WKTV Journal

The WKTV sports truck will be busy as usual as it heads out twice this week for featured game coverage, first with a boy’s basketball game on Tuesday, Feb. 13, at Wyoming High School as the OK Gold Conference leading Wolves (8-1 in conference; 12-4 overall as of Feb. 9.) hosts Wayland (2-5; 6-9 as of Feb. 9).

Then on Friday, Feb. 16, we will be covering both boys and girls games at Zion Christian as they host West Michigan Aviation Academy.

All 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/

The remainder of the tentative February broadcast schedule includes:

Saturday, Feb. 17 – Boys Hockey – South Christian/BC at East Kentwood

Tuesday, Feb. 20 – Boys Basketball – Muskegon Oakridge at Tri-Unity Christian

Friday, Feb. 23 – Girls and Boys Basketball – East Grand Rapids at Wyoming

Saturday, Feb. 24 – Boys Hockey – FH Central at East Kentwood

Monday, Feb. 12

Boys/Girls Bowling

Unity Christian @ South Christian

Wyoming Lee @ Godwin Heights

West Catholic @ Potter’s House

East Kentwood @ Hudsonville

Zeeland East @ Wyoming

Kelloggsville @ Hopkins

Girls Cheer

Wyoming Lee @ FH Northern – NorthStar Invitational

Wyoming @ FH Northern – NorthStar Invitational

Tuesday, Feb. 13

Girls Basketball

East Grand Rapids @ South Christian

Godwin Heights @ Belding

West Michigan Aviation @ Grand River Prep

Wellsprings Prep @ Zion Christian

West Ottawa @ East Kentwood

Wayland @ Wyoming

Kelloggsville @ NorthPointe Christian

West Michigan Lutheran @ Algoma Christian

Tri-Unity Christian @ Fennville

Boys Basketball

South Christian @ East Grand Rapids

Belding @ Godwin Heights

Heritage Christian @ Potter’s House

West Michigan Aviation @ Grand River Prep

Wellsprings Prep @ Zion Christian

East Kentwood @ West Ottawa

Wayland @ Wyoming – WKTV Featured Event

NorthPointe Christian @ Kelloggsville

Tri-Unity Christian @ Fennville

Wednesday, Feb. 14

Boys/Girls Bowling

Godwin Heights @ Calvin Christian

Grand Haven @ East Kentwood

NorthPointe Christian @ Wyoming Lee

Boys Wrestling

State Team Regionals @ TBA

Girls Cheer

Wyoming @ Comstock Park

Thursday, Feb. 15

Girls Basketball

Potter’s House @ Wellsprings Prep

Boys Basketball

Potter’s House @ Wellsprings Prep

Boys/Girls Bowling

Potter’s House @ Tri-Unity Christian

Friday, Feb. 16

Girls Basketball

South Christian vs Covenant Christian @ Calvin College

West Michigan Aviation @ Zion Christian – WKTV Featured Event

Grand River Prep @ Fruitport Calvary Christian

Hudsonville @ East Kentwood

Christian @ Wyoming – Hall of Fame Night

Kelloggsville @ Hopkins

Tri-Unity Christian @ Holland Black River

Boys Basketball

South Christian vs Covenant Christian @ Calvin College

Godwin Heights @ Wyoming Lee

West Michigan Aviation @ Zion Christian – WKTV Featured Event

Grand River Prep @ Fruitport Calvary Christian

Hudsonville @ East Kentwood

Christian @ Wyoming Hall of Fame Night

Kelloggsville @ Hopkins

Tri-Unity Christian @ Holland Black River

Boys Hockey

Milford @ South Christian

Rockford @ East Kentwood

Girls Cheer

Godwin Heights @ Comstock Park – Districts

Wyoming Lee @ Comstock Park – Districts

Wyoming @ Comstock Park – Districts

Saturday, Feb. 17

Boys/Girls Bowling

South Christian – OK Green-Gold @ Park Center

Godwin Heights @ Wyoming Lee – O-K Silver Conference Meet @ Paragon

Kelloggsville @ Wyoming Lee – O-K Silver Conference Meet @ Paragon

East Kentwood – Post Season Tournament @ Spectrum Lanes

Wyoming @ Christian

Boys Hockey

South Christian/Byron Center @ East Kentwood – WKTV Featured Event

Boys Wrestling

Individual State Regionals @ Grand Ledge

Girls Cheer

@ East Kentwood – State Districts

Wyoming @ Kenowa Hills

Monday, Feb. 19

Boys/Girls Bowling

Wyoming Lee @ Potter’s House

Wyoming Parks and Recreation offers adult softball leagues

February 5, 2018SportsCity of Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department, Rebecca Rynbrandt, softball leaguesJoanne

The City of Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department is taking registrations for its spring softball leagues. (WKTV)

Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department is offering multiple softball leagues, including coed and men’s, for community members to participate in this spring.

The department is looking for community members who are interested in joining their adult softball leagues. Registration for adult slow-pitch softball is currently open for the spring season.

“We work to provide quality programming to Wyoming citizens of all ages,” said Rebecca Rynbrandt, Director of Community Services. “Our adult softball leagues are a great way for individuals to stay active, work as a team and have fun.”

A 10-game season for the coed league is offered Monday-Friday and Wednesday-Thursday for men’s leagues. The fee is $475 per team. Additional men’s league, offered Mondays and Tuesdays, will be a 12-game league and with a $530 cost per team. All leagues include a single-elimination tournament at the end of regular season.

The registration deadline for adult softball is Monday, March 19. For more information, or to register your team, please contact Recreation Programmer Kenny Westrate at 616-530-3164 or westratek@wyomingmi.gov.

About Wyoming Parks and Recreation

The City of Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department is committed to creating community through people, parks and programs by providing services, facilities and activities for the citizens of Wyoming and the greater metropolitan area. For more information about other Parks and Recreation special events or programs, please contact the City of Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department at 616-530-3164 or parks_info@wyomingmi.gov or visit our web site at: www.wyomingmi.gov.

Girls, boys basketball on WKTV featured games schedule this week

February 5, 20183-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, SportsWKTV Journal sportsJoanne

WKTV offers on-demand viewing of Wyoming and Kentwood sports events as well as government meetings, including the monthly Government Matters meeting. (WKTV)

WKTV staff

As basketball playoffs loom, the WKTV sports truck will be out twice this week for featured game coverage, and both games will have conference title implications.

First, on Tuesday, Feb. 6, we will be at East Kentwood High School for a girls basketball game as the Falcons place their undefeated record (7-0 in OK Red Conference; 15-0 overall) on the line when they host Caledonia (4-3, 11-3).

Then, on Friday, Feb. 9, we will be at Kelloggsville for a boys basketball game when the Rockets (4-2 OK Silver, 10-2 overall) will host Wyoming Lee (1-5, 4-9).

All 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/

The rest of WKTV’s February featured game broadcast schedule includes:

Tuesday, Feb. 13 — Boys basketball, Wayland at Wyoming

Friday, Feb. 16 — Girls and boys basketball, West Michigan Aviation at Zion Christian

Saturday, Feb. 17 — Boys hockey, South Christian/BC at East Kentwood

Tuesday, Feb. 20 — Boys basketball, Muskegon Oakridge at Tri-unity Christian

Friday, Feb. 23 — Girls and boys basketball, East Grand Rapids at Wyoming

Saturday, Feb. 24 — Boys Hockey, FH Central at East Kentwood

The complete schedule for local sports events includes:

Monday, Feb. 5

Boys/Girls Bowling

Wyoming @ South Christian

Belding @ Godwin Heights

FH Northern @ Potter’s House

Wyoming Lee @ Tri-unity Christian

NorthPointe Christian @ Kelloggsville

Girls Basketball

Potter’s House @ NorthPointe Christian

Tuesday, Feb. 6

Girls Basketball

South Christian @ Christian

Kelloggsville @ Godwin Heights

Holland Calvary @ Potter’s House

West Michigan Lutheran @ West Michigan Aviation

Muskegon Catholic Central @ Zion Christian

Caledonia @ East Kentwood – WKTV Featured Event

FH Eastern @ Wyoming

Boys Basketball

Christian @ South Christian

Godwin Heights @ Kelloggsville

Holland Calvary @ Potter’s House

Kalamazoo Heritage Christian @ Grand River Prep

Zion Christian @ Maple Valley

East Kentwood @ Caledonia

Calvin Christian @ Wyoming Lee

Wyoming @ FH Eastern

Muskegon Orchard View @ Tri-unity Christian

Boys Swimming

South Christian @ Christian – Quad Meet

Wednesday, Feb. 7

Boys/Girls Bowling

Zeeland @ South Christian

Godwin Heights @ NorthPointe Christian

East Kentwood @ Rockford

Hopkins @ Wyoming Lee

Wyoming @ Unity Christian

Kelloggsville @ Belding

Girls Cheer

Godwin Heights @ Belding

Wyoming Lee @ Belding

Kelloggsville @ Belding

Wyoming @ Zeeland West

Boys Wrestling

Kelloggsville @ Godwin Heights – Team Districts

Wyoming Lee @ West Catholic – Team Districts

Wyoming @ East Kentwood – Team Districts

Thursday, Feb. 8

Boys Bowling

Grandville @ East Kentwood

Boys Swimming

East Kentwood @ Rockford

Girls Basketball

Tri-unity Christian @ Fruitport Calvary Christian

Boys Basketball

Tri-unity Christian @ Fruitport Calvary Christian

Friday, Feb. 9

Girls Basketball

Wyoming @ South Christian

Hopkins @ Godwin Heights

Potter’s House @ Covenant Christian

Algoma Christian @ West Michigan Aviation

Wellsprings Prep @ Grand River Prep

Zion Christian @ West Michigan Lutheran

Boys Basketball

Wyoming @ South Christian

Hopkins @ Godwin Heights

Potter’s House @ Covenant Christian

Algoma Christian @ West Michigan Aviation

Wellsprings Prep @ Grand River Prep

Heritage Christian @ Zion Christian

Wyoming Lee @ Kelloggsville – WKTV Featured Event

Boys Hockey

South Christian @ Christian

East Kentwood @ Chelsea

Girls Cheer

East Kentwood @ Caledonia

Kelloggsville @ Caledonia

Saturday, Feb. 10

Boys Hockey

Christian @ South Christian

East Kentwood @ Chelsea

Boys Wrestling

Individual Districts @ Byron Center

Individual Districts @ Grand Haven

Individual Districts @ Belding

Boys/Girls Bowling

Godwin Heights @ Muskegon Mona Shores

Wyoming @ Muskegon Mona Shores

Girls Dance

East Kentwood @ Davenport University – Davenport Invite

Girls Cheer

Wyoming Lee @ Lakewood – Valentine Cheerfest

Wyoming @ Delta Plex

Boys Basketball

Tri-Unity Christian @ Lansing Christian

Girls Basketball

Tri-unity Christian @ Lansing Christian

Monday, Feb. 12

Boys/Girls Bowling

Unity Christian @ South Christian

Wyoming Lee @ Godwin Heights

West Catholic @ Potter’s House

East Kentwood @ Hudsonville

Zeeland East @ Wyoming

Kelloggsville @ Hopkins

Girls Cheer

Wyoming Lee @ FH Northern – NorthStar Invitational

Wyoming @ FH Northern – NorthStar Invitational

Wrestling, cheer, bowling and more on local high school sports schedule

January 30, 2018City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, SportsWKTV SportsJoanne

WKTV offers on-demand viewing of Wyoming and Kentwood sports event government meetings, including the monthly Government Matters meeting. (WKTV)

Mike Moll, WKTV Volunteer Sports Director

The winter seasons are not just in full swing but are quickly heading toward their respective tournament portions.

