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: 2/3/17

February 3, 2017

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

League championships won and impressive winning streaks extended made girls basketball the sport to watch across Michigan on Thursday.

Each weekday during the school year, we’ll gather and post media links covering the most significant and intriguing high school events from all over the state. 

Girls Basketball

Springport took over first place alone in the Big 8 Conference with a 53-39 win over Jonesville – Jackson Citizen Patriot

Muskegon Oakridge upped its West Michigan Conference winning streak to 61 going back to 2012-13 with a 52-32 victory over Shelby – Muskegon Chronicle

Frankenmuth just kept its Tri-Valley Conference East streak going, pushing it to 105 straight wins with a 48-46 victory over Millington – Saginaw News

Reigning Class A champion Warren Cousino clinched the Macomb Area Conference Red title with a win over Romeo – Macomb Daily

Southfield Arts & Technology increased its lead in the Oakland Activities Association Red with a 79-62 victory over 12-win Clarkston – Oakland Press

Kingsley handed Kalkaska its first loss this season, 53-43 – Traverse City Record-Eagle

Roseville clinched the MAC Silver title with a 54-45 win over Madison Heights Madison – Detroit News

Competitive Cheer

Division 3 No. 1 Richmond won a 12th straight Blue Water Area Conference championship, finishing 38 points ahead of honorable mention Algonac – Port Huron Times Herald

Hockey

Saline scored a pair of short-handed goals to down Ann Arbor Pioneer 4-1 – Ann Arbor News

Escanaba scored four goals during the third period to get past Kingsford 5-4 – Escanaba Daily Press

Boys Swimming & Diving

Howell took over first place alone in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association West with a 95-91 win over Grand Blanc – Livingston Daily Press & Argus