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: 11/14/17

November 14, 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. Volleyball: Novi’s Erin O’Leary was named this season’s Miss Volleyball Award winner on the eve of her team’s Class A Quarterfinal against honorable mention Temperance Bedford; Novi is the reigning champ and ranked No. 2 – Observer & Eccentric

2. Volleyball: Class C top-ranked Bronson is plenty familiar with tonight’s Quarterfinal opponent, No. 2 Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central – Sturgis Journal

3. Volleyball: Class B No. 4 Niles is hoping to add to its first District and Regional titles with a first Quarterfinal win, over No. 3 Lake Odessa Lakewood – Niles Daily Star

4. Volleyball: Class A No. 3 Grand Rapids Christian downed top-ranked Rockford in the Regional, a big step as the Eagles pursue their first MHSAA championship in the sport with No. 4 DeWitt up next – FOX17

5. Volleyball: Honorable mention Cadillac is set to continue an impressive tournament run tonight that started with an upset of No. 5 Kingsley in the District – Cadillac News

6. Volleyball: Facing Cadillac tonight is honorable mention Fruitport, which has some history with the Vikings from its Class B championship runs – Grand Haven Tribune

7. Volleyball: Class C No. 8 Calumet has a new outlook as it aims to return to Kellogg Arena, and will take on Houghton Lake tonight to earn that opportunity – Houghton Daily Mining Gazette

8. Volleyball: No. 8 Rogers City is seeking to reach the Class D Semifinals for the second year in a row, and second time ever, with Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart up next – Alpena News

9. Volleyball: Meanwhile, No. 10 Sacred Heart will be playing in its fifth straight Quarterfinal and looking to break through to the weekend for the first time in this run – Mount Pleasant Morning Sun

T-10. Volleyball: After a long-distance pep talk and a first Regional title, Class A honorable mention New Baltimore Anchor Bay will take on No. 6 Farmington Hills Mercy seeking to make the final weekend of the season for the first time as well – Macomb Daily

T-10. Volleyball: Honorable mention Midland is hoping to follow a strong senior class to the Class A Semifinals for the first time in two decades – NBC25