College Hoops Back In Southfield!

College basketball has returned to the city of Southfield.

     For the first time in approximately fifty years, college basketball has returned to the city of Southfield courtesy of Lawrence Technological University.  The Lawrence Tech Blue Devils play in Division II of the NAIA, (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) and have been placed in the competitive WHAC (Wolverine Hoosier Athletic Conference) where they have struggled this season.  With an overall record of 2-25, (1-18 in the WHAC) the Blue Devils can refer to this season as a rebuilding year, with nine of their twelve players contributing as freshman.  Transfer students Anthony Sisson (Mott Community College), Brandon Keur (Muskegon Community College), and Jordan Deane (Indiana Tech) provide experience for this young team, while freshman guard Jake Mullin has proven himself to be a legitimate scoring threat for the Blue Devils.
     Before the start of the 2012/2013 season, the Lawrence Tech Blue Devils retired the numbers of two former players.  Norm Hankins, and Blaine Denning both thrived in the former era of Blue Devil basketball.  Denning played with the Harlem Globetrotters, and was drafted into the NBA by the Washington Wizards franchise.
     Last night the #22 ranked Madonna Crusaders visited Don Riddler Field House for a WHAC  showdown against the Lawrence Tech Blue Devils.  The game was very competitive, but in the end the Crusaders earned the 63-51 victory over the Blue Devils.  Lawrence Tech lead 32-30 at the half, and managed to keep the score close until the final few minutes of the game. The Crusaders improved their overall record to 19-8 on the season, and 14-5 in the WHAC.










For more info about the LTU athletic program click on  www.ltuathletics.com 



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Answering Your Questions!

Tony Pertile won the 1st Annual "Mitten State Sports Report Home Run Derby".



     I decided to take this opportunity to answer some of your most commonly asked questions about the Mitten State Sports Report.  The power of social media enables us to interact with one another.  Your emails, and comments have lit up the inbox at  mittenstatesportsreport@rocketmail.com
Here are the answers to your questions!








Q. How many people operate the Mitten States Sports Report?



A. I (Tony Pertile) do all of the writing, photography, editing, posting, and web design.  Friends, and family do contribute by attending games with me.   






Q. Who won the '1st Annual Mitten States Sports Home Run Derby'?


A. Tony Pertile claimed victory at the 1st Annual "Mitten States Sports Report Home Run Derby"at Manning Park in Redford.   The 98 degree temperature, along with 30 mile per hour wind gusts had a huge impact on keeping balls inside the park.  With only ten outs per contestant, it seemed as if nobody was going to hit one out.  Then with only two outs remaining, Pertile hit a moon shot to left field to secure victory.  Thanks to everyone who attended and we'll see you again next year!  Check out more photos from the derby!

Pertile hit a moon shot to left field to secure victory!

Thanks to everyone that attended and we'll see you again this year!

Q. Will there be more events to come?


A.  Yes.  I have several ideas for 2013.  Stay tuned to Mitten State Sports Report for the latest information regarding these events.






Q. Will there be an update to the 'Veterans Memorial Park Makeover' post? 


A. Yes.  As soon as the weather breaks I will be heading back out to Ann Arbor to check on the progress of the Veterans Memorial Park makeover.  This story is very important to several league baseball, and softball players that call this park their home. In a similar story, I will also be updating the progress of another renovation at nearby West Park.  This park also serves as a home for several baseball, and softball leagues throughout our area.

Stay tuned to the Mitten State Sports Report for the latest information about sports and entertainment!

   






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The Hills Of --------- Street

These hills are tailored for big jumps!

     On a recent trip up north, I discovered an off road coarse perfectly tailored for dirt bikes, snowmobiles, ATV's, golf carts, or any other vehicle that may find it's way traveling through the trails of northern Michigan.  Although I do not wish to reveal the exact location of this track, it is near, and around the Skidway Lake area.  I was out on what seemed to be a normal ATV run, when I came across a "Road Ends Sign" at the end of a street that I was traveling down.  I glanced behind the sign, and noticed what appeared to be a trail through the woods. I went down the trail, and I came across a large open area that was big enough to hold several football fields.  Just beyond the field stood a series of roller coaster like hills designed for air filled jumps.  I had a great time exploring these hills, and visited the site several times during my stay up north.  The combination of snow, and mud made it feel like I was competing in the X Games.  I was surprised to find out how many people were aware of this place, and was overwhelmed by the number of stories told involving the hills of  --------  Street.
     Leave a comment, or email the Mitten State Sports Report at mittenstatesportsreport@rocketmail.com Click on past months to check out all of the Mitten State Sports Report's archived material.

