Today in the MHSAA: 2/4/16

February 4, 2016

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

As is annually the case, the first Wednesday in February was dominated by coverage of national collegiate signing day. But after the hoopla passed, there were championships to be won.

Competitive Cheer

Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills won its second Ottawa-Kent Conference Black championship in three seasons, edging Muskegon Mona Shores by fewer than four points at the league meet – Grand Rapids Press

Ice Hockey

With a 2-2 tie against Allen Park Cabrini, much-improved Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard won its sectional of the Detroit Catholic League – MLive-Detroit

Wrestling

Division 1 No. 2 Hartland won arguably the toughest league in Michigan on Wednesday, downing No. 6 Westland John Glenn in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association championship quad; the league also includes No. 4 Brighton – Livingston Daily

Niles solidified itself as first in the Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference West again by downing undermanned rival Stevensville Lakeshore 37-16 – St. Joseph Herald-Palladium

Today in the MHSAA: 10/29/15

October 29, 2015

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half

Boys Soccer Regionals continued Wednesday with a number of ranked teams matching up, but also note some significant volleyball accomplishments and a piece on a football coach taking major strides with West Bloomfield.

Boys Soccer

Division 3 No. 10 Gladwin downed No. 9 Whitehall by shootout in a Regional Semifinal – Muskegon Chronicle

Division 3 No. 11 Ludington made its first Regional Final since 2001 with a shutout of No. 12 Elk Rapids – Muskegon Chronicle

Division 4 No.3 Muskegon Western Michigan Christian took No. 12 Charlevoix to a shootout before winning their Regional Semifinal – Muskegon Chronicle

Division 4 No. 14 Burton Genesee Christian flew under the radar for much of this fall, but remained undefeated with a 5-0 win over Lincoln Alcona – Flint Journal

Division 1 No. 4 Utica Ford outlasted No. 7 Utica Eisenhower for a 2-0 Regional Semifinal win – Macomb Daily

Reigning Division 1 runner-up Rochester Adams, now ranked No. 3, edged Bloomfield Hills 1-0 – Oakland Press

Volleyball

Class C No. 10 Kent City won its first volleyball league title in 15 seasons while ending Morley-Stanwood’s run of 13 straight championships – Grand Rapids Press

Class B honorable mention Frankenmuth capped a perfect run through a Tri-Valley Conference East that includes No. 8 North Branch – Saginaw News

Class C honorable mention Calumet survived a five-set match against Hancock, a possible opponent in next week’s District – Houghton Daily Mining Gazette

Good Read

West Bloomfield football is undefeated for the first time since 1962, coached by former University of Michigan and NFL receiver Ron Bellamy, who brought his team through struggles his first few seasons and also received some touching assistance from the legendary longtime coach next door – Detroit News