Today in the MHSAA: 9/11/15

September 11, 2015

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

In addition to today’s usual collection of significant results from across the state, we encourage you to check out our “Good Reads," including a story behind what likely will be one of most-attended commemorative games this weekend and a feature on an MHSAA staffer whose experience and expertise benefit officials all over Michigan.

Girls Golf

Traverse City West shot a 333, its lowest score in six seasons under coach Kristen Nolan, to win the Petoskey Invitational by 36 strokes – Traverse City Record-Eagle

Boys Soccer

Grand Haven edged Traverse City West 3-2 on a night when the program hung a banner honoring late Buccaneers soccer player Carter Dyke while also honoring deceased former players Adam Provencal and Mike Herman – Grand Haven Tribune

Muskegon Catholic Central, ranked No. 12 in this week’s first Division 4 coaches poll, beat Division 3 No. 12 Ludington 2-0 – Muskegon Chronicle

Volleyball

Four Class A powers met in one of the most competitive quads so far this fall; No. 5 Clarkston, No. 7 Birmingham Seaholm and unranked Bloomfield Hills Marian all finished 2-1, while unranked Macomb Dakota went 0-3 but played the tough competition close. Marian upset Clarkston, and Clarkston beat Seaholm – Oakland Press

Good Reads

A number of schools statewide will hold remembrances today in honor of victims and those who served on Sept. 11, 2001. Here’s the story behind a growing annual event in Traverse City, the Patriot Game between the Central and West football teams – Traverse City Record-Eagle

While fans tune in to college baseball to watch teams, MHSAA staffers have watched the College World Series and Big 10 Tournament the last few seasons to cheer on the umpires – and one in particular, MHSAA assistant director Mark Uyl, who spends the rest of his time championing high school athletics. “High school is where we can have the most impact on the largest number of kids and help teach them the most important life lessons,” he said in this report – NFHS.org

Detroit Catholic Central and Michigan State University grad Rick Gosselin sticks up for high school football being the only game played in that sport on Friday nights – Dallas Morning News

Today in the MHSAA: 1/4/16

January 4, 2016

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

We’re back to start 2016, but many of Michigan’s high school teams took only short breaks during the holidays; below is a roundup of some of the most recent notable news coverage as we kick off the new calendar year.

Boys Basketball

Jauron Vicks scored five points in overtime and 24 total to lead Warren Woods-Tower to a 56-52 overtime win over Macomb L’Anse Creuse North in the Crusader Classic final – Macomb Daily

Niles Brandywine remained undefeated and dealt White Pigeon its first loss, 51-46 in the final of the Sturgis Basketball Classic – Sturgis Journal

Muskegon also remained undefeated while handing the first loss of the season to East Kentwood at the Muskegon Hall of Fame Classic (Muskegon suffered its first loss this weekend, to Chicago Whitney Young) – Muskegon Chronicle

Hudsonville beat Grand Rapids Christian 68-55 in the final of the Cornerstone Invitational to add to a start that included a win over reigning Class B champion Wyoming Godwin Heights – Grand Rapids Press

Girls Basketball

Kysre Gondrezick tied for 15th in MHSAA history with 51 points for Benton Harbor in the final of the Lou Harvey Classic despite her team’s eventual 68-63 loss to Michigan City Marquette – St. Joseph Herald-Palladium

In arguably the most significant game of the Motor City Roundball Classic, both girls and boys, Saginaw Heritage downed Detroit Country day 39-29 – Oakland Press

Wrestling

Lowell finished first ahead of a field featuring many of Michigan’s elite at the Detroit Catholic Central Invitational; Brighton was second and Macomb Dakota finished third – Oakland Press

Battle Creek Lakeview won its eighth straight all-city championship, downing local rivals Battle Creek Central, Harper Creek and Pennfield – Battle Creek Enquirer

Tyler Deming became only the sixth four-time champion during the 52 years of the Freeland Wrestling Invitational in leading Caro to the team title as well – Saginaw News

Petoskey’s Scott Kibbe earned his 100th win in leading his team to the Bridge Brawl championship at Rudyard – Petoskey News

Football

Longtime Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart football coach Rick Roberts retired from that post after 23 seasons leading the Irish and 35 total at four schools; he finished with a record of 202-146-1 and also is the Sacred Heart athletic director – Mount Pleasant Morning Sun