Three neat articles about three talented ladies who starred at little schools in northern Michigan. Liz Shimek and Dana Westover attended Glen Lake High School and Erin Carney attended Traverse City St. Francis. All three were stars “Up North” and all have continued to flourish on the big stage.

Takin’ it to the next level
Glen Lake’s Shimek turning into a leader for Michigan State
Record Eagle article by Dennis Chase

Traverse City - Liz Shimek’s imprint is all over the Michigan State women’s basketball program.

And, as it turns out, the media guide.

The junior forward had 12 of her teammates up north last summer for a camping weekend in Leelanau County.

The getaway, which gave Shimek’s teammates a glimpse into her upbringing on the family farm, produced some humorous stories and lasting memories, some captured in snapshots that appear in the media guide. In fact, the team picture on the inside cover of the guide was taken in the Shimek’s corn field.

“It was definitely a different experience for some (team members),” Shimek said. “Some had never even slept in a tent before.”

The trip illustrates Shimek’s growing role as a leader on a Spartan team that’s 17-3 and ranked No. 11 in the country.

Read the entire article

Westover bounces back for CMU
Record Eagle article by Mark Urban

Traverse City - When it came time to head to Central Michigan University to play basketball, Dana Westover brought two things: her own mouthpiece and a recent knee injury.

The latter prevented the former Glen Lake standout from using the former in the fall of 2003.

Now the 6-foot-2 red-shirt freshman forward has banged her way into the starting lineup for the Chippewas.

Westover, a 2003 graduate of Glen Lake, was a little shocked to learn she had earned a spot among the top five after sitting out the 2003-04 season.

But the time away from the game made her want to return even more.

Read the entire article.

TC St. Francis grad earns starting spot as a freshman
Record Eagle article by Jeff Peek

Traverse City - Erin Carney isn’t easily intimidated - by the jump to the college game or its premier teams - and that has helped land her a starting spot on one of the top-ranked NCAA women’s basketball teams in the country.

Carney, a Traverse City St. Francis graduate who was among the senior finalists for Miss Basketball last season, is averaging 6.6 points and 6.5 rebounds for 17th-ranked DePaul (16-3).

She is one of two freshmen in the Blue Demons’ starting lineup, a distinction that DePaul head coach Doug Bruno said Carney has earned.

“I don’t write out the starting lineup, the players do,” Bruno said. “So Erin starting isn’t my doing, it’s her doing.

“She made it a no-brainer to the coaching staff,” he said. “And she made it a no-brainer to the players.”

Read the entire article

The Detroit News has been doing a great job on Tiger updates lately. Lots of news including the possiblity of signing Magglio Ordonez and the Tigers outlook for 2005.

Gibson gung-ho on 2005 Tigers - Article by Lynn Henning

Let’s face it: Free agents still not buying into Tigers’ program - Article by Rob Parker

Tigers’ Cluck likes the way his staff is coming together - Article by Tom Gage

Tigers patiently pursue Ordonez - Article by Lynn Henning

Signing Ordonez is worth the gamble - Article by Lynn Henning

My view: Regardless is the Tigers end up with Ordonez or not, the team is improved. With Troy Percival taking over the closer roll and Urbina hopefully happy in a setup roll, the bullpen is very improved. The lineup will be stronger as some of young guys, Infante, Inge, and Guillen all had breakout type seasons. Those three will be the key for the 2005 season. If they can continue to improve and duplicate what they did last season over the full 162 game schedule, look out Central Division. Pitching will also be key and if the Tigers young starters can stay healthy, look for them to keep improving as well. The Weaver trade that landed Bonderman and Pena will look even better after next season!

Last night’s game action…

NBA: Detroit Pistons 88, Indiana Pacers 76
I watched parts of the second half and to me the Pistons are looking sharp. They played solid defensively once again and the frontline has been tough. Carlos Arroyo has given the bench a huge lift and looks like a steal right now. The Wallaces are dominating down low on both ends of the floor. Watch out Eastern Conference, the Pistons are going to show everyone why they are world champs the second half of the season. Read a Game Summary

NCAA Men’s: #15 Michigan St. 64, Michigan 53
I watched the first half, and parts of the second, and it was about what I expected. Michigan did get off to a nice 7-0 run at the start of the game, but it was basically all MSU after that. Maurice Ager did the most damage for the Spartans as they stayed one game behind first place Illinois. Read a Game Summary

NCAA Women’s: Iowa 71, Michigan 63
I didn’t watch this, so here’s short breakdown from MGoBlue.com.
Another late-game comeback by the University of Michigan women’s basketball team fell short at Iowa on Thursday (Jan. 27) as the Wolverines dropped a 71-63 decision at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Michigan (5-14, 1-7 Big Ten), which fell behind 12-2 to start the game and trailed by as many as 20 points, used an 11-0 run to cut Iowa’s lead to five, 68-63, with 47 seconds left but did not score again. Read a Game Summary

