Category Archives: WKTV Featured sports

WKTV will be busy in February with local high school sports schedules, featured game coverage

Area Education, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, Local Entertainment, Recreation, Sports, Upcoming Events, WKTV Featured sports
WKTV offers on-demand viewing of the Wyoming and Kentwood high school sports, community events, and government meetings. (WKTV)

By Mike Moll, WKTV Volunteer Sports Director
sports@wktv.org

February already brings the final full month of the high school winter sports schedules to the area. The opening rounds of MHSAA State tournaments are near the end of the month in several sports and others, such as girls’ basketball, close out the regular season to begin their state tournament to open up March.

With the change in basketball districts this year having the teams be seeded and matchups announced fifteen days before the opening games, updated schedules will be posted here as they are announced.

Once again, WKTV and its crews will be at two events each week throughout the month but show your support in person to your local schools whenever you can and then join the rebroadcast or watch on-line within a few days of the event.

The Featured Game coverage schedule for the last week of February includes the following:

Tuesday, Feb. 4 — Boys Basketball Comstock Park at Kelloggsville

Saturday, Feb. 8 — Boys Hockey Lowell/Caledonia at East Kentwood/West Michigan Aviation

Tuesday, Feb. 11 — Girls Basketball East Grand Rapids at South Christian

Friday, Feb. 14 — Girls/Boys Basketball Christian @ Wyoming

Tuesday, Feb. 18 — Boys Basketball Hopkins @ Wyoming Lee

Friday, Feb. 21 — Girls/Boys Basketball West Michigan Aviation @ Potter’s House

Tuesday, Feb. 25 — Girls/Boys Basketball Tri-unity Christian @ Grand River Prep

Friday, Feb. 28 — Girls/Boys Basketball Tri-unity Christian @ Potter’s House

Want to be a television sports announcer?

If anyone has ever thought about trying to announce a sporting event, WKTV has a great chance for you to do exactly that! We are always looking for additional announcers, especially for the spring games. If you would like to try it or have any questions, please email Mike at sportswktv@gmail.com.


 
Where and when to see the game

Featured games are broadcast the night of the contest and then at least once later in the week.

WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; Channel 26 is the Government Channel, where local government meetings and events are shown. The games can also be seen on AT&T U-verse 99.

For complete schedules of programs on WKTV channels, see our Weekly On-air Schedule.

All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvlive.org.


For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.


 
Following is this week’s schedule:

Monday, Feb. 3
Boys/Girls Bowling
Calvin Christian @ Tri-Unity Christian – Boys
NorthPointe Christian @ Wyoming Lee
Hopkins @ Godwin Heights
Byron Center @ South Christian
Wyoming @ Middleville T-K
Kelloggsville @ Hilcrest Lanes
Grand Haven @ East Kentwood
Girls Basketball
Lansing Christian @ Tri-Unity Christian

Tuesday, Feb. 4
Girls Basketball
West Michigan Lutheran @ Hudsonville Libertas Christian
Holland Black River @ West Michigan Aviation
Grand River Prep @ Potter’s House
Muskegon Catholic Central @ Zion Christian
Benton Harbor @ Godwin Heights
Hudsonville @ South Christian
Boys Basketball
West Michigan Lutheran @ Hudsonville Libertas Christian
Holland Black River @ West Michigan Aviation
Grand River Prep @ Potter’s House
Potter’s House @ Tri-County
South Christian @ Calvin Christian
FH Central @ Wyoming
Comstock Park @ Kelloggsville — WKTV Featured Event
Northview @ East Kentwood

Wednesday, Feb. 5
Boys/Girls Bowling
Calvin Christian @ Wyoming Lee
Belding @ Godwin Heights
South Christian @ Wyoming
Kelloggsville @ Hopkins
East Kentwood @ Hudsonville
Girls Cheer
Wyoming Lee @ Hopkins
Kelloggsville @ Hopkins
Wyoming @ Wayland
Boys Wrestling
Muskegon Catholic Central @ Godwin Heights

Thursday, Feb. 6
Boys/Girls Bowling
Tri-Unity Christian @ West Catholic – Boys
Boys Swimming
Grand Haven @ East Kentwood

Friday, Feb. 7
Boys Basketball
West Michigan Aviation @ Tri-Unity Christian
Wellsprings Prep @ West Michigan Lutheran
Kalamazoo Heritage Christian @ Grand River Prep
Creative Tech @ Zion Christian
Wyoming Lee @ Kelloggsville
Hopkins @ Godwin Heights
Wyoming @ South Christian
Girls Basketball
West Michigan Aviation @ Tri-Unity Christian
Wellsprings Prep @ West Michigan Lutheran
Creative Tech @ Zion Christian
Wyoming Lee @ Kelloggsville
Hopkins @ Godwin Heights
Wyoming @ South Christian
Boys Hockey
South Christian vs Plymouth
Boys Swimming
South Christian @ Hudsonville
Boys Wrestling
Wyoming @ FH Eastern
East Kentwood @ Rockford
Girls Cheer
East Kentwood @ Hudsonville

Saturday, Feb. 8
Boys Hockey
Lowell/Caledonia @ East Kentwood/West Michigan Aviation — WKTV Featured Event
South Christian vs Powers Catholic
Boys/Girls Bowling
Wyoming Lee @ Hudsonville
Godwin Heights @ Muskegon Mona Shores
Wyoming @ Muskegon Mona Shores
East Kentwood @ Hudsonville
Boys Wrestling
Wyoming Lee @ NorthPointe Christian
Godwin Heights @ Belding
Kelloggsville @ Belding
Girls Cheer
Wyoming Lee @ FH Northern
Wyoming @ FH Northern
Boys Swimming
South Christian @ Hudsonville

Monday, Feb. 10
Girls Basketball
Tri-Unity Christian @ Wellsprings Prep
West Michigan Aviation @ Wyoming Lee
Boys/Girls Bowling
Wyoming Lee @ Belding
Godwin Heights @ NorthPointe Christian
Zeeland East/Zeeland West @ South Christian
Wyoming @ Unity Christian
Rockford @ East Kentwood

Grand River Prep visits Zion Christian in Alliance League showdown, WKTV Featured Games

Area Education, Recreation, Sports, WKTV Featured sports
WKTV offers on-demand viewing of the Wyoming and Kentwood high school sports, community events, and government meetings. (WKTV)

By WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org

The Alliance League is still early in its boys and girls basketball league season, but the outcomes of Kentwood’s Grand River Preparatory High School’s teams visiting Byron Center Zion Christian Tuesday, Jan. 27, will likely go along way to shaking out the top of the standings.

The Grand River Prep Titans boys (6-1 overall, 1-0 in league) will seek to stay in front of also undefeated-in-league Tri-unity Christian (3-0) and Potters House Christian (2-0) as they visit the Zion Christian Mountaineers (3-6 2-3). On the girls side, Zion Christian is 4-6 overall and 1-2 in league, while Grand River Prep is 4-4, 0-0.

Both games will be WKTV Sports Featured Games, which will be available on cable television and on-demand at WKTVlive.org.

While the games are important to both schools, Zion Christian protecting their home court may be have a larger impact on their Alliance League chances.

Mountaineers boys head coach Dan Does (49-65 overall at the school) has a team led by senior guard Julian Edouard, who is averaging 21.5 points, 15 rebounds, 2.8 blocks and 1.5 steals per game. He is shooting 55 percent from 2-point range and 38 percent from 3-point range.

Fellow senior Titus Baker is averaging 8 ppg., 4.4 rpg., and 3.4 assists per game, while hitting about 35 percent of his 3-point attempts. Senior Blaze Pasma is averaging 6.5 ppg.

On the Mountaineers girls side, head coach Derek Foltice (52-42 overall) fields a team led by two juniors and a freshman Junior Kelly Leep has per-game average of 15.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 5.3 steals and 2.5 blocks. Fellow junior Avery Hilton’s line is 3.7 ppg. and 6.5 rpg., and freshman Josie Doezema’s line is 6.3 ppg. and 4.7 rpg.

WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; On AT&T cable throughout the Grand Rapids area, viewers go to Channel 99, and then are given the choice to watch Wyoming (or Kentwood) Community (Channel 25) or Government (Channel 26) channels.

For complete schedules of programs on WKTV channels, see our Weekly On-air Schedule.

WKTV has Wyoming, Kentwood high school sports schedules, featured game coverage

Area Education, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, Kids Activities, Recreation, Sports, Upcoming Events, WKTV Featured sports
WKTV offers on-demand viewing of the Wyoming and Kentwood high school sports, community events, and government meetings. (WKTV)

By WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org

WKTV has your weekly high school sports schedule, and our coverage crew will be out twice the week. The Featured Game coverage schedule for the last week of January includes the following:

Tuesday, Jan. 28 — Girls/Boys Basketball Grand River Prep at Zion Christian

Friday, Jan. 31 — Girls/Boys Basketball Caledonia at East Kentwood

Want to be a television sports announcer?

If anyone has ever thought about trying to announce a sporting event, WKTV has a great chance for you to do exactly that! We are always looking for additional announcers, especially for the spring games. If you would like to try it or have any questions, please email Mike at sportswktv@gmail.com.


 
Where and when to see the game

Featured games are broadcast the night of the contest and then at least once later in the week.

WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; Channel 26 is the Government Channel, where local government meetings and events are shown. The games can also be seen on AT&T U-verse 99.

For complete schedules of programs on WKTV channels, see our Weekly On-air Schedule.

All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvlive.org.


 
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.


 
Following is this week’s schedule:

Monday, Jan. 27
Boys/Girls Bowling
@ East Kentwood
Godwin Heights @ Calvin Christian
FH Eastern@ Wyoming
Wyoming Lee @ Kelloggsville
Christian @ South Christian

Tuesday, Jan. 28
Girls Basketball

East Kentwood @ Grand Haven
Godwin Heights @ Calvin Christian
Wyoming @ Middleville T-K
NorthPointe Christian @ Wyoming Lee
Western Michigan Christian @ Tri-Unity Christian
Kelloggsville @ Tri-County
South Christian @ FH Eastern
Galesburg-Augusta @ Potter’s House
Grand River Prep @ Zion Christian – WKTV Featured Event
West Michigan Aviation @ Fruitport Calvary Christian
Boys Basketball
Grand Haven @ East Kentwood
Calvin Christian @ Godwin Heights
Wyoming @ Middleville T-K
Wyoming Lee @ NorthPointe Christian
Tri-Unity Christian @ Kelloggsville
FH Eastern @ South Christian
Grand River Prep @ Zion Christian – WKTV Featured Event
Lansing Martin Luther @ West Michigan Lutheran
West Michigan Aviation @ Fruitport Calvary Christian
Boys/Girls Bowling
Godwin Heights @ Kelloggsville
Boys Wrestling
Kelloggsville @ Kent City
Girls Cheer
Kelloggsville @ Wyoming Lee

Wednesday, Jan. 29
Boys/Girls Bowling
Caledonia @ East Kentwood
Godwin Heights @ Kelloggsville
Wyoming @ Christian
East Grand Rapids @ South Christian
Boys Wrestling
East Kentwood @ Caledonia
Godwin Heights @ Shelby
Wyoming @ Hamilton
Wyoming Lee @ Lakeview
Girls Cheer
Godwin Heights @ Wyoming Lee
Girls Basketball
Grand River Prep @ Holland Black River

Thursday, Jan. 30
Boys Swimming/Diving
@ East Kentwood
South Christian @ Middleville T-K
Boys Bowling
Grand River Prep @ Tri-Unity Christian
Girls Basketball
Potter’s House @ Zion Christian
Boys Basketball
Potter’s House @ Zion Christian

Friday, Jan. 31
Boys Hockey
East Kentwood @ Chelsea
Girls Basketball
Caledonia @ East Kentwood – WKTV Featured Event
Kelloggsville @ Godwin Heights
FH Eastern @ Wyoming
Wyoming Lee @ Calvin Christian
Tri-Unity Christian @ Covenant Christian
South Christian @ Christian
Creative Tech @ West Michigan Lutheran
Boys Basketball
Caledonia @ East Kentwood – WKTV Featured Event
Kelloggsville @ Godwin Heights
FH Eastern @ Wyoming
Wyoming Lee @ Calvin Christian
Tri-Unity Christian @ Covenant Christian
South Christian @ Christian
Fruitport Calvary Christian @ Potter’s House
Creative Tech @ West Michigan Lutheran
Holland Calvary @ West Michigan Aviation

Saturday, Feb. 1
Boys Hockey
Anchor Bay vs East Kentwood/West Michigan Aviation @ Chelsea
South Christian vs Northville
Girls Cheer
Wyoming @ Kalamazoo Central
Kelloggsville @ Northview
East Kentwood @ Northview
Boys Wrestling
@ Kelloggsville – Rocket Individual Tourney
East Kentwood @ Lakewood
Boys/Girls Bowling
Kelloggsville @ Muskegon Reeths-Puffer
Girls Dance
East Kentwood @ Jenison
Boys Swimming
East Kentwood @ Grandville
Boys Basketball
TBA @ East Kentwood

Monday, Feb. 3
Boys/Girls Bowling
Calvin Christian @ Tri-Unity Christian – Boys
NorthPointe Christian @ Wyoming Lee
Hopkins @ Godwin Heights
Byron Center @ South Christian
Wyoming @ Middleville T-K
Kelloggsville @ Hilcrest Lanes
Grand Haven @ East Kentwood
Girls Basketball
Lansing Christian @ Tri-Unity Christian

Godwin Heights boys basketball seeks to continue OK Silver streak in WKTV Featured Game

Area Education, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Education, Recreation, Sports, Upcoming Events, WKTV Featured sports,
Godwin Heights boys basketball (shown from a 2019 game) is on the WKTV Featured Game schedule this week . (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org

After a tough season-opening stretch of tough non-conference games, the Godwin Heights High School boys basketball team has started its OK-conference Silver schedule with wins over Belding and Wyoming Lee and a tight road loss at Hopkins.

The Wolverines (3-6 overall, 2–1 in conference) will seek to continue its conference roll as the team hosts NorthPointe Christian (3-5, 1-1) Tuesday, Jan. 21, in a WKTV Sports Featured Game, which will be available on cable television and on-demand at WKTVlive.org.

So far this season, Godwin head coach Tyler Whittemore’s team has been led by seniors Cleveland (CJ) Baskin (6.5 points per game, 5.5 rebounds per game, 3 assists per game) and Milton Brown (5 ppg, 4 rpg, 4 apg). But the team’s leading scorers are both freshmen, Jakhary Towns (17 ppg, 2 rpg, 2 apg) and Demarie Thompson (8 ppg, 3.5 apg, 3 rpg).

“Baskin is a versatile player. He will handle the ball for us to initiate the offense, but is also good at slashing to the basket off the ball,” Whittemore said to WKTV. “He … is the only player with stats from last year. The other guys have very little to no varsity experience.”

Of his two freshman starters, Whittemore said Townes is an “explosive scorer from outside … (and) he is a very good shooter from the 3-point line.” While Thompson is “a tough and talented point guard. He has very good court-vision.”

Whittemore praised his other senior starter, Brown, as a “very tough player. He is a smart player that will help everyone around him be more efficient. He can guard multiple positions and will end up on the opposing team’s best player down the stretch.”

And the team other usual starter, junior Martine Bickety (3 ppg, 3rpg) is the “toughest defender we have,” his coach said.

First off the Godwin bench are junior Jamontae Burrell (4 ppg) and sophomore Jordan Norman (4.5 ppg), while junior Ru’Quan Buckley will return from injury in the Tuesday game.

Other players on the team (according to the team’s school webpage) include senior Sa’Viance Morris-Miller and juniors Jacob Horrell, Kyeshaun Hunnicutt and Jadyn Rodriguez.

