'Invaluable' Hancock Nearing Half-Century of Service to Cheboygan Athletics
By
Tom Spencer
Special for MHSAA.com
December 2, 2022
When Cheboygan hosts Ogemaw Heights next week to kick off a new boys basketball season, those attending will see something special.
And really, for Cheboygan and its opponents, it’s nothing new. It’s been going on for five decades.
The special part? Scott Hancock, junior varsity coach and assistant varsity coach, is starting his 47th year coaching at the school. Forty-five of those years have been in the same role he has this season.
“It really just means I’m getting old, but I feel very fortunate to be able to do something that I love for this long,” Hancock, himself a Cheboygan product of 1976, reflected on his tenure. “To be honest, I never really thought about how long I would do it. It’s just something I love doing, so I never really put a number on how long I would do it.”
As the campaign starts, though, he has thoughts of coaching high school basketball for six and possibly seven decades before he hangs it up. He has coached his sons — Nick, who owns the Cheboygan career steals record; and Brian, the leader in career made 3-pointers — and now he’s looking forward to the possibility of coaching his two grandchildren, Landon Gahn and Lincoln Hancock.
“Well, all I can say is I have a grandson that is 3 years old, and I would love to hang around coaching until he graduates,” Hancock said of how long he thinks he’ll stay in coaching. “I have loved every year.
“I have coached with a lot of great coaches who are all great friends to this day.”
Included among those coaches are his two sons, who served as assistants for Cheboygan, and Jason Friday, the current varsity coach who also played for Hancock during the early 1990s – a time when Hancock briefly stepped in to fill a varsity coaching vacancy after the sudden departure of the previous head coach.
Friday, who also serves as the school’s athletic director, is not at all surprised his former coach is still in the game. It became a factor in Friday’s decision to take over the boys program three years ago.
“If you're a boy who grew up in Cheboygan, there's a good chance that Scott coached you in something,” Friday said. “He has a grandson who is in eighth grade, and he wants to coach him.
“So yes, I knew he was going to be around for several more years.”
And next week, Friday will be thrilled to have Hancock alongside him on the court as Cheboygan opens up with the Falcons.
“Today, I don't look at Scott as one of my former varsity coaches — he's a friend,” Friday said. “We're friends more than anything, and that makes coaching even more fun for me.
“Most importantly, having someone on the bench that you can trust is invaluable.”
Hancock, who was helping with the boys program when Friday was coaching the Cheboygan girls team, began expecting to coach with his former player some time ago.
“I was very fortunate to have both my sons be assistant coaches for our varsity program,” said Hancock, who also has served decades coaching baseball and keeping stats for the football program. “But as far as being head coach, I always thought Jason would take over at some time.
“It’s awesome to have a former player running our program, but it is no surprise,” he continued. “Jason has always been a student of the game and is very detailed, and what he does, our program is in great hands.”
The mutual trust the coaches share has really benefited the Cheboygan student-athletes.
“I think it is important to have a JV coach who the head coach can trust that he has bought in to all of the beliefs of the head coach’s program,” Hancock noted. “Being loyal to your varsity coach and doing what’s best for your program is the most important aspect of JV coaching.
“And, getting kids to buy in to what it takes to play the game the right way.”
That’s one of the strengths Hancock brings to the basketball program, Friday singled out.
“Coach Hancock does a tremendous job teaching the fundamentals, but also does a great job communicating with the boys, making each one feel valued, even those who don't play as much,” Friday said. “He's at every practice.
“If there's an emergency and I need to step out for a minute and put my AD hat on, he can run practice and we don't miss a beat,” Friday continued. “He has a tremendous knowledge of the game and is a coach anyone would love on their bench.”
Hancock, who assists another former player, Kevin Baller, coaching the baseball team, has no thoughts of getting back into a varsity coaching position.
“I have no plans to coach at the varsity level, and the reason is because I have the best of both worlds by coaching JV,” said Hancock, who sees the 3-point shot as the biggest change in the game during his tenure. “Every coach that I have worked for lets me be involved with the varsity, so really I get to be involved in both.”
Friday recalls wishing as a player that Hancock had stayed at the helm when he took over temporarily. But, he loves having him coach with him today.
“After our junior season, we were told he was going back to JV,” Friday said. “We tried to convince him to stay for one more year, but he wanted to go back.
“There's no way I could be varsity basketball coach and athletic director without having a JV coach like Scotty.”
Off the court successes in life are just as importance as athletic endeavors, Hancock indicated. In fact, those give him the most pride.
“Probably helping kids with off-the-court issues makes me feel better than anything,” he said. “Also hearing from the kids that I’ve coached after they graduate and how much they enjoyed their JV year.”
There aren’t many – if any – parent, player or community member names on a complaint list from Hancock’s first five decades, and there’s not likely to be any more in however many years are ahead.
“When you’ve coached in the same small town for nearly 50 years, you’d expect to have a few people upset with you, but not Scotty,” said Friday. “You can’t find a person who says something bad about him.
