Lions GM Brad Holmes says 2023 was not a Cinderella Story – Tuesday Morning Sports Update

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NFL – Lions GM Brad Holmes: team has more than 1 chance to compete for Super Bowl title
Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes wrapped up his team’s season that ended in the NFC championship game and looked ahead to the future for the franchise, speaking for 11-plus minutes and delivering a message before taking a question.  “I don’t want anybody to think that this was a one shot, Cinderella, magical journey that just happened,” Holmes said Monday at his season-ending news conference. "No, it’s real. This is exactly what was supposed to happen.”  The Lions were preseason favorites to win the NFC North, and won a division title for the first time in three decades. Detroit won two playoff games in one postseason for the first time since 1957 before losing at San Francisco in the NFC title game.  The Lions, like all NFL teams, will look much different next season after making additions in free agency, via trades and the draft. There will also be players leaving for more money or others simply won’t have an option to come back.  Detroit, though, will have both offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn return after they were candidates to lead other teams in the league.  Holmes will have some choices to make soon, deciding whether to re-sign free agents Jonah Jackson and Graham Glasgow on the offensive line along with C.J. Gardner-Johnson in the secondary

NFL – Eagles will host NFL’s first regular-season game in Brazil on Friday, Sept. 6
The Philadelphia Eagles will be the host team for the NFL’s first regular-season game in Brazil on Friday, Sept. 6. Commissioner Roger Goodell announced the game during his news conference at the Super Bowl site in Las Vegas on Monday. It will be the first Friday game on the NFL’s opening weekend in 54 years. The Eagles will play in Sao Paulo against an opponent to be named. The game will be played at Corinthians Arena, which was used in both the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympics. It will be one of five international games in 2024.

NFL – Patrick Mahomes tight-lipped about his dad’s arrest ahead of the Super Bowl
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes says his father is “doing good” after his arrest for driving while intoxicated. Mahomes was otherwise tight-lipped about the situation while speaking at Super Bowl opening night on Monday, calling it “a family matter.” Mahomes will try to lead the Chiefs to their second straight title and third in five seasons when they play the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. This Kansas City’s fourth Super Bowl appearance over that span. Mahomes has had to deal with periodic distractions involving his family members, including a recent sexual battery charge against his younger brother, Jackson Mahomes.

NFL – After Grammys, Travis Kelce says he needs to ‘bring home some hardware’
One night after Taylor Swift earned her fourth career Grammy for album of the year, her boyfriend was feeling pressure to secure his own triumph in the Super Bowl. Travis Kelce said Monday night he told Swift he needs to “bring home some hardware.” Kelce spoke in glowing terms about Swift at Allegiant Stadium, where the Chiefs will play the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. He says he’s gotten to listen to parts of Swift’s upcoming album, “Tortured Poets Department,” which is due out April 19. Kelce calls Swift’s new music “unbelievable.”

NFL – Once Shunned by the NFL,  Las Vegas will host the league’s biggest game
The NFL will hold the Super Bowl in Las Vegas on Sunday after decades of shunning the city. The Kansas City Chiefs will play the San Francisco 49ers. Las Vegas now has a strong relationship with the NFL after the Raiders moved from Oakland and the U.S. Supreme Court opened legalized sports betting nationwide. The NFL also has placed its draft and two Pro Bowls in Las Vegas.

NHL – Police apologize to woman at center of sexual assault case that shocked Canada
The police chief in London, Ontario, has issued a public apology to a woman who says she was sexually assaulted by members of Canada’s 2018 world junior team. Five of them have been charged with sexual assault, including four who are currently on NHL rosters. Carter Hart of the Philadelphia Flyers, Michael McLeod and Cal Foote of the New Jersey Devils, Dillon Dube of the Calgary Flames and former NHL player Alex Formenton are facing charges. All are on leave from their teams. Defense attorneys say their clients are not guilty. The next scheduled court appearance is April 30.

