play-smart-from-the-start-945x115adpng

Category: High School

BOYS BASKETBALL: Oxford off to 5-0 start for first time in decades

BOYS BASKETBALL: Oxford off to 5-0 start for first time in decades

| January 10, 2017 | Comments (2)

BY DAN STICKRADT SENIOR EDITOR dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com Twitter: @LocalSportsFans OXFORD – Every time someone mentions Oxford’s impressive record to start the campaign to coach Steve Laidlaw, he has but to wonder. “It’s been a long, long time,” said Laidlaw, who returned this season to Oxford’s sideline after a seven-year hiatus. “We think it’s been since the […]

Read More

GIRLS COMPETITIVE CHEER: Top of the pyramid: Defending Rochester looks to reload, contend for another state title

GIRLS COMPETITIVE CHEER: Top of the pyramid: Defending Rochester looks to reload, contend for another state title

| January 10, 2017 | Comments (1)

BY DAN STICKRADT SENIOR EDITOR dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com Twitter: @LocalSportsFans ROCHESTER HILLS – There’s no secret that Rochester is perhaps the state of Michigan’s premier, signature competitive cheer program. Few programs have qualified for the state finals in Class A or Division 1 in 32 of the previous 35 seasons like the Falcons. The proof is in […]

Read More

COMPETITIVE CHEER: Lake Orion aiming high for top flight finish

COMPETITIVE CHEER: Lake Orion aiming high for top flight finish

| January 10, 2017 | Comments (0)

BY DAN STICKRADT SENIOR EDITOR dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com Twitter: @LocalSportsFans LAKE ORION — Perhaps this program is long overdue. Lake Orion’s competitive cheer team has emerged as a true state powerhouse in the sport over the past two decades. Yet unlike many of the other state’s most dominant Class A/Division 1 programs, the Dragons have yet to […]

Read More

BOYS BASKETBALL: Stoney Creek staves off Rochester Adams

BOYS BASKETBALL: Stoney Creek staves off Rochester Adams

| January 6, 2017 | Comments (0)

BY DAN STICKRADT SENIOR EDITOR dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com Twitter: @LocalSportsFans ROCHESTER HILLS — Playing in three games already this season where the final score was three points or less proved to pay dividends Friday night for Rochester Stoney Creek. The Cougars staved off rival Rochester Adams, 46-43, in an OAA crossover contest to snap a two-game skid. […]

Read More

BOYS HOCKEY: Lake Orion gains statement win in 5-3 decision over Rochester United

BOYS HOCKEY: Lake Orion gains statement win in 5-3 decision over Rochester United

| December 2, 2016 | Comments (0)

BY DAN STICKRADT CORRESPONDENT dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com Twitter: @LocalSportsFans ROCHESTER — Lake Orion has picked up a statement win in its OAA Red Division opener. The Division 1 sixth-ranked Dragons remained unbeaten on the young campaign with a 5-3 victory Friday over eighth-ranked Rochester United at The Onyx. Rochester is the four-time defending league champion, finishing in […]

Read More

FOOTBALL: 2016 Associated Press All-State Division 1-2 Football Team

FOOTBALL: 2016 Associated Press All-State Division 1-2 Football Team

| November 26, 2016 | Comments (0)

FOOTBALL: 2016 Associated Press All-State Division 1-2 Football Team The 2016 Associated Press All-State Division 3-4 Football Team, selected by a statewide panel of nine Michigan sports writers: PLAYER OF THE YEAR Donovan People-Jones, Detroit Cass Tech, senior ALL-STATE FIRST TEAM QUARTERBACKS Rodney Hall, Detroit Cass Tech, senior Bruce Mann, Midland Dow, senior RUNNING BACKS […]

Read More

DIVISION 4: Grand Rapids Catholic Central edges Detroit Country Day in defensive battle

DIVISION 4: Grand Rapids Catholic Central edges Detroit Country Day in defensive battle

| November 26, 2016 | Comments (0)

DIVISION 4 DETROIT — Josh Steffes is known as one of Michigan’s top defensive players on the soccer pitch. The talented D-I recruit recently was named All-State Dream Team as a central defender after leading Grand Rapids Catholic Central to the Division 3 state championship. On the football field, Steffes is a quality kicker and […]

Read More

DIVISION 6: Lumen Christi stifles Glen Lake for crown

DIVISION 6: Lumen Christi stifles Glen Lake for crown

| November 25, 2016 | Comments (0)

DETROIT — Fifth-ranked Jackson Lumen Christi is back on top once again. The Titans captured a 26-14 victory Friday over sixth-ranked Maple City Glen Lake in the Division 6 state finals at Ford Field for their first state title since 2009. It marked Lumen Christi’s seventh state title overall in eight total trips to the […]

Read More

DIVISION 2: Detroit King stymies Walled Lake Western

DIVISION 2: Detroit King stymies Walled Lake Western

| November 25, 2016 | Comments (0)

BY DAN STICKRADT CORRESPONDENT dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com Twitter: @LocalSportsFans DETROIT — Detroit King didn’t have to wait until the last play to capture a state title this time around. A year after rallying past Lowell, 40-38, courtesy of a touchdown on the final play of the game, the third-ranked Crusaders put together a sterling defensive unit Friday […]

