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: 12/5/17

December 5, 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: Many of the names are different, but Powers North Central got scoring from 10 players to increase its state record winning streak to 84 with a 71-50 win over Stephenson on opening night – Escanaba Daily Press

2. Boys Basketball: Despite 12 3-pointers by Painesdale-Jeffers, Bessemer hung on for a 71-63 overtime victory – Houghton Daily Mining Gazette

3. Boys Basketball: Reading came back from 10 down in the third quarter to win the opener over Camden-Frontier 66-57 – Hillsdale Daily News

4. Boys Bowling: Saline trailed 10-0 after losing both Baker games, but came back to dominate the head-to-head portion and defeat Tecumseh 17-13 – Saline Post

5. Boys Basketball: Rapid River held off Carney-Nadeau’s second-half charge to hold on for a 56-53 win – Escanaba Daily Press

6. Boys Basketball: Bronson delivered first-year coach Damien Loveless his first win with the program, 67-44 over Battle Creek St. Philip – Coldwater Daily Reporter

7. Girls Basketball: Hesperia went on a 27-6 third-quarter run to come back from a 10-point halftime deficit and defeat Custer Mason County Eastern 56-52 – Local Sports Journal

8. Boys Basketball: Essexville Garber opened a 20-point lead by halftime to get past Pinconning 64-39 – Bay City Times

9. Boys Basketball: Zach Boyd and Armondo Beverly had double-doubles as Burr Oak opened with a 68-57 win over White Pigeon – Sturgis Journal

10. Hockey: Escanaba scored six goals during the second period to down Negaunee 13-6 – Marquette Mining Journal