Boys wrestling begins the process with team Districts at various sites on Feb. 7-8, followed by individual Districts on Feb. 10, team Regionals on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, individual Regionals on Feb. 17, team Finals on Feb. 23-24 at The Wings Event Center in Kalamazoo, and completely close out the season with individual Finals on March 3-4 at Ford Field in Detroit.

Girls cheerleading also starts their tournament run with Districts Feb. 16-17, state Regionals on Feb. 24 and state Finals also March 3-4 at The DeltaPlex in Grand Rapids.

Both boys and girls bowling will hold their Regional tournaments on Feb. 23-24 and a quad of state champions will be crowned the first weekend in March, at various sites depending on the division.

Ice hockey will start tournament play late in the month with Regionals between Feb. 26 and March 3.

Lastly, girls basketball tournament will tip off what is commonly called March Madness but a week early during the last week of February this year. WKTV will be there to bring some of the action to the viewers, so be sure to check the weekly schedule.

All 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 .

The busy tentative February WKTV feature broadcast schedule includes:

Thursday, Feb. 1 — Boys swimming, Grand Haven at East Kentwood

Friday, Feb. 2 — Boys basketball, Wellsprings Prep @ Tri-Unity Christian

Tuesday, Feb. 6 — Girls basketball, Caledonia at East Kentwood

Friday, Feb. 9 — Boys basketball, Wyoming Lee at Kelloggsville

Tuesday, Feb. 13 — Boys basketball, Wayland at Wyoming

Friday, Feb. 16 — Girls and boys basketball, West Michigan Aviation at Zion Christian

Saturday, Feb. 17 — Boys hockey, South Christian/BC at East Kentwood

Tuesday, Feb. 20 — Boys basketball, Muskegon Oakridge at Tri-Unity Christian

Friday, Feb. 23 — Girls and boys basketball, East Grand Rapids at Wyoming

Saturday, Feb. 24 — Boys hockey, FH Central at East Kentwood

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/

Following is the end of this week’s schedule:

Thursday, Feb. 1

Boys Swimming

South Christian @ Hastings

Grand Haven @ East Kentwood – WKTV Featured Event

Boys Basketball

West Michigan Lutheran @ Holt Martin Luther

Girls Basketball

Wellsprings Prep @ Tri-Unity Christian

Friday, Feb. 2

Girls Basketball

South Christian @ FH Eastern

Godwin Heights @ Calvin Christian

Grand River Prep @ Potter’s House

Holland Black River @ West Michigan Aviation

West Michigan Lutheran @ Zion Christian

Grand Haven @ East Kentwood

Middleville T-K @ Wyoming

Boys Basketball

South Christian @ FH Eastern

Godwin Heights @ Calvin Christian

Grand River Prep @ Potter’s House

Holland Black River @ West Michigan Aviation

WMAES @ Zion Christian

Grand Haven @ East Kentwood

NorthPointe Christian @ Wyoming Lee

Middleville T-K @ Wyoming

Covenant Christian @ Kelloggsville

Wellsprings Prep @ Tri-Unity Christian – WKTV Featured Event

Boys Hockey

South Christian @ Portage Central

East Kentwood @ Muskegon Reeths-Puffer

Boys Wrestling

East Kentwood @ West Ottawa – O-K Red Conference Meet

Wyoming @ Middleville T-K – O-K Gold Conference Meet

Girls Cheer

East Kentwood @ Rockford – O-K Red Conference Meet

Saturday, Feb. 3

Boys Hockey

Lowell/Caledonia @ South Christian

Boys Wrestling

Godwin Heights @ Kelloggsville – O-K Silver Conference Meet

Wyoming Lee @ Kelloggsville – O-K Silver Conference Meet

Boys Basketball

Godwin Heights vs Detroit Pershing @ Union – Union Showcase

East Kentwood vs TBA @ Union – Union Showcase

Zion Christian @ Calhoun County Christian

Girls Basketball

Grand River Prep @ Kelloggsville

Zion Christian @ Calhoun Christian County

Girls Dance

East Kentwood @ Jenison

Boys/Girls Bowling

Wyoming Lee @ Hudsonville

Kelloggsville @ Muskegon Reeths-Puffer

Girls Cheer

Wyoming @ Kenowa Hills

Monday, Feb. 5

Boys/Girls Bowling

Wyoming @ South Christian

Belding @ Godwin Heights

FH Northern @ Potter’s House

Wyoming Lee @ Tri-Unity Christian

NorthPointe Christian @ Kelloggsville

Girls Basketball

Potter’s House @ NorthPointe Christian

Once a Rebel … Godfrey-Lee schools induct teams, teachers into Hall of Fame

January 25, 20183-bottom, Area Education, City of Wyoming, Education, SportsArt Kraai, Douglas Greenwold, Godfrey Lee Schools, James D. Skidmore, Lee High School, Patricia Camp BartlettJoanne

Godfrey-Lee Public Schools inducted four into its Hall of Fame, with the ceremony taking place Jan. 12 at Lee High School. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris

Gerald R. Ford International Airport

Godfrey-Lee Public Schools inducted four into its Hall of Fame earlier this month, two individuals who made an impact in the classroom, one on the basketball court and in the community, and a series of cross country teams worthy of the name “Team of the Decade”.

The induction ceremony took place prior to a varsity boys basketball game on Jan. 12 at Lee High School, but as is the custom at the district, the inductees were not only athletes and athletic teams.

The team honored with entry to the Hall of Fame honor was actually not a single team, but a series of cross county teams — The Team of the Decade of the 1970s, as it is often called.

Art Kraai, himself a member of the Hall of Fame, accepted the award for his teams. (WKTV)

While the teams and team members were honored, it was their coach, Art Kraai, himself a member of the Hall of Fame, who accepted the award. Coach Kraai read off a long list of accomplishments for the Long Blue Line in dominate cross county seasons from 1971 to 1982, including the boys winning four state titles and the girls winning one — noting that it wasn’t until late in the run that girls even had state competitions.

One thing that unified all the teams, was the coach’s rallying cry, which he repeated as he closed his remarks: “Back in my day, we would say, ‘Coach, coach, open the door and let those Rebels on the floor’.”

Douglas Greenwold was a star Rebel in the class room and on the basketball team. (WKTV)

First up of the individuals on the honor roll was Douglas Greenwold, who was a star Rebel in the class room and on the basketball team — being named valedictorian leading the Rebels to the 1960 state finals — and then went on to play on University of Michigan’s first Final Four team in 1964. He earned his bachelors and two masters degrees at U-M, and went on to a long career in business and a continuing career in religious studies, including as an author and a teacher.

James D. Skidmore brought a passion for teaching and head for accounting to Lee high school. (WKTV)

The next honoree was James D. Skidmore, who brought a passion for teaching and head for accounting to Lee high school. Skidmore earned a bachelors degree from Ferris Institute and a masters from Michigan State University before joining the Lee staff in 1958. As a Rebel, he not only taught bookkeeping and accounting but also was faculty advisor for the Echo yearbook, Arial student newspaper and the National Honor Society. His late wife, Sally, was also a teacher at Lee. Skidmore went on to a long and distinguished teaching career at Grand Rapids Community College before retiring in 1999. But you know that they say: once a Rebel, always a Rebel.

Since the early 1960s, Patricia Camp Bartlett has been involved with the high school and the school district in literally all levels. (WKTV)

The final individual honored was Patricia Camp Bartlett. Since the early 1960s, she has been involved with the high school and the school district in literally all levels. She attended Lee, graduating in 1965, with four years in the band and four years in the Future Teachers of American group — a harbinger of a career to come. After getting her bachelors degree from Michigan State, she returned to Lee as a teacher in 1969, later earned a masters degree, and went ton to spend 37 years in district classrooms. In 1990, she was a state finalist for Michigan Teacher of the Year. After retiring in 2005, she remains active in the school district including as part of the Feeding America food distribution program at Lee high and currently serving on the Godfrey-Lee Education Foundation Board of Directors.

Gerald R. Ford International Airport to host 2018 Runway 5K

January 24, 20183-bottom, City of Kentwood, SportsGerald R. Ford International Airport, Jim Gill, Make-a-Wish Michgian, Runway 5KJoanne

By Tara Hernandez

After a popular 2017 race that sold out in five days and raised thousands for charity, the Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GFIA) is once again hosting a Runway 5K on airport grounds.

The Runway 5K is slated for the morning of Saturday, Oct. 6. The race will begin near the cargo facilities, under a runway tunnel, loop around by the airport fire station, and wrap around on Runway 8L/26R – GFIA’s general aviation runway. The Airport’s two other commercial aviation runways will still be operational.

“We are excited to bring back the Runway 5K after such a successful 2017 event. We had such great feedback from the community and sponsors that had a chance to participate in an event normally being used for aircraft, that we had to bring it back,” said GFIA President & CEO Jim Gill. “We are giving West Michigan a chance to experience our facility like never before. This event will not only encourage family time, but it is promoting a healthy lifestyle and aviation as well as benefitting a wonderful local charity.”

GFIA is hosting the event for a small registration fee, but the Airport has selected Make-A-Wish Michigan as its charity of choice to donate the proceeds for the second straight year. 2017’s event raised $10,000 for Make-A-Wish Michigan.

“We’re delighted that the Gerald R. Ford International Airport is hosting this event once again to benefit Make-A-Wish Michigan,” said Karen Davis, president & CEO of Make-A-Wish Michigan. “It’s through the generous support of our Michigan community, like our friends at GFIA, that we are able to grant life-changing wishes to Michigan children and bring hope, strength and joy at a time when they need it most.”

“Make-A-Wish Michigan does tremendous work in our community, and we are thrilled to be able to donate proceeds from our Runway 5K to this organization,” said Gill. “We see Make-A-Wish kids in our airport on a regular basis, and although we wish that was less frequent; we are happy to help grant more wishes in West Michigan through this donation.”

Participants are encouraged to sign up early as registration prices vary. Registration for the race starts at $32/person, but goes up as capacity fills. Registration includes a t-shirt, post-race snacks/beverages, awards for top finishers, and other giveaways. For those wanting to participate in a one-mile fun run/walk, the fee starts at $18/person and goes up as capacity fills. For those wanting to participate in a one-mile fun run/walk, the fee starts at $18/person and goes up as capacity fills. Participants can register at: http://triviumracing.com/event/runway5k2018

Godwin boys hoops, EK swim action on WKTV featured games schedule

January 22, 2018City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, SportsEast Kentwood swimming, Godwin Heights Basketball, WKTV on demandJoanne

Mike Moll, WKTV Volunteer Sports Director

WKTV’s sports crew will be on the road early this week with an Tuesday, Jan. 23, OK Silver conference boys basketball showdown as Northpointe Christian (3-1 conference; 7-3 overall) visits conference-leading Godwin Heights (5-0; 9-1). Then later in the week, on Thursday, Jan. 25, the crew will be taking to the pool as Grandville will visit East Kentwood’s swim center for a meet.

