Wyoming quarterback Matthew Berg (11) reacts to a Wolves touchdown in a game at Northview Sept. 6. (Curtis Holt)
By WKTV Staff ken@wktv.org
WKTV’s sports coverage crew was busy this fall, as our high school football Featured Game crew was all over Wyoming and Kentwood to cover local high schools’ American football teams — and one English ‘football’ game.
As every year, high school sports fans can get their Turkey Day football fix this year as we broadcast 13 hours of football (and two of soccer) on our cable Channel 25.
The special starts at 9 a.m., and highlights the best of our high school football games from the season. The schedule of games (with link to the games on WKTV’s On-Demand video internet channel, at WKTVLive.org ) is as follows:
10: 35 p.m. — Wyoming Lee at Godwin Heights soccer. On-Demand
Lee High School’s boys soccer team from an early season. (WKTV)
WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; Channel 26 is the Government cChannel, where local government meetings and events are shown. On AT&T cable throughout the Grand Rapids area, viewers go to Channel 99, and then are give the choice to watch Wyoming (or Kentwood) Community (Channel 25) or Government (Channel 26).
A part of her continuing Second Sunday community conversations, City of Kentwood Commissioner Emily Bridson will host a Community Conversation on Homelessness Sunday, Nov. 10, from 2-4 p.m., at Broad Leaf Local Beer.
The Keynote Speaker of the public event will be Judge William G. Kelly, the chief judge for Kentwood’s 62B District Court.
The panel will include Wende Randall, director of Kent County Essential Needs Task Force; Kent County Commissioner Stephen Wooden; James White of Cinnaire; and Cheryl Schuch, of Family Promise of Grand Rapids.
The event will be moderated by Bridson and Marshall Kilgore, Western Michigan Director for United Precinct Delegates. WKTV will record the discussion and post it on our WKTV Journal In Focus Podcast Channel.
“The more people I spoke with about housing, the more I realized we have several great community organizations working very hard in this area to make an impact,” Bridson said in her monthly community newsletter. “Homelessness doesn’t have a simple solution, but it does need a regional approach by various members of the community sitting down to compare our efforts, bring more awareness to all and work on more active solutions to keep chipping away at this issue.
“This issue is especially important to me because it disproportionately affects women, people of color and children.”
Bridson said in the community newsletter that she asked for information on homeless students in Kentwood Public Schools and found that, in 2018, Kentwood Public Schools had 283 students that were homeless, while Grand Rapids Public Schools had 671 students homeless.
She also states that Kentwood does not have a homeless shelter.
The Sept. 13 East Kentwood vs. Caledonia football game is available on-demand at WKTVlive.org. (WKTV)
By WKTV Staff ken@wktv.org
At East Kentwood High School Friday, the Falcons rallied for 13 points in the fourth quarter — on a 30-yard touchdown pass from Christian Tanner to Josh Ledesma and a 4-yard run by Ledesma — to overcome a 14-10 Caledonia advantage and gain a 23-14 win.
The East Kentwood win Sept. 13 pushed the Falcons to 2-1 on the season and began their OK Conference Red slate with a home win over the Fighting Scots (1-2). East Kentwood had posted a 10-0 first half lead on 25-yard field goal by Tanner and a 51-yard pass from Tanner to Colton Emeott. Tanner was 13-of-23 passing for 198 yards while Drapher Cribbs led the team in rushing with 56 yards on 15 carries.
The Caledonia at East Kentwood game was the WKTV High School Sports Featured Game, with on-demand replays of the game available at WKTVlive.org. This week’s featured game will be South Christian at Wyoming high.
South Christian also pushed their record to 2-1 with a 42-0 win at home over Wayland to open the Sailors’ OK Gold schedule. In the game, short runs by Daniel Possett and Chase Bradman, with extra point kicks by Jeff Heerema, staked South Christian to a 14-0 first half lead. Two more rushing touchdowns by Possett, the second a 29-yard scamper, and a short run by Eli Smith pushed the score to 35-0 to enter the fourth quarter.
Also on Sept. 13, Wyoming high (1-2) lost at Grand Rapids Christian (1-2), 54-14.
In other local football action, Godwin Heights (1-2) and Wyoming Lee (1-2) both gained their first wins of the season. The Wolverines defeated Wyoming Kelloggsville (0-3) 36-14 in the OK Sliver opener for both teams. (Due to three teams in the conference playing non-conference football schedules, the two teams will meet later in the season at Kelloggsville.) For more information on the Lee Legends win, see a story here.
Tri-unity Christian won a 8-Man Midwest Central conference game at Lawrence, 40-28.
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.
East Kentwood High School’s football team at practice this week. (WKTV)
By K.D. Norris ken@wktv.org
There was no shame in East Kentwood High School’s season opening game loss at Muskegon Mona Shores — a team that went 12-2 last year, losing only to state power Muskegon high during the regular season and then in the Division 2 state playoff finals.
There were some lessons to be learned in the loss, however. And those lessons were evident last week when the Falcons rolled to a 39-6 road win at Grand Ledge Sept. 6.
East Kentwood football coach Anthony Kimbrough working with the team at practice. (WKTV)
“I always say you learn more from a loss than you do from a win. We did some things uncharacteristic of ourselves (against Mona Shores), but we got back to basics and tightened up some things, and it showed against Grand Ledge,” Falcon head coach Anthony Kimbrough said to WKTV. “We had a better overall execution on offense and defense. Just doing the little things.”
But coach also knows his team will face another challenge this week against OK Red Conference foe Caledonia — the Fighting Scots.
“It is right in their name, the Fighting Scots,” Kimbrough said. “They fight you, man. They play hard, they play physical, they run around. They do some good things and they are well coached. … We really have got to come to play.”
In last week’s win, the Falcons (1-1) jumped out to a 25-0 first half lead on a 40-yard run by Josh Ledesma and a 13-yard pass from Christian Tanner to Colton Emeott in the first quarter, and then a 39-yard run by Willie Berris and a 22-yard run by Tanner. They did not let up much in the second as they ran the score to 39-0, on an 82-yard touchdown pass from Tanner to Jamoni Jones, and a short run by Carter Selby.
The Fighting Scots (1-1), last week, also had an impressive win, defeating Cedar Springs (10-2 last year) at Caledonia by the score of 19-12, after falling on opening night at Holt, 35-17. Caledonia was 2-7 last year, 1-5 in conference play.
All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvlive.org.
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.
At Northview High School Friday, Wyoming high got a great effort from running back Cameron (Cam) Simon, who rushed for rushed for 192 yards and one touchdown, and quarterback Matthew Berg threw scoring strikes to Mahki Mathews and Diamonte Parks.
But the Wolves could not match the Wildcats’ big-play power in a 49-21 non-conference loss Sept. 6.
After a finishing the first half with a 21-21 tie, Northview (2-0) scored 28 unanswered points to hand Wyoming (1-1) its first loss of the season.
Last season, Northview was 7-3 including an opening round playoff loss to Grand Rapids Christian, which ended a six-game winning streak. They were 5-1 in OK White and finished second to Cedar Springs, their only conference loss.
Against Wyoming, Wildcat running back Jakaurie Kirkland rushed for 270 yards and four touchdowns, including runs of 60, 37, 82 and 57 yards.
The Wyoming at Northview was scheduled to be televised as a WKTV Featured Games, but technical issues forced plans to be cancelled. This week’s featured game will be at East Kentwood.
In other local football action, East Kentwood (1-1) bounced back from an opening season loss at Muskegon Mona Shores with a 39-6 road win at Grand Ledge Friday. In the win, the Falcons jumped out to a 25-0 first half lead on a 40-yard run by Josh Ledesma and a 13-yard pass from Christian Tanner to Colton Emeott in the first quarter, and then a 39-yard run by Willie Berris and a 22-yard run by Tanner.
Also on Friday, South Christian (1-1) lost at Muskegon Reeths-Puffer, 35-21; Godwin Heights (0-2) lost at Hudsonville Unity Christian, 36-0; Kelloggsville (0-2) lost at Williamstown, 27-0,Wyoming Lee (0-2) lost at Gobles, 37-20; and Tri-unity Christian lost at Martin, 20-0, in 8-Man football.
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.
The high school soccer season has already started with football close behind.
By WKTV Staff ken@wktv.org
WKTV’s high school sports coverage truck will all over our local Wyoming and Kentwood football teams this season, but with a change of schedule for Wyoming Lee High School’s football team, we have switched our coverage to the other “football” — we will be at Godwin Heights as the Wolverines host the Lee Legends for a boys soccer game Thursday, Aug. 29.
As far as the Lee football game is concerned, after the originally scheduled home game against White Cloud was cancelled by the visiting school, Lee added a second game against Grandville Calvin Christian, which will be at Lee on Thursday, Aug. 29, at 7 p.m.
And, there is no shortage of high school sports action all over the Wyoming and Kentwood area, so check out something live if you can.
Where and when to see featured games
Featured games are broadcast the night of the contest and then at least once later in the week.
WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; Channel 26 is the Government Channel, where local government meetings and events are shown. On AT&T cable throughout the Grand Rapids area, viewers go to Channel 99, and then are given the choice to watch Wyoming (or Kentwood) Community (Channel 25) or Government (Channel 26) channels.
All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvlive.org .
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.
Following is this weeks’s schedule:
Saturday, Aug. 24 Girls Volleyball Tri-Unity Christian vs TBA – WMVOA Invitational @ MSA Fieldhouse Godwin Heights vs TBA – Officials for Kids Tourney @ MSA Fieldhouse Potter’s House vs TBA – Official for Kids Tourney @ MSA Fieldhouse Zion Christian vs TBA – WMVOA Invitational @ MSA Fieldhouse South Christian @ Grand Haven Boys Tennis South Christian @ East Kentwood – EK Invite TBA @ Wyoming – David Bentley Tournament Boys / Girls Cross Country South Christian @ East Kentwood Wyoming Lee @ Muskegon Catholic Central Boys Soccer TBA @ Zion Christian – Zion Soccer Invite Boys Water Polo East Kentwood @ Ann Arbor Pioneer – Pioneer Invite Girls Volleyball East Kentwood @ Grand Haven – Lakeshore Classic
Monday, Aug. 26 Boys Soccer Tri-Unity Christian @ NorthPointe Christian South Christian @ Grand Rapids Christian Wyoming @ FH Eastern Hudsonville @ East Kentwood Girls Golf South Christian @ Muskegon Mona Shores Boys Tennis Holland Christian @ South Christian Girls Volleyball Wyoming Lee @ Algoma Christian
Tuesday, Aug. 27 Boys / Girls Cross Country South Christian @ St. Joseph Girls Swimming South Christian @ Grand Rapids Christian Central @ East Kentwood Boys Soccer NorthPointe Christian @ Godwin Heights Hopkins @ Wyoming Lee Ottawa Hills @ Wyoming Zion Christian @ Saugatuck Boys Tennis Wyoming @ Zeeland East TBA @ East Kentwood – EK Quad Girls Volleyball Ottawa Hills @ Wyoming Zion Christian @ Martin – Quad TBA @ East Kentwood – EK Early Bird Tournament
Wednesday, Aug. 28 Girls Golf South Christian @ Kent Country Club – OK Jamboree Boys Tennis Unity Christian @ South Christian Girls Volleyball Caledonia @ South Christian – Sailor Invite Boys Soccer East Grand Rapids @ South Christian Wyoming @ Wayland Rockford @ East Kentwood Boys / Girls Cross Country Godwin Heights @ Saranac Wyoming Lee @ Saranac Wyoming @ Wayland
Thursday, Aug. 29 Girls Swimming South Christian @ East Kentwood Boys Football Greenville vs South Christian @ Byron Center Godwin Heights @ Hamilton Grandville Calvin Christian @ Wyoming Lee Holland @ Wyoming Boys Soccer Wyoming Lee @ Godwin Heights – WKTV Featured Event Potter’s House vs West Michigan Heat – @ Hudsonville Christian Zion Christian @ Kalamazoo Christian Plainwell @ East Kentwood Girls Volleyball TBA @ East Kentwood – Lady Falcon Invite Boys / Girls Cross Country East Kentwood @ Milford – Invite
Friday, Aug. 30 Boys Football Tri-unity Christian @ Climax-Scotts East Kentwood @ Muskegon Mona Shores
By Mike Moll, WKTV Volunteer Sports Director sports@wktv.org
Here comes the start of another academic school year opening this month, which also means the local high school sports schedules are doing the same.
Beginning on Aug. 16, fall seasons for girls golf and volleyball, along with boys and girls cross country, and boys soccer, tennis, swimming, water polo and — of course — football all get under way throughout the last two weeks of the month leading to Labor Day weekend.
WKTV will once again be featuring a weekly football game starting with the Thursday, Aug. 29, matchup between White Cloud and Wyoming Lee.
There are some changes not only to Wyoming Lee this year, but to the O-K Silver conference, where the former nicknamed Rebels and now called Legends have played.
For a variety of reasons, Lee, along with NorthPointe Christian and Calvin Christian have all made the change to play independently this season.
As a result, the four remaining Silver teams — Godwin Heights, Kelloggsville, Belding and Hopkins — will each play a home and home conference schedule to determine the league champion.
Want to be a television sports announcer?
If anyone has ever thought about trying to announce a sporting event, WKTV has a great chance for you to do exactly that! The tentative schedule for May follows and we are always looking for additional announcers, especially for the spring games. If you would like to try it or have any questions, please email Mike at sportswktv@gmail.com.
Where and when to see featured games
Featured games are broadcast the night of the contest and then at least once later in the week.
WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; Channel 26 is the Government Channel, where local government meetings and events are shown. On AT&T cable throughout the Grand Rapids area, viewers go to Channel 99, and then are given the choice to watch Wyoming (or Kentwood) Community (Channel 25) or Government (Channel 26) channels.
All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvondemand.com.
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.
