Article - High School Sports Scene

Dow High went 2-1 on opening day to take second in the Grand Blanc quad. Dow lost 3-5 to Troy Athens, and then won 6-2 against Grand Blanc and 7-1 against East Lansing. This brings Dow’s SVL record to 1-0 on the year as well. Dow next plays in Sturgis on Thursday in the Sturgis Invitational.

Coach Terry Schwartzkopf: “Considering the difficulty we have faced to start this season (2 two year starters deciding to take a one year hiatus and a returning singles player breaking his foot two weeks prior to season), I actually feel this was a very successful day. We may have lost to Troy Athens, but it was the first match of the season with a lot of green guys. Nerves got in our way. Add in Joaco when he returns and a couple of weeks of working out the kinks…I think we win that dual. This season will be fun watching these kids develop into real contenders. It truly was a very good first day.”

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Courtesy to MHSAA

EAST LANSING, Mich. – July 14 – Live postseason events streamed on MHSAA.tv during the 2020-21 school year were viewed nearly 1 million times, with 15 events drawing more than 10,000 live views apiece.

The final championship weekend of the Spring – featuring Girls Soccer Finals and Baseball and Softball Semifinals & Finals, all across four divisions June 17-19 at Michigan State University – saw nearly 70,000 live views on MHSAA.tv despite record attendance of those events at Old College Field.

The Division 2 Softball championship game – which ended with Owosso claiming its first Finals title in any sport, drew a weekend-high 5,677 live views on the network. The previous weekend, the Division 1 Girls Lacrosse Final won by Rockford on June 12 led the way with 4,284 live views.

The total number of live postseason views on MHSAA.tv for 2020-21 was 962,371. The most-viewed live tournament events were the Individual and Team Wrestling Finals, which with all rounds over all four divisions combined drew 244,044 live views. Among individual games broadcast solely by MHSAA.tv, the Division 3 Boys Basketball Semifinal matching Iron Mountain and Schoolcraft (15,393 live views) and the Division 1 Volleyball Semifinal featuring Novi and Lowell (13,484) ranked among the most watched.

MHSAA.tv is a partner of the NFHS Network. Postseason events streamed on MHSAA.tv included most sports’ Finals, and Semifinals and Quarterfinals for some – especially sports where multiple concluding rounds were hosted by the same tournament site.

MHSAA.tv also ranked second among NFHS Network contributing states with 18,973 live events (postseason and regular-season combined) streamed during the 2020-21 school year. That total of nearly 19,000 live postseason events was an increase from 7,710 events streamed live during 2019-20 and 3,900 during 2018-19, and placed Michigan behind only Illinois.

The School Broadcast Program is responsible for nearly all production of regular-season events. Having now concluded its 13^th year, the SBP gives members an opportunity to showcase excellence in their schools by creating video programming of athletic and non-athletic events with students gaining skills in announcing, camera operation, directing/producing and graphics. Rockford – one of the state’s largest schools with nearly 2,500 students – broadcast 242 events, drawing an SBP-high 74,437 live views and 89,604 total with on-demand replays included. Much smaller Pewamo-Westphalia, a school of 300 students, received the second-most views of SBP members in 2020-21 with 56,009 including live and on-demand. Marquette, Lake Orion, Cedar Springs, Montrose and McBain also were among top SBP providers.

In addition to bringing local events on air nationally, the School Broadcast Program gives schools the opportunity to raise money through advertising and viewing subscriptions. NFHS Network subscriptions begin at $10.99 per month. Subscribers receive access to all live and on-demand video from across the country. School Broadcast Program participants receive a portion of every subscription sold by a school to benefit its program.

Broadcasts from the majority of Michigan schools – especially those lacking the ability to staff events for production – are streamed using a Pixellot automated camera. Michigan schools have 774 Pixellots in service, third-most in the country behind only Texas and California. Most Michigan schools have one camera at an outdoor stadium and a second at the main indoor gymnasium.

A complete list of participating schools can be found on the School Broadcast Program page of the MHSAA Website.

The MHSAA is a private, not-for-profit corporation of voluntary membership by more than 1,500 public and private senior high schools and junior high/middle schools which exists to develop common rules for athletic eligibility and competition. No government funds or tax dollars support the MHSAA, which was the first such association nationally to not accept membership dues or tournament entry fees from schools. Member schools which enforce these rules are permitted to participate in MHSAA tournaments, which attract more than 1.4 million spectators each year.

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EAST LANSING, Mich. – June 29 – The Michigan High School Athletic Association is accepting registrations online or by mail for game officials for the 2021-22 school year.

