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: 2/17/26

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

February 17, 2026

1. GIRLS BASKETBALL Carleton Airport claimed the outright Huron League championship with a 77-34 win over New Boston Huron and Riverview’s 52-50 victory over Flat Rock – Monroe News

2. BOYS BASKETBALL Redford Thurston clinched a share of the Western Wayne Athletic Conference title with a 58-52 win over Dearborn Heights Robichaud – Hometown Life

3. GIRLS BASKETBALL Fraser clinched a share of the Macomb Area Conference Blue title with a 53-49 win over Clinton Township Chippewa Valley – Macomb Daily

4. GIRLS BASKETBALL Maddy DeSmyter reached 1,000 career points in Merrill’s 46-29 win over Bay City All Saints – Saginaw News

5. BOYS BASKETBALL Traverse City West downed Ludington 88-64 and celebrated Owen Ribel scoring his 1,000th point – Traverse City Record-Eagle

6. GIRLS BASKETBALL Analeis Ming scored her 1,000th career point during Au Gres-Sims’ 40-32 loss to Saginaw Arts & Sciences Academy – Bay City Times

7. BOYS BASKETBALL Ryder Gorham set Mendon’s single-season scoring record during a 76-60 win over Eau Claire – Kalamazoo Gazette

8. GIRLS BASKETBALL Kendyl Smith reached 500 career assists during Flint Powers Catholic’s win over Lansing Catholic – WJRT

9. ICE HOCKEY Grand Haven defeated Jenison 3-2 in a Division 2 Regional opener – Muskegon Chronicle

10. GIRLS BASKETBALL Kaylee Jeffers had a triple-double as Gaylord St. Mary downed Maple City Glen Lake 47-38 – Petoskey News-Review