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: 11/28/17

November 28, 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. Girls Basketball: Reigning Class A runner-up East Kentwood returns five starters and plenty of motivation to finish this year’s run with a win – FOX 17

2. Girls Basketball: Howell is looking to take the next step starting tonight after finishing 18-4 a year ago – Livingston Post

3. Girls Basketball: Zeeland West opens with plenty of valuable experience this winter after starting four underclassmen a year ago – Holland Sentinel

4. Girls Basketball: Marquette is looking to repeat as Great Northern Conference and Class A District champions – ABC 10

5. Girls Basketball: A big individual performance by Mariah Pringle led Brethren to a 32-25 win over Buckley in their season opener – MI Sports Now

6. Girls Basketball: Manistee pulled away behind Megan Wayward’s eight third-quarter points to open with a 50-36 win over Custer Mason County Eastern – Manistee News Advocate

7. Girls Basketball: Reading came back over the second half to overtake Camden-Frontier 59-50 – Hillsdale Daily News

8. Girls Basketball: Michigan Center closed on a 13-0 run to get past Jonesville 45-27 – Hillsdale Daily News

9. Football: Detroit Free Press columnist Jeff Seidel tells a dad’s side of the MHSAA Finals, and why they mean so much to so many, after watching his son this weekend play his final game for West Bloomfield – Detroit Free Press

10. Football: Longtime Fowlerville and Okemos coach Jack Wallace stepped down with more than 200 career wins after leading the Chiefs to a 5-4 finish this fall – Lansing State Journal