Tag Archives: Wyoming Lee High School

Lee boys basketball team adds big district victory to league title

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After winning the Alliance League championship with a perfect 8-0 record, the Lee Legends opened play in the state tournament with a thrilling win against West Catholic. (Courtesy, Wyoming Lee)



By Greg Chrapek

WKTV Contributor



After winning the Alliance League championship with a perfect league record this season, the Lee basketball team opened the state tournament with a thrilling 49-48 win against West Catholic in the Division 2 district semifinal game Wednesday at the West Catholic district.

In a low-scoring, defensive struggle, the Legends persevered at the end to come away with the win that improved their record to 17-5 for the season. Lee now goes on to Friday’s district title game against Grand Rapids Catholic Central as the Legends go after their first district title since 1995.

“It was a great team win,” said Lee Coach Dominic Shannon. “I’m proud of our effort and proud of our energy. It was a tight game to the end. It was a back-and-forth game from the start to the finish. The biggest lead of the game was eight by us early in the game and at halftime we were up by two at 19-17.”

West Catholic came out playing a zone defense and looked to slow down the pace of the game against the Legends.

“They (West Catholic) tried to slow the game down,” Shannon said. “The opportunities that we did have to run we capitalized on. It was a fun game with great energy and I’m happy we were able to pull it out.”

Lee played a rugged non-conference schedule this season that included games against schools like East Kentwood, Benton Harbor, Kalamazoo Loy Norrix and Forest Hills Eastern, and that experience proved valuable in the district.

“The reason we played such a tough schedule is for moments like this,” Shannon said. “Our schedule prepared us for a game like this.”



Lee senior Ny’Zhem Marshall led with 17 points and 14 rebounds. (Courtesy, Wyoming Lee)



Marshall led the Legends with 17 points and 14 boards

Ny’Zhem Marshall led Lee with 17 points, 14 rebounds and six blocked shots. Nate Johnson added 11 points.

“Nate hit one of the biggest shots of the game for us,” Shannon said. “We were down 45-42 in the fourth quarter. Marc Whitfield drove to the basket and the defense collapsed on him. Nate is one of our best three-point shooters and Marc recognized that and kicked the ball out to him on the wing and Nate knocked the shot down to tie the game.”

 

Conference crown two-straight years

The district win comes after the Legends wrapped up a regular season that saw them win a conference title for the second consecutive year and with a perfect league mark for the second straight season.

“I’m so proud of our boys for capturing back-to-back conference championships for multiple reasons,” Shannon said. “One, the boys made history at Lee with back-to-back conference championships for the first time since 1971 and 1972.”

A key to success for the Legends this year is the way the team prepares for each game.

“The key to capturing our conference was trusting our preparation,” Shannon said. “Even though our conference is untraditional with teams only playing each other once, we were able to get film and have a gameplan based on what was shown on film. There were games when we were off, but we also have a strong bench and at times we were able to insert someone from the bench to provide a boost.



Specifically, I can recall the Wellspring game as we were down heading into the fourth quarter. The coaching staff made an adjustment as a starter was having an uncharacteristically off-game and essentially the adjustment aided with the win.”

Lee also did a solid job of handling the adversity it faced during the season.

“We started the season 0-3 and finished 15-5 overall,” Shannon said, “not to mention we dealt with many injuries this year and we are actually full strength in the postseason.”

On the court, the Legends count on strong defense as a major team strong point.

“A strong component of our team is our ability to defend baseline to baseline, regardless of who’s defending,” Shannon said. “We have great versatility in our defense this year and we really pressure the ball which has led to great success. We like to be able to make guards uncomfortable when starting their offense to disrupt rhythm and timing.” 



Lee senior Marc Whitfield leading the Legends this year. (Courtesy, Wyoming Lee)


Marc Whitfield leading the team

Leading the way for the legends this season is Marc Whitfield. The reigning conference player of the year, Whitfield averages 22 points, four rebounds, four assists and three steals per game while shooting 40 percent from beyond the three-point arc. Whitfield has five 30-point games this season with a season-high 35 points in the win against Grand River Prep.

Ny’Zhem Marshall all-around production

Ny’Zhem Marshall provides all-around production averaging 11 points, eight rebounds, four blocked shots and two assists per game while shooting 50% from beyond the three-point line. Marshall also recorded five games with seven blocked shots.

Clarence Lewis, who guarded the opposing team’s best player this season, added eight points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals per game and recorded a season-high of six steals in one game. Nathan Johnson averaged nine points and three rebounds per game while shooting 40% from the three-point line. Johnson also scored a season-high 22 points in two games this season. 

