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: 11/6/17

November 6, 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 Cross Country: Lansing Catholic’s Olivia Theis ran the fastest time in MHSAA Lower Peninsula Finals 5K history to lead the Cougars to the Division 2 title, their first championship, while Hart also won its first MHSAA title, Troy its first in more than 20 years and Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart its third straight – Second Half

2. Boys Cross Country: Chelsea and Hanover-Horton won their first MHSAA boys cross country championships, while Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart claimed its first in 40 years and Ann Arbor Pioneer swept the team and individual titles in Division 1 – Second Half

3. Boys Soccer: Detroit Catholic Central, Holland and Ann Arbor Greenhills won first MHSAA titles in boys soccer Saturday, while Flint Powers Catholic avenged a 2016 Finals loss to also raise a trophy – Second Half

4. Girls Swimming & Diving: Lower Peninsula Division 1 top-ranked Saline set three Southeastern Conference Red meet records in winning the team title ahead of No. 10 Ann Arbor Huron and No. 3 Ann Arbor Skyline – Saline Post

5. Girls Swimming & Diving: LPD1 No. 7 Northville, unranked Novi and No. 6 Brighton took the top three places at the Kensington Lakes Activities Association championship meet – Observer & Eccentric

6. Girls Swimming & Diving: LPD2 honorable mention Midland Dow capped an undefeated regular season with a 12th straight Saginaw Valley League meet championship – Midland Daily News

7. Volleyball: Warren Woods-Tower swept Warren Mott to claim its first Class A District title in volleyball – Macomb Daily

8. Volleyball: Pellston won a District title for the 11th consecutive season, downing Harbor Springs Harbor Light Christian in Class D – Petoskey News-Review

9. Girls Swimming & Diving: The Traverse City co-op with athletes from Central, West and St. Francis saw 51 personal records set over two days in winning the Coastal Swim Conference championship – Traverse City Record-Eagle

10. Volleyball: In their fourth meeting this season, Class A honorable mention Richland Gull Lake held off Battle Creek Lakeview in five sets to claim a District title – Battle Creek Enquirer