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: 12/1/15

December 1, 2015

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Girls basketball season began Monday with a handful of games around the state and a few hundred more on tap for this afternoon and evening.

Girls Basketball

Flint Hamady kicked off this season following last winter’s run to the Class C Semifinals with a 74-37 win over Flint Southwestern – Flint Journal

Sha Carter scored 38 points as Birmingham Groves won its season opener in overtime, 75-65 over Birmingham Roeper – Oakland Press

Hanover-Horton, coming off five wins a year ago, beat Concord – coming off 18 – in their season opener 61-49 – Jackson Citizen-Patriot

Ice Hockey

Seven of the game’s nine goals came during the third period as Walled Lake Western emerged with a 5-4 overtime victory over Pinckney – Livingston Daily