And, just in, WKTV has added to its January schedule with a Tuesday, Jan. 30, basketball game at Wyoming Potter’s House.

All 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/

Local high school sports events this week are as follows:

Monday, Jan. 22

Boys/Girls Bowling

Calvin Christian @ Godwin Heights

Kelloggsville @ Wellsprings Prep

Wyoming @ Wayland

Wyoming Lee @ NorthPointe Christian

Rockford @ East Kentwood

Tuesday, Jan. 23

Girls Basketball

Godwin Heights @ NorthPointe Christian

Kelloggsville @ Belding

Hudsonville @ Wyoming

Rockford @ East Kentwood

Holland Black River @ Potter’s House

Algoma Christian @ Grand River Prep

Zion Christian @ Tri-Unity Christian

Hudsonville Home Schoolers @ West Michigan Lutheran

Middleville T-K @ South Christian

Boys Basketball

NorthPointe Christian @ Godwin Heights – WKTV Featured Game

Belding @ Kelloggsville

Wyoming @ Hudsonville

Wyoming Lee @ Hopkins

East Kentwood @ Rockford

Holland Black River @ Potter’s House

Algoma Christian @ Grand River Prep

Kalamazoo Heritage Christian @ West Michigan Aviation

Zion Christian @ Tri-Unity Christian

South Christian @ Middleville T-K

Boys Swimming

Caledonia @ East Kentwood

Wednesday, Jan. 24

Boys/Girls Bowling

Hopkins @ Godwin Heights

Wyoming Lee @ Kelloggsville

FH Eastern @ Wyoming

Hudsonville @ East Kentwood

Boys Wrestling

Wyoming Lee @ Godwin Heights

Kelloggsville @ Sparta

Zeeland East @ Wyoming

Caledonia @ East Kentwood

Girls Cheer

Godwin Heights @ Kelloggsville

Wyoming Lee @ Kelloggsville

Wyoming @ Hamilton

Thursday, Jan. 25

Boys Swimming

Grandville @ East Kentwood – WKTV Featured Game

South Christian @ Muskegon Mona Shores

Boys/Girls Bowling

Tri-Unity Christian @ Potter’s House

Friday, Jan. 26

Boys Basketball

Godwin Heights @ Zeeland East

Calvin Christian @ Kelloggsville

Wyoming @ East Grand Rapids

Belding @ Wyoming Lee

East Kentwood @ Grandville

Tri-Unity Christian @ Potter’s House

West Michigan Aviation @ Calvary Christian

Zion Christian @ Algoma Christian

Creative Technologies @ West Michigan Lutheran

Wayland @ South Christian

Girls Basketball

Covenant Christian @ Godwin Heights

Calvin Christian @ Kelloggsville

Wyoming @ East Grand Rapids

East Kentwood @ Grandville

Tri-Unity Christian @ Potter’s House

Zion Christian @ Grand River Prep

West Michigan Aviation @ Calvary Christian

Creative Technologies @ West Michigan Lutheran

Wayland @ South Christian

Boys Hockey

Kalamazoo United @ East Kentwood

Parma Padua Franciscan (OH) @ South Christian/BC/Wayland – Catholic Showcase

Saturday, Jan. 27

Boys/Girls Bowling

Godwin Heights @ Rockford

Wyoming @ Rockford

Boys Wrestling

Godwin Heights @ Northview

Wyoming @ Montague

Wyoming Lee @ Reed City

East Kentwood @ Lakewood

Girls Cheer

Kelloggsville @ Caledonia

Wyoming @ Caledonia

East Kentwood @ Caledonia

Girls Dance

East Kentwood @ St. John

Boys Hockey

East Kentwood @ West Ottawa

Parma Heights Holy Name (OH) @ South Christian/BC/Wayland – Catholic Showcase

Girls Basketball

Tri-Unity Christian @ Belding

Monday, Jan. 29

Boys/Girls Bowling

Potter’s House @ Godwin Heights

Kelloggsville @ Calvin Christian

Wyoming @ Christian

Wyoming Lee @ Belding

East Kentwood @ Grand Haven

OK Red boys basketball showdown on WKTV featured games schedule

January 15, 2018Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, SportsJoanne

WKTV’s Viebit service allows on-demand viewing of Wyoming and Kentwood government meetings, including the monthly Government Matters meeting. (WKTV)

Mike Moll, WKTV Volunteer Sports Director

WKTV’s sports crew will be on the road early this week with an OK Red conference boys basketball showdown as West Ottawa visits East Kentwood on Tuesday, Jan. 16. West Ottawa will enter with a conference-leading 3-0 record (6-1 overall) while East Kentwood enters 1-1 (3-6 overall).

The remainder of the tentative January Featured Game broadcast schedule is:

Tuesday, Jan. 23 — Boys Basketball: NorthPointe Christian at Godwin Heights

Thursday, Jan. 25 — Boys Swimming: Grandville at East Kentwood

All games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktv.viebit.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/

Local high school sports events this week are as follows:

Monday, Jan. 15

Boys/Girls Bowling

NorthPointe Christian @ Godwin Heights

Belding @ Kelloggsville

Wyoming Lee @ Hopkins

Wyoming @ East Grand Rapids

Girls Cheer

Kelloggsville @ Comstock Park

Tuesday, Jan. 16

Boys Basketball

Godwin Heights @ Belding

Kelloggsville @ NorthPointe Christian

Wyoming @ Wayland

West Ottawa @ East Kentwood

Fruitport Calvary @ Potter’s House

West Michigan Lutheran @ Algoma Christian

East Grand Rapids @ South Christian

Girls Basketball

Belding @ Godwin Heights

NorthPointe Christian @ Kelloggsville

Wayland @ Wyoming

East Kentwood @ West Ottawa

Fruitport Calvary @ Potter’s House

Wellsprings Prep @ West Michigan Lutheran

South Christian @ East Grand Rapids

Boys/Girls Bowling

East Kentwood @ Caledonia

Tri-Unity Christian @ Wellsprings Prep

Wednesday, Jan. 17

Boys/Girls Bowling

Godwin Heights @ Wyoming Lee

Hopkins @ Kelloggsville

Byron Center @ Wyoming

East Kentwood @ Grandville

Boys Wrestling

Godwin Heights @ NorhtPointe Christian

Kelloggsville @ Belding

Zeeland West @ Wyoming

Wyoming Lee @ Allendale

East Kentwood @ West Ottawa

Girls Cheer

Wyoming @ Wayland

East Kentwood @ Grandville

Thursday, Jan. 18

Boys Swimming

East Kentwood @ Hudsonville

Boys/Girls Bowling

NorthPointe Christian @ Tri-Unity Christian

Friday, Jan. 19

Boys Basketball

Wyoming Lee @ Godwin Heights

Hopkins @ Kelloggsville

Wyoming @ Christian

East Kentwood @ Hudsonville

West Michigan Aviation @ Wellsprings Prep

Zion Christian @ Holland Black River

Heritage Christian @ Tri-Unity Christian

South Christian @ Unity Christian

Girls Basketball

Hopkins @ Kelloggsville

Wyoming @ Christian

East Kentwood @ Hudsonville

West Michigan Aviation @ Wellsprings Prep

Zion Christian @ Holland Black River

South Christian @ Unity Christian

Boys Hockey

South Christian/BC/Wayland @ Rockford

Saturday, Jan. 20

Boys Wrestling

Godwin Heights @ Hopkins

Kelloggsville @ Christian

Wyoming @ Jenison

Wyoming Lee @ Manistee

East Kentwood @ Holt

Girls Cheer

Kelloggsville @ Sparta

Wyoming Lee @ Sparta

East Kentwood @ Grand Ledge

Girls Dance

East Kentwood @ Wayland

Boys Hockey

East Kentwood @ Grandville

South Christian/BC/Wayland @ Petoskey

Monday, Jan. 22

Boys/Girls Bowling

Calvin Christian @ Godwin Heights

Kelloggsville @ Wellsprings Prep

Wyoming @ Wayland

Wyoming Lee @ NorthPointe Christian

Rockford @ East Kentwood

Wyoming vs. S. Christian hoops doubleheader on WKTV featured schedule

January 8, 2018Area Education, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, SportsCity of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Godfrey Lee High School, South Christian High School, Wyoming High School, Wyoming LeeJoanne

Last year, Godfrey-Lee Public Schools inducted six new members into their Hall of Fame prior to a boys basketball game at Lee High School. (WKTV)

WKTV Staff

Key conference games, as well as Wyoming Lee’s annual Hall of Fame games, are on the schedule this week as WKTV’s sports crew will be on the road Jan. 12 with a doubleheader of boys and girls basketball at Wyoming High School when the South Christian Sailors challenge the Wolves in a pair of key early year OK Conference Gold games.

On the girls side, Wyoming enters with an 0-1 conference record, 4-3 overall, after opening up OK Gold play with a tough 49-46 road loss at Thornapple Kellogg Friday, Jan. 5, and before another road game Tuesday, Jan. 9, at Forest Hills Eastern. South Christian will enter 1-0 in conference after a 59-29 home win over Forest Hills Eastern Friday, 5-2 overall, before hosting Grand Rapids Christian Tuesday.

On the boys side, Wyoming enters with an 1-0 conference record, 4-2 overall, after opening up OK Gold play with a 67-37 win at Thornapple Kellogg and before a home game Tuesday, Jan. 9, against Forest Hills Eastern. South Christian will enter 1-0 in conference, 4-1 overall, after a 56-50 win Forest Hills Eastern Friday and before a road game at Christian Tuesday.

Wyoming Lee will host Kelloggsville on Friday in the school’s annual Hall of Fame game.

