On Sept. 3, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced a lessening of Covid-19 restrictions on sporting activities, including high school football and other fall contact sports. The MHSAA, the sports governing body for Michigan high school sports, followed quickly with the much hoped for announcement that football would be played this fall.
On the latest episode of WKTV Journal Sports Connection — WKTV Sports’ new sports show focused on local high school sports — we talk with the Michigan High School Athletic Association’s John Johnson, MHSAA director of broadcast properties.
We talk about what prep football, and other MHSAA sanctioned sports, might look like this fall — for players, coaches and fans. And we get a hint of what the expanded 2020 football playoff format might be.
WKTV Journal Sports Connection brings its audience interviews and stories focused on local Wyoming and Kentwood area high schools sports, both on cable television and on our YouTube channel. Readers can catch up on all our local sports coverage by visiting WKTV journal.com/sports.
WKTV Journal Sports Connection is available on-demand, along with WKTV coverage of highs school athletic events and other sports, at WKTV.viebit.com. It also airs on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 (For dates and times on Channel 26, see our Weekly On-air Schedule). Individual interviews included in episodes of WKTV Journal Sports Connection are also usually available on YouTube at WKTVvideos.
A week after the announcement that high school football competition will have to wait until spring 2021 — at the earliest — an expected announcement by the Michigan High School Athletic Association on whether girls volleyball, boys soccer, and girls swimming and diving would be allowed in Wyoming and Kentwood high schools is being delayed until at least next week.
According to a statement today, Aug. 20, from the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA), its Representative Council has “approved the start of competition in girls volleyball, boys soccer and girls swimming & diving in regions of Michigan authorized for that activity by Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s executive orders, with competition in those sports pending in regions where those activities are not yet allowed” as part of state actions preventing spread of COVID-19.
“Our Council has made clear it is ready to offer students these opportunities, pending approval from Governor Whitmer that we may do so,” Mark Uyl, MHSAA executive director, said in supplied material. “We have been told that within a week, future guidance will address athletic issues that exist in current executive orders. We are awaiting that guidance.”
Schools in the northern Lower Peninsula and Upper Peninsula — designated as Regions 6 and 8, respectively, by Gov. Whitmer’s executive orders — are allowed to begin competition this week, on Aug. 21, as originally scheduled.
But schools in all other regions (1-5, and 7) must delay any competition for the time being, according to the announcement. Kent County is in Region 2.
Lee High School soccer practice (from 2019). (WKTV)
Local high school volleyball, soccer and swim teams may continue outdoor practice, “pending further executive orders allowing for the opening of indoor facilities and physical distancing while competing in those areas,” according to the announcement.
Teams began outdoor practice in volleyball, soccer, swimming and diving, cross country, golf and tennis on Aug. 12. Lower Peninsula girls golf and boys tennis could have began competition Aug. 19, with cross country competition beginning Aug. 21.
Football practice began Aug. 10, but on Aug. 14 the Representative Council voted to postpone the Fall 2020 football season to Spring 2021, also due to COVID-19 concerns.
MHSAA staff, according to the announcement, was authorized by executive order to create all guidance for a return of school sports, “and over the last eight weeks has worked to fulfill this mandate while complying with all of Governor Whitmer’s executive orders. The Council was prepared today to approve competition in volleyball, soccer and swimming & diving for all schools in all regions, but was unable to do so because of questions remaining on which activities are still not allowed.”
So the MHSAA, like local high school athletes, coaches and parents, continues to wait state government action.
“The MHSAA and Representative Council are committed to following all current and future Executive Orders and safety precautions,” Uyl said in supplied material. “However, we need more answers before we can give all of our member schools the go-ahead to play each other again, and the majority of our schools are in regions that are not yet allowed to take part in volleyball, soccer and swim.”
Extra coach contact, practice days for football and others
Also in the MHSAA announcement, it was stated that the MHSAA Representative Council did approve out-of-season coaching adjustments allowing football and spring sports coaches more contact with their athletes in advance of the 2021 season.
East Kentwood High School’s football team (shown at practice from the 2019-20 season). (WKTV)
To provide additional offseason activity for sports that have had their full seasons canceled or moved, the council approved 16 contact days for football and all spring sports to be used for voluntary practices among students from the same school only.
Football may schedule their contact days from Aug. 24 through Oct 31. Spring sports — baseball, softball, girls soccer, track and field, girls and boys lacrosse, boys golf, Lower Peninsula girls tennis — may schedule their 16 contact days for voluntary practices from Sept. 8 to Oct. 31, “if the school permits and all safety protocols are followed.”
Football and all spring sports then may conduct skill work with coaches and up to four players at a time beginning Nov. 1 until the first day of official practice this upcoming spring. Coaches also may work with an unlimited number of players on general conditioning during that time.
A calendar for the inclusion of football into Spring 2021 is expected to be released later this fall, “upon Council approval at a later meeting,” according to the announcement.
