Today in the MHSAA: 2/1/17
February 2, 2017
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Tuesday’s statewide action was highlighted by a second major record falling this season in boys basketball.
Each weekday during the school year, we’ll gather and post media links covering the most significant and intriguing high school events from all over the state.
Boys Basketball
Longtime Beaverton coach Roy Johnston became Michigan’s winningest in boys basketball, claiming his 729th victory with a 61-24 toppling of Farwell – Bay City Times
Kalamazoo Central won a matchup of first-place teams in the Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference, downing Portage Central 62-38 – Kalamazoo Gazette
Mount Morris upset 10-win Burton Atherton 68-65 to improve to 4-9 – Flint Journal
Flint Beecher edged Burton Bendle 53-50 in a matchup of top Genesee Area Conference teams – Flint Journal
East Kentwood downed Grand Rapids Catholic Central to earn coach Jeff Anama his 300th win at the school – Grand Rapids Press
Hillsdale continued to break away in the competitive Lenawee County Athletic Association, downing Onsted 64-62 – Hillsdale Daily News
Girls Basketball
Williamston claimed a matchup of ranked teams from the Lansing area, downing East Lansing 74-47 – Lansing State Journal
Durand handed 11-win Byron just its second loss this season, 43-36 – Owosso Argus-Press
Wrestling
Manistique’s Tanner Gonzalez earned his 150th career win in the Emeralds’ 48-18 victory over Gwinn – Marquette Mining Journal
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.)