Why be an Official? (Grand Rapids Press)

January 25, 2012

The Grand Rapids Press' Jane Bos tells the story of some of the most valuable, yet often-criticized people who help make our games go -- the officials enforcing the rules. 

Consider this interesting point: On a Tuesday or Friday, the O-K Conference must come up with 150 officials to work its basketball games. And it, like most if not all leagues, always is looking for more.

She also explains how another former Press sportswriter, Howie Beardsley, got into the reffing game.

Check it out:

"Why West Michigan high school referees say you should consider wearing stripes"

Today in the MHSAA: 1/19/24

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

January 19, 2024

1. BOYS BASKETBALL Trenton Taratuta went over 2,000 career points in Hillman’s 70-38 win over Fairview – Alpena News

2. GIRLS BASKETBALL Portage Central sits alone in first place in the Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference West thanks to a 53-44 win over Stevensville Lakeshore – Kalamazoo Gazette

3. BOYS BASKETBALL North Farmington remains undefeated after a 50-35 win over Rochester Adams – Detroit News

4. GIRLS BASKETBALL Emma Jones’ 3-pointer at the buzzer pushed Homer past Jonesville 42-41 – Hillsdale Daily News

5. GIRLS BASKETBALL St. Joseph Our Lady of the Lake Catholic defeated St. Joseph Michigan Lutheran for the first time since 2014, 22-20 – St. Joseph Herald-Palladium

6. BOYS BASKETBALL Clinton Township Clintondale is tied for first in the Macomb Area Conference Bronze thanks to a 53-39 victory over co-leader Center Line – Macomb Daily

7. HOCKEY Traverse City West posted a 3-2 win over Saline – MI Sports Now

8. BOYS BASKETBALL Alex Jamison set a Port Huron Northern record with eight 3-pointers in his team’s 78-67 win over Grosse Pointe North – Port Huron Times Herald

9. GIRLS BASKETBALL Grosse Ile continued to shine defensively in a 45-33 win over Flat Rock – Southgate News-Herald

10. BOYS BASKETBALL Mackinaw City kept pace in the Northern Lakes Conference with a 76-43 win over Indian River Inland Lakes – Cheboygan Daily Tribune

Also of note …

FOOTBALL Westland John Glenn coach Jason Mensing, who led a quick turnaround of the program after previously guiding Ottawa Lake Whiteford to the 2017 Division 8 championship, is leaving for a position in Florida – Hometown Life