Chelsea head coach Andrea Cabana has a chance to make history by becoming the first woman to lead a boys’ basketball and girls’ team to a state title.
The Bulldogs are finally rolling after a slow start and sluggish defensive play. They are coming off their sixth straight win after beating Adrian 70-62 Tuesday night during a big Southeast Conference White Division game against Adrian.
It was the first time the Bulldogs gave up more than 50 points during this six game bender. They have another tough game Friday night against Jackson. The goal is to keep winning right up to the Division 2 state title game at Breslin Center in East Lansing.
A year ago Chelsea got to within a game of making the Final Four at Breslin but was upended by Romulus Summit Academy North 68-62 in quarterfinals. Summit (16-1) has another strong team this season and stands in the way of the Bulldogs.
Women coaching the boys is rare. Probably the most successful coach was Brenda Gatlin who coached Detroit Cass Tech and won a Class A title. The others are Deb Norman (Allen Park Cabrini) and Keisha Brown (Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart).
Cabana never expected to leave Grass Lake where she turned its girls’ basketball team into a state power, winning a state title in 2021. However, the Chelsea job was too enticing to resist when it came open. Cabana liked the community and thought it would be a fun experience coaching the boys.
ANOTHER BRIGHTON-HOWELL SHOWDOWN
They are at it again. It’s another girls’ basketball showdown at Brighton as the Bulldogs play host to Howell. Both teams are tied for first in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association West Division with 7-3 records. Winner keeps at least a share of first place in what has been a battle royal of tight games.
This is also the WHMI 93.5 Game of the week. The broadcast begins at 6:40 p.m. and tipoff is at 7.
Brighton is now in the capable hands of Bob Wellman who left the administration world to return to coaching. Wellman served as athletic director at Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart, Midland Down and Ypsilanti. He more recently served at Ann Arbor Skyline before resigning to take over the girl’s team.
Wellman is no stranger to coaching, having coached the Midland Dow girls to a 203-68 record in 12 seasons with the team.