Arcadia Publishing has offered me a jpeg version of the front cover to preview for Metro Detroit's High School Basketball Rivalries, which is due August of 2009.
Tom Markowski, the longtime and well-respected preps writer at The Detroit News, wrote a compelling and thoughtful foreword for this title. Archives and librarians from The News, The Oakland Press and the Michigan High School Athletic Association all generously donated art for this title and their considerable contributions to the outstanding prep sports culture is represented here, too.
I'm thrilled with this art, esthetically speaking, and what basketball fan wouldn't say the same? Another small detail I'm proud of? You might notice the referee in the cover shot -- officiating is something I'll advocate for the rest of my life -- and I'm proud to have put our small contribution to the game of basketball in the forefront, albeit with a subtle nudge.
The inset picture is River Rouge senior Willie Betts (33) jumping versus Lakeview High School in the 1964 Class B title tilt at Michigan State University's Jenison Field House. Betts is the only player in state history to have started four consecutive MHSAA championship games, and he's the only player in state history to have won all four, too. Yes, this is a feat that eluded notables like Jalen Rose, Chris Webber, Shane Battier, Dave DeBusschere and Spencer Haywood, among others. On this day in '64, 'The Rouge' defeated Lakeview's Wildcats 86-67.
The Panthers were coached by the legendary Lofton Greene, who won five consecutive titles from 1961-65 and went to six-straight title games, losing the '66 title game to Grand Rapids East Christian. Greene's Rouge teams played 'LoftonBall', a moniker applied to the Panthers' pressing, frenetic defensive style and fastbreak attack methods learned in Rouge's 1949 Class B title game loss to Coach Floyd Eby and Coldwater High. The loss, ironically enough, was a precursor to 12 Rouge title victories in a 19-year period, one of the most impressive dynasties among all Great Lakes states.
The background image is from 1958, one of four panoramic shots staged annually and shot by the MHSAA at Jenison. The storied history of the boys' basketball tournament and annual Finals played in Jenison is one that might be missing the national cache afforded to Indiana (no doubt popularized by the movie Hoosiers) but Michigan's legacy is just as impressive as any story line to emerge from the Butler University's Hinkle Field House.
Consider the Rouge dynasty, the Detroit Pershing legacy, Lofton Greene's story and the classic 1958 title game, the Class A battle between Detroit Austin's Dave 'Big D' DeBusschere and Benton Harbor's Chet 'The Jet' Walker. You can read about Bob 'Sticks' Bolton, the evolution of 'Racehorse Basketball' and peruse the majority of Finals flashbacks. The list is seemingly as endless as the horizon over Lake Huron.
Anyway, as you can see, I'm excited about this title. The research and acquisition was a blast rather than a frantic plea, which made this book a memorable endeavor.
Remember -- August, 2009 -- Metro Detroit's High School Basketball Rivalries arrives!
Mike,
I'm completely recovered and yes, healthy (thankfully!). Working today in Ohio, as a matter of fact, so I'm happy to report I'm back in the saddle.
As far as the book goes, I think this title, because I had the needed time to track down photos, interview more and do more legwork (the football book was written in a back-breaking 40 days), is my best work yet. Now I just hope others will see it that way, right?
Hope all is well with you. Have a great softball season!
Posted by: T.C. Cameron | April 22, 2009 at 11:03
TC,
I'm looking forward to it.
Hope you are healthy.
Mike
Posted by: Mike | April 22, 2009 at 08:54