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: 3/12/18

March 12, 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.

Today's Top 10

1. Boys Swimming & Diving: Ann Arbor Skyline and Holland Christian won MHSAA titles to end four-season winning streak by the reigning champs, whole Dexter claimed its third straight Finals win – Second Half

2. Hockey: Brighton, Hartland and Detroit Country Day capped this season with MHSAA championships, Brighton and Country Day after upsetting top-ranked teams in Semifinals – Second Half

3. Gymnastics: Farmington United claimed its first team championship since 2006, with senior Elisa Bills repeating as Division 2 individual title winner and Grosse Pointe United freshman Cate Gagnier reigning in Division 1 – Second Half

4. Boys Basketball: Grand Rapids South Christian enjoyed one of the weekend’s biggest upsets, 61-58 over Wyoming Godwin Heights in a Class B District Final – FOX 17

5. Boys Basketball: Indian River Inland Lakes downed Harbor Springs 70-60 in Class C to claim its first District title since 1988 – Petoskey News-Review

6. Boys Basketball: North Muskegon claimed a Class C District title with a 37-33 win over previously-undefeated Kent City – Local Sports Journal

7. Girls Basketball: Flint Beecher claimed a Class C Regional title with a 66-53 win over Unionville-Sebewaing in a game forced to Saturday because of snowy weather – Huron Daily Tribune

8. Boys Basketball: Suttons Bay earned another of Friday night’s big upsets, downing Frankfort 45-42 in a Class D District Final – MI Sports Now

9. Boys Basketball: White Lake Lakeland claimed its first District title since 2007, downing Walled Lake Western 53-51 in Class A after trailing by 15 points during the final minute of the third quarter – Observer & Eccentric

10. Boys Basketball: St. Clare Shores South Lake won its first District title since 2006 with a 73-53 win over Harper Woods – Macomb Daily

Also of note …

Girls Basketball: East Lansing senior Jaida Hampton was named the Miss Basketball Award winner by the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan – Lansing State Journal

Football: Clinton coach Scott McNitt has resigned after 33 seasons and two trips to the MHSAA Finals – Adrian Daily Telegram