Good will and hot soup

In Michigan’s tough economy, residents across the metro area have seen their share of ups and downs.

Despite many of us that are enduring hard times, there are some who are following the adage, “When your plate is full, get a bigger plate” and are giving back to those even less fortunate.

These amazing people are the local coaches and athletes that may seem like busy teenagers but are doing extraordinary things for families in need.

Take Madison Heights Lamphere student-athlete Tessa Maynard, who, while maintaining a 3.9 grade point average, is president of her class, captain of her volleyball team and manages to pack baskets for families in need every year before Christmas.

There’s also the Macomb Dakota girls basketball team, which for the past four years has volunteered at the Capuchin Soup Kitchen in Detroit, serving up generosity and hot soup to its patrons.

These are just two shining examples of teams that have giving back to those in need.

For more on teams that are spreading holiday cheer this Christmas season, check the Dec. 24 edition of your local C & G Newspaper.

While the holiday season looks bleak for those just trying to make ends meet, there are ways to stretch your generosity, even if you can’t stretch your wallet.

Those who are interested in giving back can still donate to good causes, even if you’re budget is tight. Here are a couple of more ways, besides the 20 or so listed in our papers, to give back:

• Gleaners Community Food Bank: donors can provide canned and/or nonperishable food items to a local drop-off center.

• Vietnam Veterans of America: Donors can set out clothing of all types & sizes (men’s, ladies, children’s, baby’s) in boxes or bags and the driver will look for donations from the street. Please put it out, mark it for Vietnam Veterans of America or VVA, where it is clearly visible. Contact (800) 775-VETS (8387) so VVA is aware of donation.

Happy holidays hoops fans

The official start of winter is still a few days off, but outside the window here at the office it’s snowing something fierce (at least it was when I started this), and inside gyms across Macomb County boys basketball teams are battling for respect.

So forget what the calendar says, it’s winter.

And in boys hoops in the Macomb Area Conference, the winter season is one of
uncertainty.

Like I wrote in my boys hoops preview appearing in various editions of our papers recently, there aren’t many sure things in the MAC this season.

The graduation of so many talented seniors and the realignments of the divisions have left things wide open — which should make for an exciting few months of crossover competition and intra-division clashes.

Sure, few teams have been tabbed favorites in certain divisions, and there are several talented players throughout the MAC, not to mention some promising young ones.

But the overall sense of uncertainty is something fairly new to the conference, at least in recent years, as the talent across the board seems to strengthen more consistently.

When asking MAC coaches for their thoughts on the top local teams, one squad was mentioned again and again — Utica Eisenhower.

The Eagles, big and talented, have been tabbed as favorites to take the MAC Red — lofty expectations for any squad.

And after catching Ike in action in its Dec. 9 season opener against Warren De La Salle, I’m convinced the Eagles could be the real deal.

I say "convinced" because although Ike lost, it was largely due to mental mistakes and errors that can easily be fixed. But how quickly and effectively the Eagles correct their shortcomings will play a major role in whether they can win out in the always-tough MAC Red.

As for De La Salle, the Pilots also looked a little rusty, but coach Greg Esler and his experienced squad are going to be a tough matchup for any team in the county come playoff time. If and when things start clicking on all cylinders, the Pilots could be headed back to the Breslin Center for the Division 1 final four.

But back to the MAC, here’s a few other teams that, after some dormant and doormat years, could also be in the mix for a division crown before the snow melts: St. Clair Shores Lake Shore and Madison Heights Lamphere (MAC Silver); Warren Mott and Sterling Heights High (MAC Gold); Fraser High and Eastpointe East Detroit (MAC Blue); and Grosse Pointe North (MAC White). Utica Ford II could be considered a dark horse in the MAC Red, but the Falcons aren’t unfamiliar to recent success — having shared the MAC White title the past two seasons.

As for the favorites, watch out for: Romeo High (MAC Red), Roseville High (MAC White), Warren Fitzgerald (MAC Blue), Warren Lincoln (MAC Gold), Center Line High and Clinton Township Clintondale (MAC Silver).

Lastly, here’s a few upcoming games that should hold over hoops fans as the winter break approaches (most varsity contests begin at 7 p.m., but contact your local school for game times): Center Line at Lincoln, Fraser at Clintondale, Harrison Township L’Anse Creuse at Fitzgerald, Lake Shore at Sterling Heights — all on Dec. 18; and the big one — Eisenhower at Roseville, Dec. 19.