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.
Today in the MHSAA: 2/27/17
February 27, 2017
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
The MHSAA postseason is fully in motion, as girls basketball and boys hockey teams begin postseason play tonight and we look back on the Team Wrestling Finals, Bowling and Cheer Regionals and league swimming & diving meets from the weekend.
Each weekday during the school year, we’ll gather and post media links covering the most significant and intriguing high school events from all over the state.
Boys Basketball
Sault Ste. Marie completed a perfect run through the Straits Area Conference with a 54-34 win over Rudyard – Sault Ste. Marie Evening News
Carney-Nadeau fell to Crystal Falls Forest Park 51-38, but Wolves standout golfer Hunter Eichhorn scored his 1,000th basketball point – Escanaba Daily Press
Detroit U-D Jesuit won a record fifth straight Catholic League A-B title, downing Warren DeLaSalle 63-56 in the championship game – Macomb Daily
Macomb Lutheran North got past Riverview Gabriel Richard 70-62 to claim the Catholic League C-D title – C&G Newspapers
Bowling
The Ithaca boys may be in Division 3 this season instead of Division 4, but the success is the same as the No. 4 Yellowjackets won their Regional ahead of reigning MHSAA champion and top-ranked Saginaw Swan Valley – Saginaw News
Coldwater’s boys, ranked No. 4 in Division 2, won their third straight Regional championship, this time by 72 pins – Coldwater Daily Reporter
Bad Axe’s Melissa Steinbis added a Regional title to her league championship while competing as one of only a few bowlers on her team – Huron Daily Tribune
Cheer
Top-ranked Richmond has finished first or second in Division 3 five of the last six seasons, but won its first Regional title Saturday since 2013 – Port Huron Times Herald
Swimming & Diving
Ludington won its first Coastal Conference championship since 2008, finishing only 12 points ahead of runner-up Manistee – Ludington Daily News
Midland Dow won its 15th straight Saginaw Valley League title, edging Saginaw Heritage by 32 points; both are honorable mentions in the Lower Peninsula Division 2 rankings – Midland Daily News
Wyandotte Roosevelt won the Downriver League meet to claim the overall league title ahead of Allen Park, and LPD2 honorable mention – Southgate News Herald
Wrestling
Detroit Catholic Central won a matchup of the top seeds in Division 1, downing second seeded Davison – Second Half
Lowell became the fifth program in 30 years of Team Finals to win four straight, downing Warren Woods Tower in Division 2 – Second Half
Richmond got past rival Dundee on tie-breaker criteria to claim another Division 3 title – Second Half
After falling to New Lothrop in the Division 4 Final the last three seasons, Hudson won Saturday’s rematch and the championship – Second Half