Following is this month’s schedule, starting Friday, Aug. 16:
Friday, Aug. 16 Boys Soccer Wyoming @ Wyoming Lee East Kentwood @ FH Central Girls Golf East Kentwood vs Jenison – Jenison Invite @ The Meadows Boys Tennis East Kentwood @ Ludington – Ludington Invite
Saturday, Aug. 17 Boys Soccer Whitehall @ South Christian – Mark Hasper Invite TBA @ Wyoming Lee – Copa Leyendas
Monday, Aug. 19 Girls Golf South Christian @ Traverse City Invite – Spruce Run Boys Soccer Holland Christian @ South Christian Holland @ East Kentwood Boys Tennis Wyoming @ Holland
Tuesday, Aug. 20 Girls Golf South Christian @ Traverse City Invite – Wolverine Boys Soccer Godwin Heights @ Kelloggsville Wyoming Lee @ Calvin Christian Union @ Wyoming Boys / Girls Cross Country Godwin Heights @ Kent City
Wednesday, Aug. 21 Boys Tennis TBA @ South Christian – Sailor Quad TBA @ Wyoming – Quad Boys Soccer Caledonia @ South Christian Wyoming @ Zeeland West Portage Northern @ East Kentwood Boys / Girls Cross Country Wyoming Lee @ Hesperia – Baker Woods Invitational Potter’s House @ Holland Calvary
Thursday, Aug. 22 Boys Tennis TBA @ South Christian – Sailor Quad Wyoming @ Lowell Boys Soccer Belding @ Godwin Heights Potter’s House @ Wyoming Lee Ravenna @ Zion Christian
Friday, Aug. 23 Boys Soccer Tri-Unity Christian @ Barry County Christian Potter’s House @ Wyoming East Kentwood @ West Ottawa Girls Golf South Christian vs Middleville T-K – TK Invite @ Yankee Springs Girls Volleyball Wyoming Lee @ WMAES Wyoming vs TBA – WMVOA Meet @ MSA Fieldhouse Boys Water Polo East Kentwood @ Ann Arbor Pioneer – Pioneer Invite
Saturday, Aug. 24 Girls Volleyball Tri-Unity Christian vs TBA – WMVOA Invitational @ MSA Fieldhouse Godwin Heights vs TBA – Officials for Kids Tourney @ MSA Fieldhouse Potter’s House vs TBA – Official for Kids Tourney @ MSA Fieldhouse Zion Christian vs TBA – WMVOA Invitational @ MSA Fieldhouse South Christian @ Grand Haven Boys Tennis South Christian @ East Kentwood – EK Invite TBA @ Wyoming – David Bentley Tournament Boys / Girls Cross Country South Christian @ East Kentwood Wyoming Lee @ Muskegon Catholic Central Boys Soccer TBA @ Zion Christian – Zion Soccer Invite Boys Water Polo East Kentwood @ Ann Arbor Pioneer – Pioneer Invite Girls Volleyball East Kentwood @ Grand Haven – Lakeshore Classic
Monday, Aug. 26 Boys Soccer Tri-Unity Christian @ NorthPointe Christian South Christian @ Grand Rapids Christian Wyoming @ FH Eastern Hudsonville @ East Kentwood Girls Golf South Christian @ Muskegon Mona Shores Boys Tennis Holland Christian @ South Christian Girls Volleyball Wyoming Lee @ Algoma Christian
Tuesday, Aug. 27 Boys / Girls Cross Country South Christian @ St. Joseph Girls Swimming South Christian @ Grand Rapids Christian Central @ East Kentwood Boys Soccer NorthPointe Christian @ Godwin Heights Hopkins @ Wyoming Lee Ottawa Hills @ Wyoming Zion Christian @ Saugatuck Boys Tennis Wyoming @ Zeeland East TBA @ East Kentwood – EK Quad Girls Volleyball Ottawa Hills @ Wyoming Zion Christian @ Martin – Quad TBA @ East Kentwood – EK Early Bird Tournament
Wednesday, Aug. 28 Girls Golf South Christian @ Kent Country Club – OK Jamboree Boys Tennis Unity Christian @ South Christian Girls Volleyball Caledonia @ South Christian – Sailor Invite Boys Soccer East Grand Rapids @ South Christian Wyoming @ Wayland Rockford @ East Kentwood Boys / Girls Cross Country Godwin Heights @ Saranac Wyoming Lee @ Saranac Wyoming @ Wayland
Thursday, Aug. 29 Girls Swimming South Christian @ East Kentwood Boys Football Greenville vs South Christian – @ Byron Center Godwin Heights @ Hamilton White Cloud @ Wyoming Lee – WKTV Featured Event Holland @ Wyoming Boys Soccer Wyoming Lee @ Godwin Heights Potter’s House vs West Michigan Heat – @ Hudsonville Christian Zion Christian @ Kalamazoo Christian Plainwell @ East Kentwood Girls Volleyball TBA @ East Kentwood – Lady Falcon Invite Boys / Girls Cross Country East Kentwood @ Milford – Invite
Friday, Aug. 30 Boys Football Tri-unity Christian @ Climax-Scotts East Kentwood @ Muskegon Mona Shores
In Carl Warfield’s hand’s-on natural science class, most of the student group leaders are seniors who have experience with the critters, with underclass persons waiting their turns to be primary “hand trainers” and out-in-the-community ambassadors of the program’s snakes and spiders and birds.
But East Kentwood High School seniors Anissa Reeves, Cassie Karel — group leaders for reptiles and birds, respectively — as well as fellow seniors Sammie Sutherlin and Courtney Guyott, have graduated with not only lessons in nature but in being part of a team.
(WKTV/K.D. Norris)
“It is a unique, hand’s on experience for the kids,” Warfield said to WKTV about the students in his now, 20-(or so)-year-old program. “For some of these kids, it is just something to connect with. While large schools (like East Kentwood) offer a lot of opportunities, sometimes there are things that are not for everyone. We look at ourselves as just a slice of the pie, here at East Kentwood, offering something for everyone.
“We are one of those programs that, you know, you may not be an athlete, you may not be a musician, you may not be an artist. But if you got heart, and compassion, and animals are your thing, we’ve got something here for you.”
In a recent WKTV Journal newscast segment, we talked with Warfield about his program, and with Reeves and Sutherlin about why they picked the class — and why they picked the critters they cared for.
Madison Poll, left, and Cassie Karel, with two of the program’s birds.. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
Other students who showed us around the class were juniors Brandon Shotwell, Marcus Caruth and Madison Poll — each in line to have expanded roles with the critters next year.
WKTV visited the class in May, just before the school year ended — a class located, or maybe better said “isolated” — at the end of a hallway and just about as far away from the administration office as possible at the sprawling school.
Snakes and spiders are not for everyone, after all.
First comes the meet-and-greet with council members and city officials. And then, the grand affair — the meeting proper — at 7pm. This past Monday marked the Wyoming City Council’s first summer outdoor meeting. Read all about it here.
The council meets every first and third Monday of the month at 7pm. The July “on the road” meeting will be July 15 at St. John Vianney Church, 4101 Clyde Park Ave. SW, and the August meeting is Aug. 19 at Aurora Pond Senior Living & Retirement Community, 2380 Aurora Pond Dr. SW. Beats being cooped up indoors.
You’re only young once
Hello West Michigan, West Michigan’s regional talent attraction and retention organization, will host its 6thannual Intern Connect conference on Wednesday, June 19, in Grand Rapids. The organization hopes to impart “essential skills” such as interpreting dress codes, navigating networking events, creating positive workplace communication and how to #adult to the more than 350 summer interns participating in the conference. More info here.
‘I could be a contender’
Recently, students and teachers gathered in the Kelloggsville High School auditorium for a time-honored tradition: signing day. The tables on the stage had logoed caps and contracts just waiting for signatures from high school seniors, ready to commit to a team for the coming year. Go here for the story.
Fun fact:
142.18
The number of licks it takes to reach the center of a Tootsie Pop. You’re welcome.
WKTV offers on-demand viewing of the Wyoming and Kentwood high school sports, community events, and government meetings. (WKTV)
By WKTV Staff ken@wktv.org
WKTV’s spring baseball and softball schedule is nearing its end but this week as our coverage crew will be on the road twice this week, with baseball games featuring Wyoming high and Kelloggsville.
But there is high school sports action all over the Wyoming and Kentwood area, so check out something live if you can.
The tentative schedule of WKTV featured game’s remaining this month are as follows:
Wednesday, May 22, boys baseball, South Christian at Wyoming, at Lamar Park Friday, May 24, boys baseball, Zion Christian at Kelloggsville, at Kellogg Woods Park
Want to be a television sports announcer?
If anyone has ever thought about trying to announce a sporting event, WKTV has a great chance for you to do exactly that! The tentative schedule for May follows and we are always looking for additional announcers, especially for the spring games. If you would like to try it or have any questions, please email Mike at sportswktv@gmail.com.
Featured games are broadcast the night of the contest and then at least once later in the week.
WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; Channel 26 is the Government Channel, where local government meetings and events are shown. On AT&T cable throughout the Grand Rapids area, viewers go to Channel 99, and then are given the choice to watch Wyoming (or Kentwood) Community (Channel 25) or Government (Channel 26) channels.
All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvondemand.com.
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.
Following is this week’s schedule:
Monday, May 20 Boys Golf South Christian @ Middleville T-K Fruitport Calvary Christian @ Tri-Unity Christian – Maple Hill Wyoming @ Christian – Thornapple Pointe Boys Baseball Wyoming @ South Christian – DH East Kentwood @ West Ottawa – DH Godwin Heights @ NorthPointe Christian Kelloggsville @ Belding – DH Calvin Christian @ Wyoming Lee Girls Softball Wyoming @ South Christian – DH East Kentwood @ West Ottawa – DH Godwin Heights @ NorthPointe Christian – DH Kelloggsville @ Belding – DH Calvin Christian @ Wyoming Lee – DH Girls Soccer FH Eastern @ South Christian Hudsonville@ East Kentwood Godwin Heights @ Hopkins Kelloggsville @ Wyoming Lee Tri-Unity Christian @ Covenant Christian Wyoming @ Middleville T-K Zion Christian @ Calhoun Christian West Michigan Aviation @ Heritage Christian
Tuesday, May 21 Boys Golf East Kentwood – OK Red Post Season Tournament @ Thornapple Pointe Girls Softball Belding @ Kelloggsville Boys Baseball Zion Christian @ Ottawa Hills – DH Holland Black River vs West Michigan Aviation – DH @ Zion Christian Girls Soccer West Michigan Aviation @ Calvin Christian
Wednesday, May 22 Boys Baseball South Christian @ Wyoming – Lamar Park – WKTV Featured Event West Ottawa @ East Kentwood NorthPointe Christian @ Godwin Heights Wyoming Lee @ Calvin Christian Girls Softball South Christian @ Covenant Christian – DH East Kentwood @ Byron Center – DH NorthPointe Christian @ Godwin Heights Wyoming Lee @ Calvin Christian Boys Golf Tri-Unity Christian @ Wellsprings Prep – The Mines Girls Soccer Wyoming – MHSAA Districts @ Hamilton
Thursday May 23, 2019 Girls Soccer Godwin Heights – MHSAA Districts @ Godwin Heights Wyoming Lee – MHSAA Districts @ Wellsprings Prep Boys Baseball Grand Rapids Crusaders @ Wyoming Lee Potter’s House @ Holland Black River – DH
Friday, May 24 Boys Baseball Godwin Heights vs Saugatuck – @ Hope College Zion Christian @ Kelloggsville – DH Wyoming @ Zeeland East West Michigan Aviation @ Belding – DH Girls Soccer TBA – @ Godwin Heights – MHSAA Districts West Michigan Aviation @ Grand River Prep – MHSAA Districts Girls Softball Wyoming @ Zeeland East – DH
Saturday, May 25 Boys /Girls Track MITCA State Meet Boys Baseball Wyoming @ West Ottawa – DH
Monday, May 27 Memorial Day
Tuesday, May 28 Boys Baseball @ East Kentwood – MHSAA Districts Godwin Heights @ Christian – MHSAA Districts Kelloggsville @ Holland Christian – MHSAA Districts Wyoming Lee @ Christian – MHSAA Districts Zion Christian @ Holton Girls Softball @ East Kentwood – MHSAA Districts Kelloggsville @ Christian – MHSAA Districts Wyoming Lee @ Christian – MHSAA Districts Wyoming @ Ottawa Hills – MHSAA Districts Girls Soccer Tri-Unity Christian vs Zion Christian – MHSAA Districts @ NorthPointe Christian
Wednesday, May 29 Boys Golf East Kentwood — MHSAA Regionals Kelloggsville — MHSAA Regionals @ Diamond Springs Wyoming – MHSAA Regionals Girls Soccer TBA @ South Christian — MHSAA Districts
Thursday, May 30 Girls Soccer East Kentwood @ TBA — MHSAA Districts Boys Golf East Kentwood @ TBA — MHSAA Regionals
The Jazz Band, directed by Paul Brewer, in rehearsal for its coming concert. (Supplied/St. Cecilia Music Center)
By K.D. Norris ken@wktv.org
Improvisational jazz music is not for everyone, especially young musicians learning their craft. But it is challenging and rewarding for the youth who make up the St. Cecilia Music Center’s Youth Jazz Ensembles — including several local players from East Kentwood High School.
The public can get a reward of their own this weekend as those young players will be on stage at St. Cecilia during the center’s Youth Jazz Ensembles Concert, a free, public event scheduled for Sunday, May 19, at 7 p.m.
Both the small Jazz Combo group and the Jazz Band big band will be on stage, and both will showcase the developing talent of their young players.
Mitchell Arganbright is a student at East Kentwood High School and a member of the Jazz Band. (Supplied/St. Cecilia Music Center)
“The combo format has a lot of potential for learning because every aspect of musicianship is involved: sight-reading, learning by ear, music theory (chord structures, keys, form), improvisation, arranging,” Robin Connell, St. Cecilia Jazz Combo director and local musician, said in an email to WKTV. “The big band music is all written and presents challenging reading for most students. They also work on blend, balance, intonation, and style.”
While the combo format focuses more on the traditional improvisational aspects of jazz, Connell said the big band is more structured but has “improvised parts (that) are only for a selected few instruments within an arrangement that is otherwise all written out.”
The current Jazz Combo has five members, Connell said: piano, bass, drums, saxophone and two trombones.
“The combo learns jazz standards and, in the process, learns a lot about music and jazz,” Connell said. “They learn the tunes from a ‘lead sheet’ (melody and chord symbols without any intro/ending or arrangement). Then we put an arrangement together. We start the year with me giving all the direction but, by the end, I’ve encouraged them to take over the leadership and direction as they are able.”
The combo members range in age from 12 to 16 (four are in middle school), and they will play four tunes: “Listen Here” by Eddie Harris, “Moanin’ ” by Bobby Timmons, “Artherdoc Blues” by Jimmy Heath, and “So What” by Miles Davis.
The Jazz Band, directed by Paul Brewer, has the standard instrumentation, Connell said: five saxophones, four trombones, four trumpets, with piano, bass and drums — “But I will be playing piano with the band because he doesn’t have a student pianist.”
The Jazz Band are all high school kids, with half a dozen from East Kentwood high. Their program will be published pieces arranged for this instrumentation, but specifics are not known at this time.
WKTV offers on-demand viewing of the Wyoming and Kentwood high school sports, community events, and government meetings. (WKTV)
By WKTV Staff ken@wktv.org
WKTV’s spring baseball and softball schedule continues this week as our coverage crew will be on the road for softball at Kelloggsville.
But there is high school sports action all over the Wyoming and Kentwood area, so check out something live if you can.
The tentative schedule of WKTV featured game’s remaining this month are as follows:
Wednesday, May 15, girls softball, Godwin Heights at Kelloggsville Wednesday, May 22, boys baseball, South Christian at Wyoming Friday, May 24, boys baseball, Zion Christian at Kelloggsville
Want to be a television sports announcer?
If anyone has ever thought about trying to announce a sporting event, WKTV has a great chance for you to do exactly that! The tentative schedule for May follows and we are always looking for additional announcers, especially for the spring games. If you would like to try it or have any questions, please email Mike at sportswktv@gmail.com .
Featured games are broadcast the night of the contest and then at least once later in the week.
WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; Channel 26 is the Government Channel, where local government meetings and events are shown. On AT&T cable throughout the Grand Rapids area, viewers go to Channel 99, and then are given the choice to watch Wyoming (or Kentwood) Community (Channel 25) or Government (Channel 26) channels.
All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvondemand.com.
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.
Following is this week’s (original) schedule; due to rainouts and other factors, please check the school’s websites for latest changes:
Tuesday, May 14 Girls Softball South Christian @ FH Eastern – DH Grandville @ East Kentwood – DH Wyoming Lee @ East Grand Rapids Middleville T-K @ Wyoming – DH Boys Baseball South Christian @ FH Eastern – DH Grandville @ East Kentwood – DH — WKTV Featured Game Middleville T-K @ Wyoming – DH Potter’s House @ Kalamazoo Heritage Christian Girls Soccer FH Central @ South Christian Kenowa Hills @ East Kentwood Kelloggsville @ Wyoming West Michigan Aviation @ Grand River Prep Boys Lacrosse East Kentwood @ Jenison Girls Tennis Kelloggsville @ Muskegon Catholic Central Boys Golf Tri-Unity Christian @ Covenant Christian
Wednesday, May 15 Boys Golf South Christian @ FH Eastern – Egypt Valley East Kentwood @ Caledonia – Broadmoor Country Club Kelloggsville – OK Silver Conference @ The Meadows Wyoming @ FH Eastern – Egypt Valley Boys Lacrosse South Christian @ East Kentwood Girls Softball Godwin Heights @ Kelloggsville — WKTV Featured Game Hopkins @ Wyoming Lee FH Central @ Wyoming Boys Baseball Godwin Heights @ Kelloggsville Hopkins @ Wyoming Lee West Michigan Aviation @ Kalamazoo Cougars – DH Girls Soccer Godwin Heights @ Calvin Christian Wyoming Lee @ NorthPointe Christian Tri-Unity Christian @ Holland Black River Wyoming @ Christian
Thursday, May 16 Boys Baseball FH Eastern @ South Christian East Kentwood @ Grandville Tri-Unity Christian @ Holland Black River – DH Wyoming @ Middleville T-K Zion Christian @ Heritage Christian Academy – DH Girls Tennis East Kentwood @ TBA – MHSAA Regionals Kelloggsville @ TBA – MHSAA Regionals Wyoming – MHSAA Districts @ FH Northern Girls Softball East Kentwood @ Grand Haven Godwin Heights @ Ottawa Hills Girls Soccer East Kentwood @ West Ottawa Tri-Unity Christian @ Grand River Prep Boys Golf Grand River Prep @ Tri-Unity Christian – Maple Hill
Friday, May 17 Boys / Girls Track South Christian – MHSAA Regionals @ Houseman Field West Michigan Aviation – MHSAA Regionals @ Houseman Field East Kentwood – MHSAA Regionals @ Grand Haven Wyoming – MHSAA Regionals @ Grand Haven Godwin Heights – MHSAA Regionals @ FH Eastern Wyoming Lee – MHSAA Regionals @ Saugatuck Girls Tennis @ South Christian – MHSAA Regionals Girls Soccer South Christian @ Wyoming East Kentwood @ Kalamazoo Central Godwin Heights @ Kelloggsville Girls Water Polo @ East Kentwood – Regionals Girls Softball East Kentwood @ Caledonia Holland @ Wyoming – DH Boys Baseball South Christian @ Wyoming – Lamar Park Potter’s House @ Kelloggsville – DH West Michigan Aviation @ Barry County Christian – DH
Saturday, May 18 Boys Baseball Hamilton @ South Christian – Sailor Invite East Kentwood @ Lakeview – DH Wyoming Lee @ Saranac – Saranac Invite Zion Christian @ North Muskegon West Michigan Aviation @ Barry County Christian – DH Girls Water Polo @ East Kentwood – Regionals Girls Softball Christian @ East Kentwood – DH Wyoming Lee @ Saranac – Saranac Invite
Monday, May 20 Boys Golf South Christian @ Middleville T-K Fruitport Calvary Christian @ Tri-Unity Christian – Maple Hill Wyoming @ Christian – Thornapple Pointe Boys Baseball Wyoming @ South Christian – DH East Kentwood @ West Ottawa – DH Godwin Heights @ NorthPointe Christian Kelloggsville @ Belding – DH Calvin Christian @ Wyoming Lee Girls Softball Wyoming @ South Christian – DH East Kentwood @ West Ottawa – DH Godwin Heights @ NorthPointe Christian – DH Kelloggsville @ Belding – DH Calvin Christian @ Wyoming Lee – DH Girls Soccer FH Eastern @ South Christian Hudsonville@ East Kentwood Godwin Heights @ Hopkins Kelloggsville @ Wyoming Lee Tri-Unity Christian @ Covenant Christian Wyoming @ Middleville T-K Zion Christian @ Calhoun Christian West Michigan Aviation @ Heritage Christian
WKTV offers on-demand viewing of the Wyoming and Kentwood high school sports, community events, and government meetings. (WKTV)
Mike Moll, WKTV Volunteer Sports Director sports@wktv.org
May is the last full month of high school sports schedules as the spring seasons along with the academic year are quickly ending.
Many high school graduations will be this month and we wish all students the very best as they take that next step in life, and for the student athletes that we have had the opportunity to cover and watch over the course of your high school careers, thank you.
There are many state tournaments beginning near the end of the month including state championships in girls tennis on the final day.
Take advantage of these last opportunities to watch in person, but then also catch the games that WKTV will be rebroadcasting on cable television as well as on-demand. The tentative schedule of WKTV featured game are as follows:
Wednesday, May 8, boys baseball, Godwin Heights at Wyoming Lee Thursday, May 9, boys baseball, West Michigan Aviation vs Tri-Unity Christian at Pinery Park #3 Tuesday, May 14, boys baseball, Grandville at East Kentwood Wednesday, May 15, girls softball, Godwin Heights at Kelloggsville Wednesday, May 22, boys baseball, South Christian at Wyoming Friday, May 24, boys baseball, Zion Christian at Kelloggsville
Want to be a television sports announcer?
If anyone has ever thought about trying to announce a sporting event, WKTV has a great chance for you to do exactly that! The tentative schedule for May follows and we are always looking for additional announcers, especially for the spring games. If you would like to try it or have any questions, please email Mike at sportswktv@gmail.com.
Featured games are broadcast the night of the contest and then at least once later in the week.
WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; Channel 26 is the Government Channel, where local government meetings and events are shown. On AT&T cable throughout the Grand Rapids area, viewers go to Channel 99, and then are given the choice to watch Wyoming (or Kentwood) Community (Channel 25) or Government (Channel 26) channels.
All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvondemand.com.
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.
Following is this week’s schedule:
Thursday, May 2 Boys / Girls Track South Christian vs FH Eastern @ West Catholic Girls Tennis South Christian @ Holland Christian West Catholic @ Kelloggsville Sparta @ Wyoming Girls Softball South Christian @ Zeeland East – DH East Kentwood @ Grandville East Grand Rapids @ Godwin Heights – DH Wyoming @ Kelloggsville Union @ Wyoming Lee – DH Boys Baseball South Christian @ Middleville T-K Hudsonville @ East Kentwood Tri-Unity Christian @ Barry County Christian West Michigan Aviation @ Covenant Christian – DH Boys Lacrosse Kenowa Hills @ South Christian East Kentwood @ Northview Boys Golf East Kentwood @ FH Central – Ranger Invite – The Meadows Wyoming @ Kenowa Hills – Graewil Girls Soccer East Kentwood @ Grandville Tri-Unity Christian @ Wellsprings Prep West Michigan Aviation @ Holland Black River
Friday, May 3 Boys / Girls Track East Kentwood @ Traverse City – Ken Bell Meet Godwin Heights @ Kalamazoo Central Girls Water Polo East Kentwood @ Rockford Girls Softball West Ottawa @ East Kentwood Boys Lacrosse Comstock Park @ East Kentwood Girls Tennis Kelloggsville @ Cedar Springs Girls Soccer Belding @ Wyoming Lee Wayland @ Wyoming West Michigan Aviation @ Fruitport Calvary
Saturday, May 4 Boys / Girls Track South Christian @ East Grand Rapids – EGR Classic Wyoming @ East Grand Rapids – EGR Classic Kelloggsville @ Hopkins – Vikings Invitational Wyoming Lee @ Hopkins – Vikings Invitational West Michigan Aviation @ Hopkins – Vikings Invitational Girls Water Polo East Kentwood @ Rockford Girls Softball East Kentwood @ Northview – Northview Invite Kelloggsville @ East Grand Rapids Girls Tennis East Kentwood @ Jenison Boys Baseball Kelloggsvillle @ Wayland Grand Rapids Crusaders @ Wyoming Lee – DH Wyoming @ Union – DH Heritage Christian Academy @ Zion Christian Girls Soccer Kelloggsville @ Comstock Park – Kristen Stowie Memorial Invite Tri-Unity Christian @ Comstock Park – Kristen Sowie Memorial Invite Zion Christian @ Barry County Christian Boys Golf Tri-Unity Christian – Christian Schools Invitational @ Chase Hammond Country Club
Monday, May 6 Boys Golf South Christian @ East Grand Rapids – Kent Country Club East Kentwood @ Hudsonville Kelloggsville @ Wellsprings Prep – The Mines Wyoming @ East Grand Rapids – Kent Country Club Girls Softball Unity Christian @ South Christian – DH Wyoming Lee @ Godwin Heights – DH Hopkins @ Kelloggsville – DH Wyoming @ Covenant Christian – DH Boys Baseball Unity Christian @ South Christian – DH Wyoming Lee @ Godwin Heights Hopkins @ Kelloggsville Grattan Academic @ Zion Christian – DH Boys Lacrosse South Christian @ Jenison Girls Soccer South Christian @ Grand Rapids Christian Grand Haven @ East Kentwood Kelloggsville @ Godwin Heights Wyoming Lee @ Calvin Christian Wyoming @ FH Eastern Zion Christian @ Wellsprings Prep Boys / Girls Track Rockford @ East Kentwood Girls Tennis West Ottawa @ East Kentwood Kelloggsville @ Catholic Central Middleville T-K @ Wyoming
WKTV offers on-demand viewing of the Wyoming and Kentwood high school sports, community events, and government meetings. (WKTV)
By WKTV Staff ken@wktv.org
April is winding down but local high school spring sports seasons are just getting started, and WKTV will once again bring baseball and softball to the viewers with the scheduled game this week being the Wednesday, April 24, girls softball game at Wyoming Lee, with Belding coming to town.
WKTV’s coverage crew will be taking a week for other community event coverage next week, with planned return on Wednesday, May 8, as Godwin Heights plays at Wyoming Lee in a conference baseball game.
Featured games are broadcast the night of the contest and then at least once later in the week.
WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; Channel 26 is the Government Channel, where local government meetings and events are shown. On AT&T cable throughout the Grand Rapids area, viewers go to Channel 99, and then are given the choice to watch Wyoming (or Kentwood) Community (Channel 25) or Government (Channel 26) channels.
All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvondemand.com.
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.
Following is this week’s schedule:
Monday, April 22 Boys Golf South Christian vs Middleville T-K – @ Yankee Springs Wyoming vs Middleville T-K – @ Yankee Springs Kelloggsville vs NorthPointe Christian – @ Egypt Valley East Kentwood @ Rockford Girls Tennis Middleville T-K @ South Christian Kelloggsville @ Comstock Park East Kentwood @ Caledonia Girls Softball South Christian @ Holland Christian Wyoming @ Hamilton – DH Wyoming Lee @ Belding – DH Calvin Christian @ Kelloggsville – DH Girls Soccer South Christian @ East Kentwood Christian @ Wyoming Godwin Heights @ NorthPointe Christian Hopkins @ Wyoming Lee Kelloggsville @ Belding Heritage Christian Academy @ Zion Christian South Haven @ West Michigan Aviation Boys Baseball Wyoming Lee @ Belding Calvin Christian @Kelloggsville West Michigan Aviation @ Martin – DH Holland Black River @ Potter’s House – DH Boys / Girls Track East Kentwood @ West Ottawa
Tuesday, April 23 Boys Baseball South Christian @ East Grand Rapids – DH Wayland @ Wyoming – DH West Michigan Aviation @ Godwin Heights – DH Barry County Christian vs Tri-Unity Christian – @ Fifth Third Park Zion Christian @ Fennville Caledonia @ East Kentwood – DH Girls Softball South Christian @ East Grand Rapids – DH Wayland @ Wyoming – DH Hamilton @ Godwin Heights – DH Caledonia @ East Kentwood – DH Boys Lacrosse Northview @ South Christian East Kentwood @ Comstock Park Girls Tennis Wyoming @ Kenowa Hills Boys / Girls Track Hopkins @ Wyoming Lee Godwin Heights @ Belding Kelloggsville @ Calvin Christian Girls Soccer West Michigan Aviation @ Zion Christian Grand River Prep @ Lakewood Lake Odessa West Ottawa @ East Kentwood Girls Water Polo East Kentwood @ Portage Central
Wednesday, April 24 Boys Golf South Christian vs Wayland – @ Orchard Hills Wyoming vs Wayland — @ Orchard Hills Kelloggsville vs NorthPointe Christian — @ Pigeon Creek East Kentwood @ West Ottawa Girls Track South Christian @ Christian Boys / Girls Track Wyoming @ East Grand Rapids Girls Soccer South Christian @ Forest Hills Eastern Middleville T-K @ Wyoming Godwin Heights @ Wyoming Lee Kelloggsville @ Hopkins Girls Tennis Wyoming @ Christian NorthPointe Christian @ Kelloggsville Grand Haven @ East Kentwood Boys Baseball Belding @ Wyoming Lee Kelloggsville @ Calvin Christian Girls Softball Belding @ Wyoming Lee Kelloggsville @ Calvin Christian East Kentwood @ Jenison
Thursday, April 25 Girls Softball South Christian @ Wayland – DH Wyoming @ West Ottawa Godwin Heights @ Union Kelloggsville @ East Grand Rapids – DH Boys Baseball East Grand Rapids @ South Christian Wyoming @ Wayland Tri-Unity Christian @ Potter’s House – DH East Kentwood @ Caledonia Boys Lacrosse Muskegon Mona Shores @ South Christian Kenowa Hills @ East Kentwood Girls Soccer Wyoming @ Sparta Potter’s House @ Tri-Unity Christian Fruitport Calvary vs West Michigan Aviation – @ East Kentwood East Kentwood @ Hudsonville Boys / Girls Track Wyoming Lee @ Belding Hopkins @ Godwin Heights Boys Golf Covenant Christian @ Tri-Unity Christian Girls Water Polo East Grand Rapids @ East Kentwood
Friday, April 26 Boys Golf South Christian vs Traverse City – @ Mountain Ridge Girls Soccer South Christian @ Holland Christian Tri-Unity Christian @ Hope Academy of West Michigan Belding @ Kelloggsville Ravenna @ Zion Christian Girls Tennis Wyoming @ East Kentwood Western Michigan Christian @ Kelloggsville Boys Baseball Wyoming @ Hopkins Potter’s House @ Godwin Heights Holland @ Kelloggsville – DH Holland Black River @ Zion Christian – DH Girls Softball Wyoming @ Hopkins Rockford@ East Kentwood Girls Water Polo East Kentwood @ Hudsonville Boys / Girls Track East Kentwood @ Jackson
Saturday, April 27 Girls Softball South Christian @ Otsego – Otsego Invite Wyoming @ Muskegon Reeths-Puffer Godwin Heights @ Otsego Boys Golf South Christian vs Traverse City – @ Mountain Ridge Boys Baseball South Christian @ Hudsonville – Hudsonville Invite East Kentwood @ Muskegon Reeths-Puffer – DH Boys / Girls Track Wyoming @ Lowell Godwin Heights @ West Catholic – Bob Misner Invitational Kelloggsville @ West Catholic – Bob Misner Invitational West Michigan Aviation @ West Catholic – Bob Misner Invitational Girls Water Polo East Kentwood @ Hudsonville Girls Tennis East Kentwood @ Holland
Monday, April 29 Girls Tennis South Christian @ FH Eastern Middleville T-K @ Wyoming Sparta @ Kelloggsville East Kentwood @ Grandville Boys Baseball Holland Christian @ South Christian NorthPointe Christian @ Wyoming Lee Godwin Heights @ Calvin Christian Zion Christian @ Muskegon Catholic Central Holland Black River @ West Michigan Aviation Girls Soccer Wyoming @ South Christian NorthPointe Christian @ Wyoming Lee Godwin Heights @ Calvin Christian Zion Christian @ Hope Academy of West Michigan Boys Golf Zeeland West vs Wyoming – @ Gleneagle Girls Softball NorthPointe Christian @ Wyoming Lee – DH Godwin Heights @ Calvin Christian Catholic Central @ Kelloggsville – DH Boys / Girls Track Rockford @ East Kentwood
Tuesday, April 30 Boys Baseball Middleville T-K @ South Christian – DH Wyoming @ Calvin Christian – DH Kalamazoo Heritage @ Tri-Unity Christian – DH Zion Christian @ Potter’s House – DH West Michigan Aviation @ Holland Calvary – DH East Kentwood @ Hudsonville – DH Girls Softball Middleville T-K @ South Christian – DH Wyoming @ Calvin Christian East Kentwood @ Hudsonville – DH Boys Lacrosse South Christian @ Comstock Park Muskegon Mona Shores @ East Kentwood Boys Golf Coopersville vs Wyoming – @ Gleneagle Tri-Unity Christian vs Fruitport Calvary – @ Oakridge Boys / Girls Track NorthPointe Christian @ Wyoming Lee Godwin Heights @ Calvin Christian Kelloggsville @ Hopkins Girls Soccer Kalamazoo Heritage Christian @ Tri-Unity Christian Grand River Prep @ Zion Christian Union vs West Michigan Aviation – @ East Kentwood East Kentwood @ Rockford Girls Water Polo Rockford @ East Kentwood
WKTV offers on-demand viewing of the Wyoming and Kentwood high school sports, community events, and government meetings. (WKTV)
By WKTV Staff ken@wktv.org
April has a full month of schedules for the local high school sports but needs Mother Nature to cooperate with so many being outdoors. This includes not just baseball and softball, but also golf, lacrosse, soccer, tennis, and both boys and girls track. The indoor seasons are still happening though with water polo in progress as well.