East Kentwood High School’s football team (shown at practice from the 2019-20 season) and other local football programs will have restrictions on how they practice in August due to the COVOD-19 situation. (WKTV)
The Michigan High School Athletic Association’s Representative Council announced July 29 a continuation of its “phased-in practice and competition” schedule for traditional fall high school sports “in hopes of continuing to deter the spread of COVID-19.”
The Council affirmed that lower-risk sports — including Wyoming and Kentwood area high school girls golf, boys tennis, cross country, and girls swimming & diving — may begin practice on Aug. 12 and begin competition on their traditional start dates of Aug. 19 and 21.
However, moderate and high-risk sports — football, girls volleyball and boys soccer – may begin practice, with limitations, but not competitions until additional decisions by the MHSAA, expected to be made by Aug. 20.
In addition, recommendations on spectator attendance will follow before the start of competition, according to the MHSAA statement, and it is possible “spectators will be limited in accordance with Governor (Gretchen) Whitmer’s executive orders on large gatherings.”
According to the July 29 statement, practice for boys soccer and girls volleyball may begin on Aug. 12, but football will delay the start of practice with full player pads and equipment until Monday, Aug. 17. The week of Aug. 10 “may include football practice sessions consisting of conditioning, physical training and skill work with no other player equipment except helmets. This week of acclimatization is similar to allowed summer football activities that have been ongoing for schools since June.”
David Kool, the new South Christian athletic director, on the set of WKTV Journal Sports Connection. (WKTV)
David Kool, athletic director at South Christian High School, told WKTV he welcomed the expanded clarity as to what his school’s teams and student athletes can and cannot do — “All in all, this was a very positive step for high school athletics in Michigan.”
“It is great to know that all fall sports will be able to begin practicing on time to a certain extent,” Kool said. “We are thrilled that golf, tennis, cross country and swimming can begin practice and competitions without delay. Soccer and volleyball are also able to begin practice without delay which is great news.
“Football, being in a helmet-only (practice restriction) for an extra week, is a great decision and made sense for our student athletes. The next step is getting encouraging news on August 20 that soccer, volleyball and football may begin competitions and we are hopeful that will happen.”
Limits also placed on scrimmages, tournaments and invitationals
Among the other actions announced by the Representative Council, the MHSAA’s 19-member legislative body, was the cancelations of scrimmages in all fall sports for this school year, and limitations on numbers of teams that may compete together at regular-season tournaments, invitationals and other multi-team events.
“The Council believed eliminating scrimmages emphasized the importance of keeping teams from mixing before the first date of competition, and the regular-season limitations may lessen opportunities for viral spread while still allowing meets to be conducted,” according to the MHSAA statement.
The expected Aug. 20 decision on competition for football, girls volleyball and boys soccer is “dependent on how the spread of the virus is trending statewide”, including “sustained metrics measuring virus spread and/or progression by schools and regions across the state according to Gov. Whitmer’s MI Safe Start Plan,” according to the statement.
“The Council, reflecting on the positive impact on their athletes this summer from taking part in offseason training, feels it’s of utmost importance to continue athletic activity moving forward,” MHSAA Executive Director Mark Uyl said in supplied material. “If we take a month off, our students will find opportunities to compete through non-school entities that may not be as focused on safety. Our athletic directors and coaches can provide the safest-possible environment to return to sports, and this phased-in approach to competition will help schools continue building on progress already made”
The MHSAA also has posted sport-by-sport guidance documents outlining increased precautions designed to limit the viral spread, plus a four-page overview with precautions that apply generally for all sports.
Specific sport guidelines and the overview are available on the respective sport pages of the MHSAA website, at mhsaa.com/sports.
At this point, the MHSAA has not ruled out a high school football season, so practice for Wyoming High School’s football team, shown her in action from 2019, is still scheduled to start in August. (Curtis Holt)
Late last week, the Michigan High School Athletic Association advised member schools of its decision that the state will begin the 2020-21 school year playing ‘fall sports as traditionally scheduled, but with contingency concepts for potential interruptions due to the spread of COVID-19.”
Bottomline for high school football fans: football teams can begin on-field practice in early August, as usual, and games will be played starting the week of Aug. 24. But …
“However, if the situation deems it necessary, the start of some or all fall sports practices or competitions could be delayed,” according to the MHSAA July 17 statement.
What does that mean for Wyoming and Kentwood athletic teams? At this point, when school districts are still working on re-opening plans, Wyoming high athletic director Ted Hollern says his teams are preparing for a normal fall but be ready for changes.
“We are moving forward, so far as everything is going to take place, with normal planning,” Hollern said to WKTV.
According to the MHSAA statement, the MHSAA Representative Council, the Association’s 19-member legislative body, met virtually with MHSAA staff July 15 to discuss a series of ideas for playing sports beginning in August. The Council will meet again July 29 for further discussion.
