Check out our WKTV highlights from Godwin Heights game against Orchard View Thursday night.
WKTV Friday Night Highlights show is back on Sept. 8!
Just like we did during basketball season, every Friday we’ll bring you many great high school football clips from the Wyoming and Kentwood area teams, highlight some top performers and their stats, give final scores, and show a snapshot of the latest conference standings in an exciting 30-minute program.
As a bonus, we’ll have a reporter on the field at the Game of the Week to interview coaches and players for the show and occasionally have them come into our studio for a live interview as well.
You won’t want to miss all our great local coverage. Thanks for tuning in!
The Rockets quick start on Thursday night was extinguished by Laingsburg as the visiting Wolfpack left with a 35-7 victory.
Kelloggsville senior QB Jeremie Tsoumou broke several tackles on an electrifying 50-yard TD run on the game’s opening drive.
Senior QB Jeremie Tsoumou scored on a 50-yard TD run. (WKTV/Hayden Passig)
“Couldn’t have asked for a better start,” Kelloggsville Coach Brandon Branch said. “Our guys fought hard throughout the game.”
The Rockets were 1-8 a season ago and are off to an 0-2 start this season. Despite the tough start to the season, Branch sees improvement in both the effort and overall depth of their program.
“Last year, I feel like during a game like this we might have packed it in,” Branch said. “But our guys refused to back down and kept fighting.
“We had our opportunities tonight and I don’t believe the final score was indicative of how we played.”
Kelloggsville kicks off the OK Silver portion of its schedule as they head to Comstock Park next Friday to face the Panthers.
WKTV Friday Night Highlights show is back on Sept. 8!
Just like we did during basketball season, every Friday we’ll bring you many great high school football clips from the Wyoming and Kentwood area teams, highlight some top performers and their stats, give final scores, and show a snapshot of the latest conference standings in an exciting 30-minute program.
As a bonus, we’ll have a reporter on the field at the Game of the Week to interview coaches and players for the show and occasionally have them come into our studio for a live interview as well.
You won’t want to miss all our great local coverage. Thanks for tuning in!
No, basketball season didn’t start three months early, but any fan looking at the final score of South Christian’s football season-opener Friday against Grand Rapids Christian could’ve been forgiven if they thought a basketball game took place.
The two long-time rivals combined for 108 total points, with South Christian scoring a school record 66 points in a 66-42 win over Grand Rapids Christian.
To put it into perspective, South Christian and Ferndale combined for 82 points in last season’s Division 2 basketball state championship game.
South Christian quarterback Carson Vis missed last year’s basketball title game after suffering a pair of broken wrists during the state tournament, but the junior was at full strength on the football field Friday. Vis, making his first varsity start at quarterback, put up some dazzling numbers as he completed 12-of-14 passes for 326 yards and six touchdowns as well as running for 57 yards and a score.
South Christian quarterback Carson Vis. (Courtesy, Eric Walstra)
“Carson was phenomenal,” South Christian coach Danny Brown said. “You couldn’t ask for a better performance for a kid that hadn’t started a varsity game before. I was very happy with the way he played.”
Vis and the Sailors came out hitting on all cylinders. Vis tossed a pair of first-quarter touchdown passes to Jake Vermaas giving the Sailors an early 12-0 lead. Vermaas then increased the lead to 18-0 as he returned a punt 55 yards for a touchdown early in the second quarter.
“Jake had a great game,” said Brown, whose Sailors won a fourth state championship last year. “He scored our first three touchdowns. He caught touchdown passes on our first two possessions and he returned a punt for a touchdown for our third touchdown. He is an all-world receiver for us.”
Vermaas finished the game with four receptions for 133 yards and two touchdowns and also added an interception on defense.
James VanderArk also turned in a big game at receiver for the Sailors. VanderArk caught three passes for 114 yards and two scores. He caught a 21-yard touchdown pass form Vis in the second quarter that upped the South lead to 24-7. VanderArk also hauled in a 66-yard scoring strike late in the third quarter that put the Sailors up 50-21.
“We have a lot of good receivers,” Brown said. “We have a lot of good receivers and that can make it comfortable for our quarterback.”
Austin Tiesma and Tanner Raak also caught touchdown passes for the Sailors. Tiesma caught two passes for 53 yards during the game, while Raak caught one pass for 33 yards.
South Christian wide receiver Jake Vermaas. (WKTV/Hayden Passig)
The depth at wide receiver is even more impressive considering Vis was one of South’s top receivers last season. With last year’s starting quarterback Jake DeHaan having graduated last spring, Vis was switched to quarterback, a position that is not unfamiliar for him.
“Carson played quarterback in our youth program and was the quarterback of the freshman team his freshman season,” Brown said. “Last year, Jake DeHaan was a third-year quarterback for us so we moved Carson to wide receiver. Carson was our backup quarterback late last year after our backup quarterback went down with an injury, but he didn’t get many reps at quarterback.”
The wrist breaks during basketball also delayed his transition to quarterback some in the off-season, but the Sailors expected him to be healthy and ready to go once camp started.
“The broken wrists were scary, but the way Carson attacked his rehab was phenomenal,” Brown said. “He was cleared to practice well early before camp. He recovered quickly and it was not a concern. The unique thing about Carson is he competes the year-round. With a lot of quarterbacks, you worry about their first varsity start, but with Carson it’s like another day at the office.”
Vis also showed his ability to provide impact plays with his feet as his seven-yard touchdown run before halftime put the Sailors up 36-14.
The two teams traded touchdowns back and forth during the second half. South Christian’s offense tacked on four touchdowns during the second half, while the Grand Rapids Christian offense also tallied four touchdowns.
South Christian running back Charles Schreur, who rushed for 71 yards, added a touchdown during the second half, while Coleson Fennema also ran in for a touchdown.
“There was a lot of scoring,” Brown said. “Both sides have a lot of explosive players. I thought we started out playing physical on defense and got them in some bad spots. To their (Grand Rapids Christian) credit, they came out with a couple of explosive plays in the second half. They also got into a good rhythm in the second half.
“It’s always good to start the season 1-0. I’m definitely happy for the kids. We played so well on offense and had some defensive lapses. As a head coach, you have to look at the big picture. At the end of the day we are excited to be 1-0.”
South Christian returns to action Friday when it hosts East Grand Rapids at East Kentwood Falcon Stadium.
WKTV Friday Night Highlights show is back this week!
Just like we did during basketball season, every Friday we’ll bring you many great high school football clips from the Wyoming and Kentwood area teams, highlight some top performers and their stats, give final scores, and show a snapshot of the latest conference standings in an exciting 30-minute program.
As a bonus, we’ll have a reporter on the field at the Game of the Week to interview coaches and players for the show and occasionally have them come into our studio for a live interview as well.
You won’t want to miss all our great local coverage. Thanks for tuning in!
Rylan and Matthias Granderson handle the left side of the offensive line. (WKTV/Hayden Passig)
By Zach Fanko
WKTV Contributor
The opening kickoff of the season didn’t go according to plan for East Kentwood, as Hartland returned it all the way back for a touchdown putting the Falcons in an early 7-0 hole on Thursday.
Definitely not how EK wanted to start their season, but the team remained focused and poised according to East Kentwood Coach Tony Kimbrough.
“I turned to our sideline and told the team it’s just one score,” Kimbrough said. “When something like that happens you have two options, let it bring you down or have it bring us together.
“To our credit we remained poised and confident in the game plan.”
East Kentwood quarterback Casey Joppie. (WKTV/Hayden Passig)
Senior QB Casey Joppie, in his third season as the starter, led the Falcons right back down the field to even the game at seven apiece.
EK’s defense was stout throughout, allowing just a field goal the rest of the half as the Falcons enjoyed a 28-10 advantage at halftime. Senior LB/RB Stellan Bowman, who previously committed to the University of Ohio, is expected to have a big year after earning All-State honors a season ago.
“He’s a big part of what we do defensively,” Kimbrough said. “His experience and never-ending motor is a huge asset for us.”
With severe weather effecting most of the state on Thursday, the EK-Hartland matchup was not immune to the storms rolling through Michigan as the game was postponed in the third quarter and later declared final in favor of the Falcons 35-10.
“There was a chance to finish the game, but we came to a mutual decision that it was best to call it a game,” Kimbrough said. “Very pleased with our team’s effort to open the season.”
East Kentwood (1-0) will have a stiffer challenge next week as they host Byron Center (1-0) in WKTV’s Game of the Week on Thursday Aug. 31 at 7 p.m.
The Bulldogs downed Battle Creek Central 55-14 in their opener. Byron Center finished the 2022 season at 7-3 and qualified for the state playoffs.
WKTV Friday Night Highlights show is back this week!
Just like we did during basketball season, every Friday we’ll bring you many great high school football clips from the Wyoming and Kentwood area teams, highlight some top performers and their stats, give final scores, and show a snapshot of the latest conference standings in an exciting 30-minute program.
As a bonus, we’ll have a reporter on the field at the Game of the Week to interview coaches and players for the show and occasionally have them come into our studio for a live interview as well.
You won’t want to miss all our great local coverage. Thanks for tuning in!
After going winless in 2022, the Lee Legends turned their hard luck experience into immediate results as they exploded in the season opener with a 50-0 win over host Baldwin Thursday.
And they did so on the shoulders of basketball star turned running back Clarence Lewis, who rushed for 110 yards and five touchdowns on 12 carries in his first career start for the Legends.
“I’m excited for my guys,” said Coach Lamar Marshall, who explained it was the first football win for most of his players. “I told them it’s because of the hard work they put in during the off-season.
“We executed extremely well. Still have a few things to clean up, but overall happy with the way we played.”
Lee quarterback Anthony Blok. (WKTV/Hayden Passig)
Junior quarterback Anthony Blok went 6 for 6 passing for 140 yards and two touchdown passes.
Blok connected with sophomore Aiden Merriweather on both of those touchdowns, as Merriweather collected three catches for 70 yards along with the two scores. Charles Davis contributed with three grabs for 70 yards on the night.
“Our experience showed tonight,” said Marshall, whose team finished 0-9 last season. “Our leaders corrected the mistakes. We muffed a punt towards the end of the first quarter that kind of was a momentum killer, but the leadership and experience made up for it.”
The Legends brought back a wealth of experience from last season, losing only one player while adding two from the basketball court.
Jaden Potts used his skills from the hardwood to impact the Legends’ defense from the hybrid “Rebel” position. Potts collected 10 tackles on the night, helping Lee secure their first shutout since September 1, 2017. Henry Kennedy added 10 tackles.
Marshall said he’ll let his team enjoy this victory, but come Monday’s practice he will refocus his team.
“The goal for the week is to be 1-0. Prepare well, know your job, do your job and have fun.”
The Legends look to start 2-0 as they travel to Calvin Christian next Thursday for a 7 p.m. kick-off.
WKTV Friday Night Highlights show is back next week!
Just like we did during basketball season, every Friday we’ll bring you many great high school football clips from the Wyoming and Kentwood area teams, highlight some top performers and their stats, give final scores, and show a snapshot of the latest conference standings in an exciting 30-minute program.
As a bonus, we’ll have a reporter on the field at the Game of the Week to interview coaches and players for the show and occasionally have them come into our studio for a live interview as well.
You won’t want to miss all our great local coverage. Thanks for tuning in!
As the temperatures and heat indexes rise over the next 24 hours, many local high schools are debating whether to change starting times for their football season openers on Thursday, and even changing the dates to Friday.
Kelloggsville Athletic Director Carl Roscoe just notified WKTV that the Rockets have changed their Thursday game time from 7 to 8 p.m. Kelloggsville hosts Grant in their season opener.
East Kentwood Co-Athletic Director David Emeott said the Falcons have moved their freshman game to 7 p.m. tonight, followed by JV. The games will use a running clock with only a five-minute halftime.
South Christian Athletic Director David Kool said there JV game has been moved to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Caledonia.
Heat indexes are over 100 degrees in many areas of Grand Rapids today and are forecast to be that high again Thursday afternoon, according to The Weather Channel.
Check out the below guidelines on heat and heat indexes from the MHSAA website.
Managing heat and humidity policy
Thirty minutes prior to the start of an activity, and again 60 minutes after the start of that activity, take temperature and humidity readings at the site of the activity. Using a digital sling psychrometer is recommended. Record the readings in writing and maintain the information in files of school administration. Each school is to designate whose duties these are: generally the athletic director, head coach or certified athletic trainer.
Factor the temperature and humidity into a Heat Index Calculator and Chart to determine the Heat Index. If a digital sling psychrometer is being used, the calculation is automatic.
If the Heat Index is below 95 degrees:
All Sports
Provide ample amounts of water. This means that water should always be available and athletes should be able to take in as much water as they desire.
Optional water breaks every 30 minutes for 10 minutes in duration.
Ice-down towels for cooling.
Watch/monitor athletes carefully for necessary action.
If the Heat Index is 95 degrees to 99 degrees:
All Sports
Provide ample amounts of water. This means that water should always be available and athletes should be able to take in as much water as they desire.
Optional water breaks every 30 minutes for 10 minutes in duration.
Ice-down towels for cooling.
Watch/monitor athletes carefully for necessary action.
Contact sports and activities with additional equipment:
Helmets and other possible equipment removed while not involved in contact.
Reduce time of outside activity. Consider postponing practice to later in the day.
Recheck temperature and humidity every 30 minutes to monitor for increased Heat Index.
If the Heat Index is above 99 degrees to 104 degrees:
All Sports
Provide ample amounts of water. This means that water should always be available and athletes should be able to take in as much water as they desire.
Mandatory water breaks every 30 minutes for 10 minutes in duration.
Ice-down towels for cooling.
Watch/monitor athletes carefully for necessary action.
Alter uniform by removing items if possible.
Allow for changes to dry T-shirts and shorts.
Reduce time of outside activity as well as indoor activity if air conditioning is unavailable.
Postpone practice to later in the day.
Contact sports and activities with additional equipment
Helmets and other possible equipment removed if not involved in contact or necessary for safety.
If necessary for safety, suspend activity.
