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: 1/17/24

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

January 17, 2024

1. GIRLS BASKETBALL Karie Keefer scored 33 points in Freeland’s 67-61 win over Chelsea as the Division 2 contenders played in memory of late Falcons coach Tom Zolinski – Saginaw News

2. BOYS BASKETBALL Iron Mountain edged Kingsford 48-47 in a matchup of arguably the top teams in the Upper Peninsula – Upper Michigan Source

3. BOYS BASKETBALL MJ Yeager became Saginaw Nouvel’s all-time leading scorer with 31 more points in his team’s win over Standish-Sterling – Saginaw News

4. BOYS BASKETBALL Goodrich defeated Fenton 66-49 to earn coach Gary Barns his 500th career victory – WJRT

5. BOYS BASKETBALL Braiden Whitaker went over 1,000 career points in Dundee’s 72-63 win over Monroe Jefferson – Monroe News

6. GIRLS BASKETBALL Traverse City Central moved into first alone in the Big North Conference with a 51-40 win over second-place Cadillac – Traverse City Record-Eagle

7. BOYS BASKETBALL Utica turned back Fraser’s challenge for first in the Macomb Area Conference Blue with a 63-31 win – Macomb Daily

8. BOYS BASKETBALL Mancelona pushed past Bellaire 50-49 in a matchup of Ski Valley Conference leaders – Up North Live

9. GIRLS BASKETBALL Jackson Northwest maintained its lead in the Interstate 8 Athletic Conference with a 59-44 win over Marshall – Jackson Citizen Patriot

10. BOYS BASKETBALL Big-time scorers matched up as Chelsea edged Saline 59-57 – Ann Arbor News