Breslin Bound: Boys Report Week 7

January 22, 2013

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

The fireworks flew in Michigan boys basketball last week, as three Associated Press top-ranked teams fell, albeit against others considered contenders as well. 

With boys basketball season now at its midpoint, it's fair to say doors remain open for more potential contenders to step in. See this week's list of high performers for some that could be in the mix. 

1. Detroit Cass Tech (10-1) – The two-time reigning football champ has owned the basketball court too since falling in December to Harper Woods Chandler Park.

2. East Kentwood (10-0) – The Falcons won 17 games two years ago and 18 last season, and will make a run next month to improve on those totals again.

3. Detroit Consortium (6-2) – Consortium is looking to be in the Class C mix and looks good to contend after knocking off Class B giant Detroit Country Day last week 68-62.

4. Wyoming Godwin Heights (9-0) – On top of being considered arguably the top team in Class B, Godwin Heights gave Class D power Wyoming Tri-unity Christian its first loss, 60-58 last week.

5. Detroit Pershing (12-0) – Pershing was here last week too, but it’s hard to not include the Doughboys again after they beat Detroit Southeastern 63-54 and handed Flint Beecher its only loss, 56-53.  

6. Munising (6-1) – Since opening with a loss to Gwinn, Munising hasn’t fallen and beat 2012 Class D Semifinalist Carney-Nadeau last week 40-37; C-N knocked Munising out in the Regional Final last season.

7. Frankfort (8-0) – Just 11-12 last season, Frankfort is only a few wins from besting that mark and looks good to accomplish much more.

8. Jackson Lumen Christi (8-0) – The Titans often have contended but rarely been favored during their decade in the Capital Area Activities Conference; they are the team to beat in the CAAC Gold this time.  

9. Warren Woods-Tower (7-2) – After opening 1-2, the Titans have won six straight including a big win over previously-surging New Haven, 58-54 last week.

10. Beal City (6-3) – The Aggies have won four straight after a little bit of a delayed start due to a Ford Field football run; last week’s 62-61 win over Leroy Pine River was the best win so far.

PHOTO: Saginaw (white jerseys) improved to 14-1 on Saturday with an 86-61 win over Harper Woods Chandler Park. (Click to see more at HighSchoolSportsScene.com.)

Performance of the Week: Cass Tech's Darius Acuff

April 6, 2023

Darius AcuffDarius Acuff ♦ Detroit Cass Tech
Sophomore ♦ Basketball

One of the elite among the state’s loaded sophomore class, Acuff tied team highs with 19 points and four assists to help Cass Tech to a 78-63 win over Muskegon in the Division 1 Final on March 25 at Breslin Center – clinching the Technicians’ first championship in boys basketball. His most memorable moment may have come during the Semifinal the day before, however, when Acuff drilled a 3-pointer, off the glass, to force overtime in an eventual 62-56 win over Grand Blanc.

The 6-foot-2 guard entered the season’s final week averaging 21.6 points and 5.8 assists per game, and he started it with 30 points in Cass Tech’s 55-49 Quarterfinal win over Ann Arbor Huron. Acuff then finished with 19 points, five assists and three steals – making 50 percent of his shots from the floor and all four free throws – against Grand Blanc. He scored his team’s first four points of the championship game and seven during the fourth quarter as the Technicians pulled away.

@mhsaasports 🏀POW: Darius Acuff #performanceoftheweek #basketball #champion #congrats #technicians #casstech #firsttitleever #overtime #semifinal #letsgo #MHSAA #highschoolsports #tiktalk #interview #TikTok#mistudentaid #fyp ♬ Beat Automotivo Tan Tan Tan Viral - WZ Beat

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MI Student Aid

MHSAA.com's "Performance of the Week" features are powered by MI Student Aid, a part of the Office of Postsecondary Financial Planning located within the Michigan Department of Treasury. MI Student Aid encourages students to pursue postsecondary education by providing access to student financial resources and information. MI Student Aid administers the state’s 529 college savings programs (MET/MESP), as well as scholarship and grant programs that help make college Accessible, Affordable and Attainable for you. Connect with MI Student Aid at www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid and find more information on Facebook and Twitter @mistudentaid.

2022-23 Honorees

March 23: Regan Finkbeiner, Hemlock basketball - Report
March 16:
Alaina Yaney, Grand Ledge gymnastics - Report
March 9:
Braeden Davis, Dundee wrestling - Report
March 2:
Gabriel Sanchez-Burks, Ann Arbor Pioneer swimming - Report
Feb. 23:
Grace Sobczak, Marquette swimming - Report
Feb. 16:
Kaitlynn Demers, Gibraltar Carlson competitive cheer - Report
Feb. 9:
Indya Davis, West Bloomfield basketball - Report
Feb. 2:
Braydon Sorenson, Onekama skiing - Report
Jan. 26:
Shayna Hruska, Iron Mountain wrestling - Report
Jan. 19:
Kayla Tafanelli, Warren Woods-Tower bowling - Report
Dec. 20:
Brenden Paden, Riverview Gabriel Richard hockey - Report
Dec. 16:
Tuff Scott, Holton bowling - Report
Dec. 9:
Macey Fegan, Standish-Sterling basketball - Report
Dec. 2:
Treyton Siegert, Gladwin football - Report
Nov. 24:
Lily Witte, Dexter diving - Report
Nov. 17:
Navea Gauthier, Shelby volleyball - Report
Nov. 10:
Derek Huisman, Holland Christian soccer - Report
Nov. 3:
Thomas Westphal, New Baltimore Anchor Bay cross country - Report
Oct. 27:
Justin Wickey, Colon football - Report
Oct. 20:
Owen DeMuth, Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood tennis - Report
Oct. 13:
Mia Melendez, Ann Arbor Greenhills golf - Report
Oct. 6:
Shawn Foster, Grand Ledge football - Report
Sept. 30:
Hannah Smith, Temperance Bedford swimming - Report
Sept. 22:
Helen Sachs, Holland West Ottawa cross country - Report
Sept. 15:
Nina Horning, Lake Orion volleyball - Report
Sept 8:
Arturo Romero, Muskegon Oakridge soccer - Report
Sept. 1:
Austin King, Midland Dow tennis - Report
Aug. 25:
Olivia Hemmila, Troy Athens golf - Report

PHOTO Detroit Cass Tech's Darius Acuff (5) makes his move into the lane during the Division 1 Final.