SPORTS COLUMNIST PETER JAKEY: Ready for the tournament trail
The tournament trail will take me down a path to Atlanta Saturday, as the Posen Vikings have an early morning volleyball matchup against the host Huskies. Did I read that time right? The first game between the Huskies and the Vikings starts at 9:30 a.m. I?m usually lounging on my couch watching the History Channel at that time on a Saturday morning. It doesn?t matter how early it is, when it gets to be this time of year, whether you win or you?re out, I can?t help myself, I just don?t want to miss a moment of the action. This is high school sports at its best.
The Vikings, with their small and young roster of players, will look to play spoiler when they take on Atlanta. I see this as a chance to return the favor. Posen beat the Huskies twice last year during the regular season but lost at home to AHS in the opening round of districts. This year, the roles are reversed. Atlanta swept the regular season matches and now hosts Posen.
The Vikings would need to put it all together, and take their game up a notch or two to pull off the victory.
…THE FIRST Monday of the month. For me, the last eight years, it has meant covering Rogers City Council meetings, except in March, when the tournament trail calls. The first Monday in March means the Michigan High School Athletic Association boys basketball tournament begins its three-week run. No sport on the high school level packs people into high school gymnasiums more than boys basketball, and unlike professional sports, where fans sit on their hands and watch overpaid athletes score, nearly at will. Fans at high school events, especially when it involves the tournament, get a little on the nutty side. Faces get painted, student sections stand, hop, and generally make lots of noise.
Anyone who followed the Hurons to Cadillac High School last year for the regional championship game won?t soon forget that huge student section from McBain. They didn?t have far to travel for the game, and it seems the entire school population was there. I won?t forget Kyle Greene going in all alone and dunking the ball in front of them. I was saying to myself, ?What do you gotta say about that, McBain?? I don?t usually get that worked up, but it was the tournament, and they could point to the scoreboard because McBain had control of that game most of the way. The team went on to win the state championship.
…OTHER BASKETBALL memories from the tournament trail: I won?t ever forget two memorable nights at the Graying High School gym when Rogers City won the regional championship. That was the team with Ben Taylor, Ryan Greene, and Denny Smolinski. On both evenings, the gym was warm, loud, and packed to capacity. The Hurons could do no wrong as they held off every challenge in those games. Those magical nights in Grayling are special to me. Probably because I was there. You had to have been there, to get a real flavor of what it was like to be a part of the excitement. Listening at the home on the radio just isn?t the same.
Regional games can be tough, but every once in a while one of those easy games pops up, and provides a memory. In 2000, the Viking basketball team, which included Matt Ciarkowski, Brian Szczerowski, and Tom Wozniak, ran away with their semifinal game against Northport. The only thing interesting thing about the game was the first five minutes and the last minute. Posen took a commanding lead, and with many of the bench players on the floor getting playing time, the only drama was whether the Vikes would score 100. They ended up with 99. That was also the year Posen overcame a monumental first half deficit against Gaylord St. Mary. I remember it was a Monday night, and I was thinking about not going. Greg Darga threw up a desperation three-pointer to tie the game at the buzzer, which sent the contest into overtime. It was the extra time needed to get the win and help Posen advance. For Darga, the shot elevated him to hero status.
Rogers City fans won?t soon forget the three pointer by Isaac Streich that won a district championship game against Whittemore-Prescott. Who will provide that next great highlight? Will it be senior Lauren Fairbanks blasting a kill, with the Hurons leading in the regional final 15-14, in the decisive game? Will be one of the three Huron
One never knows what will happen when the tournaments get heated up. Win or lose, there?s usually one guarantee: there?s going to be some excitement.
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THE ALMA COLLEGE softball team started the 2003 season in Florida this week. On the squad is former Rogers City standout Mary Pietsch, in her sophomore season with the Scots. Alma is playing in the Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic in Fort Myers, Pietsch is listed as an outfielder on the Scots softball roster.
Dave Girrard, sports information director, in a faxed press release, highlighted the many talented players on this year?s team. Pietsch ?provides great range in the outfield and blazing speed on the bases as she will push for more innings this season,? the release states. Alma plays one of the toughest schedules in Division III.