Today in the MHSAA: 1/21/16

January 21, 2016

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

A pair of hockey games featuring top-ranked teams highlighted Wednesday’s statewide action, and read on as well for an inspirational story out of Fruitport.

Boys Basketball

Bear Lake handed Onekama its first loss to pull within a game of the West Michigan D lead – Traverse City Record-Eagle

Ice Hockey

Division 3 No. 1 Grand Rapids Catholic Central needed overtime, but escaped Muskegon Mona Shores with a 4-3 victory – Grand Rapids Press

Division 2 No. 2 Birmingham Brother Rice earned arguably the best of its 12 wins, 3-0 over Division 1 top-ranked Detroit Catholic Central – Oakland Press

Wrestling

Saginaw Swan Valley fell in both of its matches Wednesday, but K.J. Suitor won his 200th individual match – Saginaw News

Good Read

Fruitport’s Karson Kriger played his first season of varsity football in the fall and was called up to the varsity baseball team as a pitcher last spring. He also can fire a bow – doing all of this with one hand after losing most of his left arm at birth – Local Sports Journal

Stripes Worn Well (Muskegon Chronicle)

March 1, 2012

Tim Flahive has battled diabetes for all but a few years of his life. But he's also filled half of those years with high school sports as a longtime official based in the Muskegon area.

The Muskegon Chronicle's Mark Opfermann tells the story of Flahive's final basketball game last week -- and makes us appreciate even more the significant role our officials fill to no fanfare.

A powerful excerpt:

He left the court with no fanfare, took off his whistle and shed a few tears.

But Flahive's story isn’t just about sports and an official leaving the hobby he loves. It’s about courage, getting back up and pressing on.

So, I guess it’s a lot like sports after all. But it’s a whole lot more about life.

That’s because when Flahive took the court last week, he did it with half of his left foot missing.

Click to read on.