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Battle of the Fans VIII: Vote Now

February 18, 2019

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Sun, rain or snow, our Battle of the Fans VIII finalists made themselves ready to go these last few weeks as we maneuvered through crummy weather and some quick changes to see all three student sections in action.  

Now we need you to jump in and tell us which should be named BOTF champion for 2018-19.

Vote today through 4 p.m. Thursday on your favorite of these three (enrollments in parentheses) – Buchanan (453), North Muskegon (327) or Saginaw Heritage (1,544) – by liking, sharing and re-tweeting on the MHSAA’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram sites

But before you do, take a few minutes to watch all three videos from our visits and read the stories behind the sections by clicking the links below. 

The contest is sponsored by the MHSAA Student Advisory Council, which will have the final vote on the champion. SAC members will use all resources available to make their decision – including giving weight to the public social media vote. Votes will be valued proportionate to the size of the school receiving them (for example, one vote for Class C North Muskegon or Class B Buchanan will be worth more than one vote for Class A Saginaw Heritage). 

The champion will be announced Friday on Second Half. All three finalists will be invited to Michigan State University's Breslin Center on March 15 for the Division 2 Boys Basketball Semifinals, and the winner will be presented with a championship banner at center court.  

And now, the finalists, in alphabetical order:

Buchanan

Read all about it: Have You Herd? Buchanan Parties On

North Muskegon

Read all about it: Norse Nation Roars North Muskegon Pride

Saginaw Heritage

Read all about it: Heritage's Hawks Nest Wants You 'Hype'

Stephen Gollapalli prepares to hit a forehand during a tennis match.

Performance of the Week: Lansing Christian's Stephen Gollapalli

October 31, 2025

Stephen Gollapalli headshotStephen Gollapalli ♦ Lansing Christian
Junior ♦ Tennis

Gollapalli emerged from the third seed to win the No. 1 singles flight at the Lower Peninsula Division 4 Finals, defeating Lansing Catholic top seed Noah West 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, after also upsetting Plymouth Christian Academy second seed Luke Zhang in their semifinal match. Gollapalli finished this fall 30-1, his only loss to West in their Regional Final nine days earlier.

The championship also came after Gollapalli had advanced to the No. 1 singles semifinals as a sophomore and quarterfinals as a freshman, both times falling to Traverse City St. Francis’ Owen Jackson, who graduated in the spring. Gollapalli this fall went to three sets only twice, winning 12 matches 6-0, 6-0, and raising his career record to 80-3 with one season left to play.

@mhsaasports 🎾POW: Stephen Gollapalli #lansingchristian #tennis #highschoolsports #performanceoftheweek #MHSAA ♬ Bright and fun upbeat pops, Kids, Animals, Pets, Fun, Cute, Happy, Playful, Upbeat(1465232) - SAKUMAMATATA

@mhsaasports 🎾POW: Stephen Gollapalli #funfacts #tiktalk #performanceoftheweek #highschoolsports #MHSAA ♬ Girly and cute synth pop - SAKUMAMATATA

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MHSAA.com's "Performance of the Week" features are powered by MI Student Aid, a division within the Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP). MI Student Aid encourages students to pursue postsecondary education by providing access to student financial resources and information. MI Student Aid administers the state’s 529 college savings programs (MET/MESP), as well as scholarship and grant programs that help make college Accessible, Affordable and Attainable for you. Connect with MI Student Aid at www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid and find more information on Facebook and Twitter @mistudentaid.

Previous 2025-26 honorees

Oct. 23: Talya Schreiber, Pickford cross country - Report
Oct. 16: Avery Manning, Dexter golf - Report
Oct. 9: Brady Van Laecke, Hudsonville football - Report 
Oct. 2: Sarah Giroux, Flat Rock volleyball - Report
Sept. 25: Sam Schumacher, Portage Central tennis - Report
Sept. 18: Kaylee Mitzel, Saline field hockey - Report
Sept. 11: Natasza Dudek, Ann Arbor Pioneer cross country - Report
Sept. 4: Kate Posey, Big Rapids golf - Report

(Photos courtesy of the Lansing Christian boys tennis program.)