Linked Up: 12/19/11
December 20, 2011
We've hit a bit of a slow spot with schools out for break and most contests reserved for holiday showcases and the like.
Here are some suggestions if you have some time for some reading between now and the start of 2012.
High school coaches try to bring basketball back to basics (Detroit News)
For most of the last decade, we've heard about the recessing of basketball fundamentals even among elite high school players. Enter Ben Kelso, Marshall Thomas and a number of other Michigan coaches who have pledged to end that trend. Tom Markowski tells us how the Metro Detroit Basketball Coaches Association aims to do so.
Lantzy retires after more than 4 decades as Ike grid coach (Macomb County Advisor & Source)
Utica-Eisenhower coach Bob Lantzy has been his school's only varsity football coach. He took four teams to MHSAA Finals and this fall became one of only nine state football coaches to win more than 900 games. He has retired after 41 seasons, and Kevin Lozon fills us in on the legacy.
Tabahn Afrik poised for greatness in pool for West Ottawa (Holland Sentinel)
The Holland area has its next big swimming star. Dan D'Addona introduces us to Tabahn Afrik, a freshman at Holland West Ottawa who qualified for the MHSAA Division 1 Finals in two events in his first meet this season.
High school basketball: History of class hoops is just that (South Bend Tribune)
"Hoosiers" made Indiana's former one-class basketball tournament known on a grander scale. But Indiana went to classes (similar to Michigan's) beginning in 1997-98. Al Lesar tells us how some in the state are attempting to revert to one class.
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