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: 12/16/15

December 16, 2015

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Basketball was the game, and late heroics the theme of many of the most exciting contests statewide Tuesday.

  

Girls Basketball

Napoleon allowed only one point in overtime to edge Manchester 41-37 in a battle of strong Class C teams from the Jackson area – Jackson Citizen-Patriot

Katelyn Wright’s 3-pointer with four seconds to play gave Muskegon Western Michigan Christian a 43-42 win over Wyoming Tri-unity Christian – Grand Haven Tribune

Howell upended expected Class A contender Waterford Kettering 51-37 in a telling cross-division matchup in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association – Livingston Daily

Mason 6-foot-3 senior Autumn Kissman had arguably the best game of her high school career with 31 points and 10 rebounds in the Bulldogs’ 56-39 win over Okemos – Lansing State Journal

Boys Basketball

South Haven saw a 17-point halftime lead dissolve against Three Rivers, but held on to win in overtime 76-75 – Kalamazoo Gazette

Macomb Dakota began avenging last season’s Regional Final loss to Clarkston with a 46-35 victory over the Wolves – Macomb Daily

Noah Ingram scored 14 of his team-high 19 points during the fourth quarter as Mount Pleasant got past Midland Dow 56-41 – Mount Pleasant Morning Sun

Johannesburg-Lewiston’s Logan Huff scored his 1,000th career point in leading the Cardinals to a 67-27 win over Mancelona – Gaylord Herald Times

Marshall and Portland played to five overtimes before Marshall came away with a 98-95 victory – Ionia Sentinel-Standard

Traverse City Central’s Jackson Schrameyer put up 40 points to lead the Trojans past rival Traverse City West 75-64 and break a five-game losing streak to their rival – Traverse City Record-Eagle