Last season, the Wolverines were 15-6 overall and won the OK Silver with a 12-0 mark before falling to Grand Rapids South Christian in an opening round playoff game.

WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; On AT&T cable throughout the Grand Rapids area, viewers go to Channel 99, and then are given the choice to watch Wyoming (or Kentwood) Community (Channel 25) or Government (Channel 26) channels.

For complete schedules of programs on WKTV channels, see our Weekly On-air Schedule.

East Kentwood boys basketball’s fast-paced game goal to be tested by undefeated Hudsonville

Area Education, City of Kentwood, Kentwood Public Schools, Sports, Upcoming Events, WKTV Featured sports,
The 2019-20 East Kentwood High School boys basketball team. (Supplied/East Kentwood)

By WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org

So far this season, after five non-conference games and their OK-Conference Red opener earlier this week, the East Kentwood boys basketball team has had some success and some struggles executing coach Jeff Anama plan to have a team featuring fast-paced offense and defense.

The Falcons have two players scoring in double figures, several seniors playing key rolls, but have a modest early-season 2-4 record (0-1 in conference) as the team hosts Hudsonville (7-0, 2-0) Friday, Jan. 17, as part of a doubleheader of WKTV Sports Featured Games which will be available on cable television and, later, on-demand at WKTVlive.org.

“The kind of offense and defense we run, I think, is … transition, trying to push the ball quickly, look for opportunities to get easy baskets,” Anama said to WKTV in December as the team prepared for its first game. The team wants “to try to create pressure and turnovers an easier baskets with our defensive transition and defensive pressure.”

We need to “be able to push the ball from one end to the other and create opportunities for the depth that I think we have on this year’s team,” he said. “And with the defensive pressure to make the tempo uncomfortable for the team we are playing.”

Anama’s fast-paced philosophy has shown it sometimes takes a few games to click. Last season, the Falcons started 3-3, but ended up 16-10 overall and won five playoff games before falling to Okemos in the state Division 1 Quarterfinals.

This season’s Falcons, through six games, are led in scoring by seniors Ja’moni Jones (14 points per game) and Jordan Jackson (11.2 PPG), with three players averaging about six points per game: senior JaShon Large, junior Tyane Barnes and super freshman Jy’Air Harris. Jackson and Harris also lead the team in rebounds per game with just over four, while Jones is averaging just under four rebounds and leading the team in assists with about 3 per game.

The usual (and tentative Friday) starters are Jones, Jackson, Large, Harris and senior Urim Sahitolli.

Other players on the team (according to the team’s school webpage) include seniors Sean-Anthony Diggs, Deivi Martinez Abreu, Frey Nickson and Adonis Vashon; juniors Christopher Brown, Eric Cohill, Joshua Mayhue, Kellen Roelofs and Kalil Stimage.

“I would say our team is a team that loves to play basketball and they love to be together,” Anama said.

WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; On AT&T cable throughout the Grand Rapids area, viewers go to Channel 99, and then are given the choice to watch Wyoming (or Kentwood) Community (Channel 25) or Government (Channel 26) channels.

For complete schedules of programs on WKTV channels, see our Weekly On-air Schedule.

Senior led but sophomore heavy Wyoming Wolves girls basketball team ready for tough conference schedule

Area Education, City of Wyoming, Education, Sports, WKTV Featured sports,
The Wyoming high girls basketball team used a balanced scoring attack, good defense and some clutch free-throw points down the stretch to score a 73-63 win over Wayland Jan. 14. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org

The second game of a long OK-Conference schedule may have been too early to be called a must-win game for the Wyoming High School girls basketball team, but the Wolves Tuesday, Jan. 14, home-court win over then undefeated Wayland was a really good win.

Wyoming (4-5 overall and 1-1 in OK Gold) used a balanced scoring attack and some clutch defense down the stretch to score a 73-63 win over the Wildcats (8-1 overall, 1-1) and give the Wolves a little momentum in conference play.

“Our conference is so tough, Wayland was 8-0 coming in … East Grand Rapids is one of the top teams in the state … anytime we go into our conference, it is a battle,” Wolves coach Troy Mast, now in his fifth year at Wyoming, said to WKTV after the game. “It was early in the season, but we play every game as if it were the last game of the year.”

In the Wayland win, the Wolves were led by 20 points — including six 3-pointers — from senior McKenzie Ruppert and 15 points from fellow senior Mikayla Petree. But they also got 12 points each from junior Taejah Cross and sophomore Michelle McGee, eight points from sophomore Mikayla Marzean and six points from sophomore Marissa Menard.

“Our kids were ready tonight,” Mast said. “I am so proud of how they performed and took care of each other and played so hard.”

Wyoming high coach Troy Mast talking to his team during a win over Wayland Jan. 14. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

That balanced scoring, from experienced upperclassmen and still-developing sophomores, has been a strength of Wyoming so far this season.

“We do not have one girl we can count on … but we feel like we have five, six, seven girl who can score on a given night,” Mast said. “We just want to win. It doesn’t matter who scores.”

In addition to seniors Ruppert and Petree, the Wolves are also led by senior Aniyah Jones. Other juniors on the squad include Charde’ Fudge, Naomi Goodson and Delfina Hernandez-Key. In addition to McGee, Marzen and Menard, other youth on the team include sophomores Jenna VanderPloeg and Avery Jirous, and freshman Treyah Cross.

“We have senior leaders … Mikayla Petree has been on the varsity for four years … and each year she has taken on more and more responsibility,” Mast said. “But we also have some young kids who can play. We feel like that, as we go though the season, if we can balance those two together, we’ll be alright.”

While Wyoming lost four of seven non-conference games, Mast said there were lessons learned from close, early-season losses to the likes of Forest Hills Central, Grandville and Rockford.

“We felt like we played a tougher (non-conference) schedule than most teams in our conference,” he said.

The Wolves will be at Grand Rapids Christian (7-1, 0-1) for another conference game Friday, Jan. 17.

The Wolves were 8-13 last season and were 5-7 in OK-Conference Gold play. This season the coaching staff includes assistants Julian Goodson (the junior varsity head coach) and Eric Brown.

The Wyoming vs. Wayland girls and boys games were a WKTV Sports Featured Games and is available on cable television and on-demand at WKTVlive.org.

WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; On AT&T cable throughout the Grand Rapids area, viewers go to Channel 99, and then are given the choice to watch Wyoming (or Kentwood) Community (Channel 25) or Government (Channel 26) channels.

For complete schedules of programs on WKTV channels, see our Weekly On-air Schedule.

WKTV has Wyoming, Kentwood high school sports schedules, featured game coverage

Area Education, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, Recreation, Sports, Upcoming Events, WKTV Featured sports
The Wyoming High School Wolves boys basketball team, from an early season game, will be a WKTV Featured Game this week. (Curtis Holt)

By WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org

WKTV has your weekly high school sports schedule, and our coverage crew will be out twice the week. The Featured Game coverage schedule for January includes the following:

Tuesday, Jan. 14 — Girls/Boys Basketball Wayland at Wyoming

Friday, Jan. 17 — Girls/Boys Basketball Hudsonville at East Kentwood

Tuesday, Jan. 21 — Boys Basketball NorthPointe Christian at Godwin Heights

Friday, Jan. 24 — Boys Basketball Zion Christian at Tri-Unity Christian

Tuesday, Jan. 28 — Girls/Boys Basketball Grand River Prep at Zion Christian

Friday, Jan. 31 — Girls/Boys Basketball Caledonia at East Kentwood

Want to be a television sports announcer?

If anyone has ever thought about trying to announce a sporting event, WKTV has a great chance for you to do exactly that! We are always looking for additional announcers, especially for the spring games. If you would like to try it or have any questions, please email Mike at sportswktv@gmail.com.


 
Where and when to see the game

Featured games are broadcast the night of the contest and then at least once later in the week.

WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; Channel 26 is the Government Channel, where local government meetings and events are shown. The games can also be seen on AT&T U-verse 99.

For complete schedules of programs on WKTV channels, see our Weekly On-air Schedule.

All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvlive.org.


For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.


Following is this week’s schedule:

Monday, Jan. 13
Boys/Girls Bowling
Godwin Heights @ Belding
Wyoming @ Zeeland East
Wyoming Lee @ Calvin Christian
Tri-Unity Christian @ Sparta – Boys
Hopkins @ Kelloggsville
South Christian @ Unity Christian

Tuesday, Jan. 14
Girls Cheer
@ East Kentwood
Girls Basketball
West Ottawa @ East Kentwood
Belding @ Godwin Heights
Wayland @ Wyoming – WKTV Featured Event
Muskegon Orchard View @ Tri-Unity Christian
NorthPointe Christian @ Kelloggsville
South Christian @ East Grand Rapids
Potter’s House @ Martin
Muskegon Catholic Central @ Grand River Prep
West Michigan Lutheran @ GR Homeschoolers
Hudsonville Libertas Christian @ West Michigan Aviation
Boys Basketball
East Kentwood @ West Ottawa
Godwin Heights @ Belding
Wayland @ Wyoming – WKTV Featured Event
Kelloggsville @ NorthPointe Christian
East Grand Rapids @ South Christian
Martin @ Potter’s House

Wednesday, Jan. 15
Boys Wrestling
Hudsonville @ East Kentwood
Montague @ Godwin Heights
Middleville T-K @ Wyoming
Wyoming Lee @ Muskegon Catholic Central
Kelloggsville @ Muskegon Catholic Central
Boys/Girls Bowling
NorthPointe Christian @ Godwin Heights
East Grand Rapids @ Wyoming
Belding @ Wyoming Lee
FH Eastern @ South Christian
Girls Cheer
Wyoming Lee @ Kelloggsville
Boys Basketball
Tri-Unity Christian @ Lansing Christian
Girls Basketball
WMAES @ West Michigan Aviation

Thursday, Jan. 16
Boys Swimming/Diving
West Ottawa @ East Kentwood
Boys Bowling
Tri-Unity Christian @ Wellsprings Prep

Friday, Jan. 17
Girls Basketball
Hudsonville @ East Kentwood – WKTV Featured Event
Wyoming Lee @ Godwin Heights
Wyoming @ Christian
Tri-Unity Christian @ Fruitport Calvary
Hopkins @ Kelloggsville
South Christian @ Unity Christian
Holland Black River @ Grand River Prep
West Michigan Lutheran @ Algoma Christian
West Michigan Aviation @ West Catholic
Boys Basketball
Hudsonville @ East Kentwood – WKTV Featured Event
Wyoming Lee @ Godwin Heights
Wyoming @ Christian
Tri-Unity Christian @ Fruitport Calvary
Hopkins @ Kelloggsville
South Christian @ Unity Christian
Holland Black River @ Grand River Prep
West Michigan Lutheran @ Algoma Christian
Zion Christian @ Holland Calvary
West Michigan Aviation @ West Catholic
Boys Hockey
South Christian @ West Ottawa

Saturday, Jan. 18
Boys Wrestling
East Kentwood @ Holt
Godwin Heights @ FH Central
Wyoming @ Jenison
Kelloggsville @ Christian
Boys Swimming/Diving
East Kentwood@ Kalamazoo Loy Norrix
Boys Hockey
Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard @ East Kentwood/West Michigan Aviation
South Christian @ Rockford

Monday, January 20
Boys/Girls Bowling
Hudsonville @ East Kentwood
Godwin Heights @ Wyoming Lee
Tri-Unity Christian @ Muskegon Orchard View
Calvin Christian @ Kelloggsville
South Christian @ Wayland

Junior-led Godwin Heights girls basketball team has bright present, and future

Area Education, City of Wyoming, Education, Local Faces, Sports, WKTV Featured sports,
Godwin Heights High School’s girls basketball team in action against Wyoming Tri-unity Christian on Jan. 7. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org

The Godwin Heights High School girls basketball team (5-1) closed out their early non-conference season schedule Tuesday, Jan. 6, with a convincing, if at times sloppy, 58-38 non-conference home win over Wyoming Tri-unity Christian.

And while the Wolverines’ schedule will get more challenging now as it enters OK-Conference Silver play Friday, Jan. 10, at Hopkins (3-3 in early season action), head coach Cassie Medina likes what she has seen from her team of nine juniors and one super freshman.

And she really likes what she thinks the team could become this season and next.

“I’m excited, because I had half of them (the juniors) on varsity last year, so we are still building,” Medina said to WKTV after the Tuesday game. “I feel like this year is the year and next year is the year.”

Medina is now 82-59 overall at Godwin, but is 77-44 without a losing season after going 5-15 in 2012-13, her first year leading the varsity.

Godwin Heights High School’s girls basketball team before a game Jan. 7. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

In the Tri-unity game, the Wolverines had seven players in the scoring column, led by center Jakaya Lay’s 15 points and freshman guard KaShari Babb’s 12 points. Guard Lashay Lee added nine points and forward Anika Clark eight.

Other juniors on the team include guards Lanaja Polk-Craig, Diamond Johnson and Hannah Barns, forward Shantil Johnson and center Jaida Walls.

Godwin Heights High School’s girls basketball team head coach Cassir Medina talks during a timeout in a Jan. 7 game. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

And while coach Medina feels she can and will get scoring — and tight defense — from just about anybody she puts on the court, Lay has been very impressive on both offense and defense in the paint, and Babb was is just beginning to show why she was too good to not play point guard/off guard on varsity.

Godwin Heights High School’s girls basketball team had nine juniors and one freshman, guard KaShari Babb, right. (WKTV)

Babb’s “basketball smarts is just too good, there is just no way she should be JV,” Medina said. “If you watch her, her basketball IQ, she sees layups inside, she sees open players. She is just too good.”

And Lay is not only developing into a scoring machine, but she rebounds and plays tough inside defense without drawing carless fouls — she did not have a single foul against Tri-unity.

“Her footwork is so good inside. For her size, she’s a little shorter (5-foot-9), her footwork is so nice,” Medina said. “The way she can get the ball and move … I’m amazed at the inside moves she has.”

But Medina knows that her team will need to get better, this season and next, starting with the conference opener this week.

“Tonight (against Tri-unity) was a little sloppy, we need to clean-up a lot of the turnovers,” she said. “But righty now we are doing a lot of things right.”

The Wolverines were 11-11 last season and were 4-6 in OK-Conference Silver play. They won two games in the state playoffs, including a 56-40 win over conference foe Kelloggsville, before falling to Grand Rapids South Christian in the Division 2 District 44 finals.

The Godwin Heights vs. Tri-unity game was a WKTV Sports Featured Game and is available on cable television and on-demand at WKTVlive.org.

WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; On AT&T cable throughout the Grand Rapids area, viewers go to Channel 99, and then are given the choice to watch Wyoming (or Kentwood) Community (Channel 25) or Government (Channel 26) channels.

For complete schedules of programs on WKTV channels, see our Weekly On-air Schedule.

WKTV has Wyoming, Kentwood high school sports schedules, featured game coverage

Area Education, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, Sports, Upcoming Events, Volunteers, WKTV Featured sports
Tri-unity boys basketball is one of the many local sports teams WKTV’s Featured Game coverage team will be covering this season. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

By Mike Moll
sports@wktv.org

The holidays are in the rear-view mirror as the calendar has turned over to 2020, and January is jam-packed with high school sports most every night of the month as the winter season goes into full force.

Be sure to get out and show your support for your local school and its student-athletes in person, but then watch the replay on WKTV or watch on-line at any time within a few days of the event.

