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: 1/28/20

January 28, 2020

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Basketball rolled to a fast start this week with major highlights Monday, and news broke about two coaches from prominent football programs stepping down.

1. Girls Basketball: Makenna Banbury scored 26 points including the 1,000th of her career in Hillsdale Academy’s 60-26 win over North Adams-Jerome – Hillsdale Daily News

2. Boys Basketball: Emoni Bates scored 42 points to lead Ypsilanti Lincoln past Jackson 83-58 – Jackson Citizen Patriot

3. Boys Basketball: Clarkston moved to 9-1 overall with a big Oakland Activities Association Red win over North Farmington, 55-45 – Oakland Press

4. Girls Basketball: Cadillac held on to move to 11-0 with a 42-40 win over McBain – Cadillac News

5. Girls Basketball: Melanie Morrison’s 3-pointer during the final seconds pushed Hillman past Mio 42-41 – Alpena News

6. Girls Basketball: Cedarville handed just the second loss this season to Mackinaw City, 58-25 – MI Sports Now

7. Girls Basketball: Laney Jakeway was another late-game hero as Harbor Light Christian edged Wolverine 47-43 in overtime – Petoskey News-Review

8. Girls Basketball: Sault Ste. Marie improved to 10-1 with a 57-46 win over Marquette – Up North Live

9. Boys Swimming & Diving: Ishpeming Westwood edged Gladstone 62-56 – Escanaba Daily Press

10. Boys Basketball: Morley Stanwood held on through overtime to improve to 9-1 with a 58-50 win over LeRoy Pine River – Big Rapids News

Also of note …

Football: Jerry Angers has resigned as coach at Maple City Glen Lake after 11 seasons and this fall a runner-up finish in Division 6 – Traverse City Record-Eagle

Football: Midland Dow coach Jason Watkins stepped down, also after 11 seasons leading the program – Midland Daily News