Recheck temperature and humidity every 30 minutes to monitor for increased Heat Index.
If the Heat Index is above 104 degrees:
All Sports
Stop all outside activity in practice and/or play, and stop all inside activity if air conditioning is unavailable.
Note: When the temperature is below 80 degrees there is no combination of heat and humidity that will result in need to curtail activity.
With a blend of talented veterans and promising young players, the East Kentwood football team is primed to contend for the top spot in the OK Red, annually one of the strongest football conferences in the state.
East Kentwood has a deep and experienced squad with plenty of depth along both lines, the backfield and the skill positions. Many of the veterans were part of last year’s squad that turned in a 5-5 overall record and qualified for the state playoffs. All five of Kentwood’s losses came against teams that qualified for the playoffs including two against Rockford and defeats against Caledonia and Muskegon who both reached state championship games last season.
“I think we should be very competitive this season,” said East Kentwood coach Tony Kimbrough. “We have a good returning class of seniors, a good group of juniors and a couple of talented sophomores who will contribute this year. We’re looking pretty good. I think we can be in every game and have the opportunity to win but we will need to stay healthy.”
Senior QB Casey Joppie. (WKTV/Hayden Passig)
Offensively, the Falcons welcome back senior quarterback Casey Joppie (6-foot-1, 195 pounds). A three-year varsity player, Joppie has a strong arm and makes good decisions with the ball.
“Casey has started for us the last four years,” Kimbrough said. “He definitely can throw it and put the ball in tight quarters. He makes good decisions with the ball and does not turn it over.”
When Joppie puts the ball in the air he has a talented cast of options to throw to. Shamar White is a returning starter at wide receiver while Kendrick Nou is another senior veteran. Senior standout Stellan Bowman will see action at H-back while senior Jaret Tate and sophomore Aaron Cobb are a pair of talents at tight end.
“We are pretty loaded at the receiver spots,” Kimbrough said. “We also have a host of talented underclassmen who have good size and speed.”
The Falcons also have plenty of options at running back. Seniors Elisee Kanda and Savontes Scott and junior Elijah Jones offer a blend of speed and size running the ball.
Rylan and Matthias Granderson handle the left side of the offensive line.(WKTV/Hayden Passig)
Paving the way for the Falcons is a big and talented group of offensive linemen. Sophomore center Charlie Nichols was brought up to the varsity as a freshman and started the last four games for the Falcons. Nichols has made so much progress that he is a team captain in just his sophomore season. The left side of the line is handled by the Granderson brothers. Senior Rylan Granderson (6-3, 310) lines up at left tackle with junior Matthias Granderson (6-2, 264) stationed at left guard. At right guard, the Falcons have junior Andrew Durr and Kalib Sanders with Justin Negron stepping in at right tackle.
“We have a solid rotation of seven guys up front,” Kimbrough said. “We have some returning players and a host of juniors that will play a role. We can play up to eight guys on the offensive line and that depth is a great thing to have.”
With the depth they have, look for the Falcons to run a balanced offense with the ability to run or throw the ball with equal success to keep opposing defenses off balance.
East Kentwood senior Stellan Bowman, LB. (WKTV/Hayden Passig)
On defense, the Falcons have several starters returning. Senior Stellan Bowman (6-1, 220) anchors the defense from his linebacking position. A returning all-state player, Bowman committed to the University of Ohio during the summer. Bowman leads a solid group of linebackers that include Cobb and Nouha Diaite.
Lining up in front of the linebackers is a deep and strong group of defensive linemen. The Falcons plan to rotate six or seven defensive linemen to keep a fresh group on the field. Among the defensive linemen to watch for are nose tackle Mike Zua, junior Devaughtae Greely (6-1, 255), junior Shawn DeLano, Kalib Sanders and Rylan Granderson.
The Falcons also boast plenty of talent in the defensive backfield. Kanda returns at a cornerback position with White lining up at the field cornerback spot. A pair of starters graduated at the safety positions so the Falcons will have some new but talented starters. Juniors Gabe Wolf and James Johnson bring a solid skill set to the field at the safety spots.
“We’re pretty excited about the defensive side of the field,” Kimbrough said.
East Kentwood senior Elisee Kanda, CB. (WKTV/Hayden Passig)
The Falcons open the season Thursday when they travel to Hartland. Kentwood then squares off against Byron Center for the first WKTV Game of the Week before beginning conference play in Week Three.
“Our schedule is loaded every year,” Kimbrough said.
WKTV Friday Night Highlights show is back next week!
Just like we did during basketball season, every Friday we’ll bring you many great high school football clips from the Wyoming and Kentwood area teams, highlight some top performers and their stats, give final scores, and show a snapshot of the latest conference standings in an exciting 30-minute program.
As a bonus, we’ll have a reporter on the field at the Game of the Week to interview coaches and players for the show and occasionally have them come into our studio for a live interview as well.
You won’t want to miss all our great local coverage. Thanks for tuning in!
Counting on results from a great summer session plus depth at the linemen position, Kelloggsville Coach Brandon Branch is planning on moving the program forward this season.
“I expect our program to take some steps forward this season,” said Branch, whose Rockets finished 1-5 in the OK Silver and 1-8 overall last year. “We have had excellent summer participation and will see the results of that effort.
“We have a large group of linemen, the largest by number we have ever had. Depth at a position creates competition which will lead to a tough O-Line and D-Line.”
Kelloggsville Season Opener: At home against Grant on Thursday, Aug. 24 (7 p.m.)
“I am expecting a hard-fought game against Grant,” Branch said. “We have been preparing for them all summer so I don’t think our guys will be surprised by anything Grant will throw at us.
“My guys will be tough and fight to the end. It’s going to be a great start to our season.”
WKTV Friday Night Highlights show is back next week!
Just like we did during basketball season, every Friday we’ll bring you many great high school football clips from the Wyoming and Kentwood area teams, highlight some top performers and their stats, give final scores, and show a snapshot of the latest conference standings in an exciting 30-minute program.
As a bonus, we’ll have a reporter on the field at the Game of the Week to interview coaches and players for the show and occasionally have them come into our studio for a live interview as well.
You won’t want to miss all our great local coverage. Thanks for tuning in!
Godwin Heights Coach Brandon Kimble said he felt last year could have been a six – or seven-win season for the football team if they executed down the stretch.
“We are focused on execution and finishing all four quarters,” said Kimble, whose team finished 3-3 in the OK Silver last season, 4-5 overall. “We lost a couple close games last year.
Keion Beasley. (WKTV/Hayden Passig)
Jace Reid-Anderson. (WKTV/Hayden Passig)
“We were really banged up during the Calvin game finishing the year, so we are excited to be back healthy.”
Keion Beasley is tapped to fill the shoes of standout quarterback Jamarion Collins, who graduated last year.
“We are really excited to have Keion take over and lead us at the QB position,” Kimble said.
Jace Reid-Anderson returns and “will be a key piece at WR/DB.”
Other Key Players
“Miguel Ocampo will be top of the list of players we are expecting to have a great year at DB and WR,” Kimble said. “Jeff Zelaya is a returning All-Conference RB that will lead the way for us on the ground. Tellios Moore is another skill position we expect to have a great year.”
Jeff Zelaya. (WKTV/Hayden Passig)
“Up front, Patrick Knight, Diego Revolorio, Johlahn Thomas and Antione Jones are the guys that will lead us offensively and defensively.”
Godwin Heights Season Opener: At Mason County Central on Thursday, Aug. 24 (7 p.m.)
“We are excited to travel to Mason County and battle a tough-run, heavy team,” Kimble said. “This will be a game that will be won in the trenches. The team that is able to establish the line of scrimmage will win the game.”
WKTV Friday Night Highlights show is back next week!
Just like we did during basketball season, every Friday we’ll bring you many great high school football clips from the Wyoming and Kentwood area teams, highlight some top performers and their stats, give final scores, and show a snapshot of the latest conference standings in an exciting 30-minute program.
As a bonus, we’ll have a reporter on the field at the Game of the Week to interview coaches and players for the show and occasionally have them come into our studio for a live interview as well.
You won’t want to miss all our great local coverage. Thanks for tuning in!
The Wyoming football team is entering year three under Coach Carlton Brewster, and with plenty of experience on hand, the Wolves are primed to take the next step in the growth process.
When Brewster took over the team three years ago one of his goals was to build around the freshman class. Those freshmen are now juniors and primed to make an impact on the field.
Wyoming Football Coach Carlton Brewster. (WKTV/Hayden Passig)
“One of the first things I tried to do when I got here was to grab a hold of the freshman class and try and mold it,” said Brewster, whose Wolves finished 0-9 last season.
“They say when you are trying to change the culture of a team it usually takes five to seven years.
“Our goal was to do it in three or four years. Now, those freshmen are juniors and they are a very mature group of juniors as most of them played on the varsity last year.”
Brewster also is more comfortable with the team heading into his third year.
“Last year was a learning experience for everybody,” Brewster said. “Some things that I thought would work for us didn’t. We had to figure things out along the journey. We had some success, but overall, it was a learning experience and we learned a lot of things.”
Jay Johnson (pictured) and Antwan Brown Jr. are promising quarterbacks for the Wolves. (WKTV/Hayden Passig)
On offense this season the Wolves have a pair of promising quarterbacks leading the way. Junior Jay Johnson is a strong runner while sophomore Antwan Brown Jr. brings a strong arm to the position.
“Both guys are young, first-time varsity quarterbacks and that is a process in itself,” Brewster said. “They are both looking pretty good, but it will definitely take some time for them to get used to varsity football.”
While the quarterbacks gain experience the Wolves can rely on a deep cast of running backs to shoulder the load. Senior Nasir Purnell and juniors Adrian Moore, Kason Merchant and Sharrod Mitchell will all contribute and give the team good depth at running back.
Wyoming RB/CB Adrian Moore. (WKTV/Hayden Passig)
Wyoming also has a solid group of pass catchers. Senior Donavyn Edwards is a talented veteran receiver that leads the way.
Adrian Moore will see time at the slot back position while juniors Julian Toscano and Jack Terveen are a pair off promising tight ends that can catch the ball.
The Wolves run a spread offense that will rely on the running game to set up the passing game.
Paving the way for the backs is an experienced offensive line. Senior Zhari Horton anchors the line at center flanked by junior guards Charles Anderson (6-0, 270 pounds) and Joseph Awator. The Wolves have a pair of big, talented tackles in juniors Jackson Lamrouex (6-3, 280) and Jharimiah Harris (6-0, 275).
Wyoming OL/DL Jackson Lamrouex. (WKTV/Hayden Passig)
“We have some experience on offense and we know who we are now,” Brewster said. “We want to run the ball on the edge and out-physical teams on the edge and then open up the inside.”
On the defensive side of the ball the Wolves have plenty of experience and depth, especially along the defensive line. Darius Scott (5-9, 230), Terveen (6-1, 235) and Lamrouex anchor the defensive front.
At linebacker, the Wolves have Merchant and Mitchell at inside linebacker with sophomore Tae White and Johnson at outside linebacker.
The secondary looks solid with senior Mauricio Hernandez and Moore at cornerback along with Pernell and Edwards at the safety positions.
“Our defensive line should be pretty good,” Brewster said. “Our secondary also looks like a strong point. We had six sophomores start on defense last year so we were pretty young.”
Senior RB/S Nasir Purnell. (WKTV/Hayden Passig)
Wyoming also has decent depth with around 30 players on the team this season.
“Our numbers are decent,” Brewster said. “It’s one of those things where we have to keep chopping wood. We have to keep moving forward.”
Wyoming opens the season Thursday, Aug. 24 when it hosts Forest Hills Northern.
WKTV Friday Night Highlights show is back next week!
Just like we did during basketball season, every Friday we’ll bring you many great high school football clips from the Wyoming and Kentwood area teams, highlight some top performers and their stats, give final scores, and show a snapshot of the latest conference standings in an exciting 30-minute program.
As a bonus, we’ll have a reporter on the field at the Game of the Week to interview coaches and players for the show and occasionally have them come into our studio for a live interview as well.
You won’t want to miss all our great local coverage. Thanks for tuning in!
Though the Lee Legends finished their first full season in the Southwestern Michigan 8-Man Football League (Tier 2) with an 0-6 record, they enter the 2023 season with a wealth of experience and understanding of the game.
The Legends return everyone but one player, graduate Elijah Beckwith. Worth noting, the team grew in numbers from 19 to 25 over last year.
In his second season leading the team, Lee Coach Lamar Marshall is excited to build off the experience they gained last year.
Lee quarterback Anthony Blok. (WKTV/Hayden Passig)
“They understand the game a lot better,” said Marshall, whose team finished 0-9 overall last season. “During chalk talk, they even correct me sometimes.”
Marshall has stressed the importance of execution to his players.
“If we don’t execute, we will be our own worst enemy this year.”
Junior Anthony Blok returns as the quarterback of the Legends, but has freshman Jayden Sanchez nipping at his heels.
“Anthony will bring a lot to our run game, and his deep ball is pretty good and has gotten even better during off-season workouts,” said Marshall, who had many positive thoughts about his freshman quarterback as well. “Jayden Sanchez is going to be the future of Lee football. He’s smart and can manage our short passing game.
Lee Football Coach Lamar Marshall. (WKTV/Hayden Passig)
“This quarterback battle has made them both a lot better.”
Sanchez isn’t the only newcomer to the Legends roster.
Fresh from the basketball team
Two of the new faces are from the basketball court. Clarence Lewis and Jaden Potts move to the gridiron after helping the Legends basketball team secure their first conference title in 43 years last winter.
Lewis jumps into his new role as the starting running back, while Potts makes his impact felt on the defensive side of the ball.
Marshall and defensive coordinator Damion Gregory have created a hybrid safety/linebacker position for Potts called the “Rebel” position.
“He can tackle with the best … he’s very smart, one of the smartest kids I have ever coached,” Marshall said. “He can play in the box and coverage both very well.”
Senior cornerback Kam’ron Washington and sophomore wide receiver Aiden Merriweather return to a Legends team that wants to continue the culture change at Lee.
