Today in the MHSAA: 12/5/17
December 5, 2017
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Each weekday of the school year, we break down the top headlines courtesy of Michigan’s sports media.
Today's Top 10
1. Boys Basketball: Many of the names are different, but Powers North Central got scoring from 10 players to increase its state record winning streak to 84 with a 71-50 win over Stephenson on opening night – Escanaba Daily Press
2. Boys Basketball: Despite 12 3-pointers by Painesdale-Jeffers, Bessemer hung on for a 71-63 overtime victory – Houghton Daily Mining Gazette
3. Boys Basketball: Reading came back from 10 down in the third quarter to win the opener over Camden-Frontier 66-57 – Hillsdale Daily News
4. Boys Bowling: Saline trailed 10-0 after losing both Baker games, but came back to dominate the head-to-head portion and defeat Tecumseh 17-13 – Saline Post
5. Boys Basketball: Rapid River held off Carney-Nadeau’s second-half charge to hold on for a 56-53 win – Escanaba Daily Press
6. Boys Basketball: Bronson delivered first-year coach Damien Loveless his first win with the program, 67-44 over Battle Creek St. Philip – Coldwater Daily Reporter
7. Girls Basketball: Hesperia went on a 27-6 third-quarter run to come back from a 10-point halftime deficit and defeat Custer Mason County Eastern 56-52 – Local Sports Journal
8. Boys Basketball: Essexville Garber opened a 20-point lead by halftime to get past Pinconning 64-39 – Bay City Times
9. Boys Basketball: Zach Boyd and Armondo Beverly had double-doubles as Burr Oak opened with a 68-57 win over White Pigeon – Sturgis Journal
10. Hockey: Escanaba scored six goals during the second period to down Negaunee 13-6 – Marquette Mining Journal
Holland West Ottawa Athletics Complex Recognized with National Award
December 12, 2023
Holland West Ottawa Public Schools’ new athletics complex, with architectural firm GMB, has been recognized as the top multi-field facility nationally by the American Sports Builders Association (ASBA), the national organization for builders and suppliers of materials for athletic facilities.
West Ottawa’s new stadium consists of two turf playing fields. The west field was designed deliberately without a surrounding track to bring the stands and field closer together with a central tunnel beneath the grandstands for the home team to enter onto the field. The same synthetic turf, light posts, and state-of-the-art audio/video systems are utilized on both fields for an equitable experience for all users.
Multiple ground-level entry points with access to the fields, barrier-free locker rooms and multiple seating options with elevator access also create accessibility for spectators, players, coaches, and support staff.
“This facility allows our students the opportunity to play in one of the premier complexes in the state of Michigan,” said Jeff Malloch, assistant superintendent of business services at West Ottawa Public Schools. “We have seen continued interest in lacrosse, football, and soccer, and this complex will be utilized by our community youth from elementary age to high school student-athletes.”
Adding elevated fan experiences, such as a concourse level between the upper and lower sections of the home stands, bigger bleachers, and updated concession stands and restrooms establish a venue for multiple sports and attract the entire community to utilize the facility.
“This is a one-of-a-kind facility for West Michigan, and it’s been wonderful to see student-athletes from across the state enjoy the complex’s unique amenities,” said Nate Bosch, a landscape architect with GMB. “The collaboration needed to make this project come to life was an inspiring process to be a part of, and we are so pleased to celebrate this accomplishment with West Ottawa.”
This is the first time a GMB project has been awarded a multi-field facility of the year honor by the ASBA. GMB also has received four Project of the Year honors in the outdoor tennis category and 20 distinguished awards from ASBA for other athletic facility projects over the past 12 years.
(Photos by M-Buck Studio.)