Leelanau Sports Guy’s World at sportspig.com

To say Leland has owned the Cherryland in volleyball would be a huge understatement. Leland won another title on Saturday and in process won their 12th straight league title. Leland downed Northport, Leelanau School, T.C. Christian and Buckley to win the crown. T.C. Christian finished second.

Read Another perfect league season for Leland in the Record Eagle [scroll down to read]

Glen Lake went 2-2 on the day at the Forest Area Invitational. The Lakers lost to McBain NMC and Harbor Light, before bouncing back with wins over Manton and Forest Area. Jessica Odziana and Sam Rader led the way.

Read Harbor Light Christian captures tourney title in the Record Eagle [scroll down to read]

Opinions on five current Detroit & national sports topics from yours truly…

1. Tigers Spring Training – Am I pathetic? Every year I get excited during spring training. Maybe it’s the feeling of spring just around the corner, maybe the higher temperatures are making me crazy. Either way, I am very geeked for the 2006 season. I love the Todd Jones and Kenny Rogers signings. Maggs is healthy. Carlos Guillen is healthy. Jim Leyland is managing. We stole Polanco. Shelton is ready. Are they going to win the Central and make the playoffs? Probably not, but I think they will be better and contending for that Wild Card spot until the end, that’s all I can ask for.

2. Pistons Backup PG – I think Hunter and Acker can do the job for now, but the name Tony Delk is being whispered about too. I think Delk would be a great pickup if he is waived and would provide the Pistons with some great depth winding down the regular season.

3. Jeff Backus – In my honest opinion, he’s been a bust. But considering what options are out there, the Lions had no choice. I hope he finally steps it up.

4. Darko – It’s obvious he doesn’t get it and probably never will. In the end the Pistons will look good for sending him to Orlando and getting a #1 pick in return.

5. March Madness – Is almost here, yeah! Not really sure what Michigan State or Michigan is going to do. I think MSU could still make a tournament run, but without Trannon’s leadership, defense and rebounding, someone is going to have to step up – HUGE! As for Michigan they are still like Jekyll and Hyde, you just don’t know which is going to show up. I hope they make the tourney, they should get in with just one more win.

If you want to let me know what you think, you can always send me an email at leelanausportsguy@sportspig.com or post a comment!

The Leland Comets dominated play and captured three wins at Suttons Bay. The Comets defeated Kingsley (25-21, 25-10), Kalkaska (25-17, 25-7) and Suttons Bay (25-8, 25-11). Leland was led by Alisha Glass and Jennifer Hecht.

Suttons Bay also did well scoring wins over Kalkaska (25-17, 25-16) and Kingsley (16-25, 25-20, 26-24). Holly Orban, Kelsey Wick and Christa Nesky led the way for the Lady Norse.

Read Leland sweeps three matches at Suttons Bay in the Record Eagle

Mick McCabe of the Detroit Free Press talks about Leland Comets volleyball star Alisha Glass, her nickname and how she got it.

Read Leland has a ‘terminator’ in the Freep

Former Glen Lake star Dana Westover played 16 minutes, grabbed 3 rebounds and scored 1 point in helping the Central Michigan Chippewas to a come-from-behind 59-58 Mid-American Conference win over Ball State. The Chips are now 15-10, 6-8 in the MAC. For the season Westover, a sophomore, is averaging 9 minutes per game, 1.5 rebounds and 1.4 points.

Women’s Basketball Tallies Comeback Victory Over Ball State, 59-58

Traverse City Central is set to honor one of it’s best basketball stars with a banner ceremony before the game with Traverse City West. Former Trojan Dan Majerle will be the center of attention with a pregame ceremony at 7:30 PM. A banner will be raised to the rafters and Majerle will be signing autographs at halftime and after the game. Majerle starred at Central Michigan and went on to play in the NBA and the Olympics.

Read Central to honor Majerle in the Record Eagle

South Lake Leelanau was the site for a new annual event, the T.C. Kite Derby. Thirty kite boarders gathered for a three day event of fast paced racing. The event was setup to help promote the growing sport of kite boarding.

Read Kite Derby sails away in the Grand Traverse Herald

Updated 2:06 PM
The Sports Dude has pointed me to an interesting interview with Tom Kowalski by Stoney on Sports Radio 1130. Kowalski seems to say that Marinelli isn’t naming Harrington the starter but that Millen is… It’s a good read. Thanks Sports Dude!

Updated 11:49 AM
Here’s a link to another article…
Read Detroit coaches in Harrington’s corner in the Oregonian

Original Post
Lions head coach Rod Marinelli and GM Matt Millen have announced that quarterback Joey Harrington will be back and that he is the frontrunner for the starting quarterback position. New offensive coordinator Mike Martz has made some positive comments and apparently likes what he has seen from Harrington on film and from his quick talk to him yesterday.

Harrington sounds upbeat and ready to go. I sure hope he is because it will be his last chance in Detroit. All along I have always thought he was going to be a good quarterback in the NFL and at one point last year I just assumed that it would be for some other team. Now it looks like that team could be the Lions.

With the talented wide receivers and Kevin Jones in the backfield, I look for the Lions to dramatically improve next season.

The thing I like is that Martz looks at his quarterbacks and designs an offense that plays to their strengths. So look for Joey to hook up with Roy Williams and Charles Rogers alot down field. Look for Kevin Jones to touch the ball alot more (something Mooch could never figure out).