The remainder of the tentative January Featured Game broadcast schedule is:

Tuesday. Jan. 16 — Boys Basketball: West Ottawa at East Kentwood

Tuesday, Jan. 23 — Boys Basketball: NorthPointe Christian at Godwin Heights

Thursday, Jan. 25 — Boys Swimming: Grandville at East Kentwood

All games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktv.viebit.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/

Local high school sports events this week are as follows:

Monday, Jan. 8

Boys/Girls Bowling

Kelloggsville @ Godwin Heights

Unity Christian @ Wyoming

Wyoming Lee @ Calvin Christian

Catholic Central @ Tri-Unity Christian

Tuesday Jan. 9

Girls Basketball

Godwin Heights @ Kelloggsville

Wyoming @ FH Eastern

Caledonia @ East Kentwood – WKTV Featured Game

Holland Black River @ Grand River Prep

West Michigan Aviation @ Martin

Zion Christian @ Holland Calvary

West Michigan Lutheran @ WMAES

Hopkins @ Tri-Unity Christian

Christian @ South Christian

Boys Basketball

Kelloggsville @ Godwin Heights

FH Eastern @ Wyoming

Wyoming Lee @ Calvin Christian

Caledonia @ East Kentwood

Covenant Christian @ Potter’s House

Holland Black River @ Grand River Prep

West Michigan Aviation @ Martin

West Michigan Lutheran @ WMAES

Hopkins @ Tri-Unity Christian

South Christian @ Christian

Girls Cheer

@ East Kentwood – Falcon Invite

Wednesday, Jan. 10

Boys/Girls Bowling

Godwin Heights @ Belding

Kelloggsville @ NorthPointe Christian

Wyoming @ Zeeland East

Potter’s House @ Wyoming Lee

Boys Wrestling

Godwin Heights @ Coopersville

NorthPointe Christian @ Kelloggsville

FH Eastern @ Wyoming

TBA @ Wyoming Lee

Hudsonville @ East Kentwood

Girls Cheer

Godwin Heights @ NorthPointe Christian

Kelloggsville @ NorthPointe Christian

Wyoming Lee @ NorthPointe Christian

Boys Hockey

Catholic Central @ East Kentwood

Thursday, Jan. 11

Boys/Girls Bowling

Wyoming Lee @ Tri-Unity Christian

Boys Swimming

West Ottawa @ East Kentwood

Friday, Jan. 12

Girls Basketball

Godwin Heights @ Hopkins

South Christian @ Wyoming – WKTV Featured Game

West Michigan Aviation @ Potter’s House

Holland Calvary @ Grand River Prep

Calvary Christian @ Zion Christian

West Michigan Lutheran @ Creative Technologies

Tri-Unity Christian @ Covenant Christian

Boys Basketball

Godwin Heights @ Hopkins

South Christian @ Wyoming – WKTV Featured Game

Kelloggsville @ Wyoming Lee – Hall of Fame Game

West Michigan Aviation @ Potter’s House

Holland Calvary @ Grand River Prep

Calvary Christian @ Zion Christian

West Michigan Lutheran @ Creative Technologies Academy

Tri-Unity Christian @ Covenant Christian

Boys Wrestling

Wyoming Lee @ Kelloggsville

Boys Hockey

East Kentwood @ FH Central

Rockford @ South Christian/BC/Wayland

Boys/Girls Bowling

Potter’s House @ Muskegon Orchard View

Saturday, Jan. 13

Girls Cheer

Godwin Heights @ Wyoming

Kelloggsville @ Allendale

Wyoming Lee @ Allendale

Boys Wrestling

Kelloggsville @ Fruitport

Wyoming @ West Catholic

East Kentwood @ West Catholic – Dunneback Invite

Boys/Girls Bowling

Kelloggsville @ Lowell

East Kentwood @ Rockford

Boys Swimming

East Kentwood @ Kalamazoo Loy Norrix

Boys Hockey

West Ottawa @ South Christian/BC/Wayland

Monday, Jan. 15

Boys/Girls Bowling

NorthPointe Christian @ Godwin Heights

Belding @ Kelloggsville

Wyoming Lee @ Hopkins

Wyoming @ East Grand Rapids

Girls Cheer

Kelloggsville @ Comstock Park

South Christian students lead effort to honor veterans at recent basketball game

January 4, 20183-bottom, Area Education, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Education, Local Faces, Non-Profits, Sports, VeteransDavid Warsen Foundation, Set Free Ministries, South Christian High SchoolJoanne

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

By K.D. Norris

It is common practice to honor the flag prior to the a high school basketball game, to stand for the playing of the national anthem. But South Christian High School pushed honoring America, and American service members and veterans, to an whole other level at a game last month when it hosted a special veterans recognition ceremony.

At the Sailors’ Dec. 15 game when it hosted Caledonia, a special ceremony between the girls and boys games honored U.S. Navy SEAL David Warsen, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2012, and well as other servicemen and women that have sacrificed their lives. It was also a benefit for the David Warsen Foundation and Warriors Set Free, a Grand Rapids based organization for veterans run by veterans to help deal with PTSD, suicide, anxiety, depression, and other life issues.

The event was the creation of two South Christian students, seniors Andrew Haan and Will Warsen.

David Warsen “was a cousin of my friend Will, my partner in organizing the event,” Haan said to WKTV. “I know Dean VanderMey who is on the board at Set Free Ministries, I told him about this project and he referred me to Steve Prince, the main person at Warriors Set Free, which is an offshoot of Set Free Ministries.”

For Prince, it was not his first time working with the David Warsen Foundation and it all fit perfectly with his ministry’s mission.

“I was invited to the South Christian event by Andrew Haan, his brother is connected to Set Free Ministries,” Prince said to WKTV. “I have also attended several events with the David Warsen Foundation. A large part of my ministry is spreading the word about what we are doing, so being at that event helped to inform more people about our mission. I also spent some time (at the game) talking with people who are already connected to Set Free Ministries and military vets.”

Warriors Set Free — “Where the hurting and the Healer connect”, according to its website — “is a (Christian-based) ministry run by Veterans for Veterans. Typically a Veteran will only be comfortable talking to another Veteran about the experiences they have had in a war or military service. Trying to explain your military experience to a civilian has its challenges. We remove that problem by training Vets to help Vets. Our director, founder and volunteers are all Veterans.”

For more information about the David Warsen Foundation visit davidwarsenlegacy.com and about Warriors Set Free visit setfreeministries.com .

New year, new WKTV featured games part of upcoming sports schedule

January 2, 2018Area Education, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, SportsKentwood high school sports, Wyoming high school sportsJoanne

Mike Moll, WKTV Volunteer Sports Director

The New Year has started and with it most local high school basketball teams began the conference portion of their schedules. WKTV will continue to be there bringing its viewers at least one Featured Game matchup each week, so, as always, if you can support your local school and its student-athletes in person do so, but then join in on the broadcasts.

WKTV’s sports crew will be on the road Jan. 5 with a doubleheader of boys and girls basketball, with Grand River Preparatory High School at Wyoming Potter’s House on the girls side, and Kelloggsville High School at The Potter’s House High School on the boys side. Then on Jan. 6, the crew will be at South Christian High School for a boys hockey game against Catholic Central High School.

The remainder of the tentative January Featured Game broadcast schedule is:

Friday, Jan. 12 — Girls and Boys Basketball: South Christian at Wyoming

Tuesday. Jan. 16 — Boys Basketball: West Ottawa at East Kentwood

Tuesday, Jan. 23 — Boys Basketball: NorthPointe Christian at Godwin Heights

Thursday, Jan. 25 — Boys Swimming: Grandville at East Kentwood

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/

Local high school sports events this week are as follows:

Tuesday, Jan. 2

Boys Basketball

Grandville @ Wyoming

Wednesday, Jan. 3

Boys Wrestling

Godwin Heights @ Spring Lake

Kelloggsville @ Spring Lake

Wyoming @ Hamilton

East Kentwood @ Grandville

Girls Cheer

Godwin Heights @ Wyoming Lee

Kelloggsville @ Wyoming Lee

Girls Basketball

Benton Harbor @ Godwin Heights

Boys/Girls Bowling

Calvin Christian @ Kelloggsville

Wyoming @ South Christian

Belding @ Wyoming Lee

Thursday, Jan. 4

Boys Wrestling

Calvin Christian @ Wyoming Lee

Boys Swimming

@ East Kentwood

Boys Basketball

TBA vs Grand River Prep – GR Drive Winter Classic @ The DeltaPlex

Girls Basketball

WMAES @ West Michigan Lutheran

Friday, Jan. 5

Girls Basketball

Calvin Christian @ Godwin Heights

Holland Black River @ Kelloggsville

Wyoming @ Middleville T-K

East Kentwood @ Grand Haven

Grand River Prep @ Potter’s House

West Michigan Aviation @ Tri-Unity Christian

TBA vs West Michigan Lutheran — GR Drive Winter Classic @ The DeltaPlex

FH Eastern @ South Christian

Boys Basketball

Calvin Christian @ Godwin Heights

Kelloggsville @ Potter’s House — WKTV Featured Game

Wyoming @ Middleville T-K

NorthPointe Christian @ Wyoming Lee

East Kentwood @ Grand Haven

TBA vs Grand River Prep — GR Drive Winter Classic @ The DeltaPlex

West Michigan Aviation @ Tri-Unity Christian

Zion Christian @ Holland Calvary

FH Eastern @ South Christian

Girls Cheer

East Kentwood @ Hudsonville

Boys Hockey

East Kentwood @ Muskegon Mona Shores — Stan Konrad Tournament

South Christian/BC/Wayland @ Lansing Catholic

Saturday, Jan. 6

Boys Wrestling

Godwin Heights @ Allendale

Kelloggsville @ Wyoming

Girls Cheer

Godwin Heights @ NorthPointe Christian

Kelloggsville @ NorthPointe Christian

Wyoming Lee @ NorthPointe Christian

Boys/Girls Bowling

Godwin Heights @ Fruitport

Kelloggsville @ Fruitport

Wyoming Lee @ Jenison

Boys Swimming

East Kentwood @ East Grand Rapids

Boys Hockey

East Kentwood @ Muskegon Mona Shores — Stan Konrad Tournament

Catholic Central @ South Christian/BC/Wayland — WKTV Featured Game

Monday, Jan. 8

Boys/Girls Bowling

Kelloggsville @ Godwin Heights

Unity Christian @ Wyoming

Wyoming Lee @ Calvin Christian

Catholic Central @ Tri-Unity Christian

Deltaplex’s high school basketball tourney highlights WKTV’s sports schedule

December 27, 20173-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Education, Local Entertainment, SportsAll-Star Officials Association, Drive Winter Classic, Grand Rapids DriveJoanne

West Michigan Lutheran and West Michigan Aviation Academy, shown in a WKTV featured game from last year, are among the small high school teams featured in the Drive Winter Classic. (WKTV)

WKTV Staff

The WKTV sports broadcast team is in the midst of taking a holiday break, returning with basketball Friday, Jan. 5, 2018, and hockey the next day. But there is some local high school action this week and next including several local basketball tournaments highlighted by a special small-high-school basketball tournament at a big-time venue — The Drive Winter Classic at The Deltaplex Arena in Grand Rapids.

“The tournament was put together to feature the talent in small school basketball,” Eric Frohriep, President of the All-Star Officials Association, said to WKTV. “The Grand Rapids Drive have been working with me to put this on. … The officials are donating their game fees to raise travel expenses to work the National Dwarf Games in Orlando, Fl., this summer.”

The bracket for the tournament will begin at The Deltaplex on Thursday, Jan. 4 at noon with a boys game between Grand River Preparatory High School and Calhoun Christian High School. That game will be followed, at 4 and 6 p.m., by another boys game featuring West Michigan Academy of Environmental Science (WMAES) and Holt’s Martin Luther High School, and then by a girls game between WMAES and West Michigan Lutheran High School. (The Calhoun Christian girls team has a bye and will automatically advance to the tournament finals.)

The tournament will conclude Friday, Jan. 5, at The Deltaplex with the boys championship at 1:30 p.m. and the girls championship at 3:30 p.m.

All games are $5 to attend. and following the girls title game, fans can also Fans buy tickets for the Wisconsin Herd vs. Grand Rapids Drive game at 7 p.m.

The consolation game of the boys bracket will be played at West Michigan Lutheran, with the boys game at 6 p.m.

The girls team of Cedar Spring’s Creative Technologies Academy is also participating, but is not a MHSAA school so are not in the tournament portion of the Classic, Frohriep said. They are playing the Calhoun Christian girls at 2 p.m. at The Deltaplex on Jan. 4, and playing the loser of the girls opening round game at West Michigan Lutheran, also on Jan. 5.

For more information visit about The Deltaplex Arena visit deltaplex.com. For more information on the All-Star Officials Association visit their Facebook page.