The MHSAA annually receives registration by more than 9,000 officials, but in part due to COVID-19 precautions had just 7,968 during the 2020-21 school year – a decrease of nearly 14 percent from 2019-20.

“We are thankful for the leadership shown by our officials as they worked together to provide coverage of all levels of school sports events during this unpredictable year, but certainly we’re looking forward to refilling our ranks and taking some of the pressure off the many officials who worked nearly daily during the pandemic seasons,” said MHSAA assistant director Brent Rice, who supervises the officials program. “With the elimination of restrictions this spring and the return of full schedules anticipated this fall, there’s no better time for experienced officials to return and those interested in registering for the first time to become part of this essential and valued group.”

For all new and returning officials, those who register online again will receive a $5 discount off their processing fees. A $16 fee is charged for each sport in which an official wishes to register, and the online processing fee is $40. Officials submitting registration forms by mail or on a walk-up basis will incur a $45 processing fee. Officials registered in 2020-21 will be assessed a late fee of $30 for registration after Aug. 15. The processing fee includes liability insurance coverage up to $1 million for officials while working contests involving MHSAA schools.

Online registration can be accessed by clicking “Officials” on the home page of the MHSAA Website at https://www.mhsaa.com. Forms also are available online that can be printed and submitted by traditional mail to the MHSAA Office at 1661 Ramblewood Drive in East Lansing. More information about officials registration may be obtained by contacting the MHSAA by phone at (517) 332-5046 or by e-mail at register@mhsaa.com.

There is an officials’ registration test for first-time officials and officials who were not registered during the past school year. The test is derived from the MHSAA Officials Guidebook, which also is available on the Officials page of the MHSAA Website. Additional exams must be taken by those registering for football or basketball for the first time or those who were not registered for those sports during the previous school year. Manuals for both sports are available on the Officials page. New officials and those who didn’t officiate during 2020-21 also must complete the online MHSAA Principles of Officiating course, also available on the MHSAA Website.

There also are opportunities to officiate for students at least 14 years old and in grades 9-12 through the MHSAA Legacy Program. Juniors and seniors may officiate subvarsity contests, while freshmen and sophomores may officiate contests at the middle school/junior high levels. Mentor officials will work events with Legacy participants to provide guidance and support. Find information on the Legacy Program by clicking “REGISTER NOW” on the Officials page of the MHSAA Website.

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EAST LANSING, Mich. – June 24 – A total of 89 schools won one or more of the 132 Michigan High School Athletic Association team championships awarded during 2020-21, with two teams earning the first Finals championship in any sport in their schools’ histories.

Detroit Douglass celebrated its first MHSAA Finals championship by winning the Division 4 boys basketball title to conclude the winter, and Owosso claimed its first by earning the Division 2 softball championship this spring.

A total of 27 schools won two or more championships this school year, paced by Marquette’s five won in boys cross country, boys golf, boys swimming & diving, and both girls and boys track & field. Ann Arbor Pioneer and Grass Lake were next both with four Finals championships. Pioneer won in girls cross country, girls and boys swimming & diving and girls tennis, and Grass Lake was a champion in girls basketball, boys bowling and girls and boys track & field. Grass Lake also had participants on the Jackson Area girls gymnastics team that won its first Finals title.

Nine schools won three MHSAA Finals championships: Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice, Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood, Bloomfield Hills Marian, Detroit Country Day, East Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Catholic Central, Hudsonville, Petoskey and West Iron County. Winning two titles in 2020-21 were Adrian Lenawee Christian, Birmingham Seaholm, Carson City-Crystal, Detroit Catholic Central, Dollar Bay, Grand Blanc, Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern, Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett, Ishpeming, Kalamazoo Hackett Catholic Prep, Montague, Norway, Richmond, Rockford and South Lyon.

A total of 39 teams won first MHSAA titles in their respective sports. A total of 42 champions were repeat winners from either 2019-20 or 2018-19 for sports that did not award championships in Winter or Spring 2020 because of cancelations due to COVID-19. A total of 15 teams won championships for at least the third-straight season, while six teams extended title streaks to at least four consecutive seasons. The Rockford girls lacrosse and Lowell wrestling programs own the longest title streaks at eight seasons.

Sixteen of the MHSAA’s 28 championship tournaments are unified, involving teams from the Upper and Lower Peninsulas, while separate competition to determine titlists in both Peninsulas is conducted in remaining sports.