There appeared to be a trail behind the sign!

            

After weaving through the wooded trail, I came across a large open area!

Just beyond the field stood a series of hills designed for air filled jumps!



The combination of snow, and mud provided an 'X Games like experience!



The roller coaster like hills were fun to explore!!

School Bus Racing Photo Album

Sparks flew at the "Grillers Select BBQ Sauce School Bus Figure 8".  It took place on September 15th, 2012. 

The School Bus Race is a fan favorite at Flat Rock Speedway.  Even the smoke didn't phase the bus drivers!

The Figure 8 School Bus Race looked more like a demolition derby!

Accidents were hard to avoid!

Safety crews were quick to respond when needed!

On the hill at Flat Rock Speedway!

It appeared that no bus driver was safe from the mayhem!


For more information about Flat Rock Speedway click on  flatrockspeedway.com



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Best Of 2012

     I decided to post a "Best Of 2012" list before we get to far into the new year. "Opening Night At Flat Rock Speedway" received the most views, and "Hockeytown May Turn Predators Into Prey" finished in the number two slot.  The third most viewed post of 2012 was "Pro Wrestling In Allen Park".  Click on past months to check out all of the Mitten State Sports Report's archived material.










                                                                      Best of 2012












1.  "Opening Night At Flat Rock Speedway"  posted 5/8/2012

2. "Hockeytown May Turn Predators Into Prey"  posted 4/14/2012

      






















3. "Pro Wrestling In Allen Park"  posted 4/17/2012

          



                  
                                                                                                                               













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MacDonald vs Boucher Photo Album

   

Boucher drops the gloves!

MacDonald and Boucher exchange punches!

MacDonald lands on top of Boucher!

The referees attempted to break up the fight!

The official escorted Boucher to the penalty box!

For more information about the Plymouth Whalers click on  plymouthwhalers.com



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Whalers Look to Keep Division Lead

#9 Zach Lorentz was aquired from Windsor for Alex Aleardi! 

     The Plymouth Whalers look to stay on top of the West Division as they prepare to host the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds on Friday (tonight at 7:05 p.m.), followed by a visit from the Peterborough Petes on Saturday (tomorrow at 7:05 p.m.).  The Sault. Ste. Marie Greyhounds feature Detroit Red Wings prospect Ryan Sproul, along with the current OHL player of the month Nick Cousins.  The Whalers currently have 59 points through 48 games, and were able to gain sole possession of the division lead last Saturday with a 6-2 victory over the Sarnia Sting.  The Sting entered Compuware Arena tied with Plymouth (57 points each) for first place in the tightly bunched West Division.  There was a scrum between the Whalers own Colin MacDonald, and the Sarnia Sting's Reid Boucher, and the Mitten State Sports Report was up close to capture every tooth rattling blow.  Although Boucher leads the OHL in goals, he was no match in his battle with MacDonald.
     Whalers President, General Manager, and Head Coach Mike Velucci made several moves before the trading deadline in hopes of improving the roster.  One unpopular decision amongst Whalers fans was a move involving Farmington Hills native, and hometown favorite Alex Aleardi.  Aleardi was sent to Windsor in a trade for left winger Zach Lorenz (pictured above).  The rules in the OHL allow teams to keep only three overage players after the trading deadline.  The Whalers decided to keep Colin MacDonald, Austin Levi, and Garrett Meurs who have all been drafted by NHL teams (Levi- Carolina, Heard and Meurs - Colorado). Velucci made a more popular trade amongst Whalers fans the day of the OHL trading deadline, when he maneuvered a blockbuster deal with the Saginaw Spirit.  Former Spirit Captain Vincent Trocheck was aquired from Saginaw in exchange for center Zach Bratina, and three future draft choices.  Trocheck is a bonified star in the OHL, a Florida Panthers draft pick, and was a key contributor in the USA's gold medal win in The (under 20) 2013 World Junior Championships in Ufa, Russia.  The Whalers also aquired Sebastian Uvira, and a future draft pick from the Oshawa Generals, in exchange for defenseman Simon Karlsson.  Anaheim draft pick, and Whalers Center Rickard Rakell made the Mighty Ducks squad right out of training camp, and will enjoy some much earned time in the show.  It is unclear whether or not he will return to play with the Whalers again. 