Small high schools will also be the focus of the return of WKTV’s high school sports coverage in the new year.

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/

Local high school sports events this week are as follows:

Wednesday, Dec. 27

Boys/Girls Bowling

Godwin Heights @ Catholic Central – Baker Tourney

Wyoming @ Catholic Central – Baker Tourney

Kelloggsville @ Catholic Central – Baker Tourney

East Kentwood @ Catholic Central – Baker Tourney

Girls Basketball

Godwin Heights vs TBD @ Kelloggsville Holiday Tourney

Boys Basketball

TBD @ Wyoming Lee – Rebel Basketball Tourney

Thursday, Dec. 28

Girls Basketball

Godwin Heights vs TBD @ Kelloggsville Holiday Tourney

Boys Basketball

TBD @ Wyoming Lee – Rebel Basketball Tourney

East Kentwood @ Muskegon Reeths-Puffer

Friday, Dec. 29

Boys Basketball

Godwin Heights vs FH Central @ Cornerstone University

Potter’s House @ Holton

Boys Hockey

Muskegon Mona Shores @ East Kentwood

Girls Basketball

Potter’s House @ Holton

Saturday, Dec. 30

Girls Cheer

Kelloggsville @ Delton-Kellogg

Girls Basketball

East Kentwood @ Detroit Northwestern

WKTV coverage of WMA vs. Lee doubleheader part of high school sports schedule

December 18, 20173-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, Kids Activities, Recreation, SportsEast Kentwood Basketball, East Kentwood High School, West Michigan Aviation Academy, WKTV Sports CoverageJoanne

By Mike Moll

The WKTV sports broadcast schedule will give you three games over two nights as our coverage truck makes visits to East Kentwood and West Michigan Aviation this week.

Tuesday night the truck and crew will be heading to East Kentwood for a boys basketball game against East Grand Rapids. Game time is 7 p.m. Friday night, the crew will be at West Michigan Aviation, where both the girls and boys teams will be hosting Wyoming Lee. The crew will then take the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day off before returning in the new year.

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/

Local high school sports events this week are as follows:

Monday, Dec. 18

Boys/Girls Bowling

Godwin Heights @ Hopkins

Kelloggsville @ Wyoming Lee

Christian @ Wyoming

Girls Cheer

East Kentwood @ Grandville

Tuesday, Dec. 19

Boys Bowling

Wellsprings Prep @ Godwin Heights

Wyoming @ Middleville T-K

Boys Basketball

Wyoming Lee @ Tri-Unity Christian

South Christian @ Calvin Christian

East Grand Rapids @ East Kentwood – WKTV Featured Game

West Michigan Lutheran @ Barry County Christian

Grand River Prep @ West Michigan Aviation

Girls Basketball

Calvin Christian @ South Christian

East Kentwood @ East Grand Rapids

Grace Christian @ Zion Christian

West Michigan Lutheran @ Barry County Christian

Manistee Catholic Central 2 tri-Unity Christian

Wednesday, Dec. 20

Girls Cheer

Godwin Heights @ Muskegon Mona Shores

Wyoming @ Muskegon Mona Shores

Boys Basketball

Catholic Central @ Godwin Heights

Boys Wrestling

Wyoming Lee @ Comstock Park

Wyoming @ Holland

Kelloggsville @ Calvin Christian

Rockford @ East Kentwood

Thursday, Dec. 21

Boys/Girls Bowling

Wyoming @ Allendale

Friday, Dec. 22

Boys Basketball

Wyoming Lee @ West Michigan Aviation – WKTV Featured Game

Wyoming @ Kenowa Hills

Cedar Springs @ Kelloggsville

Lansing Christian @ Potter’s House

Girls Basketball

Wyoming @ Kenowa Hills

Lansing Christian @ Potter’s House

Wyoming Lee @ West Michigan Aviation – WKTV Featured Game

Boys Hockey

East Kentwood @ Catholic Central

Saturday, Dec. 23

Boys Wrestling

Kelloggsville @ Martin

Monday, Dec. 25

CHRISTMAS DAY

Tuesday, Dec. 26

Boys Basketball

Godwin Heights vs Covenant Christian @ Cornerstone University

WKTV coverage of boys basketball debuts as part of high school sports schedule

December 11, 2017Citizen Journalism, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, SportsJoanne

By Mike Moll

The winter portion of the WKTV sports broadcast schedule tips off this week with three basketball games on two nights.

Tuesday night the truck and crew will be heading to Kelloggsville where the Rockets will host the Potter’s House Pumas in girls’ basketball. Potter’s House had a 2-1 record heading into their Friday night game against Barry County Christian while Kelloggsville had a 1-1 record before their pair of games last week against Union and West Michigan Aviation. Game time is 7 p.m.

Friday night, the crew will be at South Christian where both the girls and boys Sailor teams will be hosting the Fighting Scots from Caledonia. There will be a special Wounded Warrior Project ceremony between the girls and boys game that will honor David Warsen who was killed in 2012, other servicemen and women that have sacrificed their lives, and an organization called Warriors Set Free, which is an organization for veterans that is run by veterans to help deal with PTSD, suicide, anxiety, depression, and other life issues. Game times are 6 p.m. for the girls with the boys scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. start.

This week we also start our weekly sports wraps as supplied by the local high schools. South Christian’s wrap is here. West Michigan Aviation Academy wrap is here. If you would like to report weekly scores and highlights for your school, contact sports@wktv.org.

The rest of the tentative December schedule is:

Tuesday, Dec. 19 – Boys Basketball East Grand Rapids at East Kentwood

Friday, Dec. 22 – Girls and Boys Basketball Wyoming Lee at West Michigan Aviation

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/

Local high school sports events this week are as follows:

Monday, Dec. 11

Boys/Girls Bowling

Ottawa Hills @ Godwin Heights

Wayland @ Wyoming

Girls Basketball

Holland Calvary @ West Michigan Lutheran

Tuesday, Dec. 12

Girls Basketball

Holland @ Godwin Heights

Northview @ Wyoming – Abbey Czarniecki Community Night

Potter’s House @ Kelloggsville – WKTV Featured Game

East Kentwood @ Byron Center

Martin @ Zion Christian

WMAES @ West Michigan Aviation

Western Michigan Christian @ Tri-Unity Christian

Boys Basketball

Wyoming Lee @ Union

Northview @ Wyoming – Abbey Czarniecki Community Night

Byron Center @ East Kentwood

Zion Christian @ Martin

WMAES @ West Michigan Aviation

Western Michigan Christian @ Tri-Unity Christian

Boys Swimming

@ East Kentwood

Wednesday, Dec. 13

Boys/Girls Bowling

Rockford @ Godwin Heights

Wyoming @ FH Eastern

Boys Wrestling

Allendale @ Godwin Heights – Double Duel

Wyoming Lee @ Kelloggsville

Ottawa Hills @ Wyoming

East Kentwood @ Holland

Thursday, Dec. 14

Boys/Girls Bowling

Wyoming @ Hudsonville

Girls Basketball

Kelloggsville @ Zion Christian

Friday, Dec. 15

Boys Basketball

Potter’s House @ Wyoming Lee

Wyoming @ East Kentwood

Caledonia @ South Christian – WKTV Featured Game

Hamilton @ Kelloggsville

Cedar Springs CTA @ West Michigan Aviation

Wellsprings Prep @ Grand River Prep

NorthPointe Christian @ Tri-Unity Christian

Girls Basketball

Wyoming @ East Kentwood

Caledonia @ South Christian – WKTV Featured Game

Potter’s House @ Wyoming Lee

West Michigan Lutheran @ Holland Black River

Cedar Springs CTA @ West Michigan Aviation

Wellsprings Prep @ Grand River Prep

NorthPointe Christian @ Tri-Unity Christian

Boys Hockey

Manistee @ South Christian

East Kentwood @ Alpena

Saturday, Dec. 16

Boys Wrestling

Godwin Heights @ South Haven

Wyoming Lee @ FH Central – Kent Count Championships

Wyoming @ FH Central – Kent County Championships

Kelloggsville @ FH Central – Kent County Championships

East Kentwood @ FH Central – Kent County Championships

Boys/Girls Bowling

Godwin Heights @ Cedar Springs

Kelloggsville @ Cedar Springs

Boys Hockey

South Christian vs TBD @ Jenison Tournament

East Kentwood @ Alpena

Boys Swimming

East Kentwood @ Grand Haven

Girls Cheer

East Kentwood @ West Ottawa

Monday, Dec. 18

Boys/Girls Bowling

Godwin Heights @ Hopkins

Kelloggsville @ Wyoming Lee

Christian @ Wyoming

Girls Cheer

East Kentwood @ Grandville

South Christian High School sports wrap, Dec. 11

December 11, 2017Area Education, Education, SportsSouth Christian High SchoolJoanne

Supplied by South Christian

Girls Basketball: Sailors fend off Maroons, 42-39, to move to 3-1

South Christian hosted rival Holland Christian on Friday, Dec. 8, night. It was a slow start by both clubs, as the scoring was sparse in the 1st quarter. South held a slight edge after one and would extend their lead over the Lady Maroons to go into halftime up by 6, 19-13. SC came out of the locker room with a solid 3rd quarter to go up by double digits going into the final 8 minutes of the contest.

Holland Christian would continue to work hard and closed to within a basket in the final seconds, but a corner three pointer would come up short and South Christian would hold on for the 42-39 victory. Gabby Timmer would again lead South in the scoring column and on the boards with 16 points and 5 rebounds. Mariel Bruxvoort dropped in 15 points to go along with her 4 rebounds and 4 assists. Sydney Cleary led SC in handouts with 5 assists on the night to go with her 5 points and 3 steals.

South is now 3-1 on the year and will host another local rival, Caledonia, on Friday, Dec. 16, night at South Christian High School.

By Ty Cleary

Boys Basketball: Sailors defeat HC thanks to the hot hand of Vis

The Boys Varsity Basketball Team welcomed long time rival Holland Christian Friday, Dec. 8. A back and forth first half ended with South leading 27-24 at the break. A big 3rd quarter saw the Sailors outscore the Maroons 24-16 with some hot shooting from junior Peyton Vis. South held the lead the rest of the way, the final score 69-53.

Vis led all scorers with 29 points on 6 made 3-pointers. Fellow junior Luke Schrotenboer had 10 while senior Trey Vredevoogd scored 9, including a thunderous dunk in the 3rd quarter, and grabbed 6 boards.

The 2-0 Sailors have Tuesday off and then welcome Caledonia Friday, Dec. 15, at 7:30 for the David Warsen Legacy Foundation game to honor Veterans and Servicemen.

By Todd Schrotenboer

West Michigan Aviation Academy boys start season with win

December 11, 2017Area Education, Education, SportsWest Michigan Aviation AcademyJoanne

Supplied by WMAA

The West Michigan Aviation Academy boys basketball team kicked off a highly anticipated season on Friday night, securing a 63-54 victory over non-conference opponent Crossroads Charter Academy of Big Rapids.

Quentin Thompson led the way for the Aviators, dialing in from long range to finish with 21 points, as reported by WMAA boys coach and athletic Tyler Whitcomb. Thompson was 6-of-12 from the field, including a 6-of-11 performance from behind the 3-point arc. Thompson was also a perfect 3-for-3 from the charity stripe.

