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: 8/22/17
August 22, 2017
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Each weekday of the school year, we break down the top headlines courtesy of Michigan’s sports media.
Today’s Top 10
Football: Livonia Clarenceville is preparing for Saturday’s ceremony to rename its stadium after former star Tim Shaw, a continuing program supporter who went on to play at Penn State and in the NFL and is fighting Lou Gehrig’s disease – Observer & Eccentric
2. Boys Tennis: Reigning Lower Peninsula Division 2 runner-up Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central and Traverse City St. Francis (tied for third in LPD4 in 2016) tied for the Elliott Pearce Invitational title at Forest Hills Central – Traverse City Record-Eagle
3. Girls Golf: Division 1 power Traverse City West won the Grayling Invitational, but by only a stroke over Division 4 contender Harbor Springs – Petoskey News-Review
4. Girls Cross Country: Reigning Lower Peninsula Division 2 champ Kayla Windemuller is flying out of the gate again this fall, winning the Muskegon Orchard View Invitational in 18:23 in leading Holland Christian to the team title – Holland Sentinel
5. Boys Cross Country: Spring Lake dominated the boys Orchard View Invitational, scoring 38 points to finish 47 ahead of the field – Grand Haven Tribune
6. Boys Soccer: Milford scored on a late penalty kick to prevail 3-2 over Waterford Mott in an opener in the new Lakes Valley Conference – Oakland Press
7. Boys Soccer: St. Joseph and Western Michigan University recruit Jaylen Shannon got off to a great start with a 6-0 win over Vicksburg thanks in part to two goals by the future Bronco – St. Joseph Herald-Palladium
8. Volleyball: Colon came back from a 2-0 deficit to down Three Oaks River Valley 3-2 – Sturgis Journal
9. Boys Soccer: Gibraltar Carlson improved to 4-0 with a Downriver League opener win over Brownstown Woodhaven – Southgate News Herald
10. Boys Soccer: Petoskey bounced back from an opening 4-0 loss to Ann Arbor Skyline by shutting out Midland 2-0 – Petoskey News-Review
Also of note …
Boys Tennis: From Saturday, Birmingham Brother Rice won a loaded quad; the Warriors placed ahead of Midland Dow, which was second just ahead of Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central and Rockford. Brother Rice finished sixth in LPD1 last season, Rockford was 11th, Dow is the reigning champ in LPD2 and Forest Hills Central was second in LPD2 last year – Midland Daily News
Boys Soccer: Also from Saturday, Detroit Catholic Central downed Walled Lake Northern, Saline and Salem to claim the Balconi Invitational championship at Plymouth-Canton Educational Park – Observer & Eccentric