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: 12/5/16

December 5, 2016

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Girls basketball season cruised into its first weekend with some exciting previews of possible playoff matchups coming at the end of this winter, and the action was just as significant on the ice and at a swimming & diving meet celebrating its 70th year.

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

Bloomfield Hills Marian made an early statement with a 56-42 win over reigning Class A champion Warren Cousino – Macomb Daily

In a matchup of expected MHSAA title contenders, reigning Class C winner Ypsilanti Arbor Prep earned a significant 52-39 victory over Muskegon Mona Shores – Muskegon Chronicle

Midland Dow’s Ellie Taylor reached 1,000 career points in leading her team to a 41-37 win over Southfield Arts & Technology – Midland Daily News

Goodrich looks to be back in the Class B mix, and picked up a nice win over New Lothrop – Flint Journal

Dearborn Heights Robichaud also is expected to make some noise this winter, and picked up a 65-54 win over Ann Arbor Huron – Ann Arbor News

Okemos will be a team to watch in Class A over the next few seasons and earned a solid 35-34 win over Haslett – Lansing State Journal

Bowling

Adrian Madison freshman Isabell Young enjoyed a great start to her high school career, winning the Wildcat Blastoff Tournament – Adrian Daily Telegram

Hockey

Division 2 No. 3 Birmingham Brother Rice broke away for a 7-1 win over No. 5 Trenton – Oakland Press

Division 3 No. 5 Sault Ste. Marie remained undefeated with a stunning 8-1 win over Romeo, scoring the final eight goals – Sault Ste. Marie Evening News

Division 1 No. 10 Northville downed Traverse City West 4-1 on Saturday, while No. 3 Detroit Catholic Central and No. 7 Orchard Lake St. Mary’s tied 2-2 – Observer & Eccentric

Boys Swimming & Diving

Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central edged reigning champion Ann Arbor Pioneer 356-334 to win the 70th Cereal Bowl Relays in Battle Creek – FHCRangers.com