Micah Broersma also let it fly from deep in the win, finishing 4-for-10 from 3-point land for all 12 of his points. Ryan Robertson contributed 12 points for the Aviators, dropping in 10 of his 14 free throw attempts.

West Michigan Aviation Academy did not shy away from stiff competition in the season-opening contest. Combo guard Britton Angel returned to Crossroads this year as an All-State honoree last season.

Angel has already been on scoring tear this season, recording 36 points in the game 1 and 53 points in the game leading up to his visit to WMAA, but the Aviators were able to limit him to 22 points, which included a 9-for-14 performance from the field.

The Aviators slowly built their lead over the course of the game, gaining an 18-14 lead after the first stanza and holding on to a 26-23 lead at the break.

WMAA finished 17-for-43 from the field, 12-for-28 from 3-point land and 17-for-24 from the free-throw line. The Aviators grabbed a 27-24 advantage on the boards. Broersma and Robertson each hauled in five rebounds apiece to lead the team. Robertson added six assists, as well. WMAA is now 1-0 on the season.

Sam Ver Steeg chipped in with nine points for the Aviators, who also got points from Niklass Kurth (3 points), Bakar Dadiri (2), Zach Ellis (2) and Darnell Frye II (2).

West Michigan Aviation Academy continues its non-conference slate with Tuesday’s home match-up with West Michigan Academy of Environmental Science.

Boys basketball debuts on high school sports schedule; WKTV coverage close behind

December 4, 20173-bottom, Area Education, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, SportsKentwood high school sports, Wyoming high school sportsJoanne

An early 2017 game televised by WKTV with East Kentwood High School’s boys basketball team at Wyoming. (WKTV)

By Mike Moll

October 23, 2017City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, SportsGodwin Heights High School, Kelloggsville High School, MHSAA football playoffs, South Christian High School, Tri-Unity Christian High SchoolJoanne

With Christmas and Christmas break this month, the December schedules are a bit thinner than a normal winter month, but boys basketball tips off the first week of the month and there are several holiday tournaments going on between Christmas and New Year’s, so get out to watch in person your local high school teams.

If you can’t make it in person, or even if you do, then join us on WKTV as we have an assortment of contests coming to the airwaves. The tentative December schedule is:

Tuesday, Dec. 12 – Girls Basketball Potter’s House at Kelloggsville

Friday, Dec. 15 – Girls and Boys Basketball Caledonia at South Christian

Tuesday, Dec. 19 – Boys Basketball East Grand Rapids at East Kentwood

Friday, Dec. 22 – Girls and Boys Basketball Wyoming Lee at West Michigan Aviation

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/

Local high school sports events this week are as follows:

Monday, Dec. 4

Girls Basketball

Orchard View @ Godwin Heights

Boys/Girls Bowling

East Grand Rapids @ Wyoming

Tuesday, Dec. 5

Boys Basketball

West Ottawa @ Godwin Heights

Allendale @ South Christian

Kelloggsville @ Delton-Kellogg

East Kentwood @ FH Northern

Zion Christian @ Galesburg-Augusta

WMAES @ Grand River Prep

Girls Basketball

South Christian @ East Kentwood

Union @ Kelloggsville

Zion Christian @ Galesburg-Augusta

West Michigan Lutheran @ Potter’s House

Muskegon Catholic Central @ Grand River Prep

Montague @ Tri-Unity Christian

Wednesday, Dec. 6

Boys Wrestling

Godwin Heights @ Unity Christian

Wyoming Lee @ Unity Christian

Wyoming @ Unity Christian

Kelloggsville @ Holland

East Kentwood @ Hudsonville

Boys/Girls Bowling

Wyoming @ Byron Center

Thursday, Dec. 7

Boys/Girls Bowling

Caledonia @ Godwin Heights

Boys Basketball

Wyoming Lee @ Zion Christian

Grand River Prep @ Saranac

Boys Swimming

FH Central @ East Kentwood

Girls Basketball

Wyoming Lee @ Zion Christian

West Michigan Aviation @ West Michigan Lutheran

Friday, Dec. 8

Girls Basketball

Godwin Heights @ Union

Wyoming @ Jenison

Holland Christian @ South Christian

Kelloggsville @ West Michigan Aviation

East Kentwood @ FH Central

Barry County Christian @ Potter’s House

Boys Basketball

Hudsonville @ Godwin Heights

Jenison @ Wyoming

Holland Christian @ South Christian

Kelloggsville @ West Catholic

East Kentwood @ FH Central

Potter’s House @ Pewamo-Westphalia

Big Rapids Crossroads @ West Michigan Aviation

Algoma Christian @ Tri-Unity Christian

Boys Hockey

South Christian @ Lowell

Muskegon Reeths-Puffer @ East Kentwood

Saturday, Dec. 9

Boys Wrestling

Godwin Heights @ Kent City

Wyoming Lee @ Greenville

Wyoming @ Calvin Christian

Buchanan @ Kelloggsville – Dave Flemming Tournament

East Kentwood @ Big Rapids

Girls Cheer

Wyoming @ Comstock Park

East Kentwood @ Caledonia

Boys Hockey

South Christian @ Manistee

Girls Basketball

Grand River Prep @ Tri-Unity Christian

Boys Basketball

Grand River Prep @ Tri-Unity Christian

Monday, Dec. 11

Boys/Girls Bowling

Ottawa Hills @ Godwin Heights

Wayland @ Wyoming

Girls Basketball

Holland Calvary @ West Michigan Lutheran

WKTV high school sports schedule for this week includes girls’ basketball

November 27, 20173-bottom, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, SportsGodwin Heights High School, Tri-Unity Christian High SchoolJoanne

WKTV’s coverage of girls’ high school basketball in mid-December, but you can catch live action this week. (WKTV)

By Mike Moll

sports@wktv.org

The girls’ basketball season has started but WKTV featured basketball coverage is a couple weeks off as the first featured contest on our crew’s schedule will be a Tuesday, Dec. 12, contest when the Kelloggsville High School girls host Wyoming’s The Potter’s House.

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/

Local high school sports events this week, through the end of the month, are as follows:

Tuesday, Nov. 28

Girls Basketball

Godwin Heights @ Tri-Unity Christian

Saranac @ Grand River Prep

Wellsprings Prep @ Kelloggsville

Grand Rapids Christian @ East Kentwood

South Christian @ Forest Hills Northern

Grand Rapids Union @ Wyoming

Thursday, Nov. 30

Girls Basketball

Grand River Prep @ West Michigan Academy of Environmental Science (WMAES)

This week’s WKTV high school sports schedule includes Thanksgiving football review

November 20, 2017Holidays, SportsJoanne

Godwin Heights will be featured on two of the repays of high school football games covered by WKTV this season. (WKTV)

By Mike Moll

sports@wktv.org

The winter sports seasons have started, and WKTV was there last week as East Kentwood entertained East Grand Rapids in a televised hockey game. While there will be no new coverage this week due to the Thanksgiving holiday, there are some local sports on the schedule, and the finals of the fall football playoffs will be this weekend.

And, of course, WKTV will offer up a feast of fall football game rebroadcasts on Thanksgiving Thursday.

WKTV’s 17th Annual Turkey Bowl is a 15-hour special, starting at 9 a.m., with rebroadcasts of the high school football games from this past season, all on WKTV’s Comcast Cable channel 25.

Beginning with the Aug. 31 game of White Cloud at Wyoming Lee at 9 a.m., followed by the Sept. 8 game of Calvin Christian at Godwin Heights at 11 a.m., the Sept. 22 game of Grandville at East Kentwood at 1:40 p.m., the Oct. 6 game of South Christian at Wyoming at 4:20 p.m., and the Oct. 13 game of Belding at Kelloggsville at 6:20 p.m.

The final game of the night will be the the Oct. 27 playoff game of Godwin Heights at Kelloggsville at 8:30 p.m.

Currently, WKTV weekly sports events will be broadcast the night of the game on Comcast Channel 25, usually at 11 p.m., and repeated on Saturday at 11 a.m. on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T U-verse Channel 99 in Wyoming & Kentwood.

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/

Local high school sports events this week are as follows:

Wednesday, Nov. 22

Boys Hockey

South Christian @ Kenowa Hills

Friday Nov. 24

Boys Basketball

Tri-Unity Christian @ Fennville – Scrimmage

Boys Hockey

@ East Kentwood – Falcon Thanksgiving Classic

Boys Football

Division 8 – MHSAA State Finals @ Ford Field 10 a.m.

Division 2 – MHSAA State Finals @ Ford Field 1 p.m.

Division 6 – MHSAA State Finals @ Ford Field 4:30 p.m.

Division 4 – MHSAA State Finals @ Ford Field 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 25

Boys Hockey

@ East Kentwood – Falcon Thanksgiving Classic

Boys Football

Division 7 – MHSAA State Finals @ Ford Field 10 a.m.

Division 1 – MHSAA State Finals @ Ford Field 1 p.m.

Division 5 – MHSAA State Finals @ Ford Field 4:30 p.m.

Division 3 – MHSAA State Finals @ Ford Field 7:30 p.m.

Winter high school sports schedule action begins on ice, on WKTV

November 13, 2017Education, Kentwood Public Schools, SportsEast Kentwood High School, Michigan high school hockeyJoanne

By Mike Moll

sports@wktv.org

The winter seasons start up this week with boys hockey dropping the puck for the first time and WKTV will be there as East Kentwood entertains East Grand Rapids on Nov. 17.

Girls basketball tips off their season the last week of the month.

There is still three fall sports yet to crown champions: Girls volleyball state semi-finals and finals are at the Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek on Thursday, Nov. 16, and Saturday, Nov. 18, for all four classes. Girls swimming and diving will conclude with state finals on Nov. 17^–18 at Oakland University, Holland Aquatic Center, and Eastern Michigan University. The last championships will be handed out on the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving, Nov. 24-25, with football finals being played at Ford Field in Detroit.

Currently, WKTV sports events will be broadcast the night of the game on Comcast Channel 25, usually at 11 p.m., and repeated on Saturday at 11 a.m. on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T U-verse Channel 99 in Wyoming & Kentwood.

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/

Local high school sports events this week are as follows:

Thursday, Nov. 16

Girls Volleyball

MHSAA Class A State Semi Finals @ Kellogg Arena

MHSAA Class B State Semi Finals @ Kellogg Arena

MHSAA Class C State Semi Finals @ Kellogg Arena

MHSAA Class D State Semi Finals @ Kellogg Arena

Friday, Nov. 17

Girls Swimming

Division 1 MHSAA State Finals @ Oakland University

Division 2 MHSAA State Finals @ Holland Aquatic Center

Division 3 MHSAA State Finals @ Eastern Michigan University

Boys Hockey

East Grand Rapids @ East Kentwood – WKTV Featured Game

South Christian @ Grand Haven

Saturday, Nov. 18

Stubby Overmire Card Show @ Wyoming Lee – Denny McLain, Mickey Stanley, Tom Matchick

Girl Volleyball

Class A MHSAA State Finals @ Kellogg Arena 2 PM

Class B MHSAA State Finals @ Kellogg Arena 4 PM

Class C MHSAA State Finals @ Kellogg Arena 12 PM

Class D MHSAA State Finals @ Kellogg Arena 10 AM

Boys Hockey

East Grand Rapids @ South Christian

Girls Swimming

Division 1 MHSAA State Finals @ Oakland University

Division 2 MHSAA State Finals @ Holland Aquatic Center

Division 3 MHSAA State Finals @ Eastern Michigan University

Sunday, Nov. 19

Stubby Overmire Card Show @ Wyoming Lee High School

November high school sports transition from fall to winter action

November 6, 20173-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, SportsEast Kentwood hockey, Stubby OvermireJoanne

Girls high school basketball starts this month with a limited schedule late in the month. (The West Michigan Lutheran girls basketball team is shown here from last season). (WKTV)

By Mike Moll

sports@wktv.org

November will not only bring the Thanksgiving holiday, but also a closeout of the high school sports fall seasons.