For a sport-by-sport listing of MHSAA champions for 2020-21 – Click Here (PDF)

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Alma @ Coleman Tournament

Saturday, May 29th

Game 1:Garber 17, Alma 2, (too many errors and no bats)

Losing Pitcher: Sarah Adams (10 hits, 3 K’s)

Dalanie Mott: 1-2 (Triple–Alma’s only hit)

Game 2: Alma 20, Coleman 4 (Redeemed ourselves)

Winning Pitcher: Angelina Lanham (4 earned runs; 4 hits, 3 K’s)

Dalanie Mott: 3-3 (3 singles, 2 Runs scored)

Alyssa Leister: 2-3 (3B, 2 run HR; 3 Runs scored; 3 RBI)

Jada Munro: 2-3 (1B, 2B; 1 Run scored; 4 RBI)

Stephanie Bielaga: 2-2 (2 singles, 2 Runs scored; 1 RBI)

Alyssa Beechler: 2-2 (2 singles; 2 Runs scored; 1 RBI)

Angelina Lanham: 2-3 (3B, HR; 2 Runs scored; 1 RBI)

Sarah Adams: 1-1 (1B; 2 Runs scored; 1 RBI)

Game 3: Alma 10, Rogers City 0

Winning Pitcher: Angelina Lanham (0 Runs, 2 hits, 6 K’s)

Stephanie Bielaga: 3-3 (3 singles; 2 Runs scored)

Alyssa Leister: 2-4 (3B, 2 run HR; 2 Runs scored; 4 RBI)

Alyssa Beechler: 2-3 (2 doubles; 2 Runs scored; 1 RBI)

Angelina Lanham: 2-3 (2 singles; 1 Run scored)

Dalanie Mott, Sarah Adams, Bailey Walkington, Kennedy Lagalo, Jada Munro all added a hit

Alma placed second in the tournament and improves to 18-17 on the season. They will take on Central Montcalm next Thursday before heading into district play Saturday, June 5th at Chippewa Hills

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Game 1: Alma 12, Shepherd 11, (Alma had a 3 run lead going into the top of the 7th and gave up 6 runs and had 3 errors–then fell short in the bottom half)

Losing Pitcher: Sarah Adams (12 runs, 4 earned; 12 hits)

Alyssa Leister: 2-2 (3 run HR, single; 4 Runs, 3 RBI)

Dalanie Mott: 2-4 (2 singles; 2 Runs)

Jada Munro: 2-4 (2 singles; 1 Run)

Alyssa Beechler added one hit and 3 RBI

Game 2:Shepherd 20, Alma 10; (This was a hit fest–26 all together!)

Losing Pitcher: Alyssa Beechler (2 1/3 innings; 9 earned runs; 7 hits)

Dalanie Mott: 3-4 (HR, 3B, 1B; 3 Runs; 4 RBI)

Alyssa Leister: 3-4 (3 singles, 1 Run, 1 RBI)

Jada Munro: 3-4 (3 singles; 2 RBI)

Alyssa Beechler, Bailey Walkington, Sarah Adams and Stephanie Bielage each added a hit

Alma is now 16-16 on the season. They will play in the Coleman Comet Classic Saturday with the first game beginning at 10:00 am.

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EAST LANSING, Mich. – May 10 – Eight student-athletes who will be juniors at their schools during the 2021-22 academic year have been selected to serve two-year terms on the Michigan High School Athletic Association’s Student Advisory Council.

The Student Advisory Council is a 16-member group which provides feedback on issues impacting educational athletics from a student’s perspective, and also is involved in the operation of Association championship events and other programming. Members of the Student Advisory Council serve for two years, beginning as juniors. Eight new members are selected annually to serve on the SAC, with nominations made by MHSAA member schools. The incoming juniors will join the group of eight seniors-to-be appointed a year ago.

Selected to begin serving on the Student Advisory Council in 2021-22 are: Sam Gibson, Plainwell; Brady Leistra, East Grand Rapids; Caroline Li, Okemos; Sam Matias, Lansing Catholic; Zar’ria Mitchell, Saginaw Heritage; Carney Salo, Escanaba; Brandon Thompson, Petersburg Summerfield; and Keira Tolmie, Clarkston.

Those eight new members were selected from 114 applicants. That applicant total was 40 percent more than the total number of applicants who generally apply for SAC positions every year.

The first Student Advisory Council was formed for the 2006-07 school year. With the addition of this class beginning this summer, members will have represented 122 schools from 46 leagues plus independent schools that do not play in a league. Combined, the new appointees have participated in 12 MHSAA sports, and five will be the first SAC members from their respective schools.

The Student Advisory Council generally meets seven times each school year, and once more for a 24-hour leadership camp. This school year, due to COVID-19, the Council met nearly twice as many times, but virtually all but once when members met for an outdoor, socially-distanced session.

In addition to assisting in the promotion of the educational value of interscholastic athletics, the Council discusses issues dealing with the 4 S’s of educational athletics: scholarship, sportsmanship, safety (including health and nutrition) and the sensible scope of athletic programs. There also is a fifth S discussed by the group – student leadership.

