Choose your location
MISportsNow
Big Rapids’ senior Austin Hinkley is one of the MHSAA’s scholar-athlete award winners
BIG RAPIDS - The MHSAA and Farm Bureau Insurance, will give $2,000 college scholarships to 32 individuals. Students applying for the Scholar-Athlete Award must be carrying at least a 3.5 grade-point average and have previously won a letter in a varsity sport in which the Michigan High School Athletic Association sponsors a postseason tournament. Other requirements for the applicants were to show active participation in other school and community activities and produce an essay on the importance of sportsmanship in educational athletics. Big Rapids senior Austin Hinkley is a three-sport varsity athlete at Big Rapids high school and has been a tri-varsity athlete since his freshman year, he plays golf, tennis, and bowling. Hinkley was excited to receive the award and for the help it will give him for his college tuition. “It’s a huge honor because it reflects all of the work I’ve put in, both as a student and as an athlete, and it shows that I’m recognized for that.” Hinkley Said. “Obviously, it’ll help me going forward, with college and affording that.” Hinkley was very methodical in his picking of sports, wanting to take part in those that he could play forever.
Big Rapids 12-year-old helps lift wheelchair basketball team to national tournament
GRAND RAPIDS— Big Rapids 12-year-old Chase Fuller has used a wheelchair since suffering a spinal cord injury in a car accident in April 2019. Three years ago, he discovered wheelchair basketball at an adaptive sports camp. “A coach thought that I was pretty all right, so he wanted me to come play basketball,” Fuller said. He’s now in his third season on the Mary Free Bed Junior Pacers prep team, which is currently ranked third in the nation.
Ohtani and Dodgers rally to beat Padres 5-2 in first MLB game in South Korea
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Shohei Ohtani’s RBI single capped a four-run eighth-inning rally in his Dodgers debut, and Los Angeles beat the San Diego Padres 5-2 in Wednesday night’s major league opener, the sport’s first game in South Korea. The game turned when a routine grounder went through the webbing of the glove of first baseman Jake Cronenworth as the go-ahead run scored. Ohtani went 2 for 5 in his first game since leaving the Los Angeles Angels for a record $700 million, 10-year contract with the Dodgers. A crowd of 15,952 was on hand to watch at the Gocheok Sky Dome. The two-way star, limited to batting following elbow surgery, also had a mental error that caused the final out of the eighth. He was called out when he passed second base and then failed to retouch the bag while retreating on Freddie Freeman’s flyout, causing an inning-ending double play.
BRESLIN BOUND! Lake City stifles Elk Rapids to earn trip to state semifinals
HOUGHTON LAKE - In a defensive battle, the Lake City Trojans weathered a fierce run by Elk Rapids early in the third quarter to claim a 36-28 division three quarterfinal victory and earn a trip to the state semifinals in East Lansing. The Trojans held the Elks to a single point in the first quarter, taking an 8-1 lead after the first eight minutes of play. Elk Rapids then limited Lake City to just four points in the second quarter, as they were able to pull closer, heading into the half trailing 12-8. Early in the third quarter, the Elks...
Ferris State comes from behind to top league rival Lake Superior State for regional title
INDIANAPOLIS - The Ferris State Bulldogs erased a five-point halftime deficit to defeat long-time GLIAC rival Lake Superior State in a taught Division II Midwest Regional Championship game 86-81 on Tuesday night. The win sends the Bulldogs on to the Elite Eight, set to be contested in Evansville, Indiana starting on Tuesday, March 26. Ethan Erickson was the spark off of the bench that Bulldogs needed tonight, shooting 7-for-11 on three-pointers to lead Ferris State in scoring with 23 points. Ten different Bulldogs got on the scoring sheet tonight, with Ben Davidson and Vejas Grazulis each scoring 11 points, and Dolapo Olayinka and Reece Hazelton each adding ten points apiece. Lake Superior State, in search of the program’s first-ever regional title, got a solid 20-point effort from junior Devin Womack. Kingsley Perkins added 16, Tyson Edmondson had 14, Hunter Soper went for 13 and Xander Okerlund had ten for the Lakers.
BRESLIN BOUND! Frankfort continues magical run with quarterfinal win over Sacred Heart
MC BAIN - The Frankfort Panthers punched their ticket to the state semifinals for the first time since 2015 by topping Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart 56-46 in a division four quarterfinal on Tuesday evening. The game was tied at 15 after the first quarter of play, with the Panthers using a strong second quarter to surge into the lead 30-21 at halftime. The two teams played the third and fourth quarters to virtual draws, as the Panthers were able to hang on for the victory. Evelyn VanTol led Frankfort with 18 points on the night, with teammate Kylee Harris chipping in with 15 points and Addison Chomwyk adding 13.
