HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS

A Detroit high school football team was the target of racial slurs as they were celebrating their semifinal win last week.

A Michigan high school runner who finished second in a state championship race was disqualified for expressing four-letter words of joy as he crossed the finish line.

Alma Tatem is a senior at West Bloomfield High School who is known for her power on the softball field. Off the field, she’s known for her spirit of giving back.

C.J. Carr is only a sophomore at Saline High School, but it’s clear he’s getting very comfortable in his role as starting quarterback for the Hornets.

There’s a new high school soccer scoring record in Michigan. A senior playing for Benzie Central High School scored 16 goals in a game that was stopped at halftime with the score being 17-0 against Kingsley High School.

Pioneer High School’s varsity football team was supposed to host Bedford Friday night, but the game never happened.

Mental health in athletes has been an issue the Michigan High School Athletic Association has been focusing on for years.

Check out the highlights of the 4Frenzy Game of the Week that aired on Local 4

After being cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic, the Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic is back.

Despite concerns over the coronavirus, high school athletes are allowed to start practicing for fall sports on Monday.

As the announcement blared over the school’s PA system, Zahria Liggans became curious.

Hobbs Kessler produced one of the greatest runs ever by an American high schooler.

The bill is also opposed by the Michigan High School Athletic Association, which called it unneccessary.

Michigan Medicine's C.S. Mott Children's Hospital surveyed 1,630 parents with children ages 6-18 for the poll.

A lawyer says at least six Michigan high school wrestlers have won court orders to compete in the state finals this weekend.

A high school sports advocacy group and some parents have sued Michigan, seeking to stop a new requirement that all teen athletes be regularly tested for the coronavirus.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan joined more than 20 states that have recently introduced legislation that would ban high school transgender students athletes from playing on teams associated with their gender identity. Senate Bill 218 aims to prohibit a transgender boy from playing on a boys team as well as transgender girls playing on girls teams. The bill was introduced by Sen. Lana Theis (R-Brighton) and co-sponsored by 12 other GOP senators, including Rep. Jim Runestad (R-White Lake). That’s what matters most.”Runestad contends that you can be a supporter of transgender rights yet still object to transgender girls competing on girls teams. However, Knott said there is not an example of high school transgender athletes taking those opportunities.

The Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) announced on Wednesday, March 10, the sites for indoor winter sports championship rounds. The Competitive Cheer Finals will move to Breslin Center to allow more fans to attend compared to other venues that were being considered. Girls BasketballWhere: Division 1 and 3 Semifinals at Breslin Center in East Lansing. All four Finals will be played at Breslin Center. All four Finals will be played at Breslin Center.

GROSSE POINTE WOODS, Mich. – Michigan high school winter contact sports were allowed to resume beginning Feb. 8, and parents and student athlete are happy to be back in action. “It means the world for her to be able to get back on the ice and play,” said Erin Grom, whose daughter Kiera is a freshman forward on Livonia girls hockey team. Grom can recall when she found out hockey, wrestling, basketball and competitive cheer would be able to resume. According to the Michigan High School Athletic Association, things have been smooth so far. READ: Michigan youth contact sports resume -- here are all the rules, specifics and detailsREAD: Timeline, tournament dates for Michigan high school basketball, hockey, wrestling, cheer

The battle over high school sports may be settled for now in Michigan, but there’s a new issue emerging because of the coronavirus pandemic. A lot of referees are choosing to stay on the sidelines and sitting it out, at least for now, and the Michigan High School Athletic Association will have to work around it. He said that’s worst-case scenario because the MHSAA is determined to let student athletes play despite officials being down in Michigan by about 30%. Scott Waldendowski -- who officiates in the Macomb Area Conference -- said he sees firsthand there’s a lot of work for officials like himself. READ: Michigan high school basketball, hockey players have to wear masks during gamesDue to the shortage, MHSAA is currently hiring.

