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: 2/16/16

February 16, 2016

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

A relatively quiet night in statewide hoops still produced a handful of stunning highlights to go with the retirement of one of Michigan’s most respected football coaches.

Girls Basketball

Reigning Class C champion Calumet clinched its first West Peninsula Athletic Conference title with a 46-42 win over Houghton, last season’s league champion – Houghton Daily Mining Gazette

Boys Basketball

Sanford Meridian needed all of six overtimes to get past Unionville-Sebewaing, 76-74 – Midland Daily News

Football

Longtime Mendon coach John Schwartz announced his retirement after attaining a 274-48 record over 27 seasons and leading the Hornets to 25 playoff appearances and 10 MHSAA championships – Sturgis Journal

Good Read

Gibraltar Carlson senior Jacob Thomas didn’t want to miss out on anything his senior year – so this winter, he’s pulling off the rare double-up of playing basketball and hockey – Monroe Evening News