The boys and girls cross country finals will be held on Saturday, Nov. 4, at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn. Girls volleyball is working their way through Regionals and are heading to the state semi-finals and finals at the Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek on Thursday, Nov. 16, and Saturday, Nov. 18, for all four classes. Boys soccer state finals are also on the fourth at Rochester Hills Stoney Creek for divisions 1 and 3 and divisions 2 and 4 will be at Comstock Park. Girls swimming and diving will also conclude with state finals on Nov. 17^–18 at Oakland University, Holland Aquatic Center, and Eastern Michigan University. The last championships will be handed out on the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving with football finals being played at Ford Field in Detroit.

The winter seasons also start up this month with boys hockey dropping the puck for the first time mid-month and WKTV will be there as East Kentwood entertains East Grand Rapids on Nov. 17. Girls basketball tips off their season the last week of the month.

The 12^th Annual Stubby Overmire Card Show and Auction will once again be at the Wyoming Lee High School Gymnasium on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 18-19. As always, the highlight guest will be baseball’s last 30 game winner Denny McLain who compiled a 31-6 record as he was part of the 1968 World Championship Detroit Tigers team. He will be joined by two other members of that world championship team as Mickey Stanley will once again appear along with first timer Tom Mathchick.

WKTV will again be bringing boys and girls basketball along with boys hockey to the viewers once again so be sure to check the weekly schedule for broadcast dates and times.

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/

Local high school sports events this week are as follows:

Tuesday, Nov. 7

Girls Volleyball

Grant @ South Christian

Thursday, Nov. 9

Girls Swimming

East Kentwood @ Zeeland – MHSAA Diving Regionals

Kentwood 50: City hosts first-ever Ugly Sweater 5K

November 3, 20173-bottom, City of Kentwood, Sports5K race, City of Kentwood, Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department, Ugly SweaterJoanne

It’s time to pair your running shoes with your favorite ugly sweater for Kentwood’s Ugly Sweater 5K Cross Country Run.

The race will begin at noon on Saturday, Nov. 18 at Stormy Creek Golf Course, 3460 36th St., Kentwood. The course will wind through the golf course, making for a fun and challenging run. The City, which is celebrating its 50th Anniversary in 2017, is inviting runners and walkers to join this unique type of race.

“This is the first time the City has offered a cross country race. Participants will get to run on grass and gravel, cross bridges and even be challenged with a couple of hills,” said Laura Barbrick, marketing and events coordinator of Kentwood’s Parks and Recreation Department. “The ugly sweater aspect adds a fun twist that the whole family can enjoy.”

Runners and spectators are encouraged to dress up for this fun 5k and show off their ugliest sweater. After the race, there will be an awards ceremony for both runners and the ugliest sweaters.

Registration is $35 and includes a knit beanie. For more registration information, visit www.kentwood50.com.

The Spartans are coming, the Spartans are coming … to Grand Rapids

October 25, 20173-bottom, Sports, Upcoming EventsGeorgia Bulldogs basketball, Michigan State University, MSU Spartan basketballJoanne

The Michigan State Spartans will bring their energy — and a No. 2 ranking — to Grand Rapids this weekend. Photo from a 2016-17 game. (Courtesy MSU Athletic Communications)

Update Oct. 26, 5 p.m. Update.

MSU basketball charity exhibition receives overwhelming response. No tickets currently available for Sunday’s contest against Georgia

Sunday’s men’s college basketball exhibition between Michigan State University and University of Georgia at the Van Andel Arena in support of disaster relief efforts has proven to be an extremely high demand event. Tickets went on sale Wednesday afternoon, and the response was immediately overwhelming. There are no tickets currently available for the game, but there will be a very limited number of holds released this week.

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

The preseason No. 2-ranked Michigan State Spartans men’s basketball team — including a freshman big man Xavier Tillman, who played high school ball on local courts — will be coming to Grand Rapids this Sunday to play the Georgia Bulldogs in a special disaster-relief fundraising exhibition contest.

The charity exhibition game will take place Sunday, Oct. 29, at 2 p.m., at the Van Andel Arena. Its goal is to help to raise awareness and financial support for hurricane relief efforts, specifically those in Georgia and in the Bahamas — the home of Spartans senior guard Lourawls “Tum Tum” Nairn Jr.

Ticket sales, which begin today, Wednesday, Oct. 25, will benefit American Red Cross (International Services) and American Red Cross (Georgia Region).

To bring the game to town, the Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention/Arena Authority and SMG, which manages the Van Andel Arena and the DeVos Place and Performance Hall partnered with the Michigan State University Athletic Department and the University of Georgia Bulldogs.

Michigan State Coach Tom Izzo. (Courtesy MSU Athletic Communications)

“This is a great opportunity for our programs to help make an impact with the relief and rebuilding efforts in areas that were affected by this summer’s hurricanes,” MSU head coach Tom Izzo said in supplied material. “We look forward to playing back in Grand Rapids where we have a strong fan base.

“They’ll see us play a very good Georgia team that is very well coached and features a great player in Yante Maten, who’s returning to his home state. Combining a competitive basketball game with a worthy cause makes for an outstanding event.”

Georgia’s Maten was selected as the Southeastern Conference Co-Player of the Year last season. A native of Bloomfield, Mi., he averaged 18.2 points and 6.9 rebounds per game last year. The Bulldogs received votes in the USA Today Coaches Preseason Poll after posting a 19-15 record last season and playing in the National Invitation Tournament.

“This is a unique opportunity allowed this year by the NCAA to help with disaster relief,” Georgia head coach Mark Fox said in supplied material. “Adding a road game in short notice seemed more difficult than needed. But this is an opportunity to help the people of the state of Georgia. Hurricane Irma had a significant impact on the DawgNation.”

While the contest will be an exhibition game, a non-counter for the team’s official record, both teams are preparing in earnest for the season to begin and should be a very competitive game. And not only will it match up to of the best players in the country in MSU’s Nairn Jr. and Georgia’s Maten, it will also mark the return home for Tillman.

Tillman, a 6-foot-8 and 260-pound forward, played high school ball at Grand Rapids Christian.

And while Tillman is expected to have an impact on the Spartan program as early as this year, he said he is still in the learning mode when it comes to the next level of basketball and Coach Izzo.

Xavier Tillman, a freshman Spartan who played high school ball in Grand Rapids last year. (Courtesy MSU Athletic Communications)

“It’s crazy … This intensity is different because it’s not like Grand Rapids Christian,” Tillman said in supplied information. “Coach Izzo is looking at me in my face like, ‘You gotta show up, you gotta play.’ So it’s more personal and I think that would be the biggest difference between how my high school used to be and now.”

Tillman was named to the 2017 Detroit News and Detroit Free Press Dream Team and the AP Class A All-State team after averaging 13.9 points, 10.9 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 4.2 blocks as a senior, shooting 68 percent from the field. He led Grand Rapids Christian to a 27-1 record and an appearance in the Class A state title game.

Ticket prices start at $17.50 and are available at the Van Andel Arena and DeVos Place box offices, online at Ticketmaster.com, and charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000. Prices are subject to change.

WKTV’s playoff football coverage & complete local sports schedule

Godwin Heights will be at Kelloggsville this week as the MHSAA football playoffs begin. (WKTV)

By Mike Moll

The high school football season has moved into playoff mode and so has WKTV’s featured football coverage — this week will be a rematch matchup as Wyoming Godwin Heights (7-2) again travels to Wyoming Kelloggsville (9-0) for an opening-round Division 4 game on Friday, Oct. 27, at 7 p.m..

Other local teams in the football playoffs include Grand Rapids South Christian (7-2) hosting Plainwell (7-2), also Friday at 7 p.m., at Byron Center High School. And Wyoming Tri-unity Christian (6-3) will be traveling north to Suttons Bay (6-3) for an 8-Man Division 1 playoff game Saturday, Oct. 28, at 2 p.m.

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/

Local high school sports events this week are as follows:

Tuesday, Oct. 24

Girls Volleyball

Wyoming @ Christian

Wyoming Lee @ Algoma Christian

Kelloggsville @ Muskegon Orchard View

Zion Christian @ Grand River Prep

TBD @ Tri-Unity Christian – Rivertown/Crossroads Tri

Boys Soccer

TBD – MHSAA Regionals

Wednesday, Oct. 25

Girls Volleyball

O-K Red Conference Meet @ East Kentwood

Thursday, Oct. 26

Girls Volleyball

South Christian @ FH Eastern

Middleville T-K @ Wyoming – Senior Night

WMAES @ Wyoming Lee – Senior Night

Boys Soccer

TBD – MHSAA Regionals

Friday, Oct, 27

Boys Water Polo

@ East Kentwood – MHSAA Regionals

Football

Wyoming Godwin Heights at Wyoming Kelloggsville (playoffs)

Plainwell at South Christian (at Byron Center High School) (playoffs)

Saturday, Oct. 28

Boys/girls Cross Country

Wyoming @ Allendale – MHSAA Regionals

Wyoming Lee @ Allendale – MHSAA Regionals

Godwin Heights @ Allendale – MHSAA Regionals

Tri-Unity Christian @ Allendale – MHSAA Regionals

TBD – MHSAA Regionals

Boys Water Polo

@ East Kentwood – MHSAA Regionals

8-Man Football

Tri-unity Christian at Suttons Bay (playoff)

Monday, Oct. 30

Girls Volleyball

Wyoming vs TBD @ Christian – MHSAA Districts

Wyoming Lee vs TBD @ South Christian – MHSAA Districts

Godwin Heights vs Kelloggsville @ South Christian – MHSAA Districts

@ East Kentwood – MHSAA Districts

Tuesday, Oct. 31

Halloween

Girls Volleyball

Zion Christian vs Holland Calvary @ Tri-Unity Christian – MHSAA Districts

Wyoming Wolves basketball coach Vander Klay honored for 300th win

October 19, 2017Area Education, City of Wyoming, Education, SportsMichigan Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame, Thom Vander Klay, Wyoming high school sportsJoanne

Long-time Wyoming area high school basketball coach Thom Vander Klay, shown coaching. (Supplied)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

Long-time Wyoming are high school basketball coach Thom Vander Klay was recently recognized for 305 varsity victories at the Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame Banquet in the Detroit.

A game televised by WKTV with East Kentwood High School’s boys basketball team at Wyoming. (WKTV)

While he was unable attend in person, Vander Klay was inducted into the 300+ Varsity Century Club at the BCAM Hall-of-Fame/Clinic week-end, held Oct. 14-15 at Oakland University in Auburn Hills.

