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: 1/13/20

January 13, 2020

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

A pair of basketball buzzer beaters, an overtime game-winning hockey goal and a first-time achievement in gymnastics were among weekend headliners, topped by a titanic matchup in cheer.

1. Competitive Cheer: Two-time reigning Division 2 Finals runner-up Allen Park outpaced Dearborn Divine Child (fourth in 2019) to win the Division 2 and overall championships at its home invitational – Southgate News-Herald

2. Hockey: Division 1 No. 8 Holland West Ottawa got past Division 3 No. 5 Grand Rapids Catholic Central 3-2 in overtime – FOX 17

3. Gymnastics: Escanaba defeated Marquette and Negaunee and broke 120 points for the fourth time to qualify for Regional competition for the first time – Escanaba Daily Press

4. Girls Bowling: Coldwater defeated Macomb Dakota in the final of the Battle of the Baker – Coldwater Daily Reporter

5. Girls Basketball: Saline won a matchup of unbeaten teams, 40-18 over Dexter – Saline Post

6. Boys Basketball: E.J. Bowman’s buzzer-beating 3-pointer carried Waterford Mott past Grand Blanc 60-57 – State Champs Sports Network

7. Hockey: Traverse Bay Reps beat Macomb Dakota and Davison during the North/South Showcase – Traverse City Record-Eagle

8. Boys Basketball: Centreville also was victorious on a last-second 3-pointer, as Dustin Schwenk sank the game-winning shot in a 68-67 overtime win over Marcellus – Sturgis Journal

9. Wrestling: Chelsea defeated Fowlerville, Riverview, Michigan Center, Allen Park and Melvindale to win its home invitational – Chelsea Sun Times News

10. Wrestling: Kingsley took a major step as a program with a championship at the Grayling Team Tournament – Traverse City Record-Eagle