Today in the MHSAA: 1/22/16

January 22, 2016

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Records fell, stealing the show Thursday night – both puns intended – as bowling and basketball milestones were achieved on both sides for the bridge.

Boys Basketball

St. Ignace’s Gage Kreski had eight steals (to go with 29 points and 17 rebounds) in a 78-40 win over Pickford to extend his career steals total to 366, breaking the MHSAA career record of 363 – Sault Ste. Marie Evening News

Howard City Tri-County’s Dylan Matulis threatened the single-game MHSAA record for steals for the second time in a week, following up Friday’s 13 against Newaygo with 10 more against Holton; the record is 14 – Grand Rapids Press

From earlier this week, Boyne Falls’ Marcus Matelski became the 35th player in MHSAA boys history to score 2,000 points, breaking that plateau with 38 in an 81-19 win over Harbor Springs Harbor Light Christian – Petoskey News

The fight for first in the Cascades Conference came down to the final seconds as Michigan Center beat Hanover-Horton for the first time since 2010, 56-55 – Jackson Citizen-Patriot

A.J. Morgan’s buzzer-beating 3-pointer gave St. Clair Shores South Lake a 57-56 win over Clinton Township Clintondale – Macomb Daily

Bowling

Zeeland’s Christina Scheuerman set two school records in a 28-2 win over Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills with a high game of 279 and series of 481 – Holland Sentinel

Ice Hockey

Zach Leonard’s five goals helped formerly-ranked Berkley to a 6-2 win over Division 1 No. 9 Lake Orion – Oakland Press

Skiing

Cadillac swept both the girls and boys competitions at its invitational at Caberfae Peaks on Thursday – Cadillac News

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.