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: 4/20/16
April 20, 2016
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Tuesday’s statewide action was highlighted by a number of swing-and-miss baseball pitching performances, including some perfection for the second day in a row.
Baseball
Holland Christian senior Mike Mokma threw a perfect game in beating Holland 3-0, striking out 15 batters – Grand Rapids Press
Battle Creek Lakeview dominated in sweeping Division 1 No. 3 Portage Northern 12-2 and 10-1 – Battle Creek Enquirer
Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart’s Matt Kornexl struck out 19 in shutting out Blanchard Montabella 5-0 – Mount Pleasant Morning Sun
Traverse City West swept rival Traverse City Central 2-1 and 2-0 with a walk-off win in the opener – Traverse City Record-Eagle
Coldwater’s Nick Shaw threw a five-inning no-hitter as his team swept Battle Creek Pennfield 11-7 and 5-0 – Coldwater Daily Reporter
Holland Black River’s JP Fowler also tossed a no-hitter, striking out 12 in a 4-1 win over Byron Center Zion Christian – Holland Sentinel
From Monday, Norway’s Dan VandenHeuvel reached perfection as well in a 4-0 win over Eben Junction Superior Central – Iron Mountain Daily News
Boys Golf
From Monday, Onsted’s Josh Jeffords shot a 1-under 70 to win the Maple Invitational at Lenawee Country Club, coming off a 3-under 33 in a match the week before – Adrian Daily Telegram
Boys Lacrosse
Rochester Hills Stoney Creek downed Royal Oak 12-7 to move to 7-0 and equal its win total from three of the last four seasons – Oakland Press
Softball
Marysville edged Port Huron 4-3, thanks in large part to 15 strikeouts by pitcher Paige Ameel – Port Huron Times Herald