 Vincent Trocheck's first game with the Whalers! 

 




   

For more information about the Plymouth Whalers click on  plymouthwhalers.com



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Midget Wrestling Photo Album

"Skinny Timmy" prepared to finish off  "Baby Jesus".

Even a bowling ball was used!

The Extreme Midget Wrestling Federation features all sorts of characters! 

             



For more information about the Gibraltar Trade Center click on  www.gibraltartrade.com



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Extreme Midget Wrestling In Taylor

A smaller size ring was used for the performers!

     On January 19th, I attended "Extreme Midget Wrestling" at Gibraltar Trade Center, and it was the first time I had ever experienced anything quite like it.  There were some good aspects, and some bad, but overall I'm glad I was there to witness all of the midget mayhem.  Characters such as "Baby Jesus", "Skinny Timmy", and "The Little Show" entertained the crowd of over 400 people.  Fans cheered as the wrestlers delivered pint sized punches mixed with a sprinkle of hard core wrestling. The quality of the wrestling was really good, and the wrestlers made themselves available to the fans for autographs, and photos.  Even with a bit of blood, and the occasional use of a weapon, (including a bowling ball) the event was definitely a family friendly show.  Everyone around me appeared to be entertained and having a great time, and I guess that's what it's all about.
     There were some disappointments involving the show, and I'd be a lesser writer if I didn't address  those issues as well.  For starters, all of the information regarding the event stated that the gates would open at 6:30 p.m., but the actual show didn't start until 8:30 p.m.  Then there weren't enough chairs to accompany the large audience, which meant about 200 people had to stand for the entire show.  The show ended by 10:30 p.m., and included a total of three matches, and one intermission.  It appeared to me that perhaps some of the wrestlers did not show up when the third and final match featured all of the wrestlers from the previous two matches.  When a wrestler would enter the ring, he would talk for an extended period of time before his opponent was introduced.  Although this is very common in the world of pro wrestling, more than twenty minutes would pass by, which left the crowd restless.  Another drawback was the constant action that took place outside of the ring.  Usually at a show this is a plus, however the size of the entertainers made it impossible to see the wrestling.  The ring side announcer also contributed to obstructing the view of the fans, and it seemed that he was sometimes in the way of the wrestlers as well. Finally, a better idea would have been to let the wrestlers wrestle in a standard size ring instead of the junior size ring that was provided. Taking everything into consideration, if you've never seen an Extreme Midget Wrestling show before, I would suggest checking it out just for the pure entertainment value.        
    
    

The crown packed in once the action started!

    








For more information about the Gibraltar Trade Center click on  www.gibraltartrade.com



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Back By Popular Demand

From the offices of the Mitten State Sports Report!

     The Mitten State Sports Report is back for 2013, and dare I say bigger, and better then ever.  The constant flow of emails, and comments, along with the public's demand for the revival of this website, contributed to the resurrection of this popular, and informative publication.  Technical difficulties may have temporarily stunted the growth of this website, but a new year brings along new stories, new opinions, and for me a new computer.  So welcome back to all of you former readers, and if you've just stumbled across this site for the first time while searching random stuff, welcome to you as well.
     In 2013, the Mitten State Sports Report is commited to posting on a regular basis while shattering our 2012 totals of posts, followers, events, and overall quality of this product.  I will be taking the time to answer your comments, and I have installed a new email address that is specifically designed for this website. mittenstatesportsreport@rocketmail.com  Feel free to leave a comment or email your concerns to the new address.
     It is refreshing to see that several of you and I share common interests in the world of sports and entertainment, and the Mitten State Sports Report will continue to cover these events that we both love.  Auto racing at Flat Rock Speedway, local college baseball, Plymouth Whalers hockey, local wrestling, and even my editorials were all highly viewed by readers all over the world.  Although I missed on the Red Wings vs. Predators series, I was right about the Tigers at a time when most of you were hitting the panic button.  I continue to attend sporting events, and witnessed an "Extreme Midget Wrestling" show about two weeks ago. So who knows what 2013 will bring because yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a gift, and that's why we call it the presence!          
    



         


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