Sports: Victor is Tigers’ Top Priority

Tigers

Detroit general manager Dave Dombrowski says the Tigers' top priority is re-signing Victor Martinez now that he's a free agent. Dombrowski says that once the Martinez issue is resolved, the attention will turn to center field and the bullpen. Dombrowski is less optimistic about retaining right-hander Max Scherzer, who declined a qualifying offer.

Volleyball

Harper Creek beat Paw Paw last night at Edwardsburg, 3-0. Olivia Leson led the Beavers with 16 kills, eight digs and one block.  Charlie Andrews had 19 kills and seven blocks. The Beavers will play Buchanan at Edwardsburg in the regional finals on Thursday night for a ticket to the state quarterfinals.   Buchanan will have its fans out in full force, as they are just 20 minutes west of Edwardsburg.

St. Phillip won a Class D regional semifinal against Lansing Christian.  It was 25-8, 17-25, 25-23, 25-14.  The third-ranked Tigers decided to play the game, a day after High School Principal Tim May passed away unexpectedly.  But with signs and chants declaring, ‘Play for May,’ St. Philip found the inspiration for the four-set win.  Abby McKinzie with 18 kills and seven digs. Senior outside hitter Megan Parker had nine kills and 14 digs.   The Tigers play tomorrow in the regional final against Camden-Frontier.

Climax-Scotts beat Wyoming Tri-unity, 3-1, in a Class D regional semifinal at Mendon.  The Panthers will now play Mendon in a regional final.

Chelseaswept Olivet in three to end the season for the Eagles.

Concordended Bronson’s season, with a 3-2 win. .

Manchesterbeat Galesburg-Augusta.

College Football Rankings

Michigan State is four spots lower in this week's College Football Playoff rankings. The Spartans fell from eighth to 12th after Saturday's 49-37 home loss toOhioState. MSU is 7-and-2 overall and 4-and-1 in the Big Ten. The Spartans are on the road this Saturday against 6-and-3 Maryland.

Michigan gets to rest up and relax this weekend.   The Wolverines are on a bye and have no game Saturday.   U-of-M hostsMarylanda week from Saturday.  The annual rivalry between Michigan and Ohio State will kick off at noon on November 29th at Ohio Stadium. The Big Ten announced the start time last night.

Oregon has jumped over undefeated Florida State and into second in the College Football Playoff rankings, while TCU took over the fourth spot.Unbeaten Mississippi State remains No. 1. The Seminoles slipped to No. 3, and Oregon moved up after trouncing Utah in Salt Lake City.Alabama is No. 5 and Arizona State is sixth.

WMU hosts EMU this Saturday.

Detroit Pistons

The Pistons visit Washington tonight.

MLB Awards

Washington's Matt Williams has won the NL Manager of the Year award from the Professional Baseball Writers Association of America, whileBaltimore's Buck Showalter tookALhonors for the third time. Williams guided the Nationals to the NL East crown in just his first season with the team. Showalter's Orioles captured the AL East for the first time since 1997.

NASCAR

Kevin Harvick, Joey Logano, Denny Hamlin and Ryan Newman will be battling for the Sprint Cup title this weekend at Homestead.  Newman got in as he pulled the last-lap move that sent Larson into the wall and Newman into the championship race on Sunday at Phoenix International Raceway.  Larson says he understands Newman’s move.  "It's a little upsetting he pushed me up to the wall, but I completely understand the situation he was in, and can't fault him for being aggressive there. I think a lot of drivers out here would have done something similar if they were in that position."

Red Wings

The Red Wings are off until Friday when they hostChicago.  Pavel Datsyuk could be back in the lineup. The 36-year old Datsyuk tweaking his groin during the morning skate last week.  The Red Wings are 0-3 in shootouts this season and 7-17 over the past three.  The Detroit Red Wings have assigned goalie Petr Mrazek to the Griffins, so he could see some ice time as the Wings sit around this week.

High School Football

The 9-1 Lakeview Spartans will travel toMuskegonto take on the Mona Shores Sailors in this weekend’s Division 2-Region 1 final.

College Basketball

The Spartan basketball team starts the regular season Friday against Navy. Michigan plays Saturday against Hillsdale College.

Lions

The Lions play at Arizona this Sunday.  The Cardinals have won five in-a-row and have the NFL's best record at 8-and-1, but have lost starting Quarterback Carson Palmer to a season-ending knee injury. Former MSU star Drew Stanton will start at Quarterback forArizona, after starter Carson Palmer tore a knee ligament on Sunday.  Palmer had just signed a three-year, $50 million contract extension withArizonatwo days earlier.  After Sunday, the 7-2 Lions are at New England on Thanksgiving Day.  After that, they’ll close out the season against division foes Tampa Bay, Minnesota, Green Bay and two games with Chicago.

Golf-Coach Lefty

Five-time PGA major champion Phil Mickelson is joining his alma mater's coaching staff.  "Golfweek" reports "Lefty" will joinArizonaStategolf as an interim assistant coach.   Mickelson is not expected to be the long-term replacement at the position, and by joining the staff, he can contact recruits under NCAA rules.   The ASU product joins his younger brother, Tim, who is the team's head coach.

Athlete of the Week

Go on line today to nominate our WBCK/Meijer Athlete of the Week!   We want to salute local kids who are working hard both on and off the field, and it’s easy to nominate someone you think is deserving of an award.  The winner will get mentioned on WBCK and at wbckfm.com and also get a trophy from Recognition Inc. in Battle Creek.