Welcome Back to 'The Woods'

January 17, 2014

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Buchanan, here we come. 

The MHSAA and its Student Advisory Council will kick off "Battle of the Fans III" tonight with a return trip to Buchanan, last season's BOTF champion. 

Buchanan, tucked into the southwest corner of the Lower Peninsula, is a Class B school of 465 students hailing from a community of roughly 4,400. The Bucks earned voters' hearts in 2013 as most of that student body and community filled the home gym – fittingly referred to as "The Woods" – for the MHSAA's BOTF visit. 

The MHSAA will visit finalists Beaverton, Bridgman, Frankfort and Traverse City West later this month and during the first two weeks of February before crowning a champion on Feb. 21 and inviting representatives from the winning section to a banner presentation during the Boys Basketball Semifinals on March 21 at Michigan State's Breslin Center. 

Remember, follow the Battle of the Fans on the MHSAA's FacebookTwitter and Instagram social media sites by clicking hashtag #BOTF. The MHSAA-produced story and video from tonight's trip will be published Tuesday on Second Half. 

Here's Buchanan's application video for this winter's contest. 

PHOTO is courtesy of Buchanan High School. Battle of the Fans III is sponsored in part by the United Dairy Industry of Michigan.

#TBT: Remembering #BOTF I-III

January 15, 2015

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

The MHSAA and its Student Advisory Council will kick of this winter's Battle of the Fans IV on Friday with a visit to reigning champion Beaverton. 

In advance, let's recall what earned our first three champions -- Frankenmuth in 2012, Buchanan in 2013 and Beaverton last year -- the right to call their sections the best in Michigan.

2012: Frankenmuth

Frankenmuth Dance Party: Click for story


2013: Buchanan

Welcome to the Woods: Click for story


2014: Beaverton 

Beaverton 'Creatures' Dominate Bleachers: Click for story