WKTV will once again bring baseball and softball to the viewers with the tentative game this week being the Thursday, April 18, girls softball game of Byron Center at South Christian.
Featured games are broadcast the night of the contest and then at least once later in the week.
WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; Channel 26 is the Government Channel, where local government meetings and events are shown. On AT&T cable throughout the Grand Rapids area, viewers go to Channel 99, and then are given the choice to watch Wyoming (or Kentwood) Community (Channel 25) or Government (Channel 26) channels.
All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvondemand.com.
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.
Following is this week’s schedule:
Monday, April 15 Boys Golf South Christian vs FH Northern – Forest Hills Invite @ Egypt Valley Tri-Unity Christian vs Muskegon Catholic Central @ Muskegon Country Club Girls Tennis Christian @ South Christian Wyoming @ FH Eastern Kelloggsville @ Calvin Christian East Kentwood @ Rockford Boys Lacrosse Comstock Park @ South Christian East Kentwood @ Jenison Girls Soccer South Christian @ East Grand Rapids Wayland @ Wyoming Calvin Christian @ Wyoming Lee Godwin Heights @ Kelloggsville Comstock Park @ Tri-Unity Christian WMAES @ Zion Christian Boys Baseball Kelloggsville @ Wyoming Lee Godwin Heights @ Hopkins Girls Softball Kelloggsville @ Wyoming Lee – DH Godwin Heights @ Hopkins — DH Boys / Girls Track Hudsonville @ East Kentwood
Tuesday, April 16 Boys Baseball Christian @ South Christian – DH Wyoming @ FH Eastern – DH Covenant Christian @ Tri-Unity Christian Holland Calvary @ Zion Christian – DH West Michigan Aviation @ Heritage Christian – DH Grand Haven @ East Kentwood – DH Girls Softball Christian @ South Christian – DH Wyoming @ FH Eastern – DH Grand Haven @ East Kentwood – DH Boys Lacrosse South Christian @ Lowell Girls Soccer Wyoming @ Hudsonville Hornets Calhoun Christian @ Zion Christian Heritage Christian @ West Michigan Aviation Potter’s House @ Fruitport Calvary Christian East Kentwood @ Caledonia Boys / Girls Track West Michigan Aviation @ Wyoming Lee – Small School Meet Kelloggsville @ Godwin Heights Girls Tennis East Kentwood @ FH Northern Boys Golf East Kentwood @ Grand Haven Girls Water Polo Jenison @ East Kentwood
Wednesday, April 17 Boys Golf South Christian vs Christian – @ Quail Ridge Wyoming vs Christian – @ Quail Ridge Kelloggsville vs Tri-Unity Christian – @ Maple Hill Girls Tennis South Christian @ East Grand Rapids Wyoming @ Wayland West Catholic @ Kelloggsville Hudsonville @ East Kentwood Girls Track South Christian @ Middleville T-K Boys / Girls Track Wyoming @ FH Eastern East Kentwood @ Grand Haven Girls Soccer Middleville T-K @ South Christian Hope Academy of WM @ Wyoming Lee Belding @ Godwin Heights NorthPointe Christian @ Kelloggsville Girls Softball Allendale @ Wyoming – DH Wyoming Lee @ Kelloggsville Hopkins @ Godwin Heights Boys Baseball Wyoming Lee @ Kelloggsville Hopkins @ Godwin Heights
Thursday, April 18 Boys Golf Unity Christian vs South Christian – @ Railside Wyoming vs Holland – @ Clearbrook East Kentwood @ Caledonia Boys Baseball South Christian @ Christian FH Eastern vs Wyoming – @ Lamar Park Tri-Unity Christian @ Godwin Heights Algoma Christian @ Zion Christian – DH East Kentwood @ Grand Haven Girls Softball Byron Center @ South Christian – DH Wyoming @ Hudsonville – DH West Ottawa @ East Kentwood Boys Lacrosse East Kentwood @ South Christian Girls Soccer East Kentwood @ Wyoming Tri-Unity Christian @ Grand River Prep Holland Black River @ Zion Christian Boys / Girls Track Wyoming Lee @ Godwin Heights Girls Water Polo East Kentwood @ FH Central
Friday, April 19 Boys Golf Lowell vs Wyoming – @ Gleneagle Kelloggsville vs Hopkins – @ Orchard Hills Girls Soccer Wyoming @ Wyoming Lee Godwin Heights @ Potter’s House Calvin Christian @ Kelloggsville Wellsprings Prep @ West Michigan Aviation Boys Baseball Hastings @ Kelloggsville Girls Water Polo @ East Kentwood – EK Invite
Saturday, April 20 Girls Tennis South Christian @ Ann Arbor Greenhills @ Kelloggsville – Rocket Tournament East Kentwood @ Holt Boys / Girls Track Wyoming @ Wyoming Lee – Solis Invitational Kelloggsville @ Wyoming Lee – Solis Invitational West Michigan Aviation @Wyoming Lee – Solis Invitational Godwin Heights @ Ottawa Hills – GR Elite Challenge at Houseman Field Boys Golf Tri-Unity Christian vs Kent City – Eagles Invitational @ The Falls at Barber Creek Kelloggsville vs Kent City – Eagle Invite Girls Water Polo @ East Kentwood – EK Invite Boys Baseball East Kentwood @ Kenowa Hills Girls Softball East Kentwood @ Muskegon Mona Shores – DH Boys Lacrosse East Kentwood @ East Lansing
Monday, April 22 Boys Golf South Christian vs Middleville T-K – @ Yankee Springs Wyoming vs Middleville T-K – @ Yankee Springs Kelloggsville vs NorthPointe Christian – @ Egypt Valley East Kentwood @ Rockford Girls Tennis Middleville T-K @ South Christian Kelloggsville @ Comstock Park East Kentwood @ Caledonia Girls Softball South Christian @ Holland Christian Wyoming @ Hamilton – DH Wyoming Lee @ Belding – DH Calvin Christian @ Kelloggsville – DH Girls Soccer South Christian @ East Kentwood Christian @ Wyoming Godwin Heights @ NorthPointe Christian Hopkins @ Wyoming Lee Kelloggsville @ Belding Heritage Christian Academy @ Zion Christian South Haven @ West Michigan Aviation Boys Baseball Wyoming Lee @ Belding Calvin Christian @Kelloggsville West Michigan Aviation @ Martin – DH Holland Black River @ Potter’s House – DH Boys / Girls Track East Kentwood @ West Ottawa
South Christian High School won a district championship this past season in no small part but to senior guard Sydney Cleary. (WKTV)
By Drew Dargavell, WKTV Sports Intern ken@wktv.org
After dedicating three seasons to the South Christian High School Lady Sailors varsity basketball team, senior guard Sydney Cleary was recently recognized as an AP All-State honorable mention athlete.
Cleary has helped lead her team to back-to-back district titles by being a steady ball handler and floor leader, while also being a playmaker that’s not afraid to take the shots. Cleary led the team in assists all three years she was on varsity, averaging five per-game her junior year, and setting the school record with 13 in one game.
“I like to pass the ball a lot and get my teammates the opportunity to score as much as I can” Cleary told WKTV after their 2019 district title win. “But I also work on my own game when I need to and when my team needs it from me.”
This is not the first time Cleary has been recognized for her on-court skills, as she was named one of the top 100 girls basketball players in Michigan by the Detroit Free Press. Cleary was also named to the second team Advance All-Area her junior year, and has earned All-Conference honors.
“Sydney is a good decision-maker and smart player,” South Christian head coach Kim Legge previously said about her star point guard. “Sydney is a true point guard, she is a solid ball-handler and sees the court extremely well.”
Two other local girls earned AP All-State honors, both from East Kentwood.
Senior guard Alona Blackwell made the Division 1, Second Team All-State. Blackwell is a strong perimeter shooter, who was a four-year starter with the Falcons. As a freshman she was named the Freshman Player of the Year in Grand Rapids. Blackwell led the team in assists back-to-back seasons and finished her junior and senior seasons as the Falcons’ leading scorer. She averaged 16.9 points and six assists per game her junior year, which earned her All-State Honorable Mention. During the summer of 2018, Blackwell was named Grand Rapids All-City Female Basketball Player of the Year. She will be continuing her basketball career at Oakland University next year, after receiving offers from Penn State, Minnesota, Akron, Marquette and Eastern Michigan.
The other player from East Kentwood is Mauriya Barnes, who was named to the Division 1 All-State honorable mentions. Her sophomore year she helped East Kentwood make a run to the Breslin Center, where they fell just short in the championship game to Flushing High School. During her junior year, she helped lead her team to their first undefeated regular season. Barnes averaged 11 points, 4 assists, and 4 steals per game as a junior. She has committed to play basketball at South Carolina State next year.
Six local players honored on boys AP teams
There are six boys from local teams to earn AP All-State honors, coming from East Kentwood, Wyoming High, Godwin Heights, South Christian, Potters house, and Tri-unity Christian.
The lone player to make First Team All-State from their respective division is Bennett Sinner of Division 4 Tri-unity Christian. Sinner is a 6-foot-1 guard, who averaged 13 points and 6.5 rebounds a game for the Defenders. Sinner led the charge for the Defenders, who made a run to the state semifinals this season.
In Division 1, East Kentwood’s Ja’Moni Jones was named to the Second Team All-State. Jones is a 6-foot-1 junior point guard who was ranked as the number 36 high school player in the state of Michigan by the Detroit Free press. Jones is ranked as the fifth best high school basketball prospect in Michigan, in the 2020 class by PrepHoops.
The other four players remaining earned All-State honorable mentions.
Menalito McGee out of Wyoming High School earned an honorable mention in Division 1. McGee is a 5-foot-7 junior point guard, who set a school record for single-game points, scoring 37 against Northview. McGee also holds the school record for most three-pointer’s made in a single game, with seven on Nov 30, 2018 against Grandville, surpassing his previous record of six. McGee is also second in single-season three’s made with 67 in the 2017-2018 season.
Two honorable mentions come out of Division 2. Those players are Jamaal Bailey of Godwin Heights, and Luke Schrotenboer of South Christian.
Bailey landed First Team All-Conference honors this season, after helping lead Godwin Heights to an OK-Silver conference championship, going 12-0 in conference play.
Schrotenboer is a 6-foot-4 small forward and senior leader for South Christian, helping lead them to a second straight district title, and this year, a regional title. Schrotenboer has received an offer to play basketball at Cornerstone University.
The final honorable mention is Ben Clark from Division 3’s Potter’s House. Clark was the Puma’s senior captain, who averaged 12 points per-game his junior year and was First Team All-Conference two year in a row. Clark led the team to a 19-2 record this season and an appearance in the District 75 championship game.
WKTV offers on-demand viewing of the Wyoming and Kentwood high school sports, community events, and government meetings. (WKTV)
By Mike Moll, WKTV Volunteer Sports Director sports@wktv.org
April has a full month of schedules for the local high school sports but needs Mother Nature to cooperate with so many being outdoors. This includes not just baseball and softball, but also golf, lacrosse, soccer, tennis, and both boys and girls track. The indoor seasons are still happening though with water polo in progress as well.
WKTV will once again bring water polo, baseball, and softball to the viewers with a trio of programs over the course of the month.
The tentative schedule is:
Thursday, April 11, girls water polo, West Ottawa at East Kentwood Thursday, April 18, girls softball, Byron Center at South Christian Wednesday, April 24, girls softball, Belding at Wyoming Lee
Featured games are broadcast the night of the contest and then at least once later in the week.
WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; Channel 26 is the Government Channel, where local government meetings and events are shown. On AT&T cable throughout the Grand Rapids area, viewers go to Channel 99, and then are given the choice to watch Wyoming (or Kentwood) Community (Channel 25) or Government (Channel 26) channels.
