Author: Andy Hawley | Page 24

File treating Wednesday’s meeting with Hanover-Horton as just another game, even if it’s not

February 1, 2017

By Mike Moore Staff Writer Napoleon — When he finds himself on the sideline Wednesday night analyzing the opponent, Jeremy File will have to feel something different than normal. Even if he doesn’t want to admit it. File, the first-year Napoleon boys basketball coach was an All-State recipient during his playing days at Hanover-Horton. He guided the Comets to the quarterfinals in 2002 and the state semifinals in 2003, eventually ending his career as the leading scorer in program history with more than 1,500 to his name. And again, File will have to feel something different than normal Wednesday, as the sideline general of the Pirates leads his guys against his former coach and former team for the first time ever. “I’m looking forward to a great atmosphere, and I think that’s the great part,” File said of the 7 p.m. home date against Hanover. “They travel so well. They bring a good crowd. It’s going to be exciting.” Asked about the obvious aspect of the game, about taking on his former program and going one on one against Chad Mortimer, his former coach, File did his best to downplay it. “I…

Former Cougar David Darling named Director of Tennis at Spring Arbor University

January 30, 2017

SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – Spring Arbor University is excited to announce that David Darling, a former NAIA All-American selection for the Cougars, has been named the Director of Men’s and Women’s Tennis at SAU, Athletic Director Ryan Cottingham announced Friday. “We are thrilled and honored to welcome David back to the SAU community,” said Cottingham. “He was an outstanding student-athlete during his four years at Spring Arbor as he embodied and embraced the mission of our athletic department and the university.” Darling, the son of current head men’s tennis coach Terry Darling, was one of the most decorated players in Cougar history. He was recognized as a four-time All-Crossroads League performer and a four-time National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) All-American. Darling led SAU to back-to-back conference titles his junior and senior seasons, and helped guide the team to a national runner-up finish at the 2012 NCCAA National Championship. Darling also helped lead Spring Arbor to its only two appearances at the NAIA Men’s Tennis National Championship in program history in 2012 and 2013. In his final season with the Cougars, he garnered NAIA All-American Second Team honors after posting a 26-2 singles record. Darling finished his…

Jackson boys look to do what no other team has done against East Lansing

January 27, 2017

By Mike Moore Staff Writer Jackson — A little bit of recall offers a bit of perspective. Looking back offers a chance to learn, formulate an approach, and maybe most of all, build some confidence. The East Lansing boys basketball team is undefeated this year. But as Dan Crowley and his Jackson boys squad prepare for tonight’s 6 p.m. home game, they know the Trojans aren’t unbeatable. “We have a very tall task at hand,” Crowley said Thursday night. “That’s a team ranked third in the state. It’s a team coming off a very impressive win. It’s going to be a great challenge for us.” Not an impossible one, though. Crowley garners that from the aforementioned looking back. When Jackson traveled to play at East Lansing Dec. 9, the Vikings held a 21-19 advantage after the first quarter. East Lansing outscored the Vikings by just one, 19-18, in the third, and the teams played to a 17-17 draw in the fourth. The difference, as it would be, was a 27-9 run for East Lansing in the second quarter. “If you can keep them from runs, you have a chance,” Crowley…

Napoleon alum Brittany Leutz scores 10 for Albion in upset win over Hope

January 26, 2017

Napoleon alum Brittany Leutz, a first-year student at Albion College, scored 10 points Wednesday night to help the Britons stun sixth-ranked Hope College, 83-77, in overtime. Leutz hit a pair of 3-point baskets in the game, including one that forged a tie at 66 with two minutes left in regulation. Leutz has scored in double figures in the last three games to raise her scoring average to 5.3 through 18 games. (photo courtesy of Bobby Lee, Albion College)

Napoleon has chance at statement win, welcomes in Michigan Center Wednesday night

January 25, 2017

By Mike Moore Staff Writer Napoleon — After going 15-6 three seasons ago, the Napoleon boys basketball program hit a two-year speed bump. In 2014-15, the Pirates were 7-14. Last winter followed with an 8-13 mark. Jeremy File then stepped in hoping to smooth things out, and as he and his guys regrouped this year, they did so with a certain optimism surrounding the team. Then, in the season opener, the Pirates were left scratching their heads after 68-62 loss at Onsted. For whatever reason, that loss gave way to a mission. “We wanted to take things one game at a time, and by the time we faced Michigan Center, we wanted to equal last year’s win total,” File, the first-year coach, recalled of his bold goal setting in early December. Well, more than a month and a half later, File and the Pirates have played eight games since that loss. File and the Pirates have won eight games since that loss. “To accomplish that mission and equal the win total was a pretty big deal to these guys,” File said. Now comes the chance to eclipse it in…