Hobbs Kessler (Ann Arbor, Michigan), a Michigan high schooler who set a national prep record with his 3:57.66, taking down Drew Hunter’s previous record of 3:57.81 from 2016. ANN ARBOR, Mich. – A teenager from Michigan set a record for the fastest indoor mile by a high school runner, USA Track & Field said. Hobbs Kessler finished in 3:57.66 Sunday at the American Track League meet in Fayetteville, Arkansas, USATF said. Kessler, a student at Skyline High School in Ann Arbor, beat the previous record of 3:57.81 set by Drew Hunter in 2016. Kessler finished third in the race behind former Olympian Nick Willis and winner Takieddine Hedeilli of Texas Tech.

DETROIT – Student-athletes in Michigan can return to two of four contact sports, but there are new guidelines put in place by state officials. They put testing protocols as a main point because they know students are not going to want to wear masks. READ: Coaches ready for Michigan high school contact sports to resumeOn Monday, boys and girls basketball and ice hockey are allowed to start. Or they need a negative swab test within the preceding 72 hours. READ: Timeline, tournament dates for Michigan high school basketball, hockey, wrestling, cheerIf a student tests positive then they must isolate immediately and get another swab test within 48 hours.

DETROIT – High school sports are set to resume Monday morning in the state of Michigan. Not just the athletes, the parents, the teachers and coaches that have worked hard to train their teams. Catholic Central High School Head Varsity Basketball Coach, Brandon Sinawi said his team is more than ready to get back out on the court -- as youth contact sports are allowed to resume in Michigan. READ: Michigan youth contact sports can resume Monday -- here are all the rules, specifics and details“We’re just we’re excited to get going. The locker-room will be closed and all players and coaches will have to be tested on a regular basis.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan’s top health official is asking residents to avoid gathering with others for Super Bowl parties due to the threat of spreading COVID-19. Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, said during Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s Thursday (Feb. 4) that Michiganders should not let their guard down for Super Bowl Sunday. Ad“This Super Bowl Sunday, please avoid gatherings, and if you do gather, please keep it limited to only one other household, and make sure you’re wearing a mask, socially distancing and washing your hands frequently,” Khaldun said. But Khaldun said it’s important not to let the Super Bowl cause a spike in cases that could make the state move backwards.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan has confirmed 28 total cases of the COVID-19 B117 variant in Washtenaw and Wayne counties, according to state officials. Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, said during Gov. “This variant is more easily spread from person to person,” Khaldun said. “If this variant becomes more common, as national experts predict it could, then we could see a very rapid rise in cases and more hospitalizations and deaths.”So far, 28 cases of the B117 variant have been identified in Michigan, all in Washtenaw and Wayne counties, Khaldun said. The B117 variant, which was traced back to the United Kingdom, has already shut down the entire University of Michigan athletic department.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan’s most important COVID-19 numbers are once again trending in the right direction, according to the state’s top doctor. Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, provided updated numbers Thursday (Feb. 4) during Gov. The Detroit, Traverse City and Upper Peninsula regions all have case rates below 150 cases per million people, according to Khaldun. AdRight now, 6.6% of the state’s hospital beds are filled with COVID-19 patients, according to Khaldun. “Michiganders are doing their part by wearing masks, avoiding gatherings and socially distancing.”On Thursday, state officials announced 1,358 new COVID-19 cases and 74 additional deaths.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer revealed Thursday that more than 1 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered across the state. By the end of Wednesday, the state had administered exactly 1,076,545 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, according to the governor. “That number is going up as we speak,” Whitmer said. AdOfficials wanted to make teachers eligible for vaccination after setting a goal of offering in-person learning to all students by March 1.

Basketball is among the sports allowed to resume Monday at the youth level in Michigan. LANSING, Mich. – Michigan officials announced Thursday that youth contact sports will be allowed to resume next week. They were asked whether a COVID-19 outbreak among sports teams could lead to a shutdown if it threatens in-person learning. She reiterated that MDHHS will watch the COVID-19 numbers and monitor potential outbreaks closely. For contact sports to resume, masks must be worn during practices and competition, Whitmer said.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan officials announced that high school basketball, ice hockey, wrestling and competitive cheer can resume next week. AdFor contact sports to resume, masks must be worn at all times during practices and competition, Whitmer said. AdWhen not actively playing, participants must maintain six feet of distance and wear face masks at all times, Whitmer said. One lawsuit filed against the state health director claims the high school sports shutdown might have contributed to the death of a teen hockey player. Their lawsuit asked a judge to grant an injunction, sending high school athletes back into action, not just practice.

