Michigan Center boys on course to end title drought that’s lasted since 1993
By Mike Moore
Staff Writer
Michigan Center – When asked about the last time the Michigan Center boys basketball program captured a conference title, Travis Gaddy didn’t have to think very hard.
The sixth-year varsity coach was just a student himself at Center, and also a member of the 1993 team that ended up first in the final standings.
Since then, some close calls and frustration.
But as the second half the 2015-16 season begins to take shape, the Cardinals have put themselves in a spot to change all that.
After starting the year by splitting the first four games, they’ve reeled off five-consecutive wins at find themselves alone on top of the Cascades Conference heading into tonight’s home tilt with East Jackson.
“Our next game is our biggest. Each game presents a different set of problems, and that’s how we’ve focused,” Gaddy said when asked to explain the winning streak. Center is 7-2 overall and 5-0 in the Cascades, one game better than Hanover-Horton and Vandercook Lake. “The second round through the league is going to be tougher, so we have to keep that focus.”
Center handed Vandy its only league loss with a 55-35 decision.
Last week, the Cardinals beat Hanover for the first time in years with a 56-55 victory.
“We have great balance right now,” Gaddy said. “We’re playing very unselfish basketball.”
In a 61-26 victory against Napoleon Tuesday, Center finished the game with 19 assists as a team on 25-made field goals.
No player took more than nine shots.
The unselfishness. Sharing the ball. Playing solid defense.
They are all signs of a team locked in right now, Gaddy explained, and the reason may have something to do with how mature the roster is.
“Mature basketball players,” Gaddy said. “But mature men on and off the court, as well.”
Junior Brett Haynes is in his third year on varsity, while Tavian Gaddy is in his fourth. Junior Kylen Brown is starting for a second year in a row. So, where there’s maturity there’s also experience.
And that may be one of the main reason’s the Cardinals have been able to take things one game at a time, and not look ahead on the schedule.
“I guess I’d be lying if I said the kids don’t know when certain games are on the schedule, but they are doing great job of buying in and listening to the idea of not looking ahead,” Gaddy said.
Following the emotional victory against Hanover, he went into Tuesday’s game with Napoleon “nervous” his guys may have a letdown.
Center led the Pirates 40-10 by halftime.
Friday’s game against East Jackson (4-4, 2-2) is the next chance for the Cardinals to keep the ball in their court as far as the standings are concerned.
They’ll face Addison (4-5) on Feb. 2, Manchester (1-9) Feb. 5 before traveling to face Vandercook (6-3) Feb. 9.
The rematch with Hanover (7-2) is set for Feb. 19.
“One game at a time,” Gaddy stressed. “If we do that, things will take care of themselves.”
And 1993 won’t be the last title team Gaddy was a part of.
Mike Moore is a play-by-play commentator and Sports Writer for JTV Sports. You can reach him at mjm12@albion.edu. He’s also the author of ‘Love, Defined; A Dedication to the Love, Sacrifice, and Magic of Motherhood.’
Love, Defined is available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Tate Publishing or by contacting Mike directly.