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: 10/21/15

October 21, 2015

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

League cross country finals and the second day of the Lower Peninsula boys soccer tournament dominated headlines as teams celebrated and continued to push toward next month’s MHSAA Finals.

Cross Country

The unranked Quincy girls won the Big 8 Conference final ahead of Lower Peninsula Division 4 No. 8 Concord. Concord’s boys won their race – Coldwater Daily Reporter

The Traverse City Central girls, No. 6 in LPD1, and the West boys who are No. 12, won the Big North Conference championships races – Traverse City Record-Eagle

The Otsego girls, No. 2 in LPD2, won their third straight Wolverine Conference championship while the No. 10-ranked boys also won – Kalamazoo Gazette

The Shepherd boys, No. 4 in LPD3, and the No. 5 girls swept the Tri-Valley Conference titles – the girls ahead of No. 3 Ithaca – Saginaw News

Boys Soccer

Two of the best from the Grand Rapids area met in a Division 1 opener, with No. 2 Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central outlasting No. 12 East Kentwood 3-2 – Grand Rapids Press

Warren DeLaSalle scored in the final seconds of overtime to edge St. Clair Shores Lakeview 2-1 in a Division 1 game – Oakland Press

Midland Dow avenged its only Saginaw Valley League North loss by downing champion Saginaw Heritage 3-0 in a Division 1 opener – Midland Daily News

Division 1 No. 16 Grand Haven headed home the winning goal in overtime to survive Jenison in their opener – Muskegon Chronicle

Unranked Birmingham Seaholm won its first district game since 2011, and did so against No. 18 Birmingham Brother Rice, 2-1 – Oakland Press