“We are ready to change who we are as a school, change the way people see us,” Washington said.
The Lee Legends kick off the 2023 season on August 24 at Baldwin.
WKTV Friday Night Highlights show is back next week!
Just like we did during basketball season, every Friday we’ll bring you many great high school football clips from the Wyoming and Kentwood area teams, highlight some top performers and their stats, give final scores, and show a snapshot of the latest conference standings in an exciting 30-minute program.
As a bonus, we’ll have a reporter on the field at the Game of the Week to interview coaches and players for the show and occasionally have them come into our studio for a live interview as well.
You won’t want to miss all our great local coverage. Thanks for tuning in!
WKTV was out at South Christian’s football practice last week. Take a look. (WKTV/Hayden Passig)
By Zach Fanko
WKTV Contributor
Complacency was the key word that South Christian Coach Danny Brown and several players used during the first week of practice of the 2023 season. Something that this team is aiming to avoid after a perfect season ending in a 28-0 Division 4 state title win over Goodrich, the program’s fourth state championship and first since 2014.
Last year’s team had 22 seniors, including All-State QB Jake DeHaan, WR Seth Ritsma, OL Cam Post, and RB/K Nate Brinks. This year’s team has plenty of seniors as well, including WR/DB Jake Vermaas, who missed the majority of the regular season due to a broken collarbone, but came back during the playoff run. Vermaas capped off the year with a stellar game at Ford Field with over 150 receiving yards and a Pick-6.
Senior WR/DB Jake Vermaas looks to take a new role as a leader. (WKTV/Hayden Passig)
Vermaas talked about his new role as a senior leader on this team.
“The biggest difference for me and some of my teammates has been stepping into that leadership role,” Vermaas said. “That has been an adjustment for some guys and it is going well.
“For us we don’t really want to change a whole lot because we were pretty successful last year.”
South Christian poses with the MHSAA Division 4 state championship trophy last year at Ford Field, where they finished a perfect 14-0 season. (WKTV/Zach Fanko)
Three-way competition under center
DeHaan, who committed to the University of Toledo as a walk-on, utilized both his arm and legs on his way to a Division 4 All-State selection. The Sailors have three potential quarterbacks competing for the starting gig with senior Noah Funk (transfer from Grand Rapids Christian), junior Carson Vis (played WR last season), and sophomore Kayd Coffman who started on the JV team as a freshman last year.
“The goal is to get through these first two weeks of camp and then we have a scrimmage, and then hopefully someone has created some separation,” said Brown, whose Sailors were undefeated at 14-0 last season.
“If no one has then we reevaluate, but that is the goal.”
Passing the torch up front
Another senior looking to pick up where last year’s seniors left off is OL/DL Camren VanSolkema, who was an All-Region selection in Division 4 last season. VanSolkema is one of the players up front hoping to fill the void left by current Ferris State lineman Cam Post.
“This is my fourth year on varsity and I’ve always been an underclassmen,” VanSolkema said. “But now I can follow in the older guys’ footsteps and take care of the younger guys.”
South Christian opens the season August 25 on the road against Grand Rapids Christian.
WKTV Friday Night Highlights show is back next week!
Just like we did during basketball season, every Friday we’ll bring you many great high school football clips from the Wyoming and Kentwood area teams, highlight some top performers and their stats, give final scores, and show a snapshot of the latest conference standings in an exciting 30-minute program.
As a bonus, we’ll have a reporter on the field at the Game of the Week to interview coaches and players for the show and occasionally have them come into our studio for a live interview as well.
You won’t want to miss all our great local coverage. Thanks for tuning in!
The WKTV Friday Night Highlights show is coming soon, along with our in-depth Journal coverage of the Wyoming and Kentwood area football teams. Our FNH host will walk you through highlights from most of the local games every single Friday night throughout the season and into the playoffs.
By Cris Greer
WKTV Managing Editor
greer@wktv.org
With the first week of high school football practice in the books, games under the lights are just about here. This means our in-depth coverage of WKTV Games of the Week, Journal web stories and our exciting Friday Night Highlights show will all be here shortly as well.
We plan to bring you another great season of local high school football, covering your favorite teams from Wyoming and Kentwood, including East Kentwood, Wyoming, Godwin Heights, Lee, Kelloggsville, South Christian and Tri-unity.
WKTV Game of the Week
Year after year, our high-tech WKTV Game of the Week truck films one game each week, which includes two play-by-play announcers, a field announcer and various camera angles with slow motion replays to capture all those great plays for your viewing pleasure.
Game of the Week airs every Friday night on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 & AT&T U-Verse Channel 99 at 11 p.m. with a rebroadcast on Saturday at 11 a.m. If you don’t have cable, visit our website at WKTV.org to watch the livestream. See GOW sked below.
WKTV Journal Website
Don’t miss our large footprint of local high school football on the WKTV Journal website.
Continuing from last season, we’ll have a huge presence with local high school football. Beyond our fantastic Game of the Week truck coverage, every week our sports staff will post football game stories, features, roundups and final scores and stats on most teams in the Kentwood/Wyoming area on our Journal website.
We plan to give you the stats and highlights in our game stories … explaining the details of how your team marched to victory.
WKTV Friday Night Highlights show coming soon!
Friday Night Highlights will be back soon. Just like we did during basketball season, every Friday we’ll bring you many great high school football clips from the Wyoming and Kentwood area teams, highlight some top performers and their stats, give final scores, and show a snapshot of the latest conference standings in an exciting 30-minute program.
As a bonus, we’ll have a reporter on the field at the Game of the Week to interview coaches and players for the show and occasionally have them come into our studio for a live interview as well.
You won’t want to miss all our great local coverage. Thanks for tuning in!
WKTV Game of the Week Truck Schedule
Thursday, Aug. 31 (7 p.m.) Byron Center at East Kentwood
Friday, Sept. 8 (7 p.m.) Kenowa Hills at South Christian (EK Falcon Stadium)
Friday, Sept. 15 (7 p.m.) Grand Rapids Sacred Heart at Lee
Friday, Sept. 22 (7 p.m.) Union at Wyoming
Friday, Sept. 29 (7 p.m.) Kelloggsville at Godwin Heights
Friday, Oct. 6 (7 p.m.) TK at South Christian (EK Falcon Stadium)
Friday, Oct. 13 (7 p.m.) Holland at Wyoming
Friday, Oct. 20 (7 p.m.) West Ottawa at East Kentwood
Sheri Toth, Stacy Potter, and Amy Stiles enjoy a round of golf at Maple Hill Golf Course (Courtesy, Deborah Reed, WKTV)
League golfers Sheri Toth, Stacy Potter and Amy Stiles enjoy an evening out at Maple Hill Golf.
Located at 5555 Ivanrest Ave. SW in Grandville, Maple Hill Golf has a variety of options for golfers of all experience levels. An 18-hole course, driving range, simulators, fitting center, and golf repair are all amenities to be found at this local venue.
Soccer players enjoy playing on the newer grass surface at Veterans Memorial Park where soccer games also take place under the lights. (WKTV/Greg Chrapek)
By Greg Chrapek
WKTV Contributor
When it comes to soccer, the city of Kentwood has been and still is a hotbed for the world’s sport. From youth leagues to the varsity teams at East Kentwood High School, Kentwood has a long tradition of soccer excellence.
The popularity of soccer also is evident among mature soccer players. Many adults in their 20s, 30s and 40s continue playing the game they enjoy for fun in one of the soccer leagues that Kentwood Parks and Rec offers.
The recreation soccer leagues have been going strong for over 20 years. There are currently four leagues taking place in the summer with a total of 23 teams. The leagues include a co-ed recreation league, a co-ed competitive league and men’s and women’s leagues. All the leagues have strong numbers this year and have been popular with area soccer players for years.
“The soccer leagues are a real nice option for adults who enjoy soccer in the greater Kentwood area,” said soccer program director Spence McKellar. “We’ve had the leagues for over 20 years and they are well established.”
The leagues play at three primary locations. Matches take place at Kellogg Woods Park, Pinewood Park as well as Veterans Memorial Park which is home to several matches during the week. The soccer field at Veterans Memorial Park is especially popular as it is a lighted field and has matches going well into the evening from the start of the season in the spring to the summer/fall league that concludes in October.
Referee Dale Sanborn talks with team captains before a recent match in the Kentwood Recreation Department’s soccer leagues. (WKTV/Greg Chrapek)
Dale Sanborn has been around the league for 20 years and has experienced the league in a couple of ways. Sanborn began playing in the league in 2003 and continued as a player until retiring in 2020. Sanborn also began to referee in the league in 2008 and is currently still a referee.
“The leagues are very popular,” Sanborn said. “We’ve had a pretty steady number of teams throughout the years and we have a lot of teams during the fall. I think we are the only league around that has an outdoor league in the fall. We also have a new grass field at Veterans Park along with the lights and that is a big draw.”
The leagues are open to players of all ages and soccer background. Along with many former high school and college players, the league has players with limited soccer experience and backgrounds who just want to play to have fun and meet other soccer enthusiasts.
Alex Pastor has been playing in the league for five years and is a goalkeeper.
“The league is fun,” Pastor said. “I joined five years ago and I’m on my current team after learning that they needed a goaltender. The league is a great way to meet new people and have fun. Even if you are brand new to the sport you can play and have fun.”
The Kentwood leagues draw soccer players from all over West Michigan. Chuck Wroblewski is a former high school soccer player from Wayland who currently plays in the league.
“It’s super fun,” Wroblewski said. “I’ve been playing in the league for five years and every year it is something that I look forward to. Playing with players you know and meeting new players, the league gives you a sense of community and that’s another reason I enjoy the league. There is a real community feeling to the league.”
Soccer players of all ages and soccer experience enjoy playing the game they enjoy in the Kentwood Recreation Department’s soccer leagues. (WKTV/Greg Chrapek)
The number of teams has remained steady and the recreation department is looking to grow the league as well. There also are two seasons of leagues. The first season, a spring/summer league, begins in May and goes through July while a second season starts in early August and goes through October. The availability of lights at Veterans Memorial Park makes having the fall league possible when the days become shorter in the fall.
Signups are already being taken for the fall leagues. There will again be women’s, men’s and co-op leagues taking place in the fall. For more information on the upcoming fall leagues interested players can check out the Kentwood Parks and Recreation website.
Members of The Creamsicles celebrate a win, their first of the season, in a recent game. (Courtesy, Miriam Dietsche)
By K.D. Norris
WKTV Contributor
For the teams and players in the Kentwood Parks and Rec Summer Co-Ed Adult Softball League, it is all about having fun with friends and families.
But, a home run trot and a win or two can be fun as well.
“We definitely have a few competitive players, but at the end of the day everyone is just there to have fun, be social, and get their bodies moving,” said Miriam Dietsche, team manager of The Creamsicles. “It’s our first year playing together, and we don’t have a great record … but I have been extremely impressed by how positive our team has stayed, and we are always hyped up for games.”
Kyler Marble gets high fives after a home run for The Creamsicles. He leads the team in homers this season with two grand slams. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
They were especially “hyped up” on a recent Tuesday night when the team won its first game of the season playing at Kentwood’s Kellogg Woods Park, a 14-6 win on June 13. (For schedule and standings of the Tuesday league and all of the City of Kentwood’s sponsored sports, visit here.)
“Our team is made up of mine and my boyfriend’s family, and a few friends,” Dietsche said. “Most of our team knew of each other before the season started, but over the past few weeks we have all grown a lot closer.
“We have a pretty interesting mix of people who have played softball competitively for a while, and people who had never swung a bat until a couple months ago. I decided to put the team together because I personally have played since high school and love the sport.”
The team’s sponsor is XYZ Motors — “My brother, also on the team, works for them and they were gracious enough to buy our shirts for us,” she added.
Kentwood’s Kellogg Woods Park hosts games
As part of its year-round, wide-ranging recreational offerings, Kentwood Parks and Recreation maintains several baseball and softball fields spread around its park system, also including fields at Home Acres, Northeast and Pinewood parks.
It also oversees other community activities associated with the fields.
“Our adult recreational softball offerings have been a popular option for decades that have created many lasting memories,” said Spencer McKellar, Kentwood Parks and Recreation deputy director. “In recent years we’ve hosted practices, youth clinics, sanctioned middle school games, as well as our adult recreational leagues all on our fields which is a great example of how our playing surfaces are intended to be a community resource for all ages and ability levels.”
Alicia Fields, a summer worker at the Kentwood Parks and Recreation department, handles the scoreboard — and gets in a little coursework reading — during a recent game. The city hires part-time and summer workers for many parks and recreation activities. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
On a recent Tuesday evening, not only was the Kellogg Woods main field prepped for the league games by the city, but a summer-hire city employee handled the scoreboard and a longtime player handled the umpiring duties.
“I’ve been playing softball every year for 32 years,” said Robert Vanderhart, who umpires the Tuesday night league. “I’ve umpired slow pitch softball for four-to-five years now, but I’ve been an umpire of all levels of baseball for close to 20.”
For Vanderhart, umpiring adult softball also is a way to continue being part of the “rec softball” community as well.
Robert Vanderhart umpires the Kentwood Tuesday night league and has played, coached and umpired softball and baseball for many years. (Courtesy Photo)
“I’m now umpiring for players who have played with me before and also for me when I coached youth ball 15 plus years ago,” he said. “And when I can, I like to help players develop … it’s the coach part in me.”
And over the years, Vanderhart says the fun part of the game is always shared with the competitive part of the game.
“Winning isn’t that important, but having fun and being competitive is,” he said. “If every game you play is very one sided it’s no fun for everyone … (and) if you could play and lose a good, close game or win by forfeit what would you rather do? I’d play.”
About Kentwood parks, softball league
For more information about City of Kentwood’s Parks and Recreation programs visit here. For location and amenities of the city’s parks, visit here.
