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: 12/8/16
December 8, 2016
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Wrestling season started Wednesday with matches all over the state, including the first of the 50th season for a highly-respected coach.
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.
Boys Basketball
Oak Park freshman Malik Carr had 18 points and 16 rebounds off the bench in a 78-61 win over St. Clair Shores South Lake – Detroit News
From Tuesday, Munising’s Alec Blank sank two free throws with a second remaining to give his team a 59-57 win over Gwinn – Marquette Mining Journal
Girls Basketball
Bath downed Pewamo-Westphalia 48-36 in a key early-season Central Michigan Athletic Conference matchup – Ionia Sentinel-Standard
From Tuesday, Scottville Mason County Central earned an impressive 42-41 win over Fruitport Calvary Christian – Ludington Daily News
Also from Tuesday, Taylor Gauthier drilled two free throws with 20 seconds left to give Escanaba a 38-37 win over Negaunee – Escanaba Daily Press
Hockey
Mount Pleasant downed Midland for the first time in program history, 3-2 with three goals in the third period – Mount Pleasant Morning Sun
With only nine skaters and one goalie available, Marysville got past Bloomfield Hills 3-0 – Clinton Township Voice
From Tuesday, Houghton scored five third-period goals to down Kingsford 9-3 – Iron Mountain Daily News
Boys Swimming & Diving
Okemos won the Waverly Relays, breaking a 15-year-old meet record in the 400-yard individual medley relay – Lansing State Journal
Wrestling
Whitehall, 26-2 last season, opened this winter with a 41-22 victory over Grand Haven – Muskegon Chronicle
Marysville kept the Blue Water Belt with wins over Algonac and Port Huron – Port Huron Times Herald
Midland celebrated its 50th season of wrestling with wins over Bay City Central and Saginaw Heritage – Midland Daily News
Good Reads
Battle Creek Harper Creek kicked off the season with a quad, but the story was the start of the 50th season for coach Dave Studer – Battle Creek Enquirer
The Macomb County basketball community is mourning the death of Tannisha Stevens, who scored more than 2,000 points starring for Mount Clemens from 1988-91 – Macomb Daily