Lake Superior State Fans take in the Sweet 16 at the Cisler Center
SAULT STE. MARIE - The Lake Superior State University’s Cisler Center’s Galley was filled with excitement Tuesday evening as the Lakers men’s basketball team battled the Ferris State University Bulldogs in the Sweet 16 Division 2 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament in Indianapolis. This is the first time the Lakes have made it to the Sweet 16. The teams split both of their matchups in the regular season with the home team winning each contest. The No. 5 seed Lakers beat No. 7 seed Upper Iowa Sunday 88-80, while the No. 6 seed Bulldogs took it to top seed University of Indianapolis 94-87.
St. Ignace girls basketball eliminated in quarterfinals by Ishpeming
GLADSTONE - The St. Ignace Saints battled hard but could not overcome top-ranked Ishpeming in a division four state quarterfinal on Tuesday night, falling to the Hematites 65-45. Ishpeming jumped out to a quick lead, 20-9 at the end of the first quarter. The Hematites added to that in the second quarter, taking a 38-21 lead into the locker room at halftime. Addison Cullen led the Saints with 20 points on the night. Ishpeming’s Jenna Maki also scored 20 in the contest. The Saints see their season come to a close with an 18-8 overall recored, while the Hematites (26-1) advance to face Fowler in a division four state semifinal at the Breslin Center in East Lansing on Thursday evening.
Traverse City Pit Spitters open submissions for ‘sweet and savory’ fan food
TRAVERSE CITY — It’s time for fans of the Traverse City Pit Spitters to participate in a yearly tradition marking the unofficial start to the baseball season: suggest their own menu item be featured in the ball park this year. The Pit Spitters are looking for sweet and savory food this year – think donut burger, ice cream and bacon, chocolate and cheese – something creative that makes your mouth water. The winning submission will be crowned champion and placed on the 2024 Pit Spitters menu at Turtle Creek Stadium. The grand prize winner will also get a suite and a ceremonial pitch for a regular season game of their choosing. “We know what we like here in our front office, and our part-time staff gives us a lot of great insight on what they like. But it’s also great to hear from our fans and tourists coming to the area. It’s a great melting pot here in Traverse City, and we want to encourage fans to submit their ideas so we can showcase that,” said Jacqueline Holm, Pit Spitters general manager. Submissions are accepted at www.northwoodsleague.com through March 29. Photos and videos are suggested and welcome!
Ferris State punches ticket to first-ever Elite Eight with win over GLIAC rival GVSU
ALLENDALE — On Monday night, the Ferris State Bulldogs women’s basketball team knocked off top-seeded rival Grand Valley State 49-46 in the NCAA D2 Sweet Sixteen, claiming the program’s first-ever regional title in the process. The Elite Eight is set for March 25-29 in St. Joseph, Missouri. Matchups and game times will be announced by the NCAA following the completion of regional final play on Tuesday. Monday night’s matchup was a defensive battle throughout, with neither team managing to score the ball with ease. Ferris State held Grand Valley State to just 30% shooting from the field for the game. The Bulldogs led by a point at the end of the first quarter, but the Lakers started the second quarter on a 7-0 run to take an 18-12 lead. Ferris would respond with a run of their own, closing the first half on a 13-3 stretch that sent them into the locker room at halftime with a 25-21 lead.
LSSU hosts Sweet 16 watch party Tuesday night, snowman burning moved to Wednesday
The Lake Superior State men’s basketball program (23-8) is set to face the (27-7) Ferris State Bulldogs in Tuesday night’s NCAA Midwest Regional Final. This will be the programs’ third meeting of the season. The teams split meetings during the regular season. This is LSSU’s first appearance in the DII Sweet Sixteen. To celebrate there will be a watch party on the LSSU campus hosted by the school’s student affairs.
Michigan suspends defensive line coach Gregg Scruggs after arrest on drunk driving charges
ANN ARBOR (AP) — Michigan defensive line coach Greg Scruggs has been suspended indefinitely while the football program and athletic department review details of his arrest for suspected drunk driving. Wolverines coach Sherrone Moore said Scruggs made “an unfortunate mistake” in a statement Saturday, about 12 hours after the newly hired assistant was arrested. “He made no excuses and has taken accountability for his actions,” Moore said. The 33-year-old Scruggs was arrested for operating a vehicle while intoxicated at 3 a.m. Saturday, according to Ann Arbor police.
Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart falls in state title game
EAST LANSING - The Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart Irish fell to Wyoming Tri-Unity Christian 79-59 in the division four state title game Saturday afternoon. The Irish fell behind in the second quarter and despite a valiant effort in the second half, they weren’t able to come back. The Irish were led by Grady Pieratt with 21 points, Noah Zeien had 14 points, and Aidan Halliday had 9. This Sacred Heart squad broke the school record for wins in a single season, totaling 26 wins, they also only lost to two different schools, Cadillac, a D1 school, and to the state...
