Category Archives: WKTV Featured sports

East Kentwood boys basketball’s post-season run ends in state’s Division 1 Final 8

City of Kentwood, Kentwood Public Schools, Sports, WKTV Featured sports
East Kentwood High School’s 2018-19 team. (Supplied/East Kentwood Falcons)

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

The East Kentwood Falcons and record-setting coach Jeff Anama’s basketball season came to an end Tuesday night at Caledonia High School, losing to Okemos, 50-45. And while their march toward MSU and the state championship game Saturday may have hit a road block, this team accomplished something that hadn’t been done by a boys basketball team from East Kentwood since 1998 — advancing to the quarterfinals.

The Falcons’ tournament run didn’t come easy as they survived three district games by a total of 11 points to advance to regionals.

The difference between winning and losing was just as small in the regional round when the Falcons won two games by a total of seven points. Three of their post season wins were against teams the Falcons had lost to on four occasions during the regular season.

“The guys never lost faith in each other and were better prepared for the rematch,” coach Anama said to WKTV. “When a team wins a couple of tough games, things can start rolling.”

Anama passed former East Kentwood coach Mickey Phelps in all-time coaching wins at the school with the regional championship win, which was his 220th.

Their final game of the season was a continuation of tight games as the largest lead by either team was seven points.

Okemos led 20-13 early in the second quarter, but East Kentwood came back with 14 straight to take a 27-20 lead early in the third quarter. Okemos, though, came back with 14 straight points of their own at the end of that quarter and to start the fourth to take a 44-37 lead.

The first quarter had both teams trading baskets as neither team had more than a two-point lead until just before the buzzer when Okemos leading scorer Evan Thomas hit a 3-pointer and was fouled by East Kentwood’s Josh Mayhue. After he converted the 4-point play, Okemos led 17-13 to close the quarter. Evans led all scorers with 10 points.

The second quarter was a very quiet stanza where the Falcons were able to take the lead at the half 22-20. Thomas had the only Okemos’ points as he connected on a 3-pointer in the first 20 seconds, but soon after picked up his second personal foul and had to sit for over half of the quarter. The Falcons were able to take advantage as they went on their run which included triples from Christopher Brown and Ryel Daye. Daye led the way with 10 points at the break.


It seemed like the Falcons were ready to take control early in the second half after five consecutive points from Daye, but the Chiefs were quick to respond with a pair of buckets, and a made foul shot in between, all by Grant Holtzer, and another triple by Evans. But East Kentwood held a 37-34 lead heading into the decisive fourth quarter.

However, the Falcons then hurt their cause by committing six of their unofficial 12 turnovers in that final quarter alone.

“The difference tonight was they won the fourth quarter as we didn’t finish strong, and they made free throws,” Anama said.

The Falcons totaled eight points in the fourth, but gave up 16 to close out the game and their season. Okemos guard Fabian Leone came alive with eight points, including a pair of 3-pointers, and Evans hit four key free throws late to put the final score out of reach.

The Falcons finish 16-10 on the season and were led by senior Daye with 19, junior Ja’moni Jones with nine, senior Brown with seven, and junior Jordan Jackson with six.

Okemos, now with a 23-2 record, was led by Evans with a game high 22 points, Leone with 10, and Holtzer with nine. The Chiefs will now face 24-2 Detroit U-D Jesuit in the Division 1 semifinals at MSU Friday, March 15.

South Christian boys basketball looks to go to Breslin Center and beyond

Sports, WKTV Featured sports
The South Christian High School boys basketball team celebrate one of their early tournament game wins. (WKTV/Drew Dargavell)

By Drew Dargavell, WKTV Sports Intern
ken@wktv.org

South Christian’s boys basketball team seems to be unstoppable right now as they are winners of 19 straight games, champions of a district and now regional tournament, and one game away from a trip to Michigan State University’s Breslin Center for a state Final Four game.

South Christian (now 22-3) will play in the MHSAA state Division 2 quarterfinals, a neutral-site game to be played at Calvin College Tuesday, March 12, at 7 p.m., against Hudsonville Unity Christian (22-3, and winner of the OK Conference-Green). The winner will move on to the Breslin Center at Michigan State University for the state semifinals on Friday, March 15, at 5:30 p.m., and, possibly, the finals on Saturday, March 16 at 6:45 p.m.

South Christian’s last loss came on Jan. 4 against rival school Grand Rapids Christian, a team against which the Eagles ultimately avenged that loss, beating them 56-50 on the road on Feb. 1.

Two of the Sailors biggest wins of the year, however, both came against Grand Rapids Catholic Central, who went undefeated in the OK-Conference Blue and had only two losses in the regular season — one of which came against South Christian on Jan. 19 by a score of 54-42.

But in their second meeting, in last week’s regional final, everything was on the line, as South Christian looked to avenge their loss to Catholic Central in last year’s regional final. (Catholic Central went on to finish as state runner-ups a year ago.) In the rematch, the Sailors defeated the Cougars, 64-62.

After the game, South Christian head coach Jeff Meengs told WKTV that the game wasn’t about getting revenge on Catholic Central, however, but rather “the team just loves the thrill of advancing and keeping their state championship hopes alive.”

Catholic Central came into the game on a 12-game win-streak of their own, coming off of a blowout win in the regional semifinals against a then 15-7 Muskegon Orchard View by a score of 75-43 after taking out Grand Rapids Christian (16-5) and Ada Forrest Hills Eastern (12-10) in district play.

South Christian was also coming into the game off of a blowout regional semifinal win, defeating Coopersville by a final of 62-35, giving them their 18th consecutive win. Senior Luke Schrotenboer had a huge game, scoring 30 points while knocking down 4 3-pointers and shooting 12-of-16 overall from the field.

This regional final rematch was a very close one throughout, with a halftime score of 28-27 in favor of Catholic Central. The second half was very back-and-forth with the game eventually getting tied up at 62-62 with 11 seconds remaining.

Then, with the ball, South Christian senior Connor Kok drove the ball up the court and knocked down a mid-range jumper from the wing to give South Christian a 64-62 lead and force Catholic Central to heave up a last-second half-court shot that missed the mark and gave South Christian a payback win to move on to the state quarterfinals.

Kok was not only the hero at the end of the game, but led the way in scoring, putting up 20 points on 7-of-9 shooting, including 3-of-5 on 3-point attempts. Kok also contributed five assists, five rebounds, and two steals. Senior Peyton Vis, who led the way in district play, put up 16 points and added three steals.

The team stats in the game were very comparable, but one key difference that stood out was the offensive rebounds in which South Christian had a 12-4 advantage over Catholic Central.

“Limiting them (Catholic Central) to four offensive rebounds was definitely key,” coach Meengs said. “And we only had eleven turnovers against an impressive defense, so I think those were two big factors in the game.”

This was not the first time South Christian has won it on a last second shot in the tournament as Tyler Buwalda hit a game-winning three against Godwin Heights in the district semifinal game.

“Our players are not afraid of the moment,” coach Meengs said on his team’s ‘clutch factor’. “They are confident under pressure and enjoy the big moments.”

The Sailors were looking for more than just revenge on last year’s regional final, as they now march on to the state quarterfinals with hopes of going the distance.

But first South Christian has to take care of business in the state quarterfinal matchup against a strong Hudsonville Unity Christian team, in which the Sailors are very familiar with. Unity Christian will enter the contest with a 23-2 record. Their last loss, however, came at the hands of South Christian.

“They were a little rusty earlier in the year coming off of the football season” Meengs said in a joking tone of their win against Unity Christian early in the season.

Like South Christian, Unity Christian is coincidentally on a 19-game win-streak as well, and are winners of the Ok-Conference Green, going 12-0 in conference play. Unity Christian comes into the state quarterfinals off of a tough regional final matchup against the defending Division 2 state champions, Benton Harbor, who had only lost one game all season. Unity Christian came away with a 63-54 win.

Coach Meengs told WKTV that this is a very interesting matchup because they know this Unity Christian team very well and vise versa. He said that not only did they play them earlier in the season but that these teams play each other in the offseason as well.

“All we can really do is go out there and play our game,” he said.

South Christian and Unity Christian will meet again on March 12 at 7PM at Calvin College. The winner will go on to play the winner of Ludington (13-10) and Alma (19-3) at the Breslin Center in the state semifinals.

For more updates on both girls and boys basketball playoffs, visit wktvjournal.org/sports.

