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.
Fuel Up for Daytime Fasting with Proper Nutrition, Hydration
February 17, 2026
Some athletes follow periods of daytime fasting for personal or religious reasons, such as Ramadan. Fasting from dawn to sunset requires thoughtful planning around nutrition and hydration. With adjustments to meal timing and fluid intake, athletes can continue to support their training, performance, and recovery while observing the fast.
Eating a balanced meal before dawn helps provide sustained energy throughout the day. Including a mix of carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats can help fuel muscles and promote fullness.
When breaking fast, athletes should focus on prioritizing complex carbohydrates for energy, along with protein and healthy fats to help the body recover and prepare for the next day’s activity.
Hydration during non-fasting hours is also key, and fluids should be consumed throughout the evening rather than all at once.
With careful planning around meals, fluids, and nutrient balance, athletes can successfully navigate fasting while maintaining strength, endurance, and overall performance.
Click: Practical nutrition & hydration guidance for athletes who observe daytime fasting, such as Ramadan.