WKTV has your weekly high school sports schedule, and our coverage crew will be out twice the week. The Featured Game coverage schedule for January includes the following:

Friday, Jan. 3 — Boys Hockey Portage Northern at East Kentwood/West Michigan Aviation

Tuesday, Jan. 7 — Girls Basketball Tri-Unity Christian at Godwin Heights

Friday, Jan. 10 — Girls/Boys Basketball Kelloggsville at Wyoming Lee

Tuesday, Jan. 14 — Girls/Boys Basketball Wayland at Wyoming

Friday, Jan. 17 — Girls/Boys Basketball Hudsonville at East Kentwood

Tuesday, Jan. 21 — Boys Basketball NorthPointe Christian at Godwin Heights

Friday, Jan. 24 — Boys Basketball Zion Christian at Tri-Unity Christian

Tuesday, Jan. 28 — Girls/Boys Basketball Grand River Prep at Zion Christian

Friday, Jan. 31 — Girls/Boys Basketball Caledonia at East Kentwood

Want to be a television sports announcer?

If anyone has ever thought about trying to announce a sporting event, WKTV has a great chance for you to do exactly that! We are always looking for additional announcers, especially for the spring games. If you would like to try it or have any questions, please email Mike at sportswktv@gmail.com.


 
Where and when to see the game

Featured games are broadcast the night of the contest and then at least once later in the week.

WKTV offers on-demand viewing of the Wyoming and Kentwood high school sports, community events, and government meetings. (WKTV)

WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; Channel 26 is the Government Channel, where local government meetings and events are shown. The games can also be seen on AT&T U-verse 99.

For complete schedules of programs on WKTV channels, see our Weekly On-air Schedule.

All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvlive.org.


For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.


 
Following is this week’s schedule:

Monday, Jan 6
Boys/Girls Bowling
Kelloggsville @ Godwin Heights
Wyoming @ South Christian
Potter’s House @ Wyoming Lee

Tuesday, Jan. 7
Girls Basketball
Northview @ East Kentwood
Tri-Unity Christian @ Godwin Heights – WKTV Featured Event
Wyoming @ Rockford
Wyoming Lee @ Holton
Kelloggsville @ Wayland
Potter’s House @ Ravenna
Kent City @ Grand River Prep
West Michigan Lutheran @ Hudsonville Home Schoolers
Holland Black River @ Zion Christian
West Michigan Aviation @ Martin
Boys Basketball
Wyoming @ Rockford
Holton @ Wyoming Lee
South Christian @ Byron Center
Potter’s House @ Kenowa Hills
Kent City @ Grand River Prep
West Michigan Lutheran @ Lansing Martin Luther
Holland Black River @ Zion Christian
West Michigan Aviation @ Martin

Wednesday, Jan. 8
Girls Cheer
East Kentwood @ West Ottawa
Wyoming @ Zeeland West
Wyoming Lee @ Belding
Kelloggsville @ Belding
Boys/Girls Bowling
Godwin Heights @ Hopkins
Unity Christian @ Wyoming
Wyoming Lee @ NorthPointe Christian
Tri-Unity Christian @ Calvin Christian
South Christian @ Zeeland East
Boys Wrestling
Belding @ Godwin Heights
Wyoming @ Hamilton
Wyoming Lee @ Hopkins
Kelloggsville @ Ravenna
Boys Hockey
Rockford @ South Christian
Girls Basketball
West Michigan Aviation @ Wellsprings Prep
Boys Basketball
West Michigan Aviation @ Wellsprings Prep

Thursday, Jan. 9
Boys Swimming
South Christian @ Union
Boys/Girls Bowling
Potter’s House @ Muskegon Orchard View
Girls Basketball
West Michigan Lutheran @ WMAES
Boys Basketball
West Michigan Lutheran @ WMAES

Friday, Jan. 10
Boys/Girls Bowling
Godwin Heights Ottawa Hills
Girls Basketball
Godwin Heights @ Hopkins
South Christian @ Wyoming
Kelloggsville @ Wyoming Lee – WKTV Featured Event
Covenant Christian @ Potter’s House
Hudsonville Libertas Christian @ West Michigan Lutheran
Fruitport Calvary @ Zion Christian
Boys Basketball
Godwin Heights @ Hopkins
South Christian @ Wyoming
Kelloggsville @ Wyoming Lee – WKTV Featured Event
Bridgman @ Tri-Unity Christian
Covenant Christian @ Potter’s House
Hudsonville Libertas Christian @ West Michigan Lutheran
Fruitport Calvary @ Zion Christian

Saturday January 11, 2020
Girls Dance
East Kentwood @ Kenowa Hills
Boys Wrestling
East Kentwood @ West Catholic – Dunneback Invite
Kelloggsville @ Fruitport
Wyoming @ West Catholic
Boys Swimming/Diving
East Kentwood @ East Grand Rapids
South Christian @ East Grand Rapids
Boys Hockey
East Kentwood/West Michigan Aviation @ FH Central
Rochester @ South Christian
Girls Cheer
FH Eastern @ Wyoming
Wyoming Lee @ Allendale
Kelloggsville @ Allendale

Monday, Jan. 13
Boys/Girls Bowling
Godwin Heights @ Belding
Wyoming @ Zeeland East
Wyoming Lee @ Calvin Christian
Tri-Unity Christian @ Sparta – Boys
Hopkins @ Kelloggsville
South Christian @ Unity Christian

WKTV has Wyoming, Kentwood high school sports schedules, featured game coverage

Area Education, Education, Holidays, Kentwood Public Schools, Local Entertainment, Recreation, Sports, WKTV Featured sports
WKTV offers on-demand viewing of the Wyoming and Kentwood high school sports, community events, and government meetings. (WKTV)

By WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org

WKTV has your weekly high school sports schedule, and our coverage crew will be out twice the week. The tentative Featured Game coverage schedule for December includes the following:

Tuesday, Dec. 17 — Boys and Girls Basketball, Kelloggsville at West Michigan Aviation

Friday, Dec. 20 — Boys basketball, Sparta at West Michigan Aviation

Our featured gam crew will be on break until after the New Years Day week. Check back the first week of January for the complete featured game and weekly schedules.

Want to be a television sports announcer?

If anyone has ever thought about trying to announce a sporting event, WKTV has a great chance for you to do exactly that! We are always looking for additional announcers, especially for the spring games. If you would like to try it or have any questions, please email Mike at sportswktv@gmail.com


 
Where and when to see the game

Featured games are broadcast the night of the contest and then at least once later in the week.

WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; Channel 26 is the Government Channel, where local government meetings and events are shown. The games can also be seen on AT&T U-verse 99.

For complete schedules of programs on WKTV channels, see our Weekly On-air Schedule.

All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvlive.org.


 
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.


 
Following is this week’s schedule:

Monday, Dec. 16
Boys / Girls Bowling
Kelloggsville @ NorthPointe Christian
Wyoming Lee @ Hopkins
Christian @ Wyoming
South Christian @ East Grand Rapids
Tri-Unity Christian @ Orchard View – Boys
Girls Basketball
Godwin Heights @ Muskegon Heights
West Michigan Lutheran @ WMAES
Boys Basketball
Tri-Unity Christian @ Western Michigan Christian
West Michigan Lutheran @ WMAES

Tuesday, Dec.17
Girls Basketball
West Michigan Aviation @ Kelloggsville — WKTV Featured Event
Wellsprings Prep @ Wyoming Lee
Northview @ Wyoming
East Kentwood @ East Grand Rapids
Zion Christian @ Orchard View
West Michigan Lutheran @ Creative Tech Academy
Boys Basketball
Kelloggsville @ West Michigan Aviation — WKTV Featured Game
Godwin Heights @ Grand Haven
Sacred Heart of Jesus @ Wyoming Lee
Wyoming @ Northview
Ravenna @ Zion Christian
Grand River Prep @ Holland Black River
Boys Swimming / Diving
South Christian @ East Kentwood – Christmas Quad

Wednesday, Dec. 18
Boys / Girls Bowling
Kelloggsville @ Wyoming Lee
Calvin Christian @ Godwin Heights
Middleville T-K @ Wyoming
South Christian @ Byron Center
Wellsprings Prep @ Tri-Unity Christian – Boys
Boys Wrestling
@ Kelloggsville – Quad
Godwin Heights @ Wyoming Lee
Wyoming @ Unity Christian
East Kentwood @ Lowell
Girls Cheer
Godwin Heights @ Muskegon Mona Shores
Wyoming @ Jenison

Thursday, Dec. 19
Boys / Girls Bowling
Kelloggsville @ East Kentwood
Wyoming @ Allendale
Girls Basketball
Wyoming Lee @ Ottawa Hills
Wellsprings Prep @ Grand River Prep
Boys Basketball
Sparta @ West Michigan Aviation — WKTV Featured Game
Wellsprings Prep @ Grand River Prep

Friday, Dec. 20
Boys Basketball
Grand River Prep @ Kelloggsville
Godwin Heights @ Northview
Calvin Christian @ Tri-Unity Christian
Grandville @ Wyoming
East Kentwood @ FH Central
Caledonia @ South Christian
Zion Christian @ Galesburg-Augusta
Potter’s House @ Saranac
West Michigan Lutheran @ Battle Creek Calhoun Christian
Girls Basketball
Calvin Christian @ Tri-Unity Christian
Wyoming @ Grandville
East Kentwood @ FH Central
Caledonia @ South Christian
Zion Christian @ Galesburg-Augusta
Potter’s House @ Saranac
West Michigan Lutheran @ Battle Creek Calhoun Christian
Boys Hockey
East Kentwood/West Michigan Aviation @ Jenison
South Christian @ FH Eastern/FH Northern

Saturday, Dec. 21
Boys Wrestling
Kelloggsville @ FH Central – Kent County Championships
Godwin Heights @ FH Central – Kent County Championships
Wyoming Lee @ FH Central – Kent County Championships
Wyoming @ FH Central – Kent County Championships
East Kentwood @ FH Central – Kent County Championships
Boys Basketball
Wyoming Lee vs West Michigan Aviation @ GRCC
Boys Swimming / Diving
East Kentwood @ Holland
South Christian @ Holland
Boys Hockey
East Kentwood/West Michigan Aviation @ Hudsonville
South Christian @ Christian

Monday, Dec. 23
No Games Scheduled

Tuesday, Dec. 24
No Games Scheduled

Wednesday, Dec. 25
MERRY CHRISTMAS
No Games Scheduled

Thursday, Dec. 26
Boys Basketball
Godwin Heights vs Wayland @ Cornerstone University
TBA @ Wyoming Lee – Lee Basketball Tournament

Friday, Dec. 27
Boys / Girls Bowling
Godwin Heights @ Catholic Central
Wyoming Lee @ Catholic Central
Wyoming @ Catholic Central
East Kentwood @ Catholic Central
Boys Basketball
TBA @ Wyoming Lee – Lee Basketball Tournament
East Kentwood @ Muskegon Reeths Puffer
Girls Basketball
NorthPointe Christian @ Tri-Unity Christian
Union @ Wyoming
Boys Hockey
South Christian vs Caledonia @ East Kentwood

Saturday, Dec. 28
Boys Basketball
Godwin Heights vs TBD @ Cornerstone University
Boys Wrestling
Godwin Heights @ Montague
East Kentwood @ Grandville
Boys Hockey
South Christian @ Grandville

Monday, Dec. 30
Boys Swimming
South Christian @ Jenison – Curt Pals Invite

Tuesday, Dec. 31
No Games Scheduled

Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020
No Games Scheduled

Bigger than sports, Godwin Heights basketball game honored military veterans

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, Education, Going Local, Local Faces, Sports, Veterans, WKTV Featured sports
From left, U.S. Army Sgt. Gregory Fugitt, veterans Ken McKenney and Pete Zimmer, and U.S. Marine Petty Officer Jordan Beemer. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org

When the South Christian Sailors boys basketball team visited Godwin Heights High School Tuesday for the Wolverines 2019-20 season season opener, the score mattered a little — the Sailors won, 63-46.

But what really mattered that night, in a WKTV Sports Featured Game, which was recorded and available WKTV video on-demand, was that the game was also a special Salute to Soldiers game with two veterans honored in pre-game ceremonies.

The two special guests honored — by the school, the crowd and by the presence of two active duty military personal — were Ken McKenney, a 72-year-old U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War, and Pete Zimmer, a 92-year-old U.S. Navy veteran who served during World War II.

“As an athletic program, we were excited to show our support to veterans and current military personnel for the day-to-day protection they provide for our country,” Godwin Heights athletic director Robert Hisey said to WKTV. “We understand and appreciate the sacrifices made by the families of our service members. This sacrifice allows our military personnel to fulfill their responsibilities and allows us to go about our daily events without worry.”

Godwin Athletic Director Robert Hisey, center, introducing the school’s Salute to Soldiers ceremony on Dec. 10. He is joined by active duty military and other veteran personnel. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

The event had the two honored veterans first standing alone on each end of the gym floor, while in the middle were other veterans and active duty personal attending the game — most notably military service recruiter U.S. Army Sgt. Gregory Fugitt and U.S. Navy Petty Officer Jordan Beemer, both in uniform.

There was special music provided by students of Godwin Heights and then brief histories of the honored veterans, McKenny and Zimmer, were read by one player from South Christian and one by Godwin Heights. The players and coaches of each team then met the veterans one-on-one to shake hands and pay their respects.

Veteran Ken McKenney being honored by a South Christian student end athlete. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

McKenney, according to the introduction, was inducted into the U.S. Army in 1967. Following boot camp, and various stateside training, he went to Vietnam in 1968. During that deployment, he was awarded two Purple Heart medals (for being wounded in battle). During his two-year tour, in 1968-69, he served with the 5th Mechanized Infantry Division and with the 184th Ordnance Battalion.

McKenny wrote a book about his Vietnam War experiences, dedicated to “the many brave soldiers who were not able to return home.”

Zimmer joined the U.S. Navy at age 17, and served during World War II from 1944 to 1946 on three different ships in the South Pacific. He was recalled in 1950 to Fighter Squadron 821, to serve in the Korean War on the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Essex. He was honorably discharged in 1952 and returned home to continue his education.

Zimmer remains “active and enthusiastic” serving our community in various volunteer capacities and is a member of the American Legion.

“It was a great honor to have both Ken McKenney and Pete Zimmer as our guests at our “Salute to Soldiers” event,” Hisey said. “Both Ken and Pete were an easy choice as Ken was the recipient of two Purple Hearts during the Vietnam War and Pete had experienced both WW II and the Korean War.”

  

All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvlive.org.

South Christian, Godwin Heights boys open hoop season with new faces but (maybe) last season in mind

Area Education, Education, Local Entertainment, Sports, WKTV Featured sports, ,
Action from a 2018-19 season playoff game between Godwin Heights and South Christian. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org

Both the South Christian Sailors and the Godwin Heights Wolverines will open their 2019-20 season this week following successful 2018-19 campaigns, but with 0-0 records and a lot of new faces on the court.

And, by a quirk of scheduling, the two coaches may well remember the last time the two met: an opening round state playoff game last season when the Sailors sent the Wolverines home after a fine season and South Christian began a deep playoff ride.

The rematch between two defending OK Conference champions will be Tuesday, Dec. 10, at 7 p.m., in a WKTV Sports Featured Game, which will be recorded and available on cable television and on-demand. The game is also a special Salute to Soldiers game with two veterans honored in pre-game ceremonies.

Godwin Athletic Director told WKTV that the two special guests to be honored will be Ken McKenney, a 72-year-old U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War, and Pete Zimmer, a 92-year-old U.S. Navy veteran who served during World War II.

Host Godwin Heights, out of the OK Silver, was 15-6 overall in 2018-19, 12-0 in conference and Silver champion. Coach Tyler Whittemore’s team lost 47-45 in opening round playoff game at South Christian.

South Christian, out of OK Gold, was 22-4 in 2018-19, 11-1 in conference and Gold champion. The Sailors won five playoff games before falling to Hudsonville Unity Christian in the state quarterfinals. Coach Jeff Meengs is 56-37 in four seasons at the school.