Godwin Heights girls basketball ‘family’ finishes season in District finals

Education, Sports, WKTV Featured sports
Godwin Heights head coach Cassie Medina., center, talks to her team during a time-out in the Wolverines District final game. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org

After two impressive wins in the MHSAA girls basketball Division 2 District 44 tournament at Grand Rapids Christian High School and a spot in the district finals Friday, March 8, Godwin Heights’ season ended against a very good South Christian squad.

Despite being offensively overwhelmed by the Sailors in a lopsided first half, which ended with a 44-7 South Christian lead, the Wolverines’ “family” stayed together, stayed aggressive on defense, and made respectable the final score of 55-19.

“I just wanted us to bring it back … to respectability,” Godwin Heights coach Cassie Medina said to WKTV about how her team handled the second half of the game. “With a score like this it is easy to fall apart. The family thing is: ‘Stay together. Talk together. Be family’.”

Against South Christian, senior guard Raviear Koppenhofer led the Wolverines in scoring with nine points, all in the second half. And Koppenhoffer was also an offensive force in Godwin Heights two district early-round wins, a 51-17 victory over West Michigan Aviation, and a 56-40 semifinal win over Kelloggsville in which she scored 28 points.

Koppenhofer was joined by Destiny Craig and Josefa Shields as the only seniors on the squad.

The seniors “have definitely brought a lot to our team,” Medina said, and Koppenhofer “has been one of our bigger scorers (all season). She makes this team go.”

Medina also sees progress in her team, despite finishing at 11-11 after last year’s similar 11-10 season.

“Every year I want to progress, not go backwards,” she said. “Next year … I just want us to progress.”

One reason for her optimism is that the Wolverines fielded a team in the district tournament with only two juniors (Jordan Ballard and Chanelle Hatchett) but six sophomores.

“This is a young team,” she said. “I am definitely looking forward to this summer and next year.”

The sophomores on the team include Lanaja Polk-Craig, who scored seven points against South Christian; Lashay Lee and Hannah Barns, who scored eight points each in the win over Kelloggsville; as well as Diamond Johnson, Anika Clark and Jakaya Lay.

Girls basketball Districts begin Monday with local teams on the road

City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, Sports, WKTV Featured sports
WKTV’s coverage of girls high school basketball continues this month with District tournament play. (WKTV)

By WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org

Wyoming and Kentwood area girls basketball teams will be in district play this week, but you will need to travel a little to catch any of the action live as the nearest district tournament site is at Grand Rapids Christian, where Kentwood Grand River Prep, West Michigan Aviation, Godwin Heights, Kelloggsville and South Christian will all be in action.

And at GR Christian is where WKTV’s featured high school sports coverage team will be this week, starting Wednesday, March 6, and continuing coverage of the tournament on Friday, March 8. Additionally, WKTV will file WKTV Journal online-print reports on the results of all the games involving local teams as the week goes on.

At Christian, action begins Monday, March 4, in the Division 2 District 44 tournament, where West Michigan Aviation (9-11) and Godwin Heights (7-10) play at 5:30 p.m., and Grand River Prep (9-8) vs. GR Christian (10-10) @ 7 p.m.

The tournament will continue on Wednesday, March 6, with the W. Mich. Aviation/Godwin Heights winner vs. Kelloggsville (12-8) at 5:30 p.m., and the Grand River Prep/Christian winner vs. South Christian (11-9) at 7 p.m. The winners will then play Friday, March 8, at 8 p.m. for a spot in the Regional 11 tournament at Coopersville.

Division 1 District 11 at East Grand Rapids

At the Division 1 District 11 tournament at East Grand Rapids, the Monday games will have East Kentwood (15-4) vs. Grandville (4×16) at 6 p.m., and East Grand Rapids (18-2) vs. GR Ottawa Hills (15-5) at 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, March 6, games at East Grand Rapids will have the East Kentwood/Grandville winner vs. Wyoming (8-12) at 6 p.m., and the East Grand Rapids/Ottawa Hills winner vs. Byron Center (15-5) at 7:30 p.m. The winners will play Friday, March 8, at 7 p.m., for a spot in the Regional 3 tournament at Grand Haven.

Division 3 District 74 at Saugatuck

At the Division 3 District 74 tournament at Saugatuck, the Monday games will be Fennville (8-12) vs. Wyoming Potter’s House (13) at 6 p.m., and Grandville Calvin Christian (6-11) vs. Holland Black River (8-11) at 7 p.m.

Wednesday games at Saugatuck will have the Fennville/Potter’s House winner vs. Covenant Christian (4-15) at 5:30 p.m., and the Calvin Christian/Holland Black River winner vs. Saugatuck (9-11) at 7 p.m. The winners will play Friday, March 8, at 6 p.m., for a spot in the Regional 19 tournament at Kent City.

Division 4 at Martin and Muskegon Catholic Central

At the Division 4 District 114 tournament at Martin, the Monday game will be Covert (5-12) vs. West Michigan Lutheran (14-6) at 6:30 p.m. On Wednesday, March 6, the games will be Lawrence (4-15) vs. Byron Center Zion Christian (8-11) at 5:30 p.m., and the Covert/West Michigan Lutheran winner vs. Martin (15-3) at 7 p.m.

Also in Division 4, at the District 113 at Muskegon Catholic Central, starting on Wednesday, March 6, the games will have Muskegon Heights Academy (0-16) vs. Fruitport Calvary Christian (15-5) at 5:30 p.m., and Tri-unity Christian (2-17) vs. Muskegon Catholic Central (6-13) at 7:15 p.m.

The winners from the Wednesday District 113 games will play Friday at 7 p.m., at Muskegon Catholic Central, while the winners from the Wednesday District 114 games will play Friday at 6:30 p.m. at Martin. Both district winners will move on to play at the Regional 29 tournament at Mendon.

Featured game coverage

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

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/.

Local boys basketball teams prepare for district tournaments

City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, Sports, WKTV Featured sports
A previous game televised by WKTV at Wyoming High School. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org

Wyoming, South Christian and Tri-unity Christian high schools will each host boys basketball state playoff District opening-round tournaments, starting Monday for some, and each concluding with championship games on Friday, March 1.

South Christian (16-4, 10-2 in OK Gold) will enter district play as a conference champion. In the same district tournament will be Wyoming Godwin Heights (15-5, 12-0 in OK Silver), also a conference champion. They could meet in a district semifinal on Wednesday, Feb. 27, at South Christian.

So, WKTV’s featured high school sports coverage teams will be at South Christian starting Wednesday, Feb. 27, and will continue coverage of the tournament on Friday. Additionally, WKTV will file WKTV Journal online-print reports on the results of all the games involving local teams as the week goes on.

Wyoming Potter’s House (18-1, 8-0 in Alliance League) was also its conference champion, edging out Tri-unity Christian (17-3, 7-1 in Alliance League) by virtue of a 54-53 win on the road at Tri-unity in January.

Division 1 tournament at Wyoming

The Division 1 District 11 tournament at Wyoming will open with games Monday, Feb. 25, with Byron Center (5-15 record on the season) squaring off against East Kentwood (11-9) at 6 p.m. and Ottawa Hills (2-16, before a Feb. 22 game vs. Lowell) vs. Wyoming (8-11) following at 7:30 p.m.

The winners of the Monday games will play Wednesday, Feb. 27, with the winner of the Byron Center/East Kentwood game playing East Grand Rapids (7-13) at 6 p.m., and the Ottawa Hills/Wyoming winner playing Caledonia (4-15) at 7:30 p.m.

The winners of the Wednesday games will play for the district title March 1 at 7 p.m., and then move on to the Regional 3 at Holland West Ottawa.

Division 2 tournament at South Christian

In the Division 1 District 44 tournament, South Christian will play in the opening-round, Monday game, on their home floor, playing Wyoming Kelloggsville (4×16, 3-9 in OK Silver) at 7 p.m.

The tournament continues on Wednesday, Feb. 27, with Grand River Prep (10-4) playing West Michigan Aviation Academy (9-11, 5-4 in Alliance League) at 5:30 p.m., and the Kelloggsville/South Christian winner playing Godwin Heights at 7:30 p.m.

The winners of the Wednesday games will play for the district title March 1 at 7 p.m., and then move on to the Regional 11 at Fremont.

Division 4 tournament at Tri-unity Christian

In the Division 4 District 114 tournament, starting on Wednesday, Feb. 27, Zion Christian (6-13) will play host Tri-unity Christian (17-3, 7-1 in Alliance League) at 7 p.m. In the other game, Holland Calvary (11-6) will play Martin (13-3) at 5:30 p.m.

The winners of the Wednesday games will play for the district title March 1 at 6:30 p.m., and then move on to the Region 29 at Mendon.

