Macomb County baseball set for banner season

Following the 2009 Spring Break baseball tourney at St. Clair Shores' Kyte Monroe Park, it looks like Macomb County could be home to some of the area's — if not the state's — top teams.

Warren De La Salle literally ran away with the tournament title, posting a 7-0 mark and outscoring opponents 78-7.

With a veteran lineup led by championship-caliber athletes like Jimmy and John Martinez, the Pilots could be poised to be the seventh straight team from the Catholic League Central Division to make a trip to the Michigan High School Athletic Association state finals.

The Pilots welcome in Cameron Walker (pitcher/shortstop) to a group that has the Martinez twins, senior catcher John DiLaura and senior pitchers Mike Schypinski and Alex Pierse.

Among the public schools at the Spring Break tournament were some surprises.

A young Utica Stevenson team advanced to the tournament final and — despite its 13-0 loss in the finals — should make what was an already daunting MAC Red, which welcomes in Grosse Pointe North and Grosse Pointe South this year, even tougher.

The Titans host Grosse Pointe South at 3 p.m. April 27 and travel to Grosse Pointe North at 4 p.m. May 4.

Utica High led the MAC White at the Spring Break tournament, posting a 3-1 pool-play record, and advanced to the quarterfinal round.

The Chieftains face off against MAC White newcomer St. Clair Shores Lake Shore — also 3-1 at the Spring Break tournament — at 4 p.m. April 29 at Kyte Monroe.

Fraser High carreid the banner for MAC Blue teams at Kyte Monroe, advancing to the quarterfinal round.

The Ramblers finished 3-1 in pool play with their only loss coming against Stevenson. The Ramblers face a pivotal early league game agint Harrison Township L'Anse Creuse, which started its seoasn 9-1, at 4 p.m. April 27 at home.

Warren Cousno was the surprise team of the tournament out of the MAC Gold. The Patriots were a perfect 4-0 in pool play and advanced to the tournament semifinals with a 5-4 win against Utica in its quarterfinal.

In consecutive league games, Cousino faced defending Gold champion Madison Heights Lamphere and 2008 Division 2 regional champion Warren Woods Tower. The Pats will take on Marine City High at 4:30 p.m. April 29 at home.

Good luck forecasting a winner of the MAC Silver. The league welcomes in five new teams and the only holdover — defending champion Madison Heights Madison — graduated seven seniors and four of its five 2008 All-Conference honorees.

St. Clair Shores Lakeview was impressive in its 5-4 comeback win against Pontiac Notre Dame Prep during the Spring Break tourney. The Huskies host Madison at 4:30 p.m. April 27.

The shiny new MAC Bronze basbeall league welcomes in six clubs that were in the MAC Silver a year ago. Warren Fitzgerald was the lone member of the Bronze at the Spring Break tourney and took home a 5-3 win against Warren Mott of the MAC White.

Fitzgerald faces 2008 Division 2 district champion Clinton Township Clintondale at 4:30 p.m. April 27 at Clintondale.

Of course, it is 'April in the D,' so your best bet is to double check with host schools to make sure weather has not canceled any of the above games.

Can't wait to be scared

If there’s one thing I’ve found unique covering Macomb County boys basketball compared to any of my other beats, it’s that I find myself highly anticipating the next season starting as soon as the current one ends.

I’ll scour the postseason honor squads to see how many non-seniors were selected and should be returning.

Which team will return loaded with stars? Will the promising young talent blossom or wither? Who will rise to the top — will it be a traditional power or an unknown, emerging from an offseason of hard work and maybe a little luck?

While I could go on and on with questions, I feel safe to make a few statements.

Warren De La Salle, fresh off another impressive postseason run, will be in trouble when it comes to keeping up its district title streak. The Pilots pulled off number 11 in a row this past season, but two young teams that traditionally play in their district displayed flashes of brilliance at times this season and should be two of the region’s top squads come next year.

Roseville High will feature three of the area’s top players in its starting lineup in Traye Williams, Brandon Gouch and Dominique Pointer. Williams will be a junior, while forwards Gouch and Pointer will enter their senior year.

Warren Mott was loaded with young talent as well — headlined by twin towers C.J. Olaniyan and Joey Asbury. The junior pair led the Marauders to the program’s most prosperous season in a long time.

“We return eight of our top 10,” Mott coach Derek LeFevre said following the Marauders’ district semifinal loss to De La Salle.

The coach called the loss — a game in which Mott led by one point at halftime before eventually falling by 20 to the senior-laden Pilots team — a “learning experience.”

“That’s what we’ve got to take away from tonight. That’s going to be us next year,” LeFevre said.
“Next year, we’re going to be scary good.”

I can't wait.