Today in the MHSAA: 3/8/17
March 8, 2017
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
The Division 2 ice hockey field was cut to four and the girls basketball field to 16 during a Tuesday full of big-time performances and a few upsets as well.
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.
Girls Basketball
Walled Lake Western earned its first Regional win in 34 season, downing Novi 48-42 in a Class A Regional Semifinal – Oakland Press
Kierra Fletcher had 35 points and 13 rebounds in reigning Class A champion Warren Cousino’s 56-44 victory over 20-win Utica Ford – MLive-Detroit
With a heavy heart, Asjia Blanton had 19 points off the bench to lead Midland Dow to a 59-36 win over Marquette – Saginaw News
East Kentwood survived a 28-point night from Muskegon Mona Shores standout Jordan Walker to win 57-43 in their Class A matchup – Grand Rapids Press
Farmington Hills Mercy dealt Hartland only its second – and final – loss this season, 47-42 in a Class A Regional Semifinal – Observer & Eccentric
Blissfield handed 20-win Michigan Center a 48-38 Regional Semifinal loss in Class C – Jackson Citizen Patriot
Kalkaska scored during the final 10 seconds to upend Houghton 58-57 in a matchup of 20+ win teams in Class C – Traverse City Record-Eagle
Bronson contained high-scoring Niles Brandywine 32-22 in Class C – Coldwater Daily Reporter
Pickford ended Hillman’s 21-game winning streak with a 51-45 win in Class D – Sault Ste. Marie Evening News
Frankfort upset Gaylord St. Mary 47-44 in Class D – Traverse City Record-Eagle
Hockey
Unranked Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern/Eastern advanced to the Division 2 Semifinals for the second straight season with a 3-2 win over unranked Muskegon Mona Shores – Grand Rapids Press
Unranked Saline upset No. 5 Livonia Churchill in double overtime 5-4 to advance – Saline Post
Top-ranked Birmingham Brother Rice eliminated reigning Division 2 champion Romeo, 4-0 – Macomb Daily
No. 2 Hartland shut out No. 4 Livonia Stevenson 3-0 to also move on – Livingston Daily Press & Argus
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.)