All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvondemand.com.
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.
Following is this week’s schedule:
Tuesday, Nov. 27 Boys Basketball South Christian @ East Kentwood Wyoming Lee @ Saugatuck Creative Tech @ West Michigan Aviation
Monday, April 8 Girls Softball Belding @ Godwin Heights – DH NorthPointe Christian @ Kelloggsville West Michigan Aviation @ Barry County Christian Boys Baseball Belding @ Godwin Heights NorthPointe Christian @ Kelloggsville Girls Soccer West Michigan Aviation @ NorthPointe Christian
Tuesday, April 9 Girls Tennis East Kentwood @ South Christian — Cookie Invite Wyoming @ Jenison Boys Baseball South Christian @ Wayland – DH Wyoming Lee @ Barry County Christian – DH Grand Rapids Crusaders @ Tri-Unity Christian Potter’s House @ Zion Christian East Kentwood @ Rockford – DH Boys Lacrosse South Christian @ Kenowa Hills Girls Soccer South Christian @ Wayland Covenant Christian @ Godwin Heights Tri-unity Christian @ Kelloggsville Zion Christian @ Potter’s House Ottawa Hills @ West Michigan Aviation Grandville @ East Kentwood Boys/ Girls Track Kelloggsville @ Wyoming Lee Boys Golf Kelloggsville vs Calvin Christian @ Pines East Kentwood @ Grandville Girls Softball East Kentwood @ Cedar Springs — DH Girls Water Polo East Kentwood @ Zeeland West
Wednesday, April 10 Boys Golf South Christian – Kent County Classic @ Kent Country Club Wellsprings Prep vs Tri-Unity Christian @ Maple Hill East Kentwood – Kent County Classic @ Thornapple Pointe Girls Track South Christian @ East Grand Rapids Boys / Girls Track Wyoming @ Christian Caledonia @ East Kentwood Girls Tennis Wayland @ South Christian East Grand Rapids @ Wyoming Boys Baseball East Grand Rapids @ Wyoming – DH Godwin Heights @ Belding Kelloggsville @ NorthPointe Christian Girls Soccer East Grand Rapids @ Wyoming Wyoming Lee @ Belding Kelloggsville @ Calvin Christian Girls Softball Godwin Heights @ Belding Kelloggsville @ NorhtPointe Christian Unity Christian @ East Kentwood Boys Lacrosse Northview @ East Kentwood
Thursday, April 11 Boys Baseball Wayland @ South Christian Wyoming @ East Grand Rapids Zion Christian @ Tri-Unity Christian – DH West Michigan Aviation @ Potter’s House @ Pinery Park – DH Rockford @ East Kentwood Boys Lacrosse Jenison @ South Christian Lowell @ East Kentwood Girls Soccer Christian @ South Christian FH Eastern @ Wyoming Tri-unity Christian @ Hudsonville Hornets Zion Christian @ Fruitport Calvary Christian West Michigan Aviation @ Potter’s House East Kentwood @ Grand Haven Girls Softball East Grand Rapids @ Wyoming – DH Godwin Heights @ Plainwell – DH Hudsonville @ East Kentwood Boys / Girls Track Calvin Christian @ Wyoming Lee West Michigan Aviation @ Godwin Heights Kelloggsville @ Belding Girls Tennis @ East Kentwood Girls Water Polo West Ottawa @ East Kentwood
Friday, April 12 Girls Softball Wyoming @ Byron Center Boys Baseball Wyoming Lee @ Zion Christian – DH Barry County Christian @ Potter’s House — DH Girls Soccer Wyoming Lee @ Hopkins Union @ Godwin Heights Saugatuck @ Kelloggsville Girls Tennis Kelloggsville @ Holland Girls Water Polo East Kentwood @ Saline
Saturday, April 13 Girls Tennis South Christian @ East Kentwood – EK Invite Kelloggsville @ Wyoming – Wyoming Invitational @ East Kentwood – EK Invitational Boys Golf South Christian vs Christian – GRCHS Invite @ Quail Ridge Kelloggsville vs Kenowa Hills – Wilson Classic East Kentwood @ Rockford Girls Track South Christian @ Unity Christian – Houseward Invite Boys / Girls Track Wyoming @ Comstock Park West Michigan Aviation @ Lakewood East Kentwood @ Mansfield – Mehock Relays Boys Baseball South Christian @ East Kentwood – Bosma Invite Godwin Heights @ Wyoming – Wyoming Invite Kelloggsville @ Wyoming – Wyoming Invite Union @ Wyoming Lee — DH Girls Softball South Christian @ East Kentwood – Bosma Invite Girls Soccer South Christian @ Caledonia Zion Christian @ Tri-Unity Christian Girls Water Polo East Kentwood @ Saline
Monday, April 15 Boys Golf South Christian vs FH Northern – Forest Hills Invite @ Egypt Valley Tri-Unity Christian vs Muskegon Catholic Central @ Muskegon Country Club Girls Tennis Christian @ South Christian Wyoming @ FH Eastern Kelloggsville @ Calvin Christian East Kentwood @ Rockford Boys Lacrosse Comstock Park @ South Christian East Kentwood @ Jenison Girls Soccer South Christian @ East Grand Rapids Wayland @ Wyoming Calvin Christian @ Wyoming Lee Godwin Heights @ Kelloggsville Comstock Park @ Tri-Unity Christian WMAES @ Zion Christian Boys Baseball Kelloggsville @ Wyoming Lee Godwin Heights @ Hopkins Girls Softball Kelloggsville @ Wyoming Lee – DH Godwin Heights @ Hopkins — DH Boys / Girls Track Hudsonville @ East Kentwood
WKTV Community Media’s cable channels began this week the airing of a new program called Breathe In The Grand, which will run Mondays at 10 a.m. and Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. The program is hosted by Pamela Keim, and the latest episode of the show features local celebrity Mike Knuble, a professional hockey player from Kentwood.
National Hockey League player Mike Knuble, a 16-year veteran of the NHL who started his NHL journey here in West Michigan, shares his local connection with Pamela Keim, of Grand Tap Media.
Mike Knuble
According to supplied information, Knuble talks about East Kentwood High School, playing Canada, death of his dad at the age of 15, University of Michigan, being traded by the Detroit Red Wings, playing in the Big Apple (New York City) and playing with legendary Wayne Gretzky, social media and today’s coverage of sports, coaching, and being in the NHL Hall of Fame.
Part 2 of the interview will air the following week, Monday, April 8 and Tuesday, April 9.
East Kentwood High School’s 2018-19 team. (Supplied/East Kentwood Falcons)
By Mike Moll, WKTV Volunteer Sports Director sports@wktv.org
The East Kentwood Falcons and record-setting coach Jeff Anama’s basketball season came to an end Tuesday night at Caledonia High School, losing to Okemos, 50-45. And while their march toward MSU and the state championship game Saturday may have hit a road block, this team accomplished something that hadn’t been done by a boys basketball team from East Kentwood since 1998 — advancing to the quarterfinals.
The Falcons’ tournament run didn’t come easy as they survived three district games by a total of 11 points to advance to regionals.
The difference between winning and losing was just as small in the regional round when the Falcons won two games by a total of seven points. Three of their post season wins were against teams the Falcons had lost to on four occasions during the regular season.
“The guys never lost faith in each other and were better prepared for the rematch,” coach Anama said to WKTV. “When a team wins a couple of tough games, things can start rolling.”
Anama passed former East Kentwood coach Mickey Phelps in all-time coaching wins at the school with the regional championship win, which was his 220th.
Their final game of the season was a continuation of tight games as the largest lead by either team was seven points.
Okemos led 20-13 early in the second quarter, but East Kentwood came back with 14 straight to take a 27-20 lead early in the third quarter. Okemos, though, came back with 14 straight points of their own at the end of that quarter and to start the fourth to take a 44-37 lead.
The first quarter had both teams trading baskets as neither team had more than a two-point lead until just before the buzzer when Okemos leading scorer Evan Thomas hit a 3-pointer and was fouled by East Kentwood’s Josh Mayhue. After he converted the 4-point play, Okemos led 17-13 to close the quarter. Evans led all scorers with 10 points.
The second quarter was a very quiet stanza where the Falcons were able to take the lead at the half 22-20. Thomas had the only Okemos’ points as he connected on a 3-pointer in the first 20 seconds, but soon after picked up his second personal foul and had to sit for over half of the quarter. The Falcons were able to take advantage as they went on their run which included triples from Christopher Brown and Ryel Daye. Daye led the way with 10 points at the break.
It seemed like the Falcons were ready to take control early in the second half after five consecutive points from Daye, but the Chiefs were quick to respond with a pair of buckets, and a made foul shot in between, all by Grant Holtzer, and another triple by Evans. But East Kentwood held a 37-34 lead heading into the decisive fourth quarter.
However, the Falcons then hurt their cause by committing six of their unofficial 12 turnovers in that final quarter alone.
“The difference tonight was they won the fourth quarter as we didn’t finish strong, and they made free throws,” Anama said.
The Falcons totaled eight points in the fourth, but gave up 16 to close out the game and their season. Okemos guard Fabian Leone came alive with eight points, including a pair of 3-pointers, and Evans hit four key free throws late to put the final score out of reach.
The Falcons finish 16-10 on the season and were led by senior Daye with 19, junior Ja’moni Jones with nine, senior Brown with seven, and junior Jordan Jackson with six.
Okemos, now with a 23-2 record, was led by Evans with a game high 22 points, Leone with 10, and Holtzer with nine. The Chiefs will now face 24-2 Detroit U-D Jesuit in the Division 1 semifinals at MSU Friday, March 15.
WKTV’s coverage of girls high school basketball continues this month with District tournament play. (WKTV)
By WKTV Staff ken@wktv.org
Wyoming and Kentwood area girls basketball teams will be in district play this week, but you will need to travel a little to catch any of the action live as the nearest district tournament site is at Grand Rapids Christian, where Kentwood Grand River Prep, West Michigan Aviation, Godwin Heights, Kelloggsville and South Christian will all be in action.
And at GR Christian is where WKTV’s featured high school sports coverage team will be this week, starting Wednesday, March 6, and continuing coverage of the tournament on Friday, March 8. Additionally, WKTV will file WKTV Journal online-print reports on the results of all the games involving local teams as the week goes on.
At Christian, action begins Monday, March 4, in the Division 2 District 44 tournament, where West Michigan Aviation (9-11) and Godwin Heights (7-10) play at 5:30 p.m., and Grand River Prep (9-8) vs. GR Christian (10-10) @ 7 p.m.
The tournament will continue on Wednesday, March 6, with the W. Mich. Aviation/Godwin Heights winner vs. Kelloggsville (12-8) at 5:30 p.m., and the Grand River Prep/Christian winner vs. South Christian (11-9) at 7 p.m. The winners will then play Friday, March 8, at 8 p.m. for a spot in the Regional 11 tournament at Coopersville.
Division 1 District 11 at East Grand Rapids
At the Division 1 District 11 tournament at East Grand Rapids, the Monday games will have East Kentwood (15-4) vs. Grandville (4×16) at 6 p.m., and East Grand Rapids (18-2) vs. GR Ottawa Hills (15-5) at 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 6, games at East Grand Rapids will have the East Kentwood/Grandville winner vs. Wyoming (8-12) at 6 p.m., and the East Grand Rapids/Ottawa Hills winner vs. Byron Center (15-5) at 7:30 p.m. The winners will play Friday, March 8, at 7 p.m., for a spot in the Regional 3 tournament at Grand Haven.
Division 3 District 74 at Saugatuck
At the Division 3 District 74 tournament at Saugatuck, the Monday games will be Fennville (8-12) vs. Wyoming Potter’s House (13) at 6 p.m., and Grandville Calvin Christian (6-11) vs. Holland Black River (8-11) at 7 p.m.
Wednesday games at Saugatuck will have the Fennville/Potter’s House winner vs. Covenant Christian (4-15) at 5:30 p.m., and the Calvin Christian/Holland Black River winner vs. Saugatuck (9-11) at 7 p.m. The winners will play Friday, March 8, at 6 p.m., for a spot in the Regional 19 tournament at Kent City.
Division 4 at Martin and Muskegon Catholic Central
At the Division 4 District 114 tournament at Martin, the Monday game will be Covert (5-12) vs. West Michigan Lutheran (14-6) at 6:30 p.m. On Wednesday, March 6, the games will be Lawrence (4-15) vs. Byron Center Zion Christian (8-11) at 5:30 p.m., and the Covert/West Michigan Lutheran winner vs. Martin (15-3) at 7 p.m.
Also in Division 4, at the District 113 at Muskegon Catholic Central, starting on Wednesday, March 6, the games will have Muskegon Heights Academy (0-16) vs. Fruitport Calvary Christian (15-5) at 5:30 p.m., and Tri-unity Christian (2-17) vs. Muskegon Catholic Central (6-13) at 7:15 p.m.
The winners from the Wednesday District 113 games will play Friday at 7 p.m., at Muskegon Catholic Central, while the winners from the Wednesday District 114 games will play Friday at 6:30 p.m. at Martin. Both district winners will move on to play at the Regional 29 tournament at Mendon.
Featured game coverage
Featured games are broadcast the night of the contest and then at least once later in the week.
All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvondemand.com.
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.
A previous game televised by WKTV at Wyoming High School. (WKTV)
By K.D. Norris ken@wktv.org
Wyoming, South Christian and Tri-unity Christian high schools will each host boys basketball state playoff District opening-round tournaments, starting Monday for some, and each concluding with championship games on Friday, March 1.
South Christian (16-4, 10-2 in OK Gold) will enter district play as a conference champion. In the same district tournament will be Wyoming Godwin Heights (15-5, 12-0 in OK Silver), also a conference champion. They could meet in a district semifinal on Wednesday, Feb. 27, at South Christian.
So, WKTV’s featured high school sports coverage teams will be at South Christian starting Wednesday, Feb. 27, and will continue coverage of the tournament on Friday. Additionally, WKTV will file WKTV Journal online-print reports on the results of all the games involving local teams as the week goes on.
Wyoming Potter’s House (18-1, 8-0 in Alliance League) was also its conference champion, edging out Tri-unity Christian (17-3, 7-1 in Alliance League) by virtue of a 54-53 win on the road at Tri-unity in January.
Division 1 tournament at Wyoming
The Division 1 District 11 tournament at Wyoming will open with games Monday, Feb. 25, with Byron Center (5-15 record on the season) squaring off against East Kentwood (11-9) at 6 p.m. and Ottawa Hills (2-16, before a Feb. 22 game vs. Lowell) vs. Wyoming (8-11) following at 7:30 p.m.
The winners of the Monday games will play Wednesday, Feb. 27, with the winner of the Byron Center/East Kentwood game playing East Grand Rapids (7-13) at 6 p.m., and the Ottawa Hills/Wyoming winner playing Caledonia (4-15) at 7:30 p.m.
The winners of the Wednesday games will play for the district title March 1 at 7 p.m., and then move on to the Regional 3 at Holland West Ottawa.
