Today in the MHSAA: 2/16/16

February 16, 2016

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

A relatively quiet night in statewide hoops still produced a handful of stunning highlights to go with the retirement of one of Michigan’s most respected football coaches.

Girls Basketball

Reigning Class C champion Calumet clinched its first West Peninsula Athletic Conference title with a 46-42 win over Houghton, last season’s league champion – Houghton Daily Mining Gazette

Boys Basketball

Sanford Meridian needed all of six overtimes to get past Unionville-Sebewaing, 76-74 – Midland Daily News

Football

Longtime Mendon coach John Schwartz announced his retirement after attaining a 274-48 record over 27 seasons and leading the Hornets to 25 playoff appearances and 10 MHSAA championships – Sturgis Journal

Good Read

Gibraltar Carlson senior Jacob Thomas didn’t want to miss out on anything his senior year – so this winter, he’s pulling off the rare double-up of playing basketball and hockey – Monroe Evening News

Today in the MHSAA: 2/1/16

February 1, 2016

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Incredible numbers in girls basketball and boys swimming and a matchup of undefeated rivals led the weekend’s headlines across Michigan. 

Girls Basketball

Southfield-Lathrup doubled up Southfield in the final regular-season matchup between the rivals – the schools are scheduled to merge next year – Oakland Press

Grand Rapids South Christian made 11 3-pointers to stay undefeated and hand the first loss this season to Grand Rapids Catholic Central, 70-50 – Grand Rapids Press 

Benton Harbor’s Kysre Gondrezick continues to climb the MHSAA career scoring list and moved past St. Joseph’s Kim Knuth for seventh place with 39 against Niles to give her 2,460 points – St. Joseph Herald Palladium

Competitive Cheer

Portage Central, Plainwell, host Otsego and Delton Kellogg won division titles at the Bulldog Invitational with Plainwell putting up the top score overall – Kalamazoo Gazette 

Boys Swimming & Diving

Midland Dow won its 14th Tri-Cities Swim Invitational title, and Nehemiah Mork broke multiple meet records including one set in 1982 – Saginaw News 

Wrestling

Six of the 14 champions at the Lenawee County All-Star Tournament came from Hudson – Adrian Daily Telegram

Battle Creek Lakeview won the Bill Evans Memorial Invitational ahead of a field that included Division 4 No. 7 Bronson – Battle Creek Enquirer

Macomb teams dominated the Macomb-Oakland County Challenge, led by undefeated Richmond – Macomb Daily

Unranked Niles won its fourth straight Greater Berrien County Invitational ahead of a field that included Division 2 No. 10 Stevensville Lakeshore – St. Joseph Herald-Palladium

Good Reads

Fans of all schools will be rooting for Howell coach Ken Richards, who remains the school’s freshman boys basketball coach after being given a 50-50 chance of surviving cancer this past football season – Livingston Daily

Mount Pleasant is mourning the death of longtime coach Jim Powell, who guided more than 4,000 athletes during a 60-year career – Mount Pleasant Morning Sun