Kosmo is sorry again for a brief hiatus, but he had planned to come back after Memorial Day when the baseball, softball, and soccer state tournament kicked off on Tuesday. But Mother Nature had other ideas for the baseball and softball teams, so Kosmo's break ended up going on an additional day. Regardless, your seer is back to offer his 3 stars for Wednesday's playoff prep action. Third star Megan Keller, North Farmington softball - The Raiders probably had to have been thrilled to draw rival Farmington in the opening game, and they were probably even happier to have earned a 3-1 victory. Keller was the big reason why, as she went 3-for-3 with a double and two RBI. Second star Nick Pollack, Royal Oak Shrine baseball - This was no-hitter, Part I on the day. Pollack was stellar in a pre-district win over Birmingham Roeper, tossing a no-hitter in a 10-0 victory. Not only that, but his performance allowed aces Connor Francek and Mike Cobbledick to be fresh for Friday. First star Andrew Gonzalez, Walled Lake Western baseball - This was not only no-hitter, Part II on the day, but might have been the single greatest pitching performance of the year. Brighton entered the game ranked No. 2 in the state and a team destined for Battle Creek, but Gonzalez single-handedly opened the door for the other teams in the Walled Lake Northern district, tossing a no-hitter. He struck out three to lead Western to a 5-0 upset and really shake up that side of the bracket.

Hard to believe, but we are already in the last week of the regular season for baseball, soccer and softball teams, while lacrosse teams have their playoffs start this week. Some teams managed to dodge severe weather on Monday, while others were affected by it. Kosmo was certainly frightened because all the storm clouds scared bears back into his cave, but not even the danger of being eaten alive will present Kosmo from offering his 3 stars for Monday's prep action. Third star Rick Turner/Eric Stanis, North Farmington baseball - Kosmo is selecting these two as a pair because each went 3-for-3 in a game of a doubleheader sweep of Birmingham Groves, which helped the Raiders clinch a share of the OAA White title. The Raiders are on a roll and playing better and better as the playoffs approach. Second star Dazon Cole, Pontiac baseball - Is this kid something special at a non-traditional baseball school or what? The Central Michigan-bound Cole was dominant again even in defeat against Southfield, striking out 18 batters on the mound for the Phoenix. First star Farmington Hills Mercy softball home run brigade - OK, this is a little unique, but the performance Mercy turned in against Livonia Ladywood in the Catholic League final on Monday exceeded unique. The Marlins belted an astonishing eight home runs, two each by Abby Kryzwiecki and Alex Sobczac, to earn a 12-5 win. This is a Home Run Derby that would've made ESPN envious.

Wednesday was a beautiful day to be outside, so much so that Kosmo actually ventured outside his cave and took a ride in the Kozconvertible. Yes your all-knowing one actually has a convertible. Sure the top may not be there because of an accident in the woods that took the entire top part of the car off and rendered transmission useless, but hey, a car that runs is a car that runs, right? Anyway, it was also another nice day to play sports and Kosmo is here to offer his 3 stars for Wednesday. Third star Sterling Sharp, North Farmington baseball - A thrower, pitcher, archer, whatever, Sharp lived up to his last name once again, allowing just one run in a win over West Bloomfield in the first game of a doubleheader. The Raiders went on to take the second game and take control of the OAA White. Second star Jackie Murphy, Farmington Hills Mercy softball - So why aren't the Marlins getting more love in the state polls? They are now 24-1 following a 9-0 win over Pontiac Notre Dame Prep thanks largely to Murphy, who struck out 10 in a complete-game shutout. First star Alex Waelchli, Lake Orion golf - Is there anyone in the state playing any better right now? Kosmo doesn't think so and Waelchli proved it again on Wednesday, shooting a 70 to not only win Medalist at the Oakland County tournament, but lead the Dragons to the team title.

