Today in the MHSAA: 1/9/19
January 9, 2019
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Basketball returned from the holidays in full force Tuesday, highlighted by impressive victories on the girls side and historic accomplishments from a pair of boys teams.
1. Girls Basketball: Southfield Arts & Technology continued to build its case as a Division 1 contender with a 65-54 win over reigning Class B champ Detroit Country Day – Oakland Press
2. Girls Basketball: Iron River West Iron County handed Negaunee its first defeat, 53-42 – The Upbeat
3. Boys Basketball: Quincy downed Reading 55-46 to move to 9-0 as William Dunn scored 30 points in becoming the third player in school history to score 1,000 over a career – Coldwater Daily Reporter
4. Boys Basketball: Bay City Central downed Saginaw Arthur Hill 69-63, its first win over Arthur Hill since 1992 – Bay City Times
5. Girls Basketball: Elise Stuck scored 44 points as Charlevoix held off Gaylord 58-48 – Gaylord Herald Times
6. Hockey: Phillip Rios had 22 saves as Hancock shut out Division 2 No. 14 Kingsford 2-0 – Houghton Daily Mining Gazette
7. Boys Basketball: Hudsonville Unity Christian handed Holland Christian its first loss of this season, 63-42 – FOX 17
8. Boys Basketball: Detroit U-D Jesuit continued to rise in the Detroit Catholic League Central with a 69-62 win over Orchard Lake St. Mary’s – Detroit News
9. Boys Basketball: Marshawn Kneeland scored at the buzzer to push Wyoming Godwin Heights past Hopkins 50-48 – FOX 17
10. Girls Basketball: Brea Pruitt made two free throws with seven seconds to play to carry Saginaw Arts & Sciences past Saginaw High 55-54 – Saginaw 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.)