Coloma’s Ishmael and Smith earn second place at Berrien County wrestling invitational

Wrestling teams from Coloma and Watervliet joined fellow grapplers from Lakeshore, Niles, Edwardsburg, Lawton, Constantine, Buchanan, Brandywine, River Valley, St. Joseph, Berrien Springs, Dowagiac, Cassopolis, Eau Claire, New Buffalo/Bridgman, and Benton Harbor at the Greater Berrien County Wrestling Invitational on Saturday, January 28.

JAMMIN’ JAMANE… Coloma’s Jamane Smith dropped Lakeshore’s Zeke Rohl to the mat Saturday during the Greater Berrien County Wrestling Invitational. Smith would pick up a 7-3 decision over Rohl and would later roll into the championship round in the 189 lb. weight class. Smith wrestled his way to a second place finish at the event. (TCR photo by Kristy Noack)

Held at St. Joseph, the meet featured the area’s best wrestlers, and competition was fierce. The meet was won by Lakeshore with 277 points and six individual champions. Coloma finished seventh with 58 points and Watervliet rang in, in ninth place, with 49 points.

Coloma heralded the success of two of its own as Ian Ishmael and Jamane Smith wrestled in championship matches in the 130 and 189 lb. weight classes, respectively.

Ishmael faced Tony Williams of Lakeshore in the 130 lb. bout and was pinned at 0:56.

Smith squared off against Edwardsburg’s Austin Cline at 189 and lost a close match, 8-6.

Coloma’s Cody Reese and Watervliet’s Klayton Marshall took to the mat in the 125 lb. weight class in a match for third place. It took all three periods, but Reese pulled out the 8-3 victory.

Watervliet’s Brad Yazel took home fourth place in the 152 lb. weight class after he was pinned by Robert Glover of Niles at 0:29. Fellow Panther Logan Swigart was pinned by Dawson Bruckner of Niles at 0:48 in a 189 lb. match.

Watervliet’s Trevor Pelton ended his day in sixth place. He was pinned at 1:33 by St. Joseph’s Evan Fitts. Also wrestling to sixth place was Coloma’s Cole Allmon. He put up quite a battle against Roy Solis of Cassopolis was but pinned at 4:40.

Hartford roughed up by Gobles

Hartford girls’ varsity basketball coach Lee Mireles will be the first to tell you that to win a basketball game you need more than three players scoring points.

Hartford lost 54-32 Friday, January 27 to visiting Gobles in an effort that saw AJ Jackson and Marissa Beraza score 30 of their team’s points.

Gobles commanded the game from the get-go. They led 14-8 after the first period and had a comfortable 29-13 lead as the first half faded away.

Hartford scored six points in the third period and 13 in the fourth period, but the damage was done. Gobles took the 54-32 victory.

Beraza scored four 3-pointers for Hartford. She accounted for six of Hartford’s eight first period points and five of the team’s six third period points. Beraza also had five steals and five rebounds.

Jackson was the lone Indian to score in the fourth period. She tallied all 13 points in a heck of an effort, both offensively and defensively. She grabbed eight rebounds and had two blocks.

Also scoring for Hartford was Mikenzie Chambers; she chipped in two points. Angela Saldana, Jessica Cortes, and Elly Valdes were credited with one block each. Amara Wesaw and Megan Nelson had two steals apiece.

Watervliet rolls to 11th victory with 43-34 win over Lawrence

Watervliet girls’ varsity basketball team is certainly on a hot streak. The squad earned their seventh consecutive victory and 11th of the season as they lambasted Lawrence 43-34 in a make-up game Saturday, January 28. The Watervliet win was only the second loss of the season for Lawrence.

The Lady Panthers took a 10-4 lead in the first period and never gave it up. The team scored 13 points in the second period and led 23-11 at intermission.

Watervliet scored 20 points in the second half. The Panthers held Lawrence to seven points in the third period and gave up 15 in the fourth. As time expired, the victory was Watervliet’s, 43-34.

Logan Mizwicki was the high scorer for Watervliet; she scored 13 points. Mizwicki also had eight rebounds and five steals in the contest.

Ariana Rowe added nine points for Watervliet, and Casie Gohr tallied seven points. Zoe Smith chipped in six points and contributed three assists. Katie Schultz scored five points and grabbed eight boards. Jaelyn Pitre scored three points and had five rebounds and three assists.

The Panthers are now 11-3 overall and sit atop the Southwestern Athletic Conference – Lakeshore Division in first place.

Nelson’s 19 points gave Hartford fighting chance against Gobles

Hartford’s Austin Nelson scored 19 points against a tough Gobles squad as the Indians lost 65-56 to their Southwestern Athletic Conference – Lakeshore Division foes.

HE GOT GAME… Hartford’s Austin Nelson has the ball firmly in hand as he heads toward the basket Friday in a game against Gobles. Teammate Luke Manning, meanwhile, blocks a Gobles defender. Nelson led the Indians with 19 points in the 65-56 loss to the Tigers. (TCR photo by Kristy Noack)

The tipoff went to Gobles, who tried a layup but missed the bucket. On the ensuing Hartford possession, Gobles stole the ball and scored two points.

Hartford head coach John Johnson did not like what he saw and called quick timeout to review things with his squad.

Gobles next possession found them attempting a 3-pointer but it bounced off the rim. The Tigers played great defense, got the rebound, and scored.

Hartford was on the board with two points before Nelson landed the team’s first 3-pointer of the night. Gobles held a 10-5 lead.

William Martinez of Hartford scored two points and then, on the following possession, landed a 3-pointer and was fouled. Martinez missed the free throw, but Hartford had drawn to within three points of Gobles, 13-10.

