Today in the MHSAA: 1/6/16
January 6, 2016
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Tuesday’s return of a full basketball slate saw a handful of teams do just enough to remain undefeated – and a reigning champion fall for the first time since March 5, 2014.
Boys Basketball
Detroit Renaissance snapped reigning Class A champion Detroit Western International’s 31-game winning streak with a 48-39 victory in Detroit Public School League play – Detroit Free Press
East Lansing won a matchup of arguably the two best teams in the Lansing area, drilling 17 3-pointers to down Williamston 78-37 – Lansing State Journal
Hudsonville remained undefeated thanks to a last-second shot by Jared Blum that gave the Eagles their final 49-47 lead over Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills – Grand Rapids Press
Dowagiac remained undefeated despite 39 points from Niles’ Gavin Rasler, edging the Vikings 61-59 in overtime – Niles Daily Star
Girls Basketball
Saugatuck lost its last game before holiday break, but got back on the winning side thanks to go-ahead basket by Maddie Moore during the closing seconds of a 47-45 win over North Muskegon – Holland Sentinel
Maple City Glen Lake moved to 5-1 while handing Elk Rapids its first defeat of this season, 59-39 – Traverse City Record-Eagle
From Monday, Mackinaw City downed Brimley for the first time in at least seven seasons to move to 5-1 this winter – Sault Ste. Marie Evening News
Ice Hockey
Ethan Peitz scored a hat trick to bring Saline back from a first-period deficit for a 7-4 win over Ann Arbor Skyline – Ann Arbor News
Football
Monroe coach Eric Redmond has resigned after six seasons and a combined record of 138-69 over 20 years, with 14 more at Carleton Airport. Before returning to his alma mater, Redmond coached Airport to its first playoff berth and then 11 straight – Monroe Evening News
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.)