NBA – National Basketball Association
Tonight
Houston Rockets at Indiana Pacers, 7:00 p.m.
Minnesota Timberwolves at Chicago Bulls, 8:00 p.m.

NCAAMBB – Men’s College Basketball
Tonight
Western Michigan at Kent State, 7:00 p.m.
Central Michigan at Akron, 7:00 p.m.
Toledo at Eastern Michigan, 7:00 p.m.
Michigan State at Minnesota, 9:00 p.m.                Superhits 103.7 Cosy-FM 8:00       

NCAAWBB – Women’s College Basketball
Last Night
Michigan State 76, Minnesota 65

Tonight
Nebraska at Michigan, 7:00 p.m.

NCAABB – US labor official says Dartmouth basketball players are school employees
A National Labor Relations Board regional official has decided that Dartmouth basketball players are employees of the school, clearing the way for an election that would create the first-ever labor union for NCAA athletes. All 15 members of the Dartmouth men’s basketball team signed a petition in September asking to join a union, which already includes other employees at the Ivy League school in Hanover, New Hampshire. The school can appeal the decision to the national board. Unionizing would allow the players to negotiate not only over salary but working conditions, including practice hours and travel.

NCAAMBB – UConn, Purdue and North Carolina stay atop AP Top 25
Reigning national champion Connecticut, Purdue and North Carolina remain atop The Associated Press Top 25 men’s college basketball poll for the third consecutive week. The new poll also includes South Carolina cracking the rankings for the first time in nearly seven years. The Huskies earned 45 of 61 first-place votes to remain at No. 1 for the fourth straight week. The Boilermakers topped the ballots of 16 other voters. The 15th-ranked Gamecocks are marking the program’s first appearance in the poll since February 2017. They joined San Diego State as the week’s new additions, replacing Oklahoma and TCU.

NCAAWBB – Caitlin Clark and Iowa back up to No. 2 in AP Top 25 women’s poll
Iowa is back at No. 2 in The Associated Press Top 25 women’s basketball poll. It’s the second time in a few weeks that the Hawkeyes have been second in the poll. The spot hasn’t been kind to teams over the past month. UCLA, Iowa and Kansas State all took turns in the second position since Jan. 8 and none stayed there for more than a week. South Carolina remains a unanimous No. 1. North Carolina State, Colorado and Ohio State round out the top five. It’s the Buckeyes best ranking this season.

NCAAWBB – After 39 years and 1,200 wins, Geno Auriemma ponders the end of his career
UConn women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma is nearing 1,200 career wins. He already has 11 national championships with the school that hired him in 1985. Auriemma turns 70 next month and has kept any retirement plans close to the vest. But 1,200 wins is the next milestone. Former Duke and Army coach men’s Mike Krzyzewski is next with 1,203 wins. Stanford women’s coach Tara VanDerveer set the mark last month when she passed Krzyzewski and currently has 1,206 wins. Auriemma is among the last of his breed of valued, empowered championship coaches still recruiting, still grinding out the work in hope of that next championship run.

MLS – Messi says hopeful of playing in Tokyo after PR disaster in Hong Kong
Look for Lionel Messi to play in Tokyo when Inter Miami faces Japanese club Vissel Kobe. The friendly is set for Wednesday. Don’t look for another public-relations disaster as happened on Sunday when Argentina’s World Cup-winning captain sat on the bench for the entire match against a selection of players from the Hong Kong league, angering thousands of fans who demanded refunds. Messi told media in Tokyo “that I feel very good compared to a few days ago” and suggested it was likely he would play. He says "I still don’t know if I will be able to or not. But I feel much better and I really want to be able to do it.”

