Do you dream of hoops this time of year?

Are YOU ready for Christmas yet? Got that shopping done? Ready to brave the gauntlet that is the mall parking lot? My wife and I got most of our shopping done this past Saturday. If you’re looking for some Christmas music, I highly suggest Brian Setzer Boogie Woogie Christmas. For those not Christmas inclined, I know I’ll be headed to a Festivus party on Sunday night. A friend had one last year but it was about a half hour drive so I couldn’t imbibe too many adult beverages, but this year it’s like 12 blocks from my house. Last year’s "feat of strength" was a run around this huge neighborhood with no coat on…I wonder what it will be this year!

Coach Cottrell’s Blowout of the Week

Washtenaw Christian Academy 84 Will Carleton Academy 24

Ouch! A 60 point blowout was capped by a scoreless fourth quarter. Nick Livingston led the scoring for Washtenaw with 31 points. Carleton coach Matt Dube said they were unable to get the ball inside.  Richard Davis led Will Carleton Academy with 12 of the team’s 24 points. If anyone from Will Carleton Academy reads this, I challenge YOU to get back into Coach Cottrell’s Blowout of the Week, but on the opposite side!

High Score of the Week

Carney-Nadeau 87 Eben Superior Central 85 (OT)

172 combined points was the highest total I found this week. Both teams are not very close to large cities (Carney is by Menominee…sorta, and Eben Junction is by Munising) but I was able to find information about the game. Carney trailed 41-28 at the half but had a strong game from Cory Thiry who scored a season high 28 points including 10 of 12 from the charity stripe. Superior Central dominated the boards in the first half, but ended up on the bottom of that stat when the game ended, being out rebounded 39-30.

After I wrote this piece up, I discovered the results from last night’s basketball games. Wyoming Park is the first team this season I’ve seen put up 100 points. The final score of their game was Wyoming Park 100 – Wyoming Rogers 81. 181 points for two teams is HUGE! They may be in contention for High Score of the Year honors! Four players scored in double figures with Viking Bryan Powell leading the charge with 21.

Future Spartan Watch

Big recruit and All American Delvon Roe from St. Edwards in Lakewood, Ohio had his season cut short. He was injured in the season opener on December 6th and had microfracture surgery this past Monday at the Cleveland Clinic. Recovery for this type of surgery is typically six months to a year or more, but his coaches are saying it will be closer to six months. As much as he hates that his St. Edwards basketball career is over, the injury is not career ending and he should still get to play at MSU.

Point guard Korie Lucious from the Milwaukee Pius Popes has been playing well this season. Last night, he dropped 34 on Mukwonago. His lowest scoring game this season was a 15 point night against Milwaukee Madison in the season opener. The 5’10” player is averaging 24 points per night and has more three point buckets than regular field goals. The Milwaukee Pius XI team will be playing at the Wisconsin Basketball Yearbook Shootout at Marquette just after the Christmas holiday.

Closer to the home of the Spartan Nation is big man Draymond Green. The Saginaw High senior has helped his team destroy everyone they have come across so far. In the two games they’ve played, Saginaw has outscored their opponents 178 – 89. Flint Central was supposed to come and play at The High, but the game was canceled due to that giant snow storm we got this week. Things will really gear up for the Trojans after Christmas, as they will go play in the Motor City Roundball Classic then have a tune up game with Flint Northwestern before hosting cross city rival and top ranked Saginaw Arthur Hill on January 7th.

Since there won’t be much basketball going on between now and the New Year, I won’t be posting until 2008. Plus, I’m headed to northern Minnesota to see my wife’s family for their New Years Day party they have.