Speaking of Sports Column Archive

Speaking
of
Sports

by
Bernie
Fratto

A New Field
of Green

3/12/06

Over the years Novi teams have been a fixture in District and Regional Tournaments. Just last Tuesday the Novi Wildcat Hockey team played a terrific, spirited game in their quarterfinal loss to Saline. The game was played at the Novi Ice Arena, and the winner advanced to the Frozen Four.

This of course came on the heels of the Cat's 4th Regional Championship in just their 8th year of existence. Since 2000 the Baseball Team has won two District Championships, the Football Team has won three District Championships and one Regional Championship, and the Hoopsters won three straight District Championships from 2002-2004.

And of course, who can forget the Girl's State Championship Soccer Team in 2005, as they mowed through Districts and Regionals to the promised land.

Now, Novi High School is a fixture when it comes to hosting playoff action. Last November, the football 'Cats hosted the District opener vs. Milford. Meanwhile all this week, fans have been treated to great MHSAA Basketball District Playoff Action at the NHS performance Gym.

The atmosphere at the Novi Ice Arena last week was as intense as you'll find, and produced a memorable event. Suffice it to say, when it comes to hosting Districts, the 'Cats get it done the right way.

Time to think some warmer thoughts.

After a two-year hiatus, Coach's Green, Combs and Koceski will be back playing baseball on their new home field that is just west of the football stadium at NHS. The grass has taken root and it's starting to mature. The field looks very pleasing to the eye, and I look forward to seeing the team play.

As a bonus, in early June the Novi Wildcat Baseball family will host the District Tournament. The last time that happened was back in 2000 and 2001. You guessed it - they won both times.

There's no place like home, and there's no place like Novi when it comes to District Championship play.

It's a home for all seasons...

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Bernie Fratto is a freelance writer, radio personality, and motivational speaker. His passion for sports comes in part from his experience as a former Cincinnati Red farm- hand. "Behind every sports story lies the hearts and minds of real human beings" said Fratto. "These athletic endeavors often serve as a metaphor for the game we call life."

Bernie is also on the broadcast team at Live 97.1FM talk-radio, and is a frequent co-host on the popular "Parker & The Man Show," a nightly sportstalk show which airs Monday-Friday from 7-11pm.