Today in the MHSAA: 11/28/16
November 28, 2016
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
As football claimed most of the spotlight over Thanksgiving weekend, high school hockey celebrated a number of holiday tournaments – and we’ve included a few previews with girls basketball season tipping off this evening as well.
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.
Hockey
Reigning Division 3 champion Hancock is rebounding from an 0-2 start to this winter, most recently downing Calumet 5-1 at the Copper Island Classic – Houghton Daily Mining Gazette
Big Rapids won its holiday tournament with a 3-2 overtime win over Traverse City Bay Reps – Big Rapids News
Port Huron Northern scored three goals over the final three minutes to beat New Baltimore Anchor Bay 6-4 and win the Larry Manz Holiday Tournament title – Clinton Township Voice
Allen Park also won its holiday weekend tournament, downing Brownstown Woodhaven 8-1 in the final – Southgate News Herald
Midland Dow will celebrate 40 years of high school hockey with an expected 10 players from its 1976-77 team returning for Wednesday’s game – Midland Daily News
Girls Basketball
Flushing will welcome back standout Breanna Perry after she missed nearly all of her junior season with a knee injury – Flint Journal
Muskegon Mona Shores will look to contend for an MHSAA title led by a backcourt that includes Student Advisory Council member Jordan Walker and standout sophomore Alyza Winston – Muskegon Chronicle
Kingsford could be a team to watch from the Upper Peninsula with five returning starters after going 13-9 a year ago – Iron Mountain Daily 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.)