Today in the MHSAA: 3/5/19
March 5, 2019
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Girls Basketball Districts began Monday with a number of big-time matchups across the state, led by a clash of league champions in the northern Lower Peninsula.
1. Girls Basketball: Manton won that matchup of league champs, defeating Maple City Glen Lake 46-36 in a Division 3 District opener – Traverse City Record-Eagle
2. Girls Basketball: Muskegon got past Grand Haven 52-47 in one of the night’s most star-studded Division 1 matchups – Local Sports Journal
3. Girls Basketball: Ishpeming Westwood ended rival Negaunee’s season with a 49-37 victory in Division 3 – The Upbeat
4. Girls Basketball: Grand Rapids Northview avenged its only loss, defeating Rockford 55-45 in Division 1 – Grand Rapids Press
5. Girls Basketball: Unbeaten Gobles came back from an 11-point deficit to down Schoolcraft 45-27 in Division 3 – Kalamazoo Gazette
6. Girls Basketball: Reigning Class D champion Adrian Lenawee Christian held off Pittsford 49-41 in Division 4 – Adrian Daily Telegram
7. Girls Basketball: A 3-pointer during the final seconds pushed West Bloomfield past Auburn Hills Avondale in Division 1 – State Champs!
8. Girls Basketball: Three Rivers defeated Dowagiac 60-33 in Division 2 as Hadley Miller scored a school-record 42 points – Three Rivers News
9. Girls Basketball: Portland St. Patrick needed double overtime but got past Morrice 43-42 – Ionia Sentinel-Standard
10. Girls Basketball: Hudsonville made 10 3-pointers in defeating Zeeland West 61-43 in Division 1 – Holland Sentinel
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.)