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: 2/12/16
February 12, 2016
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Wrestling Districts again dominated the action Thursday, and many of the headline grabbers are linked up below – as well as a basketball game filled with impressive numbers and a video feature showing one of Michigan’s all-time high school greats.
Boys Basketball
Jamal Cain had 42 points and 20 rebounds to lead Cornerstone Health/Technology to a 101-93 win over Detroit Pershing – Detroit News
Wrestling
Matt Mills won the final match of the night to give Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central its fourth straight District title with a 32-31 win over Rockford – Grand Rapids Press
Macomb Dakota also trailed going into the final match of its Division I District Final, but Dustin Solomon won to give the No. 9 Cougars a final 29-28 victory over No. 8 New Baltimore Anchor Bay – Macomb Daily
Portage Central beat rival Portage Northern for the first time in three years, claiming a Division 1 District title with a 42-41 victory – Kalamazoo Gazette
No. 6 Caro won its 23rd straight District championship, downing Essexville Garber in a Division 3 championship match – Saginaw News
From Wednesday, Tecumseh won its 14th straight District championship, claiming a Division 2 title – Adrian Daily Telegram
Also from Wednesday, Manistique won the first wrestling District title in school history, downing Newberry 31-24 in a Division 3 Final – Escanaba Daily Press
Worth the Watch
This came out during the fall, but is a worthwhile 23 minutes on a frigid day as well; Dearborn Heights Robichaud’s Tyrone Wheatley is considered one of the most incredible athletes in Michigan high school history and then came back to successfully coach his alma mater before moving on to the football staff at University of Michigan. This is his story, complete with clips from his high school days – State Champs!