Today In The MHSAA: 2/16/21
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
February 16, 2021
No Monday will be a slow day this winter, and a full sports schedule provided a number of standout performances especially on the basketball court and bowling lanes.
1. Girls Basketball: Despite losing its best player, Port Huron hung on for a 46-34 win over Port Huron Northern – Port Huron Times-Herald
2. Bowling: Macomb Dakota picked up important Macomb Area Conference Red wins, sweeping Utica Eisenhower in girls and boys – Macomb Daily
3. Girls Basketball: Saugatuck’s buzzer beater ended Martin’s 14-game winning streak with a 50-49 defeat – Kalamazoo Gazette
4. Girls Basketball: Grosse Pointe North got past Grosse Pointe South 37-34 in overtime – Detroit News
5. Hockey: Birmingham Unified scored the game’s final three goals over the final five minutes to down Rochester Hills Stoney Creek 9-6 – Oakland Press
6. Girls Basketball: Kalamazoo Hackett held off Schoolcraft 49-46 – Kalamazoo Gazette
7. Boys Basketball: Pinconning moved to 3-0 for the first time since 2010 with a 52-40 win over Clare – Bay City Times
8. Girls Basketball: Sault Ste. Marie picked up another solid win, 44-33 over Marquette – Sault News
9. Bowling: Grand Haven earned an impressive sweep of Jenison – Grand Haven Tribune
10. Boys Basketball: Centreville outpaced Bronson 24-11 during the fourth quarter of a 72-55 win – Coldwater Daily Reporter
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.)