Did you see that? (May 20-26)

May 28, 2013

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Last week for many was one for getting in the final regular-season games and competitions of this spring – and for the most fortunate, a week for winning the first of what they hope will be many championships.

Here's our look at some of the most notable headlines from those seven days. Click on the links for full coverage.

Good Read of the Week

Spangler wins 500: Whether it be painting out the baselines an hour before game time or showing up to turn off the sprinklers in the middle of the night, Randy Spangler’s been doing it all as Coldwater’s baseball coach over the last 25 years – and Gary Baker explains what has gone into becoming a 500-win baseball coach. (Coldwater Daily Reporter)

Girls Soccer

Cadillac celebrates first title: Cadillac and Traverse City West are co-champions of the Big North Conference this spring. But Cadillac’s share is its first BNC title. (Cadillac News)

Softball

Another memorable first: Croswell-Lexington clinched its first Blue Water Area Conference title Tuesday and ended the night's doubleheader sweep with a perfect league record as well. (Port Huron Times-Herald)

Boys Lacrosse

Holland Christian moves on: The ranked Maroons got a scare from Mattawan in their Division 2 Regional game Thursday, but scored eight second-half goals to continue on. (Grand Rapids Press)

Track and Field

Cass Tech, Renaissance clinch PSL titles: The Cass Tech boys and Renaissance girls won big to finish the regular season at the Detroit Public School League’s championship meet. (Detroit News)

Seminary coach finishes: Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary boys track and field coach Robert Schroer will retire from coaching after this weekend’s Division 4 Final – and 40 years running his program. (Saginaw News)

Girls Golf

Houghton sweeps league final: The West Peninsula Athletic Conference individual championship went to a three-person playoff before Megan Kelly needed just one hole to claim the title. She helped key Houghton’s team championship as well, and Houghton’s boys also won their West PAC tournament. (Houghton Mining Gazette)

Baseball

Bath wins big: In something of a stunner at the 52-year Capital Area Diamond Classic, Bath defeated Holt 9-1 in a quarterfinal Friday night behind the 11-strikeout performance of pitcher Ryan Orr. Only twice before in the tournament’s history had a Class C or D school won a game. (Lansing State Journal)

Battle of the Fans: Vote Now

February 20, 2012

The time has come to decide the winner of the inaugural MHSAA Battle of the Fans contest.

And we've put the decision, in part, in your hands.

Vote today through Thursday on your favorite of five finalists -- Petoskey, Rockford, Reese, Grand Rapids Christian and Frankenmuth -- by clicking the poll link on the right side of this screen.

But before you do, be sure to brush up on each by clicking on the stories behind all five sections and watching our MHSAA-produced videos of those student cheerers in action, shot over the last five weeks during the MHSAA tour of finalists' schools.

The contest is sponsored by the MHSAA Student Advisory Council, and the winner will be decided by a combination of SAC and public vote. You must be a member of Facebook and "like" the MHSAA page to take part.

The champion will be announced Friday on Second Half. Video of all five finalists will be compiled and shown on the main scoreboard during the Girls and Boys Basketball Finals in March at Michigan State's Breslin Student Events Center.

And now, the finalists, in alphabetical order:

Frankenmuth

Read all about it: Frankenmuth Dance Party


Grand Rapids Christian

Read all about it: Halftime is G.R. Christian's Time


Petoskey

Read all about it: Blue Crew Legacy


Reese

Read all about it: Small Town, Big Reese Spirit


Rockford

Read all about it: We are Ram Nation