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: 2/9/21

February 9, 2021

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Monday told the story of the high school sports scene this winter, as basketball and hockey made headlines with their opening nights but were topped by ski teams claiming Regional championships as their season moves toward its conclusion.

1. Skiing: The Petoskey girls and Great North Alpine boys swept both events to win their Division 2 Regional championships – MI Sports Now

2. Skiing: The East Grand Rapids girls and Cadillac boys also secured Division 2 Regional titles – Cadillac News

3. Girls Basketball: Bree Salenbien scored 19 fourth-quarter points to lead Adrian Lenawee Christian past Blissfield 59-54 – Adrian Daily Telegram

4. Boys Basketball: Sandusky opened its season with a buzzer beater as Matt Carlson’s game-winner gave his team a 47-45 win over Cass City – Huron Daily Tribune

5. Hockey: Ryley Sikkenga scored five goals as East Grand Rapids opened with a big win over Grand Rapids Christian – FOX 17

6. Boys Basketball: Rochester Hills Stoney Creek edged West Bloomfield 59-58 in a league crossover – Oakland Press

7. Girls Basketball: Oscoda won a matchup of North Star League contenders, 52-41 over Posen – WBKB

8. Boys Basketball: West Iron County edged Negaunee 47-44 after trailing by four entering the fourth quarter – Iron Mountain Daily News

9. Hockey: Romeo opened with a 5-3 win over Grosse Pointe North that included two goals over a 24-second span – Macomb Daily

10. Boys Basketball: Macomb L’Anse Creuse North held off a comeback attempt by Marine City Cardinal Mooney, emerging with a 53-50 win – Macomb Daily

Also of note …

Boys Swimming & Diving: From Saturday, Holland West Ottawa outraced Saline 116-70 in a matchup of annual Lower Peninsula Division 1 powers – Holland Sentinel