By John Raffel
MaxPreps.com
Portland St. Patrick has been a dominant power in previous seasons in Michigan's Class D girls basketball ranks.
The Shamrocks have been in nine of the last 13 Class D state title games, finishing as runner-up in 2003, 2004 and 2006. They've also won six state titles in that time span, although they haven't gotten one since 2000.
Coach Al Schrauben's team is off to a 6-0 start and might be headed for another state title game in March. St. Patrick was 26-1 last season, suffering its only loss to Frankfort in the state title game which was a defensive struggle, 26-21.
"We have two starting players back," Schrauben said. "We have other kids from off the bench who are playing well for us. We're just hoping to stay healthy."
Key players for St. Patrick include Katrina Schrauben, Sam Hengesbach, Steph Pung and Gabbie Simon. This marks Schrauben's 23rd season with the St. Patrick team.
"We were able to get by a strong Pewamo-Westphalia team early in the season," Schrauben said. "We have some good challenges coming up."
Boys Basketball
East Kentwood, a Grand Rapids area school, is off to a 5-1 start and has emerged as a top contender in the O-K Red Conference, considered the best Class A league in west Michigan and perhaps the entire state.
A.J. McEwen and Deonte Hurst have been among the top scorers for the Falcons, whose victims early in the season have included Class B power Belding.
"Their quickness and all-out hustle hurt us," Belding coach Brian Babbitt said.
"A big point of the way we play defense is trying to speed it up," East Kentwood coach Jeff Anama said. "We cause the tempo to be quicker. We're basically 6-feet and under so we have to execute our pressure."
Hockey
Riverview, located in the Detroit area, could emerge as a state hockey contender in Division 2 thanks to the addition of a player from a championship team.
Max Pace, a senior defenseman, is a big addition after helping Cranbrook win a state title a year ago.
Pace's puck-handling abilities have especially been impressive.
"He should get better," Pattenaude said. "He's the quarterback on our power play. He's really helped us to get better. He's a good leader. I can't say enough about him."
Pace, as a captain, has also bolstered the Riverview team with his leadership.
"He gets his point across," Pattenaude said. "He's an offensive defenseman. He's had several power-play goals. He also leads the team in plus-minus with a plus 8."
Pattenaude's team was 15-9-2 last year and has gotten off to a 6-0 sart.
"We have more depth this year," Pattenaude said. "We're staying out of the penalty box. I have some really strong forwards."
Wrestling
Mason, located in the Lansing area, was 23-8 last year and lost in the Division 2 wrestling regional finals to Eaton Rapids.
But Mason hopes to return to the state championship status it earned in 2003, 2005 and 2006.
"We've won both of the tournaments we've been in so far this year," said Mason coach Brian Martel. "This is going to be another good team. But Eaton Rapids has some good wrestlers, as well."
Top wrestlers so far for Mason are Garrett Rozeboom, who is 13-0 at 140 pounds, Jacob Burge, who is 13-0 at 171 pounds and Jay Helbig, who is 14-0 at 189. Burge and Rozeboom are returning state champions.