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 10^th 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.