Howell and Brighton have met twice already this season in boys basketball.
They’ll try to set up a third meeting on Friday, but both have big hurdles to clear first.
They’ll be playing in a district semifinal doubleheader at Hartland High School. Howell (12-10) takes on Milford (15-7) in the first game, while Brighton (12-11) meets defending district champion Fenton (16-6) in the nightcap about 20 minutes after the conclusion of the first game.
Both games will be broadcast on The Livingston Post beginning at 5:20 p.m. Click here for a link.
Howell has struggled since point guard Jaylen Hicks suffered a leg injury in practice nearly a month ago that has left his availability for tonight’s game in doubt.
“I think we really hit our stride a little over midway through the season,” Howell coach Nick Simon said. “I thought we really had things figured out, and then Jaylen got hurt. That forced us to change things up a little bit.”
The Highlanders split their last four games down the stretch, including a one-point loss at Canton and a two-point loss at home against Wayne in their KLAA crossover.
“I really feel we’re in a good place,” Simon said. “Whether that feeling stays the same, I don’t know. It’s tough when you lose your point guard and one of your leaders, but our guys have responded really well.”
Having Monday off has helped as well.
“We always do a really cool team bonding thing on the Friday before districts,” Simon said. “It would have been tough to do if we had had a game on Monday. It worked out that we could do that and still have time to prepare for Milford.”
Brighton is coming off a resounding 60-48 win over Hartland on Monday night. The Bulldogs take on Fenton for the second time this season. The Tigers won the Dec. 19 meeting 87-68.
“That helped us refocus on defense,” Brighton coach Mike Griest said. “The kids have been working on it, and we’re not the same defensive team we were then.”
Fenton isn’t lacking for talent, as evidenced by its record.
“They’ve got two really good scorers, guards who can go inside or shoot over you,” Griest said. “They’ve got some really good post players and a tweener who can shoot it or dunk it, and they’ve got some really good 3-point shooters. They have a lot of offensive weapons and really good athletes.
The Bulldogs are on a roll, having won eight of their last 10 games.
“They’re used to winning,” Griest said. “They’re used to being in close games and being able to stop runs. Our leadership is good to start and keeps improving. We’re going to have nights when you don’t shoot well, but defense travels.”
And, if all goes well, it results in another trip to Hartland for both teams on Friday.
