Brighton boys basketball wants to become elite. That means winning the KLAA championship and making a deep run in the MHSAA state tournament.
But a large obstacle stands in the way a few miles from the Brighton campus.
Hartland.
They are rivals. They are friends. They are competitors heading for a winner is king showdown.
Brighton (10-1 overall, 5-0 in the KLAA) and Hartland (11-1, 5-0) are both off to sizzling starts. They face each other Tuesday (7 p.m.) at Hartland High School. The winner takes sole possession of first place in the conference.
This is the biggest all Livingston County regular season game in quite some time.
Of course, big games feature big stars. Hartland’s Parker Sundman, perhaps the best player in school history, recorded his 1,000th point during a 57-47 victory over previously unbeaten Canton.
Brighton’s Brandon Lovejoy is coming off a 17-point outing against Plymouth Salem.
Sundman is not the only danger for Hartland. Senior John Eichburg took over the Canton game by scoring 11 of his career high 18 points in the fourth quarter.
Brighton has an intriguing player in 6-foot-7 Dylan Edgewood who can pound it inside. If that is not working he is comfortable stepping outside for three-point buckets.
Hopefully, the weather does not play havoc. This game is deserving of a packed house with high octane energy from both fan bases.
The Bulldogs have won four of the last five meetings against Harland. But the teams have split their last eight meetings.
Last season Brighton edged Hartland in districts before winning the district title and losing to Novi Catholic Central in regionals.
The goal this year is to become elite. But the Eagles stand in the way.