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.
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: 11/14/18
November 14, 2018
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Each weekday of the school year, we break down the top headlines courtesy of Michigan’s sports media.
We’ve linked up coverage of all 16 Girls Volleyball Quarterfinals from Tuesday plus a special announcement celebrating this fall’s top player.
1. Volleyball: Top-ranked Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central came back from a 2-1 deficit to down No. 5 Manchester in a Division 3 Quarterfinal – Monroe Evening News
2. Volleyball: No. 3 Lake Odessa Lakewood fell in the first set but won the next three over No. 5 Wixom St. Catherine in Division 2 – Ionia Sentinel-Standard
3. Volleyball: Top-ranked Grand Rapids Christian swept No. 6 Hamilton a Division 2 Quarterfinal – WZZM
4. Volleyball: No. 4 Southfield Christian made its first Semifinals in this sport with a Division 4 sweep of Kingston – Oakland Press
5. Volleyball: No. 9 Carney-Nadeau moved on to its first Semifinal with a five-set win over honorable mention Onaway in Division 4 – Escanaba Daily Press
6. Volleyball: After falling in the first set, No. 8 Traverse City St. Francis came back to win the next three over honorable mention Beal City in Division 3 – MI Sports Now
7. Volleyball: No. 2 Mendon swept No. 7 Adrian Lenawee Christian to advance to the Division 4 Semifinals – WWMT
8. Volleyball: No. 1 Farmington Hills Mercy added to an impressive two-month streak with a sweep of Sterling Heights Stevenson in Division 1 – C&G Newspapers
9. Volleyball: No. 8 Northville swept Livonia Churchill to move on in Division 1 despite the absence of a top player – Observer & Eccentric
10. Volleyball: No. 2 Lake Orion swept honorable mention Flushing to move on in Division 1 – Oakland Press
Also of note …
Volleyball: No. 7 Rockford swept Richland Gull Lake to advance to the Division 1 Semifinals – WOOD TV
Volleyball: Corunna swept Kingsley in a matchup of honorable mentions to advance to the Division 2 Semifinals – Owosso Argus-Press
Volleyball: No. 2 Pontiac Notre Dame Prep swept Detroit Communication Media Arts to advance in Division 2 – Oakland Press
Volleyball: No. 6 Unionville-Sebewaing came back from a 2-0 deficit to defeat Brown City in five in Division 3 – Huron Daily Tribune
Volleyball: No. 2 Bronson swept honorable mention Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian to move on in Division 3 – FOX 17
Volleyball: Top-ranked Leland swept Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart to win its Division 4 Quarterfinal – Traverse City Record-Eagle
Volleyball: Notre Dame Prep senior Maddy Chinn was named this season’s Miss Volleyball Award winner by the Michigan Interscholastic Volleyball Coaches Association – Oakland Press