But the Sailors lost eight seniors, five who started, and only have two players back from that team: senior guard Tyler Buwalda and junior big man (6-foot-7) Connor Dykema. Both were a part of the team’s 8-man playing rotation last season, and both averaged about 4.5 points per game last year. Juniors Sam Meengs, Elliott Grashuis and Tyler Rynbrandt “will also play a lot,” Meengs told WKTV, while other seniors on roster will “contribute and have significant playing time.”

“While we do not have much experience, we do have good players that have had success at the freshman and JV levels the past few years,” Meengs said. (For a WKTV video interview with Coach Meengs, visit here.)

Godwin coach Whittemore, whose team also lost much through graduation, has averaged 20-plus wins in each of the last five seasons with the usual changing of players. So the Wolverines may just be reloaded again.
Coach Whittemore told WKTV that his expected starters will be seniors Cleveland (CJ) Baskin, Terrance (TJ) Moore and Savi Morris-Miller, as well as junior Jamontae Burrell and sophomore Jordan Norman.

Other players expected to contribute include junior RuQuan Buckley, freshman Jakhary Towns, and seniors Shadon Ewing and Milton Brown.

WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; On AT&T cable throughout the Grand Rapids area, viewers go to Channel 99, and then are given the choice to watch Wyoming (or Kentwood) Community (Channel 25) or Government (Channel 26) channels.

For complete schedules of programs on WKTV channels, see our Weekly On-air Schedule.

All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvlive.org.

WKTV has Wyoming, Kentwood high school sports schedules, featured game coverage

City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, Local Entertainment, Sports, Upcoming Events, WKTV Featured sports
South Christian High School boys basketball, from a 2019 game. (WKTV)

By WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org

WKTV has your weekly high school sports schedule, and our coverage crew will be out twice the week. The tentative Featured Game coverage schedule for December includes the following:

Tuesday, Dec. 10 — Boys Basketball, South Christian at Godwin Heights

Friday, Dec. 13 — Boys Hockey, FH Central at East Kentwood/West Michigan Aviation

Tuesday, Dec. 17 — Boys and Girls Basketball, Kelloggsville at West Michigan Aviation

Friday, Dec. 20 — Boys basketball, Sparta at West Michigan Aviation

Want to be a television sports announcer?

If anyone has ever thought about trying to announce a sporting event, WKTV has a great chance for you to do exactly that! The tentative schedule for May follows and we are always looking for additional announcers, especially for the spring games. If you would like to try it or have any questions, please email Mike at sportswktv@gmail.com.

 
Where and when to see the game

Featured games are broadcast the night of the contest and then at least once later in the week.

WKTV offers on-demand viewing of the Wyoming and Kentwood high school sports, community events, and government meetings. (WKTV)

WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; Channel 26 is the Government Channel, where local government meetings and events are shown. The games can also be seen on AT&T U-verse 99.

For complete schedules of programs on WKTV channels, see our Weekly On-air Schedule.

All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvlive.org.

 
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.


 
Following is this week’s schedule:

Monday, Dec. 9
Boys / Girls Bowling
Kelloggsville @ Grandville
Wellsprings Prep @ Godwin Heights
Wayland @ Wyoming
South Christian @ Middleville T-K
Girls Basketball
Holland @ Godwin Heights
Boys Basketball
Fruitport Calvary Christian @ West Michigan Aviation

Tuesday, Dec. 10
Girls Basketball
Grand River Prep @ Kelloggsville
Hopkins @ Tri-Unity Christian
South Christian @ Hamilton
Zion Christian @ Saugatuck
Hackett Catholic Prep @ Potter’s House
Barry County Christian @ West Michigan Lutheran
Boys Basketball
Kelloggsville @ Wellsprings Prep
South Christian @ Godwin Heights – WKTV Featured Event
East Kentwood @ FH Northern
Zion Christian @ Saugatuck
Potter’s House @ Kalamazoo Hackett
Barry County Christian @ West Michigan Lutheran
Grand River Prep @ Saranac
Boys Hockey
Christian @ East Kentwood/West Michigan Aviation
Boys Swimming / Diving
@ East Kentwood

Wednesday, Dec. 11
Boys Wrestling
Kelloggsville @ Holland
Godwin Heights @ Unity Christian
Wyoming @ Unity Christian
Wyoming Lee @ Christian
East Kentwood @ Hudsonville
Girls Cheer
Kelloggsville @ NorthPointe Christian
Boys / Girls Bowling
Wyoming Lee @ East Kentwood
Wyoming @ FH Eastern
South Christian @ Christian

Thursday, Dec. 12
Girls Basketball
Ottawa Hills @ Godwin Heights
Algoma Christian @ Zion Christian
Sparta @ West Michigan Aviation
Boys Bowling
West Catholic @ Tri-Unity Christian
Boys / Girls Bowling
East Kentwood @ Jenison
Orchard View @ Potter’s House
Boys Swimming / Diving
FH Central @ East Kentwood
Boys Basketball
Heritage Christian Academy @ Zion Christian

Friday, Dec. 13
Girls Cheer
Kelloggsville @ Wyoming Lee – Elayna Durso Memorial Cheer Invitational
Godwin Heights @ Wyoming Lee – Elayna Durso Memorial Cheer Invitational
Wyoming @ Jenison
Girls Basketball
Potter’s House @ Kelloggsville
Wellsprings Prep @ Tri-Unity Christian
Holland Christian @ South Christian
Lake Odessa Lakewood @ Grand River Prep
Boys Basketball
Hudsonville @ Godwin Heights
Wellsprings Prep @ Tri-Unity Christian
Wyoming @ Jenison
East Grand Rapids @ East Kentwood
Holland Christian @South Christian
Potter’s House @ Laingsburg
Sacred Heart @ West Michigan Aviation
Lake Odessa Lakewood @ Grand River Prep
Boys Wrestling
Wyoming Lee @ Tri-County
Boys Hockey
FH Central @ East Kentwood/West Michigan Aviation – WKTV Featured Event
West Ottawa @ South Christian

Saturday, Dec. 14
Boys / Girls Bowling
Kelloggsville @ Cedar Springs
Godwin Heights @ Cedar Springs
Boys Wrestling
@ Kelloggsville – Dave Fleming Memorial Tournament
Godwin Heights @ Kent City
East Kentwood @ Big Rapids – Cardinal Invitational
Girls Cheer
East Kentwood @ Jenison
Boys Hockey
FH Northern @ East Kentwood/West Michigan Aviation
Rockford @ South Christian
Boys Basketball
East Kentwood @ Ottawa Hills
West Michigan Aviation @ Detroit Southeastern

Monday, Dec. 16
Boys / Girls Bowling
Kelloggsville @ NorthPointe Christian
Wyoming Lee @ Hopkins
Christian @ Wyoming
South Christian @ East Grand Rapids
Tri-Unity Christian @ Orchard View – Boys
Girls Basketball
Godwin Heights @ Muskegon Heights
West Michigan Lutheran @ WMAES
Boys Basketball
Tri-Unity Christian @ Western Michigan Christian
West Michigan Lutheran @ WMAES

Rebuilding Lee girls basketball team showing positive signs under 3rd-year coach Tasha Wilson

City of Wyoming, Education, Sports, Upcoming Events, WKTV Featured sports,
Wyoming Lee High School’s girls basketball team suited up only five players for this 2017 game. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org

In the third year of what is literally a complete rebuild of the Wyoming Lee High School girls basketball program, head coach Tasha Wilson and her staff are measuring success by the number of players in the program and the positive attitude of those players.

The wins will come.

The Lee Legends girls (0-1) will try to get their first win of the season when they host a non-conference game against Byron Center Zion Christian Friday, Dec. 6, at 7 p.m., in a WKTV Sports Featured Game, which will be recorded and available on cable television and on-demand.

The Legends also return to an OK Conference Silver schedule this season after going 0-9 last season in a shortened independent schedule.

“At the moment I have a 16-player (varsity roster) — I know it sounds crazy but this is honestly the biggest team I’ve ever had in my career of coaching at Lee High School,” Coach Wilson said to WKTV. “Since I’ve been back its been a battle to pick the program back up. I started with 6 players my first year with some quitting, so we had to cancel our entire (2017-18) season.


“Then going into my second year blind, not knowing what was going to happen, we went with a independent schedule and successfully finished with 8 players. Now my third year I was overwhelmed with the amount of players that came out to play this year.”

While getting the girls basketball program back on the minds, and in the extracurricular plans, of the students at Lee has been an offseason priority, the in-season priority has been keeping the players positive about the program.

“Staying positive is huge for me. The score can be so ugly but all along my bench you hear positivity,” Wilson said. “My girls don’t look at horrible losses in a negative way, they look at them as learning experiences. They know that practice time is valuable and that’s when we need to work our hardest to get to where we want to be. We’re still putting together our puzzle here at Lee.”

The 2019-20 Legends will feature returning varsity players senior Taylor Weekly and junior Keanna DesArmo, and Coach Wilson pointed out junior Emily Martinez and freshman Mya Bruno as varsity newcomers she expects to contribute immediately.

“I’m so honored to have returning players like Keanna DesArmo and Taylor Weekley,” Wilson said. “They seen the program steadily grow now over the past years. Those two young ladies are huge pieces to the program, and I give them a lot of credit for helping me build this program back up as well. They were constantly getting the bug in everyone’s ear about basketball.”

Not only are numbers an issue to be overcome, but having players without much history playing the game is also something Wilson and her staff deal with.

“I’d say this year about 80 percent of my team has never played basketball before, so its been a struggle for me because I have to teach fundamentals for the first three weeks then we jump right into a game,” she said. “Which shows clearly from our first game final score. We weren’t able to get a set offense taught yet so I’m glad to say we’re finally getting there.”

Lee lost to Kentwood Grand River Prep, 67-4, to open the season.

Zion Christian, out of the Alliance League, lost at home to Ravenna, 40-37, on Dec. 3. In 2018-19, Zion was 8-12 (2-5 in league) and one of those wins was a 48-13 victory over Lee.

Lee Athletic Director Jason Faasse also sees progress in the program in terms of numbers as much as wins at this point.

“Coach Wilson … has a great ability to connect with students and make them feel a part of something special,” Faasse said to WKTV. “Year-round they are working to engage the elementary and middle school aged students in the Godfrey-Lee community with the sport of basketball. Her leadership and commitment have played a huge role in increasing the participation at the high school level and I look forward to seeing the development of the program continue in a positive direction for years to come.”

WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; On AT&T cable throughout the Grand Rapids area, viewers go to Channel 99, and then are given the choice to watch Wyoming (or Kentwood) Community (Channel 25) or Government (Channel 26) channels.

For complete schedules of programs on WKTV channels, see our Weekly On-air Schedule.

All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvlive.org.

December’s high school sports schedule begins WKTV’s winter sports coverage

Area Education, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, Local Entertainment, Sports, Upcoming Events, WKTV Featured sports
WKTV’s coverage of girls high school basketball continues this month. (WKTV)

By Mike Moll, WKTV Volunteer Sports Director
ken@wktv.org

Football teams were crowned champions Thanksgiving weekend inside Detroit’s Ford Field and the calendars were then rolled over to December. That means the winter sports open their schedules with tip-offs in girls basketball during the first week followed by the boys openers the second week.

Boys hockey, wrestling, boys and girls bowling, and boys swimming and diving began earlier, and to round out the winter sports teams, girls cheer and dance begin their seasons.

WKTV will bring one or two events each week to viewers, mostly basketball but some hockey.

The tentative Featured Game coverage schedule for December includes the following:

Friday, Dec. 6 — Girls Basketball, Zion Christian at Wyoming Lee

Tuesday, Dec. 10 — Boys Basketball, South Christian at Godwin Heights

Friday, Dec. 13 — Boys Hockey, FH Central at East Kentwood/West Michigan Aviation

Tuesday, Dec. 17 — Girls Basketball, West Michigan Aviation @ Kelloggsville

Friday, Dec. 20 — To be determined.

Want to be a television sports announcer?

If anyone has ever thought about trying to announce a sporting event, WKTV has a great chance for you to do exactly that! The tentative schedule for May follows and we are always looking for additional announcers, especially for the spring games. If you would like to try it or have any questions, please email Mike at sportswktv@gmail.com.

 
Featured games are broadcast the night of the contest and then at least once later in the week.

WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; Channel 26 is the Government Channel, where local government meetings and events are shown. On AT&T cable throughout the Grand Rapids area, viewers go to Channel 99, and then are given the choice to watch Wyoming (or Kentwood) Community (Channel 25) or Government (Channel 26) channels.

WKTV offers on-demand viewing of the Wyoming and Kentwood high school sports, community events, and government meetings. (WKTV)

For complete schedules of programs on WKTV channels, see our Weekly On-air Schedule.

All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvlive.org.


 
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.


 
Following is this week’s schedule:

Monday, Dec. 2
Girls Basketball
Grand River Prep @ Wyoming Lee

Tuesday, Dec. 3
Girls Basketball
Tri-Unity Christian @ Kelloggsville
Orchard View @ Godwin Heights
FH Central @ Wyoming
East Kentwood @ Byron Center
South Christian @ FH Northern
Ravenna @ Zion Christian
Potter’s House @ Kenowa Hills
WMAES @ West Michigan Aviation
Saranac @ Grand River Prep

Wednesday, Dec. 4
Boys Hockey
South Christian @ Muskegon Reeths Puffer

Thursday, Dec. 5
Girls Basketball
West Michigan Lutheran @ Athens Factoryville Christian

Friday, Dec. 6
Girls Basketball
Kelloggsville @ Zeeland West
Godwin Heights @ Union
Zion Christian @ Wyoming Lee – WKTV Featured Event
Tri-Unity Christian @ Belding
Wyoming @ Comstock Park
East Kentwood @ Muskegon
Byron Center @ South Christian
Hopkins @ Potter’s House
Boys Hockey
East Kentwood/West Michigan Aviation @ Kenowa Hills

Saturday, Dec. 7
Boys / Girls Bowling
Kelloggsville – OK Silver Pre-Season Meet at Fairlanes
Godwin Heights – OK Silver Pre-Season Meet at Fairlanes
Wyoming – Tournament @ Eastbrook Lanes
East Kentwood – East Kentwood Kickoff Invite
Girls Dance
East Kentwood @ Hudsonville
Girls Basketball
East Kentwood @ Kalamazoo Central

Monday, Dec. 9
Boys / Girls Bowling
Kelloggsville @ Grandville
Wellsprings Prep @ Godwin Heights
Wayland @ Wyoming
South Christian @ Middleville T-K
Girls Basketball
Holland @ Godwin Heights
Boys Basketball
Fruitport Calvary Christian @ West Michigan Aviation

WKTV’s 19th Annual Turkey Bowl cable channel fest returns Thanksgiving Day

3-bottom, Area Education, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, Sports, Upcoming Events, WKTV Featured sports, WKTV Projects
Wyoming quarterback Matthew Berg (11) reacts to a Wolves touchdown in a game at Northview Sept. 6. (Curtis Holt)

By WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org

WKTV’s sports coverage crew was busy this fall, as our high school football Featured Game crew was all over Wyoming and Kentwood to cover local high schools’ American football teams — and one English ‘football’ game.

As every year, high school sports fans can get their Turkey Day football fix this year as we broadcast 13 hours of football (and two of soccer) on our cable Channel 25.

The special starts at 9 a.m., and highlights the best of our high school football games from the season. The schedule of games (with link to the games on WKTV’s On-Demand video internet channel, at WKTVLive.org ) is as follows:

9 a.m. — Caledonia at East Kentwood. On-Demand

11:50 a.m. — South Christian at Wyoming. On-Demand

3 p.m. — Hopkins at Godwin. On-Demand

5:25 p.m. — Forest Hills Eastern at Godwin. On-Demand

8:25 p.m. — Potterville at Wyoming Lee. On-Demand

10: 35 p.m. — Wyoming Lee at Godwin Heights soccer. On-Demand

Lee High School’s boys soccer team from an early season. (WKTV)

WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; Channel 26 is the Government cChannel, where local government meetings and events are shown. On AT&T cable throughout the Grand Rapids area, viewers go to Channel 99, and then are give the choice to watch Wyoming (or Kentwood) Community (Channel 25) or Government (Channel 26).

