VARSITY WRESTLERS: Front row, left to right, Managers Jessica Wolham and Kelsey Karr; Taylor Smith, Dakota Kelley, Meiko McDaniel, Grant Benschoter, Zeb Hilyard, Kevin Vanderpool, Manager Megan Baker. Second row, James Williams, Juan Alba, Eric Walt, Caleb Ely, Kyle Benschoter, Johnnie Monahan, Coach Chad Baker. Third Row, Coach Scott Merillatt, Gabe Elliott, Keith Walworth, Kyle Walworth, Matt Smith, Joe Beaubien, Kyle Hillard, Coach Butts.

Wrestlers to state

The Tiger wrestlers won the division 4 regional team championship at home last Wednesday over chief rival Addison. The win will send the Tigers to the state team meet tomorrow (Friday) for a shot at a possible team state championship.

All the focus will be on beating number one ranked Hesperia tomorrow (Friday) afternoon at Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek for a 1:00 first whistle. The Tigers are ranked number two in the state in division 4 and Hesperia is number one. Addison was ranked third. If the Tigers beat Hesperia, nicknamed the Panthers wearing Green and White, they could end up meeting either Bronson or Rogers City in the semis.

Then it could be Manchester or Springport in the finals. The semis are Saturday morning at 9:30 and the finals would be Saturday at 4:00.

The cheerleaders will go for the regional crown on Saturday at Michigan Center at 10:00.

Hudson Wrestling Middle School Regional Team Champions: Front Row Bottom ( left side) Josh Cox, Luke Sparpion, Brian Parkhaust, Dustin Mattison, Cole Weaver, J.D. Waters; Back row (from left side) Coach Dan Scholl, Aron Bacholer, James Herron, Cody Cleveland, Jake Morgan, Burke Hart, Joel Varney, Devan Marry, Ahron Gunn, Coach John Mattison and Tucker Scholl, team manager.

Middle School wrestlers to go for state title

The Hudson Middle School wrestling team will also be competing for a state championship this weekend in Battle Creek. The middle school kids in conjunction with the Hudson Wrestling Club won their regional tournament last Saturday at New Lothrop and have earned the right to compete on Sunday at Battle Creek for the middle school aged division state title. The state championship is part of the MYWA organization also known as the Michigan Youth Wrestling Association. The event will be at the same site as the high school state tournament, which is Kellogg Arena. Hudson will be competing against other regional winners for the middle school division state championship. This event is in connection with the MHSAA tournament but is held the day after.

Hudson will be led by kids such as Devan Marry, Joe Varney, James Herron and Cole Weaver who all were 4-0 last Saturday with all the wins by pins. Burke Hart was also undefeated on the day. The team is coached by Dan Sholl and John Mattison. The Sunday tournament begins at 10:00. "We are planning on winning two state titles this weekend," said wrestling club spokesman Rodney Weaver. "We want to see the varsity win the division 4 title on Saturday and then the middle school kids will go for their championship on Sunday. Well, that is the plan anyway."

Good Luck to both the high schoolers and the middle schoolers. And after this weekend we might be calling Hudson a "wrestling town, instead of just a football town."

Wrestlers head to state meet

By Bill Mullaly

The Hudson Tigers had another great week on the athletic courts and mats. The Tiger wrestlers won the division 4 regional team championship at home last Wednesday over chief rival Addison. The win will send the Tigers to the state team meet tomorrow (Friday) for a shot at a possible team state championship. Then at the individual regional the Tigers had three champions as Dakota Kelley, Zeb Hilyard and Derrik Marry all won titles. The girl's basketball team saw its very successful season come to an end as they fell the same night the wrestlers were beating Addison as at the same time they lost to Addison 64-56. The boys hoop team continues to get nothing but better as they edged rival Lenawee Christian last Saturday at home winning 53-51. The cheerleaders won again as they took first place in the latest LCAA competition, in which they continue to dominate. Here is a look at another week of Hudson Tiger sports highlights.