Other local teams in District play

In the Division 2 District 43 tournament, this one at Ada Forest Hills Eastern, Wyoming Lee (2-17, 1-11 in OK Silver) will play the winner of a Monday game between Wellspring Prep (5-13) and Forest Hills Eastern (11-9), in a second round game Wednesday, Feb. 27, at 7:30 p.m. In the other Wednesday game in this tournament, Grand Rapids Catholic (17-2) against the winner of a Monday game between Grand Rapids West Catholic (10-8) and Grand Rapids Christian (14-5).

The winners of the Wednesday games at Forest Hills Eastern will play for the district title March 1 at 7 p.m., and then move on to the Regional 11 at Fremont.

Finally, in a Division 3 District 75 tournament at Grandville Calvin Christian, Wyoming Potter’s House will play the winner of a Monday contest between Covenant Christian (7-13) and Fennville (10-10), with the second round game on Wednesday, Feb. 27, at 5:30 p.m. In the other Wednesday game, Calvin Christian (8-10) will play the winner of a Monday game between Holland Black River (3-17) and Saugatuck (3-15).

The winners of the Wednesday games at Calvin Christian will play for the district title March 1 at 7 p.m. and then move on to the Regional 19 at NorthPointe Christian.

Other local sports schedule:

Monday, Feb. 25
Boys Basketball
East Kentwood vs Byron Center @ Wyoming – Division 1 MHSAA Districts
Kelloggsville @ South Christian – Division 2 MHSAA Districts

Tuesday, Feb. 26
Girls Basketball
East Kentwood @ Christian
Tri-Unity Christian @ Godwin Heights
Wyoming @ Union
West Michigan Lutheran @ Potter’s House
Grand River Prep @ Muskegon Catholic Central
FH Northern @ South Christian
Boys Hockey
@ East Kentwood – MHSAA Regionals
Boys Swimming
South Christian @ Holland

Wednesday, Feb. 27
Boys Swimming
@ East Kentwood – Second Shave Meet

Thursday, Feb. 28
Boys Swimming
@ East Kentwood – MHSAA Diving Regionals
Girls Basketball
Kelloggsville @ Tri-Unity Christian
Holton @ Wyoming Lee – Senior Night
Grand River Prep @ Zion Christian
Potter’s House @ Wellsprings Prep
South Christian @ Byron Center

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

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

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/.

WKTV sports features retiring East Kentwood swim coach, who talks memories, gratitude

3-bottom, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, Local Faces, Newscast, Sports, WKTV Featured sports,


By Drew Dargavell, WKTV Sports Intern
ken@wktv.org

After an illustrious career that spanned 38 seasons over 43 years, Jock Ambrose, head swim coach for the East Kentwood Falcons boys swim team, is stepping down from his position.

Ambrose accomplished a lot in his 38 seasons as head swim coach including 17 league titles, three state runner-ups, two state championships, and five Coach of the Year honors.
 

In his 43 years in the East Kentwood community, Ambrose not only served as the boys head swim coach but also as the boys water polo coach from 1977-1992, girls swim coach from 1994-1997, and athletic director from 1997-2001. He also served as Michigan Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association (MISCA) area vice president for seven years, and MISCA water polo chair for five years. He was the founder of the West Michigan Water Polo League, and a founding member of the West Michigan Swim League.

But it wasn’t any of the awards, honors or positions that Ambrose said he will miss most.

“It’s the people around here, in this community that have made it as special as it is and will make it tough for me to walk away,” Ambrose said to WKTV.

Ambrose had a lot of praise for his final team as head coach, currently in its winter swim season, and its group of seniors — “This senior class is a tremendous group of young men, and a great group of leaders.”

The coach went on to give praise to his three senior captains — Nick Cohey, Theo Duong, and Max Henderson — who have stuck with the program all four years.

Ambrose has hopes of finishing his final season in the top half of the team’s state swim division and “to make a nice showing at the state meet. It’s been a few years since we’ve done that and I think this senior class is ready to.”

Ambrose also had a very optimistic outlook on the future of this program once he’s done as head coach. “We’ve got a wonderful freshman class, they’re going to be very, very good, four of them have senior brothers on the team so that’s very exciting.”

This video story and all sports news segments are available on the WKTV YouTube channel . All featured games covered by WKTV’s sports coverage crew, as well as other community events covered, are available on-demand at wktvondemand.com .

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

Local high school sports schedule includes WKTV featured girls basketball games

City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, 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

WKTV Featured Game high school sport coverage this week will include two girls basketball games, a solo game from Wyoming High Tuesday, and part of a boys-girls basketball doubleheader Friday from Godwin Heights.

The Jan. 15 game will feature Grand Rapids Christian at Wyoming. The Jan. 18 game will featured NorthPointe Christian at Godwin Heights.

Show the local schools your support by going in person, but then watch WKTV for the events that are showcased each week. Check out the broadcast schedule at wktvjournal.org for replay dates and times.

The rest of the current tentative January featured game schedule is:

Tuesday, Jan. 22 — Boys/Girls basketball: Potter’s House at Tri-Unity Christian
Friday, Jan. 25 — Boys/Girls basketball: Middleville T-K at Wyoming
Thursday, Jan. 31 — Boys swimming/diving: Rockford at East Kentwood

In addition our featured games — where our sports crew and remote coverage truck will be on hand — we also have a weekly list of all local sporting contests for local fans to get out and enjoy in person.

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

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

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, Jan. 14
Boys/Girls Bowling
South Christian @ Wayland
Kelloggsville @ Belding
Wyoming @ Byron Center
Hopkins @ Wyoming Lee
East Kentwood @ Grand Haven
Girls Gymnastics
Potter’s House @ Lowell

Tuesday, Jan. 15
Boys Basketball
Godwin Heights @ Wyoming Lee
Hopkins @ Kelloggsville
Wyoming @ Christian
Wellsprings Prep @ Tri-Unity Christian
Hudsonville @ East Kentwood
Holland Calvary @ Potter’s House
Wellsprings Prep @ West Michigan Aviation
Creative Tech @ West Michigan Lutheran
Muskegon Catholic Central @ Grand River Prep
Girls Basketball
Kelloggsville @ Hopkins
Christian @ Wyoming – WKTV Featured Event
Fruitport Calvary @ Tri-Unity Christian
East Kentwood @ Hudsonville
Holland Calvary @ Potter’s House
Wellsprings Prep @ West Michigan Aviation
Creative Tech @ West Michigan Lutheran
Holland Black River @ Grand River Prep
Boys/Girls Bowling
Wyoming @ Unity Christian
Calvin Christian @ Potter’s House

Wednesday, Jan. 16
Boys/Girls Bowling
Wyoming Lee @ Godwin Heights
Middleville T-K @ South Christian
Kelloggsville @ Hopkins
Wayland @ Wyoming
Caledonia @ East Kentwood
Boys Wrestling
Godwin Heights @ Hopkins
Wyoming Lee @ Hopkins
Allendale @ Kelloggsville
Christian @ Wyoming
Caledonia @ East Kentwood
Girls Cheer
Godwin Heights @ NorthPointe Christian
Kelloggsville @ NorthPointe Christian
Wyoming Lee @ NorthPointe Christian
Wyoming @ Zeeland East
East Kentwood @ West Ottawa

Thursday, Jan. 17
Boys Swimming
South Christian @ Muskegon Mona Shores
East Kentwood@ Grandville
Boys/Girls Bowling
Potter’s House @ Hopkins

Friday, Jan. 18
Boys/Girls Bowling
Ottawa Hills @ Godwin Heights
Girls Cheer
Godwin Heights @ West Catholic
Boys Basketball
NorthPointe Christian @ Godwin Heights – WKTV Featured Event
South Christian @ Middleville T-K
Kelloggsville @ Belding
Wyoming @ Benton Harbor
Hopkins @ Wyoming Lee
Tri-Unity Christian @ Zion Christian
Rockford @ East Kentwood
Holland Black River @ Potter’s House
West Michigan Lutheran @ Libertas Christian
Girls Basketball
NorthPointe Christian @ Godwin Heights – WKTV Featured Event
South Christian @ Middleville T-K
Kelloggsville @ Belding
Benton Harbor @ Wyoming
Tri-Unity Christian @ Zion Christian
Rockford @ East Kentwood
Holland Black River @ Potter’s House
West Michigan Lutheran @ Libertas Christian
Boys Wrestling
Wyoming Lee @ Pinconning
Boys Hockey
East Grand Rapids @ East Kentwood

Saturday, Jan. 19
Boys Wrestling
Godwin Heights @ Hopkins
Kelloggsville @ Christian
Wyoming @ Jenison
East Kentwood @ Holt
Boys Basketball
Catholic Central @ South Christian
Girls Cheer
Kelloggsville @ Muskegon Reeths-Puffer
East Kentwood @ Rochester
Girls Dance
East Kentwood @ Wayland
Boys Hockey
FH Central @ East Kentwood

Monday, Jan. 21
Boys/Girls Bowling
Godwin Heights @ Calvin Christian
South Christian @ Christian
Kelloggsville @ Wellsprings Prep
Wyoming @ FH Eastern
Grandville @ East Kentwood
Girls Gymnastics
Potter’s House @ Rockford

Local high school sports schedule includes first WKTV featured game at South Christian 

City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Sports, WKTV Featured sports,

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

 

WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

 

The WKTV Featured Game winter broadcast schedule is jelling, and once again boys and girls basketball games of all local Wyoming and Kentwood teams will be showcased. But boys hockey as well as swimming and diving competition will also be on the schedule.