For complete schedules of programs on WKTV channels, see our Weekly On-air Schedule.

Wyoming Lee football wraps up season with home game, something to show

Area Education, City of Wyoming, Education, Sports, Upcoming Events, WKTV Featured sports

By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org

Wyoming Lee High School’s football team has had some ups and downs this season — the first season of a two-year hiatus from OK Silver conference play and into an independent schedule. But as the team prepares to end their season with a home game, the Legends have reason for optimism and accomplishment.

Lee (2-6 on the season) will host Potterville (0-7; 0-6 Central Michigan Athletic Conference) at Lee’s field Friday, Oct. 25, at 7 p.m. And WKTV will be there to record and broadcast the game.

Before the game, WKTV caught up with head coach Tom DeGennaro, who talked about what his team accomplished this season, players who have stepped up this year including a special freshman in the backfield, and how they are preparing for the season finale.

WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; Channel 26 is the Government Channel, where local government meetings and events are shown. On AT&T cable throughout the Grand Rapids area, viewers go to Channel 99, and then are given the choice to watch Wyoming (or Kentwood) Community (Channel 25) or Government (Channel 26) channels.

For complete schedules of programs on WKTV channels, see our Weekly On-air Schedule.

All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvlive.com.

For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.

In 3rd year of new program, Wyoming Wolves show improved offense, senior leadership

Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Sports, WKTV Featured sports,
Wyoming quarterback Matthew Berg (11) reacts to a Wolves touchdown in a game at Northview Sept. 6. (Curtis Holt)

By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org

In the third year of Wyoming High School football coach Irvin Sigler’s reboot of the Wolves program, the coach and his team are probably disappointed with their win/loss record in the tough OK Conference Gold.

But the Wolves’s offensive mindset is showing impressive improvement, the team opened their new field in equally impressive fashion, and Sigler’s 2019-20 senior class continues to show the leadership he wants.

Sigler talked to WKTV this week about his Wolves, currently 3-5 (1-4 in conference) with a Friday, Oct. 25, game at East Grand Rapids remaining on the season. And he started with his team’s ability to stay focused and positive after a 1-4 start to the season.

“Our coaching staff and players believe in each other,” Sigler said. “Trust is a critical part of building a team. We have a great time on the practice field and a relentless belief in what we are doing. It’s truly a team effort. Most importantly our players know that they are loved by our coaches.”

That belief in the system led to two impressive wins in weeks 6 and 7 — a 57-51 overtime win at Holland West Ottawa on Nov. 4 and a 47-0 win over Wayland on Nov. 11 as the Wolves opened their newly refurbished field at the high school.

But the team’s scoring outbursts in those two wins were only two signs of the increased offensive prowess of the Wolves. Even in losses, the offense has been scoring points.

As evidence, Wyoming scored 158 points in nine games in 2017-18, Sigler’s first season as head coach, and 132 in 2018-19 — but the Wolves have totaled 279 points in eight games so far this season.

The Wyoming offensive line, from the Wolves game at Northview Sept. 6. (Curtis Holt)

“We’ve got some very skilled guys on our offense,” coach said. “The four Parks have really been a key. We moved DeMari and Marion to running back after some injuries and they blossomed. Monte is an excellent receiver and Deion helps lead our offensive line.

“Mahki Matthews, Payton Lee and Matt Berg have also played very well. The key to everything is our offensive line. Getting Austin Bruce back from an ankle sprain was a big boost.”

De’marion, Diamonte and Dion Parks are seniors, as are Lee and Bruce. DeMari Parks is a junior, as are Matthews and Berg.

Sigler also pointed out several other seniors who have been leaders for the Wolves.

“Logan Cox, Dale Cross and Keeingg Briggs are three guys that come to mind — all have played exceptionally well,” he said. “ Our kicker, Adel Odobasek, has become a great leader in our special teams and has improved greatly.”

But plenty of other underclassmen have played and played well.

Maybe the biggest returner next season, however, will be a return to the Wolves’s new home field — the arrival of which this season was a boost to the team, Sigler said.

“The change in our mindset, with the opportunity to be in the new field, came at a great time,” he said. “While many teams are going through the grind of doing the same thing daily, we had an amazing new facility to jump start our season.”

And he expects that home field advantage, as well as overall program improvement, to carry on in the future.

“We must play our best at home and that is the mindset we are working to build,” Sigler said.

Lee boys soccer team, walking hallways with pride, preps for Districts after sharing conference title

Area Education, City of Wyoming, Education, Sports, Upcoming Events, WKTV Featured sports,
Lee High School’s boys soccer team preps for District tournament play. (Photo Credit: WKTV)

By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org

After a 17-1 regular season, and being crowned co-champions of the OK Conference Silver, the Lee High School Legends boys soccer team is preparing for another run at a District title next week at Hudsonville Unity Christian and — hopefully — another shot at a Unity Christian squad which knocked them out in the District finals last season.

But first things first. As his team practiced this week, Lee coach Jaime Ramirez talked to WKTV about his team having a week off after a great regular season, detailed his top players, and his belief that this year’s team has brought their own bit of pride to the school.

Oh, and ya. There is that thing about “the kids” wanting a rematch with Unity Christian.

“It is a fantastic season so far, the kids are playing so good,” Ramariez said. “They earned this (conference co-championship) because they are doing the job on the field. … There is a little (school) pride in this team this year.”

Ramirez gives some of the credit for the school pride to Lee Middle and High School’s new principal, Candy VanBuskirk, who in addition to her impressive educational background played and coached basketball at the collegiate level — “This year the new principal is doing good job announcing (game results) every morning when we play, how we did.”

There was a lot of good news announced, as far as the soccer team’s season was concerned.

The Legends outscored their regular season opponents 81-12, with their only loss being a 1-0 setback to conference co-champion Grandville Calvin Christian, which the Legends beat early in the season, 2-1.

While scoring has not been a problem for the Legends this season, Ramirez still thinks they can do better and he is using the team’s 10-day layoff to “adjust” some things.

The long layoff “is kind of bad because the kids don’t get to play,” he said. “But it is kind of good too because the kids get to rest and I am able to adjust some things, what we’ve been struggling on, like targeting or scoring goals. That is my main thing right now.”

Lee High School’s boys soccer team huddles, from an early season game. (Photo Credit: WKTV)

Senior-led but but with plenty of young stars

The Legends are deep and talented with both offensive and defensive position players, according to their coach.

Senior co-captain and midfielder Raúl Montañez has 10 goals and six assists this season, junior co-captain and midfielder Gerardo Montañez has scored 10 goals and has eight assists, sophomore midfielder Edgar Vazquez leads the team in assists with 16 while adding five goals. But the team’s scoring leader is co-captain Michael Esqueda with 19 goals and five assists this season.

Senior forward Tristan Perez has played through injuries but still contributed nine goals and 10 assists.

On what has been a smothering defense, sophomore Alexandro Ruiz “improved so much and … (is a) very solid defender”, Ramirez said, while junior Gustavo Romero has also anchored the back line. Senior goalkeeper Jorge Montes blocked two penalty kicks, has 25 saves and six shutouts.

Two younger players who have contributed to the team’s success are junior Wili Diaz and Jacob Flores, who has played both on the field and in goal. “Definably he (Flores) will be my main goalkeeper next season, but he did an outstanding job as a defender,” Ramirez said.

District tournament outlook

Coach Ramirez said he and his team are not looking past their first game of the District 35 tournament, scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 15, at a time to be determined, when they will play the winner of an opening round contest between Grand Rapids Catholic and Grand Rapids West Catholic. But, should they win, they know which team they’d like to see in the District finals.

“We have to beat anybody that is going to be in our way, regardless of who it is,” Ramirez said. “If we come out and play a bad game, and they beat us up, then we don’t have anything to say. But if we play good, it doesn’t matter who we play, if we play good, we beat them.”

And as far as that rematch with Unity Christian — “The kids are looking for that rematch because they think they can do better this year than we did last year.”

Home and away: WKTV featured game is Wyoming, South Christian in early-OK Gold clash

Education, Local Faces, Sports, WKTV Featured sports, ,

By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org

Wyoming High School’s football team will be at home this week when the visiting South Christian comes to Davies Memorial Field at Wyoming Junior High for a key game in both teams’ season goal to be a factor in the OK Conference Gold title race.

But will it matter that this week’s WKTV High School Sports Featured Game of the Week is on home turf for the Wolves with the Sailors facing a mostly opposing crowd?

Wyoming is 1-2 (0-1 in OK Gold in early-season action) while South Christian is 2-1 (1-0), with the Wolves only win coming at home, and the Sailors only loss on the road.

For all WKTV’s local high schools — including East Kentwood, Godwin Heights, Kelloggsville, Wyoming Lee and Tri-unity Christian — the football teams are 6-1 at home and 3-10 on the road.

WKTV talked to both head coaches — South Christian’s Danny Brown and Wyoming high’s Irvin Sigler — and while both agree that “they don’t call it home field advantage for nothing”, what happens on the field usually means more.

The coaches also talked about what their team has done well so far this year, and their respect for the opposing head coach and the opposing programs.

All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvlive.org.
 
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.

With memories and, hopefully, tradition carried over, Wyoming high to honor Coach VerDuin with field ceremonies

City of Wyoming, Education, Going Local, Local Faces, Local History, Sports, Upcoming Events, WKTV Featured sports, ,
Wyoming High School’s football team practicing at their soon-to-be ex-home field this week. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org

When Wyoming High School’s football team plays its last game at Davies Memorial Field this week, at the current middle school but at what was once Wyoming Park high, those in attendance will have many memories of games and players on the field.

Jack VerDuin, in a historic photo from Wyoming High School Athletic Department Facebook page.

And the Friday, Sept. 20, game pitting the Wolves against the visiting South Christian Sailors will also be filled with memories of the late Jack VerDuin, who rolled up a 243-118-6 record with the Wyoming Park Vikings before the school merged with Wyoming Rogers into Wyoming high in 2012.

The Friday game will be the first part of a two-part, two-home game special event for Wyoming high as the Wolves will honor VerDuin during their last varsity football game at Davies field before moving to the new football stadium for a Oct. 11 home game.

One person who will have special memories, especially at this week’s game, will be Ted Hollern, Wyoming High School Athletic Director, who remembers VerDuin as an opposing coach, mentor and friend.

Ted Hollern, Wyoming High School Athletic Director. (WKTV)

“I can remember, as a high school student, playing against Jack VerDuin’s teams and how good they were,” Hollern said this week to WKTV. “They were well coached. What a machine they had operating.

“And then (later) … I was at Wyoming Rogers, when he was at Park … to be able to rub shoulders with him. At the time, I was a young football coach … you know, I could pick up on some of his ideas. I was the head football coach at Rogers and he was still coaching here. We shared a lot of time together.”

There will also be many memories by VerDuin’s family and many friends who will be in attendance at the game, set to start at 7 p.m. The Jack VerDuin family will be there as they will be announced as our Honorary Captains for the game.

VerDuin, who died in 2007, coached the Vikings for 38 seasons beginning in 1962. During the years, Wyoming Park won 19 conference championships and the Class B state championship in 1984, a 33-20 victory over Monroe Catholic Central. The Vikings were state runner-up in 1985, falling to Dearborn Divine Child 21-0.

VerDuin is a member of the Wyoming Hall of Fame, Grand Rapids Hall of Fame, Michigan High School Hall of Fame and the Michigan Football Hall of Fame.

Clearly Coach VerDuin and his “Mighty Vikings” built a tradition of excellence — a tradition which Hollern hopes can carry over from the “the house that Jack built” at Davies field to the new football stadium.

“I think of all the players and coaches who have played here, at what was Wyoming Park. How many championships they won. The tradition they had,” Hollern said. “I just think it will be great to remember some of their past, and some of their accomplishments, and then hope that tradition, those accomplishments, kind of springboard into the new place.”

For a story on the new football stadium, and how students and staff at Wyoming high are anticipating its opening, see a School News Network story here.

The South Christian vs. Wyoming Community Night Football Game at Wyoming Junior High will be the WKTV High School Sports Featured Game of the Week, with on-demand video replay available at WKTVLive.org.

(For a WKTV video preview of the game, visit here.)

The game will have a 7 p.m. kick-off, but, among many special events, will have a Jack VerDuin Family Night pregame with a hospitality tent opening at 5:15 p.m. in the north end zone, with all family and friends welcome.

Local football wrap: East Kentwood survives Caledonia; Godwin, Lee and Tri-unity gain first wins

City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, Sports, WKTV Featured sports,
The Sept. 13 East Kentwood vs. Caledonia football game is available on-demand at WKTVlive.org. (WKTV)

By WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org

At East Kentwood High School Friday, the Falcons rallied for 13 points in the fourth quarter — on a 30-yard touchdown pass from Christian Tanner to Josh Ledesma and a 4-yard run by Ledesma — to overcome a 14-10 Caledonia advantage and gain a 23-14 win.

The East Kentwood win Sept. 13 pushed the Falcons to 2-1 on the season and began their OK Conference Red slate with a home win over the Fighting Scots (1-2). East Kentwood had posted a 10-0 first half lead on 25-yard field goal by Tanner and a 51-yard pass from Tanner to Colton Emeott. Tanner was 13-of-23 passing for 198 yards while Drapher Cribbs led the team in rushing with 56 yards on 15 carries.

The Caledonia at East Kentwood game was the WKTV High School Sports Featured Game, with on-demand replays of the game available at WKTVlive.org. This week’s featured game will be South Christian at Wyoming high.

South Christian also pushed their record to 2-1 with a 42-0 win at home over Wayland to open the Sailors’ OK Gold schedule. In the game, short runs by Daniel Possett and Chase Bradman, with extra point kicks by Jeff Heerema, staked South Christian to a 14-0 first half lead. Two more rushing touchdowns by Possett, the second a 29-yard scamper, and a short run by Eli Smith pushed the score to 35-0 to enter the fourth quarter.

Also on Sept. 13, Wyoming high (1-2) lost at Grand Rapids Christian (1-2), 54-14.

In other local football action, Godwin Heights (1-2) and Wyoming Lee (1-2) both gained their first wins of the season. The Wolverines defeated Wyoming Kelloggsville (0-3) 36-14 in the OK Sliver opener for both teams. (Due to three teams in the conference playing non-conference football schedules, the two teams will meet later in the season at Kelloggsville.) For more information on the Lee Legends win, see a story here.

Tri-unity Christian won a 8-Man Midwest Central conference game at Lawrence, 40-28.

For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.

East Kentwood, lessons learned, returns home for key OK Red game against Caledonia

City of Kentwood, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, Local Faces, Sports, WKTV Featured sports,
East Kentwood High School’s football team at practice this week. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org

There was no shame in East Kentwood High School’s season opening game loss at Muskegon Mona Shores — a team that went 12-2 last year, losing only to state power Muskegon high during the regular season and then in the Division 2 state playoff finals.

There were some lessons to be learned in the loss, however. And those lessons were evident last week when the Falcons rolled to a 39-6 road win at Grand Ledge Sept. 6.

East Kentwood football coach Anthony Kimbrough working with the team at practice. (WKTV)

“I always say you learn more from a loss than you do from a win. We did some things uncharacteristic of ourselves (against Mona Shores), but we got back to basics and tightened up some things, and it showed against Grand Ledge,” Falcon head coach Anthony Kimbrough said to WKTV. “We had a better overall execution on offense and defense. Just doing the little things.”

