Keweenaw Report Your Source for Local News and Sports
High School
High school basketball teams will get to play two more games next season. The Michigan High School Athletic Association Representative Council recently approved the increase from 20 to 22 regular season contests for varsity, junior varsity and freshman teams. The move puts Michigan on the same page with many surrounding states. To accommodate the extra games, the preseason practice window has been shortened from three weeks to two.
The Council also expanded opportunities for disabled athletes. Starting this spring, state regional and final meets will include four events for wheelchair participants – 100, 200 and 400-meter races, and shot put. Next fall, a 100-yard freestyle paralympic heat will be added to the swimming finals, to go with the 50-yard freestyle heat that was introduced in 2020. Houghton High School student Maria Velat has been among those lobbying for more opportunities for athletes with disabilities.
College Softball
The Finlandia University softball team dropped both of its games at Olivet College yesterday, 16-0 and 8-7. The Lions collected just three hits in the opener. They rebounded with 13 hits in the nightcap, in a game in which the Comets scored the winning run on a wild pitch in the bottom of the sixth inning.
The Lions will play at Albion College today.
College Hockey
Two Michigan Tech hockey players are looking for new homes. Defensemen Tyrell Buckley and Eric Gotz have entered the NCAA transfer portal. Northern and Lake Superior State each have three players looking to move. Those are relatively low numbers – Saint Thomas has eight players hoping to transfer out.
NBA
The Detroit Pistons lost their third straight game last night, falling 130-123 to the Brooklyn Nets. Cade Cunningham led Detroit with 34 points.
The Pistons welcome the Philadelphia 76ers tomorrow. Coverage will begin at 6:35 on 99.3 The Lift.
NHL
The Detroit Red Wings host the New York Rangers tonight. Coverage will begin at 7:15 on 99.3 The Lift.
With both Thomas Greiss and Calvin Pickard injured, the Wings have brought goaltender Victor Brattstrom up from Grand Rapids to back up Alex Nedeljkovic in tonight’s contest. Greiss could be ready to return for Friday’s game against the Ottawa Senators.
MLB
The Detroit Tigers had yesterday off, and play the Philadelphia Phillies today. Tarik Skubal is scheduled to start.
The Milwaukee Brewers lost 10-3 to the Cleveland Guardians yesterday. Brandon Woodruff struggled, giving up six runs on seven hits before leaving in the fourth inning.
The Brewers play the San Diego Padres this afternoon. Freddy Peralta will start.
Milwaukee has signed former Tigers pitcher José Ureña to a minor league contract. Ureña had a 4-8 record with a 5.81 ERA for Detroit last season.
Yesterday, Brewers manager Craig Counsell confirmed that last year’s Cy Young Award winner, Corbin Burnes, will be Milwaukee’s Opening Day starter.
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