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: 1/15/20

January 15, 2020

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Tuesday was filled with notable basketball matchups as league races began to take shape – and a major hockey comeback made its way into the top of the high achievers list as well.

1. Girls Basketball: Temperance Bedford won a matchup of undefeated teams, 59-53 over Saline – Monroe News

2. Hockey: Division 1 No. 4 Brighton came back from two goals down to get past Division 2 No. 10 Plymouth 4-3 – Livingston Daily Press & Argus

3. Boys Basketball: Maple City Glen Lake took over first alone in the Northwest Conference with a 63-50 win over rival Frankfort – Traverse City Record-Eagle

4. Girls Basketball: Hadley Miller became Three Rivers’ career steals and assists record holder during a 63-36 win over Allegan – Sturgis Journal

5. Girls Basketball: Hartland won a key league and statewide Division 1 matchup over Howell, 47-29 – Livingston Daily Press & Argus

6. Girls Basketball: Hudsonville moved to 8-0 with a similarly impressive 68-45 league win over Grand Haven – FOX 17

7. Girls Basketball: Muskegon ran its winning streak to four with a 60-57 double overtime win over Division 3 contender Kent City – Muskegon Chronicle

8. Boys Basketball: Zach Overweg’s 3-pointer during the closing seconds pushed Zeeland West past Holland Christian 52-49 – Holland Sentinel

9. Boys Basketball: Fremont came back from a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit to remain unbeaten with a 46-43 win over Newaygo – Local Sports Journal

10. Boys Basketball: Blake Cassidy topped 40 points again for Pellston, netting 43 in a 72-60 win over Mancelona – Petoskey News-Review

Also of note:

Football: Don Galster resigned as coach at Wyoming Kelloggsville after 30 seasons leading the program – WOOD TV