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: 2/27/20
February 28, 2020
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
As winter speeds to a close, we’re working to keep up with all of the headlines – including Wednesday’s from cheer, boys basketball and hockey, and plenty of news to add from Tuesday as well.
1. Competitive Cheer: Muskegon Mona Shores won its 11th-straight Greater Muskegon Athletic Association championship with a score of 779.900 – Muskegon Chronicle
2. Boys Basketball: Ellsworth finished a run to the outright Northern Lakes Conference title with a 68-38 win over Boyne Falls – Petoskey News-Review
3. Hockey: A short-handed goal in double overtime sent Gibraltar Carlson past Wyandotte Roosevelt in a Division 3 Regional matchup – Monroe News
4. Boys Basketball: Gaylord St. Mary put itself in position to at least share the Ski Valley Conference title with a 58-50 win over Pellston – Gaylord Herald Times
5. Boys Basketball: Orchard Lake St. Mary’s advanced to the Detroit Catholic League Bishop championship game with a 74-40 win over Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice – State Champs Sports Network
6. Hockey: Bay City Wolves had two short-handed goals and another on the power play in a 4-2 Division 1 Regional win over Midland – Midland Daily News
7. Hockey: Cooper Furtaw had four points in New Baltimore Anchor Bay’s 6-3 win over Rochester Hills Stoney Creek – Macomb Daily
8. Hockey: Alpena moved on its in Division 3 Regional with a 4-1 win over Cheboygan – Alpena News
9. Boys Basketball: Bay City Central got past Reese 73-71 on a last-second overtime putback – Bay City Times
10. Hockey: Saginaw Heritage opened Division 1 play with an 8-0 win over Bay Area – WJRT
Also of note …
Girls Basketball: From Tuesday, Trenton locked up the outright Downriver League title with a 47-28 win over Taylor – Southgate News-Herald
Boys Basketball: From Tuesday, Beal City’s Logan Chilman went over 1,000 career points during a 59-53 loss to Manton – Mount Peasant Morning Sun
Boys Basketball: From Tuesday, Houghton’s Brad Simonsen became his school’s all-time leading scorer during a 68-60 win over Lake Linden-Hubbell – Marquette Mining Gazette
Boys Basketball: From Tuesday, Muskegon Catholic Central’s Jared Dugener became his school’s all-time leading scorer during a 51-31 win over Byron Center Zion Christian – Muskegon Chronicle
Boys Basketball: From Tuesday, Grandville Calvin Christian’s Brock Stevens went over 1,000 career points in a 75-47 win over Wyoming Godwin Heights – Grand Rapids Press
Girls Basketball: From Tuesday, Springport’s Alana Nelson set a single-season scoring record in a 50-35 win over Reading – Jackson Citizen Patriot