Currently, high school football practices are scheduled to begin Aug. 10, with all other fall sports to start practice Aug. 12.
The council considered a concept that would swap traditional fall and spring sports, but determined that was “not a feasible plan.”
The MHSAA is moving forward with a plan that first calls for all fall sports to be started and played as scheduled.The next step in the plan’s progression calls for lower-risk fall sports that can be played to be completed, with higher-risk fall sports postponed until later in the school year.
“If all fall sports must be suspended, they will be rescheduled during a reconfigured calendar that would see winter sports begin in November followed by the conclusion of fall and spring seasons potentially extending into July 2021,” according to the statement.
Football, girls volleyball, girls swimming & diving, and boys soccer during the fall are considered moderate or high-risk sports because they “include athletes in close contact or are played indoors.” Several traditional spring sports — girls soccer ,and girls and boys lacrosse — carry a similar high-risk sport designation.
Plans remain reliant on progression by schools and regions across the state according to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s MI Safe Start Plan. To start this week, two regions are in Phase 5, which allow for limited indoor activity, while the rest are in Phase 4 and unable to host indoor training, practice or competition.
“Our student-athletes just want to play, and we’ve gone far too long without them playing. But doing so safely, of course, remains the priority,” MHSAA Executive Director Mark Uyl said in supplied material. “Our plan moving forward is fall in the fall, starting on time. We’re excited to continue moving forward to bring back sports safely. It’s important for keeping students in our schools and keeping students in our sports programs.
“We remain grateful to the Governor for the opportunity to build the schedule and policies for returning sports to schools. We will continue to support her directives and those of the state and local health departments as we work to create the safest environment for all involved in our activities.”
Local high schools cannot yet open their weight rooms for summer student-athlete programs, but they now have guidance as to how the state’s sports governing body recommends such activities take place. (2019 photo from Lee High School by WKTV)
As a clear example of what Lee High School athletic director Jason Faasse described as an “ever-changing time” in Michigan high school athletics, there was exactly three days separating the May 29 release of the MHSAA’s “Guidance for Opening School Sports” and its June 2 reopening update.
Last week, the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA), the public school athletics governing body, issued its eagerly anticipated guidance on how summer preparations and possibly fall sports can take place in a time of COVID-19 related restrictions.
This week, the MHSAA updated its guidelines for reopening of school sports based on the lifting of stay-at-home order and further recommendations from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s office, announced Monday, June 1. All Michigan schools halted winter and spring sports when schools were ordered shut April 3 to help decrease the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus.
Wyoming High School AD Ted Hollern. (WKTV)
Even with a constantly changing environment, two local athletic directors were happy to at least have a starting point on the road to resuming athletics.
“Wyoming (Public Schools) is encouraged that the MHSAA has a universal plan in place for all school districts to follow,” Wyoming High School athletic director Ted Hollern said this week to WKTV. “It is a great blend of making sure we keep the kids safe while at the same time providing opportunities for our students to begin preparing for the upcoming athletic seasons.”
Stepped process and risk by sport
In the Guidance for Opening School Sports issued last week, the MHSAA “recommends a three-step process to returning to full athletic participation, and for each step outlines actions to be taken in five major areas: pre-workout/contest screening of athletes and coaches for sickness, limitations of the number of participants who may be involved in a gathering, proper cleaning for facilities, the use of equipment during activity and best practices for keeping participants safely hydrated.”
The plan also places sports into categories based on risk for transmitting the virus (low/moderate/high), with adjusted return-to-activity steps based on that level of risk. The MHSAA’s “Potential Infection Risk by Sport” is “modified from United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee Sports Medicine recommendations, which was examined through the probability of respiratory droplet transmission/exposure.”
For example, in football, actual Friday night football games are currently considered high risk while common 7-on-7 summer practiced are considered moderate. Wrestling and competitive cheer are also high risk. Low risk includes cross country and most track and field events, swimming and golf.
While the risk assessment included in the MHSAA document may give hints as to what sports might be on — or off — this fall, both ADs Hollern and Faasse said the more important aspect was giving school athletics summer activities a path forward.
“I think the MHSAA is giving us best practices (for us to follow),” Faasse said this week to WKTV. “This is an uncertain time, ever changing time, and we have to be careful with the kids. … (But) our coaches and kids are eager get back to work … When the school is open, and that is a district decision, we can start some things.”
The June 2 MHSAA update reiterates Faasse’s point of sports being ready when school administrations approve openings of schools and school facilities.
Member schools may begin summer activities at school facilities as long as school administration has announced schools facilities are open to students and staff, and the academic school year (last day of online instruction/exams) has ended, the MHSAA update states.
In addition, indoor facilities, including gymnasiums and weight rooms, remain closed. This includes swimming pools, although outdoor pools may be used for athletic activities. Competition is not yet allowed because participants must continue to follow social distancing.