“He’s extremely well-respected,” he continued. “You absorb his passion and love of the game just by being around him, and all of Cheboygan should be thankful (for) how much he's done for our community.”
Tom Spencer is a longtime MHSAA-registered basketball and soccer official, and former softball and baseball official, and he also has coached in the northern Lower Peninsula area. He previously has written for the Saginaw News, Bay County Sports Page and Midland Daily News. He can be reached at [email protected] with story ideas for Manistee, Wexford, Missaukee, Roscommon, Ogemaw, Iosco, Alcona, Oscoda, Crawford, Kalkaska, Grand Traverse, Benzie, Leelanau, Antrim, Otsego, Montmorency, Alpena, Presque Isle, Cheboygan, Charlevoix and Emmet counties.
PHOTOS (Top) Cheboygan assistant boys basketball coach Scott Hancock offers some pointers during a scrimmage last week. (Middle) Hancock, second from left, confers last season with assistant Matt Mylnarchek, head coach Jason Friday and player Dylan Balazovic. (Photos courtesy of Jared Greenleaf/Cheboygan Daily Tribune.)
Breslin Bound: 2023-24 Boys Report Week 11
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
February 12, 2024
Anticipation and prognostication are among themes this week all over Michigan, whether your favorite team is one of the best around or hasn’t had much success but is looking to finish this winter on a higher note.
Sunday morning, the MHSAA will announce this season’s District brackets. The formula for this season’s brackets has been released, making it possible to forecast throughout this week how teams will be placed based on Michigan Power Ratings.
But keep in mind, teams can still move up and down those ratings through their games Saturday night. And there are several notable matchups coming up, including finales to multiple league tournaments and more likely eventual championship deciders in conferences across the state.
“Breslin Bound” is powered by MI Student Aid and based on results and schedules posted for each school at MHSAA.com.
Week in Review
The countdown of last week’s five most intriguing results:
1. West Bloomfield 60, North Farmington 58 Avenging a 61-46 loss to the Raiders (15-2) on Jan. 4, West Bloomfield joined reigning champ North Farmington as teams with only one loss in Oakland Activities Association Red play – and West Bloomfield (13-5) finishes its league schedule against the bottom three teams in the standings.
2. Muskegon 48, Muskegon Reeths-Puffer 28 Just 10 days after Reeths-Puffer’s 63-45 win over the Big Reds gained statewide attention, Muskegon (13-2) took the rematch in a big way to create a tie with the Rockets (15-2) atop the Ottawa-Kent Conference Green.
3. Menominee 60, Iron Mountain 58 (OT) The Maroons (13-5) made their upcoming Division 3 District even more interesting by handing the Mountaineers (17-1) their only loss. Those two are Nos. 2 and 4 in statewide Division 3 MPR and will be expected to meet again in the District Final at West Iron County.
4. Saginaw Heritage 73, Saginaw 66 The Hawks (13-2) opened a close Saginaw Valley League race even more, downing the former solo leader to join the Trojans (12-6) and Davison as teams with only one conference loss.
5. Painesdale Jeffers 73, Lake Linden Hubbell 49 The Jets (18-1) remain undefeated in Copper Mountain Conference play after handing Lake Linden-Hubbell (15-3) its first league loss and as the overall CMC race draws to a conclusion.
Watch List
With an eye toward March, here are two teams in each division making sparks:
DIVISION 1
Dearborn (18-0) The Pioneers steadily have climbed toward this run, and they head into this week a win from tying last year’s total (after finishing 19-7) and atop the Kensington Lakes Activities Association East standings after sharing the championship last season with Livonia Franklin. Dearborn is alone on top this time thanks in part to a 78-68 win over Belleville (14-4) on Jan. 19, and those two meet again Friday. An early win over Detroit Catholic Central (12-7) showed what was possible, and only the Shamrocks and Wayne Memorial (13-4) have gotten within single digits of catching the Pioneers.
East Lansing (16-2) The Trojans’ only losses have come to a pair of championship contenders – Division 1 Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (17-1) and Division 2 Warren Lincoln (16-3) – and despite that 56-37 defeat to the Eaglets two weekends ago, East Lansing has moved into the top spot in statewide Division 1 MPR. A 57-53 win over Lansing Waverly (13-5) on Friday certainly helped, and the Trojans have maintained a half-game lead on Okemos (16-2) in the Capital Area Activities Conference Blue with their rematch set for Feb. 23. East Lansing won the first meeting 66-54 and also has defeated East Kentwood, River Rouge, Detroit Martin Luther King, Saline and West Bloomfield among others.
DIVISION 2
Ferndale (11-7) The Eagles graduated all five starters and most of their top subs off last season’s Division 2 championship team, so a few defeats certainly could be expected this winter especially considering they continue to play one of the state’s toughest schedules. That slate has helped Ferndale reach No. 10 in statewide Division 2 MPR, and they’re on the move with a 7-2 record over their last nine games including an 84-62 win Saturday over Port Huron Northern (15-4) and with the two defeats during that time by four to West Bloomfield and five in overtime to North Farmington (see above). The other losses came to those two in their first meetings as well, plus Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice (14-5), Muskegon (13-2) and Detroit U-D Jesuit (14-5).
