C&G Newspapers

Christian Davis

C&G Staff Reporter – C & G Sports

Sports Editor Christian Davis has worked for C & G Newspapers since 2005 and attended Michigan State University before graduating from Oakland University.

Published March 15, 2011

Madison - Park News

Foley boys basketball wins first CHSL title

MADISON HEIGHTS — Madison Heights Bishop Foley boys basketball coach Marc West wouldn’t let himself get worried as his squad found itself down by 14 points in the second quarter of the Catholic High School League C-D championship.

Not only were the Ventures trailing Detroit Loyola Feb. 27 at Calihan Hall in Detroit, but it was against a team that had beaten them five straight times over the past three seasons, including last year’s championship game.

Published March 15, 2011

Woodward Talk

That’s a wrap

The boys basketball season has come to a close for local squads.

Berkley High fell to Detroit Renaissance 62-52 March 9 at Southfield High in its Class A district semifinal. In the district opener, the Bears beat Oak Park High 67-60.

Berkley finished its season 12-9 overall and in fourth place in the Oakland Activities Association White Division.

Ferndale High met a similar fate. The Eagles lost to Detroit Mumford 67-41 March 9 at Warren Lincoln in their Class A district. The Eagles beat the host 73-45 March 7 to open the tournament.

Published March 15, 2011

Farmington Press

That’s a wrap

The season came to a close for local boys basketball teams.

North Farmington High made it all the way to its Class A district final before falling to Orchard Lake St. Mary’s 43-38 March 11 at Farmington High.

Prior to the title game, North Farmington beat Farmington Hills Harrison 53-35 March 9 in its semifinal and West Bloomfield High 54-49 March 7 in its quarterfinal.

Farmington High also lost to St. Mary’s. The Falcons fell 82-37 March 9 in its semifinal after beating Walled Lake Western 59-37 March 7.

Published March 15, 2011

West Bloomfield Beacon

West Bloomfield High wrestler places at states

AUBURN HILLS — West Bloomfield High senior Avery Hasenauer has put in more than 10 years on the wrestling mat.

This past offseason, he spent three to four days a week wrestling and lifting weights all in preparation for his senior campaign, which showed March 5 at The Palace of Auburn Hills.
Hasenauer finished sixth in Division 1 at 145 pounds.

Published March 15, 2011

C&G Newspapers

Rochester Adams and Southfield High pass regional semifinal tests

SOUTHFIELD — Rochester Adams boys basketball beat Pontiac High 71-68 March 14 at Southfield High in a Class A regional semifinal.

Trailing by three points in the final seconds, Adams senior Nick Zekaj hit a 3-pointer as time expired to send the game into overtime.

“There was only a few seconds left. I got the ball, ran down the court, knew the time, threw it up and prayed to God that it went in,” he said.

It was the 11th victory in the Highlanders’ last 12 games.

Published March 11, 2011

Madison - Park News

So sweet!

Published March 9, 2011

Rochester Post

Local grapplers battle on final day of state final

AUBURN HILLS — Rochester Hills Stoney Creek junior Nick Gajdzik and Rochester High sophomore Josh Wood highlighted an impressive local showing at the wrestling state finals March 5 at The Palace of Auburn Hills.

Gajdzik placed second among Division 1 215-pounders, falling to Oxford High junior Prescott Line 3-2 in a state-title bout.

“It was exciting. It was definitely real fun being here. It would have been a lot better if I won, but it was fun,” Gajdzik said.

Gajdzik nearly pulled off the victory.

Published March 9, 2011

Troy Times

Auburn Hills Avondale wrestler finishes out prep career

Auburn Hills Avondale wrestling coach Ray Went stood in a tunnel leading to the floor of The Palace and watched as the most decorated wrestler in his program’s history received his final medal.

Avondale senior Victor Vettese finished fourth at 135 pounds in Division 2, rounding out a résumé that includes two Division 2 state championships and being a state runner-up.

“He’s obviously been an MVP all four years for us, but he’s also been a good friend and a good kid that I’m going to miss,” Went said.

Published March 5, 2011

C&G Newspapers

Local grapplers make showing in state final

Published March 1, 2011

Birmingham - Bloomfield Eagle

Playoff basketball brings unique feeling

There’s a change that happens.

Whether it comes from the fans, players, coaches or referees, when it comes to playoff basketball, there’s a distinct feeling that there may be no tomorrow.

“It’s a faster game,” West Bloomfield boys coach Jeremy Denha said. “The kids are playing harder because they’re playing for their careers.”

Madison Heights Bishop Foley coach Marc West agreed.

Published February 23, 2011

Rochester Post

Local schools send numerous grapplers to state final

When wrestlers from across the state descend on The Palace of Auburn Hills March 3 for the Division 1 individual state finals, Rochester Community Schools will have plenty of representatives.

After accomplishing a top-four finish in their respective regional tournaments, Rochester High leads the way with six individual qualifiers, Rochester Adams has five and Rochester Hills Stoney Creek has two.

Published February 22, 2011

Madison - Park News

Hazel Park High wrestling falls in regional final

HAZEL PARK — Dale Hart knows the wrestling tradition at Hazel Park High.

He was part of it in 1986, when as a senior, he was one of 13 grapplers to make it to the state finals.

That’s the dream he has for the Vikings.

“It can be done, you just have to have heart,” he said.

In Hart’s first season as the head coach, which came to a close after losing to Dearborn Crestwood 37-28 in a Division 2 regional final Feb. 16 at home, the squad finished 23-14 overall.

Published February 22, 2011

C&G Newspapers

Golf academy partners with Great Lakes Golf Center

AUBURN HILLS — Walk into the Great Lakes Golf Center in Auburn Hills, and you’ll find a separately housed stable of golf tees at the far end.

This is where the Kendall Academy is dedicated to improving each student.
The academy recently partnered with the Great Lakes Golf Center and has brought all the latest technology to the world’s largest golf dome.

Published February 22, 2011

Farmington Press

Local wrestling squads meet to prepare for upcoming tests

It was two days before the individual wrestling regionals, and North Farmington, Farmington Hills Harrison and Farmington High were at it again.

But this time, the Raiders, the Hawks and the Falcons weren’t working for a city trophy, but instead working to better each other.

“We try to pull for all the Farmington teams,” Farmington assistant coach Dave Hall said Feb. 17. “We want everyone to do well. We’re family here.”

Published February 16, 2011

C&G Newspapers

Avondale guards have squad near top of the standings

AUBURN HILLS — Not much has changed since they started hooping it up together in grade school.

Auburn Hills Avondale senior Ray Tillman still attacks the rim, and his classmate Tony Harris still picks his spots.

“Attack, attack, attack,” Harris said of Tillman’s style of play as a youngster and currently.

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