Today in the MHSAA: 1/30/24
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
January 30, 2024
1. GIRLS BASKETBALL Macomb Dakota won a matchup of co-leaders in the Macomb Area Conference Red, taking sole possession of first place with a 53-43 win over Grosse Pointe North – Macomb Daily
2. GIRLS BASKETBALL Belleville moved into first alone in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association East with a 61-50 win over former co-leader Wayne Memorial – MLIVE Detroit
3. BOYS BASKETBALL Ja’Hion Bond went over 1,000 career points in Fenton’s 82-72 win over Flint Kearsley – WJRT
4. GIRLS BASKETBALL Baraga became the last team undefeated in Copper Mountain Conference play with a 49-37 win over Lake Linden-Hubbell – Upper Michigan Source
5. COMPETITIVE CHEER Muskegon Reeths-Puffer won its home invitational, with Fruitport finishing runner-up – Ludington Daily News
6. GIRLS BASKETBALL Byron Center earned an impressive 50-42 win over Lowell – Grand Rapids Press
7. BOYS BASKETBALL Centreville ran its winning streak to 10 with a 65-50 victory over Hartford – Kalamazoo Gazette
8. GIRLS BASKETBALL Sanford Meridian remained undefeated with a 54-39 win over Mount Pleasant – Midland Daily News
9. GIRLS BASKETBALL Newaygo came back from a double-digit fourth-quarter deficit to defeat Whitehall 43-40 in overtime – Muskegon Chronicle
10. BOYS BASKETBALL Michigan Center improved to 12-3 with a 64-52 win over Brooklyn Columbia Central – WILX
Also of note …
MEDIA West Michigan and media all over the state are mourning the death of longtime Holland Sentinel sports editor Leo Martonosi – Holland Sentinel
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.)