Today in the MHSAA: 1/6/20

January 6, 2020

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

The clashing of statewide wrestling powers and a nearly unbelievable performance on the ice highlighted a power-packed first weekend of 2020.

1. Wrestling: Division 1 top-ranked Detroit Catholic Central, No. 2 Davison, No. 3 Brighton and Division 2 top-ranked Lowell took the top four team places, respectively, at the 56th DCC Invitational – Oakland Press

2. Hockey: Division 2 No. 2 Livonia Stevenson downed Hartland 5-2, with Seth Lause scoring an incredible three short-handed goals – Observer & Eccentric

3. Boys Basketball: Flint Beecher downed Benton Harbor 76-62 in a matchup of teams expected to make runs at Finals championships in March – St. Joseph Herald-Palladium

4. Hockey: Division 1 No. 5 Brighton handed the first loss of the season to the last team without one, 3-2 to Division 3 top-ranked Calumet – Livingston Daily Press & Argus

5. Hockey: Division 1 top-ranked Detroit Catholic Central earned a significant league win 6-0 over No. 4 Orchard Lake St. Mary’s – Oakland Press

6. Girls Basketball: Kelsey Richards went over 30 points for the fifth straight game as Fruitport Calvary Christian earned a 50-46 statement win over Central Montcalm – Muskegon Chronicle

7. Wrestling: Division 4 top-ranked Clinton followed a pair of individual champions to the team title at the 45th Dave Elliott Memorial Tournament – Adrian Daily Telegram

8. Boys Basketball: In another matchup of championship hopefuls, Orchard Lake St. Mary’s downed Grand Blanc 69-66 – Flint Journal

9. Girls Basketball: Hart continued its surge with a 51-35 win over Calvary Christian the day after the latter’s big win noted above – Muskegon Chronicle

10. Hockey: Ann Arbor Pioneer improved to 8-2 with a 2-1 win over rival Skyline in the final of the Jilek Cup – We Love Ann Arbor

Also of note …

Football: The football community is mourning the death of Zeeland West assistant Gasper Giarmo, who coached more than 30 years combined at seven schools including a decade at Byron Center – Grand Rapids Press

Today in the MHSAA: 11/5/19

November 5, 2019

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

District play began across the state Monday for many of more than 700 volleyball teams, and we gathered some of the most notable headlines from vast coverage on both peninsulas.

1. Volleyball: Honorable mention Lake Orion upset No. 6 Clarkston in four sets to open Division 1 District play – Oakland Press

2. Volleyball: Howell swept Lakes Valley Conference champion South Lyon East to kick off Division 1 District play – Livingston Daily Press & Argus

3. Volleyball: Midland Dow came back after losing the first set to win the next three against Bay City Western in Division 1 – Midland Daily News

4. Volleyball: Hillsdale Academy came back after losing the first set to win the next three against Pittsford, avenging District losses to the Wildcats the last two years in Division 4 – Hillsdale Daily News

5. Volleyball: Division 1 top-ranked Farmington Hills Mercy opened the postseason with a sweep of Livonia Stevenson – Observer & Eccentric

6. Volleyball: No. 4 Hamilton began Division 2 District play with a sweep of Hudsonville Unity Christian – Holland Sentinel

7. Volleyball: No. 6 Kingsley opened Division 2 District play with a sweep of Boyne City – Up North Live

8. Volleyball: Honorable mention Carney-Nadeau opened Division 4 District play with a sweep of Powers North Central – Escanaba Daily Press

9. Volleyball: Johannesburg-Lewiston swept Harbor Springs to open its Division 3 District – Petoskey News-Review

10. Volleyball: Mt. Morris downed Division 2 honorable mention Corunna in five sets in a District opener – Owosso Argus-Press

Also of note …

Football: Oxford coach Bud Rowley retired with 264 wins over 43 seasons – State Champs Sports Network