Ferris State men’s basketball opens NCAA tournament against Northern Michigan
BIG RAPIDS — The Ferris State Men’s basketball team is heading into the NCAA tournament for the eighth time in the past ten years. The Bulldogs are coming off of winning the GLIAC tournament over Grand Valley State in Marquette last Sunday. Ferris State has faced Northern Michigan already twice this season, but fell in both contests, Bulldogs senior Dolapo Olayinka is hopeful that the 3rd time is the charm. “Everything we’ve learned from the first two games, we’ve watched a lot of film. We know the scouting report and out. We’ve played em twice already. We’re definitely prepared for...
Central Michigan softball team shut out in home opener of 2024 season
MT. PLEASANT — The Central Michigan softball team returned from their nearly month-long southern swing of games to play their first Mid-American Conference game and home opener of the 2024 season, dropping a 4-0 decision to Northern Illinois on Friday afternoon. The game was scoreless into the fifth inning, a pitching duel between CMU’s Grace Lehto and NIU’s Danielle Lewis. The Huskies got on the board with a sacrifice fly by Ellis Erickson to take a 1-0 lead in the fifth. After the Chippewas loaded the bases in the bottom of the fifth but could not scratch a tying run across the plate, Northern Illinois tacked on three insurance runs in the sixth inning. Stewart and Avery Carnahan led off the inning with back-to-back doubles, chasing Lehto from the game.
The ‘Dawgs are moving on, Ferris State beats Lewis in first round of NCAA Tournament
ALLENDALE - The Ferris State Women’s basketball team traveled to Allendale Saturday afternoon to take on Lewis University in the first round of the NCAA tournament. The number three seeded Bulldogs won big, 75-53 advancing to take on the number two seeded Ashland Eagles on Saturday, a team that Ferris already got the better of earlier this season. Chloe Idoni led the Bulldogs with 23 points, Kadyn Blanchard had 17, and Elle Irwin had 11. Bulldogs head coach Kurt Westendorp was very happy about his team’s defensive effort. “We kind of coupled that defensive effort with being able to knock out some shots. You’re able to knock down shots that way, you’re going to extend a little bit of a lead. And we needed it in the second half because the second half weren’t quite as potent. But we kept defending, we kept rebounding, doing the things it takes to win in the tournament.” Westendorp said.
Ferris State women’s basketball opens NCAA tournament play on Friday against Lewis
BIG RAPIDS - The Ferris State Bulldogs women’s basketball team is opening up NCAA tournament play on Friday in Allendale against Lewis University. The Bulldogs are coming off of a great regular season, but they did stumble in the GLIAC tournament, losing to Northern Michigan in the semifinals. Bulldogs head coach Kurt Westendorp, talked about how talented the Lewis University squad is. “You know, they won their conference tournament championship, and they just have so many players on the court that are so offensively skilled. They move the basketball great; they space the floor really well. You know, they’re a team that we’re familiar with, even though we didn’t play them this year, because we did play them the last couple of seasons, it’s a lot of the same players on the team, for both us and them.” Said Westendorp. The team’s leading scorer, senior Chloe Idoni, mentioned how important the defensive side of the ball is going to be.
Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart punches first MHSAA finals ticket since 2006
EAST LANSING - The Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart Irish are heading to the state championship game for the first time since 2006, after beating Allen Park Inter-City Baptist 51-33. The Irish were led by Noah Zeien with 19 points and Aidan Halliday had 11. The Irish had every single player on their roster make an appearance on the court at the Breslin Center. They will play against Wyoming Tri-Unity Christian, a team that got the better of them this year by 30 points in the second game of the season. Irish head coach Justin Sherlock said that it might have not been the greatest scheduling decision, but it showed his team where improvements could be made. “We learned a lot about ourselves, we want to challenge ourselves,” Sherlock said. The game will tip off at 10:00 am on Saturday at the Breslin Center.
MISportsNow
4K+
Posts
5M+
Views
MISportsNow is Northern Michigan’s home for exclusive coverage of high school and college athletics. Featuring original video, stories and photo galleries as well as scores and schedules, MISportsNow.com is Northern Michigan’s go-to spot for up-to-date coverage of more than 100 high schools – from Isabella County to the Eastern U.P. MISportsNow gives fans and student-athletes the unique opportunity to interact with the 9&10 News and Local 32 sports team by sharing video, photos and story ideas.
Welcome to NewsBreak, an open platform where diverse perspectives converge. Most of our content comes from established publications and journalists, as well as from our extensive network of tens of thousands of creators who contribute to our platform. We empower individuals to share insightful viewpoints through short posts and comments. It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency: our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. We strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation. Join us in shaping the news narrative together.