Read More

DIVISION 8: Muskegon stymies Ottawa Lake-Whiteford for fourth straight crown

DIVISION 8: Muskegon stymies Ottawa Lake-Whiteford for fourth straight crown

| November 25, 2016 | Comments (0)

BY DAN STICKRADT CORRESPONDENT dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com Twitter: @LocalSportsFans DETROIT — It has been said time and time again in the arena of sports that defense wins championships. In the case for top-ranked Muskegon Catholic Central, one again that proved to be spot on for the Crusaders. And throw in a great offense for good measure, too. […]

Read More

FOOTBALL: 2016 Associated Press All-State Division 5-6 Football Team

FOOTBALL: 2016 Associated Press All-State Division 5-6 Football Team

| November 25, 2016 | Comments (0)

FOOTBALL: 2016 Associated Press All-State Division 5-6 Football Team The 2016 Associated Press All-State Division 5-6 Football Team, selected by a statewide panel of nine Michigan sports writers: PLAYER OF THE YEAR Phil Paea, Berrien Springs, senior ALL STATE FIRST TEAM QUARTERBACKS Mason Gee-Montgomery, Stockbridge, senior El-Julian Jordan, Detroit Central, junior RUNNING BACKS Anthony Evilsizor, […]

Read More

FOOTBALL: 2016 Associated Press All-State Division 7-8 Football Team

FOOTBALL: 2016 Associated Press All-State Division 7-8 Football Team

| November 25, 2016 | Comments (0)

FOOTBALL: 2016 Associated Press All-State Division 7-8 Football Team The 2016 Associated Press All-State Division 7-8 Football Team, selected by a statewide panel of nine Michigan sports writers: PLAYER OF THE YEAR Jared Smith, Pewamo-Westphalia, senior ALL STATE FIRST-TEAM QUARTERBACKS Blake Dunn, Saugatuck, senior Grant Burgess, Clarkston Everest Collegiate, junior RUNNING BACKS Jared Smith, Pewamo-Westphalia, […]

Read More

FOOTBALL: 2016 Associated Press All-State Football Eight-Man Team

FOOTBALL: 2016 Associated Press All-State Football Eight-Man Team

| November 25, 2016 | Comments (0)

The 2016 Associated Press Division Eight-Man, All-State football team, selected by a statewide panel of Michigan sports writers: ALL-STATE FIRST TEAM Player of the Year: Jason Whitens, Powers North Central QB/DB: Jason Whitens, Powers North Central OL/LB: Reese Bays-Kramer, Deckerville RB/LB: Wyatt Boik, Pickford RB/LB: Bobby Kleiman, Powers North Central RB/LB: Daniel Nocerini, Crystal Falls […]

Read More

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL: Oakland Christian advances to state finals for first time in school history

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL: Oakland Christian advances to state finals for first time in school history

| November 19, 2016 | Comments (0)

BY DAN STICKRADT SENIOR EDITOR dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com Twitter: @LocalSportsFans BATTLE CREEK — After several near misses, Auburn Hills Oakland Christian will finally have the chance to play on the final day of the season. The sixth-ranked Lancers earned the right by rallying for past Rogers City 3-1 Friday in the Class D state semifinal at Battle […]

Read More

FOOTBALL: Romeo runs by Clarkston for regional crown

FOOTBALL: Romeo runs by Clarkston for regional crown

| November 12, 2016 | Comments (0)

BY DAN STICKRADT SENIOR EDITOR dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com Twitter: @LocalSportsFans CLARKSTON — After winning the MHSAA Division 1 state title last season and graduating most of its starters from that squad, Romeo was tabbed as a rebuilding project with several question marks this season. Someone forgot to tell that to the unranked Bulldogs. Romeo advanced to its […]

Read More

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL: Oakland Christian cruises to regional title

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL: Oakland Christian cruises to regional title

| November 11, 2016 | Comments (0)

BY DAN STICKRADT SENIOR EDITOR dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com Twitter: @LocalSportsFans MARINE CTY — After two years of walking off the volleyball court empty-handed, Auburn Hills Oakland Christian’s senior-laden team seemed determined to make sure the third time was truly a charm. The Class D sixth-ranked Lancers, who spent the last five school years up in Class C […]

Read More

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL: Third-ranked North Branch outlasts No. 2 Notre Dame Prep in regional thriller

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL: Third-ranked North Branch outlasts No. 2 Notre Dame Prep in regional thriller

| November 9, 2016 | Comments (0)

BY DAN STICKRADT SENIOR EDITOR dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com Twitter: @LocalSportsFans IMLAY CITY — Having North Branch and Pontiac Notre Dame Prep face off in a state tournament showdown is kind of like a box of chocolates — you truly never know what you might get in the end. After another assortment of a 1-hour, 58-minute classic tourney […]

Read More

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL: Knockout blow: Clarkston ousts Lake Orion in five-game thriller for district crown

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL: Knockout blow: Clarkston ousts Lake Orion in five-game thriller for district crown

| November 4, 2016 | Comments (0)

BY DAN STICKRADT SENIOR EDITOR dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com Twitter: @LocalSportsFans LAKE ORION — Momentum can be a strange animal in the sport of volleyball. The moment you feel you have it, a play can quickly develop and spin the pendulum the other way faster than one can say the first string of letters in the alphabet. Ask […]

Read More