ST. CLAIR SHORES — The National Hockey League’s Original Six style of physical play has evolved across much of hockey. In a sport that’s now more about finesse and how fast a skater can shoot, it’s a breath of fresh air to see a team embrace the tough and gritty side of the game.

ST. CLAIR SHORES — One look inside of the St. Clair Shores Lake Shore gymnasium will tell you everything you need to know about the softball program.

STERLING HEIGHTS — Aside from the offseason preparation high school softball teams do together with indoor practices and conditioning, every player can go about their personal offseason training differently.

STERLING HEIGHTS — By all accounts, Sterling Heights softball put on a showcase last year in the Macomb Area Conference Silver, winning the league with a perfect 14-0 record and earning the school its first league title since 2008.

ROCHESTER — Rochester senior Damian Ybarra and junior Jack Lower earned all-state honors March 2 at the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 1 Individual Wrestling State Finals at Ford Field.

ROCHESTER — Rochester senior Lucas Hosch was superb in his final appearance at the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 1 Swim and Dive State Championship, finishing first in the 100-yard butterfly.

ROCHESTER HILLS/PONTIAC — The Detroit-area teams tend to be overshadowed by the northern schools in Michigan High School Athletic Association skiing, aside from Pontiac Notre Dame Prep’s continued reign over Division 2 girls skiing.

MACOMB TOWNSHIP — As a senior captain, you’re expected to be the mentor and the person the underclassmen look up to.

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — Chippewa Valley wrestling had been through it all this season.

GROSSE POINTE WOODS — The beauty of the Michigan High School Athletic Association state finals for any sport is that there’s always a storyline people can gravitate toward.

FRASER — All throughout the offseason, Fraser wrestling was fully aware that Warren Mott would be the obstacle standing in their way.

BIRMINGHAM — For first-year Birmingham Groves swim and dive head coach Nick Valice, the state meet had his emotions in the front seat of an endless roller coaster.

WARREN — If there’s one thing Warren Lincoln basketball players know about head coach Wydell Henry, it’s that defense is the glue to the basketball program.

WEST BLOOMFIELD — In a journey to the state title game, there’s sometimes a point where one win can make you feel unstoppable heading onto the brightest stage of the season.

ROCHESTER HILLS — For the past three seasons, Rochester Hills Stoney Creek’s senior group has watched its neighborhood rivals celebrate at the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 1 Competitive Cheer State Championship.