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: 1/10/20

January 10, 2020

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

A race between Finals championship contenders in the pool topped a Thursday schedule that also saw notable league action in girls and boys basketball.

1. Boys Swimming & Diving: No. 2 Holland Christian defeated No. 5 Spring Lake 113-72 in a matchup of top teams in Lower Peninsula Division 3 – Grand Haven Tribune 

2. Girls Basketball: West Bloomfield took a major step forward in the Oakland Activities Association Red with a 73-47 win over Clarkston – State Champs Sports Network

3. Boys Basketball: Connor Arnold’s game-winner during the final seconds pushed Coleman past Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart 61-60 in an overtime upset – Midland Daily News

4. Boys Basketball: Cadillac moved into first alone in the Big North Conference with a 46-37 win over Petoskey – Up North Live

5. Girls Basketball: Cheyenne McEvans had a triple-double in Southfield Arts & Technology’s 81-39 win over Bloomfield Hills – Oakland Press

6. Boys Basketball: Gabe Kruger scored 40 points to lead Harbor Light Christian past Alba 64-40 – Petoskey News-Review 

7. Girls Basketball: Ravenna earned its first win over Muskegon Oakridge since 2007, 39-25 – Muskegon Chronicle

8. Girls Basketball: Hart moved to 8-1 with a 30-23 win over Whitehall – Local Sports Journal 

9. Girls Basketball: Ishpeming Westwood moved to 6-1 with a 59-45 win over Calumet – The Upbeat 

10. Hockey: Traverse City West came back during the third quarter to force a 2-2 tie with Grand Rapids Christian – Traverse City Record-Eagle