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: 11/17/16

November 17, 2016

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

A few more Michigan high school hockey teams faced off for the first time Wednesday, while we waved good-bye to a well-regarded coach and learned about the inspiration behind one of our football finalists.

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.

Ice hockey

Cadillac was among the next wave to start its season Wednesday, handing a 9-2 loss to Traverse City-based co-op Bay Area Reps – Cadillac News

Good Reads

Fans watching the MHSAA 8-Player Football Final on Friday will notice a pink ribbon on the backs of Deckerville players’ helmets as they honor someone who has influenced them and the coaches who lead their program – Huron Daily Tribune

Coach Will Cleaver has been a face of high school football in Gaylord for two decades, and has stepped down from the Blue Devils for the second time after previously leading the team to its first playoff berth and more recently back to the postseason – Gaylord Herald Times