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: 1/18/17

January 18, 2017

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

A strong argument can be made that Tuesday night was the basketball season’s most eventful so far, with an abundance of pivotal matchups in both girls and boys and a buzzer beater thrown in.  

Each weekday during the school year, we’ll gather and post media links covering the most significant and intriguing high school events from all over the state. 

Girls Basketball

Saginaw Heritage took the first of two regular-season meetings against Midland Dow, 50-47, in a matchup of two of the top teams statewide in Class A as well – Saginaw News

Hartland, 9-1 this season, handed Howell its first loss in stunning fashion, 48-28 – Livingston Daily Press & Argus

Undefeated Houghton avenged last season’s sweep by rival Calumet with a 56-40 win – Houghton Daily Mining Gazette

Farmington Hills Mercy finished a regular-season sweep of Detroit Catholic League Central rival Bloomfield Hills Marian, 33-30, in another matchup of top Class A teams – Oakland Press

Boys Basketball

Detroit East English made its claim as Detroit’s best and one of the Class A elite with a 71-57 win over Detroit Martin Luther King – MLive-Detroit

T.J. VanKoevering’s 3-pointer at the buzzer gave Hudsonville Unity Christian a 48-45 win over Holland Christian, and his coach Scott Soodsma his 500th victory on the bench – Grand Rapids Press

West Bloomfield came back from a halftime deficit to down Bloomfield Hills 62-43 in an Oakland Activities Association Red opener – Oakland Press

Hillsdale emerged a big winner in a matchup of unbeaten Lenawee County Athletic Association teams, handing Dundee its first defeat, 74-54 – Hillsdale Daily News

Undefeated Buckley handed Frankfort its first Northwest Conference loss in 28 games, and first loss overall this season, 50-38 – Traverse City Record-Eagle