Today in the MHSAA: 2/28/17

February 28, 2017

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

The Michigan high school skiing season came to an end Monday with three repeat champions and a first-time title-winner, while girls basketball and hockey tournaments kicked off and a 2016 champion was eliminated on the first night.

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. 

Girls Basketball

Caledonia upset host East Grand Rapids 53-50 in a Class A District opener – Grand Rapids Press

Saginaw Swan Valley earned an impressive win in Class B, downing host Birch Run 43-28 – Saginaw News

Kalamazoo Hackett got past rival Kalamazoo Christian 44-33 in Class C by scoring the game’s final 12 points – Kalamazoo Gazette

Gladwin’s Carly Hickey made the MHSAA record book grabbing 26 rebounds in her team’s 58-49 Class B win over Pinconning – Bay City Times

Pinckney earned its first District win in 12 years, upsetting Saline 40-31 in Class A – Livingston Daily Press & Argus

Hockey

In a matchup of top Division 3 teams, No. 3 Calumet eliminated reigning MHSAA champion and No. 4-ranked Hancock 2-1 in a Pre-Regional – Houghton Daily Mining Gazette

Skiing

Marquette’s boys won their fifth straight Division 1 championship, this time at Nub’s Nob – Second Half

Marquette’s girls also were repeat champions in Division 1 – Second Half

Petoskey’s boys extended their Division 2 championship streak to seven straight – Second Half

Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central’s girls won their first MHSAA title, in Division 2 at Boyne Highlands – Second Half

From High School to Olympic Swimming

July 11, 2012

Fans of U.S. Swimming already have plenty of reasons to cheer for Missy Franklin later this month at the Summer Olympics -- she's only 17, but qualified to compete in a U.S. women's all-time best seven events.

But fans of high school sports and what they provide athletes at all levels of ability can also support her for how she's chosen to compete when she's not racing against the best in the world.

Franklin, who lives in Colorado, has continued to swim for her high school team despite the financial rewards she could've earned by taking the elite swimmer's usual path of going pro.

A ton has been written about Franklin lately, for obvious reasons. Below is a link to a New York Times story from February that focused on her continued dedication to her high school team.

Before the Olympic Trials, There’s This Big High School Meet (New York Times)