Here is the most interesting thing about Livington Counties Big Three – Hartland, Brighton and Howell.
If you throw the boys on a basketball court anything can happen. They pound and grind for the first 28 minutes of games against each other. Then better execution, lady luck and determination decide games in the final four minutes.
Hartland (12-2 in the KLAA) proved to be the best team in the conference. Brighton (9-5) finished second and Howell (8-6) tied for third with Canton. Here is the scary part. All three teams split the season series with their rivals.
Here is the fun part. All three will fight it out during the Fenton district next week along with Fenton and Milford. Howell and Brighton renew their rivalry next Wednesday, Feb. 25.
The winner faces Hartland in the district final on Friday, Feb. 27.
FENTON DISTRICT BOYS CHAMPION?
Who wins? Hartland is the number one seed, but I’m buying into the “elite” mantra that Brighton spews. The Bulldogs want to win a conference or district title each season and become a consistent winner. My guess is they edge a slightly rusty Hartland which may play without star guard Parker Sundman who is injured.

HARTLAND BENCH SUPREME
Hartland’s 6-foot-8 Layne Broker often reminds me of WWE superstar Bron Breaker. He is all elbows and energy when he plays. Broker has developed a nice base line jumper which sets him apart from the Broker of last year.
By the way, Broker is much nicer than Breaker.

GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM OF THE YEAR
The best game next week won’t be in the boys district. It will be the KLAA championship game between my Livingston County team of the year Howell (20-1) against Belleville (20-0) at Northville High School 7 p.m. Thursday Feb. 26
Howell gets a lot of ink because of 6-foot-6 center Lilly Williams and guard Gabby Piepho. However, the Highlanders just look different. The skill set of the other players is superior to what they face in the conference.
The Highlanders can score, but they play a menacing defensive game. They give up just 27.6 points per game in conference play.

GIRLS SURPRISE TEAM
Two years ago, Fenton finished 3-21 and scored just seven points in a district loss to Howell. This year Fenton (14-7 overall, 9-1 in the Flint Metro League Stripes Division) edged Lindon (8-2 in the division) to win the Stripes Division title.
Fenton split its two-game series with Linden this year. Two years ago, the Tigers lost 57-34 and 60-22 to Linden.