Linked Up: 11/8/11

December 16, 2011

My online travels over the last 10 days have taken me to just about every media entity in Michigan as we've been tracking down football, volleyball and soccer results. Below are some of the intriguing stories I happened upon that you might want to check out as well.

See something high school sports-related that you think others would find valuable? Send me a link at [email protected].

State meet an experience to savor  (Livingston County Daily Press & Argus)

Reporter Katie Noble ran at the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Cross Country Finals for Kinde North Huron in 2001. She explains how her perspective has changed during the 10 years since -- something any former high school athlete can appreciate.

Lincoln football: More than just football (AnnArbor.com)

Although Ypsilanti Lincoln's first playoff run ever ended after just one game, it gave those fans plenty to celebrate -- and AnnArbor.com's Jeff Sainlar put together a great multimedia look at how the team made history after going 0-9 in 2010.

Twin sisters key players for both Dow and Midland volleyball teams (Midland Daily News)

We hear a lot of stories of teams having two or three siblings, a set of twins or an occasional crew of triplets. But Saturday's District final at Saginaw Heritage included two teams from the same city both receiving major contributions sets of twins. Dan Chalk explained how similarities among those pairs benefited their respective teams in similar ways.

Marshall Thomas' coaching tree produces state titles on way to Saginaw County Hall of Fame induction (Saginaw News)

Thomas coached five sports and served as athletic director during his tenure at Saginaw High. But he's best known for leading a boys basketball power that has produced two more coaches who have gone on to win MHSAA titles. A fantastic legacy left by one of the friendliest people I've met in high school athletics, and Geoff Mott tells us about it.

Deckerville Eagles will move to 8-man football (Port Huron Times-Herald)

The Port Huron area looks to continue to be a center for 8-player football with another solid program set to make the switch. But it's not always an easy decision, and Jim Whymer tells us why and how Deckerville decided it was time.

Today in the MHSAA: 3/11/19

March 11, 2019

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

The hockey, gymnastics and boys swimming & diving seasons came to an end with Finals over the weekend – and you can find coverage of all of them to the right under “Latest Posts.” Meanwhile, girls basketball finished its tournament’s first week with a pair of unbeaten teams continuing on with first District championships.

1. Girls Basketball: Undefeated Stanton Central Montcalm won its first District title in this sport, downing Alma 49-24 in Division 2 – Greenville Daily News

2. Girls Basketball: Unbeaten Oscoda also added its first District championship with a 65-47 Division 3 win over Lincoln Alcona – Alpena News

3. Girls Basketball: Haslett avenged a pair of losses to Williamston with a 44-42 Division 2 District Final win – Lansing State Journal

4. Girls Basketball: East Kentwood won a matchup of league champions in Division 1, 57-54 over East Grand Rapids – FOX 17

5. Girls Basketball: Centreville added to its league title this winter with its first District championship since 1998, thanks to a 61-48 win over Constantine in Division 3 – Sturgis Journal

6. Girls Basketball: Utica downed Troy 55-48 in overtime in Division 1 to claim its first District title since 2000 – Macomb Daily

7. Girls Basketball: St. Ignace earned its 11th straight District title with an 84-41 win over Pickford in Division 4 – Sault Ste. Marie Evening News

8. Girls Basketball: Niles Brandywine continued an impressive streak with its 10th District title in 11 seasons, defeating Watervliet 56-19 in Division 3 – Niles Daily Star

9. Girls Basketball: Michigan Center got past rival Grass Lake 49-44 in a Division 3 District Final – JTV

10. Girls Basketball: Ewen-Trout Creek won its first District title since 2005, defeating Painesdale-Jeffers 47-37 in Division 4 – The Upbeat

Also of note …

Boys Basketball: New Haven’s Romeo Weems was named this year’s Mr. Basketball Award winner – State Champs!