“The award is mostly a longevity award,” Vander Klay said in an interview with WKTV Journal. “I love teaching and coaching and have done it a long time, so a few wins will happen along the way.”

Vander Klay been coaching prep basketball for more than 30 years, with his first 10 as Wyoming Park’s junior varsity coach and the next 21 as a its varsity head coach. He became Wyoming’s head coach after Park and Rogers high schools merged in 2012. he is a member of the Wyoming Public Schools Hall of Fame.

“I have had some Hall of Fame caliber mentors when I attended Wyoming Park and first began teaching, including Jack VerDuin, Rich Renzema, Frank Grimm, Dick Locke, Kelly McEwen and Ron Engels,” he said. “We have also had so many gifted players with great work ethic who were driven to compete and reach their potential. To name even a few of those kids would take a long time!”

Vander Klay is a 1982 Park High School graduate, and a 1986 Hope College graduate.

He has guided the Wyoming varsity basketball teams to nine Academic All-State teams, seven conference championships, four district championships, a regional championship, and a state Final Four. In all, 27 of 32 teams have been in the top three in the conference.

He has three times been named Regional Coach of the Year, The Detroit News state Coach of the Year in 2004, and the MLive Best Coach 2016, and West Michigan Officials Association Coach Of the Year 2017.

But he made clear his staff deserves as much credit as he for the 300-plus wins.

“Our basketball staff has been outstanding,” Vander Klay said. “Professional educators such as Jerry Haggerty, John Robinson, Craig VanVliet, Brett Dyke, Craig Neitzel, Kirk Kambestad, Jacob Underhill, Abbey Czarniecki, Bernard Varnesdeel and Chris Hose have worked tirelessly in years past to give our kids the leadership they need to become quality young men.

“Bernard is currently our program assistant coach, and Jacob and Chris are still coaching our younger teams. Volunteers such as Jason Bleyerveld and Scott DeYoung have given much of their time and energy to our program for many years.”

Ultimately, though, Vander Klay credits the “atmosphere” in Wyoming as being a big reason for the program’s success.

“I am fortunate to be able to teach and coach in Wyoming where the parents, students, and school work together to make sure our kids have opportunities to be successful. Our parents not only allow the coaches to have high demands on their sons to be developed as young men. Tough love is the expectation from our parents which allows us to coach their sons hard and demand they compete.”

And, after all, Wyoming his coach’s home.

“My parents still live here, my siblings and I went to school here (Wyoming Park), I live here, my kids went to school here,” he said. “This is a great place to work, raise a family, and go to school. We have so great teachers and coaches who really care about the kids and work hard to make sure they have an opportunity to be successful.”

WKTV’s local high school football update, complete sports schedule

October 16, 20173-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Kentwood Public Schools, SportsEast Grand Rapids High School, South Christian High SchoolJoanne

The high school soccer season is now in playoff mode, with football close behind.

By Mike Moll

The high school football season has gone past way too quickly, and we are already to the final week of the regular season week, but once again WKTV’s featured coverage will have a great matchup as South Christian travels to East Grand Rapids.

South Christian and Grand Rapids Christian each are just a game behind EGR, which is trying to complete a perfect season. With a win though South will get a share of what could be “tri-champions in the OK Gold.”

Elsewhere in the area, Kelloggsville, with their big win over Belding last week, assured themselves of at least a share of the OK Silver championship. The team can clinch the sole championship with a final week victory against Hopkins, which will come into the game with a 4-4 overall record.

With the Godwin Heights victory last week over NorthPointe Christian, the team guaranteed themselves of being a part of the MHSAA playoffs by getting to the 6-win mark.

East Kentwood needs to get a final week victory at home against Caledonia to make it into the playoffs after their defeat last week at Rockford. The Falcons record is 5-3 but they have yet to defeat a team with a winning record so they might not make it as an “at-large” team with only the five wins.

The playoff matchups for all eight divisions will be announced Sunday evening, after the final Friday of games.

Planned WKTV featured coverage this month includes:

Friday, Oct. 20, football — South Christian at East Grand Rapids

Friday, Oct. 27, football – Playoffs TBD (after games of Oct. 20)

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/

Local high school sports events this week are as follows:

Monday, Oct. 16

Boys/girls Cross Country

South Christian @ East Grand Rapids

Boys Soccer

Everett @ Wyoming – MHSAA Districts

Wyoming Lee vs TBD – MHSAA Districts

Godwin Heights vs TBD @ Christian – MHSAA Districts

TBD @ East Kentwood – MHSAA Districts

Tuesday, Oct. 17

Girls Volleyball

South Christian @ East Grand Rapids

Wayland @ Wyoming – Dig Pink

Wellsprings Prep @ Zion Christian

East Kentwood @ Grandville

Holland Calvary @ Tri-Unity Christian

Boys/girls Cross Country

Wyoming @ East Grand Rapids

Wyoming Lee @ Calvin Christian

Godwin @ Calvin Christian

Kelloggsville @ Calvin Christian

Boys Soccer

Zion Christian @ Calvin Christian – MHSAA Districts

Wednesday, Oct. 18

Boys Soccer

Godwin Heights vs TBD @ Christian – MHSAA Districts

East Kentwood vs TBD @ FH Central – MHSAA Districts

Thursday, Oct. 19

Girls Swimming

South Christian @ Wayland

East Kentwood @ Rockford

Girls Volleyball

Middleville T-K @ South Christian

Wyoming Lee @ NorthPointe Christian

Union @ Kelloggsville

Zion Christian @ West Michigan Aviation

Calvin Christian @ Godwin Heights

East Kentwood @ West Ottawa

Holland Black River @ Tri-Unity Christian

Boys/girls Cross Country

East Kentwood @ Rockford

Friday, Oct. 20

Boys Football

South Christian @ East Grand Rapids – WKTV Featured Game

Forest Hills Eastern @ Wyoming – Community Night

Godwin Heights @ Wyoming Lee

Hopkins @ Kelloggsville

Caledonia @ East Kentwood

Belding @ Potter’s House/Calvin Christian

Boys Water Polo

East Kentwood vs TBD @ West Ottawa – MHSAA Districts

Saturday, Oct. 21

Boys/girls Cross Country

South Christian @ Kalamazoo Christian

Kelloggsville @ Gobles

Girls Volleyball

Wyoming @ Hesperia

Wyoming Lee @ Belding

Godwin Heights @ Belding

Kelloggsville @ Belding

Zion Christian – Alliance League Tournament @ Davenport

Tri-Unity Christian – Alliance League Tournament @ Davenport

Boys Soccer

Godwin vs TBD @ Christian – MHSAA Districts

East Kentwood vs TBD @ FH Central – MHSAA Districts

Boys Water Polo

East Kentwood vs TBD @ West Ottawa – MHSAA Districts

WKTV has your weekly local high school sports schedule

October 9, 20173-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, SportsWKTV SportsJoanne

WKTV’s football coverage crew was at Wyoming Godwin Heights earlier in the season. (WKTV)

By Mike Moll, WKTV Volunteer Sports Director

WKTV will continue its featured high school sports coverage this month as fall sports wrap up and winter sports are on the horizon. The WKTV crew will be bringing the viewers not only the featured football game of the week, but once again will showcase other sports including girls swimming along with boys water polo during October. Planned coverage this month includes:

Friday, Oct. 13, football — Belding at Kelloggsville

Saturday, Oct. 14, boys water polo — at East Kentwood

Friday, Oct. 20, football — South Christian at East Grand Rapids

Friday, Oct. 27, football – Playoffs TBD (after games of Oct. 20

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/

Local high school sports events this week are as follows:

Monday, Oct. 9

Girls Golf

South Christian – Ernie Popiel Invite @ Egypt Valley

East Kentwood – Ernie Popiel Invite @ Egypt Valley

Boys Soccer

Hudsonville @ East Kentwood

Boys Water Polo

Zeeland East @ East Kentwood

Tuesday, Oct. 10

Girls Golf

Hudsonville @ South Christian

Girls Volleyball

South Christian @ Wayland

East Grand Rapids @ Wyoming

Zion Christian @ Potter’s House

West Michigan Aviation @ Tri-Unity Christian

Boys Soccer

Covenant Christian @ South Christian

Wyoming @ Christian

Wyoming Lee @ Godwin Heights

Kelloggsville @ Hopkins

Zion Christian @ Potter’s House

Grand River Prep @ Kalamazoo Heritage

West Michigan Aviation @ Tri-Unity Christian – Senior Night

Boys/girls Cross Country

Wyoming @ Saranac

Wednesday, Oct. 11

Girls Golf

South Christian – MHSAA Regionals @ Quail Ridge

Boys/girls Cross Country

Godwin Heights @ Wyoming Lee

Kelloggsville @ Wyoming Lee

Boys Soccer

Rockford @ East Kentwood

Thursday, Oct. 12

Girls Swimming

South Christian @ West Ottawa

Grand Haven @ East Kentwood

Boys Soccer

FH Eastern @ South Christian

Middleville T-K @ Wyoming

Wyoming Lee @ NorthPointe Christian

Potter’s House @ Kelloggsville

Calvin Christian @ Godwin Heights

Zion Christian @ Heritage Christian

Grand River Prep @ Wellsprings

Algoma Christian @ West Michigan Aviation

Tri-Unity Christian @ Fruitport Calvary

Girls Volleyball

South Christian @ GR Christian

Wyoming @ FH Eastern

Godwin Heights @ Wyoming Lee

Hopkins @ Kelloggsville

Zion Christian @ Heritage Christian

Tri-Unity Christian @ Fruitport Calvary

Boys Tennis

East Kentwood @ Holland – MHSAA Regionals

Friday, Oct. 13

Boys Football

Middleville T-K vs South Christian @ Grandville

Greenville @ Wyoming – Homecoming

Wyoming Lee @ Hopkins

NorthPointe Christian @ Godwin Heights

Belding @ Kelloggsville – WKTV Featured Game

East Kentwood @ Rockford

Leroy Pine River @ Potter’s House/Calvin Christian

Boys Soccer

West Michigan Aviation @ Wyoming Lee

Saturday, Oct. 14

Boys Football

Tri-Unity Christian @ Grand Traverse Academy

Girls Volleyball

South Christian @ Troy

Wyoming Lee @ Godwin Heights – Pink Out

@ East Kentwood – EK Invitational

Boys/girls Cross Country

Wyoming Lee, Kelloggsville, East Kentwood and Tri-Unity Christian @ Grand Rapids Christian – Kent-Ottawa Invite

Girls Swimming

East Kentwood – MISCA Meet

Boys Water Polo

@ East Kentwood – EK – Mini Tournament – WKTV Featured Event

Monday, Oct. 16

Boys/girls Cross Country

South Christian @ East Grand Rapids

Boys Soccer

Everett @ Wyoming – MHSAA Districts

Wyoming Lee vs TBD – MHSAA Districts

Godwin Heights vs TBD @ Christian – MHSAA Districts

TBD @ East Kentwood – MHSAA Districts

Wyoming football team learning, growing under new coach’s guidance

October 5, 2017City of Wyoming, Education, SportsIrvin Sigler III, Wyoming High School, Wyoming High School Wolf Pack, Wyoming Public SchoolsJoanne

The Wyoming High Wolves on the field, in the team’s opening-season game and a WKTV featured game. The team will again be featured with WKTV coverage this week. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris