benefiting The Karmanos Center Institute and RacquetUp Detroit (an urban youth empowerment program). “When you can mobilize a team with a publicspirited enterprise philosophy, you can reach new heights each time we fired up the engines of the Motor City Open,” he said. “Now in its 14th year, the tournament has earned a permanent spot on everyone’s calendar at the Foundation and the Detroit squash community. With that kind of expectation and commitment, growth and efficiency are a natural result.”

Squash pros at a more public setting? A long shot

et’s talk squash. And I don’t mean the garden variety. I really don’t like the vegetable, and besides, this isn’t the food section of this venerable newspaper. I’m referring to the racquet sport — the kind of activity you’d read about in a sports section. Now, Marty Budner for the uninitiated, squash is a racquet game played on a fourwalled court, similar to racquetball. However, squash is played with a much “deader” ball, on a narrower court with a smaller, tighter racquet head. While I don’t play, I certainly enjoy watching the pros glide swiftly across the courts at the Birmingham Athletic Club. It’s a treat and I am privileged enough to have been welcomed into the BAC to cover the annual Motor City Open tournament. It began 15 years ago and has been growing faster than one of Egyptian pro Amr Shabana’s corner kill shots. The Motor City Open has become one of the prestigious stops on the Professional Squash Association tour. It is the fourth largest and second-longest running squash tournament in the U.S.

Greenstone’s Fine Jewelry owner Robert Greenstone (right) presents 2013 Motor City Open champion Amr Shabana with a Rolex watch Tuesday at the Birmingham Athletic Club.

The tournament brought in four of the world’s top 10 touring pros and 12 of the top 25 this year. Two former world No. 1 players competed in the championship match. Four former MCO champs were part of the main draw. Shabana, the 33-yearold winner, called the MCO one of the most “respected” events on the tour. The tournament has become a wellorganized machine and the players enjoy the area’s hospitality. Of course, a $70,000 purse doesn’t hurt. Shabana pocketed nearly $11,000 of the winner’s share, plus a Rolex watch donated by Greenstone’s Fine Jewelry in Birmingham worth close to $10,000. The sponsors’ support of the MCO is what

makes this tournament thrive. The Suburban Collection is the long-standing title sponsor. TRW and grid4 communications were this year’s platinum sponsors. The amount of corporate and professional sponsors grew to a record 63. In addition, a charity auction and tournament revenue generated the largest donation yet to the Karmanos Cancer Institute and RacquetUp Detroit — an urban youth empowerment program. Another offshoot of the pro tournament is the rapid development of the BAC’s Junior Squash program which now consists of more than 60 active players — 17 of whom have national rankings. And, of course, BAC

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE BAC

Karim Darwish (right) concentrates on a backhander against Egyptian countryman Amr Shabana before a vigilant capacity crowd Tuesday evening in the Motor City Open’s title match at the Birmingham Country Club.

squash director Julian Wellings has been a key player in the MCO’s success. The former touring pro from England made many of the initial contacts that helped propel the MCO to the premier status it currently enjoys among the pros. My only wish? Too bad more people can’t personally witness the pros. They are simply marvelous to watch. In one of the rallies between finalists Shabana and Karim Darwish, one spectator counted 63 shots. And, no point was awarded. The official ruled a hinder-let. Maybe one of these

days, the Motor City Open will be played in a glass court in a public setting. Somerset Mall, for instance, would seem to provide a suitable viewing environment. I understand it has been discussed among the BAC circles. But apparently, taking the tournament away from the BAC is a long shot, so to speak. The BAC’s recently renovated courts provide pro quality facilities, but spectator viewing is severely limited. How cool would it be to share the talents of the world’s best pros with a larger audience.

It happens at other venues around the globe. Why not here? It’s certainly not to slight the BAC; just a shot at giving the sport more exposure. While the general public is limited in its opportunity to watch in person, let it be known that the BAC is providing the area with highquality professional squash. Neighboring Oakland Hills Country Club does not have the only market on the world’s top pros. The BAC is right behind. Marty Budner is sports editor for the Eccentrics.

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Observer & Eccentric | Sunday, February 3, 2013

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Final Lahser/Andover boys swim meet produces great memories By Marty Budner

FINAL BLOOMFIELD POOL SHOWDOWN

Staff Writer

The final boys swim dual meet between Bloomfield Hills Schools rivals Lahser and Andover held Jan. 26 certainly proved memorable. Consider the following highlights: • Host Lahser earned its 16th straight victory over Andover, winning 125-60. However, the Barons finished as the overall winners in the series’ 42-year history by a 25-17 margin. • Lahser opened the meet with a pool record performance in the 200yard medley relay. Ironically, the Knights broke the old mark set in 1994 by Andover. • And, most importantly, the series-ending event attracted more than 70 alumni from both teams. “Saturday’s meet went very well,” said Mike Rado, who has witnessed two-thirds of those meets as Lahser’s head coach. “It was great to catch up with the alumni that were in attendance.” Andover head coach Dave Zulkiewski echoed similar sentiments. “We had 70 to 80 alumni show up and we introduced them on the deck after diving and enjoyed some great stories and memories after the meet,” said Zulkiewski. “(Former Andover head coach) Mike Lane was in town and visited with us. “We also ran an alumni meet on Friday with 15 swimmers and another 20 spectators,” he said. “It was the first of what will hopefully become an annual event.” In the meet itself, Lahser won all three relays

The final boys swim meet between Bloomfield Hills Lahser and Bloomfield Hills Andover occurred on Jan. 26. Lahser won, 125-60, for its 16th straight victory. However, Andover finished as the overall series leader with a 25-17 winning record. Following are the year-by-year results:

Andover senior Ali Nazjoo placed ﬁfth in the 200-yard IM at last weekend’s ﬁnal swim meet against district rival Lahser.

A number of alumni from the Bloomﬁeld Hills Lahser and Andover swimming teams were recognized on the Lahser pool deck Jan. 26 in the last dual meet between the schools. The teams met 42 times since the 1968-69 school year, and Andover ﬁnished with a 25-17 overall series record.

and six of the nine individual events. The Knights’ 200-yard medley relay foursome of Jordan Garcia, John Schihl, Jack Ramonat

and Joe Finn won with a time of 1:37.49. The winning foursome broke the pool record set by Andover’s talented quartet of Greg Karapetian,

Chris Tennyson, Kevin Schwartz and Eric Matuszak by 1.4 seconds. The Knights also took home top honors in the two freestyle relays.

YEAR 1968-69 1969-70 1970-71 1971-72 1972-73 1973-74 1974-75 1975-76 1976-77 1977-78 1978-79 1979-80 1980-81 1981-82 1982-83 1983-84

1984-85 1985-86 1986-87 1987-88 1988-89 1989-90 1990-91 1991-92 1992-93 1993-94 1994-95 1995-96 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13

WINNER SCORE Andover 67-34 Andover 71-34 Andover 62-43 Andover 68-37 Andover 64-33 Lahser 89-83 Andover 58-35 Andover 108-65 Andover 112-59 No results Andover 111-55 Andover 114-57 No results Andover 103-67 Andover 128-53 Andover 121-50

Ramonat, Spenser Nagrant, Garcia and Robert Richmond sprinted to first in the 200 (1:32.58) and Schihl, William Tener, Nagrant and Chase Hamburg posted the best 400 time (3:26.28). Lahser had one double winner in Lane Luyckx who took both the 50free (24.01) and 100-fly (58.94). Pierre de Smet (200IM, 2:15.31), Orion Tuazon (100-free, 54.23), Max Threlkeld (500-free, 5:17.91) and Pierce Hamburg (1:02.65) were Lahser’s other individual event winners. Despite the defeat, Andover picked up three Oakland County qualifying times (the County

Andover 123-48 Andover 111-60 Andover 112-60 No results Andover 114-53 Andover 116-56 Andover 114-71 Andover 107-66 Andover 120-66 Andover 111-72 Andover 131-55 Andover 103-69 Andover 111-75 Lahser 109-76 Lahser 104-82 Lahser 107-79 Lahser 118-68 Lahser 106-79 Lahser 106-79 Lahser 119-67 Lahser 94-92 Lahser 107.5-78.5 Lahser 98-88 Lahser 125-61 Lahser 110-76 Lahser 115-71 Lahser 108-78 Lahser 107-79 Lahser 125-60

meet was held Saturday at Lake Orion) and posted several season-best times. Andover’s events winners included Joey Kemeny in the 200-free (1:58.29), Ivan Spizizen (diving, 228.50 points) and Tyler Falcoff (100breast, 1:06.42). Next year, Lahser and Andover combine to form the Bloomfield Hills Black Hawks boys swim team. “Coach ‘Z’ and I look forward to continuing the great swimming traditions that have been established at both Andover and Lahser over the past 45 years as we merge next year as the ‘Bloomfield Black Hawks,’” said Rado.

HOOPS

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Lou Bitonti’s State Champs! Sports Network has earned three Emmy Awards and reaches an audience of more than one million households.

BITONTI

Continued from page B1

After achieving success in Michigan, Bitonti aims to expand even further. He is gearing to produce similar shows starting next year in Indiana, and ultimately moving into Ohio, Illinois and Pennsylvania. Bitonti believes it can happen because everyone enjoys reminiscing about high school. “I just think we have a format in our show that can work in any state,” he said. “High school sports are such a natural attraction. A lot of people think about their high school years and how much fun they were. “It’s a growing market. You’ve got the fans, the families, the friends, the grandparents, and the administration. You’ve got a nice, attractive market audience watching high school sports. “Now you’ve got things like the Under Armour game, the U.S. Army game and some of the other sports that are being covered nationally,” he said. “It’s the next, I call it, the area of organized coverage and I want to be in the middle of it. The high

school market is a natural progression.”

A marketing background

Modeled after BTN

Bitonti has a strong background in public relations as a sports marketer. He served in that capacity at Chrysler for 28 years, dealing with both domestic and foreign markets. The East Detroit High School graduate (Class of ‘66) also served as a COO for a national marketing agency for three years after retiring from Chrysler in 2006. Bitonti combined his love of sports with his marketing background to create a popular high school sports show across Michigan. Now, with advertisers and investors lined up, he’s shooting for a Midwest empire. “What makes this different is a lot of cities will have football shows, but once football is over, where are they?” said Bitonti. “We cover everything. We do lacrosse, swimming — boys and girls, cross country, volleyball. It doesn’t matter. We cover all the sports. “I tell advertisers we’re there throughout the school year, not just football,” he said. “The high school market is there and it’s getting bigger. Once we do that, anything can happen.”

Bitonti is modeling his project after the burgeoning Big Ten Network, a regional college sports show basically airing throughout the Midwest. “That has turned out to be a pretty good venture, and all I’m saying is I can be the high school version of that,” Bitonti said. “It’s all content, and we have some great story lines. All we’re trying to do is find the human interest side of it. We have highlights and I think we’re appealing to the right audience.” In addition, SCSN is developing special-interest topic shows. The first one — the State Champs! Signing Day Show — originally aired yesterday but will re-air on Comcast 900. The recruiting show was designed to provide fans with insight on where some of the state’s most talented student-athletes are headed to college and why they made that decision. Similar topic shows will include the legends and rivalries in high school sports, plus a “Beyond Sports” theme dealing with extracurricular high school activities such as cheerleading, band and debate clubs.

business trip). “We don’t have anybody as big and as tough as she is down there. To find somebody to match her is pretty difficult for us. I think we did an all right job, but we just didn’t push her out enough tonight.” The Mustangs also got 10 points from freshman guard Bailey Thomas, while sophomore guard Kara Holinski added nine and junior forward Laura Bruton contributed eight. Marian built its 15-point halftime lead by hitting 12-of-21 shots from the floor capped by Claire DiCiuccio’s line drive triple from the wing with 23.9 seconds left. Ladywood, crippled by 18 turnovers of its own, with was unable to get any closer than 10 points the rest of the way. “We dug ourselves a big hole,” Culloty said. “We came back a little bit at a time. And that was our goal to take off a couple of points at a time, but we just didn’t quite get over the 10-point mark.” Ladywood senior pointguard Andie Anastos finished with a team-high 12 points, while Shelby Walsh contributed 10. The Blazers made only 12-of-47 shots from the floor (25.5 percent), while Marian cooled off a bit in the second half and finished hitting 17-of-43 (39.5 percent). “We did not have any energy,” Culloty said. “Our girls did not come out playing their game. We let them (Marian) dictate everything we do on offense and didn’t take it to them. “The way that the played us last time was the same way they played us this time. What hurt us last time is what hurt us tonight. But they just hurt us a lot more because our girls didn’t follow the game plan that we necessarily had in mind. They just kind of went out there and went through the motions.”

BILL BRESLER | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Marian sophomore guard Kara Holinski (33) attempts a shot over Ladywood defender Jessica Hasenau Thursday evening. Holinski ﬁnished with nine points to help lead the Mustangs to victory.

The Mustangs cut down on their second-half turnovers with five after committing 16 in the opening half. “We got tired,” Cicerone said. “The whole game was to run like heck and it was my fault I didn’t sub enough in the second half, so we made some tired turnovers, missed some easy shots that should have gone in. I blame myself, but sometimes game play is the best way to get in shape. You take the good and the bad. We had a good enough lead. We fell apart a little bit, but I blame it on tiredness. We wanted to push the ball and get up and press, so we were supposed to be tired.” The Mustangs also contained Anastos — the Blazers’ top scorer — for the most part. “Just slow her down,” Cicerone said. “You’re not going to stop her. She’s just awesome and she’s got two good teammates out there — Shelby Walsh and Sara Even. We can’t

help too much because she (Anastos) kicks it and they hit. “We did a little bit better job of doing that and we took away their other two people a little better. We just rotated better today and that helped.” Culloty said Coratti, who was at practice Wednesday, will return to the coaching box for Tuesday’s nondivision game at home against Riverview Gabriel Richard. “He gave us a nice, little motivational video today,” Culloty said. “He sent it from Arizona telling the girls to have fun and play ball. It didn’t work out so well.” Meanwhile, the Mustangs proved resilient with a big road win while avenging a 53-48 home floor loss to the Blazers on Jan. 15. They are now poised to stake their claim in the Central Division. “We just got to take care of business on Tuesday,” Cicerone said.

INSIDE: DR. JOE TALKS ABOUT GROWTH PLATES — B5 SECTION B . (SO_B) SUNDAY, JUNE 3, 2012 OBSERVER & ECCENTRIC HOMETOWNLIFE.COM

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MARTY BUDNER, EDITOR mbudner@hometownlife.com (586) 826-7277

Letter perfect: Lunghamer leaves rare legacy KINETICALLY KELLY

Kelly Lunghamer has not only earned 12 varsity letters as a student-athlete at Birmingham Marian, but has also participated in 12 state championship finals as a member of the school’s golf, ski and tennis teams. Following are the senior standout’s four-year stats: FALL GOLF: Team placed fourth, fifth, sixth and 14th in her four years; All-State as a senior; Three-time Catholic League champion; All-League and All-Catholic; Regional champion. WINTER SKIING: Two-time team state champion, third place and sixth place; Threetime SEMSL champion; Fourtime Catholic League champion; Two-time regional champion; Three-years All-State; All-Catholic and All-League all four years. SPRING TENNIS (2012 tourney results not included): One state team championship, one state runner-up and a third-place finish; Two-time regional champion; Four-time Catholic League champion; Three-time All-Catholic; Twotime All-State; Individual No. 3 flight singles champion as a sophomore.

“I’ve always tried to stay modest because there’s always someone out there who’s better than me. I don’t see (earning 12 varsity letters) as amazing. I just see (playing three sports) as something I do.” KELLY LUNGHAMER Marian’s 3-sport star

Senior Kelly Lunghamer is just the second student-athlete in Birmingham Marian history to have earned 12 varsity letters. The ﬁrst was her sister Kristin, who graduated last year and now attends Trinity College in Connecticut. By Marty Budner Eccentric Staff Writer

Kelly Lunghamer may not be the best athlete to have ever graduated from Birmingham Marian, but there’s no doubt she’s the most accomplished. Lunghamer is just the second person in school history to have earned 12 varsity letters as a member of the golf, ski and tennis teams. Her sister Kristin, who graduated last year, was the first. The exclamation mark on Kelly’s incredible story is she’s helped lead each of her varsity teams to their respective state championship finals. Most athletes never even make it to a state final, much less appear in 12 of them. Michigan High School Athletic Association officials are

unaware of any athlete who has ever accomplished that feat. “Let’s just say that it doesn’t happen very often, and this young lady is definitely taking advantage of the many opportunities that school sports provide young people,” MHSAA spokesman John Johnson said.

A unique career

Marian’s Athletic Director David Feldman has been involved in high school sports for a long time. He admits Lunghamer’s career is certainly unique. “The 12 varsity letters is a rare feat, but even rarer is playing in 12 state championships finals in her four years,” Feldman says. “This, I believe, has never been accomplished in Michigan history. “Kelly is the ultimate ath-

lete, that is hard working and a leader. She cares more about the team and her teammates than she does about herself. Her teams and her have been extremely successful, and they would not have been as successful without her contributions.” As for Lunghamer herself, she’s proud of what she’s accomplished, but modest and humble when asked about them. “It’s nice to look back and see how I’ve done after four years,” says Lunghamer, the third of Jeanine and Joe’s five children. “But, I just like to play my sports. I don’t like to think of it as anything great that I do, I guess. “I never really thought anyPlease see LUNGHAMER, B3

Brown stepping down after fun 30-year run “I think what I’ll probably get from 30 years, is not so much the games, but it’s the players and coaches I’ve worked with and coaches I’ve coached against. I’ve made some good friendships over the years.” KEN BROWN

Retiring SC softball coach

ON EAGLE’S WINGS Ken Brown is retiring after 30 years of coaching girls softball at Southfield Christian High School. Following are a few of Brown’s career accomplishments with the Eagles: • Brown’s only losing record in 30 years was his first season in 1982. Since then, he’s compiled 29 straight winning records. • Counting this season’s first 22 games, Brown’s career record is 588-263 for an amazing 70 percent winning average. • Brown had two 30-plus win seasons (1995, 2000), and nine By Marty Budner Eccentric Staff Writer

JOHN STORMZAND | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

In 30 years as Southﬁeld Christian’s girts softball head coach, Ken Brown has had only one losing season and won 70 percent of his games.

It’s not only another season coming to a close for Ken Brown. It’s a career. After 30 years as Southfield Christian’s girls softball head coach, Brown is stepping down. Brown’s Eagles hosted a Class D state district playoff tournament on Saturday (after this paper went to press) following another successful regular season. Southfield Christian needed

more 20-plus win seasons. His high was 31 in 1995. • Brown’s teams have won 16 regular-season conference championships. • In post-season play, Brown’s Eagles captured 19 district titles (not counting this spring) and five regional championships. • Brown is just the second coach in the 36-year history of the Southfield Christian girls softball program. Dave Seils started the program in 1976 and coached until Brown took over six years later.

to win both games to remain in the post-season. Whether the Eagles secured their 15th straight district title or not, Brown’s story is ready to end. The finality of it all has been a little more emotional than Brown had anticipated. “I thought it would be easier than it is. I thought I could give it up easy,” said Brown prior to Wednesday’s practice behind the school. “We played at Rochester Adams (Tuesday), and (head coach) Please see BROWN, B2

Aldridge family awaits U.S. Senior Open SENIOR OPEN FACTS WHAT: U.S. Senior Open Championship conducted by the USGA WHEN: July 12-15 WHERE: Indianwood Golf & Country Club DEFENDING CHAMPION: Olin Browne TICKETS: Still available at www.2012ussenioropen.com U.S. SENIOR OPENS IN MICHIGAN: Two at Oakland Hills Country Club (1981 won by Arnold Palmer and 1991 won by Jack Nicklaus).

3 intriguing stories in today’s paper

By Marty Budner Eccentric Staff Writer

The Indianwood Golf & Country Club is about to embark on the “hat-trick” of major championships since Bloomfield Hills native Stan Aldridge bought the facility in 1981. The traditional “Old Course” hosted a pair of U.S. Women’s Open championships just five years apart in 1989 and 1994. The third major tournament — the 2012 U.S. Senior Open Championship — is set for July 12-15, and the Aldridge family

can’t wait. “This is our third major championship as a family since my dad’s owned the course,” said Stan’s son Keith, the U.S. Senior Open Championship Director. “He’s certainly not getting any younger and we sure are proud to host what we’re calling our third Super Bowl, our third Stanley Cup, our third major championship. I couldn’t be happier for my dad on a personal level.” Aldridge graduated from Birmingham Brother Rice in 1991 and went to Lake Superior State University where he

was a standout hockey player. He would eventually pound out a 10-year professional career, mostly in the minors. However, he did enjoy a four-game stint with the Dallas Stars in the 1999-2000 season. Aldridge eventually wound up at Indianwood working for his dad in a real family-affair venture. His sister Kelly is the operations director and brother Kevin is the grounds director. Aldridge said his family has been courting the U.S. Senior Please see OPEN, B2

take particular delight in the three feature stories published on the front sports page of today’s Eccentric. What a treat is was to write about Marian High School senior Kelly Lunghamer, Southfield Christian softball coach Ken Brown and Indianwood Golf and Country Marty Budner Club’s Keith Aldridge. All three have unique stories. Lunghamer is one of the most interesting studentathletes I have ever met. She is as humble and she is competitive. And make no mistake about it, she’s a three-sport standout who leaves Marian as one of its most decorated stars with a dozen letters. Brown is retiring as a coach after 30 years at Southfield Christian. The Berkley resident had just one losing season and won at a 70 percent clip during his tenure. He was well-respected among his peers, and his priority always was educating his players both on and off the field. It’s a shame the Eagles never were able to make it to the Final Four of the state tournament. Aldridge and his family have been courting a major men’s golf tournament for years. They are excited and proud to help fill a recent professional golf void in these parts by hosting the 2012 U.S. Senior Open Championship. I certainly enjoyed talking to them. I hope you enjoy reading about them.

CK tennis reunion

The Cranbrook and Kingswood high school tennis programs will be spotlighted during a special anniversary reunion weekend on June 8-9. A cocktail party will be held from 6-7:30 p.m. June 8 at the home of former Cranbrook tennis standout and current coach Jeff Etterbeek. Don Brown and Nancy Ryan, the retired legendary head coaches at Cranbrook and Kingswood high schools, will be honored. On Saturday, the alumni reunion takes place at the Cranbrook tennis courts from 2-4 p.m. At that time, Cranbrook Kingswood’s 1972 state championship boys tennis team will be recognized. The courts will be available for play. All former Cranbrook and Kingswood players and coaches, or anyone involved with the tennis teams, are invited to attend the two-day event. “My wife Susan and I will return for this exciting tennis reunion,” said Brown, who now lives in Vero Beach, Fla. “I invite everyone associated with the Cranbrook Kingswood tennis programs over the years to come back and to talk and meet the players who learned early to ‘aim high.’ I would love to see each of you again to renew old and new memories and important friendships!” Brown led the Cranes to the 1972 Class B state championship ahead of second-place Austin. Cranbrook would go on to win 15 more state championships under Brown, who retired in 2002. The Cranes would later win state titles in 2008 under coach Ed Nagle and 2010 under Etterbeek. For more information, call (248) 310-3011 or contact Margie Brown at (248) 6453000.

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OPEN

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Open big time since 2006. That’s the year the Ford Senior Players Championship — an annual stop on the Senior Tour — left the area. “This is my first major tournament and I’m real excited,” he said. “The membership is pumped up, and I’m real excited to share it with my brother, my sister and my dad and all my other siblings. “We’ve been working on it basically now for two years and it’s time for it to come,” he said. “It’s been a lot of long hours and a lot of preparation and a lot of meetings.” Olin Browne, the 2011 U.S. Senior Open champion, was in town Wednesday afternoon promoting the event. He said the links-style course is a “beautiful track.” While Indianwood is not particularly long, the USGA insists the course will be playing “fast and firm.” Aldridge said

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Observer & Eccentric | Sunday, June 3, 2012

“This is our third major championship as a family since my dad’s owned the course... we sure are proud to host what we’re calling our third Super Bowl, our third Stanley Cup, our third major championship. I couldn’t be happier for my dad, on a personal level.” KEITH ALDRIDGE

Open Championship Director

Browne and his senior tour members need to be prepared for the heatherinfested layout that will play 6,891 yards long at par-70. “The greens are our best asset here, and right now they’re extremely hard and extremely fast,” Aldridge said. “And they’re only going to get faster as time goes on here. “And if the pros have the ball on the wrong side of the hole they’re going to have a hard time putting it down in two or making their birdie putts

if they’ve made a mistake on the previous hole,” he said. Patty Sheehan won the last pro tournament at Indianwood in 1994. Betsy King, another name star on the LPGA at the time, won the 1984 tournament. It also will mark the “hat-trick” of U.S. Senior Opens in Michigan. Oakland Hills Country Club hosted two U.S. Senior Opens. Arnold Palmer won the 1981 tournament and Jack Nicklaus took top honors 10 years later, in 1991. JOHN STORMZAND | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Retiring Southﬁeld Christian girls softball coach Ken Brown (foreground) said the friendships he’s maintained with his players and coaches, plus opposing players and coaches, was a highlight of his distinguished career.

BROWN

Rebekah Devine, a senior and four-year varsity veteran, indicated retiring head coach Ken Brown made softball fun and entertaining. “Mr. Brown and softball go hand-inhand,” she said.

Continued from page B1

Keith Aldridge, a 1991 Brother Rice graduate, is Championship Director for the 2012 U.S. Senior Open which marks the ﬁrst major men’s professional tournament at Indianwood since his father Stan purchased the course in 1981.

Devine memories

Rebekah Devine, a senior quad-captain and four-year varsity veteran, said the team collectively resolved to make Brown’s final season a memorable one. “(Coach Brown) is more excited about the game than anyone I know,” said Devine, a catcher who has thrown out 17 base runners attempting to steal this spring. “He loves being there for us and he loves coaching. He’s fun at the most random times. “I’ve loved every year I’ve played softball with him. It was a little more inspiring for us this year to do better in his last year. I just think he’s a little more relaxed out there because I think he wants to enjoy the season as much as we do. “It’s just been a lot of fun to be around the game with him every day,” she said. “Mr. Brown and softball go hand-in-hand.” Brown began coaching at Southfield Christian, where he still teaches math, in 1982. He built a dynasty. Since Brown took over the program, Southfield Christian has won twice as many games as its lost. Counting 22 outings this spring, Brown’s teams have compiled a 572-257 overall record. After going 5-13 his first season, Southfield Christian never again suffered a losing campaign. The Eagles went 14-4 in Brown’s second year and were well on their way to establishing themselves as a perennial league power and state tournament contender.

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Fran (Scislowicz) got me a card which had some nice things written in it. He had a little speech before the game, calling everybody out and congratulating me on 30 (years as head coach). He had some very kind words for me. “You’re already emotional because of that, and then you go back in the dugout and pray with the girls before the game, and I had a very difficult time getting the words out. “It’s coming to the end and I’ve started thinking that I’m going to go to these games and just enjoy them,” he said. “I just want to reflect and enjoy the ending.”

Sterling success

Southfield Christian,

under Brown, owns 16 conference championships, 19 state district titles and five state regional crowns. The Eagles, although close on a couple of occasions, never advanced past the state quarterfinal and into the Final Four. In a six-year span from 1998 to 2003, Brown and the Eagles experienced some of their greatest success. Southfield Christian won 157 of 202 games during that span, and advanced to the state quarterfinals three times. In 2008, Southfield Christian lost its quarterfinal game to Homer, 2-1. The game was tied 0-0 after five innings, but the Eagles were denied the Final Four opportunity be a mere run. Homer went on to lose in the state championship game that year. While Brown doesn’t let it consume him, he sure would have liked to advance to at least one Final Four. “We had some really good games, even in the regional,” said Brown, a Berkley resident who is only the second softball coach the school has employed. “We had every opportunity to win. We were in some very close games that we just lost. “But, those teams overall we had a lot of players who wanted to play. What makes it fun for a coach is when you have the players who really want to come out every day and just play. “I think what I’ll probably get from 30 years is not so much the games but it’s the players and coaches I’ve worked with and coaches I’ve coached against,” he said. “I’ve made some good friendships over the years.”

Final spring fling

Brown, who contemplated not even returning this season because of personal responsibil-

ities at home, decided to give it one last fling this spring. Brown simply wants to spend more time at home with his wife, Susie. He also plans to travel and visit his twenty-something daughters, Mindy and Bekka, who both live out of state. For those reasons, he is permanently leaving the coaching box. “I didn’t know if I could spend time away from home this spring, but I was able to and that was the last straw for me,” Brown said. “Plus, my kids are grown up and in other parts of the country. I want to be able to get up and go to visit them and do other things. “It was just the right time, I think.” Brown is content knowing that next spring he’ll not only have more time with his family, but more time to go watch other teams play. He won’t have to worry about conducting practice. He’ll be able to take in a game or two from a fans’ standpoint. “I’m looking forward to next year,” he said. “There are times now when you say that I’d like to go watch this game or that game but couldn’t because of practice. I just want to enjoy the whole game of softball in this area.” Brown said it was a joy coaching the girls all these years. “I wouldn’t trade these 30 years for anything,” he said. “When I first came here, I did some coaching with the guys. But the girls are just so much more fun because they really want to do what you say. “The girls always listened. Sometimes they drive you crazy, but it’s always been fun. This year, the girls have really made it a special year in the way they’ve gone about playing. It’s just been more emotional than I thought.”

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Observer & Eccentric | Sunday, June 3, 2012

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12 state championship finals, three varsity sports, one student

JOHN STORMZAND | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Kelly Lunghamer was a No. 3 ﬂight singles state champion as a sophomore. The versatile veteran played doubles this spring in her ﬁnal season of varsity sports for the Mustangs.

Kelly Lunghamer’s best individual showing in four Division 1 state ski championships was fourth in giant slalom at the 2011 meet. She helped lead the Mustangs to a pair of state titles in her four years of racing.