Gretchen Whitmer provided an update on the state’s COVID-19 situation, addressing high school contact sports, the spread of a COVID variant, vaccinations and the latest virus trends. Khaldun and Whitmer were asked about balancing the resumption of sports and the risk of COVID-19 spread that could lead to students not being able to go to school. Michigan COVID metricsKhaldun revealed promising movement with Michigan’s three most important COVID-19 metrics. AdOn Thursday, state officials announced 1,358 new COVID-19 cases and 74 additional deaths. B117 variantThe new variant of COVID-19, B117, which shut down the University of Michigan athletic department for two weeks, is still a concern for officials.

Basketball is among the contact sports allowed to resume under the new order. LANSING, Mich. – Michigan youth contact sports will be allowed to resume practices and games starting on Monday (Feb. 8), with certain COVID-19 safety rules in place, Gov. For contact sports to resume, masks must be worn at all times during practices and competition, Whitmer said. Hertel said additional guidances will be released by Monday to help teams and parents prepare to resume under the new rules. ‘Let Them Play’ respondsThe attorney for the Let Them Play Michigan coalition released the following statement following the announcement that contact sports will resume:“Let Them Play Michigan appreciates Director Hertel’s efforts to move this important issue forward in a timely manner.

The battle over whether high school winter sports should resume amid the coronavirus pandemic continues in Michigan. AdRead more: Lawsuit suggests stoppage in Michigan high school sports may have led to teen’s deathTheir lawsuit is asking a judge to grant an injunction, sending high school athletes back into action, not just practice. The Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) went against the state, even going as far as stating they believe COVID spread is not happening or is very low in high school sports right now. Let Them Play, Inc. had been threatening their lawsuit unless winter high school sports were resumed by Monday, Feb. 1, the same say the MHSAA says winter contact sports started in 38 other states. Whitmer encourages Michigan public schools to reopen for in-person learning by March 1Jan. 9: Michigan high school football playoffs resume after 2 month COVID break

Gretchen Whitmer is expected to announce that Michigan youth contact sports will be allowed to resume with COVID-19 safety measures in place, Local 4 has confirmed. UPDATE: Michigan youth contact sports can resume Monday -- here are all the rules, specifics and detailsParents, coaches and athletes involved in contact sports that are currently shut down due to the pandemic have voiced their desire to return. Ad“To be direct, winter ‘contact’ sports need to start,” Vitti wrote. “The continuing suspension of winter ‘contact’ sports contradicts the message that it is safe to return to in-person learning,” Vitti wrote. Their lawsuit is asking a judge to grant an injunction, sending high school athletes back into action, not just practice.

Youth contact sportsWhitmer is expected to announce that Michigan youth contact sports will be allowed to resume with COVID-19 safety measures in place. “The continuing suspension of winter ‘contact’ sports contradicts the message that it is safe to return to in-person learning,” Vitti wrote. Two shutdowns, partial reopenings: How Michigan restaurants have been handled during COVID pandemicOn Monday (Feb. 1), restaurants were allowed to open to 25% capacity after being shut down for two and a half months. She had traveled to the UK and returned with the variant, officials said. U of M athletics shut downAll athletics at the University of Michigan are still shut down because of the outbreak.

High school athletes and their parents through the group, Let Them Play Michigan, took to the state court of claims in Lansing Tuesday morning. They want high school sports reinstated before the Feb. 21 deadline the governor announced last month. Read: Michigan officials considering resuming high school winter sports sooner than plannedRead more: Lawsuit suggests stoppage in Michigan high school sports may have led to teen’s deathInitially, they intended to file last week and spoke with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Thursday and Friday. AdOn Tuesday, attorney Peter Ruddell went to a judge saying high school athletes are victims of age discrimination, and lost their free assembly and equal protection rights because college and the pros can play. Whitmer took decisive action during the recent surge of COVID-19 cases that threatened to overrun hospitals,” read the statement.

