Today in the MHSAA: 1/20/16
January 20, 2016
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Buzzer beaters and milestone basketball victories made headlines all over Michigan today, and check out as well a moving video that tells of the importance of our national anthem.
Girls Basketball
Reigning Class C champion Calumet added another accomplishment to the long list with its first win over Houghton since 1999, 44-31 – Houghton Daily Mining Gazette
Three Rivers’ sophomore Arionne Fowlkes went baseline to baseline for a last-second layup to give her team a 43-41 win over Niles – Niles Daily Star
Class A favorite Saginaw Heritage remained undefeated with a 53-38 win over rival Midland Dow, also ranked in Class A – Saginaw News
One-loss St. Ignace handed Newberry its first defeat of the season, 64-57 – Sault Ste. Marie Evening News
Cedar Springs also knocked a team from the unbeaten ranks, with Sam Taylor’s 3-pointer in the closing seconds ending Kent City’s perfect run, 50-47 – Grand Rapids Press
Muskegon edged East Kentwood 50-47 after trailing by 10 and on the strength of 26 points and 22 rebounds by senior Mardrekia Cook – Muskegon Chronicle
Boys Basketball
Despite being outscored 30-22 in the fourth quarter, Southfield Christian held on for an 82-79 win over Southfield – MLive-Detroit
Merrill earned its first win since 2013 by downing Coleman 49-36 – Midland Daily News
One-loss Alma handed previously-undefeated Ithaca its first, 56-53, as Dylan Carl hit 3-pointers to send the game to overtime and then win it – Mount Pleasant Morning Sun
Muskegon Oakridge’s Brady Luttrull drilled a 3-pointer during the final seconds to push his team past Scottville Mason County Central 67-66 – Muskegon Chronicle
Cassopolis followed a strong third quarter by Deoin Gatson to hand Niles Brandywine its first loss, 61-47 – Niles Daily Leader
One-loss Clarkston also handed out a first loss Tuesday, to Rochester Adams, in a matchup of top Class A teams – Oakland Press
Caleb Brown’s only basket for Northport was the game winner during the final seconds of a 51-49 victory over Central Lake – Traverse City Record-Eagle
Nate Dugener’s sixth 3-pointer of the game gave Muskegon Western Michigan Christian a 52-49 win over Holland Christian – Grand Haven Tribune
Boys Swimming & Diving
In a matchup of top teams on the west side of the Lower Peninsula, Division 1 No. 6 Zeeland got past Division 2 honorable mention Holland 104-73 – Holland Sentinel
Worth Watching
We ran across and were moved by Virginia Tech’s honoring of veterans at the start of this men’s basketball season. Check out this meaningful presentation and how it relates to providing proper respect during The Star-Spangled Banner.
Today in the MHSAA: 9/7/17
September 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: Farmington Hills Harrison will rename its stadium entrance for longtime leader John Herrington, who is closing in on the state’s coaching wins record for football – Observer & Eccentric
2. Soccer: The Battle Creek Enquirer looks at ways its local schools are working to decrease head injuries in soccer, where concussions aren’t nearly as publicized as in football – Battle Creek Enquirer
3. Volleyball: Rudyard continued to build its case as the No. 10 team in Class D with sweeps of Pickford and St. Ignace to improve to 6-1-2 – Sault Ste. Marie Evening News
4. Boys Soccer: Rochester remained undefeated at 4-0-3 with a key tie against Clarkston in Oakland Activities Association Red play – Oakland Press
5. Cross Country: The Shepherd boys and Cadillac girls won championships at the Bluejays’ 19-team invitational – Mount Pleasant Morning Sun
6. Girls Golf: Freeland, No. 6 in Lower Peninsula Division 3, won its second Tri-Valley Conference jamboree with a season-best 176 – Midland Daily News
7. Girls Golf: Caledonia shot a 178 to win the third Ottawa-Kent Conference Red jamboree by two strokes over Hudsonville – Grand Haven Tribune
8. Boys Soccer: Manistee continued its undefeated start to this season with a 3-0 win over Shelby – Manistee News Advocate
9. Boys Soccer: New Boston Huron moved to 5-0 with a 4-2 win over Carleton Airport – Detroit News
10. Boys Soccer: Sturgis netted a 1-0 win over Marshall on a first-half goal – Sturgis Journal
Also of note …
Football: Traverse City Central and Traverse City West are playing this week their annual “Patriot Game,” which draws a sellout crowd to honor those who have served and continue to do so. The Record-Eagle is doing features every day this week; this is the first – Traverse City Record-Eagle
Football: Muskegon Mona Shores also will honor former and active-duty military and first responders with its second “Sailor Salute” taking place during a big-time matchup with Rockford – Muskegon Chronicle
Football: Ionia also will host a “Patriot Game” this weekend against Fowlerville, again to honor those who have and continue to serve – Ionia Sentinel-Standard