Today in the MHSAA: 12/20/17
December 20, 2017
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Each weekday of the school year, we break down the top headlines courtesy of Michigan’s sports media.
Today's Top 10
1. Boys Basketball: Grand Haven broke a 10-game losing streak to Muskegon going back to 2012, drilling 10 3-pointers in a 59-51 win – Grand Haven Tribune
2. Girls Basketball: Led by senior Maddie Barrie, Midland broke a seven-game losing streak to rival Dow in handing the Chargers their first loss this season 49-37 – Midland Daily News
3. Boys Basketball: Undefeated McBain went ahead to stay with 2.3 seconds to play in handing reigning Class D runner-up Buckley a 41-40 defeat – Cadillac News
4. Boys Basketball: Reigning champion Flint Beecher got past rival Hamady 49-48 in a matchup of likely two of the state's best again in Class C – Flint Journal
5. Hockey: Some of the state’s best hockey is played at the northern tip of the Upper Peninsula, and No. 7 Houghton won a matchup of two of the best programs in Division 3, 3-2 over No. 3 Calumet – Houghton Daily Mining Gazette
6. Boys Basketball: Standout Brandon Johns poured in 51 points as East Lansing downed Lansing Sexton 114-82 – Lansing State Journal
7. Girls Basketball: Dana Schmanske drilled a 3-pointer during the final minute to push Brighton past Northville 37-35 – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
8. Girls Basketball: Ella McKinney’s basket with 34 seconds to play lifted Haslett past Fowlerville 51-49 – Lansing State Journal
9. Boys Basketball: Midland Dow came back from 11 down in the fourth quarter to get past Midland 58-52 in overtime – Midland Daily News
10. Boys Basketball: A last-second 3-pointer sent Gibraltar Carlson and Trenton to overtime, and Carlson prevailed after two extra periods 86-79 – Monroe 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.)