But coach also knows his team will face another challenge this week against OK Red Conference foe Caledonia — the Fighting Scots.

“It is right in their name, the Fighting Scots,” Kimbrough said. “They fight you, man. They play hard, they play physical, they run around. They do some good things and they are well coached. … We really have got to come to play.”

For the complete interview with Coach Kimbrough, see the video here.

East Kentwood football team at practice. (WKTV)

In last week’s win, the Falcons (1-1) jumped out to a 25-0 first half lead on a 40-yard run by Josh Ledesma and a 13-yard pass from Christian Tanner to Colton Emeott in the first quarter, and then a 39-yard run by Willie Berris and a 22-yard run by Tanner. They did not let up much in the second as they ran the score to 39-0, on an 82-yard touchdown pass from Tanner to Jamoni Jones, and a short run by Carter Selby.

The Fighting Scots (1-1), last week, also had an impressive win, defeating Cedar Springs (10-2 last year) at Caledonia by the score of 19-12, after falling on opening night at Holt, 35-17. Caledonia was 2-7 last year, 1-5 in conference play.

All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvlive.org.
 
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.

Local football wrap: Wyoming falls to Northview’s big play offense; East Kentwood bounces back

Area Education, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, Sports, WKTV Featured sports, ,

[huge_it_slider id=”90″]


By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org

At Northview High School Friday, Wyoming high got a great effort from running back Cameron (Cam) Simon, who rushed for rushed for 192 yards and one touchdown, and quarterback Matthew Berg threw scoring strikes to Mahki Mathews and Diamonte Parks.

But the Wolves could not match the Wildcats’ big-play power in a 49-21 non-conference loss Sept. 6.

After a finishing the first half with a 21-21 tie, Northview (2-0) scored 28 unanswered points to hand Wyoming (1-1) its first loss of the season.

Last season, Northview was 7-3 including an opening round playoff loss to Grand Rapids Christian, which ended a six-game winning streak. They were 5-1 in OK White and finished second to Cedar Springs, their only conference loss.

Against Wyoming, Wildcat running back Jakaurie Kirkland rushed for 270 yards and four touchdowns, including runs of 60, 37, 82 and 57 yards.

The Wyoming at Northview was scheduled to be televised as a WKTV Featured Games, but technical issues forced plans to be cancelled. This week’s featured game will be at East Kentwood.

In other local football action, East Kentwood (1-1) bounced back from an opening season loss at Muskegon Mona Shores with a 39-6 road win at Grand Ledge Friday. In the win, the Falcons jumped out to a 25-0 first half lead on a 40-yard run by Josh Ledesma and a 13-yard pass from Christian Tanner to Colton Emeott in the first quarter, and then a 39-yard run by Willie Berris and a 22-yard run by Tanner.

Also on Friday, South Christian (1-1) lost at Muskegon Reeths-Puffer, 35-21; Godwin Heights (0-2) lost at Hudsonville Unity Christian, 36-0; Kelloggsville (0-2) lost at Williamstown, 27-0,Wyoming Lee (0-2) lost at Gobles, 37-20; and Tri-unity Christian lost at Martin, 20-0, in 8-Man football.

For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.

After impressive opener, Wyoming high Coach Sigler likes progress of team, program culture

3-bottom, Area Education, City of Wyoming, Education, Local Faces, Sports, Upcoming Events, WKTV Featured sports,
Wyoming High School football practice. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org

As his team “went to work” at practice this week in preparation for a high school football Week 2 game at Northview High School, Wyoming high head football coach Irv Sigler Jr. sounded like an X’s and O’s football coach as he talked to WKTV.

He praised his offensive line play in the team’s dominating 59-25 win over Holland opening week. He praised his opponent this week and said his team would need to be better to beat the Wildcats on their home field — a game which WKTV’s Featured Game sports coverage crew will be covering. UPDATE: Due to technical issues, WKTV was unable to video record the game.

But Coach Sigler also went a bit beyond the X’s and O’s by talking about the “culture” of his program, which has a modest 5-13 record in his first two years but may be about to turn the competitive corner.

Coach Sigler. (WKTV)

“We’ve grown a great deal in our ability to practice with purpose, with having a sense of urgency about getting better every day when we come out … the little things are the difference between being good and great,” Coach Sigler said in a WKTV interview. (See the entire interview on YouTube here.) “I describe our kids as lunchbox kids. They come here every day. They got a lunch box and they go to work.”

In their opening night games, Northview defeated Comstock Park 28-7 while Wyoming defeated Holland 59-25 in a game which was began on Thursday night but finished on Friday night due to storms moving through the area.

Wyoming High School football practice. (WKTV)

For the Wolves, junior running back (and linebacker) Cameron (Cam) Simon rushed for just shy of 200 yards and scored four touchdowns, while junior quarterback Matthew Berg passed for three TDs.

Northview, out of OK White, had 10 new starters on defense against Comstock Park but still held the Panthers to a single touchdown. Running back Jakaurie Kirkland had 220 yards on 23 carries. Senior quarterback Dan Frey went 7-of-11 for 72 yards, with two touchdown passes to sophomore Kyler VanderJact.

Northview, last season, was 7-3 including an opening round playoff loss to Grand Rapids Christian, which ended a six-game winning streak. They were 5-1 in OK White and finished second to Cedar Springs, their only conference loss.

All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvlive.org.

 
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.

New South Christian head football coach on latest WKTV Journal In Focus

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, Education, Local Faces, Sports, WKTV Featured sports, ,
South Christian head football coach Danny Brown, at left, at a practice last week. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org

On the latest episode of WKTV Journal In Focus, one of the interviews is a special high school sports segment with South Christian High School’s new head football coach Danny Brown, of whom it would not be an understatement to say he bleeds Sailor Blue.

Coach Brown is no stranger to the Sailors’ program having served as an assistant coach since 2011 and as defensive coordinator for the past five seasons under Mark Tamminga, who retired after last season. Being a Sailor runs deep for Brown, having played varsity football at South Christian in the early 2000s. Brown attended Hope College and now is a small business owner in Byron Center.

For a YouTube video of the interview visit here.

During the discussion, Coach Brown talks about working with Coach Tamminga, playing for the late Bob Blacquiere, who was head coach when Brown played for the Sailors and was a big influence on his becoming a coach, and Brown’s transition from running the South Christian defense to being the man in charge of the entire program.

WKTV Journal In Focus airs on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel (see our Weekly On-air Schedule for dates and times). All individual interviews included in episodes of WKTV Journal In Focus are also available on YouTube at WKTVvideos.

Spanish language game announcing available of Lee high boys win over Godwin Heights

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, Education, Going Local, Local Faces, Sports, WKTV Featured sports, WKTV Projects,
Late game action from the Lee at Godwin Heights boys soccer game Aug. 29. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org

The Lee High School boys soccer broke open a tight, defensive struggle with two goals near the end of the first half, and then ran their early-season record to 7-0 overall and 3-0 in OK Conference Silver with a 5-1 win over cross-town rival Godwin Heights on Thursday, Aug. 29.

Jesus “Chucho” Cruz.

The game was televised by WKTV Community Media’s high school sports coverage team with special Spanish-language announcing by local soccer instructor and radio host Jesus “Chucho” Cruz. The Spanish language audio game telecast will be replayed Saturday, Aug. 31, at 11 a.m., and then again Wednesday, Sept. 4, at 6:30 p.m. on WKTV cable channels. It will also be available both with Spanish and English announcers on-demand at WKTVlive.org. (See note below for details.)

Cruz is a goalie trainer for GRAS Academy of Grand Rapids and hosts the local La Mejor GR radio program.

In the actual game between Lee and Godwin Heights, Legends junior Gerardo Montañez broke the scoreless tie with about 4 minutes remaining in the first half, then about two minutes later sophomore Edgar Vasquez scored to push the score to 2-0. Lee and Vasquez wasted little time getting on the board in the second as he scored again with only about seven minutes played in the second half.

Lee pushed the score to 5-0 with goals by junior Willi Diaz and senior Michael Esqueda before Godwin sophomore Mario Aguilar tallied late for the final 5-1 score. Senior Godwin goalkeeper senior Eric Truong had several good saves despite the one-sided score. Lee sophomore Jacob Flores faced relatively few threats on goal as the Legends defense played very well.

With the loss, Godwin Heights’ record is now 1-1-1 overall and 0-1-1 in conference play.

In the lead-up to the contest, WKTV interviewed Lee coach Jamie Ramirez on the state of this current team and the school’s soccer program. For a story visit here. For a video, visit here.

WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; Channel 26 is the Government Channel, where local government meetings and events are shown. On AT&T cable throughout the Grand Rapids area, viewers go to Channel 99, and then are given the choice to watch Wyoming (or Kentwood) Community (Channel 25) or Government (Channel 26) channels.

For complete schedules of programs on WKTV channels, see our Weekly On-air Schedule.

All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvlive.org .

 
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.

Lee high boys soccer ready to make run for conference title, deeper playoff run

City of Wyoming, Education, Going Local, Local Faces, Sports, Upcoming Events, WKTV Featured sports,
The Lee High School boys soccer team is off to a 6-0 start this season, and coach Jaime Ramirez has plenty of reasons to smile about their goals of a conference title. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org

Lee High School boys soccer coach Jaime Ramirez likes the state of his program, top to bottom, from the nearly 40 kids in the middle school program to the deep, talented varsity roster that has posted a 6-0 early-season record heading into a cross-town rivalry with Godwin Heights on Thursday, Aug. 29.

But Ramirez and his newly-named Legends expect more after last season’s 18-7 record including two playoff wins with an 8-3 record in OK Conference Silver standings, and this season’s fast start including a 2-1 comeback road win over Grandville Calvin Christian in conference play.

“The kids are working really hard. They have ambitions to make history on their own this year. The last conference championship we had was in 2010,” Rameriez said to WKTV early this week. “They are anxious to put another conference championship on their shoulders.”

The Lee boys soccer game at Godwin Heights will be this week’s WKTV High School Sports Featured Game of the Week.

Lee lost only two players from last year’s squad and feature not only five seniors and five juniors on the varsity roster, but also several young players who are too good to keep off the varsity roster.

“That is what is making the team pretty strong,” Ramirez said. “This is my dream team. I can substitute like four of them and not notice a big difference on the team, which is what I believe all the coaches dream for.”

Coach (reluctantly) pointed out several players who are the “players to watch” on the offensive side of the squad, starting with senior Raul Antonio Montañez — “He is one ofr the best leaders I have. He works hard every single game and, right now, he is the number one we are looking for. … but like I said, we have a lot of good players coming back.”

Among those “good players coming back” is senior goalkeeper Jorge Andres Montes — “He is another straight-up leader.” As is junior Gerardo Montañez and senior Tristan Perez.

“I’ve got quite a few of them,” Ramirez said. “On defense I’ve got (sophomore) Alexander Ruiz, he is really good. And I’ve got a couple others coming back … (but) my midfielders are new this year. Wili Diaz has been playing really good. And Leonardo Maldonado, I put him up (on varsity), he was playing JV last year. … We have a lot of good players, it is hard for me to name just a few.”

The depth, on the varsity team and in the program, is not something the Legends have had in past years.

The Lee High School varsity team before a recent game. (WKTV)

“We have, if I’m not mistaken, something like 38 kids in the middle school program, and we are shooting to have two teams,” Ramirez said. “Back in 2007, when I started as a coach, I had 13 players on varsity. That’s it. That says something right there.

“The program is getting better and better. We’ve got more kids joining and we got a girls (program building the numbers) too. … The kids they really want to do things.”

And what the varsity “kids” want to do is win a conference title for a school which has struggled in many varsity sports in recent years.

“I talked to the guys and I keep telling them ‘We’ve got a lot of chances, a lot of potential to become OK champs this year.’ I’m not going to say we will, because I don’t like to say that. I’m going to say we’re going to try really hard.”

All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvlive.org.

 
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.

WKTV high school sports coverage team audibles, plans featured game of other ‘football’

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, Recreation, Sports, Upcoming Events, WKTV Featured sports
The high school soccer season has already started with football close behind.

By WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org

WKTV’s high school sports coverage truck will all over our local Wyoming and Kentwood football teams this season, but with a change of schedule for Wyoming Lee High School’s football team, we have switched our coverage to the other “football” — we will be at Godwin Heights as the Wolverines host the Lee Legends for a boys soccer game Thursday, Aug. 29.

As far as the Lee football game is concerned, after the originally scheduled home game against White Cloud was cancelled by the visiting school, Lee added a second game against Grandville Calvin Christian, which will be at Lee on Thursday, Aug. 29, at 7 p.m.

And, there is no shortage of high school sports action all over the Wyoming and Kentwood area, so check out something live if you can.

Where and when to see featured games

Featured games are broadcast the night of the contest and then at least once later in the week.

WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; Channel 26 is the Government Channel, where local government meetings and events are shown. On AT&T cable throughout the Grand Rapids area, viewers go to Channel 99, and then are given the choice to watch Wyoming (or Kentwood) Community (Channel 25) or Government (Channel 26) channels.

For complete schedules of programs on WKTV channels, see our Weekly On-air Schedule.

All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvlive.org .

 
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.

 
Following is this weeks’s schedule:

Saturday, Aug. 24
Girls Volleyball
Tri-Unity Christian vs TBA – WMVOA Invitational @ MSA Fieldhouse
Godwin Heights vs TBA – Officials for Kids Tourney @ MSA Fieldhouse
Potter’s House vs TBA – Official for Kids Tourney @ MSA Fieldhouse
Zion Christian vs TBA – WMVOA Invitational @ MSA Fieldhouse
South Christian @ Grand Haven
Boys Tennis
South Christian @ East Kentwood – EK Invite
TBA @ Wyoming – David Bentley Tournament
Boys / Girls Cross Country
South Christian @ East Kentwood
Wyoming Lee @ Muskegon Catholic Central
Boys Soccer
TBA @ Zion Christian – Zion Soccer Invite
Boys Water Polo
East Kentwood @ Ann Arbor Pioneer – Pioneer Invite
Girls Volleyball
East Kentwood @ Grand Haven – Lakeshore Classic

Monday, Aug. 26
Boys Soccer
Tri-Unity Christian @ NorthPointe Christian
South Christian @ Grand Rapids Christian
Wyoming @ FH Eastern
Hudsonville @ East Kentwood
Girls Golf
South Christian @ Muskegon Mona Shores
Boys Tennis
Holland Christian @ South Christian
Girls Volleyball
Wyoming Lee @ Algoma Christian

Tuesday, Aug. 27
Boys / Girls Cross Country
South Christian @ St. Joseph
Girls Swimming
South Christian @ Grand Rapids Christian
Central @ East Kentwood
Boys Soccer
NorthPointe Christian @ Godwin Heights
Hopkins @ Wyoming Lee
Ottawa Hills @ Wyoming
Zion Christian @ Saugatuck
Boys Tennis
Wyoming @ Zeeland East
TBA @ East Kentwood – EK Quad
Girls Volleyball
Ottawa Hills @ Wyoming
Zion Christian @ Martin – Quad
TBA @ East Kentwood – EK Early Bird Tournament

Wednesday, Aug. 28
Girls Golf
South Christian @ Kent Country Club – OK Jamboree
Boys Tennis
Unity Christian @ South Christian
Girls Volleyball
Caledonia @ South Christian – Sailor Invite
Boys Soccer
East Grand Rapids @ South Christian
Wyoming @ Wayland
Rockford @ East Kentwood
Boys / Girls Cross Country
Godwin Heights @ Saranac
Wyoming Lee @ Saranac
Wyoming @ Wayland

Thursday, Aug. 29
Girls Swimming
South Christian @ East Kentwood
Boys Football
Greenville vs South Christian @ Byron Center
Godwin Heights @ Hamilton
Grandville Calvin Christian @ Wyoming Lee
Holland @ Wyoming
Boys Soccer
Wyoming Lee @ Godwin Heights – WKTV Featured Event
Potter’s House vs West Michigan Heat – @ Hudsonville Christian
Zion Christian @ Kalamazoo Christian
Plainwell @ East Kentwood
Girls Volleyball
TBA @ East Kentwood – Lady Falcon Invite
Boys / Girls Cross Country
East Kentwood @ Milford – Invite

Friday, Aug. 30
Boys Football
Tri-unity Christian @ Climax-Scotts
East Kentwood @ Muskegon Mona Shores

August high school sports schedule includes WKTV featured football game

3-bottom, Area Education, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, Recreation, Sports, WKTV Featured sports
East Kentwood takes the field. (File photo)

By Mike Moll, WKTV Volunteer Sports Director
sports@wktv.org

Here comes the start of another academic school year opening this month, which also means the local high school sports schedules are doing the same.

