Mr. Basketball

Incoming MSU guard Cassius Winston of University of Detriot Jesuit High School and Academy was named Michigan's Mr. Basketball.  The yearly award honors the top senior basketball player in the state since 1981 by the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan(BCAM).
Winston is the 14th Mr. Basketball that will end up playing for the Spartans.  Along with Winston, they are:

2015    Deyonta Davis      Muskegon High
2012    Matt Costello        Bay City Western
2010    Keith Appling       Detroit Pershing
2009    Derrick Nix           Detroit Pershing
2004    Drew Neitzel         Wyoming Park

2006-07 Topps #244

2002    Paul Davis             Rochester High
2001    Kelvin Torbert      Flint Northwestern

2000-01 Michigan State

2000    Marcus Taylor       Lansing Waverly

2001-02 Upper Deck MVP #209

1999   Jason Richardson   Saginaw Arthur Hill
1993   Jon Garavaglia       Southgate Aquinas

1994 Classic #9

1990   Anthony Miller       Benton Harbor

1992 Front Row #65

1988   Matt Steigenga       Grand Rapids South Christian

1989-90 Hoops #149

 1981   Sam Vincent           Lansing Eastern

Also of note is that the BCAM is naming Retro Mr. Basketball winners. Starting in 2010, they are naming one honoree for each decade with the year ending with number of the current year.  For example, in 2010 they selected Mr. Basketballs for 1980, 1970, etc.
So far, the only Spartan that was given a Retro Mr. Baskeball is Pete Gent

1990 MSU Collegiate Collection #130

Gent is most famous for playing the Dallas Cowboys and writing the book, "North Dallas Forty".

School's Out for ....Good!

I came across a bit of sad news this week.  Farmington Hills Harrison high school will be closing at the end of the 2018-19 academic year.  Of course, this also means the end of one of the most successful high school football programs in the state of Michigan.  Under the direction of coach Herrington, the Harrison Hawks has a win/loss record of 403-94-1 since their establishment in 1970.

The Detroit area high school has produced several future Spartan football players.  I know of five off the top of my head and they are:

1992 Wild Card WLAF #106

John Miller (1985-88).  An All-Big 10 in 1987 and 1988 as a safety.  Miller went on to play parts of two seasons with the Detroit Lions in 1989 and '90.  My fondest memory of Miller was when he intercepted U of Michigan four times during the 1987 game on their way to winning the Big Ten title and Rose Bowl game.   Currently, His son, Grayson, is a member of the MSU football team.
The above card of Miller is one of three that I own of him-all with the World League of Football (WLAF)

1997 Jogo CFL #179

Mill Coleman (1991-94)  Mill "the Thrill" was a star wide receiver for MSU who went on to play for Chicago Bears practice squad and the CFL for the Montreal Alouettes.  Personally, Coleman was a classmate and baseball teammate of mine as a kid. He started out in high school in my hometown and moved away for better opportunities.  Don't blame him.  He went on to win a state title and break state passing records.  At MSU, he was converted to WR.
The above is one of two Coleman cards that I own.

2007 Topps Draft Picks & Prospects #111

Drew Stanton (2003-06)  Stanton was the starting quarterback during John L. Smith's tenure at MSU.  Not much of in highlights but did manage to pull off the biggest comeback in NCAA history.  MSU was down by 35 in the third quarter and came back to win 41-38 vs Northwestern in 2006.
I own 19 different Stanton cards including the above one

2011 Panini Gridiron Gear #226

Mark Dell (2007-10) Dell was one of the early stars of the Mark Dantonio era. Still remains in top 10 all time in receptions and receiving yards. 
The above is Dell's only card that exists which of course I own.

2016 Leaf Draft #2

Aaron Burbridge (2012-15)  Burbridge will go down as playing a part of the one of the most successful Spartan teams in history. Winning multiple Big Ten titles, a Rose Bowl and a Cotton Bowl victory and playing in the football playoff.  He was all Big Ten as a senior in 2015 and was named the conference's WR of the year.
This Burbridge card is one of three that I own.