By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

The northern Lower Peninsula’s best got running with the first major ski competitions of this season Monday, and we also take a look back at some key competitive cheer events from Saturday in addition to the usual basketball results – plus a news item on a baseball coach retirement.

Each weekday during the school year, we’ll gather and post media links covering the most significant and intriguing high school events from all over the state. 

Girls Basketball

Ishpeming Westwood finished on a 12-0 run to down Bark River-Harris by eight, 58-50 – Marquette Mining Journal

Boys Basketball

Iron Mountain improved to 6-1 in handing Bark River-Harris its first loss, 75-56 – Iron Mountain Daily News

Oxford moved to 6-0 with a 64-58 win over Pontiac Notre Dame Prep after breaking away over the final three minutes – Oakland Press

Pittsford handed Bellevue its first loss this season, 59-49 – Hillsdale Daily News

Competitive Cheer

From Saturday, Brighton won its Brighton’s Best Invitational, besting six-time reigning Division 2 champion Gibraltar Carlson – Livingston Daily Press & Argus

Also from Saturday, Portland won its Winterfest by four points over Owosso and 13 over Division 4 power Pewamo-Westphalia – Ionia Sentinel-Standard

Skiing

Petoskey, winners of six straight Division 2 boys championships, was impressive winning both slalom and giant slalom and the overall title at the Harbor-Petoskey Invitational – Petoskey News-Review

Traverse City West edged Harbor Springs by four points to win the Harbor-Petoskey Invitational girls event – Petoskey News-Review

Baseball

Coleman baseball coach Dave Mammel has stepped down after 23 seasons; he's also in his 16th year as athletic director – Midland Daily News