MHSAA – Michigan High School Athletic Association
Last Night
Boys Basketball
Lakeshore 73, Kalamazoo Loy Norrix 59

  • Spencer Gostlin led Lakeshore with a team high 21 points and had 10 rebounds as the Lancers defeated Kalamazoo Loy Norrix 74-59, Cohen Hurdle added 20, Jack Carlisle had 16 points and Zack Ort had 15.   Cedric Huntley led all scorers with 34 points in the loss for Loy Norrix

St. Joseph 67, Battle Creek Central 38

  • St. Joe snapped a 6 game losing streak with a 67-38 win over Battle Creek Central.  Bryce Vujtech led the Bears with 14 points, wile Jakob Diamond scored 12.   The Bears connected on a total of 10 three pointers.

Howardsville Christian 62, River Valley 47
Berrien Springs 66, Constantine 38
Brandywine 74, Bronson 34
Harper Creek 58, Vicksburg 53
Concord 62, Sturgis 56
Three Rivers 35, Plainwell 34
Schoolcraft 79, Centreville 54
Grand Rapids Wellspring 81, Martin 52
Lawrence 62, Holland Black River 51

Girls Basketball
Bridgman 41, Michigan Lutheran 24

  • Tatyanna Hill and Lanie McGrory each had 11 points to lead Bridgman to a 41-24 win over Michigan Lutheran.   Bridgman outscored Michigan Lutheran 23-9 during the 2nd and 3rd quarters combined to put the game out of reach.   Mikayla LaBounty scored 10 points to lead the Titans in the loss.

Lakeshore 69, Kalamazoo Loy Norrix 33
Battle Creek Central 39, St. Joseph 28
Berrien Springs 48, Constantine 37
Paw Paw 55, Schoolcraft 50
Marcellus 39, Bangor 34
White Pigeon 39, Decatur 31
Plainwell 44, Three Rivers 34
Saugatuck 57, Howardsville Christian 30
Galesburg-Augusta 49, Battle Creek Pennfield 43
Muskegon West Michigan Chr. 59, Martin 51

Tonight
Boys Basketball
SMAC
Kalamazoo Loy Norrix at St. Joseph, 7:00 p.m.
Gull Lake at Lakeshore, 7:00 p.m.
Battle Creek Lakeview at Mattawan, 7:00 p.m.
Battle Creek Central at Portage Central, 7:00 p.m.
Kalamazoo Central at Portage Northern, 7:00 p.m.

BCS
New Buffalo at Our Lady of the Lake, 7:30 p.m.
Michigan Lutheran at River Valley, 7:30 p.m.
Countryside Academy at Eau Claire, 7:30 p.m.
Howardsville Christian at Covert, 6:00 p.m.

SAC
Watervliet at Delton-Kellogg, 7:00 p.m.
Coloma at Holland Black River, 7:00 p.m.
South Haven at Galesburg-Augusta, 7:00 p.m.
Allegan at Gobles, 7:00 p.m.
Fennville at Saugatuck, 7:00 p.m.

Southwest 10
Bloomingdale at Cassopolis, 7:30 p.m.
Decatur at Centreville, Cancelled
White Pigeon at Comstock, 7:30 p.m.
Bangor at Lawrence, 7:30 p.m.
Hartford at Marcellus, 7:30 p.m.

Non-Conference
Paw Paw at Battle Creek Pennfield, 7:00 p.m.
Vicksburg at Lawton, 7:00 p.m.
Otsego at Marshall, 7:00 p.m.
Dowagiac at Three Rivers, 7:15 p.m.
Constantine at Buchanan, 7:30 p.m.
Union City at Kalamazoo Christian, 7:00 p.m.
Byron Center Zion Christian at Martin, 7:00 p.m.

Girls Basketball
SMAC
St. Joseph at Kalamazoo Loy Norrix, 7:00 p.m.
Lakeshore at Gull Lake, 7:00 p.m.
Mattawan at Battle Creek Lakeview, 7:00 p.m.
Portage Central at Battle Creek Central, 7:00 p.m.
Portage Northern at Kalamazoo Central, 7:00 p.m.