 

Our first featured game will be Tuesday, Dec. 4, when we cover the girls basketball game between Hamilton and host South Christian — in what will be the Sailors’ final game on their old basketball floor before moving to their new home. The week after that, we will be covering the Friday, Dec. 14, boys and girls basketball games between East Kentwood and host Wyoming high. Then on Saturday, Dec. 15, we will change sports and cover boys hockey as Hudsonville travels to East Kentwood.

 

In addition our featured games — where our sports crew and remote coverage truck will be on hand — we also have a weekly list of all local sporting contests for local fans to get out and enjoy in person.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Following is this week’s schedule:

Tuesday, Nov. 27

Boys Basketball

South Christian @ East Kentwood

Wyoming Lee @ Saugatuck

Creative Tech @ West Michigan Aviation

 

Wednesday, Nov. 28

Boys Hockey

Caledonia/Lowell @ East Kentwood

 

Thursday, Nov. 29

No events scheduled

 

Friday, Nov. 30

Boys Basketball

Byron Center @ South Christian

Christian @ Godwin Heights

Kelloggsville @ Unity Christian

Wyoming @ Grandville

FH Eastern @ Tri-Unity Christian

Grand River Prep @ Wyoming Lee

FH Central @ East Kentwood

Holland Black River vs West Michigan Aviation @ Davenport University

Zion Christian @ Holland Calvary

Boys Hockey

East Kentwood @ Rockford

 

WKTV reviews fall high school sports highlights, plans winter schedule

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

WKTV’s coverage of girls high school basketball begins in December. (WKTV)

 

Mike Moll, WKTV Volunteer Sports Director

sports@wktv.org 

 

As the always busy holiday months are upon us starting with November, the high school sports world does just the opposite as the last of the fall seasons crown their newest state champions and the winter seasons slowly begin with boys hockey and basketball at the end of the month.

 

The schools that WKTV covers certainly had some highlights during the fall competition and here are just some of them.

 

The girls golf season held their state championships near the end of October in some tough cold and wet conditions, and for an amazing 23rd consecutive time, the South Christian High School girls team was there to compete for that title. At the end of the two-day tournament, the Sailor ladies finished behind only Flint Powers Catholic to earn the runner-up trophy for the second consecutive season.

 

The soccer state championship was held the first weekend in November and had the East Kentwood Falcons in the championship game where they too finished as runner-up to Ann Arbor Skyline.

 

The football season had four of our six area teams qualify for the playoffs.  South Christian finished the season with a 6-5 record and in fourth place in the O-K Gold after defeating another of our local teams, Godwin Heights, in the opening round but dropped the second-round game to Hudsonville’s Unity Christian.

 

East Kentwood had a great season as they won nine straight games after losing their season opener to win the O-K Red title and finish 9-2 on the year. The Falcons defeated Brighton in the opening round of the playoffs before coming up short against Saline in round two.

 

Godwin Heights completed their year at 6-4 and in second place in the O-K Silver and lost in the opening round to South Christian. Kelloggsville finished in fourth place in the O-K Silver with a 4-5 record, Wyoming finished the season 2-7 and 1-5 in the OK Gold, and Wyoming Lee finished with a 1-8 record on the year.

 

The 8-man division had the Tri-Unity Christian Crusaders cruise through the regular season undefeated and ranked in the top 5 in the state as they won the Midwest Central 8 Man conference championship. The Crusaders defeated Webberville in their playoff opener before dropping the second-round game to No. 2 ranked Morrice to finish the year at 10-1.

 

Congratulations to all teams and athletes!

 

The WKTV Featured Game winter broadcast schedule is being finalized but there will once again be boys and girls basketball coverage showcasing all of the local teams, boys hockey, and swimming and diving competitions so be watching for the schedule, but in the meantime, get out and enjoy some of your local schools games in person.

 

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

 

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

 

Following is this week’s schedule:

 

Thursday, Nov. 22

Happy Thanksgiving – Watch the WKTV Turkey Bowl

 

Friday, Nov. 23

Boys Hockey

@ East Kentwood – Thanksgiving Falcon Classic

 

Saturday, Nov. 24

Boys Hockey

@ East Kentwood – Thanksgiving Falcon Classic

 

Monday, Nov. 26

No events scheduled

 

WKTV’s 18th Annual Turkey Bowl cable channel fest returns Thanksgiving Day

City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Holidays, Kentwood Public Schools, Sports, WKTV Featured sports

WKTV’s sports coverage team was at the NorthPointe Christian at Wyoming Lee football game. (WKTV)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

 

WKTV’s sports coverage crew was busy this fall, as our high school football Featured Game crew covered every local team in the first six weeks of the season and then was at the biggest local games as the season ended.

 

As every year, high school football fans can get their Turkey Day football fix this year as we broadcast several of those big games on our cable Channel 25.

 

The 15-hour special starts at 9 a.m., highlights the best of our high school football games from the season. The schedule and approof games (with link to the games on WKTV’s On-Demand video internet channel) is as follows:

 

9 a.m. — Hamilton @ Godwin Heights. On-Demand

 

11:25 a.m. — Ashley @ Tri-unity Christian. On-Demand

 

1:22 p.m. — NorthPointe Christian @ Wyoming Lee. On-Demand

 

3:25 p.m. — Wyoming @ South Christian. On-Demand

 

5:35 p.m. — Godwin Heights @ Kelloggsville. On-Demand

 

8 p.m. — Rockford @ East Kentwood. On-Demand

 

10:25 p.m. — MHSAA Playoff: Godwin @ South Christian. On-Demand

 

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

 

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

 

Tri-unity falls to Morrice, 14-44, in 8-man football district finals

City of Wyoming, Education, Sports, WKTV Featured sports

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By Micah Cho

ken@wktv.org 

 

A heartbreaking 14-44 loss to Morrice at Grandville Middle School Saturday afternoon sent the Tri-unity High School Defenders home after the second round of the playoffs.

 

Throughout the first quarter it was mainly an offensive battle. Trailing in the first quarter, Tri-unity was able to claw back and tie the game 14-14. After the first quarter, however, it was a difficult battle to get back in the game after fumbles and interceptions plagued the Tri-unity offense.

 

“They were bigger, faster, and stronger than us,” Tri-unity head coach Tim Heath said to WKTV.

 

Being the first loss of the year, the Defenders couldn’t help but hold back tears as Heath addressed the now 10-1 team.

 

“We’re a tight knit group,” Heath said. “This isn’t a (big school). We don’t have 35 or 40 guys on our sideline. We have 13. It really is a family.”

 

For seniors Benson Heath, Brayden Ophoff, and Bennett Sinner, this was the last time they’ll suit up as Defenders on the football field. But Heath wouldn’t let the season end without acknowledging all they’ve done for the team.

 

“Brayden played great, Benson had a big catch, and Bennett had a little momentum going our way,” Heath said. “Our big players still made plays, they (Morrice) just made more.”

 

Although Saturday afternoon’s game came with an unfamiliar ending for the Defenders, they can find comfort in how they played. Tri-Unity’s 14 points were the most points Morrice allowed since a Sept. 14 game against Lawerence.

 

“We didn’t play bad,” said Heath. “They just played really good.”

 

Also around the Wyoming and Kentwood area, both South Christian’s and East Kentwood’s football teams fell to their opponents this weekend. Holland Christian beat South Christian, 22-19. Saline defeated East Kentwood, 42-7.

