Mt. Morris/ Clio Herald

03/04/2025

02/25/2025

Mt. Morris and Clio boys hoops teams to have rare postseason meeting

By Greg Tunnicliff

MT. MORRIS – While it has been commonplace for Mt. Morris’ and Clio’s boys basketball teams to play each other, it is a rarity for them to hook up in the state tournament.

But that is what will happen Wednesday night when the neighborhood rivals face each other in a Division 2 district tournament semifinal game at 5:30 p.m. at Birch Run.

Hamady (14-6) will take on Owosso (7-13) in Wednesday’s other semifinal game at 7 p.m.

While it will be the 134th overall meeting between Mt. Morris and Clio, it will only be the eighth time the arch-rivals have faced each other in the postseason – only the third time in the last 64 years.

Clio leads the overall series 71-62, but Mt. Morris holds a 5-2 advantage in district games.

Mt. Morris (16-6) is the top seed in the Birch Run district and it had a first-round bye.

Clio (6-16) is No. 5 seed and it advanced to Wednesday’s contest by downing third-seeded Birch Run, 61-45, in an opening-round game on Feb. 24.

Mt. Morris posted a 69-55 victory over Clio in the team’s regular-season contest on Nov. 25 at Mt. Morris.

If Wednesday’s postseason game is anything like the squad’s last two tournament encounters, hoops’ enthusiasts could be in for a real treat.

Mt. Morris and Clio have not met in a postseason game in 22 years, dating back to Clio’s 69-52 victory over the Panthers in a Class B district semifinal contest on March 5, 2003 at Flint Southwestern.

The game stayed close throughout and Mt. Morris pulled within four points of Clio early in the fourth quarter.

The Mustangs then received back-to-back 3-pointers by Steve Taylor and Wael Samarah to extend their lead to 10 points.

Mt. Morris never mounted a serious threat to Clio for the rest of the game.

The Panthers have not beaten the Mustangs in a postseason game since they registered a 49-47 victory in a Class B district semifinal contest on March 8, 1961 at LakeVille.

Clio appeared headed to a victory, taking a 47-46 lead with less than a minute left in the fourth quarter.

Mt. Morris then scored the final three points of the game – a free throw and a layup by Ken Bigelow – to pick up the win.

Both Mt. Morris and Clio will be looking to end long district tournament championship game droughts on Wednesday.

The Panthers have not reached a district final since they suffered a 66-49 loss to Beecher in a Class B championship game on March 10, 1995 at Montrose.

Mt. Morris has not won a district title since it captured a Class B crown in 1994.

Clio hasn’t played in the title tilt since it lost 92-63 to Flint Southwestern in a Class B final on March 7, 2003 at Southwestern.

Clio hasn’t captured a district championship since it won a Class A title in 1972.

Tickets for Wednesday’s game cost $7, and they can be purchased either at GoFan.co or by credit card at the door.

Birch Run’s gymnasium has a seating capacity of 1,058, and as a result, fans are encouraged to purchase their tickets early.

Be sure to check out next week’s Mt. Morris-Clio Herald to get the result and the inside scoop on Wednesday’s game.

02/24/2025

Have you ever thought of getting paid to write??
The Genesee County Herald, Inc., with weekly papers in northern Genesee County and southern Saginaw County, is looking for local writing talent from our community.
This person would be responsible for attending local government meetings and community events, while being paid to write about what's happening in the town you live in.
No college degree is necessary, just good writing skills, your own source of reliable transportation, and a good work ethic.
If you think you have what it takes, we'd like to hear from you.
Send an email to [email protected] or call our office at 810-686-3840.

02/13/2025

Have you ever thought of getting paid to write??

The Genesee County Herald, Inc., with weekly papers in northern Genesee County and southern Saginaw County, is looking for local writing talent from our community.

This person would be responsible for attending local government meetings and community events, while being paid to write about what's happening in the town you live in.

No college degree is necessary, just good writing skills, your own source of reliable transportation, and a good work ethic.

If you think you have what it takes, we'd like to hear from you.

Send an email to [email protected] or call our office at 810-686-3840.