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: 9/2/15

September 2, 2015

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Tuesday was one of the busiest and most noteworthy days so far during the early stages of this fall season, with plenty of key rivalry games and top performances making headlines.

Girls Golf

East Kentwood’s Mackenzie Keenoy has won every event she’s played this season and shot a 35 in the reigning Lower Peninsula Division 1 champion’s eight-stroke win over Hudsonville – Grand Rapids Press

Midland Dow’s Stephanie Carras carded a 2-under 70 to lead her team to its Frank Altimore Invitational championship Monday – Midland Daily News

Boys Soccer

Division 4 Jackson Christian tied annual Division 3 power Jackson Lumen Christi 1-1, ending a recent losing streak to the Titans – Jackson Citizen-Patriot

Reigning Division 1 runner-up Rochester Adams and Warren DeLaSalle are regulars in the Division 1 coaches poll, which debuts next week, and Adams earned a nice bump with a 1-0 win – Macomb Daily

Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett fell to Birmingham Roeper in last season’s Division 4 Regional Final, but avenged by downing the reigning MHSAA champion 4-3 – Student & Athlete

Boys Tennis

Kalamazoo Christian won a matchup of rivals that both finished among the top 10 in LP Division 4 last season; Christian, which tied for eighth, downed Hackett (tied for fifth) 5-3 – Kalamazoo Gazette

Volleyball

Bay City John Glenn won the Bay County Championship tournament in dominating fashion, sweeping All Saints, Central and Pinconning after a loss to Western, and then coming back to beat the Warriors in the final – Bay City Times

Marysville is unranked in the coaches state poll this week, but that won’t last long; the Vikings are 11-0-2 after winning the Warren Cousino Invitational on Tuesday – Port Huron Times-Herald

Good Read

Rockford is dealing with the unfortunate loss for the season of injured all-stater Mitchell Herried, but what the Rams lost on the field they’ve gained with another coach on the sideline – Grand Rapids Press