Today in the MHSAA: 1/31/18
January 31, 2018
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: Reigning Class A champion Clarkston handed Hazel Park its first loss of the season, 70-39, in the first of two league matchups this season between the expected statewide contenders – Detroit News
2. Girls Basketball: East Lansing downed Williamston 63-43 in a matchup of highly-ranked teams that were both undefeated entering the night – Lansing State Journal
3. Girls Basketball: Charlevoix’s 58-42 win over Traverse City Central saw Charlevoix’s Elise Stuck score a school-record 43 points and Central’s Margot Woughter go over 1,000 for her career – Traverse City Record-Eagle
4. Hockey: Teddy Randell returned from an injury to score twice for Division 3 top-ranked Hancock in a 3-1 win over No. 3 Calumet – Houghton Daily Mining Gazette
5. Hockey: Division 2 No. 4 Hartland’s goal with 4:33 to play pushed it past Division 1 No. 3 Brighton 2-1 in a matchup of Kensington Lakes Activities Association powers – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
6. Boys Basketball: Marine City Cardinal Mooney downed Detroit Cristo Rey 74-66 to claim its first league title since 2009 – Port Huron Times Herald
7. Girls Basketball: Muskegon held off Grand Haven 39-37 in a matchup of top Class A teams from the west side of the state – Local Sports Journal
8. Girls Basketball: Haley Griffin scored 15 points in a 46-30 win over Grand Rapids Wellspring to set Holland Black River’s career scoring record – Holland Sentinel
9. Girls Basketball: St. Johns’ Maddie Maloney went over 1,000 career points in her team’s 52-38 win over Grand Ledge – Lansing State Journal
10. Girls Basketball: Eighth-place Roscommon upset Jack Pine Conference leader Gladwin 54-50 – Midland Daily 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.)