A team launching from the launch pad during the 2022 Fall Fling disc golf tournament and fundraiser. (Courtesy, City of Kentwood)
By K.D. Norris
WKTV Contributor
In the past couple decades, the community sport of disc golf has literally and figuratively taken flight in West Michigan, and it could be argued that some of the best courses to play begin with launch pads in the Kentwood Parks and Recreation system.
While the city may be mostly known for its innovative, off-season events — the annual Fall Fling and the mid-winter Freeze Fest — one of the areas premier disc golf businesses has nothing but praise for the city’s year-round courses and its commitment to the recreational sport; past, present and future.
Commemorative discs from the 2022 Fall Fling disc golf tournament and fundraiser. (Courtesy, City of Kentwood)
“West Michigan was an early adopter of disc golf and has been a hotbed for the sport since the creator of disc golf, Ed Headrick, founded the Professional Disc Golf Association in 1976,” said Shea Abbgy, owner of Great Lakes Disc. “For the first 30 years of the sport, growth in its popularity was steady but minimal. Starting in the the early 2000s, the PDGA started seeing steady annual growth.”
And that growth was only slightly slowed by the COVID pandemic.
“During Covid, players in areas with disc golf courses installed found that you could practice social distancing while playing and an enormous amount of new players found the sport,” said Abbgy, a long-time partner with the City of Kentwood’s disc golf program whose business opened in 2015 and is located at 4321 Kalamazoo Ave., near the corner of 44th Street.
Kentwood has welcomed the expanded popularity and demand.
City courses improved, new course planned Laura Barbrick, Kentwood Parks and Recreation Market and Events Coordinator, said the city is committed to many community sports and disc golf is certainly one of them.
“We’ve offered youth disc golf lessons and skills clinics in the past and will continue to add new programs in the future to grow the sport with our residents,” Barbrick said. “We also host two disc golf tournaments each year in partnership with Great Lakes Disc … (Abbgy) helps coordinate our tournaments, has helped plan and design our disc golf courses, and is well connected with the disc golf community.”
Not only are there two full-time disc golf courses operated by the city, at Old Farm Park and Jaycee Park, but both have been or will be improved by last year’s voter approval of a parks millage.
And plans are for a third course at Covenant Park, where there is currently only winter “pop-up” disc golf play.
“Kentwood will soon be breaking ground on Phase III of renovations at Jaycee Park which include upgraded baskets, tee pads and signs for the disc golf course,” Abbgy said. “Part of the (millage funded) proposal for Covenant Park was a disc golf course for the property which would be Kentwood’s third disc golf course in their parks system and lay the ground for larger disc golf events to come to Kentwood.”
A disc golfer in action from the 2019 Fall Fling event. (Courtesy, City of Kentwood)
Two annual events support Kentwood Little Free Pantry In partnership with Great Lakes Disc, the city hosts two disc golf tournaments, the Fall Fling at Old Farm Park, planned for November, and Freeze Fest, planned for February 2024.
According to Abbgy, the city and his company will be hosting the ninth annual Freeze Fest at Jaycee Park, scheduled for Feb. 17.
“The success of the Freeze Fest led us to add a second annual event, the Farm Fall Fling at Old Farm Park, in 2018,” he said. “This Nov. 11 we will be hosting the sixth annual Farm Fall Fling at Old Farm Park. Both events are food drives for Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry.”
While both events can be as much a weather challenge as a course challenge, both typically host 120-140 players at each event, and have seen over 180 players some years, he said.
But on any given weekday, or weekend, players and flying discs are flying in a first- come, first-served style course play.
About Kentwood Parks, Great Lakes Disc For more information about the Kentwood Parks and Recreation programs visit here. For location of the city’s Disc Golf parks with disc golf courses, visit here. For more information about Great Lakes Disc, visit here.
The East Kentwood softball team opened state tournament action with a 2-0 win against conference-rival Grandville. (WKTV/Greg Chrapek)
By Greg Chrapek
WKTV Contributor
While the season hasn’t gone entirely according to plan for the East Kentwood softball team, the Falcons have continued to battle and that persistence continues to pay off.
The Falcons, who have played around the .500 mark this season, have faced a rugged schedule and have had to deal with several key injuries. Despite the hurdles, East Kentwood has remained focused and competitive and picked up a big win to kick off the post-season by defeating O-K Red Conference rival Grandville 2-0 in the opening district game.
“We were very excited for the 2023 season with many returning players, although only three seniors,” said East Kentwood coach Owen Fletke. “We lost two of our senior starters (Landrie Fridsma and Taylor Barnes) the second week of the season. Two of our pitchers, Liz Davis and Jaycie Gasper, have been injured off and on all season. We’ve had a number of other injuries, like concussions and strains, that have really impacted our ability to have a consistent lineup with experienced players.
We’ve brought three freshmen up from our junior varsity team, two of whom (Riley Smith and Meredith Antonovich) are still on varsity. Overall, our record is now 16-19, not what we expected or anticipated, but we continue to fight and compete with the players we have.”
East Kentwood senior Landrie Fridsma will continue her career at Kalamazoo College. (WKTV/Greg Chrapek)
That competitive spirit was evident in the opening district game against a Grandville team that came into the post-season with a 23-12 record and defeated East Kentwood in two of the three league matchups this season.
East Kentwood was led this season by its trio of seniors. Aalana Kimble, who will be attending Saginaw Valley State University to continue her career as a student athlete, has been a leader of the Falcon offense and heads up the pitching staff.
“Aalana is the ace of our pitching staff and offensive leader on our team,” Fletke said. “She is a four-year varsity player and school record-holder in many categories.”
Fridsma is an offensive leader and second baseman who will be continuing her career at Kalamazoo College.
“Landrie partially tore a hamstring in week two and has just returned,” Fletke said. “She is a four-year starter and is our other offensive catalyst. She is our team captain and best power hitter.”
Like Fridsma, injuries have dashed the senior season for Barnes as well.
“Taylor tore her knee in the same game Landrie was injured in,” Fletke said. “Taylor was our starting leftfielder. Even though Taylor was not able to play, she was at every practice and game, cheering and coaching from the dugout. She provided us with incredible leadership.”
The junior class has stepped up and provided strong play throughout the season with several juniors playing key roles.
“We’ve received solid play from our juniors,” Fletke said. “Catcher Emily Visser, first baseman Kaleigh Higgs and third baseman Ashley Matejovitz have stepped up. Sophomore shortstop Kayla Finlaw has done a fine job there and freshman Natalie McCune has been a great surprise in the outfield and infield wherever she’s been needed.”
The Falcons have also received strong play from even more of their young players.
East Kentwood senior Aalana Kimble is a leader at the plate and in the pitching circle for the Falcons. (WKTV/Greg Chrapek)
“When healthy, junior pitcher Liz Davis has done a great job as has freshman pitcher Jaycie Gasper,” Fletke said. “We’ve also received great help from freshman Riley Smith, sophomore Josie Manning and junior Allie Cahill.”
Davis is another Falcon who will play college softball in the future as the junior pitcher has verbally committed to the University of Michigan-Dearborn.
Along with solid play on the field, the Falcon softball players get the job done in the classroom. The team grade point average is 3.5.
Jacob Pewee won both the 100m and long jump in the Alliance League championship. (Courtesy, Grand River Prep)
By Cris Greer
WKTV Managing Editor
greer@wktv.org
As a youngster, Grand River Prep sprinter Jacob Pewee was told he was fast.
“As a kid, I was always fast,” said Pewee, a senior at GRP. “Many of my friends let me know that. In general, I just enjoy running as it is one of my favorite things to do so I decided to put my skills to the test by joining track and field.
“I wish I would have joined sooner because I would be a lot farther than I am now despite my current accomplishments.”
Most recently, Pewee was the conference champion in the 100m sprint (11.50 seconds and the long jump (18 feet, 7 inches). He also was third in conference in the 200m and a member of the 4x400m relay team that placed second in school history. The boys team finished third overall in the Alliance League.
Pewee broke the 100m school record (11.50, regional qualifier) and the 200 record at 23.86. He also ranks fourth in school history in the long jump and sixth in school history in the open 400m. Last season he won all-region honors in the long jump.
“The very first time I participated in track and field was in sixth grade when I was about 12 years old,” said Pewee, who played varsity basketball as a junior. “When I moved to Michigan from Iowa and entered high school I decided to get back into it my junior year and am currently doing it as a senior. I’ve been loving it ever since.
“One of my favorite events is the 100-meter dash. I enjoy putting in the work during practice and applying it by going all out on the track. It leaves little room for error and is highly competitive which I love. Running against people around my skill level not only humbles me, but also pushes me to greater heights because I’ve always believed I can do good no matter what.”
Pewee was accepted to attend Grand Valley State University, but is still deciding if he’ll run track there.
“Judging by my performance and how quickly I’m improving in such a short time I think it’s inevitable.”
GRP track and field Coach Seth Pronger spoke highly of his leader
“Jacob has always been one of my most energetic and hardworking athletes in my time here,” Pronger said. “He’s embraced his role as a team leader as someone who uplifts the team and centralizes his teammates’ focus not only through his words, but through his actions as well. He’s always humble and regardless of the result of his competitions, he fist bumps all of the competitors in his heat.
“Jacob has an infectiously positive energy that carries through the entire team. He has more than earned his teammates’ respect on a personal and athletic level. As talented of an athlete as he is, it’s his superlative character that makes him the perfect leader for this team.”
Pronger said he’s relentless in working towards his goals
“Jacob pushes his limits in practice and has an acute attention to detail to make sure he is performing at the highest level,” Pronger explained. “No matter how tired he is, he will always go all out and finish his races and workouts even stronger than he started them.
“At his current trajectory, I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see Jacob qualify for the state meet and continue to further extend his school records and decorated track career here at Grand River Prep.”
The East Kentwood lacrosse team goes through drills prior to facing off against Vicksburg last Saturday. (WKTV/Greg Chrapek)
By Greg Chrapek
WKTV Contributor
The East Kentwood boys lacrosse team has only been a varsity program since 2019 and during that short period of time the Falcons have made big strides and is experiencing plenty of success this season.
The Falcons took another step forward Saturday when they dropped a 7-6 decision to Vicksburg in a match that wasn’t decided until the final seconds.
In a match that featured two teams bringing in winning records to the contest, Vicksburg scored a goal with just 28 seconds remaining on the clock to earn the win.
“I thought the boys from both teams did an incredible job battling and playing lacrosse,” East Kentwood coach Keegan Neitzke said. “The stats from the game show how evenly matched both teams were. I was so proud of our players. These seniors played Vicksburg in 2021 and lost 18-1. To play to a 7-6 loss with the winning goal coming in the last 35 seconds shows the massive growth these kids have taken.
“Our defense and goalie played outstanding and the offense put the ball in the back of the net when we needed it, we just ran out of time at the end.”
Sophomore goalie Shawn Delano turned in a big game for the Falcons in net. Delano saved 9-of-16 shots on goal to finish with a 69 percent save percentage. That save percentage was higher than his season average of 62 percent.
“Shawn has two years of experience,” Neitzke said. “He has gotten better every game he has played.”
Delano received plenty of support from Falcon defenders Jaiden Woodson and Corey Hall. Hall caused three turnovers and came up with two ground balls during the match while Woodson caused one turnover and captured four ground balls.
Woodson has been a defensive leader all season for the Falcons.
“Jaiden is an athletic defender who uses his speed and footwork to create turnovers,” Neitzke said. “He has three years of experience and he will continue his playing career at Aquinas College next year.”
For the season, Woodson has totaled 46 ground balls and caused 28 turnovers.
The East Kentwood lacrosse team breaks a huddle during action from Saturday’s match against Vicksburg. (WKTV/Greg Chrapek)
Defense has been a strong point for the Falcons this season as only two teams have scored in double figures against the Kentwood defense.
Ben Cash and Harrison Stidolph led the Falcons on offense. Cash totaled four goals and two assists against Vicksburg, while Stidolph added a pair of goals.
“Ben is a high-energy competitor and is our go-to offensive weapon,” Neitzke said. “Harrison loves the game of lacrosse and is being recruited by the University of Michigan-Dearborn.”
For the season, Cash has 57 goals and 20 assists, while Stidolph has 24 goals and 11 assists.
EK offense has several high-scoring games
The East Kentwood offense has recorded a number of high-scoring outputs this season, including an 18-goal game against both Coopersville and Kalamazoo Central and games of 17 and 16 goals against Northview.
The Falcons also have been receiving strong play from midfielder Waseem Ayad and long-stick middle/attacker Isaiah Ramirez. Ayad has 78 ground balls, 28 assists and caused 22 turnovers this season, while Ramirez has 37 ground balls, created 11 turnovers, added 11 assists and four goals.
“Waseem is the point guard of the offense and a two-way player,” Neitzke said. “He has three years of experience.”
Isaiah is a do-it-all player. He played long-stick middle the last two seasons, but does attack and long-stick mid to help the team. He has three years of experience and will continue his career at Aquinas College next year.”
Seniors help rebuild
This year’s seniors have helped build back the program from the hit it took from the covid pandemic that decimated numbers in 2021.
“I had around 16 kids come out and most of them had zero lacrosse experience,” Neitzke said. “Fast forward to this season and most of the seniors only have two to three years of lacrosse experience. The team has bought in and put in the work to get better on and off the field. Our records have increased each of the last three seasons and we are still learning.
“We are a growing program that started with a youth program so we have made an effort to build and grow lacrosse in the community. 2023 is our first year with a junior-varsity lacrosse team and we have started a middle school speed ball league to offset the expense of lacrosse.”
East Kentwood (8-7) is looking to finish the season strong.
“We have four games left that we believe we can win if we play up to the East Kentwood lacrosse standard,” said Neitzke after the Vicksburg loss. “If we win the next four games, we will finish the season with the most wins in a season in program history. The program is moving in the right direction and we continue to grow the game of lacrosse in the Kentwood community. It’s an exciting time for East Kentwood lacrosse.”
NOTE: East Kentwood beat Coopersville 22-1 Tuesday, and now only needs three wins to finish with the most wins in a season in program history.
