Today in the MHSAA: 12/2/15
December 2, 2015
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Girls basketball season took off in force Tuesday with a few hundred games across the state and some notable storylines for fans diving into a new season.
Girls Basketball
Wayland may have graduated a Division I college player, but has two four-year seniors back and opened with a 59-44 win over Rockford – Grand Rapids Press
Goodrich’s Alexis Sevillian is the next leader of the Class B power and poured in 25 in the Martian’s 54-36 opening win over Davison – Flint Journal
Midland Dow’s Ellie Taylor set five school records in scoring 44 points as her team downed Saginaw Arthur Hill 81-62 – Midland Daily News
In a matchup of teams that have both played MHSAA Semifinals over the last few years, Flint Powers Catholic rode a strong first quarter to a 53-41 win over Farmington Hills Mercy – Flint Journal
Class C power Niles Brandywine opened with a 46-31 win over Class A Kalamazoo Loy Norrix – Niles Daily Star
Averi Gamble scored the go-ahead basket in the final seconds as Class D power Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart edged Shepherd 28-26 – Mount Pleasant Morning Sun
Reed City broke a 22-game losing streak that included all of last season with a 48-44 opening-night win over Leroy Pine River – Big Rapids News
Ice Hockey
Howell broke a six-game losing streak to rival Hartland that stretched back to mid-January 2012 – Livingston Daily
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.