Today In The MHSAA: 2/24/21
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
February 24, 2021
The girls and boys basketball landscapes began to take shape in a number of leagues all over the state Tuesday as a multitude of local championship contenders faced off.
1. Boys Basketball: McBain won a matchup of ranked undefeated teams 64-35 over Beal City – Mount Pleasant Morning Sun
2. Girls Basketball: Undefeated Hudsonville handed East Kentwood its first loss, 56-52 – FOX 17
3. Boys Basketball: Jason Jergens became the third 1,000-point scorer in his family in Marcellus Howardsville Christian’s 52-38 win over St. Joseph Lake Michigan Catholic – Kalamazoo Gazette
4. Girls Basketball: Haslett remained undefeated and handed Williamston its first defeat, 38-31 – Lansing State Journal
5. Girls Basketball: East Lansing won a matchup between annual powers, 51-37 over DeWitt – Lansing State Journal
6. Girls Basketball: South Lyon East became the last undefeated team in the Lakes Valley Conference by handing Walled Lake Central its first loss 57-42 – Oakland Press
7. Boys Basketball: Escanaba moved to 6-0 with a 63-57 win over Marquette – Escanaba Daily Press
8. Girls Basketball: Muskegon avenged last season’s District loss to Reeths-Puffer with a 50-48 overtime win – Local Sports Journal
9. Boys Basketball: Battle Creek Pennfield also won a matchup of unbeaten teams 57-45 over Coldwater – FOX 17
10. Boys Basketball: Traverse City St. Francis handed Charlevoix its first loss, 59-55 – Traverse City Record-Eagle
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.)