Outside shots and late free throws secure ‘big win’ for Grass Lake boys basketball

January 25, 2017

By Mike Moore Staff Writer Grass Lake — Some time had come and gone since the last time the Grass Lake boys basketball team played a home game. The calendar switched over. A new president was sworn in. Days and nights had passed. “Thirty-five days,” coach Joel Cook said with a smile, not as if he was counting, or anything. Needless to say, the Warriors were glad to be back on the home court Tuesday night, and made the most of the home rims, heating up from outside for a 60-57 victory over East Jackson. “This is a big win,” Cook said. “We were shorthanded, playing with only nine guys, but they all stepped up. Every single guy played a part in this win.” While the gym was quiet, and relatively empty most of the night, it was East Jackson that came out strong. The Trojans scored early and often, building a 14-10 advantage after the first quarter. But Grass Lake adjusted, and went on a 19-11 run in the second to take a 29-25 lead into halftime. The third quarter, and the entire second half, for that matter,…

Michigan Center makes solid statement in 19-point victory over Hanover

January 20, 2017

By Mike Moore (Photo by Ryan Kerwin, JTV Sports) Staff Writer Roughly 10 hours before his team took the court against Hanover-Horton, Michigan Center boys coach Travis Gaddy stressed that, no matter what, it was just one game in a regular season of 20. A marathon, not a sprint, so to speak. Roughly 15 hours after his Center squad wrapped up a 19-point victory over a previously unbeaten Hanover team, he did his best to maintain the same frame of mind. “This was a good win, but any win is a good one,” Gaddy said of his squads 66-47 victory Thursday night at home. The game most expected played out in the first quarter, with Hanover leading 16-15 after the first quarter. Then came the second. Then came a 32-11 run for Center that more or less ended the game before halftime. “That was the difference in the game, really,” Gaddy said. “Our defense played really well. Ryan Williams came off the bench and played well. We hit three 3-pointers and got running.” Kylen Brown…

Hanover and Michigan Center, undefeated and set to meet for first time this season

January 19, 2017

By Mike Moore Staff Writer The coach talk, the big-picture approach to tonight suggests this is just one game. And technically speaking, that may be the case. But when the Hanover-Horton and Michigan Center boys basketball teams get together, you can bet the game will take a much different feeling than that. For the first time since last year’s district final, the Comets and Cardinals will meet on the hardwood. For the first time tonight, one of these two will exit with a loss. “It’s big game in terms of letting us know where we’re at this early in the season,” Hanover coach Chad Mortimer said of Thursday’s 7 p.m. tip at Center. “At the same time, you have to look at it as one game. If we win, we haven’t won anything. If we lose, we haven’t lost anything yet.” “It’s the eighth game of the season for both teams,” Center coach Travis Gaddy said. “This is a marathon, not a sprint. The winner tonight will have a little lead in the standings, but we’ll both have 12 games remaining.” With all that said, it’s still one to mark on the…

Western boys with chance to end first half of conference play tied in first place

January 19, 2017

By Mike Moore Staff Writer Parma — The opportunity at hand Friday night isn’t something lost on Ryan Mulnix. Neither is the challenge. For the second Friday in a row, Mulnix and his Western boys basketball team welcome in a top rival. Now it’s on the Panthers to end the second Friday in a row the same way. “We have to be ready to play,” Mulnix said of his guys and their 7:30 p.m. tip with Northwest. “It’s not always easy to be at home on consecutive weekends against such big rivals. The key for us is being focused and coming out ready.” Last Friday the Panthers did just that, taking what was a tight game early against Lumen Christi and turning it into a cake walk of a 61-47 victory. Western improved to 9-2 on the season Tuesday night in what Mulnix called, “the best game I’ve ever been a part of.” Trailing Harper Creek by 18 in the third quarter, the Panthers roared back for a 71-70 victory, getting the game-winning free throw with four seconds to play. That win pushed Western to 5-1 in the Interstate 8. A win…

Thursday Night Hoops January 19 2017

January 18, 2017

Join host Larry Jacobson for Thursday Night Hoops powered by Napoleon Lawn and Leisure. Coming up on this week's show: Boys and Girls Basketball Highlights Anytime Fitness 4 to Watch The Chase Power Rankings Jimmie's Towing Player of the Week, Connor Cottingham from Western High School JTV Sports Game of the Week - Quincy at Concord Kylen Brown, Michigan Center Cardinals Post Game Interview Airs Thursday, January 19th at 7:30pm and 10:30pm on JTV and jtv.tv/live

Andy Hawley