The East Kentwood Ice Arena played host to the first-ever East Kentwood Cornhole Invitational Saturday. (WKTV, Greg Chrapek)
By Greg Chrapek
WKTV Contributor
East Kentwood High School was home to a first of its kind event in the state of Michigan on Saturday as over 40 students from elementary school through high school took part in the inaugural East Kentwood Cornhole Invitational.
Two rows of cornhole boards filled nearly the entire floor space of the Kentwood Ice Arena where the competition took place with students of all ages and skill levels tossing bags back and forth.
The event was sponsored by the Michigan Cornhole League and the Youth Cornhole Organization, two of the main organizations for cornhole in the state of Michigan. Joey Williamson, a member of the staff at the East Kentwood Ice Arena, coordinated the event that drew students from all across Michigan.
Competitors came from schools like Woodhaven and Anchor Bay on the east side of the state, Montabella, Chippewa Hills and Mason County Central from farther north of the Grand Rapids area along with local competitors from schools like Wayland, Caledonia, Grandville, Byron Center, St. John Vianney, Jenison and East Kentwood.
“This is the first tournament just for school kids in the state and we’re putting it on,” Williamson said. “This has been a dream of mine for about two years. I love the sport of cornhole. It is a great community sport and a great way to make friends. It’s an easy sport to play and almost anyone can play regardless of age or skill level.”
The sport of cornhole is still evolving, but is beginning to gain in popularity around the country with events even getting broadcast on national television including ESPN.
School kids from across the state competed at the East Kentwood Cornhole Invitational. (WKTV, Greg Chrapek)
Adrian College cornhole
One of the teams that competed on ESPN’s national broadcasts was the college cornhole team from Adrian College. Adrian College is the lone college in the United States that has a school-supported cornhole team and Coach Max Benedict was in attendance at the East Kentwood Invitational getting the word out about college cornhole and helping to grow the sport.
“I’d really like to see cornhole get into the high schools and become a school sport,” Benedict said. “That would help us have a pool of kids to draw from. It’s not like football or basketball where every school has a team. I like getting out to the schools and putting on exhibitions to show the schools they could get a cornhole program going.”
Unlike sports like football and hockey that require large amounts of money for equipment and ice time and other expenses, cornhole is an inexpensive sport that requires just a few boards and some bags.
A push for high school cornhole
Gregg Devitto, who runs Michigan High School Cornholehub.com also was in attendance at the Kentwood tournament. DeVitto is developing an organization that is working to get geographic clusters of high schools in regions across the state playing competitive cornhole.
“Our goal is to eventually have cornhole become a Michigan High School Athletic Association sponsored sport in a few years,” DeVitto said. “We are developing a cluster of schools in Lenawee County that will be playing cornhole and we are hoping for two or three other clusters across the state.”
If Saturday’s event at East Kentwood was any indication, the sport of cornhole is primed to grow quickly among school-age participants who enjoyed the tournament at the East Kentwood Ice Arena.
“I like the idea of the tournament,” said Jayden, a student from Grand Rapids. “No one else has a tournament like this. I like being able to compete against other kids and I know this will grow the game.”
Hudson, who has been playing for a year, also enjoyed the tournament.
“It’s pretty fun,” Hudson said. “It’s just great being able to get out and throw and have fun with the other kids.”
Having fun and meeting other kids is a big attraction to cornhole for youth as it is for adults who play in cornhole leagues across West Michigan as much for the social aspect of the sport as it is the competitive side, similar to a sport like bowling.
Professional player Daniela Luna on hand
“I started playing backyard cornhole about four years ago,” said Daniela Luna, who is a professional cornhole player and was on hand from the Youth Cornhole Organization helping to run the tournament. “We want to get more and more kids involved in the sport. It’s a sport anyone can play and have a lot of fun doing it.”
Luna was joined at the tournament by Joyce Mandala also from the Youth Cornhole Organization.
“We want to get more kids involved,” Mandala said. “In Detroit, Jarron Jackson, who is also part of our organization, has five schools playing cornhole. It gives the kids who don’t play basketball or football a sport that they can play. Not everyone is tall and can play basketball. Cornhole is a sport that anyone can play and they can play after leaving school. It’s a great sport and the kids just love it.”
Williamson believes that once the word gets out the sport of cornhole will only grow not just across the state, but also in the area.
“We are looking for cornhole to start out as a club sport in the schools,” Williamson said. “Someday it will become a varsity sport in the schools. We had kids of all ages here. A lot of the younger kids are really good and even beat the older kids.
“We set up the tournament where we have pool play and the winners of the pools went on to play the other pool winners. After pool play it was set up based on the records in the pools. The kids really had a good time with it.”
Justin Lacey-Pierce (left) looks for an opening during his match against Jason Jackson in the 165-pound Elite Open class final at the Michigan Golden Gloves state finals Saturday at West Catholic. (WKTV, Greg Chrapek)
By Greg Chrapek
WKTV Contributor
East Kentwood graduate Justin Lacey-Pierce led the list of area boxers who brought home state titles at the 2023 Michigan Golden Gloves state championship finals on Saturday evening at West Catholic High School.
Lacey-Pierce, a 2017 grad of East Kentwood, turned in a solid performance as he won a decision against Jason Jackson of the Holland Westside Boxing Club in the 165-pound Elite Open division final. Lacey-Pierce, who defeated Jackson in last week’s West Michigan Golden Gloves finals, took charge of the bout from the opening bell and carried the action throughout the match.
Lacey-Pierce, like all the other champions from the state finals, now heads to the Golden Gloves of America National Tournament from May 8-14 in Philadelphia.
“Winning the state title feels ok, but what I really want is the national championship,” Lacey-Pierce said. “I’ve won a national championship before and what I want is to win a Golden Gloves national championship. That is my main goal.”
Lacey-Pierce cleared the next hurdle in reaching that goal by taking care of business against Jackson which gave him his second Golden Gloves state title of his career.
“It was a rematch of last week,” Lacey-Pierce said. “It was pretty much the same thing again. He (Jackson) is a very tough fighter. He’s durable and tough. I just tried to keep jabbing and sneak in some body shots and try to wear him out.”
Junior Rios gets fifth state title
While Lacey-Pierce won his second state title, former Wyoming Pride Boxing Club boxer Aneudy “Junior” Rios won his fifth state title. Like Lacey-Pierce, Rios fought a familiar foe in the title match as he squared off against Gentle Gibson of Kalamazoo who he defeated in last week’s West Michigan state finals in the 132-pound open division. Like the previous fight, Rios relied on his speed and quickness to carry him to the decision.
Junior Rios (right) squares off against Gentle Gibson of Kalamazoo in the 132-pound Elite Open class at the Michigan Golden Gloves state finals. (WKTV, Greg Chrapek)
“He (Gibson) was going for the knockout,” Rios said. “I used my quickness against him. I have quicker hands and quicker feet and I used that to my advantage. His gameplan was to land a knockout punch. It was definitely a good fight. He tried to knock me out but I knew I could outbox him.”
Winning a fifth state title meant plenty to Rios who plans to turn professional after making a run at qualifying for the 2024 Olympics.
“This feels great,” Rios said. “I have dreamed about this moment and to come out on top really means a lot to me. I’m looking forward to the national tournament and I feel right now I’m in better shape that I’ve ever been in during all the years of going to nationals. I feel way quicker, have way more experience and have a way better boxing IQ.”
Mo Mercado 125-pound open division champ
Like his training partner Rios, Guillermo “Mo” Mercado is another multi-time state champion and faced a rematch in his title bout in the 125-pound open division. Like he did the week prior, Mercado utilized his outstanding boxing skills to win a decision against Jason Wells.
Guillermo Mercado (left) looks to set up his shot during his match against Jason Wells in the 125-pound Elite Open class final at the Michigan Golden Gloves state finals. (WKTV, Greg Chrapek)
“I went into the match trying to stay focused and to get the job done,” Mercado said. “I knew that I could outbox him and that was my plan. He tried some different things but I just stayed composed and outboxed him.”
The state title meant plenty to Mercado who also plans to turn professional after the Golen Gloves.
“This is a tremendous feeling,” Mercado said. “I put my heart on the line for this one. I’ve went through a lot of adversity to get this one and this really means a lot to me.”
Catholic Central grad Ulysses Campos wins at 147 pounds
Ulysses Campos, a 2018 graduate of Grand Rapids Catholic Central High School is another area boxer who was looking to add to his collection of state titles before turning pro later this year. Campos won a decision against Tyrone Welch of Saginaw in the finals at 147 pounds. The title was the sixth Golden Gloves title for Campos and the fourth Golden Gloves state championship on his resume.
“I won my first Golden Gloves title when I was 16-years old,” said the 23-year old Campos, who also was part of a state championship soccer team while at Catholic Central. “This one is pretty special. It is my last one and I knew it was going to be a tough one. My opponent is really tough and I knew it was going to be a big challenge.”
Bryan Caceres wins fourth state title
Bryan Caceres rounded out the area open champions. Caceres, who won a fourth state title for his career, needed to avenge a loss from last week’s West Michigan finals to earn his title. In a match that was just as hard-fought as last week’s title match at 139 pounds, Caceres won a decision against Marcos Saucedo Jr. of Holland. Like the other area open division boxers, Caceres is also planning on turning professional later this year.
Also claiming open-division titles were Nicholas Young of Flint at 156 pounds, KeiShawn Partee of Muskegon, 176 pounds, Solomon Jagun of Lansing, 203 pounds, and Shaquan Cox of Flint, 203-plus division.
Sarah Batenburg takes 146-pound title in the female division
There also were three uncontested open division champions all in the female division. Sarah Batenburg of Hudsonville won at 146 pounds, Zoe Hicks of Lansing won at 110 pounds and Kimberly Green of Lansing was the 178 pounds-plus champion.
In novice action, Michael Guzman of Grand Rapids won the 132-pound novice title with a decision against Gage Stafford of Flint.
“It feels good,” Guzman said. “I’ve loved fighting in the Golden Gloves this year. It’s a great feeling to be the last man standing.”
Guzman’s twin brother Mike Guzman just missed a state title of his own as he dropped a close decision to Brant Bowlin of Lansing at 139 pounds.
In the 147-pound novice division, Alejandro Hernandez of the Anahuac Boxing Club, located in southwest Grand Rapids, won a decision against Stephen Ramirez. The bout was a rematch of last week’s West Michigan finals contest and Hernandez used a similar formula to get the win.
“(He) Ramirez was not as aggressive as last week,” Hernandez said. “Like I did last week, I just tried to outbox him. Winning the state title feel so good. It feels good to see all my hard work pay off.”
At 203 pounds, Zachary Brayton of Traverse City Significant Strikes won a decision against Austin Connors of the Kalamazoo Boxing Club in a rematch of their fight last week. Brayton, who improved his record to 7-0 over the weekend, also was named the Outstanding Novice Boxer for this year’s state finals.
Also winning state titles in the novice division were Van Davis (125 pounds) of Muskegon, Brant Bowling (139) of Lansing, Ndeye Diouf (female-146 pounds) of Flint and Monjuan Walker (156) of Flint. Uncontested novice champions included Sulliman Aamer (112) of Holland, Abel Vilchis-Mendoza (176) of Muskegon and Cody Leonard (203-plus) of Muskegon.
Justin Lacey-Pierce (left) moves in during his match against Jason Jackson in the 165-pound Elite Open class final at the West Michigan Golden Gloves finals. Pierce won his division on Saturday evening. (WKTV, Greg Chrapek)
By Greg Chrapek
WKTV Contributor
Highlighted by one of the premier amateur boxers in the nation, area fighters claimed titles at the 2023 West Michigan Golden Gloves finals Saturday evening at West Catholic High School.
In the final bout of the evening, Justin Lacey-Pierce, a 2017 graduate of East Kentwood High School, claimed the final championship of the program after defeating Jason Jackson of the Holland Westside Boxing Club in the 165-pound Elite Open division final.
Lacey-Pierce is one of the top amateur boxers in his weight class in the nation and turned in a strong performance in the win against Jackson.
“I was a little rusty in the first round,” Lacey-Pierce said. “I felt like I was rushing things too much. Once I settled down and got my distance down and my timing down, I started connecting with my shots. He (Jackson) is a pretty tough guy and that had a lot to do with it, too.”
State Championships on April 21 and 22
A 2021 USA National champion, Lacey-Pierce is currently ranked fourth in the nation at 156 pounds and seventh at 165. Lacey-Pierce will be going for his second state title next week at the Michigan Golden Gloves state championships Friday and Saturday at West Catholic High School.
Lacey-Pierce (39-12 as an amateur) plans on turning pro after this year’s Golden Gloves tournaments.
Junior Rios 132-pound West Michigan champ
In the 132-pound Elite Open division final, Aneudy “Junior” Rios won a decision against previously undefeated Gentle Gibson of Kalamazoo. Rios, who is on a quest for a fifth state championship, used his speed and quickness from the opening bell to take control of the match.
“It was a case of speed versus power,” Rios said. “I felt like I was in control of the fight from the beginning. I just used my speed and quickness to take the fight to him. I will fight him again in the state finals so I have to go back to the gym and work on some things.”
Mercado and Saucedo also West Michigan champions
In the 125-pound Elite Open division, Guillermo “Mo” Mercado continued his journey of winning a third state championship by winning a decision against his MGGA gym teammate Jason Wells. In a match full of action, Mercado was in control throughout.
“I just went in looking to outbox him,” Mercado said. “I moved around the ring and tried to cut him off. I had to change my style and try and outwork him. I have a few things I have to still improve on so I will go back to the drawing board.”
In the final Open Elite division bout Marcos Saucedo Jr. of Holland Westside won a decision over Bryan Caceres of MGGA in a close, action-filled bout.
Sarah Batenburg (right) fought Zamyla Thurman-Houston in the 150-pound Elite Female division at the West Michigan Golden Gloves finals. (WKTV, Greg Chrapek)
In the lone female bout of the evening, Sarah Batenburg, a Tri-County High School and Grand Valley State University graduate put on an exciting show along with Zamyla Thurman-Houston of Lansing Team Glass. In her first bout in several months, Batenburg shook off any rust and outpointed Thurman-Houston in an action-filled match that had the crowd heavily involved.
