GROSSE POINTE FARMS — Thirty minutes separated the University of Michigan football from becoming national champions, and only seven points separated the University of Washington from being right back in the driver’s seat.

ROYAL OAK — It was just a matter of time before their wings could fly. For the past two seasons, Royal Oak High School girls basketball has been through the trials and tribulations of varsity sports that plague any school — graduating players and hitting rough patches.

ROYAL OAK — By the luck of the draw, metro Detroit baseball fans hit the jackpot as the Royal Oak Leprechauns are going to be putting on a show like you’ve never seen from them before heading into the 2024 season.

BEVERLY HILLS — Before the start of the 2023-2024 campaign, Detroit Country Day girls basketball held a certain type of practice for the first time under second-year coach Amber Deane.

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — Returning for her fifth soccer season at Ave Maria University in Florida, Shelby Township native and Warren Regina graduate Haley Iacona gave the team everything she had both on and off the field.

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — They’re the loudest and most energetic team in the bowling alley, and they have every right to be with the way they’ve been playing.

ROSEVILLE — No matter what coach, player or teacher you speak with on the grounds of Roseville High School, there’s one word that continuously makes its way into conversation when describing the school — “family.”

HAZEL PARK — Hazel Park has quietly put together one of the most consistent bowling programs on the Macomb Area Conference high school bowling scene the past two seasons.

METRO DETROIT — Twenty high school seniors and caddies in the state of Michigan were ecstatic to receive letters from the Western Golf Association holding opportunities that they’ve longed for since their caddying journeys began.

ROSEVILLE — It takes only one game to see that the Roseville High School boys basketball program is the complete package on the court.

MACOMB TOWNSHIP — It was a moment with her mother that she’ll never forget.

ROCHESTER HILLS — Every week, the Van Hoosen seventh grade middle school basketball players would get to see a picture of head coach Fran Scislowicz’s 18-month grandson, Stanley.

TROY — Currently ranked No. 33 in the state according to The D Zone and riding a 14-game win streak, Troy High School is in full control of the Oakland Activities Association White league with a perfect 9-0 record.

NOVI — When it comes to physicality, defensive prowess or just overall grit, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a league that embodies those traits better than the Kensington Lakes Activities Association West.

METRO DETROIT — Between the Jahmyr Gibbs fumble, Josh Reynolds drops, or the Brandon Aiyuk catch off Kindle Vildor’s face mask, there seemed to be many moments during the NFC championship game Jan. 28 where the palms of Detroit Lions’ fans met their foreheads in disbelief.