Basketball, Wrestling Earn Playoff/National Championship Berths

The HFC Men's Basketball Team and Wrestling Club recently secured playoff/national championship berths after tough schedules this year. Men's Basketball plays March 7 vs. Macomb Community College and the Wrestling Club competes for a national championship March 9-11 in Texas.

HFC Men's Basketball Team Plays District 10 Quarterfinals March 7 Vs. Macomb Community College

The Men’s Basketball Team will play Macomb Community College (MCC) in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) District 10 Men’s Basketball Tournament Quarterfinals in Warren on Tuesday, March 7, at 7 p.m.

The HFC Hawks’ overall record this season was 9-16. Of that record, they were 6-5 at home and 3-11 on the road.

“We lost a lot of close games – some in overtime – so you really can’t judge us by this record. We’ve been battle-tested by some highly-ranked teams this year,” said co-captain Kevin Rice, of Detroit, who will graduate from HFC in 2018.

Even though the Hawks lost to MCC 68-61 on Feb. 22, both Rice and Tony Woods, the HFC basketball head coach, feel confident about this upcoming game.

“I think we have a good chance of beating MCC. I think we’re well-prepared. This is really an important day since we lost to them the last time and we have all nine guys who are willing to leave it all on the floor to get us the victory,” said Rice.

“The boys have been solid all year long. We can play with anybody in our conference, anybody in the state. I think our chances are good,” said Woods.

Should the Hawks triumph over MCC, they will advance to the Final 4 and play either University Center-based Delta College or Flint-based Mott Community College at St. Clair County Community College in Port Huron on Thursday, March 9, at 1 p.m.

HFC Wrestlers Grapple Their Way to the Top at NCWA Great Lakes Conference; on to National Championships March 9-11

Five members of the HFC Wrestling Club scored high at the National Collegiate Wrestling Association (NCWA) Great Lakes Conference (GLC) hosted at HFC on Feb. 25.

The following Hawks turned in exemplary performances at the NCWA GLC, where a total of 12 teams competed:

• Darian Holmes (285 lbs.) was the champion, taking first place in his weight class;
• Austin Koehler (125 lbs.) took second place in his weight class;
• Jordan Haggerty (235 lbs.) took second place in his weight class;
• Jeremy Nelson (149 lbs.) took fifth place in his weight class; and
• Tyler Bridge (125 lbs.) was the wildcard.

“A wildcard is given to wrestlers who may have placed 6th or 7th at the GLC in a difficult weight class. Tyler Bridge set a goal to get to nationals and consistently worked toward it since last year. I’m very happy for him,” said HFC wrestling coach Grant MacKenzie.

Overall, HFC placed fifth at the NCWA GLC, going up against some pretty stiff competition from the following colleges and universities:

• Ferris State University (FSU) in Big Rapids, Mich;
• Grand Valley State University (GVSU) in Allendale, Mich;
• Mott Community College in Flint, Mich.;
• Michigan State University (MSU) in East Lansing, Mich.;
• Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio;
• University of Michigan (U-M) in Ann Arbor;
• University of Michigan-Dearborn (UM-Dearborn);
• University of Akron (U-A) in Akron, Ohio;
• University of Notre Dame (UND) in South Bend, Ind.;
• University of Toledo (U-T) in Toledo, Ohio; and
• University of Wisconsin (U-W) in Madison, Wisc.

“My boys really excelled and proved their mettle against some talented wrestlers from some fine schools. They wrestled with plenty of heart and drive, and I’m proud of them for that,” said MacKenzie.

The five HFC wrestlers noted above now qualify for the NCWA National Championships in Allen, Tex., from March 9-11.

“Our team mission statement is to produce national qualifiers, All Americans and champions. These guys work everyday in practice to complete that mission and it paid off,” said MacKenzie.