Nate Schneider
Sports Scene
Don’t count Scott Lewis among those surprised at the fantastic 9-1 start Grand Ledge boys basketball is enjoying.
The head coach of the Comets oversaw a seven-win team last season, so what is transpiring this winter is clearly a huge step forward.
But in digging deeper, it all makes sense that Grand Ledge would be turning those deflating losses into thrilling victory a year later.
“Our record last season was very misleading,” Lewis said. “We had all these guys last year and we lost nine games by three possessions or less. They were in every single game and battled. That helped motivated them in the offseason and into this season, to make sure those tight ones go our way this year.”
The senior-laden Comets are getting the job done with a balanced attack most nights, with quite often no one on the roster compiling huge statistics on a nightly basis.
“Every Thursday the Lansing State Journal puts stats out,” Lewis stated. “The last time they ran those stats, we had one person toward the bottom in rebounding. Aside from that, we didn’t have anyone stand out in their statistics. That speaks to how they play as a unit. In so many games we’ll have three, four or five guys in double figures. We’re able to switch up starting lineups based on matchups and we play 10-deep on a regular basis. Everyone is contributing.”
Grand Ledge’s lone blemish is a 68-63 loss to Lansing Everett in the second game of the season. Since then, the Comets have reeled off eight straight victories.
Among the wins is a 59-53 triumph at East Lansing on Jan. 9, which effectively ended the Trojans’ 45-game regular season winning streak.
Al McCready had a huge game against East Lansing as he went for 23 points, then added 24 in the next game versus Lansing Eastern. He is putting in 23.5 points per game to lead the way.
“Al is one of those guys who can take over a game,” Lewis added. “He can do a little bit of everything. He’s really crafty and smooth. He can go to the basket and finish well above the rim. He’s long. He’s a really good player and an even better person. He gets A’s and B’s in the classroom.
A really quiet kid who we almost have to stoke a fire to get him going. We sometimes try to get him to be more verbal because he tries to lead by example so much, but he’s a really good kid who is having a great season. Al is collecting some interest from colleges now and rightfully so.”
Grand Ledge continues its season Jan. 26 at home as it attempts to get avenge its lone defeat versus Everett.