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: 1/10/17
January 10, 2017
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
The northern Lower Peninsula’s best got running with the first major ski competitions of this season Monday, and we also take a look back at some key competitive cheer events from Saturday in addition to the usual basketball results – plus a news item on a baseball coach retirement.
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
Ishpeming Westwood finished on a 12-0 run to down Bark River-Harris by eight, 58-50 – Marquette Mining Journal
Boys Basketball
Iron Mountain improved to 6-1 in handing Bark River-Harris its first loss, 75-56 – Iron Mountain Daily News
Oxford moved to 6-0 with a 64-58 win over Pontiac Notre Dame Prep after breaking away over the final three minutes – Oakland Press
Pittsford handed Bellevue its first loss this season, 59-49 – Hillsdale Daily News
Competitive Cheer
From Saturday, Brighton won its Brighton’s Best Invitational, besting six-time reigning Division 2 champion Gibraltar Carlson – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
Also from Saturday, Portland won its Winterfest by four points over Owosso and 13 over Division 4 power Pewamo-Westphalia – Ionia Sentinel-Standard
Skiing
Petoskey, winners of six straight Division 2 boys championships, was impressive winning both slalom and giant slalom and the overall title at the Harbor-Petoskey Invitational – Petoskey News-Review
Traverse City West edged Harbor Springs by four points to win the Harbor-Petoskey Invitational girls event – Petoskey News-Review
Baseball
Coleman baseball coach Dave Mammel has stepped down after 23 seasons; he's also in his 16th year as athletic director – Midland Daily News