METRO DETROIT — On the brightest stage of his young career at the University of Michigan, sophomore cornerback Will Johnson showcased why he’s one of the top defensive backs in the country.

STERLING HEIGHTS — For a noon weekday ceremony honoring a high school football coach, it’s difficult to picture what type of audience will show up. Unless that ceremony is for Sterling Heights Stevenson’s Rick Bye, because his impact is immeasurable through not just Stevenson but Utica Schools Community.

STERLING HEIGHTS/SHELBY TOWNSHIP/UTICA — Bemis Junior High School students completed a monthlong challenge to practice gratitude in November, and they said that they learned a lot through the process.

BLOOMFIELD HILLS — Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice football made an offseason splash to kick off its 2024 campaign.

UTICA — They came in their junior year and lit a fire under the program, winning the school’s first league title since 2012.

FARMINGTON/FARMINGTON HILLS — Whether it’s in the rink, in the school or in the locker room, there’s a different feeling around Farmington United hockey this season.

MACOMB COUNTY — L’Anse Creuse Unified may be a young squad with heavy aspirations, but they’re figuring things out in the race for the Macomb Area Conference Red league title.

WARREN — The part of sports movies most people tend to love is the underdog mentality of the teams. The team that wasn’t supposed to be there overcame every obstacle and shred of adversity to find their way to success.

ROSEVILLE — It’s a memory that Roseville senior linebacker Huston Eubank will never forget.

CLINTON TOWNSHIP/SOUTHFIELD — Lawrence Technological University football has been on the upswing since its revival in 2017 after a 60-year absence, and the program just made a major splash by hiring a Hall of Fame coach.

EAST LANSING — It’s the same story each year with the same ending for Oakland University in their head-to-head matchups with Michigan State. The storyline has played out 22 straight times to be exact.

STERLING HEIGHTS -- Sterling Heights Stevenson is set to honor one of the school’s all-time greats on Dec. 19 at Stevenson High School.

HARRISON TOWNSHIP — L’Anse Creuse boys basketball is finding difficulties navigating this season following a district championship and 19-win season last year.

ROCHESTER — They’re the center of attention at every sporting event, and they’re what children everywhere come to see.

METRO DETROIT — On Dec. 14, The Rocket Giving Fund announced that the 2023 Rocket Mortgage Classic raised $1.61 million to support local Detroit nonprofits.

GROSSE POINTE WOODS — Nolan Allaer was a go-getter long before he got behind the wheel of a race car.

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — Expectations were the topic of conversation coming into the season for Chippewa Valley boys basketball.

MOUNT CLEMENS — Karlin Traylor is a woman of many hats. Around Macomb County, she’s known as one of the owners of the Slaw Dogsz food trucks and as a daycare operator. But this winter marks a big step forward in one of her other passions.

FRASER — This year, it’s been all about hockey for the Motor City Rockers.

DETROIT — The “Iron D” Trophy is making its way back to Hockeytown as the University of Michigan (8-7-3) and Michigan State University (12-4-2) hockey are slated to face off at 8:30 p.m. Feb. 10 at Little Caesars Arena in their annual “Duel in the D” matchup.