Legends use record-setting performance to secure first winning season since 2006

City of Wyoming, Entertainment News, Sports, West Michigan, , ,



By Ty Marzean

WKTV Contributor




The 2022 edition of the Lee Legends gave up 60 points per game while scoring 17 en route to an 0-9 season.

The 2023 Legends improved on both metrics, scoring 38 ppg and giving up 32. 



Lee football coach Lamar Marshall. (WKTV/Hayden Passig)

Second-year Coach Lamar Marshall stressed execution and growth from last season’s struggles in the off-season.

“Maturity, experience, and knowing how varsity football operates,” Coach Marshall said. “Every down is meaningful. Executing on all three phases of the game is crucial.”

On Friday night, the Legends secured their first winning season (5-4) since 2006 with a record-setting 62-0 win over Bloomingdale. 



The Legends’ defense, led by defensive coordinator Damion Gregory, scored a school-record four touchdowns. 

“My hats off to my defensive coordinator, Damion Gregory,” Marshall said. “He did an incredible job with that unit.”

Sophomore wide receiver Aidan Merriweather showed his defensive skills with two interceptions returned for a touchdown and a recovered fumble for a score.  

Hybrid linebacker Jaden Potts also took an interception 75 yards for a touchdown. 

The Legends set another record in the blowout win.


Quarterback Anthony Blok from an earlier game this season. (Courtesy, Shafi Subhan)


Lee QB Anthony Blok sets passing TD record in a season

Junior quarterback Anthony Blok went 4-for-7 for 154 yards and three passing touchdowns to set a Lee record for most passing touchdowns in a season with 29.

Senior running back Clarence Lewis finished his lone football season with 147 yards from scrimmage and two scores. 

“Clarence was huge for us,” Marshall said. “He made plays when we needed him, too. He was a vocal and emotional leader.”

The Legends will lose three graduating seniors: Lewis and defensive standouts Issac Delgado and Kameron Washington. 

The 2024 Legends will look to build upon the gains they made this season. Lee will return many key starters, including Blok and Merriweather, among others.

“Aidan set the confidence tone this December with his dedication to the weight room. He got stronger, and it motivated the team to follow suit.

“Without a doubt, he will be the vocal leader next year. Players tend to get behind him, especially when he’s assertive.”

Marshall also anticipates significant growth from freshmen Jaden Sanchez and Ziere Feast. 

“I expect Jaden and Ziere to lead us on defense next year,” Marshall said of his young talent.

The Legends are ineligible for the MHSAA 8-Man playoffs due to enrollment limits and will finish the 2023 season with a 5-4 record.



Lee boys basketball program completes major turnaround season; 19-2 overall, 8-0 atop Alliance League

City of Wyoming, Sports, West Michigan, , ,
Coach Dominic Shannon huddles up his team during a game earlier this season with Potter’s House. (WKTV/Greg Chrapek)


By Cris Greer

WKTV Managing Editor

greer@wktv.org



After a successful basketball season, Lee Coach Dominic Shannon said it’s an understatement to say he’s proud of the boys.

“Words truly can’t express the love and respect we have for this special group of boys,” said Lee, whose team finished 19-2 overall and 8-0 in the Alliance League. “We accomplished the first conference championship in 43 years and lost by a total of four points all season. In my second year as head coach, we are well on our way to revitalizing a program which once upon a time had rich basketball history.

“The goal coming into this season was to continue to reshape the culture and for the student-athletes to understand what must be accepted or received in order to have a memorable season. I’m not surprised that we were successful, but I did not expect us to win 19 games this year. My staff and I, once fall league started, we began to see the team form and we all believed we would have the first winning season since 2010-2011, in which that Lee team finished 12-11.”


Last year, the Legends were 5-16 overall and 2-6 in the League.

Shannon’s highlight this season?

“Seeing the boys accept accountability and holding their brothers accountable,” Shannon said. “The 19 wins and two losses are impressive, the first conference championship in 43 years is extremely impressive, but as a coach I understand that the ball stops bouncing after so much time has passed.

“Once that ball stops bouncing all they’ll have left is their character and values and principles that they’ll stand on. We definitely want to win and compete, but the growth and maturity of the boys is essentially the driving force behind the success. This season was a success on several levels.”

Overtime loss to Godwin Heights in the districts

Shannon said the overtime loss to Godwin was and still is tough to swallow.

“We executed the game plan as we were up five points with under 40 seconds left in regulation and not to mention we missed 16 total free throws while being in position to win the game in regulation,” Shannon explained. “Execution late in the game was not what we’re capable of, essentially leading to an early playoff exit. I am already preparing for next season as I see where I can sharpen as preparation is key.

