What are your plans next weekend? How about a state championship?

Oh baby! Are you as excited as I am? Not only am I going to hear Urban Myer, Les Miles and Ron Zook speak at the Nike Coach of the Year Football Clinic in Mount Pleasant, but by the time Ron Zook finishes his “Trends in Pass Defense” lecture, we’ll know who will be in the state quarterfinals! Some of these boys will never have felt the pressure of a game like this while others know it and have experienced it in the past. Who will stand up to the pressure? Which team will fold like a pair of jeans? These questions will be answered!

Coach Cottrell’s Blowout of the Week
Mio-Au Sable 91, Arenac Eastern 31

This was in the districts semifinals last Wednesday. Anyone got information about this game? I sure can’t find any. I wonder why…. ;)

Close Call

East Lansing 61 Kalamazoo Central 59

There were many close games in the past week. One of them is East Lansing’s 61-59 victory over Kalamazoo Central. The Trojans were down by 16 at one point in the fourth quarter. It was Charlie Woods and Tyreshe Knox that propelled East Lansing to the victory. Woods had three 3-pointers in the fourth quarter and finished with 24 points. A 19-1 run in the fourth quarter put them up 59-57 with only 1:15 left to play. Knox hit two free throws with 7.3 seconds remaining to put his team ahead after the game was tied up.

Detroit Northwestern 80 Oak Park 77 (2OT)

Detroit Northwestern got to see what their made of in their 80-77 double overtime victory over Oak Park. Not only did they win their first Detroit Public School League championship a few weeks back, they’ve made a run in the playoffs. Next up is a PSL rematch between Northwestern and Detroit Pershing. The Colts were led by Eric Evans (22) and Julian Gentry (20).

Menominee 63 Ogemaw Heights 55

The Maroons of Menominee keep rolling through the tournament with their 63-55 victory over West Branch Ogemaw Heights. Ogemaw Heights lead from the midpoint of the first quarter until the last two minutes of the game. Utilizing the half court trap, Menominee forced eight turnovers and didn’t allow a field goal by the Falcons for more than six minutes in the fourth quarter. The Menominee Maroons will face Ludington next. Tom Janson of Menominee led the all scoring with 24 points after not being able to find his shot early.

Bear Lake 81 Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart 78 (2OT)

Over in Big Rapids, Bear Lake put away Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart, but it took them two overtimes to accomplish that feat. The 81-78 victory was exciting with Bear Lake’s JJ Randall’s three point shot at the buzzer to send the game into overtime. MtP was down by five at one point in the first overtime before they rallied and tied up the game. Unfortunately, they were outscored in the second overtime. Reedy had 26 points to lead Bear Lake followed by JJ Randall’s 20.