Wrestlers just keep winning

Hudson beat Addison 40-21 to earn a trip back to Battle Creek for the first time since 2003. Hudson whipped Union City in the regional semifinal match 63-6. "We beat a very good team and they are the defending state champions," said Tiger coach Scott "Scooter" Marry about Addison. "We took a real big step by beating Addison. There was no way we were overlooking a program as successful as they have been. I'm thrilled for our kids but now we need to look ahead to the quarterfinals on Friday at Battle Creek."

Addison led early 3-0 and then Hudson won seven straight matches to go ahead 33-3 and this one was all but over. Winning for the Tigers were Kyle Hillard at 171 with a pin in 2:38. At 189 Gabe Elliott had a fall in 5:17 and then Joey Beaubien won at 215 by a 20-7 score. Freshman Matt Smith won 7-1 at heavyweight and Hudson led 19-3. Kelley won at 103 by a 7-3 decision, while at 112 Hilyard won with a fall in 3:21 and at 119 Kevin Vanderpool won with a large 17-2 decision for a lead of 33-3. Marry won 9-0 at 135 and the final Tiger winner was Keith Walworth at 145 with a 4-1 win for the team's 40 points. Addison had eliminated Hudson the past four years in the district or regional round and the last three years the Panthers went on to win the division 4 state championship. Could this be Hudson's year? Most observers think perhaps it could. In the win over Union City the Tigers lost just two decisions and won the other 12 matches to advance to the final.

At the individual regional at Manchester last Saturday it was Hudson leading the way with nine state qualifiers led by the three champions. Kelley (103) won his final match 6-4. Hilyard (112) won by a 3-2 score and Marry (130) had a pin over rival Nate Elston of Addison in the first period. Getting second for the Tigers were Taylor Smith (125), Hillard (171) and Elliott (189). Getting fourth and moving on were Vanderpool (119), Eric Wolf (135) and Beaubien (285).

For now all the focus will be on beating number one ranked Hesperia tomorrow (Friday) afternoon at Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek for a 1:00 first whistle. The Tigers are ranked number two in the state in division 4 and Hesperia is number one. Addison was ranked third. If the Tigers beat Hesperia, nicknamed the Panthers wearing Green and White, they could end of meeting either Bronson or Rogers City in the semis.

Then it could be Manchester or Springport in the finals. The semis are Saturday morning at 9:30 and the finals would be Saturday at 4:00. Go get-em Tigers and bring home the gold!

Girls fall in district semis

Hudson beat Addison earlier this year but the second meeting saw Hudson fall by eight points. Addison led 18-15 after one quarter and it was Addison on top 30-29 at halftime. The Panthers led 45-42 going into the last period. Aubrey Laughlin led the way for Hudson with 24 points to tie Panther Dana Cook for top honors as she had 24. The key to the Addison win was the play of the daughter of former Claytonite Gary Dowling. His daughter, Katie, had a great game hitting four 3-pointers and scoring a season-high 19 points in the Addison win. Mykahla Frayer was the only other Tiger in double figures as she had 11 points and four assists. Kellee Wonders scored eight and had nine rebounds. Rachel Pawson scored six and had four steals and four assists. Sheila Komarynski had just three points but hauled down 13 rebounds. Ashley Boies added four points for Hudson. "It was a back and forth game but I was disappointed in our defense," said Tiger coach Tom Romanowski, who saw his team win its first district game in ten years two nights earlier in beating Jonesville. "We didn't play real deep or go to our bench as we used just six players and that made a difference." The Tigers ended the year at 16-5 but the key thing was they won the LCAA crown for the second consecutive year. Addison ended up falling 57-44 to Napoleon in the finals.

Boys stun Cougars

The Tigers are playing their best ball late in the season as they stunned the favored Cougars at home in Hudson winning by two points. "This is a big win for our psyche," said Tiger coach Wayne Perry. "We had been losing close game earlier this year but now we are finding ways to win. I'm proud of the team and we did a good job of battling and fighting to the end and it was nice to come away with the victory." Hudson is now 5-15 but on a two-game winning string after beating Morenci the Saturday before.

In the win over the Cougars it was Hudson on top 17-12 after the first quarter and they still led 29-24 at halftime. The teams both scored 13 points each in period three and Hudson was up 42-37 heading into the last quarter. LCS then went ahead for a brief time as they led 45-43 with just under six minutes to play.

