Sports: Pistons Lose Season Opener, 109-91

The Pistons start the season with a 109-91 loss in Toronto.   DeMar DeRozan scored 40 points to lead Toronto.  Jonas Valanciunas had 32 for the Raptors.   Pistons Coach Stan Van Gundy says they’ve got work to do, especially on defense.

Forward Tobias Harris led the Pistons with 22.  Marcus Morris had 17 and Andre Drummond 16 with just six rebounds.   The home opener is Friday as the Orlando Magic come to the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Red Wings

The Red Wings head to St. Louis for a game tonight.   Detroit is on a 5-game winning streak after dropping the first two games of the season.   Petr Mrazek is expected to start in goal for the Wings.

Cubs win Game 2

Jake Arietta  carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning and the Chicago Cubs evened the World Series at a game apiece with a 5-1 triumph over the Indians in Cleveland. Arietta eventually allowed a run and two hits in the sixth before leaving the game that inning.  Kyle Schwarber delivered a pair of RBI singles.  Ben Zobrist laced a run-scoring triple and Anthony Rizzo scored twice and doubled home a run.

College Basketball

Tom Izzo and the MSU Spartan Basketball team have their first exhibition game tonight at the Breslin Center in East Lansing, as they take on Northwood.  MSU plays Saginaw Valley State in an exhibition game next Wednesday.  We’ll have a chance for you to win tickets to that game on the WBCK Morning Show.

Breslin Renovations

Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert and wife Jennifer are donating $15 million from the family's foundation to support renovations at Michigan State's basketball arena. The Gilberts are both Michigan State alums. The improvements include  a new box office, the Tom Izzo Hall of History, and an alumni locker room.  The gift from the Gilberts also will support two Michigan State programs — the Detroit Scholars Program and the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities.

 Thursday Night Football

The Tennessee Titans host the Jacksonville Jaguars in Nashville.

Volleyball

KCC’s volleyball team plays their final game of the season and the final game ever at Miller Gym tonight.   KCC hopes to pack the 50-year old gym to give it a send-off, as they take on Mott Community College.   Work will start soon to replace the Miller Gym.

In High School Volleyball….

Bronson won two at their quad meet on Wednesday, as did St. Philip.  Both teams beating Bridgman and Sturgis.  Kameron Haley had 30 kills to lead St. Philip.

Harper Creek beat Marshall in three.  Charley Andrews had 21 kills.

Pennfield 3, Jackson Lumen Christi 1.  Melanie McIntyre had 14 kills.   Alicia Lake had 11 kills and 9 blocks.

College Football

Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio believes his team can upset No. 2 Michigan. Dantonio says his team's chances of winning Saturday at Spartan Stadium are better than they were last year when Michigan State pulled out a win in the botched punt game.  Michigan is favored to win by more than three touchdowns despite losing three straight and seven of eight in the series.

WBCK will have the Michigan-Michigan State game this Saturday morning at 10:30. Catch the Mark Dantonio Show Thursday night at 7 on WBCK.

High School Football Playoffs

Six area teams made the High School Football Playoffs.

Division 2 – Region 1 – District 2
Lakeview (6-2) at Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central (7-2)  WBCK will broadcast the game at 6:35 this Friday night.  The winner takes on Portage Northern (5-4) or Portage Central (8-1)*

Division 3 – Region 2 – District 2
Harper Creek (7-2) at Coldwater (7-2) The winner takes on Vicksburg (7-2) or Chelsea (9-0)*

Division 4 – Region 2 – District 2
Pennfield (5-4) at Lake Odessa-Lakewood (8-1)* The winner takes on Williamston (5-4) or Lansing Sexton (6-3)

Division 5 – Region 3 – District 2
Olivet (5-4) at Berrien Springs (8-1)* The winner takes on Buchanan (5-3) or Dowagiac (6-3)

Division 7 – Region 3 – District 2
Dansville (6-3) at Homer (7-2)*  The winner takes on Springport (7-2) or Concord (7-2)

Division 8 – Region 4 – District 1
Colon (5-4) at Climax-Scotts (9-0)*  Climax-Scotts remains at #2 in the state in the final AP poll of the regular season.   The winner of Friday’s game takes on Mendon (7-2) or St. Joseph Lake Michigan Catholic (8-1)

Girls Cross Country

Lakeview heads into the Michigan High School Athletic Association regional at Portage West Middle School on Saturday

Lions Football

The Lions hit the road to face Houston this weekend.  Both teams are 4-3, but the Texans are undefeated at home.   Houston managed only three field goals against the Broncos on Sunday in Denver.  Broadcast time is 12 noon Sunday on WBCK.