Today In The MHSAA: 3/17/22
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
March 17, 2022
1. BOYS BASKETBALL No. 9 Lake Leelanau St. Mary won its first Regional title in 72 years, handing No. 3 McBain Northern Michigan Christian its lone loss 61-57 in Division 4 – Traverse City Record-Eagle
2. BOYS BASKETBALL Grayling’s 52-40 win over Sanford Meridian in Division 3 gave the Vikings their first Regional title since 1957 – Traverse City Record-Eagle
3. BOYS BASKETBALL No. 14 Freeland earned its first Regional title since 1971 with an 82-59 win over Flint Hamady in Division 2 – Saginaw News
4. BOYS BASKETBALL No. 2 Orchard Lake St. Mary’s will return to the Quarterfinals thanks to an 83-72 win over No. 12 Hamtramck in Division 1 – MLive-Detroit
5. BOYS BASKETBALL Cadillac moved on to the Division 2 Quarterfinals with a 54-45 win over No. 1 Escanaba – Cadillac News
6. BOYS BASKETBALL No. 12 Pontiac Notre Dame Prep earned its first Regional title since 1998, defeating Goodrich 74-34 in Division 2 – Oakland Press
7. BOYS BASKETBALL Kalamazoo Central got past No. 19 Okemos 70-62 in double overtime to clinch a Division 1 Regional title – WWMT
8. BOYS BASKETBALL Grand Rapids Northview edged Holland West Ottawa 50-45 to advance in Division 1 – FOX 17
9. BOYS BASKETBALL No. 4 Detroit Catholic Central won its first Regional title since 2009, downing Clarkston 52-46 in Division 1 – Oakland Press
10. BOYS BASKETBALL No. 5 Rudyard repeated as a Regional champion with a 52-37 victory over No. 18 Onaway in Division 4 – Up North Live
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.)