Today in the MHSAA: 12/21/16

December 21, 2016

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

The last busy night in Michigan high school sports before Christmas featured some giant basketball battles as contenders in Class A boys and Class A and B girls faced off.

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

Detroit U-D Jesuit, the reigning Class A champion, downing injury-depleted Macomb Dakota 69-61 in a rematch of last season’s Semifinal – Detroit Free Press

Hanover-Horton came back from an early 21-8 deficit to remain undefeated with a 63-62 win over Concord – Jackson Citizen-Patriot

Markell Jackson had 12 points, 15 rebounds and 10 blocks as Muskegon downed Grand Haven 45-37 – Muskegon Chronicle

McBain won a key matchup of Class C powers, 73-62 over Boyne City after trailing by three at the start of the fourth quarter – Cadillac News

Hillman won coach Eric Muszynski his 200th victory, 64-46 over Rudyard – Alpena News

Dundee earned reportedly the 1,000th win in program history, 60-50 over Carlton Airport – Monroe Evening News

Girls Basketball

Detroit Country Day downed Midland Dow 56-46 in a matchup of likely contenders in Class B and A, respectively – MLive-Detroit

Spring Lake’s Reiko Johnson broke her school’s record for career points, but Shelby came away with a 49-47 win – Muskegon Chronicle

Hockey

Unranked Calumet posted a strong statement in Division 3 with a 7-1 win over rival and No. 9-ranked Houghton – Houghton Daily Mining Gazette

Boys Swimming & Diving

Saline diver Dakota Hurbis broke his school and pool records with a score of 351.9 to lead the Hornets over Adrian – Saline Post

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.