Division 2 tournament at South Christian
In the Division 1 District 44 tournament, South Christian will play in the opening-round, Monday game, on their home floor, playing Wyoming Kelloggsville (4×16, 3-9 in OK Silver) at 7 p.m.
The tournament continues on Wednesday, Feb. 27, with Grand River Prep (10-4) playing West Michigan Aviation Academy (9-11, 5-4 in Alliance League) at 5:30 p.m., and the Kelloggsville/South Christian winner playing Godwin Heights at 7:30 p.m.
The winners of the Wednesday games will play for the district title March 1 at 7 p.m., and then move on to the Regional 11 at Fremont.
Division 4 tournament at Tri-unity Christian
In the Division 4 District 114 tournament, starting on Wednesday, Feb. 27, Zion Christian (6-13) will play host Tri-unity Christian (17-3, 7-1 in Alliance League) at 7 p.m. In the other game, Holland Calvary (11-6) will play Martin (13-3) at 5:30 p.m.
The winners of the Wednesday games will play for the district title March 1 at 6:30 p.m., and then move on to the Region 29 at Mendon.
Other local teams in District play
In the Division 2 District 43 tournament, this one at Ada Forest Hills Eastern, Wyoming Lee (2-17, 1-11 in OK Silver) will play the winner of a Monday game between Wellspring Prep (5-13) and Forest Hills Eastern (11-9), in a second round game Wednesday, Feb. 27, at 7:30 p.m. In the other Wednesday game in this tournament, Grand Rapids Catholic (17-2) against the winner of a Monday game between Grand Rapids West Catholic (10-8) and Grand Rapids Christian (14-5).
The winners of the Wednesday games at Forest Hills Eastern will play for the district title March 1 at 7 p.m., and then move on to the Regional 11 at Fremont.
Finally, in a Division 3 District 75 tournament at Grandville Calvin Christian, Wyoming Potter’s House will play the winner of a Monday contest between Covenant Christian (7-13) and Fennville (10-10), with the second round game on Wednesday, Feb. 27, at 5:30 p.m. In the other Wednesday game, Calvin Christian (8-10) will play the winner of a Monday game between Holland Black River (3-17) and Saugatuck (3-15).
The winners of the Wednesday games at Calvin Christian will play for the district title March 1 at 7 p.m. and then move on to the Regional 19 at NorthPointe Christian.
Other local sports schedule:
Monday, Feb. 25 Boys Basketball East Kentwood vs Byron Center @ Wyoming – Division 1 MHSAA Districts Kelloggsville @ South Christian – Division 2 MHSAA Districts
Tuesday, Feb. 26 Girls Basketball East Kentwood @ Christian Tri-Unity Christian @ Godwin Heights Wyoming @ Union West Michigan Lutheran @ Potter’s House Grand River Prep @ Muskegon Catholic Central FH Northern @ South Christian Boys Hockey @ East Kentwood – MHSAA Regionals Boys Swimming South Christian @ Holland
Wednesday, Feb. 27 Boys Swimming @ East Kentwood – Second Shave Meet
Thursday, Feb. 28 Boys Swimming @ East Kentwood – MHSAA Diving Regionals Girls Basketball Kelloggsville @ Tri-Unity Christian Holton @ Wyoming Lee – Senior Night Grand River Prep @ Zion Christian Potter’s House @ Wellsprings Prep South Christian @ Byron Center
Featured games are broadcast the night of the contest and then at least once later in the week.
WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; Channel 26 is the Government Channel, where local government meetings and events are shown. On AT&T cable throughout the Grand Rapids area, viewers go to Channel 99, and then are given the choice to watch Wyoming (or Kentwood) Community (Channel 25) or Government (Channel 26) channels.
All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvondemand.com.
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.
WKTV offers on-demand viewing of the Wyoming and Kentwood high school sports, community events, and government meetings. (WKTV)
Mike Moll, WKTV Volunteer Sports Director sports@WKTV.org
Only one more week before the boys basketball playoffs start, but WKTV’s featured high school sports contests this week include a boys basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 19, with Belding at Wyoming Lee as well as a Friday, Feb. 22, boys hockey contest with Grand Rapids Christian at East Kentwood.
Later in the month and in early March, WKTV plans to send it coverage crew to boys basket district playoff sites for games that have our schools playing in.
Starting Monday, Feb. 25 and continuing Wednesday, Feb. 27, with finals on Friday, Feb. 27, local possibilities include the Division 1 district group at East Kentwood and/or the Division 2 district group at South Christian.
Starting Monday, March 4, and continuing Wednesday, March 6, with finals Friday, March 8, local teams will be playing in the Division 1 district group at East Grand Rapids and the Division 2 district group at Grand Rapids Christian.
In addition our featured games — where our sports crew and remote coverage truck will be on hand — we also have a weekly list of all local sporting contests for local fans to get out and enjoy in person — including state-level completions in bowling, swimming and competitive cheer.
Featured games are broadcast the night of the contest and then at least once later in the week.
WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; Channel 26 is the Government Channel, where local government meetings and events are shown. On AT&T cable throughout the Grand Rapids area, viewers go to Channel 99, and then are given the choice to watch Wyoming (or Kentwood) Community (Channel 25) or Government (Channel 26) channels.
All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvondemand.com.
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.
Tuesday, Feb. 19 Boys Basketball Grandville @ East Kentwood Calvin Christian @ Kelloggsville East Grand Rapids @ Wyoming – Senior Night Belding @ Wyoming Lee – WKTV Featured Event Fennville @ Tri-Unity Christian Holland Black River @ Zion Christian Holland Calvary @ West Michigan Aviation WMAES @ West Michigan Lutheran Fruitport Calvary Christian @ Grand River Prep Wayland @ South Christian Girls Basketball East Kentwood @ Grandville Kelloggsville @ Calvin Christian Wyoming @ East Grand Rapids Wyoming Lee @ West Michigan Aviation Fennville @ Tri-Unity Christian Holland Black River @ Zion Christian Martin @ Potter’s House WMAES @ West Michigan Lutheran Fruitport Calvary Christian @ Grand River Prep South Christian @ Wayland Boys/Girls Bowling Kelloggsville @ Godwin Heights Potter’s House @ Wyoming Lee
Wednesday, Feb. 20 Boys Hockey East Kentwood @ FH Northern Girls Basketball Godwin Heights @ Benton Harbor South Christian @ Hudsonville
Thursday, Feb. 21 Boys Swimming East Kentwood @ Hudsonville – Diving Prelims Boys Basketball Tri-Unity Christian @ West Michigan Aviation West Michigan Lutheran @ Battle Creek Academy Girls Basketball Tri-Unity Christian @ West Michigan Aviation Potter’s House @ NorthPointe Christian
Friday, Feb. 22 Boys/Girls Bowling @ Jenison – Fairlanes Bowling Center – Division 1 MHSAA Team Regionals @ Vicksburg – Continental Lanes – Division 2 MHSAA Team Regionals @ Catholic Central – Park Center Lanes – Division 3 MHSAA Team Regionals @ Lake Odessa Lakewood – M-66 Bowl – Division 3 MHSAA Team Regionals @ Holton – Sherman Bowling Center – Division 4 MHSAA Team Regionals Boys Swimming East Kentwood @ Hudsonville – Swimming Prelims South Christian @ Hastings Boys Basketball Grand Haven @ East Kentwood Calvin Christian @ Godwin Heights Kelloggsville @ Covenant Christian Wyoming @ Middleville T-K Wyoming Lee @ NorthPointe Christian Tri-Unity Christian @ Muskegon Oakridge Calhoun Christian @ Zion Christian Potter’s House @ Lansing Christian Sparta @ Grand River Prep South Christian @ FH Eastern Girls Basketball Grand Haven @ East Kentwood Calvin Christian @ Godwin Heights Kelloggsville @ Holland Black River Wyoming @ Middleville T-K Calhoun Christian @ Zion Christian Potter’s House @ Lansing Christian Tri-Unity Christian @ West Michigan Lutheran Grand River Prep @ Lakewood Lake Odessa South Christian @ FH Eastern Boys Hockey Christian @ East Kentwood – WKTV Featured Event Girls Gymnastics Potter’s House @ Lowell
Saturday, Feb. 23 Boys/Girls Bowling @ Jenison – Fairlanes Bowling Center – Division 1 MHSAA Individual Regionals @ Vicksburg – Continental Lanes – Division 2 MHSAA Individual Regionals @ Catholic Central – Park Center Lanes – Division 3 MHSAA Individual Regionals @ Lake Odessa Lakewood – M-66 Bowl – Division 3 MHSAA Individual Regionals @ Holton – Sherman Bowling Center – Division 4 MHSAA Individual Regionals Boys Swimming East Kentwood @ Hudsonville South Christian @ Hastings Boys Hockey East Kentwood @ East Grand Rapids Girls Cheer @ Hartland – Division 1 MHSAA Regionals @ Kenowa Hills – Division 2 MHSAA Regionals @ Rockford – Division 3 MHSAA Regionals @ Caledonia – Division 4 MHSAA Regionals Boys Basketball West Michigan Lutheran @ Battle Creek Academy Girls Basketball East Kentwood @ Union
Monday, Feb. 25 Boys Basketball East Kentwood vs Byron Center @ Wyoming – Division 1 MHSAA Districts Kelloggsville @ South Christian – Division 2 MHSAA Districts
WKTV offers on-demand viewing of the Wyoming and Kentwood high school sports, community events, and government meetings. (WKTV)
Mike Moll, WKTV Volunteer Sports Director sports@WKTV.org
With the playoffs looming, WKTV’s featured high school game this week will be a Friday, Feb. 15, boys and girls basketball games with Middleville Thronapple-Kellogg at South Christian.
The rest of the tentative monthly featured game coverage schedule is:
Tuesday, Feb. 19: Boys basketball, Belding at Wyoming Lee Friday, Feb. 22: Boys Hockey, Grand Rapids Christian at East Kentwood Week of February 25–29: Boys basketball, TBD
In addition our featured games — where our sports crew and remote coverage truck will be on hand — we also have a weekly list of all local sporting contests for local fans to get out and enjoy in person.
Featured games are broadcast the night of the contest and then at least once later in the week.
WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; Channel 26 is the Government Channel, where local government meetings and events are shown. On AT&T cable throughout the Grand Rapids area, viewers go to Channel 99, and then are given the choice to watch Wyoming (or Kentwood) Community (Channel 25) or Government (Channel 26) channels.
All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvondemand.com.
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.
Following is this week’s schedule:
Monday, Feb. 11 Boys/Girls Bowling Rockford @ East Kentwood Godwin Heights @ Wyoming Lee Hopkins @ Kelloggsville Wyoming @ East Grand Rapids Girls Cheer Wyoming @ FH Eastern Girls Basketball Zion Christian @ Saugatuck Girls Gymnastics Potter’s House @ Rockford Boys Basketball Muskegon Catholic Central @ Grand River Prep
Tuesday, Feb. 12 Boys/Girls Bowling East Kentwood @ Hudsonville Wyoming @ Middleville T-K Crossroads Charter Academy @ Potter’s House South Christian @ East Grand Rapids Boys Basketball East Kentwood @ Hudsonville Wyoming Lee @ Godwin Heights Kelloggsville @ Hopkins Christian @ Wyoming – Teacher Appreciation Night Holland Black River @ Tri-Unity Christian Western Michigan Christian @ Zion Christian Kalamazoo Hackett @ Potter’s House West Michigan Aviation @ Martin West Michigan Lutheran @ Algoma Christian South Christian @ Covenant Christian Girls Basketball Hudsonville @ East Kentwood Hopkins @ Kelloggsville Wyoming @ Christian Holland Black River @ Tri-Unity Christian Zion Christian @ Muskegon Catholic Central West Michigan Aviation @ Martin West Michigan Lutheran @ Algoma Christian Covenant Christian @ South Christian Boys Swimming South Christian @ Ottawa Hills
Wednesday, Feb. 13 Boys Wrestling Wyoming Lee @ MHSAA Team Regionals Boys/Girls Bowling Hudsonville @ East Kentwood Calvin Christian @ Godwin Heights Wyoming Lee @ NorthPointe Christian Girls Cheer East Kentwood @ Comstock Park Wyoming @ Comstock Park Godwin Heights @ Hopkins Kelloggsville @ Hopkins
Thursday, Feb. 14 Boys/Girls Bowling Grand Haven @ East Kentwood Calvin Christian @ Kelloggsville Tri-Unity Christian @ Potter’s House – Boys only FH Eastern @ South Christian
Friday, Feb. 15 Boys Basketball East Kentwood @ Rockford Godwin Heights @ NorthPointe Christian Belding @ Kelloggsville Hudsonville @ Wyoming – Hall of Fame Night Wyoming Lee @ Hopkins Covenant Christian @ Tri-Unity Christian Zion Christian @ Calvary Christian Potter’s House @ West Michigan Aviation West Michigan Lutheran @ Barry County Christian Grand River Prep @ Holland Calvary Middleville T-K @ South Christian – WKTV Featured Event Girls Basketball East Kentwood @ Rockford Godwin Heights @ NorthPointe Christian Belding @ Kelloggsville Hudsonville @ Wyoming – Hall of Fame Night Covenant Christian @ Tri-Unity Christian Zion Christian @ Calvary Christian Potter’s House @ West Michigan Aviation West Michigan Lutheran @ Barry County Christian Hopkins @ Grand River Prep Middleville T-K @ South Christian – WKTV Featured Event Boys Hockey East Kentwood @ Muskegon Reeths-Puffer Girls Cheer Wyoming @ Muskegon Mona Shores – Division 2 MHSAA Districts Godwin Heights @ Comstock Park – MHSAA Districts Kelloggsville @ Comstock Park – MHSAA Districts Wyoming Lee @ Comstock Park – MHSAA Districts Girls Gymnastics @ Potter’s House
Saturday, Feb. 16 Boys/Girls Bowling East Kentwood @ Grandville Godwin Heights @ Calvin Christian Kelloggsville @ Calvin Christian Wyoming Lee @ Calvin Christian Wyoming @ Christian Boys Wrestling @ Grand Haven – MHSAA Individual Regionals Girls Dance East Kentwood @ Davenport University Invite Girls Cheer East Kentwood @ Rockford – Division 1 MHSAA Districts Godwin Heights @ Comstock Park – Division 3 MHSAA Districts Kelloggsville @ Comstock Park – Division 3 MHSAA Districts Wyoming Lee @ Comstock Park – Division 3 MHSAA Districts Boys Hockey East Kentwood @ West Ottawa
By Drew Dargavell, WKTV Sports Intern ken@wktv.org
Competitive Cheer, a growing sport in the state of Michigan, requires great stamina, physical strength, and athletic ability. And unlike some other states, the Michigan High School Athletic Association recognizes the female participants in Girls Competitive Cheer as athletes.
For those unfamiliar with competitive cheer, it consists of three rounds of competition. Each team is scored for each particular round and it’s requirements. The different rounds serve to highlight the strengths of a team in different aspects of cheer.
