Killer B's

Mark Lebovitz and Ben Pinsky are among the leaders of
Farmington Harrison's bid for a Class B soccer title

MIKE ROSENBAUM

Sports Writer

ormally, a 4-6-2 team
would not seem a like-
ly candidate for a
state soccer champion-
ship. But Farmington
Harrison, a state Class B semi-
finalist last year, will again be one of
the favorites when state tournament
play begins next week.
Harrison plays most of its games
against Class A teams in the Western
Lakes Activities Association. That ac-
counts for the Hawks' poor regular-
season record. But their schedule also
toughens the team for post-season,
Class B competition. Harrison
entered the week ranked fifth in the
state.
The Hawks feature four Jewish
players, including starters Mark
Lebovitz and Ben Pinsky, plus Mark Lebovitz and Ben Pinsky lead Harrison.
reserves Mike Jacobs and Shaw
The 15-year-old Lebovitz has
Brown.
played soccer for 11 years. Older
"We're a little bit more inex- brother Brian's participation sparked
perienced than last year," says coach Mark's interest. He moved up
Glenn Breuhan. "I lost 11 seniors. So through local leagues, playing right
we didn't really expect to do as well wing since third grade. "I like the
as we have been doing. Last year we breakaways and I like shooting," he
had about a 6-6 record going into the says about playing striker.
districts. Then we won six in a row"
When he earned a starting spot as
in the state tournament. "So this year a freshman last year, Lebovitz says,
we feel that we're peaking once more, "At first I was surprised. But I felt
with two games left. That's the way like I was as good as most of the guys.
we like to be, going into the districts." I felt I was an average player who
Harrison has a tough district, featur- should be in?'
ing second-ranked Ortonville-
Breuhan feels Lebovitz was better
Brandon. "They'd have to be the than average, saying "Mark made a
favorite:' says Breuhan.
lot of contributions" to last year's
Lebovitz, a sophomore right wing, success.
was a freshman starter last year. "We
Lebovitz played on Detroit's
lost a lot of good players:' he says,
"but we're still ranked fifth in the
state. We're playing in a tough league,
so I think we're going to do well!"
Lebovitz totalled two goals and
three assists last year. He began the
week with two goals and four assists
for this season. "I'm playing good, but
I think I can do better . . . I definitely
Until last week, both of Berkley
can score more; I've had my chances!' High School's cross country teams
Breuhan calls Lebovitz "an ex- were led by Jewish runners. Junior
cellent ball-handler. He's got a very Adam Bolan was the top boy, while
good shot. Like Ben, he anticipates senior Tracy Cohen led the girls.
things well. He's just a very smart
That ended, perhaps temporarily,
player?'
on Saturday when Bolan underwent
Lebovitz, describes himself as "a an appendectomy. But Berkley coach
team player. I try to pass a lot. Sherry Amos reports that Bolan is
Because if we're going to go far we recovering so well that he may return
have to play a passing (style). Right in time for the regional on Oct. 29.
now our team's trying to take it one-
"We had anticipated him being
on-one . . . But we're getting better as All-League and being a state qualifier
the season's going on!'
this season;' says Amos. Unfortunate-

Pair Lead
Berkley Squad

44 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1988

Bob McKeown

bronze-medal winning Maccabi soccer
team at the North American youth
games in Chicago in August. He en-
joyed the event, particularly the open-
ing ceremonies, but feels the competi-
tion "wasn't as high as the level we're
playing right now in high school. But
we did better than expected?'
Lebovitz says, "By my senior year
I want to try and make All-State.
That's my major goal."
Pinsky plays stopper, -a defensive
position, and "he's playing very
strong;' says Breuhan.
"He's a tremendous defensive
player. He's a very smart soccer
player. He anticipates the ball well.
He's just a tough kid. He's a quiet kid
and a very tough kid .. .

"He's a very mature soccer player
for being a freshman. I anticipate
nothing but good things ahead for
him. I'd say by the time he is a junior
or senior he could be an All-State
player. He's that good."
Pinsky says his ability to an-
ticipate where a play is going "kinda
came naturally. It's kind of instinc-
tive!'
Pinsky was mildly surprised
when he earned his starting berth. "I
really didn't know what to expect .. .
It's much harder than what I played
last year" in the Little Caesar's Class
A league.
The difference, he says, is that
"everyone's bigger and faster. I'm a
freshman and there's all the big
seniors. They've got the experience
and I haven't!"
Pinsky has played since his father
signed him up for a local league at
age 5. "I wasn't very good at first," but
Pinsky's game improved greatly
when he lost "a lot of weight" two
years ago.
Always a defender, Pinsky likes to
get involved in the offense when the
situation allows him to move forward.
"I come up on rushes now and then
. .. as long as I'm able to get back for
defense?'
Pinsky still feels that he can "just
get better all around. Maybe an-
ticipate even better, not rush into
things; hold off?'
Both Brown, a midfielder, and
Jacobs, a defender, are sophomores.
Although neither sees much action
now, Breuhan says, "I anticipate next
year that both those guys will get a
lot more playing time!' 111

ROUND UPI

ly, Bolan will miss the Southeastern
Michigan Association meet, ending
his All-League hopes for this season.
Cohen entered the week with a
best time of 20:43. Cross country
courses run approximately three
miles. She placed in the top 25 in two
strong local events, the Holly and
West Bloomfield Invitationals. "We're
looking to see her as an All-League
runner • and a state qualifier," says
Amos, who also hopes the girls' team
will qualify for the state meet.
A senior, Cohen is a first-year
cross country runner. She ran on the
track team last spring. "She was a
fair-to-decent track runner and has

turned out to really enjoy running;'
says Amos. "She has developed into
an excellent cross country runner.
She's done phenomenal for a first-year
runner."
Amos sags that Cohen will give
100 percent to any activity she tries.
"She's just a driven kind of an in-
dividual. She's a 4.0 student!'
Cohen, says Amos, "doesn't have
a whole lot of initial leg speed. As a
matter of fact, we've been working
very strongly at trying to get her out
the first mile much faster. She's in-
credibly solid through the second and
third mile. She runs a superior second
and third mile."

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