“We were excited and encouraged by Governor Whitmer’s announcements Monday,” Mark Uyl, MHSAA executive director said in supplied material. “The opportunity for outside gatherings of up to 100 allowed us to rework a number of guidelines that we had published Friday as part of the MHSAA/NFHS reopening document.
“Our schools have been cautiously eager to take this long-awaited first step. We will continue to provide updates in accordance with the Governor’s directives for reopening the state, always prioritizing safety for all involved in school sports programs.”
The Guidance for Opening School Sports, according to the MHSAA, is based primarily on direction provided by the MHSAA and National Federation of State High School Associations’ (NFHS) Sports Medicine Advisory Committees, in addition to reopening plans provided by the Michigan and federal governments and recommendations from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Concepts from the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee also were consulted.
The MHSAA serves more than 1,500 public and private schools, including 750 high schools.
For the complete original MHSAA Guidance for Opening School Sports, see the document here. For updates on the MHSAA and school athletics, visit mhsaa.com.
Several local girls high school soccer teams will be in action this week.
By Mike Moll
WKTV Sports
The month of June may not have many scheduled events but each of them will be very important as they are all part of their respective MHSAA State tournament leading to the crowning of both individual state championships along with team state championships. The final school sports seasons draw to a close the weekend of June 16-17 when the girls soccer, boys baseball, and girls softball have the final competitions.
All the best to the student-athletes that have graduated and we look forward to seeing the underclassmen returning starting in August as the new year starts up and the fall sports seasons start it all over again.
While July will be an “empty” month as far as the high school sports schedule is concerned, the WKTV truck and crews will be covering various events over the course of the summer, so keep checking the broadcast schedule for more sporting events coming to you.
WKTV sports events will be broadcast on Live Wire Comcast Channel 24 throughout the Grand Rapids Metro Area and repeated later in the week on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T U-verse Channel 99 in Wyoming & Kentwood.
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, and any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, see now.wktv.org/sports/
The complete list of local high school sports events this week is as follows:
Thursday, June 1
Girls soccer
East Kentwood @ FH Central – MHSAA Div. 1 State Districts
West Michigan Aviation vs West Catholic @ Catholic Central – MHSAA Div. 3 State Districts
Godwin Heights @ Catholic Central – MHSAA Div. 3 State Districts
Covenant Christian vs Potter’s House @ NorthPointe Christian – MHSAA Div.4 State Regionals
Calvin Christian vs Tri-Unity Christian @ NorthPointe Christian – MHSAA Div. 4 State Regionals
Softball is just one of several high school sports nearing the end of their season. Catch a game today!
By Mike Moll
WKTV Sports
There are plenty of local high school sports events to check out this week — including the beginnings of state playoffs for tennis and track — but the WKTV truck and crews will not be back covering games until next week.
The final spring game coverage will be:
Wednesday, May 24 – Boys Baseball, Hopkins @ Godwin Heights
Each game will be broadcast that night on Live Wire Comcast Channel 24 at 10:30 p.m. throughout the Grand Rapids Metro Area and repeat later in the week — Wednesday games will be rebroadcast Saturdays at 11 a.m. — on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T U-verse Channel 99 in Wyoming & Kentwood.
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week in April, and any changes to the WKTV feature game schedule, see now.wktv.org/sports/
The complete list of local high school sports events this week due to spring break is as follows:
Monday, May 15
Boys baseball
Godwin Heights @ NorthPointe Christian
Kelloggsville @ Belding
South Christian @ Covenant Christian – DH
Tri-Unity Christian @ Potter’sHouse – DH
Calvin Christian @ Wyoming Lee
Girls softball
Godwin Heights @ NorthPointe Cristian – DH
Kelloggsville @ Belding – DH
South Christian @ Covenant Christian – DH
Calvin Christian @ Wyoming Lee – DH
Girls soccer
Godwin Heights @ Covenant Christian
Calvin Christian @ Kelloggsville
Wyoming @ FH Eastern
West Michigan Aviation @ Fruitport Calvary
South Christian @ Christian
Belding @ Wyoming Lee
Boys golf
Comstock Park @ Wyoming
East Kentwood @ Muskegon Mona Shores
Girls tennis
South Christian @ Zeeland East
