Linked Up: 11/15/11
December 16, 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.
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.
This Week in High School Sports: 2/12/26
By
Jon Ross
MHSAA Director of Broadcast Properties
February 12, 2026
This week's edition details past MHSAA athletes currently competing at the Winter Olympics, awards Game Balls to standouts in wrestling and basketball, and highlights MHSAA connections to last weekend's Super Bowl.
The 5-minute program each week includes feature stories from MHSAA.com or network affiliates, along with "Be the Referee," a 60-second look at the fine art of officiating.
"This Week in High School Sports" is powered by MI Student Aid, a division within the Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP).
Listen to this week's show by Clicking Here.
Previous 2025-26 editions
Feb. 5: MHSAA personal branding activities rule, Bear Lake's Harless twins - Listen
Jan. 29: Women in Sports Leadership Conference, WISL Award winner Anika McEvans - Listen
Jan. 22: Multi-sport participation, MHSAA/Farm Bureau Insurance Scholar-Athlete Awards - Listen
Jan. 15: Genesee's Averie Zinn & Mio's Mia McGregor, MHSAA Winter Finals schedule - Listen
Jan. 8: 2024-25 MHSAA Tournament attendance, tribute to Vic Michaels - Listen
Dec. 11: MHSAA 2024-25 participation's national ranking, 2026 Wrestling Tournament - Listen
Dec. 4: 11-Player Football Finals review - Listen
Nov. 26: Girls Volleyball, 8-Player Football, Lower Peninsula Girls Swimming & Diving Finals review - Listen
Nov. 20: NFHS Network championship schedule, Sportsmanship Summits - Listen
Nov. 13: Performance of the Week, Shelby football - Listen
Nov. 6: Lower Peninsula Cross Country Finals, Boys Soccer Finals review - Listen
Oct. 30: Mendon football's Owen Gorham, MHSAA Girls Volleyball Tournament primer - Listen
Oct. 23: Lower Peninsula Girls Golf Finals review, LP Boys Tennis Finals - Listen
Oct. 16: MHSAA Football Playoff selection, Field Hockey Finals week primer - Listen
Oct. 9: Upper Peninsula Girls Tennis Finals review, 2025 Sportsmanship Summits - Listen
Oct. 2: 2026 MHSAA/Farm Bureau Insurance Scholar-Athlete Awards, Boys Soccer Tournament - Listen
Sept. 25: Saline's record-approaching performance, SAC sportsmanship statement - Listen
Sept. 18: Athletic director training, "Block Party" volleyball report - Listen
Sept. 11: Football coaching legend Al Fracassa, MHSAA Student Advisory Council - Listen
Sept. 4: MHSAA participation rising, Harbor Springs soccer's Henry Juneau - Listen
Aug. 28: Field hockey's first season, changes to Football Playoffs, Tennis Finals - Listen