“From the start, Kelly has been an integral part of my team’s success. Kelly broke into my starting lineup immediately, as a freshman. She earned a varsity letter in all four seasons as a Mustang. Kelly was a quiet, but effective leader of the team. She was well respected by all of her teammates and by my parent group. She would always greet with a smile, not matter the situation. You could always count on Kelly to give you solid runs on race day. Year after year, she got faster and faster. This is a testament to her commitment to the sport to become the best. She was a piece of the puzzle that was needed to claim that elusive state championships in both 2010 and 2011, and gave it a great run in 2012. Her smooth and flowing form would always land her atop Vof the leader board. Her teammates would admire her ability to navigate through some fairly tough courses with ease. She will surely be missed in 2013.” ROBERT RHOADES

Continued from page B1

thing of it, I just grew up playing sports with my siblings. My sister Kristin played three sports and I’ve just tried to follow that and keep busy and try to do my best with each one. “I’ve just tried to improve every year,” she says. “I’ve always tried

LINCOLN WARGAU Marian tennis coach

Marian ski coach

LUNGHAMER

“As a coach, you do appreciate someone the caliber of Kelly Lunghamer. She’s someone who made varsity her freshman year in golf, skiing and tennis. It’s very challenging to make varsity as a freshman, and I’ve never seen anyone like her. She might not have been the best player on the team as a freshman, but she continued to improve. She just wasn’t happy to be on varsity. Some people might feel that way, but she wanted to be one of the better players. She wanted to be one of the best in the state. To compete in 12 state finals, in three different sports, it shows she wanted to be the best. She plays very high caliber tennis. For her to get 12 letters and be a leader on and off the court, field, mountain — it’s just an amazing feat to do that. I think Kelly knows she’s doing something spectacular over her high school career, but she’s not going to brag about it. I think she knows that it’s special and not a lot of people can do what she’s done. You can never tell that she’s the girl whose done that. It doesn’t reflect in her attitude at all. She’s the first one here for practice, or she’ll stay after practice and hit with someone. She’s always trying to help out the team and she’ll put the team first in whatever she does. That is her personality. We have 16 girls on the team, and she’ll put 15 girls ahead of her when it comes to winning a team title. To have someone who’s been around for four years, she knows what to expect. She is an important player on our team, and she’s always one of our vocal leaders. She gets the team going and every day she comes to work.”

to stay modest because there’s always someone out there who’s better than me. I don’t see it as amazing. I just see it as something I do.”

Highly competitive

While soft-spoken in regards to her play, she is very competitive on the course, mountain and courts. Lunghamer’s approach is simply to compete to the best of her ability each season.

Individually, Lunghamer, as a sophomore, won a state championship in tennis at No. 3 flight singles. In skiing, her two best results were third in slalom this year and fourth in giant slalom as a junior. And, in golf, she posted the second-best team score on three occasions at the state meet. “I’m just a real competitive person, and, by the end of the day, it’s

just however it ends up,” Lunghamer says. “I’ve always played sports and I come to play. I just hope for the best.”

Team oriented

While she does well personally, Lunghamer’s real satisfaction rests with team finishes. Even though her sports are individual in nature, she likes being part of a team environment. Marian’s ski team cap-

tured back-to-back state titles in her sophomore and junior seasons. The tennis team won a state championship in her sophomore season and never placed lower than third prior to this season. “I’ve won individually, but winning as a team is much more satisfying,” says Lunghamer, who will attend the University of Michigan in the fall, but does not plan to play any varsity sports. “It’s

not as fun if you don’t win with everyone else. I really like being a member of the team and seeing how everyone cares for the same thing.” The Lunghamer line continues at Marian next year. Kristin and Kelly are gone, but younger sister Breann, currently an eighth-grader at Our Lady of Refuge, will be a freshman this fall. Feldman better order more letters.

“Kelly Lunghamer is one of the most competitive people I have ever been associated with in the game of golf. While she doesn’t have a perfect golf swing she has the capability to get the ball in the hole. In the three years that I coached Kelly, she always worked hard to improve parts of her game that came difficult to her. As a result she made herself a good golfer. While she was not a team captain she played a major role in helping Marian place fourth in the Division 2 state championship (last fall). Kelly has great ‘hand-eye’ coordination and she demonstrates that in both tennis and golf. It’s unique that she excels in sports that are basically individual sports but are played in a team atmosphere. My feeling is that her ability and her competitive nature rub off on her teammates and that’s what makes Kelly a valuable member on her teams. Kelly is also very respectful of her coaches and people in her life. She is a quiet and a non-assuming person who lets her scores do the talking for her. I never had to motivate Kelly because I knew she was in the moment. Kelly has been nominated for Detroit Athletic Club’s ‘Athlete of the Year’ award, and with the achievements she has produced over the past four years, she is a worthy candidate. In addition to all this she is a great student who wants to be a doctor. Based on what she has accomplished so far in her life she will be a good one.” TOM BRECHT

Marian golf coach

Kelly Lunghamer helped lead the Marian golf team to a fourth-place ﬁnish at last fall’s Division 2 state tournament where she earned All-State honors.

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Observer & Eccentric | Sunday, June 3, 2012

PREP RESULTS

DISTRICT GOLF RESULTS 2012 BOYS GOLF DISTRICT RESULTS (May 31 a Huron Meadows GC) TEAM STANDINGS (top six advance to regional June 7 at Timber Trace): 1. Birmingham Brother Rice, 289; 2. Livonia Stevenson, 297; 3. Birmingham Seaholm, 303; 4. North Farmington, 305; 5. Farmington, 313; 6. Birmingham Groves, 318; 7. Royal Oak, 324; 8. West Bloomfield, 326; 9. Berkley, 332; 10. Farmington Harrison, 405; 11. Southfield, NTS; 12. Southfield-Lathrup NTS. INDIVIDUAL TEAM SCORES 1. BROTHER RICE (289): 2. (tie) Sean Friel, Jeremy Gold, 70; 6. Lucas Belanger, 73;

11. Kyle Gaines, 76; 17. Joey Hildebrand, 78. 2. STEVENSON (297): 2. Dante Cicchelli, 70; 8. (tie) Nick Marsh, Connor Humitz, 75; 14. Austin Harris, 77; 30. Eric Attard, 81. 3. SEAHOLM (303): 6. Tim Pearce, 73; 8. Nick Vick, 75; 14. Kevin Lam, 77; 17. Alec Tropea, 78; 30. RJ Haley, 81. 4. NORTH FARMINGTON (305): 1. Max Kollin, 67; 20. (tie) Austin Alexander, Jon Pierret, 79; 25. Ryan Masell, 80; 39. Neal Kedharnath, 84. 5. FARMINGTON (313): 5. Matt Goldi, 72; 20. Vishal Amin, 79; 25. Nick Hefferon, 80; 35. Conner Greenly, 82; 45. Matt LeGault, 89. 6. GROVES (318): 11. Johnny Reid, 76; 25. (tie) Calvin Greer,

Nick Pursel, Conor Flynn, 80; 37. Mike Ryan, 83. 7. ROYAL OAK (324): 14. Mike Christie, 77; 20. Tanner Kinkela, 79; 37. Alex Bashi, 83; 41. Josh Gagne, 85; 43. Curtis Notaranntonio, 86. 9. BERKLEY (332): 17. Eric Israel, 78; 30. Jimmy Demery, 81; 35. Adam Israel, 82; 46. Curtis Carne, 91; 47. Nolan Derington, 96. 10. HARRISON (405): 39. Kyle Cosarelly, 84; 47. Eric Chappell, 96; 51. Juwan Teamer, 112; 52. Mike Girard, 113; 53. Mike Hume, 117. 11. SOUTHFIELD (NTS): 11. Jordan Bohannon, 76; 49. James Davis II, 106. 12. SOUTHFIELD-LATHRUP (NTS): 10. Travis Frasier, 111.

