Photo by Patricia O’Blenes Clawson High and junior Joe Baker will look to make some noise in the MAC Silver as the division season kicks off.

• Utica Eisenhower boys hoops set to defend MAC Red title • Roseville High boys hoops ready to make MAC White noise • Madison Heights Madiosn boys hoops eyes three-peat in MAC Blue • Warren Mott boys hoops wants to take next step in MAC Gold

Close race expected for MAC Silver boys hoops crown

By Jon Malavolti
C & G Sports Writer

The MAC Silver has had co-champs the past two seasons, and more parity promises to keep things close in the division once again.

“It’s going to be a lot tougher than last year,” Madison Heights Lamphere coach Joe Jolet said.

Clinton Township Clintondale has won a share of the spoils the last two years, but the Dragons have to replace last year’s division MVP, James Bethea, if they want a chance at a three-peat.

St. Clair Shores Lake Shore may have a division MVP replacement candidate for Bethea in junior guard Johnny Johnson, who helped lead the Shorians to a share of the title with Clintondale. The Shorians started the season strong, with MAC crossover wins against Gold Division teams Lincoln and Sterling Heights.

Warren Woods Tower quietly snuck into third place in the crowded standings last year and has already made some big noise this season. At press time, the Titans were averaging a MAC best 74.3 points per game and had racked up solid wins over Fitzgerald, Fraser and Sterling Heights.

Clawson High also made some early noise with four straight wins, including one at Mott and one against division foe Marine City High, giving the Trojans a quick leg-up in the Silver standings. Senior guard Rob Feeman and junior forward Joe Baker could also contend for division MVP honors.

“It’s a tough division,” Clawson coach Billy Shellenbarger said. “We will not be able to take any game for granted.”

Lamphere senior guard Kelvin Toma could also wind up with some hardware if he can help lead the Rams on their continuing progression through the division ranks. After two straight seasons of finishing in last place of the MAC Silver in 2006 and 2007, Lamphere has steadily improved and ended up tied for fifth along with rival Clawson last season.

Center Line High, co-champs along with Clintondale in 2008 but seventh-place finishers last season, have already turned in solid wins over Fraser and rival Lincoln.

Finally, St. Clair Shores Lakeview will look to senior guard Matt Calleja — an All-Conference honoree last year along with Feeman and Toma — to help lead the Huskies into contention this season.

You can reach Sports Writer Jon Malavolti at jmalavolti@candgnews.com or at (586) 498-1040.