Linked Up: 11/15/11

November 15, 2011

We're heading into the final two weeks of the MHSAA fall season, which means playoffs for a few more sports, first practices for many others, and some catch-up on good stories that have made their way into my e-mail or onto my desk. Here are five more I've run across this week.

And again, if you see something high school sports-related that you think others would find valuable, send me a link at [email protected].

Walled Lake Central's Zac Leimbach stands strong after father's death (Detroit Free Press)

Walled Lake Central quarterback Zac Leimbach led his team to the playoffs this fall (WLC lost last weekend). He also is the oldest of three sons and now the man of his house in the wake of the summer death of their father after a battle with cancer. Mick McCabe's passage about Leimbach's final conversation with his father really struck me -- incredible.

Being in the pool makes Zeeland swimmer Becky Taylor feel like equal (Holland Sentinel)

Taylor was born with spina bifida -- "a hole in her back" -- and paralysis from the hips down. But she can leave her wheelchair behind when she takes to the pool as a member of the Zeeland swim team. Dan D'Addona tells us this inspiring story that has made waves on the west side of the state this season.

Mercy's Maddy Doyle takes home Miss Volleyball award (Oakland Press)

Doyle was the spokesperson for her team to the media after tough losses ended their last two seasons. But she was able to stand in once more  -- joyfully tearful this time -- in accepting the Miss Volleyball award for 2011. Matthew B. Mowery wraps up her great career.

It's like I never left, almost: EGR still winning playoff games, this time against Holland (Grand Rapids Press)

East Grand Rapids' win over Holland was the Pioneers' 28th straight in postseason play. That's a story unto itself, of course. But another big one for West Michigan high school sports fans was the return of the Press' Jane Bos, who is back in the press box after nearly a year working through medical issues. This is her return column, and I'm sure a loyal reader base is thankful to have her back.

From a standout player, a different sort of care basket (Los Angeles Times)

This is a little old, but came back into the light this week with the start of college basketball season. It's a college story, but also a high school story, of a star hoops player who won $40,000 in scholarship money in a free-throw shooting contest -- and then gave it to the seven runners-up. You'll probably hear about Cal State-Northridge's Allan Guei at some point over the next few years. Here's why.

Today in the MHSAA: 12/9/24

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

December 9, 2024

1. WRESTLING Division 3 top-ranked Dundee finished eight points ahead of Division 2 No. 1 Lowell and also ahead of Division 4 No. 1 Hudson to win a loaded Grappler Gold Invitational – Michigan Grappler

2. GIRLS BASKETBALL Saginaw Heritage downed reigning Division 1 champion West Bloomfield 79-53 at the Ypsilanti Ice Breaker Classic – Saginaw News

3. HOCKEY Division 3 No. 2 East Grand Rapids defeated No. 3 Houghton in a shootout at the West Michigan Hockey Showcase – East Grand Rapids Hockey

4. BOYS BASKETBALL Jake Champagne tied Oxford’s career scoring record during a 75-40 win over New Baltimore Anchor Bay – Oakland Press

5. GIRLS BASKETBALL Saline’s Keira Roehm broke her school’s career record for 3-pointers with five more during a 59-28 win over Livonia Stevenson – Ann Arbor News

6. BOYS BASKETBALL Jalen Kampen scored 32 points to surpass 1,000 for his career in Parchment’s big win over Constantine – Kalamazoo Gazette

7. BOWLING Cadillac swept championships at the early-season Big North Conference meets – Cadillac News

8. GIRLS BASKETBALL Onekama defeated Maple City Glen Lake 57-42 to clinch the Elik Rapids Invitational title – Traverse City Record-Eagle

9. WRESTLING Midland finished 5-0 at the Saginaw Swan Valley Invitational, defeating Croswell-Lexington in the championship match – Midland Daily News

10. BOYS BASKETBALL Warren Lincoln delivered a 56-51 season-opening loss to Ann Arbor Huron – Ann Arbor News