Eastern Michigan University men's basketball coach Rob Murphy recently announced the signing of former Grand Haven standout Austin Harper. Harper, who last year played at Glen Oaks Community College, will be eligible to play immedately for the Eagles. "I made a visit to Eastern and felt a connection with the coaches,' Harper said. "I felt that this was a good fit for me and it is a great opportunity to continue my basketball career.'

After a disappointing loss to O-K Red Conference rival Rockford last week, Bucs' coach John Tarr said his team was angry and determined to make amends for the loss. The Bucs rebounded with a solid ninth-place showing at Saturday's Portage Invitational - a showcase of many of the best cross country teams in the state. Hartland won the Division 1 race with 97 points. Rockford was sixth with 176, while the Bucs totaled 238.

Grand Haven swimming coach Doug Thorne continues to be encouraged by his team's improvement, including the Bucs showing at a home quad meet on Saturday at the Grand Haven Aquatic Center. The Bucs defeated the co-op squad from Traverse City Central, 184-130, then was defeated by Holland Christian by the slimmest of margins, 158-157.

It only seemed natural for Spring Lake's Jacob Poel that auto racing would be a prominent fixture in his life. His father, Steve Poel, raced in various forms for more than 25 years, a craft that he picked up from his father, Jacob's grandfather, Ron Poel. Now the youngest driver in the family, the 2005 Spring Lake graduate is immersed in the sport, and has made a name for himself as a force to be reckoned with in the state of Michigan and throughout the Midwest in modified, dirt-track racing.

Grand Haven put on an offensive clinic at East Kentwood on Friday, rolling up 525 yards of total offense in a 57-20 rout of the Falcons in a contest that featured a running block in the fourth quarter. The 57 points is the second most scored by Grand Haven in the modern era of its program. The victory is No. 6 for Grand Haven (6-1, 4-1 O-K Red) this season, which clinches a berth to the Division 1 playoffs. It is the third-straight season the Bucs have achieved the feat.

Grand Haven's varsity girls golf team fell short of qualifying for the state meet as they placed near the bottom of the pack at Thursday's Division 1 regional meet at El Dorado Golf Course in Holt. Holt, Hudsonville and Traverse City West were the top three finishers and earned spots in next weekend's state meet. The Buccaneers shot a team score of 454. Martha Ramsey led the way with a round of 110, followed by Kristen Carlson with a 111. Hailey Watkins shot a 116, followed by Katelyn DePrekel with a 117 and Amanda Merz with a 125.

Spring Lake's varsity boys tennis team is heading to the state meet for the ninth consecutive season after placing second at Thursday's Division 3 regional meet, hosted by the Lakers. Petoskey won the regional title with 30 points, taking first place in six of the eight flights. Spring Lake and Cadillac tied for second with 21 points, also earning state finals berths. Comstock Par was third in the nine-team event with 10 points. Fruitport was seventh with two points.

The Lakers' girls golf team advanced to the Division 3 state finals thanks to a second-place showing at Thursday's regional meet, held at Katke Golf Course in Big Rapids. Forest Hills Eastern dominated the event with a first-place score of 336. The Lakers were next at 389, three shots better than third-place Petoskey. Big Rapids, Cedar Springs, Cheboygan, Comstock Park, Tri-County, Belding and Fruitport rounded out the field.