Tuesday, May 16
Girls Tennis
Western Michigan Christian @ Kelloggsville
North Muskegon @ South Christian
Boys baseball
Wyoming @ Kenowa Hills
Middleville T-K @ South Christian – DH
East Kentwood @ Hudsonville – DH
Girls softball
Wyoming @ Kenowa Hills – DH
Middleville T-K @ South Christian – DH
East Kentwood @ Hudsonville – DH
Girls soccer
Hudsonville Hornets @ West Michigan Aviation
Tri-Unity Christian @ Holland Calvary
Hudsonville @ East Kentwood
Boys golf
Caledonia @ East Kentwood – OK Red Jamboree @ Stone Water
Wednesday, May 17
Girls soccer
Kelloggsville @ Godwin Heights
Wyoming @ Wayland
Wyoming Lee @ Calvin Christian
Boys golf
Kelloggsville – OK Silver Conference Tournament at The Meadows
Wyoming @ FH Eastern – OK Gold Jamboree @ Egypt Valley
South Christian @ FH Eastern – OK Gold Jamboree @ Egypt Valley
Boys baseball
Kelloggsville @ Calvin Christian
Tri-Unity Christian vs Holland Black River @ Fifth Third Ballpark – DH
Belding @ Wyoming Lee
Girls softball
Kelloggsville @ Calvin Christian
Belding @ Wyoming Lee
Thursday, May 18
Boys baseball
Tri-Unity Christian @ Godwin Heights
West Michigan Aviation @ Potter’s House
South Christian @ Middleville T-K
Hudsonville @ East Kentwood
Boys lacrosse
Catholic Central @ South Christian
Girls soccer
East Grand Rapids @ South Christian
Tri-Unity Christian @ Holland Black River
Rockford @ East Kentwood
Girls tennis
East Kentwood vs TBD @ Holland – MHSAA State Regionals
Girls softball
Rockford @ East Kentwood
Friday, May 19
Boys and girls track
Division 1 MHSAA State Regionals @ Kalamazoo-Loy Norrix
Division 2 MHSAA State Regionals @ Houseman Field
Division 3 MHSAA State regionals @ Saugatuck
Division 4 MHSAA State Regionals @ Holton
Girls softball
Godwin Heights @ Comstock Park
Ottawa Hills @ Kelloggsville – DH
Wyoming @ West Ottawa – DH
South Christian @ Zeeland East – DH
Girls soccer
Godwin Heights @ Belding
Kelloggsville @ NorthPointe Christian
South Christian @ Holland Christian
Boys baseball
Godwin Heights @ Union
West Michigan Aviation @ Kelloggsville – DH
Wyoming @ West Ottawa – DH
Girls tennis
Godwin Heights @ Comstock Park
Kelloggsville @ Christian – MHSAA State Regionals
Girls water polo
@ TBA – MHSAA State Regionals
Saturday, May 20
Boys baseball
West Michigan Aviation @ Bloomingdale – DH
Auburn Hills Oakland Christian @ Potter’s House – DH
East Kentwood @ Lakeview – DH
Zion Christian @ Mason County Eastern
Zion Christian @ Western Michigan Christian
Wyoming Lee @ Saranac
Girls soccer
Zion Christian @ West Michigan Aviation
Boys and girls track
Division 1 MHSAA State Regionals @ Kalamazoo-Loy Norrix
Division 2 MHSAA State Regionals @ Houseman Field
Division 4 MHSAA State Regionals @ Holton
Girls water polo
@ TBA – MHSAA State Regionals
Girls softball
Muskegon Reeths-Puffer @ East Kentwood – DH
Wyoming Lee @ Saranac
Boys golf
East Kentwood vs TBA @ The Mines
Monday, May 22
Boys baseball
Kelloggsville @ Godwin Heights
South Christian @ Unity Christian
Kenowa Hills @ East Kentwood
Hopkins @ Wyoming Lee – DH
Girls softball
Kelloggsville @ Godwin Heights – DH
FH Central @ South Christian – DH
East Kentwood @ Kenowa Hills
Hopkins @ Wyoming Lee – DH
Girls soccer
NorthPointe Christian @ Godwin Heights
Belding @ Kelloggsville
West Michigan Aviation @ Barry County Christian
Wyoming Lee @ Hopkins
Boys golf
Wyoming @ Christian – OK Gold Conference Meet @ Thornapple Pointe
South Christian @ Christian – OK Gold Conference Meet @ Thornapple Pointe
Baseball will be featured as WKTV’s high school sports coverage enters the final month of the 2016-17 school year.
By Mike Moll
WKTV Sports
Just as the academic school year is quickly coming to an end, especially for seniors with many graduations taking place this month, the spring schedules are following suit as MHSAA tournaments begin near the end of the month — so be sure to get out and watch one of the high school contests while you still can this month and support your local teams.
Likewise, the WKTV truck and crews covering games are winding down as May will bring viewers the last scheduled high school sporting event coverage until the fall when football kicks off again. May’s tentative schedule is:
Tuesday, May 2 – Girls Water Polo, EGR @ East Kentwood
Thursday, May 4 – Girls Softball, East Kentwood @ Grandville
Monday, May 8 – Boys Baseball, Belding @ Kelloggsville
Tuesday May 9 – Boys Baseball, Caledonia @ East Kentwood
Wednesday, May 24 – Boys Baseball, Hopkins @ Godwin Heights
Each game will be broadcast that night on Live Wire Comcast Channel 24 at 10:30 p.m. throughout the Grand Rapids Metro Area and repeat on later in the week — the Tuesday games will be rebroadcast Wednesdays at 5 p.m., and the Wednesday and Thursday games will be rebroadcast Saturdays at 11 a.m. — on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T U-verse Channel 99 in Wyoming & Kentwood.