SPORTS SHORTS Hall of Fame pair

Berkley’s Eric Israel shot 78 at Thursday’s district tournament and qualiﬁed as an individual for the upcoming Division 1 regional set for June 7 at Timber Trace Golf Club. JOHN STORMZAND | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Boys golf

DIVISION 1, DISTRICT 8:

At Huron Meadows Golf Course Thursday, Brother Rice, Seaholm and Groves each advanced in the state tournament. Rice won the 12-team tourney with 289 points, followed by Livonia Stevenson (297), Seaholm (303), North Farmington (305), Farmington (313) and Groves (316). The top six teams, and the top six individuals not on qualifying teams, advance to the Division 1 regional set for Timber Trace Golf Club on June 7. Royal Oak’s duo of junior Mike Christie and sophomore Tanner Kinkela, Southfield sophomore Jordan Bohannon and Berkley’s twosome of juniors Eric Israel and Jimmy Demery were individual qualifiers. North Farmington senior Max Kollin was low medalist with a round of 67. Rice’s Sean Friel and Jeremy Ball, and Stevenson’s Dante Cicchelli tied for second at 70. Farmington’s Matt Goldi placed fifth with a 72.

Girls lacrosse

MARIAN 10, TROY 5:

In a Division 1 regional semifinal game played Wednesday, Marian ousted Troy from the state playoffs with this fivegoal triumph. The Mustangs were led by K.K. Henneghan who had two goals and two assists and Antonia Violante with three goals and one assist. Lisa Parker also played solid defense for the Mustangs. Marian took a 19-4-1 overall record into the regional title game which was played Friday evening

(after this paper went to press) against arch rival Birmingham Women’s Lacrosse.

BIRMINGHAM WOMEN’S LACROSSE 19, GROSSE POINTE SOUTH 7: Birmingham soared to

a 10-2 halftime lead and were in firm control of this regional game played Wednesday evening at Troy High School. The winners were led by Sarah Feiten who netted six goals and Kathy Quigley who posted five. Christy Wells and Brenna Bolton each scored twice for Birmingham. Carrie Quigley, Alex Lee, Jill Fisher and Allie Wright accounted for the other BWL goals. Brigette Champane led South with three goals. CRANBROOK KINGSWOOD 21, STONEY CREEK 2: Cranbrook

Kingswood eliminated Stoney Creek from the Division 2 state tournament with this lopsided 19-goal triumph. The win lifted CK into the regional title game against Sacred Heart which was played Friday evening.

SACRED HEART 14, COUNTRY DAY 13: Bloom-

field Hills Academy of the Sacred Heart slipped past Stoney Creek in this regional semifinal game played Wednesday.

Boys lacrosse

BROTHER RICE 23, MIDLAND 6: In this region-

al game, No. 1-ranked Brother Rice easily advanced in the state tournament. Rice had 14 different goal scorers, including Will Hogan and Sergio Perkovic who netted three each. Jerry Dietz, Riley Kennedy, Henry Nelson, Max Odena and John Plas-

key scored twice. Jason Alessi, James Crowe, JP Forester, Andy Hebden, Liam Timmis, Joe Dudley and Bo Pickens accounted for the other Warrior goals. Alessi, Kennedy and Perkovic each were credited with two assists. Greg Marzec posted a team-high nine ground balls and Chris Walker contributed five.

Softball

NORTH FARMINGTON 6-8, GROVES 2-5: North

Farmington swept Birmingham Groves in this make-up OAA crossover doubleheader played Wednesday. The Raiders scored five times in the fourth inning with two outs to key their first-game victory. For the Falcons in that game, Mamie Talty was 1-3 with an RBI. Keely Nowland took the loss. In the second game, Groves jumped to an early 5-1 lead only to have North Farmington rally for a three-run win. Groves’ top performers were Crissy Pastoria (two hits, two runs), Zoe Schmerin (one hit, one RBI) and Talty (one hit, one RBI). SOUTHFIELD CHRISTIAN 4, ROCHESTER ADAMS 1: Southfield Christian

raised its overall record to 16-6 with this nonleague victory over Rochester Adams on Tuesday. Maggie Vosler paced the offense with two hits, two stolen bases and two RBI. Alexis Hart contributed two hits and had the game-winning RBI in the third inning. Winning pitcher Maria Varano went the distance, allowing only four hits and striking out five.

TRACK & FIELD RESULTS OAKLAND COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP MEET May 25 at Holly Boys standings (35 schools): 1. Lake Orion, 102 points; 2. Southﬁeld, 47; 3. Auburn Hills Avondale, 46; 4. Birmingham Groves, 42; 5. Waterford Mott and Novi Detroit Catholic Central, 32 each; 7. Walled Lake Western, 29; 8. West Bloomﬁeld, 26; 9. Walled Lake Central, 25; 10. Milford, 22; 14. Livonia Clarenceville, 16. 3,200-meter relay: 1. Milford, 7:55.63; 110 hurdles: 1. Ross Williams (Groves), 14.47; 100 dash: 1. Kyle Redwin (Avondale), 10.69; 2. Kassius Kelly (C’ville), 10.8; 800 relay: 1. Avondale, 1:28.03; 1,600: Garret Zuk (Lakeland), 4:18.95; 400 relay: 1. Lake Orion, 42.62; 400: 1. Jibril Mims (Country Day), 48.94; 300 hurdles: 1. Alex Roberts (Lake Orion), 38.99; 800: 1. Nathan

Chapman (Avondale), 1:54.64; 200: 1. Redwin (Avondale), 21.6; 3. Kelly (C’ville), 21.99; 3,200: 1. T.J. Carey (Lake Orion), 9:23.96; 1,600 relay: 1. Lake Orion, 3:20.98; high jump: 1. Chris Phillips (Southﬁeld), 6 feet, 2 inches; pole vault: 1. Jacob Janke (Walled Lake Western), 14-0; long jump: 1. Roberts (Lake Orion), 21-3; discus: 1. Cullen Prena (Walled Lake Central), 185-6; 7. Shawn Cummings (C’ville), 143-6; shot put: 1. Chris Saikalis (Mott), 56-5.5. Girls standings (36 schools): 1. Novi, 89 points; 2. Beverly Hills Detroit Country Day, 46; 3. Birmingham Seaholm, 44.5; 4. Southﬁeld, 43; 5. Rochester Adams, 38; 6. Farmington, 29; 7. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, 28; 8. Farmington Harrison, 27; 9. Walled Lake Central, 22; 10. Oxford, 20; 33. Livonia Clarenceville, 3.

3,200-meter relay: 1. Seaholm, 9:17.84; 100 hurdles: 1. Laticia Sims (Harrison), 14.44; 100 dash: 1. Tiffani Owens (Ortonville Brandon), 12.06; 800 relay: 1. Country Day, 1:41.97; 1,600: 1. Brooke Kovacic (Oxford), 4:57.67; 400 relay: 1. Novi, 49.15; 400: 1. La’Tipha Cross (Southﬁeld), 55.98; 300 hurdles: 1. Sims (Harrison), 44.59; 800: 1. Sara Barron (Notre Dame Prep), 2:09.58; 200: 1. Cross (Southﬁeld), 25.56; 6. Ayanna Buckley (C’ville), 26.68; 3,200 run: 1. Elena Miller (Lahser), 10:53.61; 1,600 relay: 1. Notre Dame Prep, 3:56.73; high jump: 1. Kelanna Ingram (Lathrup), 5 feet, 6 inches; pole vault: 1. Olivia Perry (Brandon), 100; long jump: 1. Aaron Howell (Farmington), 18-4.75; discus: 1. Brittany Mann (Country Day), 157-8; shot put: 1. Mann (Country Day), 43-6.