 

East Kentwood narrowly tops Brighton, moves on to Saline for second-round playoff game

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

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

 

By Micah Cho, WKTV Sports Intern

ken@wktv.org

 

East Kentwood, now 9-1, is traveling to Saline for the second round of the Division 1 state football playoffs with a narrow victory over Brighton last Saturday.

 

The Falcons were able to put 426 yards on the offensive stat sheet. A big contributor to the total yardage is senior wide receiver Stephan Bracey.

 

“We didn’t really click in the first half,” said Bracey. “We just thought about the bigger prize and executed the best we could.”

 

And clicked they did. With a juggled pass from quarterback Kyle Dent, Bracey ran for 81 yards in the second quarter which helped contribute to his 108 receiving yards for the game.

 

Trailing most of the first half, the Falcons were able to tie the game late in the second quarter, 28-28. That’s when East Kentwood head coach Anthony Kimbrough was able to readjust his game plan.

 

East Kentwood head coach Anthony Kimbrough. (WKTV)

“They showed us some things we hadn’t seen in the (defensive) secondary,” said Kimbrough of Brighton’s passing attack.

 

With Brighton trailing 31-28 with 20 seconds left on the clock, a 41-yard field goal from Brighton could have tied the game up and sent it into over time. But after three consecutive timeouts, Brighton missed a field goal that would have extended play.

 

“I was just praying that he missed,” said Kimbrough. “It was a great battle on both sides. You hate for someone to come out as a loser but were fortunate to move on. … But give Brighton credit. They’re a well-coached football team.”

 

However, at the end of the game, Kimbrough did have some tough love for his players. Falcon quarterback Dent threw for 188 yards. but with three interceptions, and Bracey was a total of -16 yards rushing.

 

“We can’t play the way we played today and beat Saline, we just can’t,” said Kimbrough. “We have to have our best. We have to play like the team we’ve been all year.”

 

MaxPreps, a CBS affiliated website dedicated to high school sports, has East Kentwood football ranked 7th in Michigan with Saline behind at 18th.

 

Just like Brighton, the Falcons have never faced Saline. With an unfamiliar opponent, anything can happen. But for now, Bracey and his teammates are thankful.

 

“We’re just truly blessed for what happened,” said Bracey.

 

East Kentwood will be on the road Saturday facing the Saline Hornets, a team that also went 8-1 in the regular season. Saline beat Kalamazoo Central last weekend.

 

You can check out the MaxPreps state rankings here.

 

Four Wyoming, Kentwood teams preparing to make deep playoff runs

City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Kentwood Public Schools, Recreation, Sports, Upcoming Events, WKTV Featured sports, , ,

 

By Micah Cho, WKTV Sports Intern

ken@wktv.org

 

Four area teams are going to the playoffs this year, including Tri-unity Christian, South Christian, Godwin Heights and East Kentwood. Although the first round of the playoffs can be a door to something bigger, all four coaches are taking a “back-to-basics” approach this week.

 

“We’re just trying to keep things consistent,” Godwin Heights head coach Brandan Kimble, echoing his fellow coaches, said to WKTV.

 

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Kimble and his team are taking on the South Christian Sailors Friday, Oct. 26, at 7 p.m., at East Kentwood High School. Godwin Heights finished the regular season 6-3, while Mark Tamminga’s South Christian Sailors gained the playoffs as an at-large team with a 5-4 record.

 

For Kimble, this week comes with excitement and uncertainty. The Wolverines started off the season 1-3, but as players became more comfortable with their coach and started buying into the system, Kimble says that’s when things started to take off. Now their hoping their kids can keep with the system a little longer.

 

“We’re just trying to keep things consistent,” said Kimble. “We’re just going to change a few things so they can understand the importance of the week, tweak some things and then add a little bit more intensity to practice.”

 

Curt Copeland, assistant coach and athletic director for South Christian, is trying to help head coach Mark Tamminga win their first playoff game since 2014, the year they won their last championship.

 

“We’re trying to retrain our kids and get them back to understanding what it takes to make a deep run and it starts with the first week of the playoffs,” said Copeland.

 

All you need to know about the Wolverines vs. Sailors matchup

 

Also at East Kentwood High School this weekend is East Kentwood’s opening round playoff game. The Falcons (8-1) will be hosting Brighton High School. Located towards Eastern Michigan, the Bulldogs went 7-2, with their only loses coming twice to Belleville.

 

East Kentwood won their final game last week against Rockford, giving them the OK-Red title. And head coach Anthony Kimbrough couldn’t be more excited for his kids.

 

“I coach because of them,” said Kimbrough. “I come out everyday seeing these kids wanting to get better. One of our goals was to be OK-Red champs, and beating Rockford Friday, for that to come true is tremendous for our program.”

 

In 8-man playoff action, head coach Tim Heath and his Tri-unity team have gone 9-0 this season, beating No. 2 ranked Colon in Week 9. They will be hosting Webberville at Grandville Middle School,m also Friday, Oct. 26, at 7 p.m. Colon finished their season 4-5, another at-large team sneaking into the playoffs.

 

Coach Heath doesn’t plan on changing anything in preparation of his Defenders. For his undefeated team, Heath’s mantra for this week is “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”.

 

“We don’t do anything different,” said Heath. “… The same preparation that goes into every game we’re taking into this game.”

 

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This week’s WKTV Featured Game and other sports events are cable broadcast either live, immediately after the event and/or in rebroadcast, on Comcast WKTV Channel 25 and on AT&T U-Verse Community 99.

 

WKTV’s featured football games are rebroadcast on the night of the game (Thursday or Friday) at 11 p.m. and Saturday starting at 11 a.m. See WKTVjournal.org/sports for complete schedules.

What you need to know about Godwin Heights vs. S. Christian playoff game

City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Local Entertainment, Sports, Upcoming Events, WKTV Featured sports,

 

By Mike Moll, WKTV Volunteer Sports Director

sports@wktv.org 

 

WKTV’s Featured Game this week is a Division 4 football playoff game at East Kentwood Friday at 7 p.m., with Godwin Heights (6-3 overall, 5-1 and 2nd place in O-K Silver) facing South Christian (5-4, 3-3 and 4th place O-K Gold).

 

This will be the pre-District game for Region 2 District 1 in Division 4.

 

Both teams earned the same number of playoff points, 57.667.  The victor will face the winner of Otsego (5-4, 49.111 points) against Holland Christian (6-3, 63.444 points), with the game being played at the team with the highest playoff points earned.

 

This will be the 13th meeting between these two schools with South Christian leading 8-4 overall, but it’s the first meeting since the fall of 1983 when both teams were in the O-K White. That was the last of those 12 consecutive games as conference opponents.

 

South Christian Notes

 

This is the 22nd time that South Christian has qualified for the playoffs, their 3rd consecutive, 7th in the last 8 years, and 17th of the last 20.

 

South started 2-0 this season but then only were 3-4 the rest of the season, highlighted by their Week 7 win when they defeated conference co-champ Grand Rapids Christian, 24-10, which was Christians only conference loss and one of only two on the season.

 

That game was the only win South had against an above .500 team.

 

Souths wins were by an average margin of just under 24 points a game while their defeats were by 5 to Wayland (4-5), 14 to Unity Christian (7-2), 13 to EGR (6-3 and conference co-champs with Christian), and 1 to Middleville (7-2); so their losses were by an average of just over 8 points a game.

 

They faced 4 teams that qualified for the playoffs and were 1-3 against them.

 

Their defense has given up just 154 points for an average of just over 17.11 points a game which will keep you in many games.

 

Their last playoff win was in the fall of 2014, which was their Division 4 State Championship (24-23 over Lansing Sexton). That also was their 3rd consecutive year being in the state championship game, having lost to Marine City in 2013, 49-35, and won in 2012, 40-7, over Detroit Country Day.

 

They also played for state championships in 2002, winning, 42-13, over Riverview; in 1999, losing to Orchard Lake Saint Mary’s, 34-13; in 1986 (Class B), losing to Marysville 38-15; and in 1984 (Class C) losing to Detroit DePorres, 38-26. Their overall playoff record is 40-18 (.690).

 

Godwin Heights Notes

 

Godwin Heights started 1-3 but closed on a 5-game winning streak highlighted by a Week 7 win against Belding (7-2), 25-21. That was their only win against a team with above .500 record.

 

Unlike last year, when Godwin was known for their offense after scoring 395 points on the season, this year’s team is known for its defense as they have only given up 155 points (17.2 average per game). That is the lowest total allowed since 1987 when they gave up just 84 points, so the game could be a low scoring battle led by the two defenses.

