Today in the MHSAA: 11/23/15

November 23, 2015

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

The Girls Lower Peninsula Swimming and Diving and Volleyball seasons finished this weekend, with two first-time champions crowned both in the pool and on the court and a third volleyball champion ending the longest title-winning streak in that sport’s history.

Swimming and Diving

Ann Arbor Skyline competed in Division 1 this season after finishing second in Division 2 a year ago, and emerged as champion for the first time in any division behind standout Katie Portz – Second Half

Dexter won its first championship since 2002 by clinching Division 2 during the final event of the afternoon at Oakland University – Second Half

Grand Rapids Catholic Central cleared the Division 3 field by 100 points to win its first MHSAA championship in this sport – Second Half

Volleyball

In a rematch of last season’s Class A Final, Novi went from runner-up to champion with a four-set win over Romeo – Second Half

Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard became the first undefeated team since 1998-99 by defeating reigning champion North Branch in Class B – Second Half

Bronson earned its first championship since 2009, finishing tops in Class C after entering the tournament ranked No. 1 – Second Half

Leland earned its first Class D title in a decade by ending Battle Creek St. Philip’s record nine-year championship streak – Second Half

Today in the MHSAA: 1/12/16

January 12, 2016

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Today’s report includes our first skiing headline of this season – and make sure to check out as well a video involving the Plymouth football team and a fourth-grade student’s goal come true.

Boys Basketball

In a Monday matchup of unbeaten teams, Lake Linden-Hubbell got past Chassell 65-48 with a pair of players combining to score 52 of those points – Houghton Daily Mining Gazette

Bowling

From Sunday, Jackson’s girls won the Battle of the Baker tournament at M-66 Bowl in Battle Creek, beating Hartland 2-0 in the final match – Jackson Citizen-Patriot

From Saturday, Grand Haven’s teams swept the Fruitport Invitational after both qualified third to start the event but dominated the Baker games – Grand Haven Tribune

Skiing

The season got off to a late start, but there’s plenty of snow now and the Harbor Springs girls took advantage by winning the opening Grayling Invitational at Schuss Mountain – Petoskey News

Worth a Watch

We in Michigan can all use a little sunshine this time of year. This fall, Plymouth fifth-grader Connor “Sunshine” Sherman, with the help of the Plymouth High football program, put on the second Sunshine’s Skills and Drills Football Clinic for children with special needs. Here’s a look at how what started as a classroom project took off.