BCS
New Buffalo at Our Lady of the Lake, 6:00 p.m.
Michigan Lutheran at River Valley, 6:00 p.m.
Howardsville Chr. at Watervliet Grace Chr., 6:00 p.m.
Countryside Academy at Eau Claire, Cancelled

SAC
Martin at Allegan, 7:00 p.m.
Gobles at Coloma, 7:00 p.m.
Saugatuck at Bridgman, 7:00 p.m.
Delton-Kellogg at Fennville, 7:00 p.m.
Holland Black River at South Haven, 7:00 p.m.
Galesburg-Augusta at Watervliet, 7:00 p.m.

Southwest 10
Bloomingdale at Cassopolis, 6:00 p.m.
Centreville at Decatur, 7:30 p.m.
White Pigeon at Comstock, 4:30 p.m.
Lawrence at Bangor, 7:30 p.m.
Marcellus at Hartford, 6:00 p.m.

Non-Conference
Three Rivers at Dowagiac, 6:30 p.m.
Marshall at Otsego, 7:15 p.m.
Harper Creek at Sturgis, 7:15 p.m.
Brandywine at Vicksburg, 6:30 p.m.
Battle Creek Pennfield at Parchment, 7:00 p.m.
Kal. Christian at Wyoming Potters House, 7:30 p.m.

MHSAA – High School Basketball AP rankings
Boys Basketball
Division 1
1. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (5)       (15-1)   75
2. Detroit Cass Tech                    (14-1)   69
3. East Lansing                           (14-2)   62
4. Dearborn                               (17-0)   60
5. North Farmington                    (14-1)   48
6. Grand Rapids Northview            (12-2)   47
(tie) Ann Arbor Huron                  (13-2)   47
8. Muskegon                               (11-2)   46
9. Muskegon Reeths-Puffer           (14-1)   40
10. Detroit U-D Jesuit                 (13-4)   29
Others receiving votes: Rockford 12, Saline 11, Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice 11, Cadillac 11, Okemos 10, Detroit Catholic Central 7, Saginaw Heritage 4, Ypsilanti Lincoln 4, Troy 3, Walled Lake Central 2, Warren De La Salle 2.

Division 2
1. Grand Rapids Christian (4)        (14-1)   74
2. Warren Lincoln (1)                   (13-3)   68
3. Benton Harbor                      (18-0)  65
4. Romulus Summit Academy           (13-2)   60
5. Whitehall                               (16-0)   57
6. Freeland                                (14-1)   42
7. Grand Rapids Catholic Central   (11-4)   35
(tie) Chelsea                              (10-5)   35
9. Flint Powers Catholic               (13-3)   34
10. Grand Rapids South Christian  (11-5)   25
Others receiving votes: Kingsford 21, Saginaw 17, Adrian 15, Ferndale 11, Saginaw Arthur Hill 11, Lansing Sexton 7, Pontiac Notre Dame Prep 6, Flat Rock 5, Dundee 5, Tecumseh 4, Onsted 2, Warren Fitzgerald 1.

Division 3
1. Iron Mountain (4)                    (15-0)   74
2. Laingsburg (1)                         (15-0)   69
3. Brandywine                          (13-2)  65
4. McBain                                   (13-1)   58
5. Cass City                                (15-0)   51
6. North Muskegon                      (16-0)   48
7. Chesaning                              (15-0)   41
8. Riverview Gabriel Richard         (14-2)   40
9. Jackson Lumen Christi               (13-2)   30
10. Pewamo-Westphalia                (13-2)   28
Others receiving votes: Sanford-Meridian 27, Centreville 15, Menominee 14, Clinton Township Clintondale 12, Beal City 10, Schoolcraft 6, Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest 4, Grand Rapids Covenant Christian 4, Harbor Beach 2, Concord 1, New Haven 1.