Believe it or not, Tuesday marked two weeks until the postseason begins for baseball, softball and soccer teams around the state, so the final days of the regular season are upon us. Lots of important stuff going on so time for Kosmo to get off his lazy behind and acknowledge the best performances on Tuesday. The NHL is in full swing with their three stars, but those playoff games have nothing on Kosmo's 3 stars. Third star Anna Kemp, Birmingham Marian soccer - Kosmo thought this might have been Notre Dame Prep's time to beat Marian, but that didn't happen thanks to Kemp, who scored the game-winner in overtime to lift the Mustangs to a 2-1 win in a Catholic League semifinal. Marian in the CHSL Final is an annual rite of May. Second star Gabe O'Neil, Madison Heights Bishop Foley lacrosse - Yes, the opponent might not have the best, but four goals and four assists is still mighty impressive, and that's what O'Neil did against Divine Child in a lopsided win. First star Carly Harvey, Stoney Creek girls soccer - The Cougars had never won what is annually one of the state's toughest leagues, the OAA Red, before Tuesday night. They key word in that sentence is "had." Stoney Creek finally has an OAA Red title thanks in large part to Harvey, who scored both goals in the second half to help Stoney Creek rally for a 2-1 win over Lake Orion.

There is some controversy right now in the football community, as on Thursday the MHSAA Executive Council decided to keep the playoff format the way it is despite the urgency of some to change it to where more points would be given to teams who play good competition. Under the current format, teams that get to six wins automatically qualify for the playoffs, so proponents of change are correct in pointing out teams just want to schedule bad teams in order to get to that mark rather than schedule a great team and likely lose. A change would've meant greater rewards for scheduling great teams, even in a loss. It all sounds great, but ultimately it's not that big of a deal that it wasn't adopted. First of all, and this is an argument why seeding hasn't been adopted in other sports, is that there can still be too many variables when taking account who an opponent played. What if a team beats a great team at a time where that squad had a best player or best players who were injured? A team can finish 6-3 and not look that impressive, but maybe was 6-0 with a certain quarterback who was hurt the other three games. Also, what if a team is sophomore and junior laden that got off to a slow start, but was playing like a great team by season's end? A victory over that team late in the season when it was playing well wouldn't look as good on paper given the overall season record as it should be in reality. Kosmo also doesn't understand the mindset of qualifying for the playoffs. Teams shouldn't have that mindset solely and thus why even in the current format, teams should be motivated to play great squads anyway. What good does it do to be 6-3 every year, only to lose by 40 points in the first round on the road? What is gained? It can't be extra revenue. All it is is pride, and obviously teams with that mindset don't have much. If teams are truly serious about getting better and teaching life lessons, they'll schedule great teams to begin with. Those are the type of games that develop players on the field and lead to not only making the playoffs, but wins in the postseason. Yes, it seems like a good idea on the surface to further reward teams to play good competition, but it's likely a new format would lead to softer scheduling because they know seven or eight wins would guarantee a berth. Besides, as mentioned above, the real winners want to play the best anyway and usually get rewarded with 5-4 berths and deep runs in the playoffs. The current format still keeps that in play, so while change would've been fine, it's not 100 percent needed.

Believe it or not, Tuesday marked three more weeks until the start of the postseason for baseball, softball and girls soccer teams. Wow, already. Track and tennis teams are having their regionals next week so the regular season is winding down. But there is still some regular season fun left, including Tuesday's action, and Kosmo is pleased to offer his 3 stars for Tuesday's prep action. Third star Kelly McCasland, Rochester Adams softball - McCaslanddi it all in a doubleheader sweep of Oxford. She went 4-for-4 with two RBI and was the winning pitcher in the first game and went 2-for-4 with an RBI and was also the winning pitcher in the second game. Not a bad day's work. Second star Jake Kneen, Lakeland golf - Kneen was on his game at Beacon Hill on Tuesday, shooting a 34 for the Eagles in a tri-match against Walled Lake Northern and Walled Lake Central. Lakeland sure is a good junior-laden team. First star Ava Doetsch, Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes girls soccer - One of Kosmo's all-time favorites, the K-Man doesn't know what he'll do when she graduates after this season. Ava was spectacular again, scoring five goals and adding an assist against Royal Oak Shrine.

