By Mike Moore
Staff Writer
Horton — Andrew Birch remembers the last time the Hanover-Horton girls basketball team won a district title.
“I remember it very well, actually,” the Comets’ coach said simply. “I was still in high school. It’s been a long, long time.”
Too long for Birch and his program’s liking.
But on Monday evening, the Comets can take the first step in changing all that.
“We’ve had our share of ups and downs, but we know we can compete with anybody,” Birch said about the district tournament, which begins tonight across the state. “Now we have to go out and do what we know we can.”
The Comets get things going at tonight at 7 p.m., playing host to Lumen Christi in a Class C opener.
“That’s a tough team, and I promise you this, they are better than the record shows,” Birch said of Lumen, which ended the regular season 4-16. “That’s a team used to tough competition and tough games.”
Hanover, which closed the regular season 13-7, defeated Lumen 62-53 on Jan. 30.
“They have some good height down low, which is going to be tough for us,” Birch added. “We have to do our best to control their bigs and play the way we did the first time.”
Birch hopes playing at home proves to be an advantage for his girls.
“Our last three years, in that first round, we’ve had to go on the road,” Birch said. “I don’t remember the last time we hosted. It’s something we’re looking forward to. You hope it’s a real advantage, but you never know. Playing at home is not a guaranteed victory.”
Monday’s winner faces East Jackson or Jackson Preparatory and Early College Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.
The other side of the district includes Grass Lake, Concord and Vandercook Lake.
The final is set for Friday at 7 p.m.
“We feel we have a great shot if we can get past Monday,” Birch said. “Grass Lake is probably the favorite, but we’re not looking ahead at all. Our focus is on Monday.”
The first step to possibly changing 18 years of history.
Mike Moore is a play-by-play commentator and Sports Writer for JTV Sports.
He’s also a Realtor with Real Estate One, specializing with buyers and sellers throughout Michigan, from the Jackson area to metro Detroit. You can reach him at mmoore@realestateone.com or by calling (313) 770-6365 with any inquiries.