Veteran Marian High School swim coach Bill Thompson and former Brother Rice swim star Mike Zennedjian will be inducted into the Catholic League Hall of Fame. Thompson and Zennedjian will be honored along with other members of the Class of 2012 at the Catholic League’s annual Hall of Fame Day scheduled June 11 at the Fern Hills Country Club in Clinton Township. Zennedjian Thompson has led the Mustangs to a pair of Division 3 state championships (200708). In 2009, Thompson competing in Division 1, Marian placed second behind Saline. Zennedjian recently finished an outstanding swim career at Xavier University by being named the Most Outstanding Performer of the 2012 Atlantic 10 Swim Championship meet. The Farmington Hills native and 2008 Brother Rice graduate set an Atlantic 10 Championship meet, conference and school record in the 20-IM. Zennedjian also earned an honorable mention spot on the 2012 CollegeSwimming.com Mid-Major All-America Team for the second straight season. The Catholic League Hall of Fame Day begins with a continental breakfast at 9:30 a.m. and continues with a Golf Scramble at 11:30 a.m. The dinner begins with hors d’oeuvres at 5:30 p.m.

Foran scholarship Applications are now being accepted for the annual Jeff Foran Memorial College Scholarship. This $1,000 scholarship is available to all graduating seniors — male or female — who attend schools in Bloomfield Hills or are Bloomfield Hills-area residents. Also, applicants must have played a minimum of three years (six seasons) in the Bloomfield Hills Youth Soccer League program and/or in the Bloomfield Hills Soccer Club select program, and must have played on their high school’s varsity soccer team during their application year. Selection criteria, in order of importance, include academics, character, community service, soccer achievement and extracurricular school activities and awards. This year’s application deadline is Aug. 18. Awards are contingent upon official proof of acceptance and enrollment in an academic program at an accredited four year college or university with a minimum course load of 12 units in the fall semester of the freshman year.

All applicants must send their information to the BHYSL Scholarship Committee, c/o Dr. William Nixon, 3845 Woodlake Drive, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304.

Lahser sportsmanship Bloomfield Hills Lahser’s boys basketball team was a 2011-12 Top 100 Boys Basketball Sportsmanship Award winner. Following each boys’ and girls’ basketball game, officials who worked the game are asked by the Michigan High School Athletic Association to provide feedback on the sportsmanship of each school’s players, coaches, administrators and fans. The feedback is then ranked for each MHSAA school and the top 100 boys and girls teams are chosen to receive the prestigious award. “I have a great group of guys who are talented, but at the same time, very respectful and well mannered,” said Lahser head coach Duane Graves. Lahser finished last season with an 186 overall record. The Knights captured the OAA Gold Division championship and won the Class A district title before falling to Lake Orion by two points in a regional semifinal game.

Charger Cheikh

Southfield-Lathrup senior Cheikh Ka recently signed a national letter of intent to play basketball at Marygrove College. Ka, a 6-foot-5 forward, played two years of varsity ball at Lathrup for head coach Mike Avery. Ka also played AAU basketball for the Michigan Eclipse, Southfield Transition and is currently a member of the Team Michigan squad. “Cheikh has the potential to be a very good player at the NAIA level,” said Marygrove Athletic Director and Men’s Basketball Head Coach Dave Sichterman. “If he develops into what we project, Cheikh will be a tough matchup for he opposition over the next four years. “Physically, Cheikh will need to continue to get stronger to enforce his game at this level,” he said. “He is a great fit for our program because he is a young man of great character and has shown plenty of initiative throughout the recruiting process.” Ka, who plans to pursue a pre-med degree, also would like to participate in Marygrove’s cross country and track & field programs. In 2011, Ka was named Lathrup’s cross country MVP. He also runs middistance/distance races on the track team.

Marian golf outing The Birmingham Marian Athletic Club’s 2012 Golf Outing and Auction is scheduled Monday, June 4, at Pine Lake Country Club. The golf package is $175 per person and

includes 18 holes of golf with cart, lunch, dinner, open bar and silent auction. Golf registration and lunch begins 11:30 a.m. Space is limited and registration deadline is May 20. The dinner/auction only fee is $65. Auction items are needed. For more information, contact www.marianhs.org.

Meijer State Games Registration is open for the Meijer State Games of Michigan. The State Games of Michigan, the signature event of the West Michigan Sports Commission, is a sports festival endorsed by the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness, Health and Sports. The festival includes 31 different sports and will be held June 22-24 in Grand Rapids. Archery, Archery-3D, BMX, Bowling, Cycling, Disc Golf, Dodgeball, Governor’s Fun Run/ Walk, Ice Hockey (all divisions), Judo, Karate, Lacrosse, Mountain Biking, Pickleball, Racquetball, Rugby, Volleyball and Wrestling are the sports currently open for registration. In addition, BMX Freestyle, Skateboarding and Wake boarding will have on-site registration. For more information or to register, visit www.stategamesofmichigan.com.

Softball tournament The City of Auburn Hills has scheduled a Men’s Wood Bat slow pitch softball tournament for June 16-17 at Civic Center Ball Park. Each team is guaranteed three games and the shorter fences allow for an exciting Wood Bat Tournament emphasizing stronger defensive play and featuring more base hits rather than home runs. The $100 entry fee includes prizes, softballs and umpires. Rawlings Wood bats will be provided. For more information or to register, contact Al Zipsie at (810) 444-9311.

All-American look All-American Sports Posters will produce all of the sports posters at Bloomfield Hills Andover High School, according to district-wide athletic director Mike Cowdrey. The All-American sports posters will aid in the funding of Andover athletics. Area businesses can help sponsor the program and Cowdrey “urges all businesses to consider putting their support behind this worthy effort.” All American Sports Posters is registered with the Idaho Attorney General and has been authorized to conduct the business campaign on behalf of the Andover athletic department. For further information, contact Cowdrey (248) 341-5500 or AllAmerican Sports Posters (800) 556-1380.

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Observer & Eccentric | Sunday, June 3, 2012

(SO_B)

Growth plates are vulnerable in young athletes L

The Spartan ‘Five’ Michigan State University’s baseball team recently battled Central Michigan University in what was billed as the ‘Clash at Comerica.’ The Spartans, who finished with a 5-2 victory, have five players with local ties on their roster, including (left to right) Mike Mestdagh (Birmingham Groves), Mike Theodore (Detroit Country Day), Blaise Salter (Bloomfield Hills resident), Jimmy Pickens (Brother Rice) and Chase Rihtarchik (Brother Rice). Those five players also helped lift MSU into the NCAA post-season tournament for the first time since 1979. Michigan State was scheduled to have played Pepperdine in a first-round regional game Friday afternoon after this paper went to press.

Marian seniors headed to out-of-state schools A pair of standout senior student-athletes who play spring sports at Birmingham Marian recently signed college national letters of intent to out-of-state schools. Danielle Flaig, a member of the Mustang lacrosse team, signed with Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP). Makenzie Larson, who plays soccer, committed to attend Loyola Marymount University in California. Flaig helped lead Marian to its sixth straight Catholic League lacrosse championship this season. The Troy resident earned an individual All-State Academic Award from the Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association and a Scholar Athlete Award from Marian High School and the Troy School District. Flaig, a member of Marian’s National Honor Society, received both an academic scholarship and a Freshman Chemistry award for the Robert E. Cooks Honors College at Indiana University. “Marian offered me a challenging academic curriculum, which allowed me to have more options while I was searching for the college I wanted to attend,” Flaig said. “Marian’s coaches during my junior and senior years pushed me to be the best that I could be. “Coach Ginny Heth encouraged me to become a great defender although playing defense was frustrating,” Flaig said. “Coach Jamie Francek helped me to become a more dominant attacker and helped me to perfect

Basketball

crease rolling so that I can have the best angle when I shoot.” Flaig also has volunteered for the Down Syndrome Guild of Michigan and the Troy Parks and Recreation Department. This fall, she plans to study chemistry with a minor in criminology while playing midfield and defense for the Crimson Hawk lacrosse team. Mindy Richmond, women’s lacrosse head coach at IUP, is excited to have Flaig join her team this fall. “(Flaig) has an unlimited amount of potential and I am excited to see her grow at the Division II level,” said Richmond. “She is a very dedicated individual, not only on the playing field, but also in the classroom. She is a very well rounded player with a great field sense that has the potential to be effective on both ends of the field.” Larson, a Bloomfield Hills resident, was voted All-Catholic and AllDistrict the past two seasons on the pitch. She also received an AllState soccer award and was a member of Marian’s back-to-back (20092010) state championship teams in her first two years of high school. “Marian played a huge roll in my success in soccer,” Larson said. “I have had great coaching from coach Barry Brodsky and the rest of the staff, which helped me reach the next level. “Marian soccer is extremely close knit; we are an extended family,” said Larson, who was a member of the Community Foundation for

Danielle Flaig, ﬂanked by her parents Robert and Kimberly, signed a national letter of intent with Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) to play lacrosse.