I believe Harrington and ultimately the Lions will succeed under Marinelli and Martz and be a playoff team THIS SEASON. Yeah, that’s right! Go Lions!

Read Why Lions have Joey slated No. 1 in the Freep

Here’s the schedule for the Class C Boys Basketball District at Suttons Bay.

Monday, March 6
Glen Lake vs. Suttons Bay, 7 PM

Wednesday, March 8
Game 1: Kingsley vs. Forest Area, 6 PM
Game 2: T.C. St. Francis vs. GL/SB winner, immediately following Game 1

Friday, March 10
District Final, 7 PM

My Pick: It should come down to a Kingsley vs. St. Francis matchup for the district final, but crazier things have happened. Suttons Bay will be on their home floor and are a dangerous team. I just think that the Glads have too much firepower and will top Kingsley in a close game. Official prediction: St. Francis 64, Kingsley 59.

Kingsley captured the regular season Northwest Conference, but it was Suttons Bay claiming the end of season tourney and share the crown for the second straight year. Suttons Bay bounced back from an early deficit to defeat Kingsley in the championship match 8-25, 25-15, 25-16, 25-19. Holly Orban led the way for Suttons Bay with 40 kills, 12 blocks, 29 digs and a perfect 38 of 38 serving.

Glen Lake played some good matches, but wound up taking 6th place after falling to Mesick 25-21, 22-25, 25-21, 26-28, 15-12.

Read Norse claim tournament, share of title in the Record Eagle

An article by Mark Urban about Leland star volleyball player Jennifer Hecht and the story of her and her mother’s ordeal with an armed intruder last month. Hecht came back to play in a tournament two days later.

Read Hecht played in tourney 2 days after ordeal in the Record Eagle

Magglio Ordonez’ first season in Detroit didn’t go the way he wanted. His bad knee was fine, but Ordonez got hit with a hernia and missed the first three months. Then to top it off, his former team won the World Series.

This season in Detroit he is looking at contributing in a big way. All reports say he is 100% healthy and ready to go. He is going to participate in the World Baseball Classic for Venezuela, but his main focus remains the Tigers.

His health alone would make the Tigers better than last season, especially if he can recapture his averages in Chicago. The fate of the 2006 Tigers rests on Maggs and Carlos Guillen. Both must be healthy and playing at a high level for the Tigers to reach .500 and have any chance at a Wild Card.

Read Ordonez more at home in second year with Tigers at MLive
Read Only pain Ordonez has is Chicago blues in the Freep
Read Magglio Ordonez: Fully Recovered at RotoWire.com

Here’s a nice article talking about some other Tigers to watch this spring…

Read Nine Tigers stories to follow in the Detroit News

The Glen Lake girls ski team qualified for the Class B-C-D state meet with a second place finish at the regional at Crystal Mountain. The Lakers finished behind Traverse City St. Francis and ahead of Clare, who both also qualified for state. The Lakers were led by three performances in the Giant Slalom – Ali Drake (4th), Sarah Wiesen (8th) and Joelle Janz (15th). Wiesen also added a 4th place finish in the slalom.

On the boys side, Glen Lake didn’t qualify as a team, but the Lakers Kris Marin advances to the state meet after his third place in the slalom.

Read St. Francis, Benzie storm to titles in the Record Eagle

Hearing and reading what our new offensive and defensive coordinators are talking about brings a smile to my face. I don’t think the Lions players realize yet how different this team is going to be underneath new head coach Rod Marinelli, OC Mike Martz and DC Donnie Henderson. My opinion is that it’s going to be night and day difference from the Mooch era, players are going to be accountable, practices are going to be hard, and the Lions are going to play aggressively on both sides of the ball.

Lots of interesting talk from Martz about Joey Harrington and Kevin Jones, and the three top-10 wideouts. I just have to believe that Martz is going crazy starting to come up with an offensive scheme to utilize all of this talent. I look for Kevin Jones to have a breakout year and I have a feeling Joey is going to be the quarterback. Martz liked him coming out of college and he can play the drop-back, in the pocket passer Martz’ offense requires.

The three wide receivers aren’t going to be able to pull their “diva” stuff anymore. Martz isn’t going to allow it (neither will Marinellli) and if they don’t perform they won’t be here.

On the defensive side, Henderson is going to be very agressive, with lots of blitzes and pressuring the quarterback. It should allow for this secondary to make some big plays as well.

I really think Marinelli has done the smart thing and put some real solid coordinators and coaches around him. The fact that he went out and got Martz shows alot about him as a person and his characters. Lots of first-year coaches wouldn’t want a former successful head coach right below them, but Marinelli realized that Martz was the best OC out there. Good move and shows that Marinelli’s ego won’t get in the way.

It’s only February, but I am already getting excited for the 2006 season. I know I am like alot of Lions fans who only want the best for their team and get all excited and suckered in, but they are still my Lions and I will support them all the way!

Read Martz: I’m no miracle man in the Freep

Here’s a look at the top 10 preseason fantasy baseball rankings for our Detroit Tigers. Some surprises for sure, I also think that Carlos Guillen will do better than they predict. Granderson could be a real good sleeper, especially in a league without alot of other Tiger fans.

Read Top 10 Tigers fantasy players at DetroitTigers.com