Breslin Bound: Girls Report Week 8

January 27, 2014

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor 

The number of undefeated girls basketball teams left this late in the season is dwindling. But there are plenty of strong squads who have stumbled only once or a few times along the way.

These are some that impressed last week in adding to impressive runs so far this season.

1. Flat Rock (10-2, Class B) – Save for losses to outstanding Detroit County Day and Flint Powers Catholic at the Motor City Roundball Classic, Flat Rock is perfect and leads the Huron League. 

2. Brighton (9-3, Class A) – The Bulldogs have a two-win lead in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association West with seven victories in their last eight games (and the only loss of that string by five to strong Waterford Mott).

3. Hamilton (9-3, Class B) – The Hawkeyes are looking good to repeat as O-K Green champions and make a run at equaling last season’s 20 wins. 

4. Napoleon (8-2, Class B) – The Pirates finished second in the Cascades Conference in 2012-13 to eventual Class C champion Manchester, but beat Manchester and Michigan Center last week to move into the top spot.

5. Brooklyn Columbia Central (7-2, Class B) – The Golden Eagles are one of two teams undefeated in Lenawee County Athletic Association play; the first game against co-leader Blissfield was postponed, but another is scheduled for Feb. 6. 

6. Breckenridge (9-3, Class C) – The Huskies have raised their play another level after winning 13 games a year ago; they are tied for second to St. Louis in the Tri-Valley Conference West.

7. Muskegon Oakridge (9-2, Class B) – A 12-point win over second-place Mason County Central has Oakridge atop the West Michigan Conference standings after the first round of league games. 

8. Sault Ste. Marie (8-3, Class A) – The Blue Devils are nearly to last season’s 12 wins and have won four straight, all by six points or fewer.

9. Reading (10-3, Class C) – The Big 8 Conference is one of the most competitive among small-school leagues in the state, and Reading is tied for first with a win over co-leader Concord.

10. Ishpeming Westwood (7-5, Class C) – A nine-point win over rival Ishpeming on Thursday was no doubt an enjoyable way for the Patriots to equal last season’s win total.

PHOTO: St. Louis (in red uniforms), here in a win over Saginaw Valley Lutheran, is in first place in the Tri-Valley Conference West. (Click to see more at HighSchoolSportsScene.com.)

Title IX at 50: We Will Celebrate Many Who Paved the Way

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

August 31, 2021

Before the passage of Title IX in 1972, fewer than 300,000 females participated in athletics nationwide, according to the National Federation of State High School Associations.

During the 2019-20 school year – the most recent not affected by the COVID-19 pandemic – nearly 76,000 girls competed in athletics in Michigan alone, filling more than 120,000 spots on teams for 750 high schools statewide.

By protecting people of all genders from discrimination in education programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance, Title IX began a now half-century long journey toward equalizing those opportunities.  

In advance of next June’s 50th year since the passage of Title IX, every Tuesday this school year we’ll celebrate a person, team or moment that has contributed to Michigan’s rich history of females participating in athletics at MHSAA member schools.

We begin with Michigan's contributions to the yearlong NFHS celebration, which last week highlighted a trailblazer, moment of magnitude and pioneering program across its social media channels.

Second Half's weekly Title IX Celebration posts are sponsored by Michigan Army National Guard