The West Michigan title was the fifth in her career and the second as an open-division boxer. Batenburg was boxing at 150 pounds, down from her previous weight classes of 165 and 156.
“I’m used to fighting bigger girls,” Batenburg said. “This was the first time I fought at 146 or 147 pounds. I think this was a good fight for me and gave me good experience. It was also the first time I have fought in nearly a year since boxing at the nationals last August.”
The entire card was filled with outstanding action with several bouts upping the decibel number several levels in a close to full West Catholic gymnasium.
One of those bouts came at the 139-pound Elite Novice division where Mike Guzman of MGGA outlasted Brant Bowlin of Lansing Team Glass. The highlight of the match was a flurry of action with both boxers unloading shots for what seemed like 30 seconds.
“He (Bowlin) was a tough opponent,” Guzman said. “In that second round we were just bringing it. We were both like mad dogs and it was a matter of who wanted it more.”
Guzman’s win came just after his twin brother Michael Guzman won a decision against Davone Jones of Lansing Crown Boxing Club in the 132-pound Elite Novice final.
The 203-pound Elite Novice final was another fight that had the crowd stoked the entire distance. Zachary Brayton, of Traverse City Significant Strikes, won a decision against Austin Connors of the Kalamazoo Boxing Club.
Forest Hills Eastern grad 156-pound Elite Novice champ
In the 156-pound Elite Novice final, Nasir Harris, a Forest Hills Eastern graduate, won a decision against Reynaldo Ortego of Lansing Crown Boxing. A multi-sport athlete in high school, Harris enjoyed his first title fight of his young boxing career.
“It was so exciting,” Harris said. “I never knew a feeling like this in sports before. Having everyone in the gym cheering for you and being one on one with your opponent in the ring with everyone watching you.”
Alejandro Hernandez (left) squares off against Stephen Ramirez in the 147-pound Elite Novice class at the West Michigan Golden Gloves finals. (WKTV, Greg Chrapek)
In the 147-pound Elite Novice final, Alejandro Hernandez of the Anahuac Boxing Club, located in southwest Grand Rapids, won a decision against Stephen Ramirez who was boxing unattached.
“I think my boxing IQ made the difference,” Hernandez said. “Winning this title is really satisfying because I have had to fight every day of the tournament.”
In the 165-pound Elite Novice final, Jaier Morgan of MGGA won a decision against his teammate Matthew Moore also of MGGA.
Also winning titles at the West Michigan Finals were Elijah Knight of the ChampsDen Boxing Club in the 132-pound junior open division, Roy Garcia of Holland Westside at the 125-pound Elite Novice and Abel Vilchis-Mendoza of the Muskegon Boxing Club in the 176-pound Elite Novice.
WKTV reporter Greg Chrapek interviews local boxer Junior Rios after he beat Armond Bridgeford of Grand Rapids in the semifinals Wednesday. Rios is seeking his fifth state championship.
By Greg Chrapek
WKTV Contributor
A trio of multi-time state champions took care of business during semifinal night at the West Michigan Golden Gloves and are poised to take the next step to become West Michigan Golden Gloves Champions.
Guillermo “Mo” Mercado, Aneudy “Junior” Rios and Bryan Caceres all won their matches against some strong competition during semifinal action Wednesday evening at West Catholic High School. The wins send the trio, who have combined for nine state championships, on to the West Michigan Golden Gloves finals at 7 p.m. Saturday at West Catholic.
Guillermo Mercado squares off against Elmer Velasquez in the 125-pound Elite Open class at the West Michigan Golden Gloves semifinals. (WKTV, Greg Chrapek)
Mercado led things off in the Elite Open division at 125 pounds when he won a decision against Elmer Velasquez of Anahuac Boxing Club. In one of the most action-packed bouts of the evening, Mercado used his skills to wear Velasquez down in a bout that was full of action from both boxers.
“This is the fourth time I have fought him,” Mercado said. “I knew coming in he is a very tough fighter. I knew this was going to be one of my toughest opponents here. I had to get on him with my jab and keep the pressure up.”
Mercado, who has been boxing for over seven years, is a two-time state champion on a mission to win a third state title before turning professional., Mercado has been busy fighting in some national tournaments this season and is primed for a long run in the Golden Gloves this spring.
Mercado’s coach, Anbrocio Ledesma, liked what he saw in the fight, but knows improvement needs to continue to be made.
“Mo has fought this guy several times,” Ledesma said. “He puts a lot of pressure on and Mo had to fight a little different fight. I asked Mo to do some different things and he pulled it off. Every opponent has a different style and you have to make adjustments and Mo did that.”
Junior Rios looks for an opening during his match against Armond Bridgeford in the 132-pound Elite Open class at the West Michigan Golden Gloves semifinals. (WKTV, Greg Chrapek)
Rios, Mercado’s teammate who also is trained by Ledesma, is a four-time state champion and had a tough test in the next bout when he went up against Armond Bridgeford of Grand Rapids MGGA. After both boxers traded shots in the opening round, Rios began to take control of the match in the second round. By the third round Rios was in command of the fight and recorded a standing-eight count before the referee stopped the contest later in the round.
“This was the first time I fought him,” Rios said. “He is a taller fighter and in the first round it took me some time to get used to his size. Eventually I started to get inside and get off some good body shots. I was able to work the body and slow him down.”
The win moves Rios into a showdown Saturday against Gentle Gibson, an undefeated fighter from the Kalamazoo Boxing Club.
In the final match of the evening and in the Elite Open class, Bryan Caceres of Grand Rapids MGGA won a decision against Anthony Hurt of Team Glass from Lansing. Caceres, who has been boxing for nine years, is a three-time state champion looking for a fourth title before turning professional like both Mercado and Rios. Caceres has won his three previous state titles at 125 pounds and moved up to 139 pounds this year.
Bryan Caceres prepares to move in during his match against Anthony Hurt in the 139-pound. Elite Open class at the West Michigan Golden Gloves semifinals. (WKTV, Greg Chrapek)
“My goal is to win a fourth state title before turning pro,” Caceres said. “This was my first fight in over eight months. I’m boxing up at 139 pounds so it’s kind of tough because I’m actually a 125-pounder.”
Caceres will go after the West Michigan title Saturday evening when he faces off against Marcos Saucedo Jr. of the Holland Westside Boxing Club.
Five Elite Novice division bouts also took place Wednesday
At 147 pounds, Alejandro Hernandez of the Anahuac Boxing Club won a decision against Kardyea Williams of MGGA. Also at 147 pounds Stephen Ramirez, boxing unattached, won in the second round when the referee stopped the contest in his match against James McCullen of Crown Boxing Club of Lansing. Hernandez and Ramirez fight Saturday in the 147-pound finals of the Elite Novice division.
At 165 pounds, Jaier Morgan of MGGA won a decision against Ronald Taylor of the Muskegon Boxing Club. Also at 165 pounds, Matthew Moore of MGGA on a decision against Christopher McLaughlin of the Muskegon Boxing Club. Morgan and Moore will square off in the finals Saturday.
At 176 pounds, Isaiah Clay of Crown Boxing won when the referee stopped the contest in his bout with Paul Vaalburg of MGGA.
The City of Kentwood and local orthotic and prosthetic care provider Hanger Clinic are again partnering to host the fifth annual Hanger Limb Loss Awareness 5K on Saturday, April 29 in honor of Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month.
The all-ages, all-abilities event will begin with packet pickup at 9 a.m. at Veterans Memorial Park, 355 48th St. SE, followed by a Show Your Mettle photo at 9:45 a.m. The race, which begins at 10 a.m., will include a new route this year that will take runners through Veteran’s Memorial Park and part of the East West Trail.
The race seeks to increase awareness of limb loss and limb difference, build community and raise funds for Kentwood’s adaptive recreation programs. These programs provide quality recreation and enrichment programs for people of all abilities and offer opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in athletic activities in an adapted way to allow for a safe, fun experience.
“Our Limb Loss Awareness 5K is focused on inclusivity, awareness, relationships and making a difference in our local community,” said Katelyn Bush, Kentwood recreation program coordinator. “We’re honored to host this event alongside Hanger Clinic and are thrilled about its growing popularity since the first one in 2018.”
Register today
Online registration is available at RunSignUp.com. Registration is $35 through April 28 and $45 on race day. Participants will receive a long-sleeved T-shirt and swag bag as part of their registration. To guarantee a shirt, please be sure to register by April 14. Packet pickup will be available at the event and in advance at the Kentwood Activities Center, 355 48th St. SE, during business hours beginning Thursday, April 27.
Last year’s Hanger Limb Loss Awareness 5K. (Courtesy, City of Kentwood)
Four first-place awards will be given to the first adult men and women amputees and nonamputees who cross the finish line. The event is set to conclude at 1 p.m.
The kid-friendly event will also include a fun run for ages 12 and younger at 11 a.m. in the park. The kids race costs $10 per child and includes a T-shirt and finisher ribbon. There also is a Family Fun area with yard games, chalk and more for all ages to enjoy.
Last year’s Hanger Limb Loss Awareness 5K. (Courtesy, City of Kentwood)
This year’s event will feature two speakers: Kelly Allen and RJ Myler.
Allen was born missing a femur, tibia and patella and with a hip that is not fully developed on her left side due to a limb difference called proximal femoral focal deficiency. She was fit for her first prosthetic at just 3 months old.
She was born into a family of athletes, but there was not an adaptive sports community near her home. So, she competed in able-bodied sports, working hard to keep up with her peers on the field and court. In 2006, her prosthetist introduced her to the Extremity Games, an extreme sport competition for athletes with disabilities. This was her first introduction to adaptive sports, and it had a big impact on her view of her disability.
“In a flash, I went from being the only person I knew with a prosthetic leg to being surrounded by people who shared similar life experiences to me,” Allen said. “I walked away from this event with a second-place medal in rock climbing and with a new sense of belonging and pride in my disability.”
Allen’s love of sports and participation in adaptive recreation took her many places. She trained and competed in adaptive skiing in Colorado, Utah and Wyoming. While recovering from a ski injury, she was introduced to paracanoe and became a paralympic kayaker, representing the U.S. on the world stage for 10 years in Hungary, Portugal, Germany, Poland and Brazil.
Myler experienced a workplace accident that led to his left leg being amputated from the hip down in June 2022. Due to the accident, he suffered a broken left femur and humerus, a broken pelvis, two broken hips, a fractured right femur, tibia and fibula, a fractured heel and a severely dislocated right knee that tore all four major ligaments. Upon waking up on a ventilator and finding his left leg amputated, Myler knew he had a long road to recovery ahead.
He spent three months at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital rebuilding strength in his right leg and preparing to use a prosthetic limb. During this time, he said it was hard to focus on the bright side of his new life when he was often faced with thoughts of activities he would no longer be able to do.
A supportive community made all the difference for Myler.
“Fortunately, I have an amazing wife, family, friends and neighbors who rallied behind me and gave me something to fight for,” Myler said. “I knew I wasn’t alone in this.”
“I hope others read this and know help is always available to those who ask.”
Myler returned home from the hospital in October, was fit with his first prosthetic leg at Hanger Clinic in December, and recently returned to work as a dispatcher, where he enjoys encouraging others to approach life with a positive mindset.
Radio personality Phil Tower will DJ the event
Phil Tower, a West Michigan radio personality, amputee and advocate for people with disabilities, will serve as the event’s DJ. Tower has more than 40 years of broadcasting experience and a background in higher education and talent coaching.
Along with the race, there will be activities and educational opportunities to raise awareness about limb loss and limb difference. These resources will help participants and attendees learn more about amputation, prosthetics and orthotics as well as connect individuals who have experienced limb loss or limb difference and to build relationships. Several informational booths from various sponsors also will be at the event.
Last year’s Hanger Limb Loss Awareness 5K. (Courtesy, City of Kentwood)
Sponsors include Corewell Health, Mary Free Bed Orthotics & Prosthetics + Bionics, Buist Electric, Green Shield Deck Builders, Life Beyond Barriers Rehabilitation Group, College Park, Metronet, Muskegon Surgical Associates, Summit Labs LLC, Amazon, Foot and Ankle Specialists and Willow Wood.
“We have a vibrant, supportive community for people experiencing limb loss and limb difference in West Michigan as well as many local resources,” said Nikki Stoner, Hanger Clinic care coordinator and a lower limb amputee herself. “This event gives us an opportunity to raise awareness and let individuals know they aren’t in this alone – we’re here to help.”
Volunteers are needed for the event. Those interested may sign up at RunSignUp.com.
More information on the Hanger Limb Loss Awareness 5K is available at kentwood.us/LimbLoss5K.
All profits from the event will go toward improving and expanding the City of Kentwood’s adaptive recreation programs to encourage health and wellness, socialization and excellent quality of life for all. The programs – offered in collaboration with community partners – enable participants to enjoy the benefits that come with any athletic or recreational activity, such as a sense of camaraderie, improved confidence and new skills. For more on the City of Kentwood’s adaptive recreation programs, visit kentwood.us/adaptive.
Local fighter Junior Rios (second from left) is aiming for a fifth state title this year and is carrying on the legacy of the Wyoming Pride gym that included from left: Coach Alex Fernandez, Junior, Coach Anbrocio Ledesma and Coach Dominic Marsiglia. (Courtesy, Junior Rios)
By Greg Chrapek
WKTV Contributor
Over the past several years, Aneudy “Junior” Rios has been one of the top amateur boxers in the Grand Rapids area. During his amateur career he has won 50 bouts and four Golden Gloves state championships.
Rios is competing in his final Golden Gloves this year, but before turning pro, he is looking to end his amateur boxing career in a big way.
Going for a fifth state title
Rios takes the next step in his quest to winning a fifth state championship in the open division at the semifinals of the West Michigan Golden Gloves scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday at Grand Rapids West Catholic High School.
“I feel like this year is my year for sure,” Rios said. “I won last year, but I feel like this year I am in better shape than I was last year. I’m at a different weight class and I feel more focused and more consistent. I’ve lost weight and I’m boxing at 132 pounds this year.”