The new additions to the SAC will join the Class of 2022 members who were selected a year ago: Brinlee Barry, Caledonia; Faith Breinager, Frankenmuth; Amina Ferris, Dearborn; Nico Johnson, Britton Deerfield; Brenna Kosal, Peck; Ashton McNabb, Three Oaks River Valley; Brock Porter, Orchard Lake St. Mary’s; and Melik Williams, Ypsilanti Lincoln.

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Recently, the Lowell Varsity traveled to Montague for a 12 team event. Lowell took 2nd place and had two players take top ten and earning a medal. Lowell led for three hours, but Whitehall played well down the stretch to edge Lowell out. Here are the team scores for the event:

338 Whitehall

345 Lowell

357 North Muskegon

368 Mona Shores (JV)

369 Montague

396 Pentwater

414 Montague (B)

429 Holton

443 Shelby

480 Orchard View

487 Hart

500 Muskegon Catholic

Our Team scores were: Will DeVoest – 77, placing second overall. Drew Veldman – 87 and placed 6th. The other team scores were Brad VandenHout – 92, Will Brandt – 100, Jake Bonney – 103, and Mason Thomas – 108.

A neat additional note was we sent two teams to Yankee Springs for the Middleville T-K event and our A team won that tournament. Lowell won two team trophies in one day ! This is fun to see the progress, as we have far more to go, but the boys are really seeing the results themselves and this IS fun to see.

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Ithaca Yellow Jackets are Carson City invitational champions!!

Ithaca is now 11-5 on the Season

Game 1

Ithaca mercy’s St. Louis 8-0 to advance to championship game!

Chad Pratt II throws 5 innings with 1 hit, 0 runs and 4 K’s for the Win.

Charlie Martyn 2-4, 2 RBI

Grant Weburg 2-3

Chad Pratt II 1-4, 2 RBI, 1 triple

Kaleb Peska 1-2, 2 RBI

Javin Hessbrook 1-2, 1 RBI

Dalton Seaman 1-2

Game 2

Ithaca beats Caro for the Championship on a walk off in the bottom of 8th

Charlie Martyn with a no decision on 6 1/3 innings 6 hits, 3 runs 1 earned, 5 k’s

Grant Weburg picks up the win on 2 and 2/3 innings work with 3 hits, 0 runs 1 K

Chad Pratt II 2-4

Reed Thomas 1-4, 2 RBI

Ethan Hull 1-4, 1 double

Charlie Martyn 1-4

Zach Poff 1-3

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Ithaca soccer coach Paige Beracy talks about the season

=1.) How much of an impact do you feel no spring sports in 2020 could have on your 2021 season.

It impacted our team greatly. We lost a lot of experienced players and had some students change their minds about coming out for the team this season.

2.) Name some key athletes that have graduated from what would have been last season’s team and your remembrances on their contributions to the program.

Maiya Hessbrook, Megan Ahearn, and Kierra Henderson. All three were leaders as captains and top goal scorers/passers. They all received all-conference honors as well.

3.) Please mention several athletes who will be key performers…name, year in school, position. Your expectations from each of these athletes this season. (Feel free to attach a roster if one is available).

Senior midfielder Sydney Marcy and Freshman midfielder Emily Ahearn. Sydney and Emily are both great all around players that can play anywhere. I’m expecting them to provide leadership, goals, and assists.

4.) What expectations do you have of your team this season?

We are a very young and inexperienced team. I am expecting the girls to take things one day at a time and continue to get better each day.

5.) What will be your team’s strength?

Our team is composed of a lot of close friends so we are a very tight-knit group.

6.) What are some things this team needs to work on?

We have many things to work on but for us it’s just more about learning the game itself and getting more experience.

7.) Your conference: How strong is it and who would you consider the league favorites? Where do you see your team fitting into the league race?

Our conference is very diverse in terms of quality. I would consider Valley Lutheran and Saginaw Nouvel as the favorites. I see us ending the season near the bottom unfortunately.

8.) The late ending of the winter season, any impact on your spring sports season?

With most of our team playing basketball also we were without half our team for the first two weeks of the season.

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Dow tennis beats Grand Blanc 6-2

Live postseason events streamed on MHSAA.tv were viewed nearly 1 million times

MHSAA eyes officials

Parade of champions 2020-21

Alma softball team wins two games at Coleman tournament

Shepherd softball team beats Alma

Eight student-athletes selected to serve two-year terms on the MHSAA Student Advisory Council.

Lowell golfers second

Ithaca baseball wins invitational

Ithaca girls soccer team remains hopeful