Marian senior Makenzie Larson signed a national letter of intent to play soccer this fall at Loyola Marymount University in California with her parents, Eric and Katherine, by her side.

Southeast Michigan’s Youth Advisory Council. “This season, coming back from major hip surgery would not have been as easy without my ‘Marian family’ to get

me through.” At Loyola Marymount University, Makenzie plans to study sports medicine or pre-med while playing goalie on its soccer team.

SPORTS CAMPS/CLINICS 647-2531 or e-mail shaffer@brrice.edu. • The Bloomfield Hills Lahser Knights MidSummer Classic Shootout will be held July 23-26. Varsity basketball games will be played Tuesday and Thursday, while the JV games are set for Monday and Wednesday. Opening games begin 4 p.m., and all games will be played at Bloomfield Hills Lahser. Team entry fee is $240 and space is limited. Teams are guaranteed a minimum of five games in two nights with three available courts. For more information, contact Lahser basketball coach Duane Graves at (248) 935-8351, or e-mail at coach_dgraves@yahoo. com. • Lawrence Tech University will conduct a

summer basketball camp for girls ages 6-16 from June 25-29. A four-day instructional camp will be held June 25-28 for girls ages 6-12 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cost is $130. A shooting camp for players ages 6-16 is set for June 29 from 9 a.m. to noon. The cost is $75. The camp will be led by Mary Pinkowski, LTU’s women’s basketball head coach. For more information and registration, go to www.bluedevilathletics.com. • The University of Detroit-Mercy and the Titan Club will host the second annual Titan Club Basketball Camp for Special Needs. The camp will run from 9 a.m. to noon on Monday, June 25, and registration is $15 per person. The price

includes instruction from NCAA coaches and current and former student-athletes, a camp Tshirt, refreshments and certificate of completion. Detroit Titans head coaches Ray McCallum and Autumn Rademacher will be in attendance. Hospitality for parents and guardians is also provided at no extra charge. The first camp last year had a wide range of participant ability levels. The 2012 event will take place at Calihan Hall and interested parties are encouraged to register as soon as possible as the camp is expected to sell out. For questions regarding this event, contact Detroit Titan Athletics at (313) 993-1700 or gotitans@udmercy.edu.

et’s face it: kids are not simply ‘little adults’ when it comes to sports injuries. A child’s bones are still growing, and that makes them vulnerable to a unique injury called a growth plate Dr. Joe fracture. What’s Joe Guettler a Growth Plate? The growth plate (called a physis) is an area of developing tissue near the ends of long bones in the growing human body. Long bones include the femur, tibia, and fibula in the leg, and the humerus, radius, and ulna in the arm. The growth plate regulates and helps determine the length and shape of the mature bone. It’s interesting how bone growth actually happens: the long bones of the body do not grow from the center outward. Instead, growth occurs at each end of the bone around the growth plate. The growth plate is essentially made of cartilage, and that cartilage turns to bone as bones grow. Since the growth plate is the last portion of the bone to harden, or ossify, it is vulnerable to fracture. As a matter of fact, a child’s growth plates are often weaker than the surrounding ligaments and tendons. Many of the injuries that would have been sprains in grown-ups result in growth plate fractures in kids.

Diagnosing growth plate fractures To make the diagnosis, we examine the child and use X-rays to determine whether a growth plate fracture occurred. While most fractures are obvious on x-ray, not all growth plate fractures show up. We will often get comparison x-rays of the opposite limb. Ultimately, if our clinical suspicion is high — even if the fracture doesn’t show up on xrays — kids with suspected growth plate fractures get a cast, splint, sling, brace, or crutches. Often, we recheck x-rays in 10 to 14 days to see if there is healing bone (called callus). And by the way, the words fractured and broken mean the same thing. Who is at risk? • All Kids! • Girls and boys near the end of their growth period are especially vulnerable. • Growth plate fractures occur twice as often in boys as in girls.

Baseball

• Total Baseball Summer Camps will offer a series of events to improve the baseball experience. The Fundamentals Baseball Camp will be held from June 18-21 for players ages 6-14. The Train and Play Camp is set for June 25-28 for players ages 614, and the July Summer Camp will be held from July 9-12 for players ages 6-14. All camps costs $150 per player and one-on-one instruction will be provided. For more information, call (248) 668-0166.

Football

• The Detroit Lions 2012 Youth Football Camps begins its 21-city, 23-camp summer tour at Detroit Country Day High School. The two-day Beverly Hills

• One third of all growth plate injuries occur in competitive sports, such as football, basketball, or gymnastics and about 20 percent occur as a result of recreational activities, such as biking, sledding, skiing, or skateboarding. The others are just simply accidents that occur around the house or at the park.

How growth plate fractures happen Fractures can result from a single traumatic event, such as a fall or an accident, or from chronic stress and overuse. Most traumatic fractures that I see involve the wrist, elbow, and ankle, and they can also occur in the hand, foot, knee, shoulder, and pelvis. The most common overuse growth plate injuries occur in the elbow (little leaguers elbow), the knee (Osgood Schlatters), and the heel (Sever’s).

Youthful resilience

Luckily, children’s bones heal faster than adult’s bones, but that also means that a child with an injury should go to the ER or see a doctor as quickly as possible, so that the bone gets the proper treatment before it begins to heal. Sometimes the bone needs to be set to make it as straight as possible. It also means that the period of immobilization required for healing may not be as long as for an adult. Most growth plate fractures are casted, splinted, or braced, and they generally heal in 4 to 6 weeks. The bones of kids also have an amazing ability to remodel, or correct for displacement and malalignment over time. Despite this, growth plate fractures sometimes need surgery to fix them correctly, or later on if the fracture has altered the way the bone is growing. Any child who experiences an injury that results in visible deformity, persistent or severe pain, or an inability to move or put pressure on a limb should go to the ER or be examined by a doctor. For more information on injuries in kids, visit www.orthodoc.aaos.org/ joeguettlermd. Dr. Joseph Guettler is an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in sports medicine, as well as surgery of the knee, shoulder, and elbow. He also has expertise in sports injuries in growing athletes. His practice, Performance Orthopedics, is located in Bingham Farms. Dr. Guettler is active in teaching and research at Beaumont Hospital and Oakland University.

Quarterback/Wide Receiver Academy will be held June 9-10. It will focus one day on quarterback play and one day on the wide receiver position. The academy is for boys and girls ages 8-14. The camp fee is $75, and space is limited to the first 75 registered participants. Detroit Lions Youth Football Camps partner with the NFL’s ‘Fuel Up To Play 60’ program to offer the following elements: non-contact fundamental football instruction; Lions camp Tshirt; Chalk talk and video sessions skills contests and scrimmages; and an opportunity to earn Detroit Lions Camp awards. For further information or to register, visit DetroitLions. com/youthfootball or call (313) 262-2248.