 

This is just the school’s 5th playoff appearance but is their 4th consecutive. However, they are still searching for their 1st playoff victory, having lost in 1989 to Muskegon Catholic Central (Class C), 46-20; in 2015 to Catholic Central (Division 4), 55-0; in 2016 also to Catholic Central, 43-0; and last year to Kelloggsville, 49-7.

 

Their only conference loss was to conference champ Hopkins 27-8, in Week 4.

 

Following that loss, they scored at least 23 points each game and a total of 143 for an average of just under 29 a game.

 

They played three games against playoff teams this season and were 1-2 against them (Unity Christian, Hopkins, and Belding).

 

One common opponent with South Christian was Unity Christian, which Godwin lost to 38-18 and South Christian lost to 28-14.

 

WKTV Note: Because of the MHSAA usually taking over Week 2 playoff broadcasts, this will be the final WKTV football coverage of the season. But should local teams still be alive, we will be producing online/print stories. Stay tuned.

 

WKTV adds local football playoff game to high school sports schedule

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

East Kentwood High School’s football field is known for its loud a crowds, and there will be two playoff games on the field this weekend. (WKTV file)

 

WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org 

 

The regular season of football completed its schedule the weekend of Oct. 19-20 and, with the playoff match-ups announced, WKTV has added the Godwin Heights High School vs. South Christian Division 4 game scheduled for Friday, Oct. 26, at East Kentwood High School’s field, to our featured game coverage plans.

 

The Wolverines will come into the “road game” at 6-3 after closing out the season with a win Friday, and the Sailors will come into their “home game” at 5-4 after earning an at-large bid after their season-ending win. The game will begin at 7 p.m.

 

Other Pre-District games kicking off the playoff opening weekend include East Kentwood (8-1) will host Brighton (7-2) in Division 1 action on Saturday, Oct. 27, at 1 p.m. Also, in 8-man Division 1 playoff action, Wyoming Tri-unity Christian (9-0) will host Webberville (4-5) at Grandville Middle School on Friday, Oct. 26, at 7 p.m.

 

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

 

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

 

Following is the end of this week’s schedule:

 

Tuesday, Oct 23

Boys Soccer

TBD at FH Central – MHSAA Regionals Division 1

TBD at Portage Northern – MHSAA Regionals Division 4

Girls Volleyball

Zion Christian @ Godwin Heights

Zion Christian @ Godwin Heights

Wyoming @ Middleville T-K

Cross Roads Charter @ Tri-Unity Christian

FH Eastern @ South Christian

 

Wednesday, Oct. 24

Boys Soccer

TBD at Otsego – MHSAA Regionals Division 3

Girls Volleyball

East Kentwood @ Grandville

 

Thursday, Oct. 25

Boys Soccer

TBD at FH Central – MHSAA Regionals Division 1

TBD at Portage Northern – MHSAA Regionals Division 4

Girls Volleyball

Kelloggsville @ Tri-Unity Christian

Ravenna @ Tri-Unity Christian

South Christian @ Wyoming

Algoma Christian @ Wyoming Lee

 

Friday, Oct. 26

Boys Water Polo

TBD – State Regionals

Boys Football – MHSAA Pre-Districts

Godwin Heights vs. South Christian, Division 4 game, at East Kentwood High School’s field, at 7 p.m. — WKTV Featured Game of the Week

Also, in 8-man Division 1 playoff action, Webberville at Wyoming Tri-unity Christian, at Grandville Middle School, 8-man Division 1, at 7 p.m.

 

Saturday, Oct. 27

Boys Soccer

TBD at Otsego – MHSAA Regionals Division 3

Boys/Girls Cross Country

Wyoming at Allendale – MHSAA Regionals Division 1

East Kentwood at Portage Central – MHSAA Regionals Division 1

West Michigan Aviation at Allendale – MHSAA Regionals Division 2

Grand River Prep at Allendale – MHSAA Regionals Division 2

Godwin Heights at Allendale – MHSAA Regionals Division 2

Kelloggsville at Allendale – MHSAA Regionals Division 2

South Christian at Portage Central – MHSAA Regionals Division 2

Wyoming Lee at Allendale – MHSAA Regionals Division 3

Tri-Unity Christian at Allendale – MHSAA Regionals Division 4

Boys Water Polo

TBD – State Regionals

Boys Football – MHSAA Pre-Districts

Brighton at East Kentwood, Division 1 game, at 1 p.m.

 

Monday, Oct. 29

Girls Volleyball

South Christian vs West Michigan Aviation @ Godwin Heights – MHSAA Districts

Christian vs Grand River Prep @ Godwin Heights – MHSAA Districts

 

Tuesday, Oct. 30

Girls Volleyball

TBD @ East Kentwood – MHSAA Districts

 

Wednesday, Oct. 31 — Halloween

Boys Soccer

TBD at Holt – MHSAA Semifinals Division 1

TBD at Cedar Springs – MHSAA Semifinals Division 3

TBD at Holland – MHSAA Semifinals Division 4

Girls Volleyball

Kelloggsville vs TBD @ Godwin Heights – MHSAA Districts

TBD @ Godwin Heights – MHSAA Districts

 

Godwin Heights hosts Wyoming Lee, looks to advance to playoffs

City of Wyoming, Education, Local Faces, Sports, WKTV Featured sports, ,

 

By Micah Cho, WKTV Sports Intern

ken@wktv.org 

 

After starting off the season with a rocky 1-3 record, Godwin Heights high school’s football team has been on a 4-game win streak bringing the Wolverines to the brink of an playoffs. And the team shows no indication of slowing down anytime soon.

 

The Wolverines look to may make Friday night’s game against Wyoming Lee their sixth win of the season locking them into the playoffs.

 

This week’s game against Wyoming Lee is big for first-year head coach Brandon Kimble and his team, as a win against the Rebels will return Godwin Heights to the playoffs. Although Lee is sitting at a rough 1-8 on the season, Kimble isn’t taking Friday night’s game lightly.

 

“These kids want to finish their season strong just like how we want to finish our season,” Kimble said to WKTV this week. “We did some good things to get us to this point, but what a way to ruin everything you’ve done than to overlook an opponent.”

 

Deamonte Clark, a senior running back and cornerback, isn’t taking this week lightly either. Clark says he knows that childhood best friend and Lee wide receiver/safety Nalin Mena and his team will be putting up a fight in their final battle of the season.

 

“You can’t take anyone lightly,” Clark said. “… Nalin Mena is going to give it all he’s got, so we have to give it all we got.”

 

More on Lee’s Mena, other Rebel senior leaders playing this week.
Big game, but also a special effort for kids in need

 

Godwin Heights lost their first two games of the season, events that may have worried the Godwin faithful. But after turning their season around in just four weeks, Kimble is proud of his teams successful season.

 

“For me, it’s a really exciting time, if I’m being honest,” Kimble said. “… It’s my first year and I’m the head coach. You want to do things right and you want to make sure you take the program in the right way and continue it in the (team’s) trajectory that it was going, so getting into the playoffs would solidify that.”

 

WKTV coverage plans for Friday, Oct. 19

 

The WKTV sports truck can not be at two places at once, but we are planning to come close. WKTV will have sports crews out at both the Rockford at East Kentwood game, and the Lee at Godwin Heights game, on Friday, Oct. 19.

 

The East Kentwood game will be rebroadcast in its entirety on Comcast WKTV Channel 25 and on AT&T U-Verse Community 99 on the night of the game (Friday) at 11 p.m. and Saturday starting at 11 a.m.

 

Highlights of the game at Godwin Heights will be up on WKTV’s YouTube channel early next week. Check it out at WKTVvideos on YouTube.

 

WKTV will also be doing Facebook Live reports from both games. Check them out at WKTV.org on Facebook.

 

See WKTVjournal.org/sports for complete high school sports schedules.

 

WKTV’s coverage of high school sports and select community events are also available on-demand within a week of the event at wktvondemand.com.

 

Wyoming Lee football seniors will try to end high school careers on high note

City of Wyoming, Education, Sports, WKTV Featured sports, ,

Wyoming Lee’s senior-led offensive line prepares for a snap against NorthPointe in an early season game. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

 

Wyoming Lee and Godwin Heights High Schools not only share spots in the current OK Silver conference but have a long history of friendly competition on the football field as cross-town rivals.

 

So when the Rebels invade Wolverine territory this week, it will be for bragging rights among friends in some cases, such as between Lee senior Nalin Mena and Godwin senior Deamonte Clark.

 

Clark, a running back and cornerback, is childhood friends with Mena, a team captain, receiver and safety. And Clark knows Mena and his Rebel teammates will show up despite Godwin (5-3) playing for a playoff spot while Lee (1-7) is playing to end the season on high note.

