Did you see that?
April 2, 2012
Check out our must-know scores and news from March 26-31.
(Click on links for coverage.)
Girls lacrosse
Marian takes early advantage: In a match-up of 2011 Division 1 contenders, Bloomfield Hills Marian edged Ann Arbor Pioneer 10-9 in the second game of the season for both teams. Marian advanced to the Semifinals last season before falling to eventual champion Brighton by one, while Pioneer then fell to Brighton in the Final by two in overtime.
East Grand Rapids wins battle of D2 powers: In another game between regular MHSAA title favorites, East Grand Rapids got a big win downing Okemos 16-7. The Chieftains won the 2009 and 2010 Division 2 championships before falling in a Regional Final in 2011. East Grand Rapids ended last season with a one-goal loss to eventual champion Grand Rapids Catholic Central.
Girls soccer
Troy remains tops in town: Last season’s Division 1 runner-up got a solid March win, 2-0 over rival and returning District champion Troy Athens. The match-up had a little bit different feel this season, with Athens coach Todd Heugh running the show in his first season after taking over for longtime great Tim Storch. (The Oakland Press)
Baseball
State coaches release preseason polls: The Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Association released its preseason polls, and three of four reigning MHSAA champions have top rankings in their respective divisions – Rockford in Division 1, Madison Heights Bishop Foley in Division 3 and Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett in Division 4. Reigning Division 2 champion St. Clair comes in No. 2 behind Grand Rapids Christian. (Click for full rankings.)
Softball
Best of 2011 expected to be best of 2012: The Michigan High School Softball Coaches Association also released its preseason rankings, and all four reigning MHSAA champions are starting out in the top spots – Mattawan in Division 1, Stevensville Lakeshore in Division 2, Clinton in Division 3 and Petersburg Summerfield in Division 4. (Click for full rankings.)
Editor's note: Did we miss something? Comment below and tell us about it. Is there an event coming up that we should make sure to note? Comment or e-mail [email protected].
#SocialStudies V 2.1
September 13, 2012
By Andi Osters
Second Half social media guru
Welcome back, video mongers! A new school year has begun, and with it #SocialStudies 2.0.
Ready for your weekly dose of clips to peep? I hope so.
A quick refresher on #SocialStudies – I give you a selection of video clips I spotted in my never-ending quest to find the end of the Internet (which I’m convinced involves a cat video of some sort). These videos will typically highlight the amazing, dazzling, funny or weird side of sports – some high school, some college, some pro… and some which defy categorization.
And sometimes, we’ll simply show you a clip that is interesting and/or unique enough to be worth sharing.
We welcome your submissions and ideas for this weekly feature, so feel free to email us a link or raw footage. Seriously: we love videos. That said, let’s get to the meat & potatoes.
1. Give him a hand (he needs only one)
Here’s a high school football player from South Carolina who apparently was born with mattress springs attached to his legs instead of feet. The slo-mo replay of this interception (courtesy of PlayOn! Sports) is simply jaw-dropping.
2. Oh, Buddy ...
If Blake Griffin was at a gymnasium and I also happened to be in that very same gymnasium, I would absolutely tell my dignity to have a seat and allow that monster NBA dunk-master slam one over my head. I’d probably react to the experience just like this guy did, too.
3. Swing, swing a song
And now, for something completely un-sporty. Well, almost. There’s definitely activity happening in this brief short about an art installation in Montreal. I’m always fascinated by the intersection of musical creation and physical motion. Enjoy this giant human-powered instrument.
4. Summer School
And file this last one under In-Case-You-Missed-It-Over-The-Summer – here’s a recap of our Student Advisory Council’s 2nd Annual camp retreat to Mystic Lake in June. The 16-member council enjoyed time on the high ropes course, team building activities, bonfires and strategizing an action plan for the 2012-13 school year.
That's enough for this school year's first lesson. See something over the weekend that caught your eye? Snag something at a pep assembly that we should see? Upload it to YouTube and send it on over.
You might just see it on Second Half’s #SocialStudies.