SPORTS
5A/ JOURNAL • APRIL 5, 2023
Photo provided by Derek Polena-Katsaros
Motor City Rockers defenseman Josh Colten looks for the open man against the Binghamton Black Bears on March 25 at Big Boy Ice Arena.
‘EVERYBODY HATES US’ ROCKERS CLINCH PLAYOFF SPOT IN THRILLING INAUGURAL SEASON
L’ANSE CREUSE BOYS BASKETBALL HERE TO STAY AFTER DISTRICT TITLE BY JONATHAN SZCZEPANIAK jszczepaniak@candgnews.com
HARRISON TOWNSHIP — It was the purest form of celebration as cheers from the crowd, and raw emotion from players filled the gym as the final buzzer sang during the 2022 district finals matchup between Chippewa Valley and Harrison Township L’Anse Creuse. The only problem for L’Anse Creuse: There was no celebration awaiting them, as a 65-47 defeat left them thinking back on every play and potential miscue. But that didn’t stop them from manifesting their next move for the 2023 season. “The kids were disappointed and upset,” L’Anse Creuse coach George Woods said. “I had them sit on the bench and watch the Chippewa players get their district finals medals last year. Not to embarrass them, but I wanted them to put a chip on their shoulder and come back this year focused and ready to go at it again this year.” Almost a year to the date, L’Anse Creuse (19-6) and Chippewa Valley would meet under the same circumstances — for the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 1 district finals title. This time, L’Anse Creuse was ready to rewrite history, and they did just that in a 59-56 win over See BASKETBALL on page 14A
TOP: Harrison Township L’Anse Creuse earned their first district title since 2018 after tallying a 19-6 record in 2023. ABOVE: L’Anse Creuse senior Caron Williams lays it up against Port Huron at the “Court of Dreams” at Little Caesars Arena on Feb. 4. Photos provided by George Woods
BY JONATHAN SZCZEPANIAK jszczepaniak@candgnews.com
MOUNT CLEMENS — Everybody loves an underdog story, except maybe the teams that become a victim of circumstance in the league. The Motor City Rockers (28-16-6) have clinched a playoff spot in their inaugural season in the Federal Prospects Hockey League. While the Rockers aren’t surprised in the slightest to be earning the success they have this season, the rest of the league — including their interstate-94 rivals, the Port Huron Prowlers — have taken notice of the breakout team in the FPHL. It comes with the territory of being the new guys in town and already establishing a successful foundation, and the forward Scott Coash said the team embraces that mentality. “Everybody hates us,” Coash said. “Knowing we’re a brand new team, we’re doing so well, and we’re successful with what we have, they hate us. We’re definitely on everybody’s radar, that’s for sure.” Through all the obstacles of constant moving pieces with trades and call-ups, injuries and even a 3-9 stretch midway through the season, the Rockers are right where they always thought they could be. “It’s a spot I thought we could be in from the beginning of the season,” Rockers goaltender Trevor Babin said. “We had a little rough patch about halfway through with guys getting called up, injuries and guys moving in and out of the lineup, but I think at this point, we kind of expected it, and we’re holding ourselves to a standard that I think we can definitely hold ourselves accountable for.” Currently 7-3 in their last 10 games, the Rockers took their last three series against the top two teams in their division — the Carolina Thunderbirds and Columbus Sea Dragons — and the Binghamton Black Bears, who are in second place in their respective division. The Rockers have outscored opponents 41-29 during their 10-game stretch. Courtesy of Coash’s team-high 34 goals, the Rockers offense has been a force to be reckoned with this season. Supporting Coash’s offensive output are forward Declan Conway See ROCKERS on page 15A