“The environment was very fun and I hope this game has restored the rivalry between Lee and Godwin.”

Scoring leader junior Marc Whitfield

Whitfield averaged 20 points, 5 assists and 3 steals this season. He had three 30-point games with a season high of 36 points against Lansing Eastern.

Lee guard Marc Whitfield. (Courtesy, Lee High School)



“Marc came into the season as our best player and I believe he exited the season as a more well-rounded player,” Shannon said. “The challenge for Marc this season was leading vocally the correct way. Marc’s energy and passion is felt each day in practice. So as coaches we evaluate what a student-athlete can do to improve themselves on and off the court, and for Marc it was communication.

“We’ve seen him accept ownership in not so pleasant times, lift up his teammates when they get down on themselves and show full maturity in the Godwin game. We believe he is a special athlete and his senior year is going to be fun to watch.”



Lone senior starter Joe Russau

“We sincerely appreciate the example he set as a senior by maintaining a 3.5 GPA all season and the presence he had as a captain,” Shannon said. “As a captain, there’s certain expectations the coaches have and he absolutely met them and it’ll be tough to see him go. He has yet to make a decision on where he’ll be playing college basketball next year, but whichever school he commits to will be receiving an awesome young man.”

Expectations for next year? 

Shannon said they will keep building upon the foundation laid two years ago.

“We are only losing one starter and three seniors total entering next season which provides comfort for the coaching staff as our senior class will be strong and understanding of expectations,” he explained. “We are expecting next season to be a battle in our conference and we’ll likely have a target on our back as defending conference champions.

“It would definitely be sweet to repeat as conference champs, but to meet those expectations, the work begins now.” 

Tree Amigos fall planting adds 20 trees to city streets, park

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On. Sept. 26, seven trees were planted in the Godfrey-Lee neighborhood in parkways in front of residents’s homes. (Courtesy Tree Amigos)

By Estelle Slootmaker
City of Wyoming Tree Commission

The City of Wyoming Tree Commission, “The Tree Amigos,” planted 20 trees with funds from a DTE Foundation grant administered by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. The original spring planting dates were moved to fall due to COVID-19.

On Sept. 26, seven trees were planted in the Godfrey-Lee neighborhood in parkways in front of residents’ homes. On Oct. 10, another seven trees will be planted in the neighborhood and eight trees in Oriole Park, where many trees have had to be removed. Each tree represents a $500 investment. Excavation and permitting are being provided by the City of Wyoming. In addition to the Tree Amigos volunteers, five youth volunteers from Lee High School National Honor Society are helping with the plantings this fall.

Community members and students from Wyoming Lee High School have worked to add more trees to the Godfrey Lee neighborhood. (Courtesy photo by Tree Amigos)

The Tree Amigos have focused on the Godfrey Lee neighborhood the past two years because it has lost many trees to storms and development. On Arbor Day 2019, Wyoming Lee High School Ecology Club joined the Tree Amigos for the City’s 2019 Arbor Day Ceremony. To open the event, members of the Club planted two tulip trees on school property bordering Lee Street. The trees were provided by The Tree Amigos.

“We absolutely have some areas that need this resource,” said Vlad Borza, a Lee High School teacher who leads the Ecology Club. “I actually worked on a project just last year with high school ecology students to identify this very need.

“Due to disease and windfall, several of the trees along the (school’s) front parking area and along the side had to be removed in recent years. We would love to re-populate this area with some preferably native trees that can begin to complete the void left behind by these removals.”

The Friends of Grand Rapids Parks has also noted the need for increasing tree canopy in this area where Wyoming and Grand Rapids share a boundary. This City of Grand Rapids organization has been a helpful resource for The Tree Amigos. Its Urban Forest Project also offer resources and tree education classes, which are open to Wyoming residents.

“There is no arguing the significant environmental and economic benefits that trees bring to our communities,” said Lauren Davis, urban forest coordinator for the Friends of Grand Rapids Parks and who serves as The Tree Amigos volunteer consulting certified arborist. “As we continue to lose mature trees from natural causes and development, the need to plant new trees has never been greater.”

The Tree Amigos also added six fruit trees to the City of Wyoming Tree Commission’s Beverly Bryant Community Orchard at West Elementary this fall.

For more information about The Tree Amigos, visit the organization’s Facebook page.

The Tree Amigos and area residents will be out again on Oct. 10 to plant more trees. (Courtesy Photo by Tree Amigos)