Lansing Sexton (11-4) The J-Dubbs are another team surging, with a 75-54 win over Flint Beecher before holiday break starting a nine-game streak that has Sexton one win from tying last year’s total when it finished 12-10. A 2-4 start included four losses to Division 1 teams – Okemos and Lansing Waverly (see above), plus Holt and Kalamazoo Central. Sexton also is three games ahead of second-place Charlotte and Olivet in the CAAC White and one win from clinching a share of the league title after edging both by three points over the last 10 days.
DIVISION 3
Pewamo-Westphalia (15-2) The Pirates’ only losses this winter have come to undefeated rival Laingsburg (18-0), and while that likely will keep them from a piece of the Central Michigan Athletic Conference title, it also speaks well to P-W’s overall work. The Pirates opened with a 20-point win over Saginaw Nouvel (14-4) and have swept Fowler (12-7) and downed Division 1 Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern at the Cornerstone University Holiday Showcase. Another Division 3 contender, Sanford Meridian (15-2), comes to Westphalia on Friday, and a third meeting with Laingsburg is possible – it would be played at Breslin Center in the Division 3 championship game.
Schoolcraft (15-3) The Eagles have clinched a share of the Southwestern Athletic Conference Valley title, their fourth-straight league championship, and can make it their first outright since 2020-21 with a win Friday against Parchment. Schoolcraft is only two seasons removed from winning the Division 3 championship and has built on last season’s 16-8 finish with a pair of big wins over Kalamazoo Hackett Catholic Prep – which ended the Eagles’ season a year ago – and 12 straight victories after a .500 start that included losses to Division 2 Flint Powers Catholic (15-3), Hudsonville Unity Christian (14-4) and Olivet (13-5). Wins over Wyoming Tri-unity Christian (13-4), Watervliet (14-4) and Centreville (13-2) have highlighted this run.
DIVISION 4
Crystal Falls Forest Park (15-2) After also winning 15 games last season (in finishing 15-9), the Trojans need just one more victory to guarantee their best season since 2015-16. They’ve also won nine straight, with the lone losses by five to Division 2 Kingsford (16-2) and one to reigning Division 4 champion Munising (14-4) back-to-back in early January. A 27-point win over second-place Powers North Central on Feb. 2 has Forest Park closing in on the Skyline Central Conference Small schools title, and a Feb. 21 trip to Lake Linden-Hubbell (15-3) will give the Trojans another nice test before the postseason.
Rudyard (12-4) The Bulldogs control their league title aspirations with a chance to earn at least shares of both. They avenged a 22-point loss to Pickford from Jan. 4 with a 62-52 win Friday to join the Pirates tied for first in the Eastern Upper Peninsula Conference with two league games to play. Rudyard also will face Straits Area Conference leader Sault Ste. Marie this Friday with a win potentially setting up a three-way tie atop that league with one game to go for that trio. Rudyard did lose its first matchup with the Blue Devils, 50-44 on Jan. 11, but has avenged a previous loss to SAC second-place St. Ignace. Rudyard is the reigning champ in the EUPC and finished third in the SAC a year ago.
Can’t-Miss Contests
Be on the lookout for results of these games coming up:
Tuesday – Grand Rapids Christian (15-2) at Grand Rapids Northview (13-3) – After Christian’s 54-43 win over Northview on Friday, combined with the Eagles’ loss to Byron Center three days before, these two are tied atop the O-K White with five league games to play.
Thursday – Ithaca (11-6) at Saginaw Nouvel (14-4) – Ithaca pulled into a first-place tie with Nouvel in the Tri-Valley Conference White last week with a 43-41 victory, and the winner of the rematch will clinch a share of the championship.
Friday – Saginaw (12-6) vs. Saginaw Arthur Hill (12-4) at Dow Event Center – Barring a possible Regional rematch, this will be the final meeting in the 114-year rivalry between these longtime state powers, as the schools will merge this summer.
Saturday – Detroit Catholic High School League at Detroit Mercy – Warren De La Salle Collegiate (12-6) faces Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (17-1) and Detroit Catholic Central (12-7) takes on Brother Rice (14-5) in Tuesday’s semifinals to reach this Cardinal division championship tipping off at 7 p.m.
Sunday – Detroit Public School League Tournament at Wayne State – Detroit Cass Tech (17-1) faces Detroit Western (10-7) and Renaissance (14-4) takes on King (14-5) in Tuesday’s semifinals to reach this 5 p.m. championship game.
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PHOTOS (Top) Detroit Catholic Central and Davison face off earlier this season. DCC will play in the Catholic High School League Bishop Tournament this week. (Middle) Detroit Renaissance takes on Flint Carman-Ainsworth, also earlier this winter. Renaissance is among contenders for the Detroit Public School League Tournament title. (Photos by Terry Lyons.)