To get a more inside look into West Michigan cheer, WKTV caught up with cheer coaches from two local teams with different goals and outlooks. Chris Hudson coaches Division 1 East Kentwood, which not only won their conference last year, but also districts, regionals, and went to the state championships. Viktoria Lissner, from Division 3 Godwin Heights, coaches a team that finished last in their division last year but still has plenty of heart.
The common theme for both of these teams, however, is that cheer is more than just a sport to these athletes.
“Cheer for us is about the team bonding and being a part of something here at Godwin,” Lissner said to WKTV.
At Kentwood, they are in it to win it.
“For a lot of these girls, it’s the only sport that they do, they’ve been doing it since they were little kids and it means everything (to them),” Hudson said to WKTV.
This video story and all sports news segments are available on the WKTV YouTube channel. All featured games covered by WKTV’s sports coverage crew, as well as other community events covered, are available on-demand at wktvondemand.com .
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports .
WKTV offers on-demand viewing of the Wyoming and Kentwood high school sports, community events, and government meetings. (WKTV)
Mike Moll, WKTV Volunteer Sports Director sports@WKTV.org
February will bring some MHSAA State tournaments starting already as the high school winter seasons begin to wrap up, this includes girls cheer, boys wrestling, boys bowling, girls bowling and, starting the last week of the month, boys basketball will tip off “March Madness” in February with the girls version starting the following week.
WKTV will once again bring multiple events to the viewers throughout the month. Be sure to support your local school student-athletes in person by attending an event, but then watch for the broadcast.
This week’s featured game will be Tuesday, Feb. 5: Boys/girls basketball, Zion Christian at Wyoming Potter’s House.
The tentative monthly featured game coverage schedule is:
Friday, Feb. 15: Boys, girls basketball, Middleville T-K at South Christian Tuesday, Feb. 19: Boys basketball, Belding at Wyoming Lee Friday, Feb. 22: Boys Hockey, Grand Rapids Christian at East Kentwood Week of February 25–29: Boys basketball, TBD
In addition our featured games — where our sports crew and remote coverage truck will be on hand — we also have a weekly list of all local sporting contests for local fans to get out and enjoy in person.
Featured games are broadcast the night of the contest and then at least once later in the week.
WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; Channel 26 is the Government Channel, where local government meetings and events are shown. On AT&T cable throughout the Grand Rapids area, viewers go to Channel 99, and then are given the choice to watch Wyoming (or Kentwood) Community (Channel 25) or Government (Channel 26) channels.
For complete schedules of programs on WKTV channels, see our Weekly On-air Schedule.
All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvondemand.com.
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.
Following is this week’s schedule:
Tuesday, Feb. 5 Boys Swimming Rockford @ East Kentwood Boys Basketball Godwin Heights @ Hopkins Kelloggsville @ Wyoming Lee – Hall of Fame Night Wyoming @ South Christian Lansing Christian @ Tri-Unity Christian Zion Christian @ Potter’s House – WKTV Featured Event West Michigan Aviation @ Creative Technologies Academy Libertas Christian @ West Michigan Lutheran Grand River Prep @ Wellsprings Prep Girls Basketball Hopkins @ Godwin Heights Tri-County @ Kelloggsville South Christian @ Wyoming – Teacher Appreciation Night Lansing Christian @ Tri-Unity Christian Zion Christian @ Potter’s House – WKTV Featured Event West Michigan Aviation @ Creative Technologies Academy Libertas Christian @ West Michigan Lutheran Grand River Prep @ Wellsprings Prep Boys Bowling Tri-Unity Christian @ Calvin Christian South Christian @ Zeeland Boys/Girls Bowling Grand River Prep @ Potter’s House
Wednesday, Feb. 6 Boys/Girls Bowling East Kentwood @ Grandville NorthPointe Christian @ Godwin Heights Belding @ Kelloggsville Wyoming @ Zeeland East Wyoming Lee @ Hopkins Boys Wrestling East Kentwood @ FH Central – MHSAA Team Districts Girls Basketball Grandville @ East Kentwood Kelloggsville @ Hopkins Wyoming @ FH Eastern Boys Basketball East Kentwood @ Grandville Hopkins @ Kelloggsville Wyoming @ FH Eastern NorthPointe Christian @ Wyoming Lee Girls Cheer Kelloggsville @ Godwin Heights Wyoming Lee @ Godwin Heights Wyoming @ Middleville T-K Girls Gymnastics Lowell @ Potter’s House
Thursday, Feb. 7 Boys Swimming East Kentwood @ West Ottawa South Christian @ Wayland Boys/Girls Bowling Godwin Heights @ Hopkins Kelloggsville @ Potter’s House Grand River Prep @ Tri-Unity Christian Boys Wrestling Kelloggsville @ Godwin Heights – MHSAA Team Districts Wyoming Lee @ Godwin Heights – MHSAA Team Districts Wyoming @ Grandville – MHSAA Team Districts Boys Basketball Zion Christian @ Wellsprings Prep Girls Basketball Zion Christian @ Wellsprings Prep
Friday, Feb. 8 Boys Hockey East Kentwood @ Chelsea Boys Basketball East Kentwood @ West Ottawa Belding @ Godwin Heights Kelloggsville @ NorthPointe Christian Wayland @ Wyoming – Coaches vs Cancer Tri-Unity Christian @ Holland Calvary Grand River Prep @ West Michigan Aviation East Grand Rapids @ South Christian Girls Basketball East Kentwood @ West Ottawa Belding @ Godwin Heights Kelloggsville @ NorthPointe Christian Wayland @ Wyoming – Coaches vs Cancer Grand River Prep @ West Michigan Aviation Holland Black River @ West Michigan Lutheran East Grand Rapids @ South Christian Girls Cheer Kelloggsville @ Caledonia – Scotastic Invite Boys/Girls Bowling South Christian @ Unity Christian
Saturday, Feb. 9 Girls Dance East Kentwood @ West Ottawa Boys/Girls Bowling East Kentwood @ Hudsonville Wyoming Lee @ Hudsonville Godwin Heights @ Muskegon Mona Shores Wyoming @ Muskegon Mona Shores Boys Wrestling East Kentwood @ Grand Haven – MHSAA Individual Districts Wyoming @ Grand Haven – MHSAA Individual Districts Godwin Heights @ Comstock Park – MHSAA Individual Districts Kelloggsville @ Comstock Park – MHSAA Individual Districts Wyoming Lee @ Comstock Park – MHSAA Individual Districts Boys Hockey East Kentwood @ Chelsea Girls Cheer East Kentwood – @ DeltaPlex Invite Wyoming – @ DeltaPlex Invite
Monday, Feb. 11 Boys/Girls Bowling Rockford @ East Kentwood Godwin Heights @ Wyoming Lee Hopkins @ Kelloggsville Wyoming @ East Grand Rapids Girls Cheer Wyoming @ FH Eastern Girls Basketball Zion Christian @ Saugatuck Girls Gymnastics Potter’s House @ Rockford Boys Basketball Muskegon Catholic Central @ Grand River Prep
By Drew Dargavell, WKTV Sports Intern ken@wktv.org
After an illustrious career that spanned 38 seasons over 43 years, Jock Ambrose, head swim coach for the East Kentwood Falcons boys swim team, is stepping down from his position.
Ambrose accomplished a lot in his 38 seasons as head swim coach including 17 league titles, three state runner-ups, two state championships, and five Coach of the Year honors.
In his 43 years in the East Kentwood community, Ambrose not only served as the boys head swim coach but also as the boys water polo coach from 1977-1992, girls swim coach from 1994-1997, and athletic director from 1997-2001. He also served as Michigan Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association (MISCA) area vice president for seven years, and MISCA water polo chair for five years. He was the founder of the West Michigan Water Polo League, and a founding member of the West Michigan Swim League.
But it wasn’t any of the awards, honors or positions that Ambrose said he will miss most.
“It’s the people around here, in this community that have made it as special as it is and will make it tough for me to walk away,” Ambrose said to WKTV.
Ambrose had a lot of praise for his final team as head coach, currently in its winter swim season, and its group of seniors — “This senior class is a tremendous group of young men, and a great group of leaders.”
The coach went on to give praise to his three senior captains — Nick Cohey, Theo Duong, and Max Henderson — who have stuck with the program all four years.
Ambrose has hopes of finishing his final season in the top half of the team’s state swim division and “to make a nice showing at the state meet. It’s been a few years since we’ve done that and I think this senior class is ready to.”
Ambrose also had a very optimistic outlook on the future of this program once he’s done as head coach. “We’ve got a wonderful freshman class, they’re going to be very, very good, four of them have senior brothers on the team so that’s very exciting.”
This video story and all sports news segments are available on the WKTV YouTube channel . All featured games covered by WKTV’s sports coverage crew, as well as other community events covered, are available on-demand at wktvondemand.com .
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports .
WKTV offers on-demand viewing of the Wyoming and Kentwood high school sports, community events, and government meetings. (WKTV)
Mike Moll, WKTV Volunteer Sports Director sports@wktv.org
WKTV Featured Game high school sport coverage this week will include two girls/boys basketball doubleheaders, with Potter’s House visiting Tri-unity Christian Tuesday, and Wyoming high hosting Middleville Thornapple-Kellogg on Friday.
Show the local schools your support by going in person, but then watch WKTV for the events that are showcased each week. Check out the broadcast schedule at wktvjournal.org for replay dates and times.
The final featured coverage on the current tentative January featured game schedule is Thursday, Jan. 31, with boys swimming/diving, as Rockford visits East Kentwood.
In addition our featured games — where our sports crew and remote coverage truck will be on hand — we also have a weekly list of all local sporting contests for local fans to get out and enjoy in person.
Featured games are broadcast the night of the contest and then at least once later in the week.
WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; Channel 26 is the Government Channel, where local government meetings and events are shown. On AT&T cable throughout the Grand Rapids area, viewers go to Channel 99, and then are given the choice to watch Wyoming (or Kentwood) Community (Channel 25) or Government (Channel 26) channels.
All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvondemand.com.
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.
Following is this week’s schedule:
Monday, Jan. 21 Boys/Girls Bowling Godwin Heights @ Calvin Christian South Christian @ Christian Kelloggsville @ Wellsprings Prep Wyoming @ FH Eastern Grandville @ East Kentwood Girls Gymnastics Potter’s House @ Rockford
Tuesday, Jan. 22 Girls Basketball Wyoming Lee @ Godwin Heights Wayland @ South Christian Calvin Christian @ Kelloggsville Wyoming @ East Grand Rapids Potter’s House @ Tri-unity Christian – WKTV Featured Event Grandville @ East Kentwood Fruitport Calvary @ West Michigan Aviation Zion Christian @ Algoma Christian Boys Swimming South Christian @ East Kentwood Boys Basketball South Christian @ Wayland Kelloggsville @ Calvin Christian East Grand Rapids @ Wyoming Wyoming Lee @ Belding Potter’s House @ Tri-unity Christian – WKTV Featured Event East Kentwood @ Grandville Fruitport Calvary @ West Michigan Aviation Flat River @ West Michigan Lutheran Zion Christian @ Ravenna Boys/Girls Bowling Northpointe Christian @ Wyoming Lee Tri-unity Christian @ Wyoming Lee NorthPointe Christian @ Potter’s House
Wednesday, Jan. 23 Boys/Girls Bowling Godwin Heights @ Hopkins East Grand Rapids @ South Christian Kelloggsville @ Wyoming Lee Christian @ Wyoming East Kentwood @ Rockford Boys Wrestling Godwin Heights @ Belding Kelloggsville @ Belding Wyoming @ FH Eastern Wyoming Lee @ NorthPointe Christian Cedar Springs @ East Kentwood Girls Cheer Godwin Heights @ Wyoming Lee Kelloggsville @ Wyoming Lee Wyoming @ Byron Center Girls Gymnastics FH Central vs Potter’s House @ Kenowa Hills
Thursday, Jan. 24 Boys Swimming South Christian @ Middleville T-K East Kentwood @ Grand Haven Boys/Girls Bowling East Kentwood @ Wyoming Lee Potter’s House @ Tri-unity Christian Girls Basketball Potter’s House @ Howardsville Christian Boys Basketball Potter’s House @ Howardsville Christian
Friday, Jan. 25 Boys Basketball Godwin Heights @ Calvin Christian FH Eastern @ South Christian Tri-Unity Christian @ Kelloggsville Middleville T-K @ Wyoming – WKTV Featured Event East Kentwood @ Grand Haven Barry County Christian @ Zion Christian Girls Basketball Godwin Heights @ Calvin Christian FH Eastern @ South Christian Middleville T-K @ Wyoming – WKTV Featured Event East Kentwood @ Grand Haven Potter’s House @ Kalamazoo Hackett West Michigan Lutheran @ Zion Christian Girls Cheer Wyoming Lee @ Hamilton Boys Hockey Kenowa Hills @ East Kentwood
Saturday, Jan. 26 Boys/Girls Bowling Godwin Heights @ Rockford South Christian @ Rockford Wyoming @ Rockford Boys Wrestling Godwin Heights @ Northview Kelloggsville @ Northview Wyoming @ Montague Wyoming Lee @ Reed City East Kentwood @ Lakewood Girls Cheer Kelloggsville @ Caledonia Wyoming @ Caledonia East Kentwood @ Caledonia Boys/Girls Dance Wyoming @ Jenison Boys Hockey East Kentwood @ Byron Center Girls Gymnastics Potter’s House @ Kenowa Hills
Monday, Jan. 28 Boys/Girls Bowling Godwin Heights @ Potter’s House South Christian @ Byron Center Calvin Christian @ Kelloggsville Wyoming @ Middleville T-K Wyoming Lee @ Belding East Kentwood @ Hudsonville Girls Gymnastics Rockford vs Potter’s House @ Kenowa Hills Girls Basketball Holland Calvary @ Grand River Prep
Tuesday, Jan. 29 Girls Basketball Muskegon Heights @ Godwin Heights South Christian @ Hudsonville Tri-Unity Christian @ Wellsprings Prep FH Central @ East Kentwood Potter’s House @ Grand River Prep West Michigan Aviation @ Holland Black River West Michigan Lutheran @ WMAES Zion Christian @ Ravenna Boys Basketball Calvin Christian @ South Christian FH Central @ Wyoming NorthPointe Christian @ Wyoming Lee Tri-Unity Christian @ Wellsprings Prep Potter’s House @ Grand River Prep West Michigan Aviation @ Holland Black River West Michigan Lutheran @ WMAES Muskegon Catholic Central
Wednesday, Jan. 30 Boys/Girls Bowling Kelloggsville @ Godwin Heights Wyoming @ South Christian Wyoming Lee @ Calvin Christian Grand Haven @ East Kentwood Boys Wrestling Hopkins @ Godwin Heights Kelloggsville @ NorthPointe Christian Wyoming Lee @ NorthPointe Christian Grandville @ East Kentwood Girls Cheer Godwin Heights @ Hopkins Kelloggsville @ Hopkins Wyoming Lee @ Hopkins Wyoming @ FH Eastern Girls Gymnastics Potter’s House @ Rockford
Thursday, Jan. 31 Boys Swimming South Christian @ West Catholic Rockford @ East Kentwood – WKTV Featured Event
WKTV offers on-demand viewing of the Wyoming and Kentwood high school sports, community events, and government meetings. (WKTV)
Mike Moll, WKTV Volunteer Sports Director sports@wktv.org
WKTV Featured Game high school sport coverage this week will include two girls basketball games, a solo game from Wyoming High Tuesday, and part of a boys-girls basketball doubleheader Friday from Godwin Heights.
