MADISON HEIGHTS — It wasn’t the start the boys expected for the season, but it was exactly what they needed.

NOVI — Novi boys swim and dive not only improved from its 10th place finish at the 2022 Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 1 State Finals, it also took a giant step forward for the program’s future.

ROCHESTER HILLS — Just over two months ago, Rochester girls basketball was etching its name in the school’s trophy room with a district championship title behind seniors Alaina Webb, Natalie Rayce and Ava Williams.

DETROIT — From a positive perspective, the Detroit Lions offseason has been unorthodox in comparison to the team’s traditional free agency and draft storylines.

BIRMINGHAM — For  Detroit Country Day and Birmingham Seaholm’s baseball teams, a March 29 doubleheader meant so much more than wins and losses.

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — A strong business model includes using a name and logo to represent what the brand is all about, and nobody does it quite like Synergy Sports Performance Training.

FARMINGTON HILLS — “It’s our time.” Not only is it represented on the backs of Farmington Hills Mercy softball’s practice shirts as a team motto selected by senior captains Izzy Chaput (CF) and Gage Lambert (SS), but it’s a mindset Mercy has set for each game throughout the season.

METRO DETROIT — In an effort to grow the game of football for girls through the state of Michigan, Rochester Stoney Creek, Rochester, Rochester Adams, Madison Heights Bishop Foley, and Clawson High School have taken a giant step forward.

TROY — Four local schools will face off in a cricket tournament at the Troy Community Center on Sunday, May 14.

DETROIT — The day had all the makings of a beautiful homecoming for the Michigan Panthers as they took the field April 30 against the New Jersey Generals at Ford Field.

ROYAL OAK — Just a few weeks away from Oakland County Football Club’s opener against Midwest United on May 13, the club has made multiple roster moves as OCFC fans continue to anticipate whether or not certain fan favorites will be back for the 2023 season.

Novi boys swim and dive not only improved from its 10th place finish at the 2022 Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 1 State Finals, it also took a giant step forward for the program’s future.

ROYAL OAK — Royal Oak Schools Athletics Coordinator Pam Moore continues to add to her already impressive resume.

GROSSE POINTE FARMS — Everything was new for Grosse Pointe South softball. Graduating a majority of the squad entering this season and building a brand-new softball field, the rapid change could be a scary transition for some, but not this squad.

GROSSE POINTE WOODS — Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett girls soccer is in unfamiliar territory six games into the season.

FRASER — Coming off a dominant 20-6 season that saw Fraser softball capture the Macomb Area Conference-Blue division in 2022, coach Matt Fishburn and his squad knew they’d have to dig their heels in quickly, coming into the 2023 season.

BLOOMFIELD HILLS — Bloomfield Hills girls hockey had a movie-like season, following in the footsteps of “Miracle,” “The Mighty Ducks,” and even a little of “Slap Shot,” but less aggressive, of course.

NOVI — With 16 state titles, countless individual state champions, and 28 straight Catholic High School League titles to its historic collection, Detroit Catholic Central High School’s wrestling program is in a league of its own when it comes to legacy.

ST. CLAIR SHORES — It’s more than just track and field for St. Clair Shores South Lake coach Joe Crachiola. It’s a livelihood and a program he’s come to know since his graduation from South Lake in 2011 to coaching the South Lake track and field team in 2012.

TROY — It was a long-awaited moment for the Troy Martial Arts Competition Sparring Team as they traveled to Livonia Stevenson High School March 25 to compete in the USAT Michigan State Taekwondo Championships.