Tiger Brandon Hephner tied the game with a basket and then Hudson went ahead and stayed ahead. Hudson was up two with six seconds left but a missed free throw gave the Cougars one last chance as they raced up the floor for the tie or win on a three-pointer. Tiger Mitchell Webb came up with a big steal to seal the win. Blake Woodward was the Tiger player-of-the game as he had 11 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocked shots. Josh Shepard had nine points making four of four shots from the floor. Hephner had six points and five boards. Taylor Milligan added seven points. Luke Milligan and Nate Burlew both added six points each.

Hudson was to play last night (Wednesday) at Jonesville in the district semifinal against the winner Monday of the Jonesville-Manchester game. The game on Wednesday was set for 6:00. If Hudson wins that game they will play in the district final at 7:00 on Friday night. Go Get them Tigers!

Cheerleaders win again
Hudson's outstanding cheerleading team was a winner again last Thursday at home as the won the LCAA league meet. Hudson scored 752 points to easily whip Onsted with 683. The Tigers will go for the regional crown on Saturday at Michigan Center at 10:00. The Cardinals will be tough to beat on their home mats but the Lady Tigers are the favorites. The top two teams advance to the state meet the next Saturday at the Delta Plex in Grand Rapids. Good Luck girls!

Machine pitching league

Parents of Pittsford area boys and girls ages 6-8 are invited to sign up for a machine pitch baseball team. The deadline for registering is March 1.

Practices begin in late March, with games scheduled from approximately late April to mid June. There is also a possibility of summer tournaments. Players whose 9th birthday is before May 1, 2008, are eligible to play.

Cost per child is $40, and is payable at the time of registration. Parents are expected to furnish their children with glove and cleats. The league provides a safe learning environment, with an emphasis put on fundamentals, including hitting, fielding, throwing, baserunning and sportsmanship.

For more information or to register, call Mike at 610-3870 or Doug at 523-4068.

                               Tiger Tales by Bill Mullaly

Well, Tiger winter sports fans it is that time of the season. The big games and meets are coming up and some of them have already been played. It has been a very special winter of athletic success at the school located on Maple Grove Avenue. Previously, known for its stellar academic programs the school is now being noticed for its accomplishments in the athletic arena. It's nice to know that great academics and superb athletics do mix. One of the reasons I feel the winter sports teams are doing so well is the tough competition they face during the regular season. Our new athletic director, Jeremy Beal, believes in playing the toughest competition around to get the teams ready for the post-season and his philosophy is working out real well. Let's take a few moments to look at what has transpired over the past few months and hopefully what will take place in the days ahead.

• First, I know the girl's basketball team lost in the district semifinals and a lot of people were disappointed but they had an outstanding season. Every team they lost to was very good and they had a terrific season going 16-5. Two losses were to Grand Rapids schools that were good teams. Hanover-Horton and Addison were both solid clubs and both lost to Napoleon the team that won the district. The other loss was to Ida and they are always real strong. Thus, five defeats but all to quality teams and programs. It was a great year with a second straight LCAA crown. Next, year with many girls returning the team will be superb again. Yes, I think they can set their sights even higher next winter and hopefully they can win the league again and add a district crown to the honors.

What I would like to see next year is a 20-0 regular season and it is possible. I know coach Romo will have these girls ready to win and not just the league but even more next year. Aubrey Laughlin has my vote for county player-of-the-year and it's a no-brainer that she will win this award again. She leads the area in scoring and is near the top in rebounds and other key categories. It will be a first for Hudson girl's sports if she is named the county's top player for the second year in a row. Let's hope that happens and I'm sure it will and if it doesn't then there may need to be an investigation done at the Daily Telegram to find out why.

• The boy's basketball team is playing its best ball late in the season. Wayne Perry has this program turned around and headed in the right direction and they need to beat Manchester on Wednesday (last) night to get to the final game. Look for Hudson to beat the Dutch and play Hillsdale in the final on Friday night.

