VINCE ELLIS | RECRUIT U

Edwin Baker has big plans at MSU

As the U. drove into the parking lot at Oak Park High School on Friday to meet with super football prospect and Michigan State commit Edwin Baker, we were feeling kind of sentimental. The U. started thinking about last September on his first visit to the school just off Coolidge.

Novi Detroit Catholic Central lacrosse players recruited

Brad Janer is trying to start a tradition. Recently graduated from Novi Detroit Catholic Central, he is part of the first recruiting class of the newly formed University of Detroit-Mercy lacrosse team. The Titans, led by coach Matt Holtz, are the only NCAA Division I lacrosse school in Michigan.

Detroit Renaissance trio step up during summer league play

Not long after they took the court at Marquette's Elite Camp on June 29-30, head coach Diane Jones began to see the breakout abilities of her girls.

HEAVENLY HURLER: Warren De La Salle pitcher leads Anchor Bay team

The Anchor Bay Angels 16-and under baseball team played like perfect angels in capturing the USSSA state tournament title in Battle Creek on June 19-22.

Grosse Pointe players help East team secure victory

Not a single touchdown was scored in the Michigan High School Football All-Star game July 20, which the East team won with three field goals. The last shutout was 1994, when the West won, 20-0. The East leads the series 15-13.

July 20, 2008

Hoops competition gets Southfield-Lathrup girls season-ready

There are plenty of other fun things the girls basketball players at Southfield-Lathrup could be doing with their summer vacation. But with all the work they are putting in these days, the fun won't arrive until November -- when the high school basketball season begins.

Warren De La Salle lacrosse player on new UDM team

Warren De La Salle grad John Nowicki is excited about embarking on a new Division I college lacrosse program.

San Diego Padres take ace from Trenton in 5th round

Anthony Bass is living his dream. After three seasons at Wayne State University, the 6-foot-2, 195-pound right-hander was picked up June 5 by the San Diego Padres in the fifth round of the Major League Baseball draft.

Plymouth Salem youth football camp moves the learning indoors

Every camper was soaked to the skin by rain, but all had smiles almost as wide as their young frames. That was the scene last week at the Plymouth Salem Youth Football Camp, held at the new turf field behind Canton High School.

PREPS ROUNDUP

East wins prep All-Star game, 9-0

EAST LANSING -- Not a single touchdown was scored in Saturday's rainy Michigan High School Football All-Star game, which the East team won with three field goals. The last shutout was 1994, when the West won, 20-0. The East leads the series 15-13.

July 13, 2008

Warren Fitzgerald hosts summer league to prep football players

Football coach Ben Torres blows his whistle, piercing the evening air at a passing-league scrimmage at Warren Fitzgerald High School.

PUCK PASSION: Walled Lake Western senior works hard to build up skills

Brett Lubanski's dedication stands out most to Larry Knapp. Knapp coached the Farmington Hills hockey player last season on the Honeybaked AAA Hockey Club's Midget Minor U-16 team.

Auburn Hills Avondale's new go-to guy puts in extra work over summer

Jeffrey Hines liked the way former Auburn Hills Avondale basketball teammate Henry Smith developed into a leader last winter. "At the beginning of the season, we really didn't have anyone to look up to. In the end of the season, he was our go-to guy," Hines said.

LOFTY GOALS: New girls varsity coach sets bar high for Northville team

When you ask Todd Gudith about the perception of Northville girls basketball, you get a pause. The coach who took over the program in late April thinks about it for a second and gives an honest assessment.

July 6, 2008

SPRING SPORTS WRAP-UP: Brother Rice is top-notch

In the preseason, Inside Lacrosse magazine ranked Birmingham Brother Rice the No. 1 boys lacrosse team in the Midwest and No. 5 nationally.

• B'ham, Bloomfield Spts roundup

SPRING SEASON WRAP-UP: Work ethic pays off for Catholic Central

Mike Martin didn't have to commit to this. The Novi Detroit Catholic Central thrower already had won the Division 1 shot put title in 2007.

SPRING SPORTS WRAP-UP: Troy turnaround

A year after advancing to the Division 1 quarterfinals, Troy's softball team started its 2008 campaign 4-5 and committed 27 fielding errors during that stretch. The mistakes weren't that surprising, because the Colts were inexperienced after losing 10 seniors to graduation.

Livonia Clarenceville junior rebounds from injuries, commits to EMU

Jamie Stewart's junior year at Livonia Clarenceville was eventful for two reasons. For starters, he stayed injury free for the first time in his high school career. Secondly, his on-court success helped him land a college scholarship.

July 3, 2008

AREA SPORTS IN BRIEF

MHSAA sued by rival Davis

Robert Davis, the founder of the Amateur Athletic Association of Michigan, filed a civil lawsuit against the Michigan High School Athletic Association on Tuesday in Wayne County Circuit Court.