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JTV Sports Basketball

By Mike Moore

Staff Writer

 

Michigan Center — When the sun set on the 2015-16 basketball season, Michigan Center girls coach Joe Lusk had one senior one his roster.

 

Youth was at the forefront.

 

A year later, with Molly Nutt as the lone senior on the current roster, well, youth is at the forefront.

 

Right next to winning.

 

“Very good chemistry this year,” Lusk said last week about his team. “That’s been a huge factor. We like to play up tempo, and at the same time, we’re leaning how to control the ball and play with the lead.”

 

With a only a handful of wins to speak of last winter, the Cardinals hit the ground running this time around.

 

No baby steps, just an open mind and free spirit as to what the season could hold.

 

Lusk said there were no specific expectations.

 

“We knew we’d be competitive, but that’s about it,” he added.

 

When the team hit the holiday break, it did so with a 6-1 overall record.

 

The lone loss was a 67-57 setback to Grass Lake in overtime.

 

“They really caught my eye in the first game,” Lusk said of a 43-40 victory over Jonesville in the season opener. “We played with the lead. Even after they came back we adjusted and found a way to win.”

 

Despite the strong start, Lusk knows there’s plenty of lessons, and growing pains, to get through.

 

The team committed 25 turnovers in the season opener, and that’s one area that’s progressively been getting better.

 

There’s also some patience needed, considering the starting five consists of three freshmen and two juniors.

 

“When we learn to get out of our own way, we’re going to be pretty good,” Lusk said with a laugh. “We’re still forcing things. There are times we don’t let the game come to us. We’re making mistakes a young team makes.”

 

Yet, here the Cardinals sit, with six wins in seven tries and a rash of momentum equaled only by the group’s confidence.

 

“The goal now is to compete for a league title and make a run,” Lusk said. “This is a team for right now, and for the future. The way we see it, the only direction for this group is up.”

Mike Moore is a play-by-play commentator and Sports Writer for JTV Sports. You can reach him at mjm12@albion.edu. He’s also the author of ‘Love, Defined; A Dedication to the Love, Sacrifice, and Magic of Motherhood.’

Love, Defined is available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Tate Publishing or by contacting Mike directly.

 

Visit http://lovedefinedbook.weebly.com for more information.

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