Sports
Tom Izzo Makes Recruiting Stop at Troy High
The Colts beat Oak Park, 68-65 in overtime, but the MSU coach is gone – leaving early to beat the storm – when junior superstar James Young scores the game-winner with 16 seconds left.
Troy's got the crowd fired up early in the game against Oak Park on Thursday night with a spectacular dunk, then did it again at game's end, scoring with 16 seconds left in overtime to lift the Colts 68-65 over Oak Park.
The crowd was just as fired up at having a celebrity in their midst: MSU basketball coach Tom Izzo, who was at the game on a recruiting visit.
Izzo confirmed he was there recruiting, but wouldn't say which players he was watching. He did say he has known Troy coach Gary Fralick for years, and also knows the Oak Park coach.
Find out what's happening in Troyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
"Oh, yeah, I love Troy High," Izzo said at halftime. "This gym is great. We practiced here for the Final Four (when it was in Detroit)."
Izzo showed up before the team's final home game of the season, signing autographs and posing for photos between the junior varsity and varsity boys games. But once the game began, his eyes were on the court and most likely on the junior phenom Young, who has .
Find out what's happening in Troyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Izzo was headed back to East Lansing tonight after the game – no matter what the weather. Before the end of OT, Izzo dashed out to "beat the storm," missing the winning basket by Young and the victory by Troy.
Young finished with 31 points, the game's high scorer.
Share your photos, stories
If you were at the game and have a photo or story to share, please add it here or send to Troy Patch local editor Jen Anesi by email at Jen.Anesi@patch.com or text to 248-202-7375.