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week in April, and any changes to the WKTV feature game schedule, see now.wktv.org/sports/
The complete list of local high school sports events this week due to spring break is as follows:
Monday, April 24
Boys Golf
South Christian @ Middleville T-K – OK Gold Jamboree @ Yankee Springs
The boys and girls basketball state playoffs kick off this week. And WKTV will be following local teams. (WKTV)
By Mike Moll
sportswktv@gmail.com
The remaining winter high school seasons conclude in March and the spring seasons get started the last ten days of the month. But starting this week and weekend, the sports schedule is busy with state championships all over the state.
The Michigan High School Athletic Association version of March Madness will continue the first week with girl’s districts wrapping up and eventually making their way to The Breslin Center on the MSU campus for state finals on the March 18, whereas the boys will begin district play the first full week of the month which will also lead to MSU to crown four state champions on March 25.
The wrestling state finals are March 2-4 at The Palace of Auburn Hills. That same weekend, on Friday and Saturday, will be the boys and girls bowling championships at various locations based on division. The busy championship weekend will also include the girls cheer on March 3-4 at The Delta Plex in Grand Rapids. Boys hockey drops the puck on pre-regionals this weekend of the month and will conclude their season the next weekend at Plymouth with semi-finals on Friday and finals on Saturday. Girls gymnastics and boys swimming will close out seasons with state championships the second weekend as well.
WKTV’s schedule will be determined by which teams remain in the tournaments between girls and boys basketball. The tentative early games currently are:
Friday, March 3
District Girls Basketball @ Grand Rapids Christian
or District Girls Basketball @ South Christian
Monday, March 6
District Boys Basketball Grand River Prep vs Kelloggsville and District Boys Basketball West Michigan Aviation vs Godwin Heights (both games being played at Godwin Heights)
Friday, March 10
District Boys Basketball @ Godwin Heights
The complete list of local high school athletic events this week include:
Wednesday, March 1
Girls Basketball
MHSAA State Districts @ South Christian – TBD vs Grand River Prep
MHSAA State Districts @ South Christian – West Michigan Aviation @vs South Christian
MHSAA State Districts @ Zion Christian – West Michigan Lutheran vs TBD
MHSAA State Districts @ Zion Christian – Potter’s House vs Holland Calvary
MHSAA State Districts @ Christian – East Kentwood @ Christian
Boys Swimming
@ East Kentwood – Second Shave Meet
Boys Hockey
MHSAA State Pre-Regionals @ Wing Stadium – East Kentwood vs TBD
Thursday, March 2
Boys Wrestling
MHSAA State Finals – @ The Palace of Auburn Hills
Boys Basketball
Kelloggsville @ Hamilton
Wyoming @ Benton Harbor
Grand River Prep @ Fruitport Calvary
South Christian @ Muskegon Reeths-Puffer
Friday, March 3
Boys/Girls Bowling
MHSAA State Finals – Division 1 @ Sterling Heights
MHSAA State Finals – Division 2 @ Canton
MHSAA State Finals – Division 3 @ Battle Creek
MHSAA State Finals – Division 4 @ Lansing
Girls Cheer
MHSAA State Finals – Division 1 @ The Delta Plex – Grand Rapids
Boys Wrestling
MHSAA State Finals – @ The Palace of Auburn Hills
Girls Basketball
MHSAA State Districts @ South Christian – TBD
MHSAA State Districts @ Zion Christian – TBD
MHSAA State Districts @ Christian – TBD
Saturday, March 4
Girls Cheer
MHSAA State Finals – Division 2, 3, 4 @ The Delta Plex @ Grand Rapids
Girls Gymnastics
MHSAA State Regionals – @ Kenowa Hills
MHSAA State Regionals – @ Grand Ledge
MHSAA State Regionals – @ Plymouth-Canton
MHSAA State Regional – @ Walled Lake Central
Boys Wrestling
MHSAA State Finals – @ The Palace of Auburn Hills
Boys/Girls Bowling
MHSAA State Finals – Division 1 @ Sterling Heights
MHSAA State Finals – Division 2 @ Canton
MHSAA State Finals – Division 3 @ Battle Creek
MHSAA State Finals – Division 4 @ Lansing
Boys Hockey
MHSAA State Regionals @ East Kentwood – TBD
Monday, March 6
Boys Basketball
MHSAA State Districts @ Godwin Heights – Grand River Prep vs Kelloggsville
MHSAA State Districts @ Godwin Heights – Godwin Heights vs South Christian
MHSAA State Districts @ Zeeland East – Wyoming @ Zeeland East
Tri-Unity Christian entered the Breslin Center for the 10th time under Coach Mark Keeler looking for another state championship. When the clock hit zero, the dream ended.
