Madison Heights

Lamphere may be surprise of MAC Silver, big game with Madison ahead

By Mark Vest
C & G Sports Writer

» Click on image to view full size « Photo by Deb Jacques Lamphere junior Anisa Weathers holds the ball during a practice. Weathers is one of seven juniors on the Rams’ roster this season. Photo by Deb Jacques Lamphere junior Anisa Weathers holds the ball during a practice. Weathers is one of seven juniors on the Rams’ roster this season.

Prior to the beginning of the 2011-2012 girls basketball season, Madison Heights Lamphere was not likely to be mentioned as a team that had much of a chance to contend for a title.

The Rams finished last season with a 3-18 record and graduated their leading scorer, Stephanie Orloski. When you also consider that the Rams are taking to the court without a senior among them this season, the prospects for being near the top of the Macomb Area Conference Silver Division didn’t appear to be too strong.

While there is still plenty of basketball left to be played, thus far Lamphere has shown that it may have been underestimated. The Rams were 7-4 overall at press time and 5-1 in MAC Silver play, just one half game behind first-place Marysville.

While Lamphere’s fast start may be a surprise to some who follow the league, Lamphere coach Mike Kobus does have some ideas as to why the Rams are right in the thick of things.

“We’re attributing it to team speed,” he said. “We’re pushing the ball up well; we’re looking for the open man. Everything that we’ve worked so hard to practice, now is coming to fruition.”

The start the Rams are off to is better than even Kobus expected. He had his own concerns as to where his team’s points were going to come from this season, as it was unclear who would be able to fill the void created by Orloski’s departure. And in a game in which size is a premium, Kobus’ roster only has one player who is taller than 5 feet 7 inches.

But if the early results are any indication, the Rams appear to have players in place who are capable of finding a way to provide whatever is needed to come away with victories.

“Everybody’s contributing,” he said. “We don’t have a standout player. It seems like every game somebody else steps up to the plate. I’ve probably had six or seven different scorers lead us. It’s very good team chemistry. They get along together on the court and off the court.”

The lack of seniors the Rams have on their roster does not equate to a lack of leadership. According to Kobus, he is getting what he needs in that department from junior captains Erika Berger, Taylor Kelly, and Michaela Louis.

“Erika’s our quiet leader. She leads by example,” Kobus said. “Taylor has been my leading scorer. She’s averaging in double figures. Michaela is my floor general. She pushes it up when she has to. She stalls it when she has to. She just knows the game of basketball.”

Kobus entered the 2011-2012 campaign with a goal of finishing at least .500. And despite their impressive start, don’t expect the Rams to go around making any updated brash predictions.

If Lamphere can win at least half of its games, it will be considered a season of progress.

And the play of his three captains, along with his starting sophomores — Alexis Hilliard and Kelsey Wilkinson — gives Kobus reason to believe that the future could be bright for Lamphere, this season and beyond.

“My entire 10-(player) roster is returning next year,” he said. “And with the addition of a couple JV players that have some height behind them, we’re looking to improve next year, too.”

Crosstown showdown
At 7 p.m. on Feb. 3, Lamphere will be at Madison High School to take on the Eagles (1-10 overall, 0-6 MAC Silver). No matter the record of the two teams, when the Rams and Eagles collide, it has a tendency to mean more than an average game on the schedule.

“When you say ‘Madison,’ the girls are already pumped up and ready to go,” Kobus said. “Madison’s a very good team; they have very good guard play. Alyssa Bennetts should be an All-League player this year. One of our keys will be trying to stop her.”

Madison coach Jeff Evans also knows a little something about the rivalry that exists between the Eagles and Lamphere. Evans graduated from Madison and also teaches at the school.

His experience has given him an idea as to what can be expected when the Eagles and the Rams get together,

“It’s always been a big rivalry between the schools,” Evans said. “The excitement level is higher, and the fans are excited about the game. It’s a positive, fun atmosphere to play a rival, and that’s what high school sports is all about.”

Kobus noted that it’s always tough to play at Madison, but his squad is “looking forward to going there.”

“It will always be a rivalry as long as we’re two miles apart,” Kobus said. “A lot of girls know each other from playing city ball, and they grew up with each other just down the street.”

You can reach C & G Sports Writer Mark Vest at mvest@candgnews.com or at (586)279-1112.