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: 1/23/17
January 23, 2017
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
With the start of the wrestling postseason just under three weeks away, Michigan’s best on the mat continued tuning up against opponents from all divisions in highlighting this weekend’s action across the state.
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
Mount Pleasant downed Saginaw for the first time since 2010, 68-60 – Mount Pleasant Morning Sun
Ludington’s Calvin Hackert went over 1,000 career points in his team’s 69-43 win over Muskegon Catholic Central – Ludington Daily News
Bowling
Utica Ford’s girls repeated as Macomb County champions downing Warren Mott by 125 pins in the final match of the county tournament – Macomb Daily
Clinton Township Chippewa Valley won the boys Macomb County title, downing Roseville by 47 pins in the final – Macomb Daily
Competitive Cheer
Adrian Madison won the Division 4 competition and scored the highest of any team at the Whitmore Lake Trojan Invitational – Adrian Daily Telegram
Hockey
Jackson extended its series streak to four straight over rival Jackson Lumen Christi with a 5-2 win – Jackson Citizen Patriot
Division 2 No. 10 Marquette came back from a 5-2 loss to No. 2 Birmingham Brother Rice on Friday to down Canton 4-2 on Saturday at the Sault Ste. Marie Lions Showcase – Marquette Mining Journal
Boys Swimming & Diving
Lower Peninsula Division 1 No. 10 Detroit Catholic Central repeated in winning the prestigious East Grand Rapids Invitational ahead of the host Pioneers (top-ranked in LPD3) and Hudsonville – Observer & Eccentric
Battle Creek Lakeview won Battle Creek’s all-city championship for the 26th straight season – Battle Creek Enquirer
Wrestling
Division 3 No. 4 Whitehall won its 11th consecutive Greater Muskegon Athletic Association tournament with four champions plus six more runners-up – Muskegon Chronicle
Division 2 top-ranked Lowell won its Gary Rivers Memorial Tournament, downing Division 1 No. 6 Grandville and then No. 2 Davison 45-22 in the final after Davison had beaten reigning Division 1 champion (and current No. 3) Hartland in a semifinal – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
Division 3 No. 3 Remus Chippewa Hills won the Williamston Jim Mooney Classic ahead of reigning Division 1 champion (and current No. 7) Brighton – Big Rapids News
Division 3 No. 1 Dundee claimed the Hudson Super 16 Tournament ahead of the host Tigers (No. 1 in Division 4), Division 2 No. 4 St. Johns and Division 1 No. 5 Oxford – Adrian Daily Telegram