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: 3/18/26

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

March 18, 2026

Division 1 Girls Basketball Quarterfinals

GIRLS BASKETBALL Utica Eisenhower ran its winning streak to 20 with a 57-43 win over Fraser – Macomb Daily

GIRLS BASKETBALL Detroit Renaissance advanced with a 67-29 win over Dearborn – Detroit News

GIRLS BASKETBALL Muskegon followed Mariah Sain to a 54-28 win over Grand Haven – Local Sports Journal

GIRLS BASKETBALL DeWitt stunned reigning Division 1 champion Belleville with a 48-41 victory – Lansing State Journal

Division 2 Girls Basketball Quarterfinals

GIRLS BASKETBALL Grand Rapids South Christian set a school record for wins in its 61-48 victory over Grand Rapids West Catholic – Grand Rapids Press

GIRLS BASKETBALL Goodrich will return to Breslin thanks to a 58-30 win over
Detroit Country Day – WJRT

GIRLS BASKETBALL Reigning Division 2 champion Tecumseh will be back in East Lansing thanks to downing Carleton Airport 75-44 – Adrian Daily Telegram

GIRLS BASKETBALL Petoskey vs. Flint Powers Catholic will be played Wednesday.

Division 3 Girls Basketball Quarterfinals

GIRLS BASKETBALL Niles Brandywine will make a third-straight trip to the Semifinals thanks to a 50-38 win over Hart – South Bend Tribune

GIRLS BASKETBALL Jackson Lumen Christi advanced with a 64-32 win over Plymouth Christian Academy – Jackson Citizen Patriot

GIRLS BASKETBALL Pewamo-Westphalia downed Cass City 55-33 to advance – WILX

GIRLS BASKETBALL Roscommon went to overtime to get past Morley Stanwood 67-63 – MI Sports Now

Division 4 Girls Basketball Quarterfinals

GIRLS BASKETBALL Onekama avenged a pair of losses to Frankfort to advance, 38-33 – Benzie County Record Patriot

GIRLS BASKETBALL Morenci handed Kingston its only loss of the season, 42-25 – Adrian Daily Telegram

GIRLS BASKETBALL Portland St. Patrick will return to the Semifinals thanks to a 29-21 victory over Concord – WLNS

GIRLS BASKETBALL Ishpeming vs. Indian River Inland Lakes will be played Wednesday.

Also of note …

GIRLS BASKETBALL Howell’s Lilly Williams was named the Miss Basketball Award winner – Detroit Free Press