Today in the MHSAA: 1/20/17

January 20, 2017

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

A matchup of two of the top wrestling teams in Michigan and some nail-biting finishes in girls basketball made Thursday night an exciting one, especially across the Lower Peninsula.

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

Sandusky remained undefeated and dealt Harbor Beach its first loss, 45-35, in a matchup of Greater Thumb East and statewide Class C powers – Huron Daily Tribune

Reigning Class A champion Warren Cousino won a matchup of contenders for this season’s title, 66-45 over Port Huron Northern – Macomb Daily

Comstock moved to 10-1 and broke a Niles Brandywine 83-game home winning streak going back to 2009 with a 46-38 win – Kalamazoo Gazette

Kourtney John’s basket with seven seconds to play gave Sanford Meridian a 39-38 win over Farwell – Saginaw News

Clarkston didn’t lead until the final minute, but came away with a key 50-47 victory over North Farmington – Oakland Press

Alpena also earned a big win with a buzzer beater, downing Tawas 45-43 – Alpena News

Boys Basketball

Napoleon equaled last season’s win total and extended its best start since 2010-11 with a 50-36 win over Grass Lake – Jackson Citizen Patriot

Competitive Cheer

From Wednesday, Breckenridge scored a meet high 743.20 points to finish first of 18 teams at the Sanford Meridian Mustang Cheer Corral – Midland Daily News

Boys Swimming & Diving

Howell’s Caleb Balgaard upped his school diving record to 285.45 in the Highlanders’ win over Hartland – Livingston Daily Press & Argus

Wrestling

Top-ranked Detroit Catholic Central got past No. 2 Davison 32-22 in a matchup of the best in Division 1 – Detroit Free Press

Alma clinched a share of its first league title since 1992 with a pair of wins over Shepherd and Bullock Creek – Mount Pleasant Morning Sun

From High School to Olympic Swimming

July 11, 2012

Fans of U.S. Swimming already have plenty of reasons to cheer for Missy Franklin later this month at the Summer Olympics -- she's only 17, but qualified to compete in a U.S. women's all-time best seven events.

But fans of high school sports and what they provide athletes at all levels of ability can also support her for how she's chosen to compete when she's not racing against the best in the world.

Franklin, who lives in Colorado, has continued to swim for her high school team despite the financial rewards she could've earned by taking the elite swimmer's usual path of going pro.

A ton has been written about Franklin lately, for obvious reasons. Below is a link to a New York Times story from February that focused on her continued dedication to her high school team.

Before the Olympic Trials, There’s This Big High School Meet (New York Times)