Linked Up: 12/19/11

December 19, 2011

We've hit a bit of a slow spot with schools out for break and most contests reserved for holiday showcases and the like.

Here are some suggestions if you have some time for some reading between now and the start of 2012.

High school coaches try to bring basketball back to basics (Detroit News)

For most of the last decade, we've heard about the recessing of basketball fundamentals even among elite high school players. Enter Ben Kelso, Marshall Thomas and a number of other Michigan coaches who have pledged to end that trend. Tom Markowski tells us how the Metro Detroit Basketball Coaches Association aims to do so.

Lantzy retires after more than 4 decades as Ike grid coach (Macomb County Advisor & Source)

Utica-Eisenhower coach Bob Lantzy has been his school's only varsity football coach. He took four teams to MHSAA Finals and this fall became one of only nine state football coaches to win more than 900 games. He has retired after 41 seasons, and Kevin Lozon fills us in on the legacy.

Tabahn Afrik poised for greatness in pool for West Ottawa (Holland Sentinel)

The Holland area has its next big swimming star. Dan D'Addona introduces us to Tabahn Afrik, a freshman at Holland West Ottawa who qualified for the MHSAA Division 1 Finals in two events in his first meet this season.

High school basketball: History of class hoops is just that (South Bend Tribune)

"Hoosiers" made Indiana's former one-class basketball tournament known on a grander scale. But Indiana went to classes (similar to Michigan's) beginning in 1997-98. Al Lesar tells us how some in the state are attempting to revert to one class.

Today in the MHSAA: 6/10/24

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

June 10, 2024

1. GIRLS LACROSSE Grand Rapids Catholic Central finished a perfect season, and Brighton won its third straight Finals title – MHSAA.com

2. BOYS GOLF Orchard Lake St. Mary’s won its first Finals championship in this sport, and Detroit Catholic Central, Traverse City St. Francis and Clarkston Everest Collegiate also were victorious – MHSAA.com

3. BOYS LACROSSE Detroit Catholic Central surged during the second half, and Detroit Country Day posted one of the highest scoring totals in Finals history as they clinched championships – MHSAA.com

4. SOFTBALL Division 2 top-ranked Gaylord downed honorable mention Essexville Garber and then No. 5 Escanaba to clinch a Regional title – Petoskey News-Review

5. SOFTBALL No. 7 Hillman scored a combined 29 runs to defeat Rudyard and Indian River Inland Lakes in Division 4, and broke the MHSAA record for runs in a season – Alpena News

6. BASEBALL No. 10 Norway earned its first trip to the Semifinals with a 3-2 win over No. 12 Rudyard in Division 4 – Iron Mountain Daily News

7. SOFTBALL No. 8 Clare claimed its first Regional title since 1986, defeating St. Louis and honorable mention Standish-Sterling in Division 3 – Mount Pleasant Morning Sun

8. GIRLS SOCCER No. 7 Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian advanced to the Division 4 Semifinals with a shootout win over No. 13 Elk Rapids – MI Sports Now

9. SOFTBALL Honorable mention New Lothrop advanced in Division 3 with wins over honorable mention Otisville-LakeVille Memorial and No. 6  Cass City – Owosso Argus-Press

10. BASEBALL No. 15 Spring Lake advanced to the Semifinals for the first time since 1995 with an 11-5 win over Petoskey in Division 2 – Muskegon Chronicle