Today in the MHSAA: 1/11/17
January 11, 2017
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Snow slowed some of the action across the state Tuesday, but there were a number of notable results to report including a couple of comeback finishes.
Each weekday during the school year, we’ll gather and post media links covering the most significant and intriguing high school events from all over the state.
Boys Basketball
Belleville came back from five down after the third quarter to score 29 points during the fourth and beat Ann Arbor Pioneer 61-55 – Ann Arbor News
St. Clair trailed Port Huron by seven at halftime but came back to remain undefeated with a 59-39 win – Port Huron Times Herald
Benton Harbor also remained undefeated, posting a 55-45 win over Battle Creek Central – St. Joseph Herald-Palladium
Carson Barr tied a school record with 12 free throws as Temperance Bedford handed Ypsilanti Lincoln its first loss, 82-69 – Monroe Evening News
Walled Lake Western came back from its first loss to down much-improved Walled Lake Northern 57-50 in overtime – Oakland Press
Paw Paw handed Sturgis its first loss of the season 52-41 after starting with a 13-4 run – Sturgis Journal
Girls Basketball
Holland Calvary came back from six points down during the fourth quarter to down Holland Black River 49-46 in double overtime – Holland Sentinel
From Monday, Taylor Bryant tied a Newberry school record with 15 field goals and had 35 points total in a win over Brimley – Sault Ste. Marie Evening News
Holland West Ottawa Athletics Complex Recognized with National Award
December 12, 2023
Holland West Ottawa Public Schools’ new athletics complex, with architectural firm GMB, has been recognized as the top multi-field facility nationally by the American Sports Builders Association (ASBA), the national organization for builders and suppliers of materials for athletic facilities.
West Ottawa’s new stadium consists of two turf playing fields. The west field was designed deliberately without a surrounding track to bring the stands and field closer together with a central tunnel beneath the grandstands for the home team to enter onto the field. The same synthetic turf, light posts, and state-of-the-art audio/video systems are utilized on both fields for an equitable experience for all users.
Multiple ground-level entry points with access to the fields, barrier-free locker rooms and multiple seating options with elevator access also create accessibility for spectators, players, coaches, and support staff.
“This facility allows our students the opportunity to play in one of the premier complexes in the state of Michigan,” said Jeff Malloch, assistant superintendent of business services at West Ottawa Public Schools. “We have seen continued interest in lacrosse, football, and soccer, and this complex will be utilized by our community youth from elementary age to high school student-athletes.”
Adding elevated fan experiences, such as a concourse level between the upper and lower sections of the home stands, bigger bleachers, and updated concession stands and restrooms establish a venue for multiple sports and attract the entire community to utilize the facility.
“This is a one-of-a-kind facility for West Michigan, and it’s been wonderful to see student-athletes from across the state enjoy the complex’s unique amenities,” said Nate Bosch, a landscape architect with GMB. “The collaboration needed to make this project come to life was an inspiring process to be a part of, and we are so pleased to celebrate this accomplishment with West Ottawa.”
This is the first time a GMB project has been awarded a multi-field facility of the year honor by the ASBA. GMB also has received four Project of the Year honors in the outdoor tennis category and 20 distinguished awards from ASBA for other athletic facility projects over the past 12 years.
(Photos by M-Buck Studio.)