Why be an Official? (Grand Rapids Press)

January 25, 2012

The Grand Rapids Press' Jane Bos tells the story of some of the most valuable, yet often-criticized people who help make our games go -- the officials enforcing the rules. 

Consider this interesting point: On a Tuesday or Friday, the O-K Conference must come up with 150 officials to work its basketball games. And it, like most if not all leagues, always is looking for more.

She also explains how another former Press sportswriter, Howie Beardsley, got into the reffing game.

Check it out:

"Why West Michigan high school referees say you should consider wearing stripes"

Today in the MHSAA: 3/1/18

March 1, 2018

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Each weekday of the school year, we break down the top headlines courtesy of Michigan’s sports media.

Today's Top 10

1. Girls Basketball: Samantha Gehrls’ basket with six seconds to play pushed Caledonia past reigning Class A runner-up and undefeated East Kentwood, 46-45; the Falcons had beaten Caledonia by seven and 21 points earlier this season – FOX 17

2. Girls Basketball: Manchester ended Pittsford’s winning streak at 76 straight wins, two short of the MHSAA record, with a 46-45 win in Class C – Hillsdale Daily News

3. Girls Basketball: Big Rapids avenged two losses to league rival Central Montcalm by handing the Hornets their first and only loss of the season, 49-34 in Class B – Big Rapids News

4. Girls Basketball: Ishpeming Westwood avenged two regular-season losses by handing Negaunee its only defeat, 59-44 in Class C – Marquette Mining Journal

5. Girls Basketball: Rogers City broke Hillman’s 19-game winning streak with a 40-38 win in Class D after falling to the Tigers twice during the regular season – Alpena News

6. Girls Basketball: Maple City Glen Lake won its second straight Class C District title, downing Manton 55-48 – Traverse City Record-Eagle

7. Girls Basketball: Houghton downed L’Anse 46-31 in Class C to win a fourth straight District title – Houghton Daily Mining Gazette

8. Girls Basketball: Bronson’s Kiana Mayer scored with 26 seconds to play to lead Bronson past Centreville, 33-32 in Class C, ending Centreville’s season at 20-2 – Coldwater Daily Reporter

9. Girls Basketball: Hartland eliminated Kensington Lakes Activities Association Gold champ Howell with a 40-37 win in Class A – Livingston Daily Press & Argus

10. Girls Basketball: Marshall moved to 11-10 with a 52-42 Class B upset of Comstock, which finished 19-2 – JoeInsider.com

Also of note …

Girls Basketball: Charlevoix sophomore Elise Stuck went over 1,000 career points in leading her team to a 61-25 win over East Jordan in Class C – Petoskey News-Review

Boys Basketball: Grand Rapids Catholic Central’s Marcus Bingham, Jr., Detroit East English’s David DeJulius, East Lansing’s Brandon Johns, Clarkston’s Foster Loyer and Detroit Henry Ford Academy’s Trevion Williams were named candidates for this year’s Mr. Basketball Award – Detroit Free Press