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: 1/21/26

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

January 21, 2026

1. GIRLS BASKETBALL Vanessa Rodriguez became Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard’s all-time leading scorer during a 56-46 win over Toledo St. Ursula – Ann Arbor News

2. BOYS BASKETBALL North Muskegon handed Ludington its first loss, 63-54 – Muskegon Chronicle

3. BOYS BASKETBALL Croswell-Lexington handed Yale its first defeat, 64-57 in overtime – Port Huron Times Herald

4. BOYS BASKETBALL Clayton Heuker reached 1,000 career points in McBain’s 64-33 win over Traverse City St. Francis – Cadillac News

5. GIRLS BASKETBALL Plymouth Christian Academy downed Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest 64-52 in a matchup of Michigan Independent Athletic Conference Blue co-leaders – Oakland Press

6. BOYS BASKETBALL Grand Rapids Catholic Central held off Grand Rapids Christian 48-43 – Grand Rapids Press

7. BOYS BASKETBALL Holland West Ottawa upset Grand Haven 68-58 – Holland Sentinel

8. BOYS BASKETBALL Whitmore Lake also downed a ranked opponent, Southfield Christian, 71-68 – Ann Arbor News

9. BOYS BASKETBALL Maple City Glen Lake moved into first place alone in the Northwest Conference with a 71-49 win over Benzie Central – MI Sports Now

10. BOYS BASKETBALL Hartland sits alone in first in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association West thanks to a 64-57 victory over Brighton – Livingston Daily Press & Argus