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: 3/7/17

March 7, 2017

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

A trio of buzzer beaters lead off our collection of boys basketball District headlines from across the state after a Monday filled with close finishes and milestones.

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. 

Boys Basketball

Nolan Hornbacher’s basket with nine seconds to play gave Caro a 40-39 Class B win over North Branch; the Tigers have built their first winning season since 2002 – Saginaw News

Ross Bogart’s bucket during the final seconds gave Southgate Anderson a 48-46 Class A win over Riverview – Southgate News Herald

Coloma’s Zach Goodline hit 3-pointers to send his team’s Class B game against Buchanan into overtime and then help it win 56-55 in a second extra period – St. Joseph Herald-Palladium

Otsego had 11 points at halftime of its Class B game against Plainwell, but Bill Woodhams scored 27 during the second half to lead the Bulldogs to a 54-40 win – Kalamazoo Gazette

Napoleon downed Concord 70-59 in a Class C matchup of 15-win teams entering the night – Jackson Citizen Patriot

Orchard Lake St. Mary’s eliminated 2016 Class A runner-up North Farmington, 58-42 – Oakland Press

Konner Vedrode went over 1,000 career points as Alma downed Shepherd 52-45 – Mount Pleasant Morning Sun

Danny Griffin went over 1,000 points as well as Evart downed White Cloud 69-48 – Big Rapids News

Good Read

Four travel hockey standouts came out for Hartland’s team this season, joining two more who made the switch a year ago, and the Eagles are 24-2-1 heading into a Division 2 Quarterfinal tonight. They talk about some of the best of becoming part of the high school team – Livingston Daily Press & Argus