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A Look at Mid-Michigan B and the CAAC-4
By Gavin Raath
29 April 2007
greatlakeshoops.com
2006-07
Finish:
Portland 4-0
Perry 1-3
Corunna 1-3
All Conference Team:
Bridger Buche 6'5" Senior Portland
Dennis Meaney 6'5" Senior Perry
Jordan Sipkovsky [right] 6'1" Senior Perry -- Player of the Year
Michael Margraf 6'0" Senior Portland
Brandon Youngston 5'8" Senior Corunna
Craig Borsenik 6'5" Senior Corunna
Trevor Green 6'4" Senior Portland
Matt Kiley 6'9" Senior Corunna
Cody Metcalf 5'9" Junior Perry
Elliott Hebden 5'9" Senior Perry
Nate Sipkovsky 6'0" Sophomore Perry
Travis Smith 5'10" Junior Portland
Review:
Well, the curtain has officially closed on the Mid-Michigan B as they will soon join up with some CAAC-3 schools to form the brand new CAAC-4. Portland went out as the last champ going undefeated in-conference. The Raiders flew under the radar, but their early season victory over Hillsdale made them a known quantity. Bridger Buche and Trevor Green were a big and dominant post, while Michael Margraf and Travis Smith did damage from outside. Last year's champ, Perry, probably knows now, more than ever, how good a player Andy Clark was. The Ramblers struggled to find identity all season and relied to heavily upon Jordan Sipkovsky. Dennis Meaney [left] never really dominated the way he should have been able to and no one else stepped up outside of Cody Metcalf at midseason. Being swept by a class D team, even if it is Lansing Christian, smarts. Sipkovsky closes a great high school career. Corunna was a team that looked like they were going to run away with the conference title, until Brendan Birchmeier's injury sidelined him for the entire season. Brandon Youngston stepped up in his absence to help salvage the season and established himself as one of the toughest defensive match-ups athletically. I really think they could have challenged Portland with a healthy Birchmeier.
2007-2008 Outlook:
Lansing Catholic Central
Lakewood
Portland
Corunna
Williamston
Perry
All Conference Team:
Mike Repovz [right] 6'4" Senior Lansing Catholic Central
Kevin Donovan 6'5" Senior Williamston
Max Gover 6'4" Senior Lansing Catholic Central
Nick Hilley 6'3" Senior Lakewood
Travis Smith 5'11" Senior Portland
Michael Barbour 6'4" Senior Lakewood
Doug Hawley 5'6" Senior Lansing Catholic Central
Logan Hebekeuser 6'2" Senior Corunna
Kyle McIntyre 5'8" Senior Williamston
Cody Metcalf 5'9" Senior Perry
Austin Nichols 5'11" Junior Lansing Catholic Central
Nate Sipkovsky 6'0" Junior Perry
Corunna
Corunna although losing an immense amount of experience will return an athletic group to the 07-08 season. Logan Hebekeuser, a 6'2" junior-to-be, is a strong kid around the basket, but an adept outside shooter. Patrick Bohac, a 6'3" senior-to-be, is a good leaper and should be solid on defense. The likely floor general for next season will be 6'0" senior-to-be Nick Shipman, an extremely efficient player. Jordan Robinson, at 6'4", should be another senior-to-be that will contribute on the boards and defensively around the hoop. Coach Jason Schemenauer did an excellent job of helping this team regroup after losing their star player in Brendan Birchmeier last season and should be able to do the same with this talented, but green roster.
Lakewood
The MO for
Lakewood the past few years has been size, but this year theyre running shorter
than usual. Everyone expected Alex Erickson to be their star last season, but it
was 63 senior-to-be
Nick Hilley that led the team. Michael Barbour, a 64
senior-to-be and three-year
varsity player, will have to step up in a greater degree. A couple of
experienced players in 510 guard Jordan Richardson
and
63 forward Wade OMara will provide some balance.
Lansing Catholic Central
After a fantastic year that included a conference championship, LCC should still be in good shape. They return a great inside/outside duo with 64 seniors-to-be Mike Repovz and Max Gover [left]. Austin Nichols, a 511 junior-to-be, will be slated to replace his older brother, but also expect to see the physical 56 senior-to-be Doug Hawley. Two more guys offering experience are 60 guard Pat Duda and 62 forward Jacob Taylor.
Perry
It seems like Jordan Sipkovsky
has been playing for the past decade, but he finally graduates changing the look
of Perry basketball. Although there is still yet another Sipkovsky in Nate, a
60 forward, thats entering his junior year with a similar skill
set to his brothers. The star for this team, however, will be 59 senior-to-be
Cody Metcalf [right]. In about half a season he became one of the leading
scorers for the Ramblers and presents a quick option at guard that can still
fill the nets from deep. Perry will be a smaller team with 61 senior-to-be
Peter Baumgartner earning most of the duties inside. Seniors-to-be like 5'11"
guard Chris Jersey and 5'7" guard Eric Acevado will add depth. The retirement of
coach Hebden will undoubtedly have a huge effect on this ball club.
Portland
After a fantastic season, Portland will have to go back to the drawing board. This team will have to revolve around Travis Smith, a 511 senior-to-be, that emerged as a potential star for the Red Raiders last season. Although they lose a lot of size with Buche and Green, they do return a couple of youngsters with plenty of size in 6'6" sophomore-to-be Jake Silas and 6'2" junior-to-be Troy Green. Jared Goodman, a 5'10" junior-to-be, and Mike Harmon, a 6'1" senior-to-be, should round out the starting line-up for Portland. It's a rebuilding year for the Red Raiders, but fortunately for them their fellow conference teams are doing the same.
Williamston
This could be a year where the Hornets improve upon their two-win season. They return 6'5" senior-to-be Kevin Donovan and 5'8" senior-to-be Kyle McIntyre. That pair should provide a solid inside/outside presence. A few other returning players like Austin Palmer, John Vogl and Bryan Erickson should be able to provide some depth. I also think 6'4" sophomore-to-be Brian Yarmak could have an impact on next year's team, replacing the other Yarmak, Bobby. I don't expect greatness, but they'll be better.