Today in the MHSAA: 1/4/17
January 4, 2017
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Basketball season started back up in force Tuesday, but pay special attention to a story out of St. Louis, where four heroes were saluted after reviving a high school athlete last month.
Each weekday during the school year, we’ll gather and post media links covering the most significant and intriguing high school events from all over the state.
Good Read/Watch
St. Louis’ Maverick Giles collapsed Dec. 9 while getting ready for basketball practice. His coach, along with the assistant fire chief and then two local police officers, revived him performing CPR and then using an AED – WEYI/WSMH | WNEM | WJRT
Boys Basketball
Clarkston won a matchup of undefeated Class A contenders, 60-47 over Flint Carman-Ainsworth – Flint Journal
Pewamo-Westphalia remained undefeated with a 63-45 win over Fulton, a Class D semifinalist last season – Lansing State Journal
Gabe Meriwether scored the 1,000th point of his career in leading Bellaire to a 58-31 win over Mancelona – Traverse City Record-Eagle
Damon Martz scored 17 points during the fourth quarter and overtime to lead Pentwater past Walkerville 57-51 – Ludington Daily News
McBain topped Cadillac 61-50 in a matchup of northern Lower Peninsula teams that have made recent trips to MHSAA Semifinals – Cadillac News
Girls Basketball
Emily Judd’s putback with four seconds to play gave Bay City All Saints a 28-26 win over Peck – Bay City Times
Grand Haven rode a 21-3 start to a 42-33 win over Muskegon Reeths-Puffer – Muskegon Chronicle
St. Ignace handed Charlevoix its first loss in a matchup of strong Class C teams, 80-41 – Petoskey News Review
Jonesville handed Homer the latter’s first loss this season, 45-27 – Jackson Citizen Patriot
Hartland handed Holly its first loss as well, 43-23 – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
Hockey
Marquette held on for a 2-1 win over Kingsford after the Flivvers got on the board midway through the third period – 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.)