A glimmer of hope that tournament play for 9 CHSL teams may resume Dec. 9

LANSING — It’s less than a week until the current state-wide, three-week shutdown is supposed to end.

But there’s a glimmer of light, may it be ever so dim, that high school sports might restart for three sports that were in the final stages of their schedules.

The Representative Council of the Michigan High School Athletic Association approved Wednesday, Dec. 2, an adjusted schedule to restart and conclude fall tournaments in football, girls volleyball and girls swimming and diving, and also to resume winter sports after a “pause” in activity ordered by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is scheduled to end Dec. 9.

If the health department gives its OK, practices for all three fall sports may begin Dec. 9. The MHSAA announced a tournament schedule for the three fall sports.

Here’s how the MHSAA’s announcement affects the nine Catholic High School League squads still in contention for a state championship:

Football Regional Finals

In Division 1, Novi Detroit Catholic Central (9-0) will travel to Davison (9-0), the defending state titlist, at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 16.
In Division 2, Warren De La Salle (5-4) at Warren Mott (7-1), 7 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 15.
In Division 7, Detroit Loyola (7-1) will host New Lothrop (8-0), 7 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 15, at Madison Heights Bishop Foley Ventures Field.
In Division 8, Clarkston Everest Collegiate (9-0) will host Petersburg Summerfield, (5-4), 5 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 15, at Clarkston High School.

Semi-finals will be played Dec. 21-22 and the finals Dec. 28-29 at Ford Field.

Volleyball Quarterfinals

In Division 1, Bloomfield Hills Marian vs. Macomb Dakota on Tuesday, Dec. 15, at Marian. Time to be announced.
In Division 2, Pontiac Notre Dame Prep vs. Warren Regina on Tuesday, Dec. 15, at Regina. Time to be announced.
In Division 3, Royal Oak Shrine vs. Saginaw Valley Lutheran on Tuesday, Dec. 15, at Shrine. Time to be announced.

Semi-finals will be played Dec. 17-18 and finals on Saturday, Dec. 19. Those final two rounds will be played at Battle Creek’s Kellogg Arena.

Swimming & Diving Finals

Three Lower Peninsula Finals will be conducted Tuesday, Dec. 22 (diving) and Wednesday, Dec. 23 (swimming).

Farmington Mercy, coached by Mike Venos, will be seeking its fourth consecutive Division 1 championship in finals held at Hudsonville High School.

Division 2 finals will be conducted at Grand Rapids Northview High School, and Division 3 at Lake Orion High School.

Winter sports

Practices, if allowed, for boys and girls basketball, boys and girls bowling, boys and girls skiing, wrestling, competitive cheer, ice hockey, boys swimming and diving, and wrestling may resume Dec. 9 with competition to begin Jan. 4.

The MHSAA Executive Council meets again Dec. 4 for its annual fall meeting, and at that time will consider possible tournament adjustments necessary because of the shortened winter competition season.

Contact Don Horkey at [email protected]