Linked Up: 12/19/11

December 19, 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: 11/14/25

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

November 14, 2025

1. GIRLS VOLLEYBALL No. 2 Detroit Country Day came back from two sets down to get past top-ranked North Branch in five in a power-packed Division 2 Regional Final – Oakland Press

2. GIRLS VOLLEYBALL Fremont is a first-time Regional champion thanks to a five-set win over Fruitport in Division 2 – Local Sports Journal

3. GIRLS VOLLEYBALL No. 2 Bloomfield Hills claimed its first Regional title in volleyball with a sweep of Birmingham Groves in Division 1 – Hometown Life

4. GIRLS VOLLEYBALL Ogemaw Heights won the first two sets and hung on in five to defeat Essexville Garber in Division 2 and clinch a first Regional title – Bay City Times

5. GIRLS VOLLEYBALL Trenton claimed a first Regional title, getting past Allen Park in four sets in Division 1 – Southgate News-Herald

6. GIRLS VOLLEYBALL No. 3 Kingsley defeated a second ranked opponent this week, clinching a Division 3 Regional title with a sweep of No. 10 Beal City – Traverse City Record-Eagle

7. GIRLS VOLLEYBALL No. 5 Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central won three close sets to get past No. 4 Hanover-Horton in Division 3 – Monroe News

8. GIRLS VOLLEYBALL Traverse City Christian wrapped up a Division 4 Regional title with a sweep of No. 9 Onekama – MI Sports Now

9. GIRLS VOLLEYBALL No. 2 Fowler came back after losing the first set to defeat No. 5 Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart in four – Lansing State Journal

10. GIRLS VOLLEYBALL Top-ranked Mendon clinched a Division 4 Regional title with a four-set win over No. 8 Battle Creek St. Philip – Battle Creek Enquirer

Also of note …

GIRLS SWIMMING & DIVING New Baltimore Anchor Bay won the final event to clinch the Macomb Area Conference Blue league meet title – Macomb Daily