Today in the MHSAA: 1/7/26
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
January 7, 2026
1. GIRLS BASKETBALL Lillie Johnson broke the Gladstone career scoring record in her team’s 51-30 win over Ishpeming Westwood – Upper Michigan’s Source
2. GIRLS BOWLING Flint Kearsley – the Division 2 champion in 2024 – edged reigning title winner Swartz Creek in a roll-off – Flint Journal
3. BOYS BASKETBALL Joe Gaffney reached 1,000 career points in Charlevoix’s 47-31 loss to Kingsley – Traverse City Record-Eagle
4. BOYS BASKETBALL Zaiden Phillips reached 1,000 career points in Grant’s 74-35 win over Montague – Muskegon Chronicle
5. GIRLS BASKETBALL Grand Rapids South Christian downed West Catholic 73-62 in a matchup of top Division 2 teams statewide – WOOD TV
6. BOYS SWIMMING & DIVING Holland West Ottawa – No. 4 in Lower Peninsula Division 1 – edged LPD3 No. 3 Holland Christian 98-88 – Holland Sentinel
7. ICE HOCKEY Division 1 No. 4 Utica Eisenhower came back from an early deficit to defeat Division 2 No. 10 St. Clair Shores Unified 5-2 – Macomb Daily
8. BOYS BASKETBALL Auburn Hills Avondale took a major step in the Oakland Activities Association Red with a 59-46 win over North Farmington – Oakland Press
9. BOYS BASKETBALL Lansing Sexton made a significant move in the Capital Area Activities Conference White with a 75-48 victory over Charlotte – Lansing State Journal
10. GIRLS BASKETBALL Cadillac earned a key Big North Conference win, 48-43 over Petoskey – Cadillac 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.)