Division 4
1. Adrian Lenawee Christian (1)     (12-2)   68
2. Taylor Trillium Academy (2)       (15-1)   66
(tie) Wyoming Tri-unity (2)           (10-4)   66
4. Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart     (15-1)   64
5. Pickford                                 (13-1)   44
6. Munising                                (13-3)   39
7. Hillman                                  (15-2)   35
8. Maple City Glen Lake                 (11-3)   27
9. Petersburg Summerfield             (14-3)   26
10. Lake Linden-Hubbell               (14-2)   24
(tie) Allen Park Inter-City Baptist  (12-3)   24
(tie) Saginaw Nouvel                    (12-3)   24
Others receiving votes: St. Ignace 23, Bellevue 22, Dryden 12, Crystal Falls Forest Park 10, Bellaire 10, Norway 6, Genesee Christian 5, Rudyard 3, Baldwin 1, Hillsdale Academy 1.

Girls Basketball
Division 1
1. West Bloomfield (5)                 (13-1) 75
2. Detroit Renaissance                 (14-0) 70
3. Rockford                                (15-1) 65
4. Belleville                               (13-1) 59
5. East Kentwood                         (12-2) 54
6. Grand Haven                           (14-2) 43
7. Jackson Northwest                  (12-1) 39
8. Macomb Dakota                        (14-2) 36
(tie) DeWitt                               (14-2) 36
10. Temperance Bedford               (11-1) 32
Others receiving votes: Holland West Ottawa 21, Portage Central 15, Grosse Pointe North 14, Wayne Memorial 11, Byron Center 11, Rochester Hills Stoney Creek 8, Midland Dow 5, Saline 4, Muskegon 1, Lowell 1.

Division 2
1. Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard (3)    (16-0) 72
2. Grand Rapids West Catholic (1)  (13-1) 68
3. Detroit Edison (1)                   (11-1) 67
4. Goodrich                                (15-0) 61
5. Frankenmuth                           (11-2) 52
6. Negaunee                               (15-1) 44
7. Freeland                                (13-2) 40
8. Flint Powers                           (12-1) 39
9. Orchard Lake. St. Mary             (15-0) 32
10. Lansing Catholic                    (10-4) 31
Others receiving votes: Portland 29, Detroit Country Day 18, Chelsea 12, Lake Fenton 12, Tecumseh 11, Hart 4, Alma 3, Redford Westfield Prep 2, Warren Fitzgerald 1, Spring Lake 1, Haslett 1.

Division 3
1. Ypsilanti Arbor Preparatory (4)  (12-2) 74
2. Brandywine (1)                     (12-0) 71
3. Sanford-Meridian                    (12-0) 59
4. Lake City                                (11-2) 52
5. Blissfield                               (10-2) 49
6. Michigan Center                      (15-1) 43
7. Kalamazoo Christian             (12-1) 40
8. Harbor Springs                        (12-2) 39
9. Hemlock                                 (12-2) 36
10. Bark River-Harris                   (12-2)   32
Others receiving votes: Ovid-Elsie 29, Sandusky 22, Elk Rapids 11, Manton 11, Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central 9, St. Charles 9, Mason County Central 5, Saugatuck 3, Morley-Stanwood 2, Bath 2, Evart 1, St. Louis 1.

Division 4
1. Ishpeming (5)                          (14-0) 75
2. Colon                                     (12-1) 66
3. Portland St. Patrick                (12-2) 57
4. Kingston                                (13-1) 53
5. Lake Linden-Hubbell                 (14-1) 51
6. Fowler                                   (11-3) 50
7. Lake Leelanau St. Mary              (11-1) 33
8. Martin                                   (10-2) 29
9. Mackinaw City                         (13-0) 28
10. Maple City Glen Lake               (11-4) 25
Others receiving votes: Baraga 24, Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart 20, Bloomfield Hills Roeper 19, Clarkston Everest Catholic 13, Mendon 11, Morenci 10, Birmingham Roeper 10, Ewen-Trout Creek 8, Frankfort 6, St. Ignace LaSalle 5, Brethren 3, Bay City All Saints 3, Cooks Big Bay de Noc 1.