Today in the MHSAA: 11/17/16

November 17, 2016

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

A few more Michigan high school hockey teams faced off for the first time Wednesday, while we waved good-bye to a well-regarded coach and learned about the inspiration behind one of our football finalists.

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.

Ice hockey

Cadillac was among the next wave to start its season Wednesday, handing a 9-2 loss to Traverse City-based co-op Bay Area Reps – Cadillac News

Good Reads

Fans watching the MHSAA 8-Player Football Final on Friday will notice a pink ribbon on the backs of Deckerville players’ helmets as they honor someone who has influenced them and the coaches who lead their program – Huron Daily Tribune

Coach Will Cleaver has been a face of high school football in Gaylord for two decades, and has stepped down from the Blue Devils for the second time after previously leading the team to its first playoff berth and more recently back to the postseason – Gaylord Herald Times

Today in the MHSAA: 1/5/16

January 5, 2016

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Winter sports return in force with a full slate of events statewide tonight, but here are a few headlines of note as we get rolling – plus two great reads from the wrestling world.

Boys Basketball

Ishpeming in recent seasons has scheduled its first basketball games later than other teams to offset the football team’s four straight runs to the MHSAA Finals at Ford Field – but the Hematites were one of the first to play in 2016 and came away with a 74-72 win over Gladstone to move to 2-0 – Marquette Mining Journal

Girls Bowling

From Sunday, two-time reigning Division 2 champion Flint Kearsley got past 2015 Division 1 finalist Jackson to win the Lila Jean Furnish Classic in Owosso, which included a number of the state’s top teams – Jackson Citizen-Patriot

Good Reads

When Clinton wrestler Nick Rolland was 3, his parents were told to say their good-byes after he was pulled from under a running lawn mower. But doctors were able to save his life, and then his leg, and this weekend he’ll wrestle for his 100th career win – Adrian Daily Telegram

Hastings wrestling coach Mike Goggins started out as an athlete for the Saxons, later coached at the middle school and now also is the high school athletic director – and owner of more than 400 varsity coaching wins after reaching that milestone during the Montrose Invitational on Dec. 29 – Grand Rapids Press