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: 1/22/16

January 22, 2016

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Records fell, stealing the show Thursday night – both puns intended – as bowling and basketball milestones were achieved on both sides for the bridge.

Boys Basketball

St. Ignace’s Gage Kreski had eight steals (to go with 29 points and 17 rebounds) in a 78-40 win over Pickford to extend his career steals total to 366, breaking the MHSAA career record of 363 – Sault Ste. Marie Evening News

Howard City Tri-County’s Dylan Matulis threatened the single-game MHSAA record for steals for the second time in a week, following up Friday’s 13 against Newaygo with 10 more against Holton; the record is 14 – Grand Rapids Press

From earlier this week, Boyne Falls’ Marcus Matelski became the 35th player in MHSAA boys history to score 2,000 points, breaking that plateau with 38 in an 81-19 win over Harbor Springs Harbor Light Christian – Petoskey News

The fight for first in the Cascades Conference came down to the final seconds as Michigan Center beat Hanover-Horton for the first time since 2010, 56-55 – Jackson Citizen-Patriot

A.J. Morgan’s buzzer-beating 3-pointer gave St. Clair Shores South Lake a 57-56 win over Clinton Township Clintondale – Macomb Daily

Bowling

Zeeland’s Christina Scheuerman set two school records in a 28-2 win over Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills with a high game of 279 and series of 481 – Holland Sentinel

Ice Hockey

Zach Leonard’s five goals helped formerly-ranked Berkley to a 6-2 win over Division 1 No. 9 Lake Orion – Oakland Press

Skiing

Cadillac swept both the girls and boys competitions at its invitational at Caberfae Peaks on Thursday – Cadillac News