And some interesting articles I found…

Ordonez makes counteroffer to Tigers - Associated Press article at Yahoo! Sports

Hire of Tollner means Lions will stay conservative - LionsFans.com article by Mike Fowler

U-M loads up on star prospects, Class likely to rank in nation’s top five - Free Press article by John Eligon

Spartans get help from junior colleges, ‘Competitive class’ should bring hope for holes on defense - Free Press article by Jemele Hill

Arroyo passes early tests - Free Press article by Perry A. Farrell

Not entirely Detroit Sports related, but an interesting article on the state of NFL football video games…

Killing the Competition, is EA’s exclusive deal with the NFL bad for gamers? - 1UP.com article by Todd Zuniga

Dan Joseph (danjoseph.blogspot.com) just posted his mid-season review at the Detroit Sports Blog. As usual it’s quite good and you can read it right here!

My view: You won’t find a better Pistons blogger than Dan Joseph, he knows his stuff!

My Detroit Insider just told me…

“The Tigers have made an offer to Magglio Ordonez, but Ordonez has instructed his agent Scott Boras to have the Tigers make a counter offer.”

Could be getting close?

Associated Press
After conducting 176 state title games during the last 29 seasons at the Pontiac Silverdome, the Michigan High School Athletic Association has entered into a three-year agreement with Ford Field to host its football finals, starting this fall.

Last year, for the price of a $9 ticket that included on-site parking at the Silverdome, a person attending the finals could watch two games. The MHSAA said at the 2005 finals, a $9 ticket will be good for all four title games but parking will not be included in the ticket price.

My view: No surprise here. It’s nice they are giving a break on ticket prices to make up for the parking that people will have to pay.

Here’s an article from my local paper about some of the activities taking place at the 2005 All-Star Game in Detroit.

All-Star week a busy one in Detroit
Home Run Derby, Futures Game just part of slate
Record Eagle article by Jeff Peek

Detroit - With less than six months remaining before the Detroit Tigers host the 2005 Major League Baseball All-Star Game at Comerica Park, team officials have announced several events surrounding the July 12 contest.

Tickets will go on sale Feb. 1 for the 15th annual FanFest, which will run July 8-12 at Cobo Center. The event includes more than 50 attractions covering more than 300,000 square feet, according to All-Star Week liaison Michael Healy.

“FanFest drew 92,000 in Houston (last summer), and we anticipate breaking that,” said Healy, who was part of the Tigers media caravan earlier this week. “We’re looking at 110,000 to 120,000.”

The All-Star game will be held in Detroit for the first time since 1971, when six future Hall of Famers played in the game at Tiger Stadium. That contest is best remembered for Reggie Jackson’s 520-foot home run blast off the light tower in right field.

Read the entire article.

Wednesday night was a perfect example of why I love sports. After I got the kids settled into bed, I turned on the TV to see what was happening in the world of sports.

The first game I checked in on was the Pistons and Nuggets. The Pistons started off the second half of the season looking very good and alot like the team that won the title. Solid defense, good passing and a dominant inside game. Carolos Arroyo is going to be a big reason why the Pistons will improve in the second half. He gives them a big burst of energy off the bench. He can score and also find the open man. The Pistons ended up blowing out the Nuggets and I expect big things from them in the second half of the year. Pistons 87, Nuggets 70

The second game I watched was actually on the same time as the Pistons, so I was flipping back and forth. It was Central Michigan vs. Bowling Green. I hadn’t had a chance to catch CMU on TV yet, and I was impressed. Even with the close loss, they looked good against a tough Bowling Green team. They gave themselves a chance to steal the win, but a couple of bounces went the Falcons way in the final minutes. Coach Jay Smith has them going in the right direction. I loved watching the freshman point guard Giordan Watson, he’s going to be a player. Bowling Green 77, Central Michigan 73

The third and final game I watched was the Duke and Maryland game. I don’t like Duke, never will, so I am always happy to see them lose, especially at home. I do, however, have great respect for Mike Krzyzewski. He is a great coach and knows how to run a successful program. He is one of the best ever. I was lucky enough be able to hear him speak at a coach’s clinic in Pittsburgh once and he was great. Anyway Duke fell from the ranks of the unbeaten by a scrappy Maryland team, led by another great coach Gary Williams. Only two unbeatens remain #1 Illinois (who I am very impressed with) and No. 8 Boston College (haven’t seen them yet). Looks like it’s leading up to be another great March Madness. Maryland 75, Duke 66

Here’s some stories I saw that interested me, in particular how Marty Mornhinweg has recovered nicely from his 2 year tenure in Detroit. Mornhinweg has a good offensive mind and will probably get a shot as a head coach again someday soon.

