Stripes Worn Well (Muskegon Chronicle)

March 1, 2012

Tim Flahive has battled diabetes for all but a few years of his life. But he's also filled half of those years with high school sports as a longtime official based in the Muskegon area.

The Muskegon Chronicle's Mark Opfermann tells the story of Flahive's final basketball game last week -- and makes us appreciate even more the significant role our officials fill to no fanfare.

A powerful excerpt:

He left the court with no fanfare, took off his whistle and shed a few tears.

But Flahive's story isn’t just about sports and an official leaving the hobby he loves. It’s about courage, getting back up and pressing on.

So, I guess it’s a lot like sports after all. But it’s a whole lot more about life.

That’s because when Flahive took the court last week, he did it with half of his left foot missing.

Click to read on.

Today in the MHSAA: 12/20/23

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

December 20, 2023

1. BOYS BASKETBALL David Shillinger became Ludington’s all-time leading scorer during a 65-53 win over Montague, breaking a record that stood since 1972 – Ludington Daily News

2. BOYS SWIMMING & DIVING Bay City Central won the inaugural Bay County Championship – Bay City Times

3. BOYS BASKETBALL Jaxon Childers went over 1,000 career points in Benzie Central’s 50-42 win over Buckley – MI Sports Now

4. GIRLS BASKETBALL Byron Center defeated Hudsonville for the first time since 2009, 53-46 – Grand Rapids Press

5. BOYS BASKETBALL Okemos won a matchup of undefeated teams, 58-47 over DeWitt – Lansing State Journal

6. BOYS BASKETBALL Saginaw Heritage picked up its most impressive win of a strong start, 81-44 over previously undefeated Freeland – Saginaw News

7. GIRLS BASKETBALL Erie Mason came back from a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat Petersburg Summerfield 53-47 – Monroe News

8. GIRLS BASKETBALL Freeland’s Karie Keefer scored at the buzzer to give the Falcons a 44-42 win over Heritage – Saginaw News

9. BOYS BASKETBALL Boden Fernsler drilled the winning 3-pointer with three seconds to play in Novi’s 52-49 win over South Lyon East – Oakland Press

10. BOYS BASKETBALL Grade Anspach’s only points also came on a game-winning 3-pointer as Fruitport downed Comstock Park 53-52 – Local Sports Journal

Also of note ...

FOOTBALL Coach Scott Merchant is leaving Clinton Township Chippewa Valley to take over at Lawrence Tech – Macomb Daily