Boys Recap
Class D – State Semifinals
Waterford Our Lady – 64
Tri-Unity Christian – 53
Tri-Unity Christian was looking for its first state championship since 2011, but ended up falling in the semifinals due to an uncharacteristic fourth quarter that saw the game end on a 17-3 run.
The first three-quarters went back and forth with neither team holding more than a six-point lead. The Defenders were being badly outrebounded – final tally ended 37-17 in favor of Waterford Our Lady – but held things together with strong outside shooting and a tenacious defense that forced 15 turnovers on the night.
The well would eventually run dry.
With Tri-Unity up 50-47 in the final stanza, the Lakers of Waterford responded with a big three-pointer to tie things up. Another three just a few possessions later put the Lakers up 55-53 and put a final nail in the coffin.
Collin Rosendall led the Defenders with 17 points and senior Javi Cuevas added another 12. In all, the Defenders hit 7 three-pointers.
Tri-Unity only graduates two seniors, Cuevas and Willie Otol, and is poised to make another deep run in 2017.
Wyoming-Kentwood Area Teams and Final Results
Girls
Class A
East Kentwood
February 29
District First Round – W (58-39) Middleville Thornapple Kellogg
March 2
District Semifinal – W (53-51) East Grand Rapids
March 4
District Final – L (39-54) Grand Rapids Christian
Wyoming
March 2
District Semifinal – W (53-47) Jenison
March 4
District Final – L (28-50) Hudsonville
Class B
Godwin Heights
February 29
District First Round – L (38-60) South Christian
Grand River Prep
March 2
District Semifinal – L (15-67) Wayland Union
Kelloggsville
March 2
District Semifinal – L (7-79) South Christian
South Christian
February 29
District First Round – W (60-38) Godwin Heights
March 2
District Semifinal – W (79-7) Kelloggsville
March 4
District Final – W (63-42) Wayland Union
March 8
Regional Semifinal – W (59-53) Williamston
March 10
Regional Final – W (62-49) Portland
March 15
State Quarterfinals – W (67-51) Dearborn Heights Robichaud
March 18
State Semifinals – W (57-46) Detroit Country Day
March 19
State Finals – L (42-51) Marshall
Class D
Potter’s House
March 2
District Semifinal – W (62-55) West Michigan Lutheran
March 4
District Final – L (38-54) Tri-Unity Christian
Tri-Unity Christian
February 29
District First Round – W (50-40) Zion Christian
March 2
District Semifinal – W (72-36) Holland Calvary
March 4
District Final – W (54-38) Potter’s House
March 8
Regional Semifinal – W (46-44) Athens
March 10
Regional Final – W (58-46) Climax-Scotts
March 15
State Quarterfinals – L (30-71) Pittsford
West Michigan Lutheran
March 2
District Semifinal – L (55-62) Potter’s House
Boys
Class A
East Kentwood – District 5
March 7
District First Round – L (56-58) Ottawa Hills
Wyoming – District 6
March 7
District First Round – W (60-58) West Ottawa
March 9
District Semifinal – L (52-55 OT) Hudsonville
Class B
Godwin Heights – District 48
March 7
District First Round – W (65-52) Wayland Union
March 9
District Semifinal – W (64-43) South Christian
March 11
District Final – W (88-46) Kelloggsville
March 14
Regional Semifinal – L (55-57 OT) Williamston
Grand River Prep – District 48
March 7
District First Round – W (65-44) West Michigan Aviation Academy
March 9
District Semifinal – L (60-65) Kelloggsville
Kelloggsville – District 48
March 9
District Semifinal – W (65-60) Grand River Prep
March 11
District Final – L (46-88) Godwin Heights
South Christian – District 48
March 9
District Semifinal – L (43-64) Godwin Heights
West Michigan Aviation Academy – District 48
March 7
District First Round – L (44-65) Grand River Prep
Wyoming Lee – District 51
March 9
District Semifinal – L (24-70) Grand Rapids Catholic Central
Class D
Potter’s House – District 110
March 7
District First Round – W (81-6) West Michigan Lutheran
March 9
District Semifinal – L (60-65) Tri-Unity Christian
Tri-Unity Christian – District 110
March 9
District Semifinal – W (65-60) Potter’s House
March 11
District Final – W (61-47) Holland Calvary
March 14
Regional Semifinal – W (52-38) Marcellus Howardsville
March 16
Regional Final – W (73-52) Benton Harbor Countryside
March 22
State Quarterfinals – W (54-43) Adrian Lenawee Christian
March 24
State Semifinals – L (53 – 64) Waterford Our Lady
West Michigan Lutheran – District 110
March 7
District First Round – L (6-81) Potter’s House
With a win in the state quarterfinals, Tri-Unity Christian prepares for its 10th trip to the Breslin Center since 1996.