 

“Nalin Mena is going to give it all he’s got, so we have to give it all we got,” Clark told WKTV this week. (See WKTV’s story and video on Godwin Heights here.)

 

Lee’s coach Tom DeGennaro, looking at his key seniors who will be playing their last game this week, could not agree with Clark more.

 

Mena “is the emotional leader, the best player on the team — leads the team in tackles, interceptions, receiving yardage,” DeGennaro told WKTV. “Type of kid you wish you had 11 of them to play for you.

 

“He is willing to do anything for his teammates, and has been on the varsity for all four years. Don’t judge him by his size, (5-foot-7, 140 pounds), he is a big time player. (And he is) better then 3.0 in the classroom.”

 

Big game, but also a special effort for kids in need

 

DeGennaro also praised three other seniors: Ruben Blanco, a tight end and defensive end; Eddie Carter-Cook, a offensive and defensive tackle; and Alan Jimenez, an offensive and defensive guard.

 

Blanco (6-1 and 260, and also better than 3.0 in the classroom) is a captain and 4-year year starter who was all-conference his freshman year. He played offensive tackle his first three years and switched to tight end this year.

 

“He has caught at least one pass in every game,” DeGennaro said. “The last two years we had zero receptions by our tight ends. He is a big time blocker and a force on defense. He will be playing somewhere next year on Saturdays.”

 

Carter-Cook (6-4 and 285, also better than 3.0) is a captain who transferred from Arizona his sophomore year and never played football before.

 

“He is a great run blocker, a big force on the offensive line,” DeGennaro said. “When he and Alan or Ruben double team somebody they stay blocked. (He) could be playing next year on Saturdays.”

 

Jimenez (5-10 and 225, also better than 3.0) is a 4-year starter who has committed to the United States Marine Corps next year.

 

“He is an awesome football player who also wrestles and throws shot put,” DeGennaro said. “He is a very quiet kid who leads by example.”

 

Other seniors on the Lee team include running back/defensive back Carlos Savala, full back/linebacker Alfredo Corbera and full back/linebacker Joe Broca.

 

WKTV coverage plans for Friday, Oct. 19

 

The WKTV sports truck can not be at two places at once, but we are planning to come close. WKTV will have sports crews out at both the Rockford at East Kentwood game, and the Lee at Godwin Heights game, on Friday, Oct. 19.

 

The East Kentwood game will be rebroadcast in its entirety on Comcast WKTV Channel 25 and on AT&T U-Verse Community 99 on the night of the game (Friday) at 11 p.m. and Saturday starting at 11 a.m.

 

Highlights of the game at Godwin Heights will be up on WKTV’s YouTube channel early next week. Check it out at  WKTVvideos on YouTube.

 

WKTV will also be doing Facebook Live reports from both games. Check them out at WKTV.org on Facebook.

 

See WKTVjournal.org/sports for complete high school sports schedules.

 

WKTV’s coverage of high school sports and select community events are also available on-demand within a week of the event at wktvondemand.com.

 

‘Lasered in’ East Kentwood Falcons look to secure OK Red Championship

City of Kentwood, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, Local Faces, Sports, WKTV Featured sports, , ,

 

By Micah Cho, WKTV Sports Intern

ken@wktv.org

 

After clinching a playoff spot against Holland last week, the East Kentwood Falcons are going for their next goal: OK Red champs.

 

Hosting Hudsonville (5-2 overall, 3-1 in conference) this week, East Kentwood (6-1, 4-0) can secure at least a share of the title this week with a win. Combined with a win next week, in the final game of the regular season, also at home against Rockford (4-3, 3-1), the Falcons would claim the title outright.

 

Falcons Head Coach Anthony Kimbrough. (WKTV)

Both Falcons head coach Tony Kimbrough and his players know there is still a lot to play for in the final two games — as T’Shone Cutts, a senior middle linebacker for the Falcons, said “they are lasered in” for the rest of this season.

 

Unlike recent years, when the team struggled at times, Kimbrough, in his fourth year as head coach of the Falcons told the WKTV journal what changed in a early-season interview.

 

“We just got back to basics,” coach Kimbrough said. “The kids are playing good some really good fundamental and assignment football.”

 

Stephan Bracey, senior wide receiver for East Kentwood. (WKTV)

Stephan Bracey, a Western Michigan University football commit and senior wide receiver, also expressed high hopes for his team.

 

“We want to go all the way to Ford Field and get the dub there,” Bracey said, referring to a “W,” a win. “So, state champs is our goal.”

 

Cutts, one of Kimbrough’s defensive weapons, is confident in the defense he is one of the leaders on, despite the rocky start they had in the beginning of the season.

 

T’Shone Cutts, senior middle linebacker for East Kentwood. (WKTV)

“Our defense is looking good,” Cutts said. “We’re staying focused. We can’t allow teams to score the way they were in the beginning of the season.”

 

After giving up 30 points to Grandville in Week 5, East Kentwood has only given up 12 points in their last two games.

 

This week’s WKTV Featured Game and other sports events are cable broadcast either live, immediately after the event and/or in rebroadcast, on Comcast WKTV Channel 25 and on AT&T U-Verse Community 99.

 

WKTV’s featured football games are rebroadcast on the night of the game (Thursday or Friday) at 11 p.m. and Saturday starting at 11 a.m. See WKTVjournal.org/sports for complete schedules.

 

Final WKTV featured football games part of October high school sports schedule

City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Kentwood Public Schools, Recreation, Sports, WKTV Featured sports

East Kentwood takes the field. (File photo)

 

Mike Moll, WKTV Volunteer Sports Director

sportswktv.org  

 

October brings trick or treats on Halloween but also the close out of some of the fall sports seasons.

 

WKTV’s Mike Moll.

The regular season of football completes its schedule the weekend of Oct. 19-20 and opens its playoffs the following weekend. Girls golf will hold its regional tournaments Oct. 10-11, with qualifiers for state finals that will be held the weekend of Oct. 19-20 to headline the sports tournaments but there are plenty of others.

 

Be sure to check the complete sports schedule each week to see when and where your favorite teams and sports are playing.

 

The featured WKTV games will continue during the regular season of football and if there are any of our local teams that qualify for the playoffs, depending on when and where those games are played we might be covering them as well. The playoff schedules will be announced on Sunday, Oct. 21 with Pre-District games kicking off the following weekend.

 

The remaining featured football broadcast schedule is:

Friday, Oct. 12 — Hudsonville at East Kentwood

Friday, Oct. 19 — Wyoming Lee at Godwin Heights

 

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

 

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

 

Following is the end of this week’s schedule:

 

Tuesday, Oct. 9

Boys Soccer

Calvin Christian @ Godwin Heights

Kelloggsville @ Potter’s House

Wyoming @ Middleville T-K

Tri-Unity Christian @ Holland Calvary

FH Eastern @ South Christian

Zion Christian @ Wellsprings Prep

Boys/Girls Cross Country

Wyoming @ Saranac

Girls Volleyball

Wyoming @ Forest Hills Eastern

Tri-Unity Christian @ Holland Calvary

South Christian @ Christian

Potter’s House @ Kalamazoo Heritage

Grand River Prep @ West Michigan Aviation

Zion Christian @ Wellsprings Prep

 

Wednesday, Oct. 10

Boys/Girls Cross Country

Godwin Heights @ Belding

Kelloggsville @ Belding

Wyoming Lee @ Belding

Girls Volleyball

Godwin Heights @ West Michigan Aviation

Boys Water Polo

Rockford @ East Kentwood

Boys Soccer

West Ottawa @ East Kentwood

Girls Golf

South Christian at Unity Christian – MHSAA Regionals Division 3

 

Thursday, Oct. 11

Boys Soccer

Godwin Heights @ Hopkins

Kelloggsville @ Wyoming Lee

South Christian @ Wyoming

Tri-Unity Christian @ Holland Black River

Wellsprings Prep @ Potter’s House

Fruitport Calvary @ Grand River Prep

West Michigan Aviation @ Zion Christian

Girls Volleyball

Godwin Heights @ Calvin Christian

Union @ Kelloggsville

Grand Haven @ East Kentwood

Wyoming @ Wayland

Tri-Unity Christian @ Holland Black River

South Christian @ East Grand Rapids

Wellsprings Prep @ Potter’s House

Fruitport Calvary @ Grand River Prep

West Michigan Aviation @ Zion Christian

NorthPointe Christian @ Wyoming Lee

Boys Tennis

Wyoming at Mattawan – MHSAA Regionals Division 2

Kelloggsville @ South Christian – MHSAA Regionals Division 4

Girls Golf

East Kentwood at GVSU – MHSAA Regionals Division 1

Girls Swimming

Rockford @ East Kentwood

South Christian @ West Catholic

 