Speaking of offense the Lions found their man (we hope) to run the offense. Ted Tollner was hired as offensive coordinator. He held the same position for the San Francisco 49ers last season.

I have always liked Perry Watson and think he has done a great job at Detroit Mercy. Check out the article on him below, it’s very good.

And another article on Jeremy Bonderman’s bid to be the staff ace.

UDM’s Watson says he’s fulfilled - Detroit News article by Rob Parker

Mornhinweg rolls with punches - Detroit News article by Mike O’Hara

Lions hire Tollner as offensive coordinator - MLive article by Tom Kowalski

Bonderman looks to be ace of Tigers’ staff - Record Eagle article by Jeff Peek

The Detroit News and MLive have some more articles today about our beloved Detroit Tigers, including a report on how the Tigers were close to getting Carl Pavano.

Bonderman says he’s ready to be No. 1 in rotation, help Tigers win - Detroit News article by Bob Wojnowski

Cluck: Tigers came in 2nd for Pavano - Detroit News article by Tom Gage

Ordonez watch begins - Detroit News article by Tom Gage

After free-agent snubs, Tigers will look to ‘improve from within’ - MLive article by Ansar Khan

My view: The Tigers will once again improve this upcoming season, even without landing a so-called marquee free agent. I think they have a good talent base and Toledo is starting to have some solid prospects as well. Dombrowski will get it done before he’s finished here, and if they do land Ordonez, the Tigers could be the team to beat in the A.L. Central.

Just saw this on the Freep, Horton suspended

01/25/05 - 1:14 PM - Here’s the latest from the Free Press…

Horton faces domestic violence charge - article by John Eligon

01/24/05 - 8:30 AM - My Detroit Insider just told me this…

“Daniel Horton just got booked by the Ann Arbor Police for domestic assault. Allegedly he choked a woman into unconsciousness.”

Will keep you posted.

It was a busy weekend in sports, but that’s what we all love, isn’t it? The NFC and AFC Championships were decided and both were what alot of people expected. New England vs. Philadelphia is what the experts said preseason and we get to see it for real now. My early pick is Philadelphia, but not sure if that will be my final pick. It’s hard to pick against Bill Belichick.

The Pistons continue to struggle, and it’s painful to watch right now. I caught a little of the Pistons/Bulls game on Saturday and what I watched wasn’t pretty. Sloppy defense, bad shots and uncharacteristic turnovers led to another loss to the improving Bulls.

On the college scene, MSU pulled out a win against Minnesota and Wisconsin proved to much for Michigan. Both of these teams have along way to go to make any kind of noise come NCAA tourney time. Michigan will have to pick it up just to make it.

Here’s the top headlines, including some Detroit Tiger reports from the Detroit News…

Pistons midterm grades - Detroit News article by Chris McCoskey

Trammell believes Inge has Gold Glove potential - Detroit News article by Tom Gage

Guillen will be Tigers’ ‘05 MVP - Detroit News article by Lynn Henning

Patriots rout Steelers in AFC title game - article from NFL.com wire reports

Eagles end hex, top Falcons 27-10 - article from NFL.com wire reports

4:29 PM - A nice article by Detroit News writer Chris McCoskey about the trade. Read the article.

12:44 PM - It’s official, here’s the Free Press article - Pistons acquire Arroyo.

10:55 AM - Just got another call from my Detroit Insider…

“Breaking news: Pending NBA Approval, trade for Arroyo and Elden Campbell and a #1 will go through. Utah will probably release Campbell and once he clears waivers, he could end up back with the Pistons. Kinda like the Lindsey Hunter to Boston deal last year.”

9:30 AM - My Detroit Insider just contacted me and told me this…

“Just a rumor right now, but I heard Elden Campbell and a #1 pick to Utah for Carlos Arroyo.”

Good trade in my book if it happens. And it might even free up a few more minutes for Darko.

Check out this article from the Traverse City Record Eagle.

Robertson: Tigers will make more moves
Pitcher says team president not done
Record Eagle article by Dennis Chase

Traverse City - Nate Robertson was excited when the Detroit Tigers decided to pursue high-priced free agents during the off-season.

Robertson alluded to last off-season, when Dombrowski signed All-Star catcher Ivan Rodriguez in February - just days before the start of spring training.

Read the entire article.

Three letters spell out goal of Leland ace
Free Press article by Mick McCabe
Each time Alisha Glass walks into the Leland gym she looks up at the 2002 state championship volleyball banner, sees her name and curses.

The problem Glass has with her name on the banner are the three letters that follow her name: “MGR.”

Read the entire article.

My View: It’s always nice to see northern Michigan athletes get press statewide. Although when you are one of the best volleyball players in the state it should be a surprise.