If Hudson gets to the final game consider that a huge step in the right direction. Most all of the key players will return next year with the Milligan twins, oops I mean cousins, back along with Schoony and Woody. It should be a very successful senior season for those guys next year but the key is that they didn't throw the towel in on this season and they battled hard. The team had issues but those have been resolved and those that stayed have bought into Perry's philosophy and things look bright for the future. Hudson needs to be successful on the hardwood again and they need to be respected. I think this winter they have regained the respect they need but a few big wins next year will really help turn the corner. Heck, I can still recall the good old days when the real Milligan twins were playing and winning games. Now, I hope their boys and teammates can make Hudson a winner next year. Now, by being a winner I mean getting above .500 and that won't be easy but that should be the goal for next winter just as the goal for the football team had better be 9-0 in 08.

Don't get me going on football but when you read this it will be six months and one day until the home opener at Thompson Field against Homer on August 29th. Back to hoops so let's beat the Dutch and scare the Hornets and get ready for a winning season in 08-09.

• The wrestlers are going to win it all I just have that feeling. Coach Scooter has been building for this moment for years. They have to get by Hesperia first and that can be done. I think it can anyways. Hesperia is loaded with talent but so is Hudson. If you never see another wrestling match in your life don't miss this one. It is going to be a classic for the ages.

The Panthers of Hesperia are ranked number one and Hudson is second in division 4 but these teams could compete and beat most division 1, 2 or 3 teams. Both teams have nine kids going to the individual finals next weekend. First, is the matter of settling who the team champion will be? Hesperia has six kids with 50 or more wins! Two are unbeaten at 52-0 and 53-0. Two others are 54-1 and they are brothers with the name of Zeerip and don't forget that name. In six of the weight classes will be wrestlers that are going to state meet as at 103, 112, 119, 125, 135 and 285 could be matches between kids headed to the state finals the next weekend. Of course, the coaches bump kids around and so on, which I don't understand but it's like a game of chess I guess. This match between #1 Hesperia (28-1) and #2 Hudson (28-4) is too close to call. My sources tell me Hudson is outstanding but that Hesperia is just too good. One local wrestling coach told me, "Hudson will beat Addison but getting by Hesperia, well that won't happen and that is no disrespect to Hudson as hardly anyone can beat Hesperia," said the coach. I don't know a thing about wrestling but I do know that Scooter Marry and his staff of assistants will find a way to get these boys motivated and they will win. They have to win as Hudson needs one of those bright green signs that proclaim our state championship success just like the green sign we have now noting the academic prowess of our high school. Good Luck boys and do find a way to punish the Panthers. Then after that I know you will summon up enough energy to win the two matches on Saturday. Please don't miss Friday's match at 1:00 at Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek. Prediction Hudson 24-Hesperia 24. Hudson wins on the fourth criteria and I don't even know what that is. Gee, I'm so excited about this match you would think Hudson was playing DePorres in football or Mendon or someone like that. Get it done boys and bring back the gold or like they said in ancient Greece, "come back with your shield, or on it."

• The cheerleaders are going to have to be at their best at Michigan Center to beat the host Cardinals on Saturday at 10:00. Look for veteran coach Kelly Bailey to get this young team of hers up to meet the challenge and beat MC. It won't be easy and it never is on the road and you know Center will have plenty of fans there as they don't have a wrestling team in the state finals and hopefully Hudson will as I figure the boys will win on Friday. Anyway, it will be yet another regional championship for the girls competitive cheer team. The top two teams go to the state meet the next week but Hudson wants to go as a champion however, MC has been gunning for this moment all season and Hudson will have to be at its very best to win. Knowing Bailey and her determination the girls will win and then they will prepare for the state meet. Sometimes when the expectations are so high like last year things don't always work out but could this be the year for the girls to win it all when everyone least expects it? We will find out next weekend but they have to take care of business this Saturday first. Good Luck Lady Tigers!

• Just so you know we also have a boys and girls bowling team. The boys were eighth and the girls fifth at the regional last weekend. Qualifying for the individual state meet was Troy Murphy for the boys and Alicia Butler for the girls. They will compete at Airport Lanes in Jackson on Saturday. Good Luck to them as well. I'm sure you will have heard how all these teams and individuals did but if not check the Post-Gazette next week for all the results and hopefully some happy ones!

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