Utica Eisenhower boys hoops set to defend MAC Red title By Jon Malavolti Utica Eisenhower, last year’s division champion, and Romeo High, winners of the previous three MAC Red titles, were both 0-3 to start the season after some tough non-league play. Expect the Eagles and the Bulldogs (who finished in second last season) to find their form, as many coaches tabbed them the preseason favorites. Ike may have the best frontcourt tandem in the MAC, with senior center Corey Petros and senior forward Joe Wirth. Petros, last year’s Red Division MVP, has signed to play basketball at Oakland University next season (joining another former MAC Red MVP and Romeo star Blake Cushingberry). Wirth, meanwhile, will be off to Central Michigan to play football. Macomb Dakota, third-place finishers last season, will look to sharp-shooting junior guard Mark Morris and senior forward Evan Walker, an All-Conference selection last year. The high-scoring Cougars were averaging a little more than 67 points through their first three games, a division best by almost 10 points. Harrison Township L’Anse Creuse must replace graduated star guard Willie Cruz, who helped lead the Lancers to a fourth-place finish in the division last season. But perhaps more importantly, the Lancers will need to shore up their defense after giving up 70-plus points in two early season losses. After struggling to a fifth-place finish last season, Clinton Township Chippewa Valley and veteran forward Christian Fincher hope to return to the top this season. The Big Reds have finished third or higher in the Red eight out of the last 10 seasons, including a run of three straight titles from 2002-2004. Macomb L’Anse Creuse North ended up tied for fifth with Chippewa Valley in its first season in the MAC Red. The Crusaders, who have climbed through the ranks since winning the MAC Blue in 2004, expect their experience to pay off this time around in what LCN coach Jay Seletsky called the deepest of MAC divisions. “All (divisions) are competitive, but I think the biggest thing that we found out last year in the Red is there are no nights off,” Seletsky said. “The league is extremely physical and extremely competitive.” Utica Ford II, also new to the Red last year, got off to a strong start this season with three straight wins. But the Falcons then dropped a pair of games and will be focused on rediscovering their early momentum in division play. You can reach Sports Writer Jon Malavolti at jmalavolti@candgnews.com or at (586) 498-1040.
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