Boys Recap
Class D – State Quarterfinals
Tri-Unity Christian – 54
Adrian Lenawee Christian – 43
Javi Cuevas has helped lead the Defenders back to the Breslin Center
Tri-Unity Christian had to channel their inner underdog and embrace playing small ball against a much larger Adrian Lenawee Christian. Adrian Lenawee had the size (two players standing at 6’8″) that Tri-Unity couldn’t even pretend to compete with (no players over 6’1″), but in the end it didn’t matter.
At first, it looked like the Defenders were doomed. They couldn’t defend against the height and found themselves down 15-6 after the first 8 minutes. Things got a little better in the second half, but Tri-Unity still trailed 23-17 heading into the break.
In the second half, the outside shots started to fall. The Defenders stayed with their four guard offense and utilized their speed and shot making ability to stretch the floor and take the lead. The score stayed tight until Adrian Lenawee was forced to foul. Tri-Unity iced the game from the free throw line.
Three Defenders finished in double digits with Javi Cuevas leading the way with 16, Collin Rosendall adding 12 of his own, and Willie Otole finishing with 11.
For Tri-Unity Christian and head coach Mark Keeler, this is the program’s 10th trip to the Breslin Center since 1996. The Defenders are looking for their fifth state title under coach Keeler.
Tri-Unity Christian will face Waterford Our Lady in the state semifinals on March 24 at the Breslin Center.
Wyoming-Kentwood Area Teams and Results
Girls
Class A
East Kentwood
February 29
District First Round – W (58-39) Middleville Thornapple Kellogg
March 2
District Semifinal – W (53-51) East Grand Rapids
March 4
District Final – L (39-54) Grand Rapids Christian
Wyoming
March 2
District Semifinal – W (53-47) Jenison
March 4
District Final – L (28-50) Hudsonville
Class B
Godwin Heights
February 29
District First Round – L (38-60) South Christian
Grand River Prep
March 2
District Semifinal – L (15-67) Wayland Union
Kelloggsville
March 2
District Semifinal – L (7-79) South Christian
South Christian
February 29
District First Round – W (60-38) Godwin Heights
March 2
District Semifinal – W (79-7) Kelloggsville
March 4
District Final – W (63-42) Wayland Union
March 8
Regional Semifinal – W (59-53) Williamston
March 10
Regional Final – W (62-49) Portland
March 15
State Quarterfinals – W (67-51) Dearborn Heights Robichaud
March 18
State Semifinals – W (57-46) Detroit Country Day
March 19
State Finals – L (42-51) Marshall
Class D
Potter’s House
March 2
District Semifinal – W (62-55) West Michigan Lutheran
March 4
District Final – L (38-54) Tri-Unity Christian
Tri-Unity Christian
February 29
District First Round – W (50-40) Zion Christian
March 2
District Semifinal – W (72-36) Holland Calvary
March 4
District Final – W (54-38) Potter’s House
March 8
Regional Semifinal – W (46-44) Athens
March 10
Regional Final – W (58-46) Climax-Scotts
March 15
State Quarterfinals – L (30-71) Pittsford
West Michigan Lutheran
March 2
District Semifinal – L (55-62) Potter’s House
Boys
Class A
East Kentwood – District 5
March 7
District First Round – L (56-58) Ottawa Hills
Wyoming – District 6
March 7
District First Round – W (60-58) West Ottawa
March 9
District Semifinal – L (52-55 OT) Hudsonville
Class B
Godwin Heights – District 48
March 7
District First Round – W (65-52) Wayland Union
March 9
District Semifinal – W (64-43) South Christian
March 11
District Final – W (88-46) Kelloggsville
March 14
Regional Semifinal – L (55-57 OT) Williamston
Grand River Prep – District 48
March 7
District First Round – W (65-44) West Michigan Aviation Academy
March 9
District Semifinal – L (60-65) Kelloggsville
Kelloggsville – District 48
March 9
District Semifinal – W (65-60) Grand River Prep
March 11
District Final – L (46-88) Godwin Heights
South Christian – District 48
March 9
District Semifinal – L (43-64) Godwin Heights
West Michigan Aviation Academy – District 48
March 7
District First Round – L (44-65) Grand River Prep
Wyoming Lee – District 51
March 9
District Semifinal – L (24-70) Grand Rapids Catholic Central
Class D
Potter’s House – District 110
March 7
District First Round – W (81-6) West Michigan Lutheran
March 9
District Semifinal – L (60-65) Tri-Unity Christian
Tri-Unity Christian – District 110
March 9
District Semifinal – W (65-60) Potter’s House
March 11
District Final – W (61-47) Holland Calvary
March 14
Regional Semifinal – W (52-38) Marcellus Howardsville
March 16
Regional Final – W (73-52) Benton Harbor Countryside
March 22
State Quarterfinals – W (54-43) Adrian Lenawee Christian
March 24
State Semifinals – Waterford Our Lady
West Michigan Lutheran – District 110
March 7
District First Round – L (6-81) Potter’s House
Waterford Our Lady – 64
