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: 1/15/20

January 15, 2020

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Tuesday was filled with notable basketball matchups as league races began to take shape – and a major hockey comeback made its way into the top of the high achievers list as well.

1. Girls Basketball: Temperance Bedford won a matchup of undefeated teams, 59-53 over Saline – Monroe News

2. Hockey: Division 1 No. 4 Brighton came back from two goals down to get past Division 2 No. 10 Plymouth 4-3 – Livingston Daily Press & Argus

3. Boys Basketball: Maple City Glen Lake took over first alone in the Northwest Conference with a 63-50 win over rival Frankfort – Traverse City Record-Eagle

4. Girls Basketball: Hadley Miller became Three Rivers’ career steals and assists record holder during a 63-36 win over Allegan – Sturgis Journal

5. Girls Basketball: Hartland won a key league and statewide Division 1 matchup over Howell, 47-29 – Livingston Daily Press & Argus

6. Girls Basketball: Hudsonville moved to 8-0 with a similarly impressive 68-45 league win over Grand Haven – FOX 17

7. Girls Basketball: Muskegon ran its winning streak to four with a 60-57 double overtime win over Division 3 contender Kent City – Muskegon Chronicle

8. Boys Basketball: Zach Overweg’s 3-pointer during the closing seconds pushed Zeeland West past Holland Christian 52-49 – Holland Sentinel

9. Boys Basketball: Fremont came back from a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit to remain unbeaten with a 46-43 win over Newaygo – Local Sports Journal

10. Boys Basketball: Blake Cassidy topped 40 points again for Pellston, netting 43 in a 72-60 win over Mancelona – Petoskey News-Review

Also of note:

Football: Don Galster resigned as coach at Wyoming Kelloggsville after 30 seasons leading the program – WOOD TV