Breslin Bound: Girls Report Week 2

December 17, 2013

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor 

Those who regularly contend for MHSAA titles or monitor high school sports statewide always are on the lookout for surprise teams making an impression at the beginning of a season or showing signs of contending at the end. 

A number of teams making this week’s report would qualify. Read on for why.

1. Pittsford (4-0, Class C) – The Wildcats have won their last three games by at least 18 points apiece, including by 18 over last season Class D Semifinalist Climax-Scotts. 

2. Ann Arbor Huron (4-1, Class A) – Huron has rebounded from an opening loss against powerful Goodrich to put up some solid wins including a 26-pointer over Temperance Bedford.

3. Jackson (4-1, Class A) – The Vikings also started last season 4-1, but look a lot better this time with a big win over perennial power East Lansing. 

4. Flat Rock (4-0, Class B) – The Rams are on another run after going 22-2 last season, already posting an impressive win over Flint Southwestern.

5. Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart (5-0, Class D) – The Irish have cruised after an opening two-point win, and beat reigning Class D runner-up Waterford Our Lady by 30 last week. 

6. Mackinaw City (5-0, Class D) – The school has only 61 students but five girls hoops wins including three by 40 or more points.

7. Flint Southwestern (3-2, Class B) – Southwestern won only five games last season; its victories so far include an impressive one over Muskegon, while the losses were to Flat Rock (mentioned above) and last season Class B runner-up Flint Powers. 

8. Plymouth (3-0, Class A) – The Wildcats have beaten three teams with winning records to reverse paths after opening last season 1-3.

9. Hemlock (4-0, Class C) – The Huskies have won their first four games by 50, 19, 40 and 43 points, respectively, after opening last season 2-4. 

10. Twining Arenac Eastern (4-0, Class D) – The Eagles have beaten soundly some bigger opponents already, with three victories by 25 or more points.

PHOTO: Saginaw Heritage, in green, got past Saginaw 61-48 last week and stood at 2-1 entering this week. (Click to see more at HighSchoolSportsScene.com.)

Be the Referee: You Make the Call

December 20, 2018

This week, MHSAA officials coordinator Sam Davis offers up a basketball "You Make the Call" scenario concerning the backboard.

Be The Referee is a series of short messages designed to help educate people on the rules of different sports, to help them better understand the art of officiating, and to recruit officials.

Below is this week's segment – Basketball: You Make the Call - Listen

Let’s test your knowledge of high school basketball rules with this “You Make the Call ..."

An offensive player stops dribbling on the end line immediately behind the backboard. Double-teamed, the player throws the ball into the air. The ball travels over the backboard, where a teammate flies down the lane to grab it and score on a thunderous tomahawk jam.

You make the call. Is this legal?

The sides, the bottom and the top of the backboard are always in play. Anything supporting the backboard, like brackets and wires, are always out of bounds. The ball can even travel behind the backboard at any time – even between wires and brackets – and still be in play if it doesn’t touch anything. But, the ball may never pass over the top of a rectangular backboard in either direction.

This is a violation, and the ball is turned over to the other team.

Past editions

December 13: Basketball Uniform Safety - Listen
December 6: Coaching Box Expansion - Listen
November 29: Video Review, Part 2 - Listen
November 22: Video Review, Part 1 - Listen
November 15:
You Make the Call - Sleeper Play - Listen
November 8: 
7-Person Football Crews - Listen
November 1: Overtime Differences - Listen
October 25: Trickery & Communication - Listen
October 18: Punts & Missed Field Goals - Listen
October 11: What Officials Don't Do - Listen
October 4: Always 1st-and-Goal - Listen
September 27: Unique Kickoff Option - Listen
September 20: Uncatchable Pass - Listen
September 13: Soccer Rules Change - Listen
September 6: You Make the Call: Face Guarding - Listen
August 30: 40-Second Play Clock - Listen
August 23: Football Rules Changes - Listen