The Jan. 15 game will feature Grand Rapids Christian at Wyoming. The Jan. 18 game will featured NorthPointe Christian at Godwin Heights.
Show the local schools your support by going in person, but then watch WKTV for the events that are showcased each week. Check out the broadcast schedule at wktvjournal.org for replay dates and times.
The rest of the current tentative January featured game schedule is:
Tuesday, Jan. 22 — Boys/Girls basketball: Potter’s House at Tri-Unity Christian Friday, Jan. 25 — Boys/Girls basketball: Middleville T-K at Wyoming Thursday, Jan. 31 — Boys swimming/diving: Rockford at East Kentwood
In addition our featured games — where our sports crew and remote coverage truck will be on hand — we also have a weekly list of all local sporting contests for local fans to get out and enjoy in person.
Featured games are broadcast the night of the contest and then at least once later in the week.
WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; Channel 26 is the Government Channel, where local government meetings and events are shown. On AT&T cable throughout the Grand Rapids area, viewers go to Channel 99, and then are given the choice to watch Wyoming (or Kentwood) Community (Channel 25) or Government (Channel 26) channels.
All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvondemand.com.
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/ .
Following is this week’s schedule:
Monday, Jan. 14 Boys/Girls Bowling South Christian @ Wayland Kelloggsville @ Belding Wyoming @ Byron Center Hopkins @ Wyoming Lee East Kentwood @ Grand Haven Girls Gymnastics Potter’s House @ Lowell
Tuesday, Jan. 15 Boys Basketball Godwin Heights @ Wyoming Lee Hopkins @ Kelloggsville Wyoming @ Christian Wellsprings Prep @ Tri-Unity Christian Hudsonville @ East Kentwood Holland Calvary @ Potter’s House Wellsprings Prep @ West Michigan Aviation Creative Tech @ West Michigan Lutheran Muskegon Catholic Central @ Grand River Prep Girls Basketball Kelloggsville @ Hopkins Christian @ Wyoming – WKTV Featured Event Fruitport Calvary @ Tri-Unity Christian East Kentwood @ Hudsonville Holland Calvary @ Potter’s House Wellsprings Prep @ West Michigan Aviation Creative Tech @ West Michigan Lutheran Holland Black River @ Grand River Prep Boys/Girls Bowling Wyoming @ Unity Christian Calvin Christian @ Potter’s House
Wednesday, Jan. 16 Boys/Girls Bowling Wyoming Lee @ Godwin Heights Middleville T-K @ South Christian Kelloggsville @ Hopkins Wayland @ Wyoming Caledonia @ East Kentwood Boys Wrestling Godwin Heights @ Hopkins Wyoming Lee @ Hopkins Allendale @ Kelloggsville Christian @ Wyoming Caledonia @ East Kentwood Girls Cheer Godwin Heights @ NorthPointe Christian Kelloggsville @ NorthPointe Christian Wyoming Lee @ NorthPointe Christian Wyoming @ Zeeland East East Kentwood @ West Ottawa
Thursday, Jan. 17 Boys Swimming South Christian @ Muskegon Mona Shores East Kentwood@ Grandville Boys/Girls Bowling Potter’s House @ Hopkins
Friday, Jan. 18 Boys/Girls Bowling Ottawa Hills @ Godwin Heights Girls Cheer Godwin Heights @ West Catholic Boys Basketball NorthPointe Christian @ Godwin Heights – WKTV Featured Event South Christian @ Middleville T-K Kelloggsville @ Belding Wyoming @ Benton Harbor Hopkins @ Wyoming Lee Tri-Unity Christian @ Zion Christian Rockford @ East Kentwood Holland Black River @ Potter’s House West Michigan Lutheran @ Libertas Christian Girls Basketball NorthPointe Christian @ Godwin Heights – WKTV Featured Event South Christian @ Middleville T-K Kelloggsville @ Belding Benton Harbor @ Wyoming Tri-Unity Christian @ Zion Christian Rockford @ East Kentwood Holland Black River @ Potter’s House West Michigan Lutheran @ Libertas Christian Boys Wrestling Wyoming Lee @ Pinconning Boys Hockey East Grand Rapids @ East Kentwood
Saturday, Jan. 19 Boys Wrestling Godwin Heights @ Hopkins Kelloggsville @ Christian Wyoming @ Jenison East Kentwood @ Holt Boys Basketball Catholic Central @ South Christian Girls Cheer Kelloggsville @ Muskegon Reeths-Puffer East Kentwood @ Rochester Girls Dance East Kentwood @ Wayland Boys Hockey FH Central @ East Kentwood
Monday, Jan. 21 Boys/Girls Bowling Godwin Heights @ Calvin Christian South Christian @ Christian Kelloggsville @ Wellsprings Prep Wyoming @ FH Eastern Grandville @ East Kentwood Girls Gymnastics Potter’s House @ Rockford
On Tuesday, Dec, 4, the South Christian High School girls varsity dropped their season opener to visiting Hamilton, 62-42. But the story of the game wasn’t really who won or lost.
Although this isn’t how they wanted to kick off their season, there was something bigger on the minds of the Sailors players, family members, and fans alike. This was the last time any Sailor would suit up for a home game on the 68th Street campus.
WKTV was at the game to cable broadcast it, as well as will make it available on-demand.
Varsity girls head coach Kim Legge grew up a Sailor. Once putting on the same purple and white jersey as her players now do, Legge knows how special it is to be a Sailor.
“It’s a family,” Legge said to WKTV prior to Tuesday’s game. “This is our home court. This is our home.”
The boys had their last home game on Friday, Nov. 30, against Byron Center, when the Sailors defeated the Bulldogs, 65-44.
Keeping in the family theme, senior Salior Conner Kok isn’t the first person in his family to suit up for South Christian. With family members supporting him and the South Christian Legacy, Kok said he went into the game ready to give it his all one more time.
“Since I was about five years old I’ve been in this gym watching my brothers play,” said Kok. “So you want to honor that and get the win.”
The South Christian boys and girls will play their first games on their new home floor, at Kalamazoo Campus, 7979 Kalamazoo Avenue SE, on Friday, Dec. 21, when Unity Christian comes to visit. WKTV will be there as well, and will cable broadcast and offer the game on-demand.
All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvondemand.com.
WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; Channel 26 is the Government Channel, where local government meetings and events are shown. On AT&T cable throughout the Grand Rapids area, viewers go to Channel 99, and then are give the choice to watch Wyoming (or Kentwood) Community (Channel 25) or Government (Channel 26). For complete schedules of programs on WKTV channels, see our Weekly On-air Schedule.
Kent County will be holding three community forums to allow residents an opportunity to participate in the development of its strategic plan. The county is currently developing a strategic plan that will guide its leadership through the next five years, better reflecting the changing demographics, economics, and needs of the County.
Wyman Britt, Kent County Administrator/Controller. (WKTV)
“Community engagement is absolutely integral to the success of Kent County,” said Wayman Britt, Kent County Administrator/Controller. “It is important for us to hear the thoughts and ideas from our communities as we renew our strategic plan and effectively plan for the future.”
The meetings will be held from 6-7:30 p.m. as follows:
Thursday, December 6, at the Kent County Health Department (700 Fuller Ave. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503)
Tuesday, December 11, at the Rockford Freshman Center (4500 Kroes St. NE, Rockford, MI 49341)
Thursday, December 13, at the East Kentwood Freshman Campus (6170 Valley Lane Dr., SE, Kentwood, MI 49508)
All three meetings will cover the same information. Due to space constraints, each event is limited to the first 100 individuals and pre-registration is required.
To register for one of the forums, residents should click on this link. If an individual would like to register by phone, please call Diane Kelly at (517) 484-4954.
“Solutions and ideas do not just come from government – they come from our residents who live, work, and play in Kent County,” said Britt. “These forums are another way we can hear directly from the public by allowing residents to provide open and honest feedback on the in our strategic plan, which in turn, will goals and action items that should be included improve our great County.”
On the latest episode of WKTV Journal In Focus, countywide issues that impact public school students educational success rates and also the quality of the environment they will inherit.
We talk with two education experts on the Strive for Less than 5 effort to combat high rates of student absenteeism, and then we talk with the director of the county’s public works department about Kent County’s Sustainable Business Park Master Plan for 250 acres adjacent to the South Kent Landfill in Byron Center.
Explaining the importance of the “Strive for Less than 5” countywide campaign is Mel Atkins II, Executive Director of Community & Student Affairs for Grand Rapids Public Schools, and Kent ISD data researcher Sunil Joy, who has studied the importance of the reducing absenteeism.
Also on the show is Darwin J. Baas, Director of the Kent County Department of Public Works. Baas will discuss the details of the Sustainable Business Park Master Plan, which is intended to provide opportunity for partnerships and innovative approaches to managing waste in the county, with the goal of diverting 90 percent of trash from the South Kent Land ll by 2030.
“WKTV Journal In Focus” airs on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel (see our Weekly On-air Schedule for dates and times). But all interviews included in episodes of WKTV Journal In Focus are also available on YouTube at WKTVvideos.
As the always busy holiday months are upon us starting with November, the high school sports world does just the opposite as the last of the fall seasons crown their newest state champions and the winter seasons slowly begin with boys hockey and basketball at the end of the month.
The schools that WKTV covers certainly had some highlights during the fall competition and here are just some of them.
The girls golf season held their state championships near the end of October in some tough cold and wet conditions, and for an amazing 23rd consecutive time, the South Christian High School girls team was there to compete for that title. At the end of the two-day tournament, the Sailor ladies finished behind only Flint Powers Catholic to earn the runner-up trophy for the second consecutive season.
The soccer state championship was held the first weekend in November and had the East Kentwood Falcons in the championship game where they too finished as runner-up to Ann Arbor Skyline.
The football season had four of our six area teams qualify for the playoffs. South Christian finished the season with a 6-5 record and in fourth place in the O-K Gold after defeating another of our local teams, Godwin Heights, in the opening round but dropped the second-round game to Hudsonville’s Unity Christian.
East Kentwood had a great season as they won nine straight games after losing their season opener to win the O-K Red title and finish 9-2 on the year. The Falcons defeated Brighton in the opening round of the playoffs before coming up short against Saline in round two.
Godwin Heights completed their year at 6-4 and in second place in the O-K Silver and lost in the opening round to South Christian. Kelloggsville finished in fourth place in the O-K Silver with a 4-5 record, Wyoming finished the season 2-7 and 1-5 in the OK Gold, and Wyoming Lee finished with a 1-8 record on the year.
The 8-man division had the Tri-Unity Christian Crusaders cruise through the regular season undefeated and ranked in the top 5 in the state as they won the Midwest Central 8 Man conference championship. The Crusaders defeated Webberville in their playoff opener before dropping the second-round game to No. 2 ranked Morrice to finish the year at 10-1.
Congratulations to all teams and athletes!
The WKTV Featured Game winter broadcast schedule is being finalized but there will once again be boys and girls basketball coverage showcasing all of the local teams, boys hockey, and swimming and diving competitions so be watching for the schedule, but in the meantime, get out and enjoy some of your local schools games in person.
All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvondemand.com.
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and features on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.
WKTV’s sports coverage crew was busy this fall, as our high school football Featured Game crew covered every local team in the first six weeks of the season and then was at the biggest local games as the season ended.
As every year, high school football fans can get their Turkey Day football fix this year as we broadcast several of those big games on our cable Channel 25.
The 15-hour special starts at 9 a.m., highlights the best of our high school football games from the season. The schedule and approof games (with link to the games on WKTV’s On-Demand video internet channel) is as follows:
10:25 p.m. — MHSAA Playoff: Godwin @ South Christian. On-Demand
WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; Channel 26 is the Government cChannel, where local government meetings and events are shown. On AT&T cable throughout the Grand Rapids area, viewers go to Channel 99, and then are give the choice to watch Wyoming (or Kentwood) Community (Channel 25) or Government (Channel 26).
On the latest episode of WKTV Journal In Focus, Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley — a staunch, vocal advocate for the livability of his city and the interests of its residents — was recently, given another point of pride about the city.
Kentwood’s 4 9 5 0 8 zip code was recently named the Hottest Zip Code in the nation by Realtor.com, beating out hot-spot cities such as Colorado Springs and Kansas City suburb Overland Park, Kansas.
In Focus, Mayor Kepley talks why he is not surprised by the national notice and other special items of note that are happening in the city.
“WKTV Journal: In Focus” airs on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel (see our Weekly On-air Schedule for dates and times). But all interviews included in episodes of WKTV Journal: In Focus are also available on YouTube at WKTVvideos.
East Kentwood, now 9-1, is traveling to Saline for the second round of the Division 1 state football playoffs with a narrow victory over Brighton last Saturday.
The Falcons were able to put 426 yards on the offensive stat sheet. A big contributor to the total yardage is senior wide receiver Stephan Bracey.
“We didn’t really click in the first half,” said Bracey. “We just thought about the bigger prize and executed the best we could.”
And clicked they did. With a juggled pass from quarterback Kyle Dent, Bracey ran for 81 yards in the second quarter which helped contribute to his 108 receiving yards for the game.
Trailing most of the first half, the Falcons were able to tie the game late in the second quarter, 28-28. That’s when East Kentwood head coach Anthony Kimbrough was able to readjust his game plan.
East Kentwood head coach Anthony Kimbrough. (WKTV)
“They showed us some things we hadn’t seen in the (defensive) secondary,” said Kimbrough of Brighton’s passing attack.
With Brighton trailing 31-28 with 20 seconds left on the clock, a 41-yard field goal from Brighton could have tied the game up and sent it into over time. But after three consecutive timeouts, Brighton missed a field goal that would have extended play.
“I was just praying that he missed,” said Kimbrough. “It was a great battle on both sides. You hate for someone to come out as a loser but were fortunate to move on. … But give Brighton credit. They’re a well-coached football team.”
However, at the end of the game, Kimbrough did have some tough love for his players. Falcon quarterback Dent threw for 188 yards. but with three interceptions, and Bracey was a total of -16 yards rushing.
“We can’t play the way we played today and beat Saline, we just can’t,” said Kimbrough. “We have to have our best. We have to play like the team we’ve been all year.”
MaxPreps, a CBS affiliated website dedicated to high school sports, has East Kentwood football ranked 7th in Michigan with Saline behind at 18th.
Just like Brighton, the Falcons have never faced Saline. With an unfamiliar opponent, anything can happen. But for now, Bracey and his teammates are thankful.
“We’re just truly blessed for what happened,” said Bracey.
East Kentwood will be on the road Saturday facing the Saline Hornets, a team that also went 8-1 in the regular season. Saline beat Kalamazoo Central last weekend.
