LSJ Blogs: Get Prepped

News Tip: Diamond Classic announces dates

The tournament's opening night is moving back to Kircher/Municipal, with the final again at Oldsmobile Park.

News Tip: Eight-man football moving forward

Per the MHSAA, eight-man football is continuing to be discussed and could be put to a vote in May.

News Tip: Webberville's Mann heading to Bay City

Bruce Mann turned around a Webberville football program that didn’t even have a varsity at the start of this decade. Now he’s moving on to one of the state’s premier Class A leagues and a solid program that has been on the cusp of the state finals. 

Mann will move to Bay City Western after this school year ends. He was 28-28 in six seasons for the Spartans after taking over a program in 2003 that hadn’t won in four seasons. Webberville went 9-1 two seasons ago and then 8-2 last fall. Mann was named Division 7-8 state Coach of the Year by The Associated Press in 2007 when the team started 9-0 for the first time and set a school scoring record.

Webberville didn't have a varsity in 2000 because there weren't enough older players, and although it made some strides in the two seasons after, it still hadn't won this decade before winning two games in his first season. He did an incredible job both in changing the results but also the football culture. Webberville has become known as a tough, physical opponent. 

Bay City Western plays in the Saginaw Valley League and is an awesome next step for the 38-year-old, while also moving him and his family much closer to both his and his wife’s parents, who are from their hometown of Gladwin.

Bay City Western has won at least eight games in six of the last nine seasons, including a 9-2 finish last fall under former coach Jim Eurick, who later resigned. 

Fearless Forecasts

Here are one objective observer's predictions for this weekend's boys basketball games at the Breslin Center.

Full house at the Don

Did you go to the Kalamazoo Central/Rockford game at Don Johnson Fieldhouse on Tuesday? I didn't, but driving by at the end, I've never seen the parking areas that full. I'm interested in finding out what it was like inside.

Wrestle with this

This could be mid-Michigan's finest all-area wrestling team in the decade I've been part of the selections. But it could also be the toughest decision picking the LSJ Wrestler of the Year. Who would you pick?

Will you still watch?

Mid-Michigan is out of the boys basketball state tournament heading into its final week for the first time in at least 13 years, probably longer. Will you watch the teams still playing?

Final Buzzer: DeWitt girls semifinal

The final score Friday had DeWitt 20 points short. But the Panthers represented well and reaffirmed themselves as a state Class B power in their first semifinal since 2000. 

Final Buzzer: Olivet basketball semifinal

The Eagles did something no other team had this season -- lead No. 1 Flint Hamady at halftime. They'll certainly gain from this for a return run to finals weekend next season.

Final Buzzer: Boys regional finals

With losses by its four remaining teams, mid-Michigan's boys basketball season ended Wednesday in  regionals for the first time in at least 11 years, and probably longer. A few final thoughts on the tournament's last local night.