Today in the MHSAA: 2/12/21
February 12, 2021
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
The Ski Finals field continued to fill Thursday, while Kalamazoo Central celebrated the return of one of the state’s top players and Freeland celebrated an incredible one-season turnaround against a league opponent.
1. Skiing: Brighton’s boys and Milford’s girls locked up Division 1 Regional championships – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
2. Girls Basketball: Morasha Wiggins scored 26 points in her first game back from a knee injury to help Kalamazoo Central to a big win – Kalamazoo Gazette
3. Boys Basketball: Freeland downed Bridgeport 58-48 in overtime, avenging 40 and 45-point losses from last season – Saginaw News
4. Boys Swimming & Diving: Holland West Ottawa posted winners in all 12 events in a 189-116 win over Rockford – Holland Sentinel
5. Boys Basketball: Orchard Lake St. Mary’s moved to 2-0 with a 78-63 win over Flint Beecher – MLive-Detroit
6. Hockey: Brendan Finn scored all four of his team’s goals in Lake Orion’s 4-2 win over Clarkston – Oakland Press
7. Girls Basketball: Isabelle Gilmore’s big fourth quarter helped DeWitt get past Holt 56-46 – Lansing State Journal
8. Boys Basketball: Escanaba got past rival Marquette 61-57 in overtime – Escanaba Daily Press
9. Girls Basketball: Parma Western went on a 29-3 run to eventually get past Jackson Northwest – Jackson Citizen Patriot
10. Boys Basketball: Henry Weller scored the game-winner as Dowagiac edged Berrien Springs 52-50 – Niles Daily Star
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.)