LANSING, Mich. – Parents and student athletes rallied in Lansing Saturday to urge state officials to resume winter sports sooner than the Feb. 21 deadline. “The kids need to play. “Going forward, these kids need something. “The opportunities that these kids are missing out on are building relationships with their friends and community,” Hutson said. It’s absolutely terrible.”More: Michigan parents set to file lawsuit demanding restart of high school sports

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan High School Athletic Association is pushing for high school sports to resume before the current Feb. 21 deadline. There was a legislative hearing Thursday that resulted in an unanimous senate resolution that said high school sports should start earlier. The Michigan High School Athletic Association’s executive director, Mark Uyl, held a press conference Friday where he said their data suggests high school sports are good and not a problem. AdMark Uyl, with MSHAA, said their data suggests high school sports are good and not a problem. More: Detroit schools superintendent urges Whitmer to resume high school contact sports

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan High School Athletic Association spoke out Friday on the hiatus of winter sports in the state. They are asking for the state to resume practice and competition in the four main contact sports sooner than the Feb. 21 deadline. Let Them Play, Inc. has been threatening a lawsuit unless winter high school sports are resumed by Monday. Mark Uyl, with MSHAA, said their data suggests high school sports are good and not a problem. More: Detroit schools superintendent urges Whitmer to resume high school contact sports

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan parents and student athletes voiced their concerns at the state Capitol Thursday, hoping to convince Gov. “We’re not given any kind of hope at all, and Feb. 21 isn’t an option. We can’t do all this on Feb. 21. One school superintendent, who also recovered from COVID, described students who came to her office after learning that their season wouldn’t start for weeks. There, outside my office, were high school students from all grade levels.

Michigan parents are in the process of filing a lawsuit against the state over the current pause on high school sports amid the coronavirus pandemic. A few have scholarship opportunities ... it’s part of the health and the welfare of the kids.”More: Michigan parents set to file lawsuit demanding restart of high school sportsAs coronavirus cases, hospitalizations and deaths rose rapidly at the end of 2020, high school sports were put on pause in Michigan to help curb virus spread. Gretchen Whitmer is urging schools to resume in-person learning by March 1, and has extended the pause on high school sports until at least Feb. 21 under Michigan’s latest epidemic order. “The continuing suspension of winter ‘contact’ sports contradicts the message that it is safe to return to in-person learning,” Vitti added. “One only needs to ask any winter ‘contact’ sport athlete and they will tell you we are sending mixed and contradictory messages to them.”More: Detroit schools superintendent urges Whitmer to resume high school contact sports

LANSING, Mich. – A group of high school parents is preparing to sue the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services director, demanding indoor sports be reinstated by next week. The health department has not indicated it’s interested in reinstating indoor sports. READ: Detroit schools superintendent urges Whitmer to resume high school contact sportsThe group, Let Them Play, Inc. sent a letter to new MDHHS director Elizabeth Hertel. It’s promising a lawsuit unless winter high school sports are reopened by next Monday. Kampe tweeted that he wanted to see high school sports opened back up.

(Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images)ROCHESTER, Mich. – Oakland University basketball coach Greg Kampe is the latest prominent figure to call for Michigan high school sports to resume. “I ask that the latest order be reconsidered and high school athletics (be) reinstated immediately,” Kampe wrote. Michigan high school contact sports ban: What Whitmer said about possibility of resumingKampe, 65, has been a constant in the state’s basketball scene for decades. “They lose the year and the benefits of sport -- team building, memories, physical activity, learning how to win and lose,” Kampe wrote. “Please take a step back and remember that radical statements and radical ideas at a time of crisis never turn out well,” Kampe wrote.

