Stripes Worn Well (Muskegon Chronicle)

March 1, 2012

Tim Flahive has battled diabetes for all but a few years of his life. But he's also filled half of those years with high school sports as a longtime official based in the Muskegon area.

The Muskegon Chronicle's Mark Opfermann tells the story of Flahive's final basketball game last week -- and makes us appreciate even more the significant role our officials fill to no fanfare.

A powerful excerpt:

He left the court with no fanfare, took off his whistle and shed a few tears.

But Flahive's story isn’t just about sports and an official leaving the hobby he loves. It’s about courage, getting back up and pressing on.

So, I guess it’s a lot like sports after all. But it’s a whole lot more about life.

That’s because when Flahive took the court last week, he did it with half of his left foot missing.

Click to read on.

Today in the MHSAA: 11/30/17

November 30, 2017

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Each weekday of the school year, we break down the top headlines courtesy of Michigan’s sports media.

Today's Top 10 

1. Hockey: Traverse City Central ran its streak over Petoskey to 18 straight even as the Northmen came back from a three-goal deficit to force overtime – Petoskey News-Review

2. Hockey: A matchup of annual powers saw Detroit Catholic Central down Trenton 4-2 – Oakland Press

3. Girls Basketball: Freshman Olivia Kubik opened her high school career with 21 points in Utica Ford’s 42-33 win over Rochester – Macomb Daily

4. Girls Basketball: Farmington Hills Mercy came back from a quick deficit to down Rochester Adams 51-41 in both teams’ opener – Oakland Press

5. Girls Basketball: Detroit East English has high aspirations this winter and got off on a winning step with a 62-24 victory over Harper Woods – Detroit News

6. Hockey: Midland opened its season with a 4-1 win over Mount Pleasant – Midland Daily News

7. Girls Basketball: Bear Lake opened with a close 35-30 win over Suttons Bay – Manistee News Advocate

8. Girls Basketball: Kingsley opened with a big win Wednesday, 77-37 over Traverse City West – MI Sports Now

9. Hockey: Grosse Ile dominated against Dearborn United to move to 3-1 this winter – Southgate News Herald

10. Football: Canton football gave out its first Chiefs Spirit Award as part of its season-ending banquet in honor of Chris Lanier, as his mother pled with current players to “not give up on life.” Lanier, a 2007 grad, took his life in 2013 – Observer & Eccentric