Jackson vs. Lumen Christi Girls Basketball – Photo Gallery
Photos from Lumen Christi Vs Jhigh Girls Basketball game, Photos by Ryan Kerwin, JTV Sports
A different look
Vandercook Lake will need shared contributions to duplicate success from last winter By Mike Moore Staff Writer Jackson – With the graduation of Will Rodriguez, the Vandercook Lake boys basketball team officially graduated its top offensive player. And that is where piecing the puzzle together begins for Paul Varner as the 2015-16 season sits right around the corner. Sam Ray, one two regular starters back in the mix, begins the season as the leading scoring from last winter. He averaged roughly five points per game. “It’s a new team with a new set of goals,” Varner said. “It starts with consistent scoring, and we need it from a collection of guys.” Rodriguez averaged roughly 16 points per game to go with seven rebounds and four assists. “I think everyone’s responsibilities have changed so much,” Varner added. “And that’s going to take some time to get comfortable and figure out. We know that.” It’s not all doom and gloom, though, because the Jayhawks certainly return some athletic talent. After all, this was a team that went 16-7 last year and reached the district finals before falling to Hanover-Horton, as the Comets…
Vandercook Lake vs. Jackson Christian Girls Video Highlights
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More comfortable, higher expectations
With all five starters back, Mulnix begins his second year with higher goals for Western By Mike Moore Staff Writer Parma – The starting lineup is back in full force. The coach is back for a second year on the job. And, as he put it, “on paper,” the 2015-16 Parma Western boys basketball team has the look and feel of one that could do quite a bit this winter. Now, Ryan Mulnix and his guys know they have to go out and do it. “We have some guys back and familiar with one another and what we want to accomplish,” Mulnix said this week. “This is a group that wants to compete for a league title. On paper, we have the group that can do that, especially with who’s back.” The starters back in the mix include Steele Fortress, Brennan Joseph, Austin Cooper, Hunter Page and Connor Cottingham. Jacob Leferve also spent time in the starting five a year ago. The team will also get a boost from transfers Mike Doss (East Jackson) and Sam Jones (Lumen Christi). And Mulnix, no longer a rookie to the top spot with…
Lack of size, not potential
Jackson High boys will have to win with pressure and defense this winter By Mike Moore Staff Writer Jackson – Unless there’s some unforeseen, or magical, growth spurts from now until next week, Dan Crowley is going to have one of his smallest, in height that is, teams ever. And the Jackson High boys basketball coach is just fine with. What other choice does he really have? “We’re going to have to be a team that runs baseline to baseline,” Crowley said simply. “We’re going to press. We’re going to mix up the defense and put a lot of pressure on the ball.” Keegan Davis, who transferred back to Jackson this school year from Florida after leaving two years ago, is the team’s tallest player at 6 feet, 3 inches. Along with a lack of size, Crowley said his guys are still battling some injuries, as well. Shonte Suddeth hadn’t had a full practice as of Nov. 28, and skipped the team’s scrimmage. Rarshiem Owens injured his knee and was still being evaluated. The Vikings do have plenty of talent, though. When Suddeth and Owens are healthy, they’ll be…
Lofty goals
Northwest girls look to build on last season’s 19-5 final record By Mike Moore Staff Writer Jackson – If last year was good, well, this season could be one to remember. When the Northwest girls basketball team takes the floor for the first time next Tuesday at Grass Lake, the squad will be doing so with an impressive resume to fall back on, and some very lofty goals to live up to. “Our approach every year is to compete for championships, whether that’s in the conference or the district and beyond,” coach Ryan Carroll said simply. “With that said, I think we’ve set the bar pretty high and we’re taking a head-on approach to that goal all season.” The Mounties went 19-5 last winter, reaching the regional round for the second time in three years. Their 10-2 mark in the Interstate 8 Conference was second only to undefeated (12-0) Marshall High. But the lofty goals — winning the conference, district and beyond — aren’t simply based on what was done last winter, but who did it. Almost an entire group that’s back in the mix. We brought back seven girls from last year’s…
Spring Arbor defeats Carroll in NAIA Opening Round
BRIGHTON, Mich. – The No. 4 ranked Spring Arbor University women’s soccer team will be returning to Orange Beach, Alabama for the second straight season after defeating No. 25 Carroll College (Mont.) 3-0 in the NAIA National Championship Opening Round on Saturday. Heavy snow in the area forced the two teams to move the match, which was originally scheduled to be played at the Cougar Soccer Complex, indoors to the Legacy Center Sports Complex in Brighton, Michigan. While it may have been cold outside, the Cougars were red-hot inside. Not even Carroll (14-6-2), who entered the night ranked among the best in the country allowing just 12 goals in 21 matches the season, was able to slow down the high-powered Spring Arbor attack. The Cougars stunned the Fighting Saints tallying three goals in the first 20 minutes, including one by senior Nikki Bonnema less than a minute after the opening whistle. The Carroll goalkeeper came out to punch away a cross sent in by freshman Lauren Orr, but the ball was redirected before she could get a hand on it. The loose ball eventually found the feet of Bonnema who was able to slip a shot through before…
Cross Country LP Finals 2015 – Photo Gallery
Photos from MIS of Cross Country LP Finals 2015, Photos by Ryan Kerwin, JTV Sports
Onto the regional
Lumen roars back, takes district title at Manchester to earn trip to Clinton By Mike Moore Staff Writer Manchester – A two-touchdown lead had evaporated, transformed really, into a one-point deficit. A late penalty at the end of the first half and a kick return for touchdown to start the second half saw the Lumen Christi football team go from leading Manchester 27-14 to trailing 28-27 in a span of 13 seconds of game action. And enough was enough. “We’ve played pretty well with our back against the wall all year,” Titans coach Herb Brogan said. “We’ve responded well to adversity, but quite honestly, we’re the ones creating the adversity.” That may be, but the guys from Jackson certainly found their way out of it, scoring three unanswered touchdowns Friday night in a 45-28 victory in a Division 6 district final on the road. “This is one of our goals,” Brogan said of playing for a regional title next weekend. “When we step on the field in August, (winning a district) is one of our goals. You never expect it, but we’ve fought to make it to this point.” Things certainly started…
Jackson High Vs Livonia Franklin Football – Photo Gallery
Photos from Jackson High Vs Livonia Franklin Football, Photos by Ryan Kerwin, JTV Sports.