Today in the MHSAA: 11/7/17

November 7, 2017

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Each weekday of the school year, we break down the top headlines courtesy of Michigan’s sports media.

Today's Top 10

1. Football: The movement of many Michigan high schools from 11 to 8-player caught the attention of the Washington Post, which took a trip to Felch North Dickinson during Week 9 to tell one community’s story – Washington Post

2. Volleyball: With only eight players, Pentwater this fall has continued its recent run of success and won a fifth straight Class D District title – Local Sports Journal

3. Football: The Monroe Evening News’ Niles Kruger describes in detail what one of many postgame gatherings in football communities all over our state looked like Friday, and why the tradition is special – Monroe Evening News

4. Football: The Grand Rapids Press caught up with former Michigan State standout and NFL pro Ty Hallock, who told of his enjoyment in watching sons Tanner and Tate’s high school careers at Forest Hills Central – Grand Rapids Press

5. Volleyball: Grand Haven’s Avolyn Lepo suffered a torn knee ligament in January, but made it all the way back for her senior season to lead the Buccaneers to an 11th-straight District title – Grand Haven Tribune

6. Volleyball: Class D No. 8 Rogers City and No. 2 Leland will face off tonight in one of the state’s most intriguing Regional Semifinals – Alpena News

7. Volleyball: Class B honorable mention Fruitport is gearing up for a Regional that also includes honorable mention Grand Rapids Catholic Central, Grand Rapids South Christian and Grant – Grand Haven Tribune

8. Football: Frankenmuth basketball all-stater Mario Whitley came back out for football this fall after leaving the team midway through his junior season to focus on the hoops recruiting process – and he’s turned into a key contributor for an undefeated team – Saginaw News

9. Volleyball: Ishpeming Westwood is balancing a couple of good opportunities this week – playing in a Regional at Gladstone while hosting a Regional as well – Marquette Mining Journal

10. Girls Basketball: Practice began Monday, and for Petoskey seniors Megan Hannah and Isabel Anderson it was the start of a fourth season on the varsity – Petoskey News-Review

Also of note …

Girls Swimming & Diving: From Saturday, Macomb L’Anse Creuse North continued its climb with the Macomb Area Conference Blue meet championship – Macomb Daily

Girls Swimming & Diving: From Friday, Lower Peninsula Division 3 honorable mention Trenton won its seventh straight Downriver League title by claiming the league meet win – Southgate News-Herald

Today in the MHSAA: 12/20/17

December 20, 2017

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Each weekday of the school year, we break down the top headlines courtesy of Michigan’s sports media.

Today's Top 10 

1. Boys Basketball: Grand Haven broke a 10-game losing streak to Muskegon going back to 2012, drilling 10 3-pointers in a 59-51 win – Grand Haven Tribune

2. Girls Basketball: Led by senior Maddie Barrie, Midland broke a seven-game losing streak to rival Dow in handing the Chargers their first loss this season 49-37 – Midland Daily News

3. Boys Basketball: Undefeated McBain went ahead to stay with 2.3 seconds to play in handing reigning Class D runner-up Buckley a 41-40 defeat – Cadillac News

4. Boys Basketball: Reigning champion Flint Beecher got past rival Hamady 49-48 in a matchup of likely two of the state's best again in Class C – Flint Journal

5. Hockey: Some of the state’s best hockey is played at the northern tip of the Upper Peninsula, and No. 7 Houghton won a matchup of two of the best programs in Division 3, 3-2 over No. 3 Calumet – Houghton Daily Mining Gazette

6. Boys Basketball: Standout Brandon Johns poured in 51 points as East Lansing downed Lansing Sexton 114-82 – Lansing State Journal

7. Girls Basketball: Dana Schmanske drilled a 3-pointer during the final minute to push Brighton past Northville 37-35 – Livingston Daily Press & Argus

8. Girls Basketball: Ella McKinney’s basket with 34 seconds to play lifted Haslett past Fowlerville 51-49 – Lansing State Journal

9. Boys Basketball: Midland Dow came back from 11 down in the fourth quarter to get past Midland 58-52 in overtime – Midland Daily News

10. Boys Basketball: A last-second 3-pointer sent Gibraltar Carlson and Trenton to overtime, and Carlson prevailed after two extra periods 86-79 – Monroe Evening News