Beginning on Aug. 16, fall seasons for girls golf and volleyball, along with boys and girls cross country, and boys soccer, tennis, swimming, water polo and — of course — football all get under way throughout the last two weeks of the month leading to Labor Day weekend.

WKTV will once again be featuring a weekly football game starting with the Thursday, Aug. 29, matchup between White Cloud and Wyoming Lee.

There are some changes not only to Wyoming Lee this year, but to the O-K Silver conference, where the former nicknamed Rebels and now called Legends have played.

For a variety of reasons, Lee, along with NorthPointe Christian and Calvin Christian have all made the change to play independently this season.

As a result, the four remaining Silver teams — Godwin Heights, Kelloggsville, Belding and Hopkins — will each play a home and home conference schedule to determine the league champion.

Want to be a television sports announcer?

If anyone has ever thought about trying to announce a sporting event, WKTV has a great chance for you to do exactly that! The tentative schedule for May follows and we are always looking for additional announcers, especially for the spring games. If you would like to try it or have any questions, please email Mike at sportswktv@gmail.com.

Where and when to see featured games

Featured games are broadcast the night of the contest and then at least once later in the week.

WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; Channel 26 is the Government Channel, where local government meetings and events are shown. On AT&T cable throughout the Grand Rapids area, viewers go to Channel 99, and then are given the choice to watch Wyoming (or Kentwood) Community (Channel 25) or Government (Channel 26) channels.


For complete schedules of programs on WKTV channels, see our Weekly On-air Schedule.


All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvondemand.com.

 
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.

 
Following is this month’s schedule, starting Friday, Aug. 16:

Friday, Aug. 16
Boys Soccer
Wyoming @ Wyoming Lee
East Kentwood @ FH Central
Girls Golf
East Kentwood vs Jenison – Jenison Invite @ The Meadows
Boys Tennis
East Kentwood @ Ludington – Ludington Invite

Saturday, Aug. 17
Boys Soccer
Whitehall @ South Christian – Mark Hasper Invite
TBA @ Wyoming Lee – Copa Leyendas

Monday, Aug. 19
Girls Golf
South Christian @ Traverse City Invite – Spruce Run
Boys Soccer
Holland Christian @ South Christian
Holland @ East Kentwood
Boys Tennis
Wyoming @ Holland

Tuesday, Aug. 20
Girls Golf
South Christian @ Traverse City Invite – Wolverine
Boys Soccer
Godwin Heights @ Kelloggsville
Wyoming Lee @ Calvin Christian
Union @ Wyoming
Boys / Girls Cross Country
Godwin Heights @ Kent City

Wednesday, Aug. 21
Boys Tennis
TBA @ South Christian – Sailor Quad
TBA @ Wyoming – Quad
Boys Soccer
Caledonia @ South Christian
Wyoming @ Zeeland West
Portage Northern @ East Kentwood
Boys / Girls Cross Country
Wyoming Lee @ Hesperia – Baker Woods Invitational
Potter’s House @ Holland Calvary

Thursday, Aug. 22
Boys Tennis
TBA @ South Christian – Sailor Quad
Wyoming @ Lowell
Boys Soccer
Belding @ Godwin Heights
Potter’s House @ Wyoming Lee
Ravenna @ Zion Christian

Friday, Aug. 23
Boys Soccer
Tri-Unity Christian @ Barry County Christian
Potter’s House @ Wyoming
East Kentwood @ West Ottawa
Girls Golf
South Christian vs Middleville T-K – TK Invite @ Yankee Springs
Girls Volleyball
Wyoming Lee @ WMAES
Wyoming vs TBA – WMVOA Meet @ MSA Fieldhouse
Boys Water Polo
East Kentwood @ Ann Arbor Pioneer – Pioneer Invite

Saturday, Aug. 24
Girls Volleyball
Tri-Unity Christian vs TBA – WMVOA Invitational @ MSA Fieldhouse
Godwin Heights vs TBA – Officials for Kids Tourney @ MSA Fieldhouse
Potter’s House vs TBA – Official for Kids Tourney @ MSA Fieldhouse
Zion Christian vs TBA – WMVOA Invitational @ MSA Fieldhouse
South Christian @ Grand Haven
Boys Tennis
South Christian @ East Kentwood – EK Invite
TBA @ Wyoming – David Bentley Tournament
Boys / Girls Cross Country
South Christian @ East Kentwood
Wyoming Lee @ Muskegon Catholic Central
Boys Soccer
TBA @ Zion Christian – Zion Soccer Invite
Boys Water Polo
East Kentwood @ Ann Arbor Pioneer – Pioneer Invite
Girls Volleyball
East Kentwood @ Grand Haven – Lakeshore Classic

Monday, Aug. 26
Boys Soccer
Tri-Unity Christian @ NorthPointe Christian
South Christian @ Grand Rapids Christian
Wyoming @ FH Eastern
Hudsonville @ East Kentwood
Girls Golf
South Christian @ Muskegon Mona Shores
Boys Tennis
Holland Christian @ South Christian
Girls Volleyball
Wyoming Lee @ Algoma Christian

Tuesday, Aug. 27
Boys / Girls Cross Country
South Christian @ St. Joseph
Girls Swimming
South Christian @ Grand Rapids Christian
Central @ East Kentwood
Boys Soccer
NorthPointe Christian @ Godwin Heights
Hopkins @ Wyoming Lee
Ottawa Hills @ Wyoming
Zion Christian @ Saugatuck
Boys Tennis
Wyoming @ Zeeland East
TBA @ East Kentwood – EK Quad
Girls Volleyball
Ottawa Hills @ Wyoming
Zion Christian @ Martin – Quad
TBA @ East Kentwood – EK Early Bird Tournament

Wednesday, Aug. 28
Girls Golf
South Christian @ Kent Country Club – OK Jamboree
Boys Tennis
Unity Christian @ South Christian
Girls Volleyball
Caledonia @ South Christian – Sailor Invite
Boys Soccer
East Grand Rapids @ South Christian
Wyoming @ Wayland
Rockford @ East Kentwood
Boys / Girls Cross Country
Godwin Heights @ Saranac
Wyoming Lee @ Saranac
Wyoming @ Wayland

Thursday, Aug. 29
Girls Swimming
South Christian @ East Kentwood
Boys Football
Greenville vs South Christian – @ Byron Center
Godwin Heights @ Hamilton
White Cloud @ Wyoming Lee – WKTV Featured Event
Holland @ Wyoming
Boys Soccer
Wyoming Lee @ Godwin Heights
Potter’s House vs West Michigan Heat – @ Hudsonville Christian
Zion Christian @ Kalamazoo Christian
Plainwell @ East Kentwood
Girls Volleyball
TBA @ East Kentwood – Lady Falcon Invite
Boys / Girls Cross Country
East Kentwood @ Milford – Invite

Friday, Aug. 30
Boys Football
Tri-unity Christian @ Climax-Scotts
East Kentwood @ Muskegon Mona Shores

Wyoming Lee football seeks better days with independent schedule in 2019

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, Education, Sports, WKTV Featured sports, , ,
Wyoming Lee’s football team will be playing an independent schedule for the next two seasons. (2018 photo/WKTV)

By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org

Wyoming’s Lee High School has historic rivalries in the OK Conference Silver, especially with local Godwin Heights and Kelloggsville high schools. But, in football, it has also had a history of struggling mightily against its conference rivals.

Ultimately, though, it was “doing what is best for the kids” that drove the Rebels — soon to be Legends — to take at least a two-year hiatus from conference play and play an independent schedule this season starting with a home game against White Cloud Thursday, Aug. 29.

While Lee athletic director Jason Faasse said he and others are excited about the possible impact of two years playing an independent schedule, head coach Tom DeGennaro also hopes for a little excitement but wonders if, after decades, Lee football and the OK Conference should part ways for good.

“We’re excited about it,” Faasse said to WKTV. “Our coaching staff is excited about it. Our kids are excited about it. I think it is going to help build our program. It is going to get more kids out. … We are excited to see what this is going to bring.”

The decision to go independent was actually made last season, in the midst of a 1-8 season, and a streak of winning only five games against 22 losses in three years.

“We put together a proposal to do that back in October of last fall, the decision really came because of the state our program has been in the past several years,” Faasse, said. “Just the amount of players we have coming out seems to ebb and flow but we have seen a decrease (and) a lot of that is based on success.”

Faasse said there was some talk about making the jump to independent schedule in 2017, “but we thought we’d be rushing it.”

“We went out to our (varsity) coaches, our other coaches in the program, our parents, our (school governing) board,” Faasse said. “And we just asked for their input on if you think this is a good idea. We got overwhelming support of it.”

Also, there was no serious consideration of playing 8-man football. “We are above the (student count) threshold … we could play, however we would not qualify for the playoffs because of student count,” Faasse said.

Faasse said they would look at resuming conference play again in two years.

DeGennaro, however, says “what is best for our kids” may be no longer playing football in the OK Conference.

Lee head coach Tom DeGennaro. (WKTV)

“We’ve struggled, and it hasn’t just been a short term thing,” DeGennaro said to WKTV, who, like all coaches, had the stats to back up his actions.

The team has had a 61-year history with the OK Conference, it was one of the founding members, he said. And during those 61 years, the team has had 4 winning seasons. The last time they won the conference championship was 1965. They have had 357 total games in conference and 284 losses.

Lee has football players, many of them hitting the weight room this summer. But maybe not enough to compete at there OK Conference level. (WKTV)

“We preach we should do what is best for our kids … last year we had the score run up on us, a team putting their first string back in so they could break 60 points on us. We were not physically able to stay in a game with anybody,” DeGennaro said.

The decision on what will happen in the future is yet to be decided, Faasse said.

“After two seasons of playing an independent schedule, we (will) conduct a review of the status of the program to determine if rejoining the OK Conference schedule is in the best interest of our students,” Faasse said in a previous memorandum to the district governing board detailing the plan to play an independent schedule.

“The goal of this decision is first and foremost putting our athletes in a safe situation,” Faasse also said in the memorandum. “… Under the direction of our coaching staff, this move will help jump-start the development of the program and provide for a culture of success at Lee High School.”

Lee also has history of success when it has gone with an independent schedule — something both coach and athletic director can attest to.

“We pulled out when I was the coach here for my first tenure, we pulled out in ’05 and ‘’06, and we won 13 games (over those two years) and we lost six,” DeGennaro said. “We made the playoffs when we played schools we could compete with.”

Faasse was, coincidentally, a player at Lee when they went independent in 2005.

“Hopefully this gives out kids something to be excited about,” DeGennaro said. “I think they are excited to play teams that they are more on an even par with.”

Lee’s complete football schedule is available at leelegends.org .

Where and when to see Lee football on WKTV

Lee’s Aug. 29 game and all WKTV Featured Games are broadcast the night of the contest and then at least once later in the week.

WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; Channel 26 is the Government Channel, where local government meetings and events are shown. On AT&T cable throughout the Grand Rapids area, viewers go to Channel 99, and then are given the choice to watch Wyoming (or Kentwood) Community (Channel 25) or Government (Channel 26) channels.

For complete schedules of programs on WKTV channels, see our Weekly On-air Schedule.

All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvondemand.com.

 
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.

High school sports schedule includes WKTV featured games with Wyoming, Kelloggsville

3-bottom, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, Recreation, Sports, WKTV Featured sports
WKTV offers on-demand viewing of the Wyoming and Kentwood high school sports, community events, and government meetings. (WKTV)

By WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org

WKTV’s spring baseball and softball schedule is nearing its end but this week as our coverage crew will be on the road twice this week, with baseball games featuring Wyoming high and Kelloggsville.

But there is high school sports action all over the Wyoming and Kentwood area, so check out something live if you can.

The tentative schedule of WKTV featured game’s remaining this month are as follows:

Wednesday, May 22, boys baseball, South Christian at Wyoming, at Lamar Park
Friday, May 24, boys baseball, Zion Christian at Kelloggsville, at Kellogg Woods Park

Want to be a television sports announcer?

If anyone has ever thought about trying to announce a sporting event, WKTV has a great chance for you to do exactly that! The tentative schedule for May follows and we are always looking for additional announcers, especially for the spring games. If you would like to try it or have any questions, please email Mike at sportswktv@gmail.com.

 
Featured games are broadcast the night of the contest and then at least once later in the week.

WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; Channel 26 is the Government Channel, where local government meetings and events are shown. On AT&T cable throughout the Grand Rapids area, viewers go to Channel 99, and then are given the choice to watch Wyoming (or Kentwood) Community (Channel 25) or Government (Channel 26) channels.

For complete schedules of programs on WKTV channels, see our Weekly On-air Schedule.


All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvondemand.com.


For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.

 
Following is this week’s schedule:

Monday, May 20
Boys Golf
South Christian @ Middleville T-K
Fruitport Calvary Christian @ Tri-Unity Christian – Maple Hill
Wyoming @ Christian – Thornapple Pointe
Boys Baseball
Wyoming @ South Christian – DH
East Kentwood @ West Ottawa – DH
Godwin Heights @ NorthPointe Christian
Kelloggsville @ Belding – DH
Calvin Christian @ Wyoming Lee
Girls Softball
Wyoming @ South Christian – DH
East Kentwood @ West Ottawa – DH
Godwin Heights @ NorthPointe Christian – DH
Kelloggsville @ Belding – DH
Calvin Christian @ Wyoming Lee – DH
Girls Soccer
FH Eastern @ South Christian
Hudsonville@ East Kentwood
Godwin Heights @ Hopkins
Kelloggsville @ Wyoming Lee
Tri-Unity Christian @ Covenant Christian
Wyoming @ Middleville T-K
Zion Christian @ Calhoun Christian
West Michigan Aviation @ Heritage Christian

Tuesday, May 21
Boys Golf
East Kentwood – OK Red Post Season Tournament @ Thornapple Pointe
Girls Softball
Belding @ Kelloggsville
Boys Baseball
Zion Christian @ Ottawa Hills – DH
Holland Black River vs West Michigan Aviation – DH @ Zion Christian
Girls Soccer
West Michigan Aviation @ Calvin Christian

Wednesday, May 22
Boys Baseball
 South Christian @ Wyoming – Lamar Park – WKTV Featured Event
West Ottawa @ East Kentwood
NorthPointe Christian @ Godwin Heights
Wyoming Lee @ Calvin Christian
Girls Softball
South Christian @ Covenant Christian – DH
East Kentwood @ Byron Center – DH
NorthPointe Christian @ Godwin Heights
Wyoming Lee @ Calvin Christian
Boys Golf
Tri-Unity Christian @ Wellsprings Prep – The Mines
Girls Soccer
Wyoming – MHSAA Districts @ Hamilton

Thursday May 23, 2019
Girls Soccer
Godwin Heights – MHSAA Districts @ Godwin Heights
Wyoming Lee – MHSAA Districts @ Wellsprings Prep
Boys Baseball
Grand Rapids Crusaders @ Wyoming Lee
Potter’s House @ Holland Black River – DH

Friday, May 24
Boys Baseball
Godwin Heights vs Saugatuck – @ Hope College
Zion Christian @ Kelloggsville – DH
Wyoming @ Zeeland East
West Michigan Aviation @ Belding – DH
Girls Soccer
TBA – @ Godwin Heights – MHSAA Districts
West Michigan Aviation @ Grand River Prep – MHSAA Districts
Girls Softball
Wyoming @ Zeeland East – DH

Saturday, May 25
Boys /Girls Track
MITCA State Meet
Boys Baseball
Wyoming @ West Ottawa – DH

Monday, May 27
Memorial Day

Tuesday, May 28
Boys Baseball
@ East Kentwood – MHSAA Districts
Godwin Heights @ Christian – MHSAA Districts
Kelloggsville @ Holland Christian – MHSAA Districts
Wyoming Lee @ Christian – MHSAA Districts
Zion Christian @ Holton
Girls Softball
@ East Kentwood – MHSAA Districts
Kelloggsville @ Christian – MHSAA Districts
Wyoming Lee @ Christian – MHSAA Districts
Wyoming @ Ottawa Hills – MHSAA Districts
Girls Soccer
Tri-Unity Christian vs Zion Christian – MHSAA Districts @ NorthPointe Christian

Wednesday, May 29
Boys Golf
East Kentwood — MHSAA Regionals
Kelloggsville — MHSAA Regionals @ Diamond Springs
Wyoming – MHSAA Regionals
Girls Soccer
TBA @ South Christian — MHSAA Districts

Thursday, May 30
Girls Soccer
East Kentwood @ TBA — MHSAA Districts
Boys Golf
East Kentwood @ TBA — MHSAA Regionals

Friday, May 31
Girls Tennis
MHSAA State Finals

High school sports schedule includes WKTV featured game at Kelloggsville

Area Education, Kentwood Public Schools, Sports, WKTV Featured sports
WKTV offers on-demand viewing of the Wyoming and Kentwood high school sports, community events, and government meetings. (WKTV)

By WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org

WKTV’s spring baseball and softball schedule continues this week as our coverage crew will be on the road for softball at Kelloggsville.

