1. The quality of girls basketball in the Lansing area has been extremely high this season, and it is being proven in the state tournament.  Two of the three area teams in action last night won to advance to the semifinals.

Grand Ledge knocked off Grand Rapids Christian 62-52.  According to that LSJ.com article, senior Lindsay Orwat scored 26 points in the victory.  They will play 21-4 Canton in the semifinals Friday at one.

Eaton Rapids has been one of the most impressive teams in the entire tournament, and continued their great run with a win over Ypsilanti Arbor.  Allie Dittmer scored 21 points and grabbed 18 rebounds in the win.  According to Scott Yoshonis of LSJ.com, it is the first time the Greyhounds have advanced to the semifinals in school history.  They will play Flint Powers Friday night at 7:50.  Powers finished the season ranked #8 in class B according to the AP. 

The only team that lost was Lansing Christian, who has had a remarkable run after finishing the regular season under .500.

2. The chance of the Red Wings making the playoffs for the 23 straight second season took a major hit last night.  They dropped arguably their biggest game of the season, losing 4-1 to the Columbus Blue Jackets.  Jimmy Howard was scratched before the game with the flu, so Petr Mrazek got the last-minute start.  The Wings carried the play through two periods.  The game was all tied at one until things unraveled midway through the third, when Columbus scored two goals 40 seconds apart.  Detroit is now on the outside looking in of the eastern conference playoff picture.

The injuries continue to pile up, as forward Tomas Jurco left the game after being cross checked in the second period.

3.  NFL free agency started yesterday, and many of the marquee players are off of the board.  Jarius Byrd, Eugene Monroe, Alterraun Verner, and Brandon Albert are off the board as well as many others.  Check out the free agent tracker at NFL.com to see who signed where, and who is still available.  

The Lions were reasonably quiet.  ESPN.com reported that the team resigned Joique Bell to a two-year deal.  ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that the team will host Golden Tate to a visit today.

4. The Pistons got a win against the Sacramento Kings, 99-89.  Josh Smith led all Pistons scorers with 24 points.  They are now two games back of the final playoff spot.

5.  Justin Verlander made his spring debut yesterday, going 3.2 innings and giving up just one hit.  According to Lynn Henning of the Detroit News, Verlander looked very good.

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Steve Miller is on-air from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. producing ‘Mad Dog in the  Morning’ on The Game 730 AM.  He also co-hosts Prep Basketball Weekly from  10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturdays, and can be heard on high school basketball  broadcasts.  Follow him on Twitter @SteveMilllerWVFN.

Read More: 5 Things for Tuesday March 11th: Rough Night For Area Basketball Teams | http://thegame730am.com/5-things-for-tuesday-march-11th-rough-night-for-area-basketball-teams/?trackback=tsmclip

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