There rightfully has been a lot of attention in the past few days with Country Day, and rightfully so since legendary coach Kurt Keener announced he is leaving after 35 years to take a job in Arizona. Kosmo is sad to seen Keener go and knows he'll have a big impact in Arizona like he did in Oakland County the past 35 years. But there was another coaching move that got Kosmo's attention as well, and that was the decision by Waterford Kettering to hire Ben Kelso as its head coach. Kelso is a well-known coach in the Detroit area who won state titles at Detroit Cooley in the late 80's and spent some time at Southfield about 10 years ago. Kosmo isn't sure how well it work out, but is a low-risk, high-reward situation for both parties. Kettering has fallen on hard times in recent years and Kelso surely wanted an opportunity to showcase what he can do at a big public school, so this is a hire that makes sense. We'll see in the near future just exactly how much sense it ends up making.

TGIF from your all-knowing one here in his cave and no doubt Kosmo is going to leave his cave and enjoy this nice weather we are supposed to have today. Maybe a little golf or bear hunting around the woods will do, but Kosmo will figure that out soon. Hopefully those spring sports teams who are playing today enjoy the weather also. Kosmo hopes there will be as many good performances today as there was on Thursday. It wasn't easy to narrow it to three, but here are Kosmo's 3 stars for Thursday's prep games. Third star Max Wardell, Ortonville Brandon baseball - It was a good day to be a Blackhawk as Brandon swept Fenton in a doubleheader. The biggest reason was Wardell, who allowed two hits in 6 1/3 innings to win the first game and then went 3-for-3 in the second game at the plate. Hopefully the A & W bought Mr. Wardell a burger or something afterwards. Second star Jen Kendall, Birmingham Seaholm girls soccer - The Maples are off to a red-hot start in the OAA Blue and continued their winning ways in a 5-0 win over West Bloomfield thanks to Kendall, who had a goal and three assists to lead Seaholm. First star Ben Senkowski, Novi Detroit Catholic Central lacrosse - It usually is a great athletic event when Cranbrook and Catholic Central get together and Thursday's lacrosse game was no exception. It ended when Senkowski scored the game-winner in overtime to give the Shamrocks a 14-13 win.

The first day of May brought 80 degree weather for the first time and as a result, we finally had a full Wednesday of baseball and softball action. But every other sport was also sprinkled in, so it was a crazy Wednesday that'll make it hard for Kosmo to select the best three performances. But if the NHL can do it for playoff games, Kosmo can do it as well. Here are the K-Man's 3 stars for Wednesday's games. Third star Bobby Cross, Birmingham Brother Rice baseball - Kosmo doesn't care what nickname Cross has, he just knows he is extremely good. Cross showed that by getting a clutch hit in each game of a doubleheader sweep of St. Mary's. How about "Cross is Boss." Second star Alexandria Najarian, Cranbrook tennis - It must have been quite a scene on a perfect day when Najarian was involved in a battle with another top singles player, Lexi Baylis of Clarkston. But Najarian came out on top, winning 6-2, 7-6 (3). First star Taylor Steinhelper, Waterford Kettering softball - Pitchers aren't the only ones that can have perfect games. Steinhelper had in a doubleheader against Walled Lake Northern, going 7-for-7 with three triples for the Captains in a sweep. Kosmo can't help but praise Steinhelper.

Even though there was a downpour that caused some action to be postponed on Tuesday, it at least cleared up for a heavy night of track and soccer to take place. Believe it or not, Tuesday was the last big night of track dual meets since league meets will be held next week. My how fast the spring goes. Here are Kosmo's 3 stars for Tuesday's prep action. Third star Nick Harris, Franklin Road Christian baseball - One of the best players at a small school, Harris hit a home run, stole three bases and and scored three runs for the Warriors in a 10-6 win over Inter-City Baptist. Second star Cathy Quigley, Birmingham United lacrosse - Birmingham might have fallen to Bloomfield United by a goal, but it wasn't because of Quigley, who played a stellar game by collecting four goals and an assist. First star Taylor Timko, Pontiac Notre Dame Prep girls soccer - This could be a nightly occurrence with how great Timko is. Once again, she single-handedly led her team to a nice result, scoring all three goals for the Fighting Irish in a 3-3 tie against traditional Catholic League power Livonia Ladywood.