But there is high school sports action all over the Wyoming and Kentwood area, so check out something live if you can.

The tentative schedule of WKTV featured game’s remaining this month are as follows:

Wednesday, May 15, girls softball, Godwin Heights at Kelloggsville
Wednesday, May 22, boys baseball, South Christian at Wyoming
Friday, May 24, boys baseball, Zion Christian at Kelloggsville

Want to be a television sports announcer?

If anyone has ever thought about trying to announce a sporting event, WKTV has a great chance for you to do exactly that! The tentative schedule for May follows and we are always looking for additional announcers, especially for the spring games. If you would like to try it or have any questions, please email Mike at sportswktv@gmail.com .

 
Featured games are broadcast the night of the contest and then at least once later in the week.

WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; Channel 26 is the Government Channel, where local government meetings and events are shown. On AT&T cable throughout the Grand Rapids area, viewers go to Channel 99, and then are given the choice to watch Wyoming (or Kentwood) Community (Channel 25) or Government (Channel 26) channels.

For complete schedules of programs on WKTV channels, see our Weekly On-air Schedule.

All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvondemand.com.


 
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.

 
Following is this week’s (original) schedule; due to rainouts and other factors, please check the school’s websites for latest changes:

Tuesday, May 14
Girls Softball
South Christian @ FH Eastern – DH
Grandville @ East Kentwood – DH
Wyoming Lee @ East Grand Rapids
Middleville T-K @ Wyoming – DH
Boys Baseball
South Christian @ FH Eastern – DH
Grandville @ East Kentwood – DH — WKTV Featured Game
Middleville T-K @ Wyoming – DH
Potter’s House @ Kalamazoo Heritage Christian
Girls Soccer
FH Central @ South Christian
Kenowa Hills @ East Kentwood
Kelloggsville @ Wyoming
West Michigan Aviation @ Grand River Prep
Boys Lacrosse
East Kentwood @ Jenison
Girls Tennis
Kelloggsville @ Muskegon Catholic Central
Boys Golf
Tri-Unity Christian @ Covenant Christian

Wednesday, May 15
Boys Golf
South Christian @ FH Eastern – Egypt Valley
East Kentwood @ Caledonia – Broadmoor Country Club
Kelloggsville – OK Silver Conference @ The Meadows
Wyoming @ FH Eastern – Egypt Valley
Boys Lacrosse
South Christian @ East Kentwood
Girls Softball
Godwin Heights @ Kelloggsville — WKTV Featured Game
Hopkins @ Wyoming Lee
FH Central @ Wyoming
Boys Baseball
Godwin Heights @ Kelloggsville
Hopkins @ Wyoming Lee
West Michigan Aviation @ Kalamazoo Cougars – DH
Girls Soccer
Godwin Heights @ Calvin Christian
Wyoming Lee @ NorthPointe Christian
Tri-Unity Christian @ Holland Black River
Wyoming @ Christian

Thursday, May 16
Boys Baseball
FH Eastern @ South Christian
East Kentwood @ Grandville
Tri-Unity Christian @ Holland Black River – DH
Wyoming @ Middleville T-K
Zion Christian @ Heritage Christian Academy – DH
Girls Tennis
East Kentwood @ TBA – MHSAA Regionals
Kelloggsville @ TBA – MHSAA Regionals
Wyoming – MHSAA Districts @ FH Northern
Girls Softball
East Kentwood @ Grand Haven
Godwin Heights @ Ottawa Hills
Girls Soccer
East Kentwood @ West Ottawa
Tri-Unity Christian @ Grand River Prep
Boys Golf
Grand River Prep @ Tri-Unity Christian – Maple Hill

Friday, May 17
Boys / Girls Track
South Christian – MHSAA Regionals @ Houseman Field
West Michigan Aviation – MHSAA Regionals @ Houseman Field
East Kentwood – MHSAA Regionals @ Grand Haven
Wyoming – MHSAA Regionals @ Grand Haven
Godwin Heights – MHSAA Regionals @ FH Eastern
Wyoming Lee – MHSAA Regionals @ Saugatuck
Girls Tennis
@ South Christian – MHSAA Regionals
Girls Soccer
South Christian @ Wyoming
East Kentwood @ Kalamazoo Central
Godwin Heights @ Kelloggsville
Girls Water Polo
@ East Kentwood – Regionals
Girls Softball
East Kentwood @ Caledonia
Holland @ Wyoming – DH
Boys Baseball
South Christian @ Wyoming – Lamar Park
Potter’s House @ Kelloggsville – DH
West Michigan Aviation @ Barry County Christian – DH

Saturday, May 18
Boys Baseball
Hamilton @ South Christian – Sailor Invite
East Kentwood @ Lakeview – DH
Wyoming Lee @ Saranac – Saranac Invite
Zion Christian @ North Muskegon
West Michigan Aviation @ Barry County Christian – DH
Girls Water Polo
@ East Kentwood – Regionals
Girls Softball
Christian @ East Kentwood – DH
Wyoming Lee @ Saranac – Saranac Invite

Monday, May 20
Boys Golf
South Christian @ Middleville T-K
Fruitport Calvary Christian @ Tri-Unity Christian – Maple Hill
Wyoming @ Christian – Thornapple Pointe
Boys Baseball
Wyoming @ South Christian – DH
East Kentwood @ West Ottawa – DH
Godwin Heights @ NorthPointe Christian
Kelloggsville @ Belding – DH
Calvin Christian @ Wyoming Lee
Girls Softball
Wyoming @ South Christian – DH
East Kentwood @ West Ottawa – DH
Godwin Heights @ NorthPointe Christian – DH
Kelloggsville @ Belding – DH
Calvin Christian @ Wyoming Lee – DH
Girls Soccer
FH Eastern @ South Christian
Hudsonville@ East Kentwood
Godwin Heights @ Hopkins
Kelloggsville @ Wyoming Lee
Tri-Unity Christian @ Covenant Christian
Wyoming @ Middleville T-K
Zion Christian @ Calhoun Christian
West Michigan Aviation @ Heritage Christian

May high school sports schedule includes WKTV featured games at five schools

Kentwood Public Schools, Sports, Upcoming Events, WKTV Featured sports
WKTV offers on-demand viewing of the Wyoming and Kentwood high school sports, community events, and government meetings. (WKTV)

Mike Moll, WKTV Volunteer Sports Director
sports@wktv.org

May is the last full month of high school sports schedules as the spring seasons along with the academic year are quickly ending.

Many high school graduations will be this month and we wish all students the very best as they take that next step in life, and for the student athletes that we have had the opportunity to cover and watch over the course of your high school careers, thank you.

There are many state tournaments beginning near the end of the month including state championships in girls tennis on the final day.

Take advantage of these last opportunities to watch in person, but then also catch the games that WKTV will be rebroadcasting on cable television as well as on-demand. The tentative schedule of WKTV featured game are as follows:

Wednesday, May 8, boys baseball, Godwin Heights at Wyoming Lee
Thursday, May 9, boys baseball, West Michigan Aviation vs Tri-Unity Christian at Pinery Park #3
Tuesday, May 14, boys baseball, Grandville at East Kentwood
Wednesday, May 15, girls softball, Godwin Heights at Kelloggsville
Wednesday, May 22, boys baseball, South Christian at Wyoming
Friday, May 24, boys baseball, Zion Christian at Kelloggsville

Want to be a television sports announcer?

If anyone has ever thought about trying to announce a sporting event, WKTV has a great chance for you to do exactly that! The tentative schedule for May follows and we are always looking for additional announcers, especially for the spring games. If you would like to try it or have any questions, please email Mike at sportswktv@gmail.com.

 
Featured games are broadcast the night of the contest and then at least once later in the week.

WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; Channel 26 is the Government Channel, where local government meetings and events are shown. On AT&T cable throughout the Grand Rapids area, viewers go to Channel 99, and then are given the choice to watch Wyoming (or Kentwood) Community (Channel 25) or Government (Channel 26) channels.

For complete schedules of programs on WKTV channels, see our Weekly On-air Schedule.

All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvondemand.com.

 
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.

 
Following is this week’s schedule:

Thursday, May 2
Boys / Girls Track
South Christian vs FH Eastern @ West Catholic
Girls Tennis
South Christian @ Holland Christian
West Catholic @ Kelloggsville
Sparta @ Wyoming
Girls Softball
South Christian @ Zeeland East – DH
East Kentwood @ Grandville
East Grand Rapids @ Godwin Heights – DH
Wyoming @ Kelloggsville
Union @ Wyoming Lee – DH
Boys Baseball
South Christian @ Middleville T-K
Hudsonville @ East Kentwood
Tri-Unity Christian @ Barry County Christian
West Michigan Aviation @ Covenant Christian – DH
Boys Lacrosse
Kenowa Hills @ South Christian
East Kentwood @ Northview
Boys Golf
East Kentwood @ FH Central – Ranger Invite – The Meadows
Wyoming @ Kenowa Hills – Graewil
Girls Soccer
East Kentwood @ Grandville
Tri-Unity Christian @ Wellsprings Prep
West Michigan Aviation @ Holland Black River

Friday, May 3
Boys / Girls Track
East Kentwood @ Traverse City – Ken Bell Meet
Godwin Heights @ Kalamazoo Central
Girls Water Polo
East Kentwood @ Rockford
Girls Softball
West Ottawa @ East Kentwood
Boys Lacrosse
Comstock Park @ East Kentwood
Girls Tennis
Kelloggsville @ Cedar Springs
Girls Soccer
Belding @ Wyoming Lee
Wayland @ Wyoming
West Michigan Aviation @ Fruitport Calvary

Saturday, May 4
Boys / Girls Track
South Christian @ East Grand Rapids – EGR Classic
Wyoming @ East Grand Rapids – EGR Classic
Kelloggsville @ Hopkins – Vikings Invitational
Wyoming Lee @ Hopkins – Vikings Invitational
West Michigan Aviation @ Hopkins – Vikings Invitational
Girls Water Polo
East Kentwood @ Rockford
Girls Softball
East Kentwood @ Northview – Northview Invite
Kelloggsville @ East Grand Rapids
Girls Tennis
East Kentwood @ Jenison
Boys Baseball
Kelloggsvillle @ Wayland
Grand Rapids Crusaders @ Wyoming Lee – DH
Wyoming @ Union – DH
Heritage Christian Academy @ Zion Christian
Girls Soccer
Kelloggsville @ Comstock Park – Kristen Stowie Memorial Invite
Tri-Unity Christian @ Comstock Park – Kristen Sowie Memorial Invite
Zion Christian @ Barry County Christian
Boys Golf
Tri-Unity Christian – Christian Schools Invitational @ Chase Hammond Country Club

Monday, May 6
Boys Golf
South Christian @ East Grand Rapids – Kent Country Club
East Kentwood @ Hudsonville
Kelloggsville @ Wellsprings Prep – The Mines
Wyoming @ East Grand Rapids – Kent Country Club
Girls Softball
Unity Christian @ South Christian – DH
Wyoming Lee @ Godwin Heights – DH
Hopkins @ Kelloggsville – DH
Wyoming @ Covenant Christian – DH
Boys Baseball
Unity Christian @ South Christian – DH
Wyoming Lee @ Godwin Heights
Hopkins @ Kelloggsville
Grattan Academic @ Zion Christian – DH
Boys Lacrosse
South Christian @ Jenison
Girls Soccer
South Christian @ Grand Rapids Christian
Grand Haven @ East Kentwood
Kelloggsville @ Godwin Heights
Wyoming Lee @ Calvin Christian
Wyoming @ FH Eastern
Zion Christian @ Wellsprings Prep
Boys / Girls Track
Rockford @ East Kentwood
Girls Tennis
West Ottawa @ East Kentwood
Kelloggsville @ Catholic Central
Middleville T-K @ Wyoming

WKTV sports coverage team begins extensive Golden Gloves coverage this weekend

Sports, WKTV Featured sports
WKTV will begin broadcast coverage of Michigan Golden Gloves this weekend. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

By WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org

The Wyoming and Kentwood area still has basketball teams playing in the state tournament this week, but due to MHSAA rules our Featured Game Coverage team’s high school sports winter season has ended. (Check WKTVjournal.org/sports for online/print updates, however.)

But our coverage truck and crew will not be idle — It’s Golden Gloves Boxing time!

WKTV has been covering the Golden Gloves Boxing Tournament for more than 25 years. Again this year, we will be at the Grand Rapids DeltaPlex Saturday, March 16, for the West Michigan Preliminaries, with replays of the bouts on our cable channels on Sunday, March 17, at noon, and Wednesday, March 20, at 5 p.m. We will continue coverage through the State Finals in April.

The Deltaplex Arena is located at 2500 Turner Ave NW, Grand Rapids.

The tentative coverage days/times and replay plan includes:

West Michigan Preliminaries, Saturday, March 16; airing Sunday, March 17, at noon, and Wednesday, March 20, at 5 p.m.

West Michigan Semi-Finals, Thursday, March 21; airing Saturday, March 23, at 11 a.m., and Wednesday, March 27, at 5 p.m.

West Michigan Finals, Saturday, March 30; airing Sunday, March 31, at noon, and Wednesday, April 3, at 5 p.m.

 
State Semi-Finals, Friday, April 12; airing Saturday, April 13 at 11 a.m., and Wednesday, April 17, at 5 p.m.
 
State Finals, Saturday, April 13; airing Sunday, April 14, at noon, and Wednesday, April 24, at 5 p.m.

Catch all the action on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T U-verse 99 with a tape delayed airing of each evening’s bouts on the following day. For future broadcast schedule, check out our on-air schedule.

All bouts will also be available on-demand at WKTVondemand.com , but not immediately after the event.