Basketball’s strong bond between Saginaw High School and Michigan State University will continue this week, after the Trojans defeated Cadillac High, 61-57, in Tuesday’s quarterfinals.
It’s not only because the state tourney semis will be at the Breslin Center at 5:30 p.m. Friday, with hopes for a championship contest at 6:45 p.m. on Saturday.
It’s also because Coach Julian Taylor’s Trojans and Coach Tom Izzo’s teams struggled through the mid-winter regular season before emerging in March Madness.
Trojans’ fans will recall losing a late February game by 30 points. Only the most faithful may have anticipated a reversal into five tourney triumphs in a row.
Friday’s foe, Ferndale High, has a similar story, with a 19-point loss to close the regular season. They beat Goodrich, 71-66, in Tuesday’s quarterfinals. Friday’s other Division 2 semi, 7:30 p.m. at Breslin, pits Grand Rapids South Christian versus Romulus Summit Academy.
Saginaw High’s state championships are on record for 1942, 1962, 1996, 2007, 2008, and 2012, which was Coach Taylor’s first season.
Meanwhile, MSU is back in action on Thursday night against Kansas State.
The Trojan-Spartan hoops partnership has featured Bob Chapman, who recently passed away, and of course Draymond Green, Nanette Gibson-Davis and Annette Babers.
Draymond achieved his prep/college legacy at Breslin, while his predecessors made their marks at the old Jenison Fieldhouse, going back to Ernie Thompson’s landmark 42 points and 27 rebounds in ’62.
History continues this weekend.
For a feature on Saginaw High’s Reggie Robinson, click here.
