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February 13, 2012
Check out our must-know scores and news from Feb. 6-11.
(Click on links for coverage.)
Wrestling
Shelby remains; Hesperia does not: Hesperia always seems to be in the Division 4 Finals mix, having reached the championship match in Battle Creek three of the last five seasons, including 2011 when it finished runner-up. But Shelby -- frequently a Division 3 team but in Division 4 this season -- knocked out the Panthers with a 36-26 win in Wednesday's team District. Shelby was ranked No. 4 and Hesperia No. 3 entering the postseason. (Mlive.com)
Coon remains king of the heavyweights: Fowlerville junior Adam Coon won the last two MHSAA Division 2 championships at 215 pounds, and is considered the favorite at heavyweight this season. He remained undefeated at 42-0 with a 3-2 win in Saturday's individual District final over Mason's Adam Robinson (39-2), who finished third at heavyweight in Division 2 at last season's MHSAA Finals. (MHSAA.com)
All four move on for one more: The 215-pound class at Temperance Bedford's Division 1 individual District also was expected to be among the most contested statewide Saturday, with four of the top six in that division competing according to MichiganGrappler.com. All four advanced to next weekend's regional, led by the Kicking Mules' Bryan Smith, who won with a 6-1 decision in the final. (MHSAA.com)
Girls basketball
Goodrich rolls on: The Martians continue to make their case not only as the favorite in Class B this season, but as one of the state's elite regardless of class. For the second straight week, Goodrich beat a state-ranked Class A team by double figures. This time it was reigning Class A champion Inkster, 63-48 (last week it was No. 9 Midland, 56-36). The Martians are 16-0. (Mlive.com)
Boys basketball
Wes Leonard enters Fennville Hall of Fame: Nearly a year after his death, the former all-stater was inducted into his school's Hall of Fame during a ceremony Friday. We've created one file with links to both print and video media coverage, and we'll be uploading our video of the entire ceremony later Monday. (Second Half)
Editor's note: Did we miss something? Comment below and tell us about it. Is there an event coming up that we should make sure to note? Comment or e-mail [email protected].
Brighton Unified Sports Earn Top Honor
September 7, 2018
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Brighton’s Unified Sports program – which combines students with and without intellectual disabilities on competitive athletic teams – has been recognized nationally as one of the nation’s five exemplary “Unified Champion Schools” for 2018.
The Unified Sports program is part of Special Olympics, and champion schools have met 10 national standards of inclusion excellence developed by leaders from the Special Olympics and education communities. Brighton was nominated by Michigan’s Special Olympics program and will be recognized as exemplary along with schools from California, New Jersey, North Carolina and Virginia.
Brighton also was one of 132 schools representing all levels of education recognized nationally as a “Banner Unified Champion School.” Also receiving the honor from Michigan were Detroit Loyola High School, Saline’s Pleasant Ridge Elementary School, Holt’s Washington Woods Middle School and Adrian College, Ferris State University, Michigan State University and Central Michigan University. To become a Unified Champion School, a school must show inclusive youth leadership and whole school engagement in addition to its Unified Sports program.
From that list of 132 banner schools, an honor roll of 30 was selected with Brighton as Michigan’s representative on that list.
The announcement of the five exemplary Unified Champion Schools as made Thursday by ESPN, a partner in the Special Olympics’ national recognition program.
“This recognition symbolizes all of our students, families, staff, and community as being leaders in building and spreading a culture of inclusiveness, respect, and care for each and every person,” wrote Brighton athletic director John Thompson is making the announcement to the school. “We could not be prouder of our Brighton Family! Your attitudes and actions speak volumes about each of you as individuals but also the collective strength of Brighton Nation coming together for the good of all!”
Brighton has Unified teams for flag football, basketball and bocce. Approximately 30-50 students – including special education students and their general education partners – participate in each sport, with a number of athletes participating in multiple. Brighton’s Kensington Lakes Activities Association last year formed a Unified League with programs from Hartland, Novi, Northville and Grand Blanc.
Brighton’s program is directed by special education teachers Jody Renicker and Lisa Johnson. The school will received its Unified Champion Schools banner during an assembly later this fall.
The MHSAA provides support and promotes Unified Sports, with teams frequently playing games as part of the March Magic Hoopfest also supported by the Greater Lansing Sports Authority. Click for more information on the Special Olympics Unified Sports program.
PHOTOS: (Top) Brighton students compete on Unified teams in basketball and flag football, and show off their medals at an event last school year. (Middle) Brighton’s team huddles for a photo during basketball season. (Photos provided by Brighton High School.)