Rios won his opening-night match April 1 and faces a challenge in the semifinals where he goes up against Armond Bridgeford of Grand Rapids MGGA in the semifinal match.
Not only does Rios have a goal of winning the state title this year, but he also wants to take it a step further at the National Golden Gloves tournament this May in Philadelphia. After that, Rios wants to earn a spot in the Olympic Trials where he will try to make the 2024 United State Olympic Boxing team.
Turning pro soon
“This is my last year of amateur boxing before turning pro,” Rios said. “My goal is the Olympics. I have one more national trial in December where I can earn a spot at the Olympic Trials.”
Rios, age 26, has come a long way in the sport of boxing since he first stepped foot in a gym 10 years ago. A four-time open division champion, Rios has fashioned an amateur record of 50-9. He also reached the semifinals of the National Golden Gloves in 2017.
Rios got his start in boxing at the former Wyoming Pride Gym that was open from 2012 to 2019.
Began boxing at 16
“I started boxing when I was 16-years old,” Rios said. “I was a street kid, and a lady, we call her Momma G, took me to the fights and introduced me to coach Alex Fernandez. I fell in love with boxing as soon as I stepped in the gym. I started going to the Wyoming Pride Gym and that was where I met my coach, Anbrocio Ledesma. Coach Ledesma has always been like a father-figure to me. I call him dad and he calls me son.”
Rios trained at Wyoming Pride until the gym closed in 2019 when the landlord needed the space for another venture.
Since then, Rios has sparred at other gyms in the area while also training at a gym coach Ledesma created in a heated garage on his property. Currently, Rios and Guillermo Mercado are both training under Ledesma.
“I’m a full-time dad, a full-time worker and a full-time boxer,” Rios said. “When I get out of work, I head over to Anbrocio’s and easily put in two to three hours a day working out. Anbrocio is a really good coach. He is great at strength and conditioning. Everything is precise and there is always a routine. I also get a lot of help from my sister, Andreina Torres, who helps watch my son (Gabriel) when I’m at the gym.”
Hard work paying off
The work Rios has been putting in over the years is paying off as Rios is one of the top amateur boxers in the state.
“Junior has put in a lot of hard work,” Ledesma said. “He also does what we ask him to do. He believes in my coaching style. Junior is very aggressive in the ring, but he also has a lot of skill, a lot of knowledge and a lot of quickness. Not only does he have very good hand speed, but he has very good footwork and that is hard to teach.
“You either have it or you don’t. He has the natural skills and he is also a hard worker who gets the most out of what he has.”
Ledesma believes Rios has what it takes to accomplish his goals.
“Junior looked pretty good in his fight last week,” Ledesma said. “As always, there is room for improvement and each opponent will test him in a little different way. Things are looking good for him as long as he keeps consistent in his training and his conditioning.
Local boxer Junior Rios (right) and his coach Anbrocio Ledesma. Rios will be one of the top open division boxers to watch at this year’s Michigan Golden Gloves Championships. (Courtesy, Junior Rios)
By Greg Chrapek
WKTV Contributor
If it’s April in West Michigan it must be time for some Golden Gloves boxing and this year is one of transition for the fabled boxing tournament.
The 91st annual Michigan Golden Gloves Championships begin this weekend, Saturday, April 1. This year’s tournament will be held at West Catholic High School (1801 Bristol Ave. NW, Grand Rapids) as the DeltaPlex, which hosted the tournament the past several years, closed its doors earlier this year.
“The Golden Gloves is one of the most prestigious tournaments in boxing,” said tournament co-director Brian Lentz. “The Golden Gloves is an exciting five-day event. The first three days are the West Michigan Championships and the final two days are the Michigan State Finals.”
Began in 1923
The Golden Gloves began in Chicago in 1923 and the Chicago Golden Gloves is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. This year’s Michigan Golden Gloves will be the 91st running of the tournament that began in 1932. Over the past 90-plus years, the Michigan Golden Gloves has produced some of the greatest boxers to have ever come out of the state of Michigan.
Floyd Mayweather and many other big names were Golden Gloves Champs
One of the greatest boxers of all time, Floyd Mayweather, is a former Golden Gloves champion from West Michigan along with a host of other champions, including Tony Tucker, Buster Mathis Jr., Roger Mayweather, Chris Byrd, Tim Littles, Andre Dirrell, Anthony Dirrell, Ra’eese Aleem, Fabian Williams, Roger Turner and Peter Quillin to name a few.
38 gyms represented
There are a total of 38 gyms in Michigan and this year’s tournament hopes to have representatives from all of those gyms. The first three days of the event will be the West Michigan Championships where boxers from Lansing to the west will compete. The East Michigan Championships will be held for boxers from east of Lansing. The final two dates will be the state championships where the winner and runner-up boxers in each division from the east will square off against the top two boxers in each division from the west with a spot on the Michigan team for the National Golden Gloves tournament on the line. This year’s National Golden Gloves Tournament is scheduled to take place in Philadelphia, PA. from May 8 through May 13.
Three divisions
The Golden Gloves is split into different divisions. There is a novice division, for beginning boxers that have had fewer than 10 fights, and an open division for more experienced boxers. There also is a female division.
WKTV will televise the tournament (see below)
WKTV will televise all five nights of this year’s tournament. WKTV commentator Bob Serulla is in his 23rd year of working the Golden Gloves and is excited about this year’s tournament.
“I think we are going to have a heck of a year,” Serulla said. “There is a lot of good, young talent and some highly-ranked fighters this year. Obviously, the Golden Gloves is going through a transition with the closing of the DeltaPlex, but I’m looking forward to a big year.”
Among the open division boxers are some highly-ranked local boxers. Justin Lacy-Pierce is a former national champion who recently qualified to compete for a spot on the USA National team. Lacy-Pierce is ranked fourth in his weight class by USA Boxing in their recent rankings at the end of last year.
Local boxer Junior Rios will be one of the top open division boxers to watch. (Courtesy, Junior Rios)
Junior Rios is another local standout who placed second at the regional qualifier for USA Boxing that took place March 18-25 in Detroit. Maurice Davis of Kalamazoo is another standout in the open division to watch along with Ulysses Campos of Grand Rapids, while Zoe Hicks of Lansing is a nationally-ranked female boxer in the 114-pound weight class.
Another name to keep an eye on is Ryan Schmidt. A member of the famed Schmidt family of boxers from the west side of Grand Rapids, Schmidt is making a comeback to the Golden Gloves at age 38. Schmidt was a five-time state champion from 2001-2005 and also was a silver and bronze medal winner at the National Golden Gloves during that time.
Along with the big names, the tournament is the birthplace of boxing dreams for young boxers making their first appearances in the ring.
“Opening night is a night you have some of the best fights,” Serulla said. “A lot of guys match up who have never fought before. You see people who come out of nowhere put on a show, especially in the novice division. I love opening night at the Gloves. You see some out and out wars on the first night.”
The opening night of this year’s Golden Gloves takes place Saturday, April 1. Boxing begins at 7 p.m. Action continues Wednesday, April 12 and Saturday April 15 with the state finals scheduled for Friday and Saturday April 21 and 22. Bouts begin at 7 p.m. each day with the doors opening at 6 p.m.
WKTV Golden Gloves Schedule
Catch all the action on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 and AT&TU-verse 99 with a live tape delayed airing of each night. You also can stream WKTV at WKTV25Live
West Michigan Preliminaries
Saturday, April 1
Airs Wednesday, April 5 at 5 p.m.
West Michigan Semifinals
Wednesday, April 12
Airs Saturday, April 15 at 11 a.m. and Tuesday, April 18 at 11 p.m.
West Michigan Finals
Saturday, April 15
Airs Sunday, April 16 at 12 p.m. and Wednesday, April 19 at 5 p.m.
State Semifinals
Friday, April 21
Airs Saturday, April 22 at 11 a.m. and Wednesday, April 26 at 5 p.m.
State Finals
Saturday, April 22
Airs Sunday, April 23 at 12 p.m. and Wednesday, May 3 at 5 p.m.
Take a look at our boys basketball state finals edition of WKTV Friday Night Highlights, where host Zach Fanko interviews Tri-unity Coach Mark Keeler and players Roy Fogg and Owen Rosendall in the first half of the show, followed by South Christian Coach Taylor Johnson and player Sam Medendorp in the second half.
You will enjoy watching both coaches talk through some season highlight reels, giving their play-by-play analysis of these games.
From Left: South Christian center Sam Medendorp, Coach Taylor Johnson and WKTV Friday Night Highlights host Zach Fanko taped a special edition Wednesday honoring the Sailors second-place finish in the Division 2 state finals. (WKTV)
From Left: Tri-unity Christian boys basketball guard Owen Rosendall, forward Roy Fogg, Coach Mark Keeler and Friday Night Highlights host Zach Fanko taped a special edition Wednesday honoring the Defenders second-place finish in the Division 4 state finals. (WKTV)
East Kentwood boys basketball Coach Mike Thomas knew right away he wanted to create a “gotta-get-it” mentality when he took over the team last fall.
“The only thing I know about last year is that they didn’t have a winning season, and I knew right away that I wanted to come in and kind of change that,” Thomas said. “I knew right away that I wanted to create a gotta-get-it mentality, and the meaning of a gotta-get-it mentality is to create a sense of urgency, to accomplish unforeseen goals without making any excuses along the way.
“We wanted to create some goals, create some expectations, and then teach them how to work for this year. And we started off early in the year back in the fall with a lot of training, running bleachers, conditioning, all of that stuff. And they didn’t quite realize or understand what it was for, but towards the end of the year, they could see and understand how all of that stuff helped us become successful this year.”
The East Kentwood basketball team celebrates with the district trophy after defeating Byron Center 62-45 in a district title game. (WKTV/Greg Chrapek)
OK Red and District Champs
Thomas talked about taking first in the OK Red at 11-3 and finishing 18-7 overall with a district title as well, compared to 6-15 overall last year with a 6-8 conference record.
“Oh, this was huge for us,” Thomas said. “I think it’s a statement for where we’re trying to go as the foundation; we established that right away. And it’s unfortunate that we’re losing some seniors, but I told those seniors that whatever we do this year is the start of us accomplishing our ultimate goal and that’s to win a state title. Our seniors have done a really good job by creating a strong foundation of what it takes to be successful.
“They were able to set the stage for us moving forward winning the district and winning the conference title.”
Captain Marshaun Flakes: ‘Willing to do whatever’
“I was able to coach at some special places, special schools; I was able to coach some special players and Marshaun fits in the category of being one of my all time special players,” Thomas said. “He had a huge impact on winning. It’s just unfortunate that I was only able to coach him for one year. I’m going to miss him.
East Kentwood’s Marshaun Flakes. (WKTV, Greg Chrapek)
“But you’re talking about a guy who has the power and the energy to control a community, control a school, control a team. When he wants it, we’re all going to get it, and he has a gotta-get-it mentality. He was our leading scorer and he did everything for us. He was Mr. Utility guy. He was willing to do whatever.”
Flakes led the Falcons with 21 points per game and averaged 7 rebounds, four assists and 2-1/2 steals a game as well. He was first team, all conference and Thomas said he’d be the Conference MVP if there was such an award.
“Based on what he did, he was able to turn this program around from sixth place to first place,” Thomas continued. “This guy just did everything.”
Captain Jah Hatchett: ‘Setting the tone’
Another player that played a big role was Jah Hatchett, who averaged 15 points, 4-1/2 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1-1/2 steals per game. He also was first team, all conference as well.
East Kentwood sophomore guard Jah Hatchett sets up the offense during action in the district championship game. (WKTV/Greg Chrapek)
“He’s going to go down as one of my all time special players,” Thomas said. “Here he is a sophomore, he’s just a baby. And he shows some great leadership skills. He was one of the guys that set the tone for us … for workouts, morning shoots, offseason workouts, he was always there.
“At one point in the season he was our leading scorer. And I think teams started to key on that. And that’s when Marshaun stepped up. When you have those two guys on the court at the same time great things are going to happen for you.
“Jah is going to be a very, very special player for East Kentwood.”
Hatchett said it felt good to win an OK Red and district title.
“Especially since we haven’t won conference in eight years,” Hatchett continued. “It feels good and then in districts, we did even better.
“The highlight of my season was coming together as a team and going on our little run up, seven-game winning streak.”
Hatchett began playing basketball at age five.
“When I was little, I was always a two-sport athlete, playing football and basketball. But I just found more interest in playing basketball.”
Sophomore point guard Darryl Thompkins
“We were very lucky to have him return back to Grand Rapids, as he did some really, really good things for us,” Thomas said. “He was our floor general. He got everybody involved. There were a couple games this year where he had double figures in assists. He also was first team all league.”
I take my hat off to those two sophomores (Hatchett and Thompkins) just simply because they had to compete against some really, really tough seniors and upperclassmen.”
Coach Thomas’s highlight of the season?
“I would say the highlight of the season was just being able to turn the program around in a short period of time, and just simply having fun mentoring young men. This is nothing but fun to me. Coaching is what I love to do. This is who I am.
“But you can also add winning the conference championship and district title as a highlight. But an even bigger highlight is just being able to see the community, the response of the community, the support of the community, especially within those last couple of games. You can kind of feel that they believe in what we’re trying to do.”
Along with Flakes, Thomas also talked about graduating Rasheed Watkins and Nate Cobbs.
“We’re losing Rasheed Watkins, who was a big time energy guy for us,” Thomas explained. “He started some games, came off the bench for us, but he was always ready when his number was called. He does some really good things for us, but we’ll also miss Nate Cobbs. He’s a football player, wrestler and track star. He’s going to play Division 2 football at Davenport University. He came off the bench and gave us a spark when we needed it, especially against Grandville. He was that big time, muscle guy for us to kind of contain some people and was always ready when his number was called.
“But, for next year, great things are gonna happen for us. We have Jah Hatchett and and Darryl Thompkins returning along with Christian Humphrey-Rembert.”
