Today in the MHSAA: 2/19/16
February 19, 2016
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
A couple of streaks are worth noting in today’s report – one for winning an incredible number of consecutive league games, and the other for success reaching more than a decade.
Girls Basketball
In a matchup of two of the best in the Upper Peninsula, Marquette held on to down Houghton 42-37 – Houghton Daily Mining Gazette
Muskegon Oakridge won its 50th straight game in the West Michigan Conference for finish undefeated champion of the league for the third season in a row – Muskegon Chronicle
Newberry won a matchup of 16-1 teams, defeating St. Ignace 54-50 to win the Straits Area Conference in what also was its first win over the Saints since 1992 – Sault Ste. Marie Evening News
Boys Basketball
Wyoming Potter’s House Christian celebrated a 30-point win over Kalamazoo Heritage Christian, but Heritage Christian’s Bryant Cross did score the 1,000th point of his career – Grand Rapids Press
Utica Ford earned arguably the night’s biggest upset statewide, handing a second loss this season to New Haven, 73-71 – Macomb Daily
Saginaw remains in first place in the Saginaw Valley League North, but Midland continued to enjoy its best league run in decades with a 58-51 win over the Trojans – Midland Daily News
Wrestling
From Thursday, Hartland won its 15th straight Regional title, dominating in Division 1 against Walled Lake Central and Warren Mott – Livingston Daily
Stripes Worn Well (Muskegon Chronicle)
March 1, 2012
Tim Flahive has battled diabetes for all but a few years of his life. But he's also filled half of those years with high school sports as a longtime official based in the Muskegon area.
The Muskegon Chronicle's Mark Opfermann tells the story of Flahive's final basketball game last week -- and makes us appreciate even more the significant role our officials fill to no fanfare.
A powerful excerpt:
He left the court with no fanfare, took off his whistle and shed a few tears.
But Flahive's story isn’t just about sports and an official leaving the hobby he loves. It’s about courage, getting back up and pressing on.
So, I guess it’s a lot like sports after all. But it’s a whole lot more about life.
That’s because when Flahive took the court last week, he did it with half of his left foot missing.