Today in the MHSAA: 2/22/22
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
February 22, 2022
1. GIRLS BASKETBALL Division 1 No. 16 Detroit Renaissance built a double-digit first-half lead on the way to a 48-36 win over Mumford in the Detroit Public School League Tournament Final – Detroit Free Press
2. BOYS BASKETBALL Division 1 No. 2 Detroit Martin Luther King followed standout Chansey Willis to a 66-38 PSL Final win over Western – MLive-Detroit
3. GIRLS BASKETBALL Buchanan clinched a share of the Berrien-Cass-St. Joseph Conference Red title with a 42-36 win over Niles Brandywine – South Bend Tribune
4. GIRLS BASKETBALL Division 1 No. 18 Howell advanced in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association Tournament with a 66-54 win over No. 9 Wayne Memorial – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
5. GIRLS BASKETBALL Farwell’s Madison Travis went over 1,000 career points in her team’s 36-21 win over Shepherd – Mount Pleasant Morning Sun
6. HOCKEY Holland West Ottawa and Jenison won first-round Regional games in Division 1 – FOX 17
7. HOCKEY Fenton/Linden advanced in Division 2 with a 2-0 win over Davison – Mid-Michigan Now
8. GIRLS BASKETBALL Corunna fell to Division 2 No. 12 Lake Fenton 57-41, but the Cavaliers’ Ellie Toney set the school scoring record at 1,289 career points – Flint Journal
9. GIRLS BASKETBALL Traverse City St. Francis started fast on the way to a 41-32 win over Division 4 No. 13 Lake Leelanau St. Mary – Traverse City Record-Eagle
10. BOYS BASKETBALL Carrollton trailed after the first quarter but came back to defeat Midland Bullock Creek 57-41 – Saginaw 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.)