Today in the MHSAA: 12/16/15
December 16, 2015
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Basketball was the game, and late heroics the theme of many of the most exciting contests statewide Tuesday.
Girls Basketball
Napoleon allowed only one point in overtime to edge Manchester 41-37 in a battle of strong Class C teams from the Jackson area – Jackson Citizen-Patriot
Katelyn Wright’s 3-pointer with four seconds to play gave Muskegon Western Michigan Christian a 43-42 win over Wyoming Tri-unity Christian – Grand Haven Tribune
Howell upended expected Class A contender Waterford Kettering 51-37 in a telling cross-division matchup in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association – Livingston Daily
Mason 6-foot-3 senior Autumn Kissman had arguably the best game of her high school career with 31 points and 10 rebounds in the Bulldogs’ 56-39 win over Okemos – Lansing State Journal
Boys Basketball
South Haven saw a 17-point halftime lead dissolve against Three Rivers, but held on to win in overtime 76-75 – Kalamazoo Gazette
Macomb Dakota began avenging last season’s Regional Final loss to Clarkston with a 46-35 victory over the Wolves – Macomb Daily
Noah Ingram scored 14 of his team-high 19 points during the fourth quarter as Mount Pleasant got past Midland Dow 56-41 – Mount Pleasant Morning Sun
Johannesburg-Lewiston’s Logan Huff scored his 1,000th career point in leading the Cardinals to a 67-27 win over Mancelona – Gaylord Herald Times
Marshall and Portland played to five overtimes before Marshall came away with a 98-95 victory – Ionia Sentinel-Standard
Traverse City Central’s Jackson Schrameyer put up 40 points to lead the Trojans past rival Traverse City West 75-64 and break a five-game losing streak to their rival – Traverse City Record-Eagle
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.)