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: 6/1/26
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
June 1, 2026
1. GIRLS TRACK & FIELD Spring Lake and Kalamazoo Hackett Catholic Prep won their first MHSAA Finals team titles in this sport, Rudyard its first since 1977, while Oak Park, Olivet, Negaunee and Newberry extended championship streaks – MHSAA.com
2. BOYS TRACK & FIELD Harper Woods, Hillsdale Academy, Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central and Lake Linden-Hubbell were first-time champions, while East Kentwood, Marquette and Pickford added to their boys track trophy cases – MHSAA.com
3. GIRLS TENNIS Northville repeated as Lower Peninsula Division 1 Finals champion with powerful doubles leading the way – MHSAA.com
4. GIRLS LACROSSE Reigning Division 1 champion South Lyon United ran its winning streak to 47 with a 14-11 Regional Final win over Brighton – Oakland Press
5. BOYS VOLLEYBALL Division 1 top-ranked Grand Haven swept No. 2 Jenison and then downed honorable mention Rockford in four sets to clinch a Regional title – Grand Haven Tribune
6. GIRLS SOCCER Hopkins scored twice over the final 1:42 to get past Allegan in Division 3 and claim a first District title in this sport – Grand Rapids Press
7. SOFTBALL Macomb Dakota upset No. 2 New Baltimore Anchor Bay 7-5 to clinch a Division 1 District title – Macomb Daily
8. BASEBALL No. 2 Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart downed No. 3 Beal City 2-1 in a Division 4 District Final – Mount Pleasant Morning Sun
9. GIRLS SOCCER No. 2 Richland Gull Lake downed No. 4 Grand Rapids South Christian 3-2 in overtime in a Division 2 District Final – Kalamazoo Gazette
10. SOFTBALL Honorable mention Armada emerged as winner of a Division 2 District that included three league champions – Macomb Daily