Today in the MHSAA: 3/22/17
March 22, 2017
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
The final 16 teams contending for MHSAA boys basketball titles this weekend were determined at Quarterfinals all over the state Tuesday. Here are links to coverage from each game.
Each weekday during the school year, we’ll gather and post media links covering the most significant and intriguing high school events from all over the state. “Today” will return April 10.
Boys Basketball
Class A: In a game for which fans started lining up two hours before tip, Grand Rapids Christian got past Kalamazoo Central 66-46 – Grand Rapids Press
Class A: In another matchup of Class A powerhouses, it was all Clarkston this time with a 70-50 win over Saginaw – Oakland Press
Class A: West Bloomfield continued its impressive run with a dominating 80-43 win over Troy – Oakland Press
Class A: Romulus ended reigning champion Detroit U-D Jesuit’s repeat attempt with a 66-63 Quarterfinal win – Detroit News
Class B: Ludington will return to the Semifinals for the first time since 1971 after a 69-43 win over Lake Fenton – Ludington Daily News
Class B: New Haven pulled into the Semifinals for the first time with a 73-66 win over Detroit Osborn – Port Huron Times Herald
Class B: In a rematch of last season’s Quarterfinal, this time River Rouge emerged with a 54-51 win over Williamston – MLive-Detroit
Class B: After trailing early, Benton Harbor came back to edge Spring Lake 46-44 – St. Joseph Herald-Palladium
Class C: Jayden Perry’s buzzer-beating basket sent Manton to the Semifinals with a 51-49 win over Negaunee – Petoskey News Review
Class C: Grand Rapids Covenant Christian earned its first Semifinal berth since 1994 with a 49-40 win over Kalamazoo Christian – Grand Rapids Press
Class C: Reigning champion Flint Beecher will contend for another title after downing Beaverton 66-32 – Flint Journal
Class C: Following its girls team last week, Detroit Edison Public School Academy’s boys advanced to their first Semifinal, with a 61-44 win over Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central – MLive-Detroit
Class D: Southfield Christian will continue its return to Class D with a return to Breslin after a 64-42 win over Fowler – Oakland Press
Class D: Lansing Christian booked its return to the Semifinals with 65-47 win over Benton Harbor Dream Academy – Lansing State Journal
Class D: Two-time reigning champion Powers North Central will play for a third straight after downing Hillman 74-61 – Escanaba Daily Press
Class D: Undefeated Buckley will bring that perfect record to Breslin thanks to a 48-37 win over Wyoming Tri-unity Christian – Cadillac 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.)