Dr. Nikolai Vitti started the letter by clarifying that he supports Whitmer, but he has grown frustrated by a lack of clarity about when winter contact sports can resume. He said there are continuing and legitimate fears about COVID-19 in the Detroit community, but 31 female and male high school coaches want to play basketball. “The continuing suspension of winter ‘contact’ sports contradicts the message that it is safe to return to in-person learning,” Vitti wrote. “Please do not let this frustration reach the level of a lawsuit against you and the state,” Vitti cautioned. “Coaches, student-athletes and their parents are in conversation with attorneys.”Mental health, physical well-being and scholarship opportunities are being affected, he said.

The 2020-21 school year has been a unique one for football players, whose shortened season started, then stopped and then started again. To make up for the odd year, the Michigan High School Athletic Association allowed every team to make the playoffs. The Oak Park Knights weren’t expected to make it to playoffs, but the team is two wins away from a state title. “It’s a great feeling, for real, to come back and be able to help the team,” Rayshawn said. The De La Salle Pilots, had a 2-4 regular season team peaking at the right time.

BELLEVILLE, Mich. – High school football playoffs started back up again Saturday after players were sidelined for weeks because of coronavirus. High school football in January hasn’t happened in Michigan before, but the 2020-21 school year has been a unique year. Jan. 9, 2021: Michigan coronavirus cases up to 519,082; Death toll now at 13,354Belleville faced Detroit Cass Tech nearly two months after the game was supposed to originally happen. “Today’s a great day for football,” said Cass Tech head coach Thomas Wilcher. The hope is every coach, player, referee and school staff member gets through these playoffs safely and the MHSAA crowns a champion.

Trying to figure out how to complete the fall sports season amid the coronavirus pandemic has proven difficult for Michigan high schools. However, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) believes it can be done safely through a new, pilot rapid testing program. “An opportunity came along to partner with the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA). The tests are antigen rapid tests provided by MDHHS. Detroit Catholic Central High School’s football team is still in the playoffs, and Athletic Director Aaron Babicz said they have a tentative plan.

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) announced on Tuesday that it will suspend practices for football, volleyball and girls swimming and diving immediately after receiving requirements for the state’s pilot rapid testing program. “The MHSAA also is working to update dates of competition to better reflect the testing schedule. The MDHHS will conduct webinars on Dec. 28 and 29 to train school personnel who will be involved in the testing process. Team practices could resume as early as Dec. 30 once the first tests have been administered. If schools are delayed in the start of testing, they may begin practice once individuals have had one negative test.

The season came to a screeching halt just before heading into the playoffs, but on Monday, weeks later high school football players will be back to practice. Read: Michigan high school football, volleyball, swimming and diving tournaments to resume“I thought that was the last game with my team. Read more: Michigan high school football tournament to resume next month -- here is the scheduleHead coach Jermain Crowell who just recovered from COVID-19 says the shutdown was necessary. He’s thrilled the Michigan High School Athletic Association will be providing more testing for the athletes as they finish out their season. Read even more: Michigan lets high schools, entertainment venues reopen

The Michigan high school football, girls volleyball and girls swimming and diving tournaments will resume early next month, state officials announced. The Michigan High School Athletic Association announced teams can return to practice Monday (Dec. 21) as part of the state’s pilot rapid testing program. FootballMichigan’s high school football playoffs will resume Jan. 2, with regional finals for 11-player teams and semifinals for 8-player teams. READ: Michigan high school football tournament to resume next month -- here is the scheduleThe 8-player championship games in both divisions and all 11-player semifinal games will be played the following Saturday (Jan. 9). Girls swimming and divingThe girls swimming and diving finals will return with its three Lower Peninsula Finals completed during the weekend of Jan. 15-16, with one division at each of three locations.

(Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)The Michigan high school football tournament will resume next month after being shut down due to COVID-19 restrictions. READ: Michigan high school football, volleyball, swimming and diving tournaments to resumeThe Michigan High School Athletic Association announced teams can return to practice Monday (Dec. 21) as part of the state’s pilot rapid testing program. Michigan’s high school football playoffs will resume Jan. 2, with regional finals for 11-player teams and semifinals for 8-player teams. The 8-player championship games in both divisions and all 11-player semifinal games will be played the following Saturday (Jan. 9). Semifinal games in all 11- and 8-player divisions will be played at home sites.