Today in the MHSAA: 12/7/18

December 7, 2018

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Each weekday of the school year, we break down the top headlines courtesy of Michigan’s sports media.

The basketball weekend got its start Thursday with a number of games across the state, but make sure to also check out a video look back at a memorable event from the last day of the MHSAA fall season.

1. Girls Basketball: Alpena came back from a 14-point halftime deficit to down Gaylord 48-45 – Alpena News

2. Girls Basketball: Bay City Western earned new coach Brian Merritt his first win, 45-41 over Midland – Bay City Times

3. Boys Basketball: Sanford Meridian improved to 4-0 with a 58-27 win over league rival Beaverton – Saginaw News

4. Girls Basketball: Mackinaw City earned its 10th straight win over rival Pellston, 59-29 – Petoskey News-Review

5. Boys Basketball: McBain won a matchup of annual northern contenders 67-48 over Boyne City – Cadillac News

6. Girls Basketball: North Muskegon outlasted Shelby 46-40 in overtime – Local Sports Journal

7. Girls Basketball: Muskegon Oakridge ran its league winning streak to 79 with a 44-24 victory over Montague – Muskegon Chronicle

8. Girls Basketball: Harbor Beach earned a solid victory over Unionville-Sebewaing, 37-23 – Huron Daily Tribune

9. Girls Basketball: Maple City Glen Lake opened its season with a 47-29 win over Elk Rapids – WPBN

10. Girls Basketball: Walled Lake Northern earned a 47-30 win over North Farmington – Oakland Press

Also of note …

Football: This season’s 11-Player Finals weekend at Ford Field for the first time included an exhibition played by four Special Olympics Unified flag football teams – and Special Olympics Michigan produced a wonderful recap celebrating the day.

From High School to Olympic Swimming

July 11, 2012

Fans of U.S. Swimming already have plenty of reasons to cheer for Missy Franklin later this month at the Summer Olympics -- she's only 17, but qualified to compete in a U.S. women's all-time best seven events.

But fans of high school sports and what they provide athletes at all levels of ability can also support her for how she's chosen to compete when she's not racing against the best in the world.

Franklin, who lives in Colorado, has continued to swim for her high school team despite the financial rewards she could've earned by taking the elite swimmer's usual path of going pro.

A ton has been written about Franklin lately, for obvious reasons. Below is a link to a New York Times story from February that focused on her continued dedication to her high school team.

Before the Olympic Trials, There’s This Big High School Meet (New York Times)