Thank You from Second Half

January 25, 2013

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Next week will mark the one-year birthday of Second Half, our place to tell your high school sports stories.

And I thank you for helping us to such a great start.

We knew what we hoped to accomplish starting this site a year ago, but we've learned quite a bit during a relatively short time. Although we continue to pursue the mission of being home of the state’s best high school stories and a daily stop for fans, we’ll continue to experiment to figure out what you'd most like to see and how best we can continue to pass along the great things happening in MHSAA athletics.

A few things to call to your attention as we move ahead:

  • First and foremost, we strive to tell your stories – hoping to hit every sport and all regions of our state – and have some intriguing ones coming up as we get into the second half of the winter season. Stay tuned.
  • Second Half is the home for the “Battle of the Fans II.” We have visits to Buchanan and Vandercook Lake next week, followed by Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard and Zeeland East the week after. We’ll announce the winner Feb. 22. All will be found here first.
  • We've revamped our video page (see menu across the top of this screen) and will be adding more videos more regularly in the year to come.
  • After a brief hiatus, we’ll next week bring back “High 5s” featuring two athletes and a team that have done great things this season.
  • What you’re reading now is the first of a weekly “First Pitch” blog that will allow us to post more of the quick hits we run across in our regular travels. Make sure to continue checking out the twice-weekly blog by Executive Director Jack Roberts, as well as the Viewpoints and SAC Sound-Offs supplied regularly by our friends from the Michigan State University Institute for the Study of Youth Sports and the members of our Student Advisory Council, respectively.
  • We began providing in-depth statewide coverage – both previewing and then postgame reporting – of our Finals in every sport this fall, and hope to become your first and fastest source for the stories behind our championships.

We’re always looking for ideas both for stories or any other features you’d like to see – and feel free to send them directly to me at [email protected]

And again, thank you again for coming to our site today. We look forward to seeing you more in the year to come.

Coaches Guide to Nutrition: What are Macros?

Planning your meals and snacks shouldn’t be challenging.

Break foods down into three categories: Carbs (energy), Protein (build and repair muscles), and Color (vitamins, minerals).

Adjust your plate based on your level of activity that day. Remember that your body needs carbohydrates like grains, fruits and vegetables for muscle fuel.

On hard training days, up to half of your plate should be carbs. On a recovery or rest day, make a quarter of your plate carbs. 

Plan your meal

Check out these examples for your day’s main meals:

Milk Means More logoBreakfast

  • Overnight oats with fruit
  • Egg wrap with spinach, cheese and salsa
  • Cereal with fruit and milk topped with nuts
  • Smoothie made with milk, fruit, spinach and oats
  • Don’t forget about school breakfast!

Lunch

  • Turkey roll-up with cheese, tomato and lettuce, fruit and milk
  • Grilled cheese sandwich, tomato soup, small salad, milk and pear
  • Large salad with your choice of berries, grilled chicken, cheese and vinaigrette dressing, garlic bread and milk
  • School lunches are made with student nutrition in mind!

Dinner

  • Pasta with chicken, pesto, tomatoes and peas with milk
  • Shrimp or tofu fajita bowl with brown rice, peppers, onions and shredded cheese. Add guacamole and plain Greek yogurt instead of sour cream.
  • Cheeseburger made with 90 percent lean beef or turkey on a whole grain bun with lettuce and tomato and a glass of milk. Add baked sweet potato fries on the side.

Information above is excerpted from UDIM’s A Coach’s Guide to Nutrition.