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: 6/10/16

June 10, 2016

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

A number of girls soccer Regional Finals pitted ranked teams Thursday, with the top two from Division 2 last season among those eliminated while new contenders moved on.

Girls Soccer

No. 13 Dexter eliminated three-time reigning Division 2 champion and No. 2-ranked Richland Gull Lake, 3-1, with two second-half goals – Ann Arbor News

No. 4 Novi needed overtime to get past No. 11 Brighton 3-2 in Division 1 – Oakland Press

No. 11 Livonia Ladywood scored twice during the final 25 minutes, but No. 4 Bloomfield Hills Marian hung on for a 3-2 Division 2 win – Oakland Press

No. 3 Pontiac Notre Dame Prep won its first Regional since 2013 and ended the 20-game winning streak of reigning Division 2 runner-up and No. 14-ranked Fenton, 2-1 – MLive-Detroit

Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern also needed overtime to down Grand Rapids Christian 2-1 in Division 2 – Grand Rapids Press