Spring has arrived as Kaufman Golf Course of Palmer Park has opened its course and driving range today, March 30.
Rated 4 stars by “Golf Digest,” the Kaufman Golf Course features rolling fairways, perfect greens and picturesque scenery. Kaufman is the home course for the highly regarded Kent County Amateur Golf Tournament.
There are daily rates and season passes. For more information, call the new Kaufman Golf Course number, 616-632-7855, or click here.
Kaufman is long for grounds crew and staff for its clubhouse. Positions start at $15 per hour with an additional $1 per hour on weekends. For an application, click here. For additional information, visit kaufman.golfcourse@kentcountymi.gov.
The Sailors pose with their runner-up trophy after losing to Ferndale 44-38 in the Division 2 state final Saturday at the Breslin Center. (Courtesy, South Christian)
By Greg Chrapek
WKTV Contributor
A storybook basketball season for the South Christian Sailors was one quarter short of a perfect ending as Ferndale forged ahead in the fourth quarter and held on for a 44-38 win in the Division 2 state championship game Saturday at the Breslin Center at Michigan State University.
The Sailors, who were looking to accomplish the rare feat of winning a football and basketball state championship in the same school year, were tied 28-28 with Ferndale heading into the final quarter. Ferndale, however, began the final quarter with an 8-2 scoring run and hung on to that margin to claim its first state basketball title since 1966.
“I’m real proud of these guys,” said South Christian Coach Taylor Johnson. “It’s been an incredible season. We had a late start because of winning the football championship and we started off 1-2. We played and beat some really good teams this year. That is what made this run so special. I couldn’t be prouder of this team and they need to walk away with their heads held high.”
Conference, regional and district titles
The Sailors won conference, district and regional titles this season and finished with a 25-4 record despite battling through major injuries. South Christian lost senior Jaxon Rynbrandt to a season-ending injury early in the season and then standout sophomore Carson Vis was lost after getting injured in the regional title game.
Those injuries impacted South’s depth, depth that could’ve come in handy in the fourth quarter of Saturday’s state final, especially after winning a tough overtime game against Romulus Summit Academy North in the late-night state semifinal game the night before.
“Obviously, we are not as deep without Carson,” Johnson said, “and it caught up with us. Playing the overtime game the night before and having no prep time and playing without Carson, it was a tough stretch. I’m proud of these guys. They left everything they had on the court.
“They played some great defense tonight. We just didn’t make enough shots.”
‘Great defense’ all championship week
The Sailors played great defense the entire championship week. After holding Unity Christian to 38 points in the quarterfinal win, the Sailors held Romulus Summit Academy to 35 points in a game that went to overtime in the 40-35 win in the state semifinals and then allowed 44 points to Ferndale in the state finals.
South Christian limited Ferndale to 37 percent shooting from the field in the title game and nearly 32 percent shooting from three-point range. Ferndale, however, got hot at the opportune time as it connected on six of its 10 shots (60 percent) in the fourth quarter.
South Christian shot 33.3 percent for the game, but hit on just 2-of-19 shots from three-point range.
“They (Ferndale) are a good team,” Johnson said. “They pressured us on defense and created some turnovers that hurt us. We just didn’t get the shots to fall and that hurt us.”
South Christian outrebounded Ferndale 29-26 for the game. Both teams also pulled down six offensive rebounds.
South Christian held 16-14 edge at the half
Ferndale took the early lead in the game at 8-4 to end the first quarter. South Christian turned the tables in the second quarter by outscoring Ferndale 12-6 to take a 16-14 lead into halftime. Ferndale then outscored South 14-12 in the third as the game was tied heading into the final quarter.
Jake DeHaan and Jake Vermaas led in scoring
Senior Jake DeHaan and junior Jake Vermaas led the Sailors with 14 points apiece. Senior Sam Medendorp added seven points, while senior Nate Brinks added three. Vermaas dished out five assists, while DeHaan had three and Medendorp, two.
Medendorp led the Sailors on the boards with seven, including two offensive rebounds. Vermaas and DeHaan both added five rebounds. Medendorp turned in a big defensive game with four blocked shots and a steal, while Vermaas added two steals.
Five Sailors end high school careers
The state title game marked the end of the high school basketball careers for seniors Cam Post, Brinks, DeHaan, Medendorp and Rynbrandt.
“The seniors are going to be hard to replace,” Johnson said. “I’m going to really miss these guys. It’s hard to see the seniors walk away. This group of seniors was a really close group and we will miss them.
“We do have some good young guys coming up. We will have some good players to build around next year.”
The Tri-unity Christian Defenders were going for a second straight Division 4 state championship Saturday morning at the Breslin Center at Michigan State University, but they finished just two points short as Munising edged them 39-37.
The game featured plenty of strong defense from both teams, but a late surge proved to be the difference as Munising won its first-ever basketball state title in school history while Tri-unity fell just short of title number six.
“I thought we had a golden opportunity to win the state title, but we came up empty,” said Tri-unity Coach Mark Keeler. “We shot ourselves in the foot. I thought that we played some phenomenal defense, but on offense we took a lot of bad shots. Shots that were just rushed and we kept doing it. I thought we also had way more turnovers than we usually have and that doesn’t help.”
Tri-unity committed 15 turnovers for the game, while Munising finished with eight.
The Defenders looked to negate the turnover issue with its work on the boards. They outrebounded Munising 39-17 with 17 of those boards coming on the offensive end of the floor. While the Defenders produced extra shots, a lid seemed to be on the basket for Tri-unity as it connected on 14-of-45 shots for the game, a 31.1 percentage. The Defenders were especially cold from long range as they shot 21.1 percent from three-point range, connecting on 4-of-19 three-point shots for the game.
An early lead
Despite the cold shooting and turnovers, Tri-unity was right in the game from beginning to end. They jumped out to an 8-2 early lead before Munising battled back to take a 9-8 advantage at the end of the first quarter.
Munising built on the lead in the second quarter as it outscored Tri-unity 9-4 to go up 18-12 midway through the second. Both defenses were in control the remainder of the first half with a three-point shot by Tri-unity’s Jordan VanKlompenberg cutting the Munising lead to 18-15 at halftime.
Defense continued to hold serve in the third quarter with points being at a premium. Tri-unity outscored Munising 10-9 in the third quarter and trailed 27-23 heading into the final quarter.
After Munising opened the fourth quarter with a bucket, Tri-unity scored the next five points to go up 30-29. A three-pointer by VanKlompenberg and a layup by Roy Fogg put the Defenders up 30-29 with 3:45 remaining in the game.
Munising, however, regained the lead for good when Cully Trzeciak hit a three-pointer with 2:11 remaining to put his team up 32-30. Seconds later a steal and layup by Trevor Nolan put Munising up 34-30.
After a Tri-unity turnover, Munising added a free throw with 1:07 remaining to go up 35-30. Fogg responded with a pair of free throws for Tri-unity, but a pair of free throws by Munising upped the margin to five with 33 seconds to go. After a steal by Munising, the Mustangs tacked on a pair of free throws with 18 seconds remaining to go up 39-32.
One final push by the Defenders
Tri-unity made one final push in the game’s final seconds. Owen Rosendall connected on three straight free throws with 13 seconds remaining and VanKlompenberg added a bucket with two seconds left, but the Defenders were unable to get a steal in the final two seconds of the game.
“They (Munising) had a great strategy,” Keeler said. “They were not going to allow us to beat them inside. They were letting us take all the threes we wanted and we were not able to knock them down. I’m proud of our kids. They played their hearts out and did their very best. Give credit to Munising, they have a nice team.”
Jordan VanKlompenberg led the Defenders with 15 points. (Courtesy, Becky Rillema)
VanKlompenberg led Tri-unity with 15 points, while Fogg added 11. Rosendall finished with five points, followed by Akais Giplaye, four and Trey Rillema, two.
Giplaye led Tri-unity with 13 rebounds, including six on the offensive end. Fogg and VanKlompenberg both added seven rebounds, including three offensive boards apiece. Rosendall, Rillema, Keaton Blanker and Wesley Kaman added three rebounds each. Rosendall led Tri-unity with six assists.
“I felt we had a chance to win back-to-back titles and we actually did,” Keeler said. “We just fell two points short.”
With the season ended, the Defenders say goodbye to a trio of seniors, including Dylan Bruinsma, Hanif James and Fogg.
“It’s tough to say goodbye to the seniors,” Keeler said. “We did have a pretty young team this year. We started three juniors and one sophomore so I’m pretty excited about the future. I’m looking forward to next year. I feel we have a lot of potential especially if we work in the summer and get stronger in the offseason.”
Tri-unity finished the season with a 22-7 record, while Munising ended at 27-1.
Tri-Unity Coach Mark Keeler (far left) and his team watch the action during their semifinal win over Frankfort Thursday. The Defenders are looking to win a sixth state championship on Saturday morning. (Courtesy, Becky Rillema)
By Greg Chrapek
WKTV Contributor
The Breslin Center on the campus of Michigan State University has seen hundreds of wins over the years with the home team playing stingy defense and dominating on the offensive boards.
Tri-unity Christian took those pages out of that successful Michigan State playbook during Thursday’s Division 4 state semifinal game against Frankfort and the result was a 54-37 win that sends the Defenders on to Saturday’s D-4 state championship game against Munising at 10 a.m.
Tri-unity played solid defense from the opening tip to the final buzzer as it limited Frankfort to 10 points or less in three of the four quarters.
The Defenders celebrate after a state semifinal win Thursday at the Breslin Center and are looking to win back-to-back state titles on Saturday. (Courtesy, Becky Rillema)
“We focused in on making sure we challenged them (Frankfort) and not letting them have anything easy,” said Tri-unity Coach Mark Keeler. “We played great defense. I was really happy with our defense.”
The Defenders also dominated the boards, outrebounding Frankfort 41-22 for the game including pulling down a whopping 21 offensive rebounds.
“I was really happy with the way our guys controlled the boards,” Keeler said. “That was huge to have that many second shots.”
Akais Giplaye led the way on the boards as he pulled down 11 rebounds including nine offensive rebounds. Wesley Kaman added four offensive rebounds while Roy Fogg and Trey Rillema had three offensive boards.
Offensively, Tri-unity did a solid job of sharing the ball and spreading the scoring load around. Owen Rosendall led the Defenders in scoring with 13 points while Fogg added 11 points, Rillema, seven; Giplaye and Kaman, six apiece and Jordan VanKlompenberg, five. Keaton Blanker added two points, three assists, a steal and an offensive rebound.
Tri-unity fans had a lot to celebrate during its team’s state semifinal win Thursday at MSU. (Courtesy, Becky Rillema)
‘Everyone contributes’
“We had great balance which I really like,” Keeler said. “This team does a great job of sharing the ball. We don’t have one or two guys that do all the scoring. Everyone contributes on offense and we really take pride in that.”
Tri-unity took control of the game in the first quarter. The Defenders jumped out to a 10-4 lead in the early minutes thanks to three-point shots from VanKlompenberg and Rosendall.
Tri-unity led 16-8 going into the second quarter. Frankfort kept the score close throughout the second quarter and trailed 25-21 at halftime.
The Defenders began to pull away in the third quarter. Up by two points early in the quarter, Tri-unity closed out the third on a 15-4 run to take a 40-27 lead into the fourth. Frankfort managed to cut the margin to 10 points before Tri-unity pulled away in the final quarter.
Defenders succeed at wearing them down
“Our desire was to really up the tempo of the game,” Keeler said. “We did not want them to walk the ball up the court. They had a couple of big guys and we wanted to get them tired so every chance we got we pushed the ball trying to wear them down. By the fourth quarter it seemed they were pretty tired.”
Tri-unity improved to 22-6 for the season, while Frankfort finished at 18-9.
14th appearance in the state semifinals
The Defenders made their 14th appearance in the semifinal round at the Breslin Center.
“It’s not so much the number of times we’ve been here so much as it is special for these young men to get here,” Keeler said. “This is a different group. Every year it is a different group of young mean and it’s something we don’t want to take for granted. Thise guys really love each other and play for each other.”
Tri-unity celebrates after its state semifinal win Thursday at MSU. (Courtesy, Becky Rillema)
The Defenders, who defeated Ewen-Trout Creek in overtime to win last year’s Division 4 state title, face Munising in Saturday’s championship game at 10 a.m. Munising (26-1) defeated Marine City Cardinal Mooney 55-44 in the other semifinal game.
“We know they are a good team and there is no quit in them,” Keeler said. “They had a lead on Cardinal Mooney before Cardinal Mooney came back at the end of the third quarter. Munising then turned it up a notch in the fourth quarter and pulled away. We are going to have to come in ready to play.”
Tied at 22 apiece at the half, Tri-unity Christian outscored Kalamazoo Phoenix 32-19 in the second half to grab a 54-41 win in a Division 4 quarterfinal Tuesday at Gull Lake High School.
The win advanced the Defenders (21-6) to a semifinal matchup with Frankfort (18-8) at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Breslin Center at Michigan State University.
“The team is very excited and very tired; a lot of emotion,” said Tri-unity Coach Mark Keeler, whose team won a state title last year. “They are looking forward to playing in the Breslin Center.
“They (Kalamazoo Phoenix) jumped out on us and then we tied the game heading into the half. We started out nervous and scared. I was quite surprised by our start. However, the boys settled down and we finished strong with excellent defense. We led most of the second half, but it was not decided until late in the fourth quarter.”
Roy Fogg led the Defenders with 16 points, followed by Owen Rosendall, 10 and Akais Giplaye, nine. Keaton Blanker had four assists and five rebounds.
Roy Fogg led the Defenders with 16 points. (Courtesy, Tri-unity)
“Roy played an excellent game the entire night,” Keeler said. “However, he was in foul trouble a lot, missing a lot of the second quarter and the last half of the third quarter.
“Owen Rosendall really stepped up big with excellent defense on Phoenix’s explosive guard.”
Keeler said they are looking forward to playing at the Breslin Center.
“Frankfort is a good team with nice size,” Keeler added. “We will need to be at our best to beat them.”