Friday, Oct. 12

Boys Football

Godwin Heights @ NorthPointe Christian

Kelloggsville @ Belding

Hudsonville @ East Kentwood – WKTV Featured Event

Wyoming @ FH Eastern

Tri-Unity Christian @ Bellaire

South Christian @ Middleville T-K

Potters House/Calvin Christian @ Manistee

Hopkins @ Wyoming Lee

Boys Tennis

East Kentwood at Hudsonville – MHSAA Regionals Division 1

 

Saturday, Oct. 13

Girls Volleyball

Potter’s House @ Godwin Heights – Pink Out Tournament

Wyoming Lee @ Godwin Heights – Pink Out Tournament

FH Central @ East Kentwood – EK Invitational

Tri-Unity Christian @ Kalamazoo – The Point

South Christian @ Troy

Boys Water Polo

TBA @ East Kentwood – EK Invitational

Boys/Girls Cross Country

East Kentwood @ Christian

Tri-Unity Christian @ Christian

Wyoming Lee @ Christian

 

Monday, Oct. 15

Boys Soccer

Godwin Heights @ Wyoming Lee – MHSAA Districts

Grand River Prep @ Covenant Christian – MHSAA Districts

Kelloggsville @ South Christian – MHSAA Districts

East Kentwood @ Kalamazoo Central – MHSAA Districts

Grand Ledge @ Wyoming – MHSAA Districts

Girls Volleyball

West Michigan Aviation @ Barry County Christian

 

Kelloggsville in playoff mode as Rockets face critical Friday night game

3-bottom, Area Education, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Education, Local Faces, Sports, WKTV Featured sports

 

By Micah Cho, WKTV Sports Intern

ken@wktv.org

 

It’s now or never for the Kelloggsville football team.

 

Rockets Head Coach Don Galster. (WKTV)

Veteran head coach Don Galster knows his Rockets need a win Friday night against NorthPointe Christian keep alive realistic hopes of his team getting to the playoffs for the third year in a row. But a disappointing loss to Godwin Heights last week isn’t going to stop these Rockets from taking off.

 

Kelloggsville is now 3-3 overall and 2-1 in the OK Silver conference. Last season, the Rockets defeated NorthPointe, 36-21, as part of a 9-0 regular season.

 

Galster told the WKTV Journal how important these next few weeks leading up to the playoffs are.

 

“Our destiny is in our hands and we just have to rise to the occasion,” Galster said prior to the Godwin Heights game.

 

That point is also clear to a couple of key senior players for Kelloggsville as well.

 

Desmond Simmons, Kelloggsville football player. (WKTV)

For Desmond Simmons, a senior middle linebacker for the Rockets, these next few weeks will be the last time he plays football at the high school level. Hoping for the post-season, Simmons takes pride in how he and the rest of the defense has been playing.

 

“I think we’re looking pretty solid,” Simmons said. “We always try to go hard at practice even if it’s hot, cold, or we’re tired. We always try to go hard and hit somebody.”

 

This will be senior wingback Jaevion Willis’ last year as a high school football player as well.

 

Jaevion Willis, Kelloggsville player. (WKTV)

“We’re taking this week one step at a time,” said Willis. “We’re trying to get better and better every day. We’re looking forward to trying to step up and make the run and make back-to-back conference champs”.

 

Because this is their last season with the Rockets, both Simmons and Willis reflected on their time with coach Galster.

 

“It means a lot,” Simmons said. “It feels real good to be coached by him and have somebody that knows what their doing.”

 

“It’s very exciting, playing for coach Galster,” Willis said. “Or ‘The Goat’ as we call him.”

 

This week’s WKTV Featured Game and other sports events are cable broadcast either live, immediately after the event and/or in rebroadcast, on Comcast WKTV Channel 25 and on AT&T U-Verse Community 99.

 

WKTV’s featured football games are rebroadcast on the night of the game (Thursday or Friday) at 11 p.m. and Saturday starting at 11 a.m. See WKTVjournal.org/sports for complete schedules.

 

Godwin tries to keep post-season dreams alive in game against rival Kelloggsville

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

 

By Micah Cho, WKTV Sports Intern

ken@wktv.org

 

Two teams are fighting for playoff spots this week as the Kelloggsville Rockets host the Godwin Heights Wolverines. Godwin Heights needs four more games in their win category to automatically qualify for playoffs; a feat rookie head coach Brandon Kimble says isn’t out of reach.

 

“Getting in the post-season was one of our goals, so it’s now or never for us now,” Coach Kimble told the WKTV Journal.

 

Godwin Heights coach Brandon Kimble, talking at practice this week. (WKTV)

The WKTV Journal caught up with Coach Kimble earlier this year to talk about his new job as head coach of the Wolverines. During the discussion, Kimble said “defense wins championships, but offense fills the stands.”  And both sides of the ball have been performing up to Kimble’s standards.

 

“Our defense has been playing stellar all year. Every game we’ve been in, we’ve been in because of the defense,” Coach Kimble said this week. “And our offense has actually been playing really good, we’ve just been turning the ball over.”

 

This will be Kimble’s first game against Kelloggsville. His counterpart, coach Don Galster of Kelloggsville, has been with his team for 29 seasons. However, Galster says don’t be fooled by his younger opponent.

 

“It’ll be a tough game,” Galster said. “It doesn’t matter what the records are when we play Godwin. This will be my 29th Godwin game. They’ll be ready to go, but we’ll also be ready to go.”

 

Kimble gave mutual respect to Galster regarding the coaches tenureship at Kelloggsville.

 

“With Kellogsville, the coach has been there a long time. He know’s the conference and other teams very well,” Kimble said. “We expect to see a team that’s aggressive, a team that’s going to fly around, a team that’s going to be competitive.”

 

This week’s WKTV Featured Game and other sports events are cable broadcast either live, immediately after the event and/or in rebroadcast, on Comcast WKTV Channel 25 and on AT&T U-Verse Community 99.

 

WKTV’s featured football games are rebroadcast on the night of the game (Thursday or Friday) at 11 p.m. and Saturday starting at 11 a.m. See WKTVjournal.org/sports for complete schedules.

 

WKTV’s coverage of high school sports and select community events are also available on-demand within a week of the event at wktvondemand.com.

 

Kelloggsville football coach: ‘We hold our destiny in our hands’

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

The Rockets getting ready for a key game this week when Godwin Heights comes to town. (WKTV)

By Micah Cho, WKTV Sports Intern

ken@wktv.org

 

With games running out on the 2018 football season, OK-Silver conference rivals Kelloggsville and Godwin Heights have a common goal: getting to the playoffs. Riding a two-game winning streak, if Kelloggsville can keep the wins coming, they’ll be in good shape for the post season.

 

WKTV talked with Coach Galster and Godwin Coach Kimble, see YouTube video at end of story or click here.

 

With four games remaining, and six wins needed to be guaranteed a spot in the postseason. Kelloggsville’s 3-2 record (2-0 in conference) gives them a little bit of wiggle room. But Rockets Head Coach Don Galster understands the pressure that is on him and his team, he just doesn’t let that pressure get to him, however.

 

Rockets Head Coach Don Galster. (WKTV)

“We’re going to be competitive these last four weeks,” Coach Galster told the WKTV Journal. “I really wouldn’t want it any other way. We hold our destiny in our hands and we just have to rise to the occasion.”

 

Galster’s Rockets are not without their hardships. Although they’ve had an almost dominant last two games, it was difficult getting to a place where the team feels comfortable together, he said.

 

“We lost a strong senior class, so we’re really young in some spots,” Coach Galster said. “We’re starting to put it together. We feel good where we are now.”

 

And Coach probably knows when a team is “putting it together” — he has been the head coach of Kelloggsville for 29 seasons.

 

This week’s WKTV Featured Game and other sports events are cable broadcast either live, immediately after the event and/or in rebroadcast, on Comcast WKTV Channel 25 and on AT&T U-Verse Community 99.

 

WKTV’s featured football games are rebroadcast on the night of the game (Thursday or Friday) at 11 p.m. and Saturday starting at 11 a.m. See WKTVjournal.org/sports for complete schedules.

 

WKTV’s coverage of high school sports and select community events are also available on-demand within a week of the event at wktvondemand.com.