More than 200 Reach Higher at Milford

July 30, 2014

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

HIGHLAND TOWNSHIP – Groups of 103 boys and 98 girls attended the annual Reaching Higher showcases this month, July 16 and 23 at Milford High School. 

The event, in its sixth year, aims to give athletes a vision of what it takes to become a college basketball player and also succeed in college life.

A total of 125 of each were initially invited to Reaching Higher by the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan, which coordinated with the MHSAA to host the event. 

Forty-three college programs representing all three NCAA divisions and the NAIA also attended as athletes received on-court instruction from high school coaches from across the state and off-court instruction from a number of speakers who discussed topics ranging from leadership to recruitment to NCAA eligibility. 

Scrimmages for both were officiated my MHSAA referees, who were observed and instructed by a group of veteran MHSAA officials. 

Click the following links for photos from the events (Girls - Boys) and below for highlights from the various speakers' discussions.

PHOTOS: (Top) Muskegon Catholic Central's Christian Martinez makes a no-look pass during his team's scrimmage. (Middle) Participants warm-up before the beginning of drills at the girls showcase.

Ingalls Tops 500 Career Wins Leading St. Ignace Girls Hoops Program

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

December 8, 2023

The St. Ignace girls basketball teams is off to a 2-0 start – and great starts and finishes certainly have been the norm over the last 25 seasons under the leadership of head coach Dorene Ingalls and her assistant, and husband, Doug.

Tuesday’s season-opening win over Brimley made Dorene Ingalls 500-94 beginning her 25th season guiding the program – now 501-94 after Thursday’s 63-27 victory over Boyne City. She entered this season 16th on the state list for most girls basketball coaching victories, and seventh among active coaches.

Dorene and Doug Ingalls.For all 501 wins, Doug Ingalls has been by her side as an assistant within the program – while also serving as boys varsity basketball coach from 1992-2008, 2011-16 and again currently in the fifth season of his latest tenure. His Saints also have opened 2-0, and he has a 355-175 record leading the boys program.

The Ingalls have led the girls program to five MHSAA Finals championships, most recently in Class D in 2015, and four runner-up finishes, most recently in Division 4 in 2019.

Dorene Ingalls received the MHSAA Women In Sports Leadership Award in 2021.

PHOTOS (Top) Doug and Dorene Ingalls, far left and right, respectively, take a photo with 2003 Miss Basketball Krista Clement. (Middle) Dorene and Doug Ingalls. (Photos by David Latva.)