Today in the MHSAA: 12/14/16
December 14, 2016
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Reigning champions met, streaks were broken and career milestones were accomplished on the basketball court, and we found some early-season coverage of swimming & diving and bowling as well from a busy Tuesday statewide.
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.
Girls Basketball
Reese continued its impressive start with a 47-33 win over 2015 Class B semifinalist Bay City John Glenn, as John Glenn’s Kalle Martinez scored her 1,000th career point – Bay City Times
St. Joseph Michigan Lutheran earned coach Ron Briney his 400th career win, 64-35 over Bridgman – St. Joseph Herald-Palladium
We don’t publicize losing streaks but can celebrate when they end; Holland finished a 55-game losing streak with a 56-36 win over Wyoming Godwin Heights – Holland Sentinel
Maddie Lanser’s basket with nine seconds to play gave McBain Northern Michigan Christian a 36-35 win over Lake City – Cadillac News
Muskegon Oakridge moved to 5-0 with a 46-32 win over formerly-undefeated Montague – Muskegon Chronicle
Boys Basketball
Reigning Class B champion Detroit Henry Ford scored 23 fourth-quarter points to down reigning Class C champion Flint Beecher 67-56 – Flint Journal
Bridgeport’s Charles Garrett put up 33 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Bearcats past Frankenmuth and Mario Whitley (29 points/14 rebounds) 69-59 – Saginaw News
Saline held its second opponent in three games under 30 points, downing Ann Arbor Pioneer 45-29 – Ann Arbor News
Girls Bowling
Jenny Pelc rolled games of 224 and 236 to lead White Lake Lakeland to a 28-2 win over Walled Lake Western – Observer & Eccentric
Boys Swimming & Diving
Gibraltar Carlson earned eight first-place finishes to claim its opening dual meet 103-77 over Dearborn Edsel Ford – Southgate News Herald
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.)