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: 4/28/16

April 28, 2016

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

An epic finish by a past MHSAA Finals star highlighted a day of records and rematches across Michigan on Wednesday.  

Baseball

Hartland’s John Baker drilled a walk-off home run to lead the reigning Division 1 champion past rival Brighton in 18 innings; he also threw the final 10 innings for the Eagles – Livingston Daily

In his second career pitching start, Walled Lake Central’s Pierson Hoy no-hit Waterford Mott 2-0 – Oakland Press

Girls Soccer

In just two seasons, Birch Run junior keeper Kalyn Breckenridge has tied her school’s career shutouts record of 36, which also will place her on the MHSAA career list – Saginaw News

Boys Tennis

In a rematch of last season’s Upper Peninsula Division 2 co-champions, Ishpeming Westwood downed Iron Mountain 5-3 – Iron Mountain Daily News

Track & Field

From last week, East Grand Rapids’ Niki Ezeh broke her school’s shot put record set in 1981 with a toss of 40 feet, 9 inches, and also won the 100 and 200 and anchored the 400 relay winner against Grand Rapids Christian – Grand Rapids Press

Good Read

Muskegon Orchard View baseball coach Ed Macheta was diagnosed last summer with Parkinson’s disease, but he’s hoping coaching will help him stay active and minimize the early effects – Muskegon Chronicle