Today in the MHSAA: 12/15/15
December 15, 2015
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
We haven’t reached January, and at least a pair of Michigan's best high school bowling teams appear in midseason form as evidenced by their scores Monday.
Girls Basketball
Reigning Class D semifinalist Waterford Our Lady had to hold off Wixom St. Catherine all the way to the final seconds of overtime to emerge with a 55-53 victory – Oakland Press
Manistee got out to a 16-0 lead on the way to defeating Cadillac 46-29 – Manistee News Advocate
Two-time reigning Class A champion Bloomfield Hills Marian has a new starting lineup this season, but is coming up with similar results including a 49-43 win over Flint Powers Catholic – Mlive-Detroit
Boys Basketball
Farwell celebrated the end of a 24-game losing streak with a 52-43 victory over Coleman – the Eagles first victory since early 2014 – Mount Pleasant Morning Sun
Boys Bowling
Vandercook Lake improved to 3-0 with an 18-12 win over Jonesville, rolling a 1,228, which according to the state coaches association is the 10th highest ever in Michigan high school competition – Jackson Citizen-Patriot
Girls Bowling
Macomb Dakota has a number of new bowlers after winning the Division 1 championship last season; but so far, so good, as the Cougars beat Utica 28-2 – Macomb Daily
Good Read
Temperance Bedford wrestler Hunter Gandee is more well-known outside of his high school for carrying younger brother Braden on his back on multiple walks from their hometown to Ann Arbor to raise awareness for cerebral palsy. Hunter was named Sports Illustrated High School Athlete of the Year on Monday – Bedford Now
Today in the MHSAA: 12/10/15
December 10, 2015
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Wednesday was the first day of winter in full swing with significant matchups coming in six sports as four got into the heart of their first week of the season. Be sure to check out as well a story on MHSAA officials recruiting efforts.
Girls Basketball
Traverse City St. Francis won an early battle between two of the north’s top small-school teams, downing Frankfort (featured today on Second Half) 76-72 – Traverse City Record-Eagle
A pair of Concord players filled the stat sheet in a 62-56 win over Michigan Center; senior Lindsey Lehmen led with 24 points, five assists, four rebounds and four steals, and sophomore Camryn Ward grabbed 19 rebounds – Jackson Citizen-Patriot
Boys Basketball
From Tuesday, Sanford Meridian freshman Lucas Lueder will be among first-year players to watch, if his 18 points in a 65-61 win over Saginaw Nouvel are an indication – Midland Daily News
Boys Bowling
Vandercook Lake could be in line for an exciting season or four after watching freshmen Korey Reichard (278) and Conner Lackey (267) lead the way in a 29-1 win over Grass Lake – Jackson Citizen-Patriot
Ice Hockey
Division 3 No. 10 Farmington’s two first-period goals were enough as the Falcons scored a key early-season win over Division 2 No. 4 Berkley – Oakland Press
After finishing regulation tied, Division 2 No. 9 Traverse City Central needed only 14 seconds of overtime to get past Cadillac 4-3 – Traverse City Record-Eagle
Boys Swimming & Diving
Chelsea coach Dave Jolly was the mid-Michigan link to Wednesday’s Waverly Relays, the annual event for Lansing-area teams to kick off the season; his Lower Peninsula Division 3 No. 3-ranked team broke Okemos’ five-year hold on the meet championship – Lansing State Journal
Wrestling
No. 3 Davison earned one of the most significant early wins so far this season, 45-27 over No. 4 Brighton, which beat Davison in the Division 1 Semifinals last season – Livingston Daily
Saginaw Swan Valley, No. 8 in Division 3, just escaped Essexville Garber for a 32-30 win – Saginaw News
Good Read
After more than five decades as an official, Dick Kalahar is watching from the stands this season. He is among a growing number of retiring officials the MHSAA is charged with replacing over the next few years, and this piece looks at some of the challenges and opportunities, in part through Kalahar’s eyes – Jackson Citizen-Patriot