The Pressbox

Bedford has fallen into an early 5-0 hole against Rockford, losing a technical fall in the opening match at 119 pounds.

My apologies to our readers. Problems with the internet connection at Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek prevented me from getting online until now.

Dundee is locked in a tight battle with Corunna. The Vikings lead 22-17 with four matches remaining. Here is what has happened so far.

135: Brandon Desbrough, D, d. Casey Edgar, 7-3.

140: Brad Wade, D, md. Eric Partain, 9-1.

145: Brennin Adkins, C, md. Scott Snook, 13-4.

152: Trevor Straub, D, d. Matt Schrack, 4-0.

160: Chris Eggert, D, md. Curtis Hoskins, 10-0.

171: James Riddell, C, md. Jarryd Gotts, 13-3.

189: Joe Lepior, C, d. Dustin Dayvolt, 12-11.

215: Jimmy Rowe, D, md. Scott Robbins, 10-2.

285: Adam Dingens, p. J.T. Hemdal, 4:22.

103: Chris Rau, D, md. Matt Raysin, 10-2.

Bedford and Monroe will have a girls basketball rematch at 7 p.m. Friday in the finals of the Class A District at Ypsilanti Lincoln.

It should be a great game.

I saw the first meeting between the two teams and it was a little disappointing. The teams were coming off Christmas break and neither was sharp. Monroe coach Gretchen Elliott said it was one of her team’s worst games of the season.

That should not be a problem this time.

Both teams are playing well.

Monroe has won 12 of its last 13 games and carries a 17-4 record into the game. Bedford is 20-2 and owns a 15-game winning streak.

Monroe has two outstanding post players in Ariel Hatcher and Chae Small and guards Hanna Firchau and Staci Stadler create a lot of havoc with their quickness and hustle. The Trojans bench has really improved since that first meeting with Bedford.

Bedford is all about balance. The Mules don’t have a player averaging in double figures and no one jumps out at you athletically, but all 12 girls on the roster can play the game. Coach Bill Ryan doesn’t have to worry about using any of them in any situation.

The key to this game could be how well Monroe shoots outside against Bedford’s aggressive zone defense.

Michigan’s basketball team finally seems to be catching on to the system run by new coach John Beilein’s system.

The Wolverines have won three in a row and were very impressive Sunday against Ohio State.

Manny Harris has played well all year and fellow freshman Kelvin Grady has made tremendous strides as a point guard. Analyst Clark Kellogg called sophomore DeShawn Sims one of the most improved players in the country and freshman Anthony Wright is developing into a decent scorer.

With only two seniors on the roster, things could be looking up for the Wolverines the next few years.

Curtis Granderson is coming off a breakthrough season.

The Detroit Tiger center fielder became just the third person in baseball history to record 20 doubles, 20 triples, 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases in the same season.

And he got rich recently, signing a five-year, $30 million contract extension.

So, how did he spend his offseason? Certainly not resting on his laurels.

He did a lot of working out and was part of a baseball goodwill mission to Africa. Granderson is so committed to his job that he reported Lakeland, Fla., for spring training a week before the pitchers and catchers had to report. He didn’t have to get there until next week.

You have to love this guy. He has a sparkling personality, is an ambassador for the game, hustles all the time, is driven to be great and plays with a smile on his face.

It looks like the Tigers made a good investment by extending his contract.

I heard rumblings a few years back that Denny Brighton was thinking about getting out of the coaching business.

Some said that when his youngest son graduated, that Brighton would step down as Bedford’s wrestling coach.

I’m sure glad he didn’t.

Brighton always has been an outstanding coach and this year he might be doing his best job ever. The Mules were not expected to do much this season. This is not your typical Bedford team. Most years, the Mules have a lineup loaded with seniors who have been waiting for their chance to shine.

This year, Brighton has just three seniors in the starting lineup, yet the Mules are 25-2 with several major tournament titles under their belts. The coach was masterful in the championship match of the Wittibslager Challenge Saturday, shuffling his wrestlers around to set up the best matchups against Dundee.