Today in the MHSAA: 1/26/22
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
January 26, 2022
1. GIRLS BASKETBALL Division 2 No. 5 Portland made a strong statement with a 45-21 win over Division 1 No. 11 East Lansing – Lansing State Journal
2. BOYS BASKETBALL Division 1 No. 3 Detroit U-D Jesuit moved into first alone in the Detroit Catholic League Central with a 69-67 win over former co-leader and top-ranked Detroit Catholic Central – Detroit News
3. WRESTLING Division 4 No. 4 Union City downed No. 5 Bronson 57-17 in a Big 8 Conference matchup – Coldwater Daily Reporter
4. GIRLS BASKETBALL Division 1 No. 9 Grosse Pointe North took over first place alone in the Macomb Area Conference Red with a 59-51 win over former co-leader Macomb Dakota – Macomb Daily
5. GIRLS BASKETBALL Division 1 No. 6 Dexter came back from a 10-point deficit to defeat Saline 43-39 and take over first alone in the Southeastern Conference Red – Chelsea Sun Times News
6. GIRLS BASKETBALL Ava Boike became Genesee Christian’s all-time leading scorer during a big win over Burton Atherton – Flint Journal
7. GIRLS BASKETBALL Detroit Edison handed Division 1 No. 13 Parma Western its first loss this season, 60-47 – Jackson Citizen Patriot
8. BOYS BASKETBALL Maple City Glen Lake delivered Division 3 No. 4 Benzie Central’s first defeat, 64-56 – Up North Live
9. BOYS BASKETBALL Division 1 No. 13 Muskegon held on to first place alone in the Ottawa-Kent Conference Green with a 55-47 win over second-place Reeths-Puffer – MuskegonSports.com
10. GIRLS BASKETBALL Muskegon Reeths-Puffer moved into a three-team tie for first in the O-K Green with a 47-35 win over Division 1 No. 17 Muskegon – Local Sports Journal
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.)