In one of the most impressive shots during the game, Nelson hit a fade away from feet beyond the arc as time ran out in the first period. It was an incredible shot and pumped up the crowd. Hartford trailed 15-13 at the end of the first period.

Hartford scored 10 points in the second period and held Gobles to nine points in the second period. Nelson was fouled as he threw the ball up toward the basket in the paint. The ball fell through the basket and Nelson’s free throw completed the three point play. That play gave the Indians the lead for the first time in the game.

Hartford’s offense and defense continued to work in the second period. Nelson had another successful three-point play on a field goal and free throw, while Hunter Ackerman had a nice steal of an inbounds Gobles pass.

Buddy Earls attempted a 3-pointer, which missed, but teammate Martinez was there for the rebound and ensuing bucket.

Jake Griffith got on the board for the Indians as well. He sank a field goal on a dish from Nelson. Hartford led 23-20.

Gobles made up the difference with two quick plays in which they scored four points. With 17.8 seconds left on the clock in the first half, Hartford had the ball but was unable to score. Gobles led 24-23 at intermission.

Second half scoring went to Gobles. They outscored Hartford 41-33 and snagged the 65-56 win.

Martinez scored 15 points for Hartford.

Goodline scores 36 points as the Comets streak past Bangor

“It must have been the haircut,” Coloma head coach Paul Marfia mused following his team’s 64-16 drubbing of Southwestern Athletic Conference – Lakeshore Division foe Bangor on Friday, January 27. According to Marfia, four Comets recently had new coiffures when they came to court and Friday it made a difference.

Zach Goodline, one player with a fresh haircut, tossed in 36 of his team’s points including five 3-pointers. Goodline was also perfect from the free throw line, hitting seven of seven.

Bangor, who is winless thus far this season, was held to seven first-period points, while Coloma put 22 on the scoreboard.

At intermission, Coloma led 44-11. The Comets added another 20 second half points. Coloma limited Bangor to four points in the third period and one in the fourth.

“(Goodline’s 36 points) was quite a display, but I was also as equally impressed with (Coloma) only allowing 16 points. It took a combination of team effort and energy,” Marfia stated.

Adam Hearn scored six points for Coloma. He was also perfect from the charity stripe, scoring on four of four. Tevon Blazier dropped a 3-pointer and had five points total.

Robbie Schroeder, Brendon Lute and Michael Dancer posted four points each. Willie Donald and Levi Wilkens scored two points apiece, while Calvin Starnes had one point.

Coloma shot 78% from the free throw line, scoring on 14 of 18 attempts.  The Comets are now 6-6 overall and 4-2 in the SAC – Lakeshore.

Panthers post sixth consecutive victory after pouncing all over Delton Kellogg

The Watervliet Lady Panther varsity basketball squad continued their quest for a Southwestern Athletic Conference title by defeating Delton Kellogg 50-43 on Friday, January 27.

Delton Kellogg held a 10-7 lead following the first period. Watervliet scored another seven points in the second period. The Panther defense had settled in and limited Delton Kellogg to just four points in the period. The teams were tied 14-14 at the half.

The Lady Panthers took a one point lead at the end of the third period, 25-24.

The intensity of play on both sides of the scoring table picked up in the fourth period. A scoring bonanza occurred in the fourth period as both teams demanded the win. Baskets were exchanged, points were given and taken. Watervliet scored 25 points and held Delton Kellogg to 19 for the 50-43 win. How sweet it was!

Zoe Smith led Watervliet with 12 points. Logan Mizwicki tossed in 10 points and was credited with eight rebounds.

Jaelyn Pitre and Ariana Rowe tallied six points apiece. Casie Gohr also scored six points and had four assists. Katie Schultz added four points. Kara Liles scored four points and grabbed six rebounds. Katie Clark had five boards and scored two points.

Hartford hampered by undefeated Brandywine

Hartford knew it was facing a challenge Tuesday, January 24 as the tribe faced an undefeated Brandywine team, who enjoyed home court advantage. The Indians proved just how much progress they continue to make this season, as they kept pace with the Bobcats until the end. Unfortunately, the game tipped Brandywine’s way in a 67-56 victory.

The Bobcats jumped out to a 17-11 lead after the first period. It was an energized Hartford team that set the pace of the second period. The Indians scored 17 points as they ran the court. At intermission, Hartford trailed by just one point, 29-28.

Both teams showed grit and determination through the second half. In the third period, Hartford scored 17 points and just missed tying Brandywine’s 19. The Indians trailed by three at the end of three.

A strong fourth period by the Bobcats put the game just out of Hartford’s reach. Brandywine scored 19-11 for the 67-56 win.

William Martinez led Hartford with 24 points and Austin Nelson scored 15.

Hartford blitzed by the Bobcats

A disappointing lack of offense in the second half of the ball game allowed the Bobcats of Brandywine to top the Hartford girls’ varsity basketball team Tuesday, January 24. The Indians dropped the contest, 64-35.

SHOOTING TALL… Mikenzie Chambers of Hartford’s girls’ varsity basketball team leaps high in the air Friday as the Indians hosted Gobles. Hartford lost the contest 54-32. (TCR photo by Kristy Noack)

The road game opened with Brandywine outscoring Hartford 18-10 in the first period. The Indian defense applied more pressure in the second period and held Brandywine to 11 points. As the first half closed out, Hartford trailed 29-22.

The second period was all Brandywine. The squad scored 35 points and held Hartford to 13 to take the 64-35 win.

AJ Jackson was the high scorer for Hartford. She sank 17 points. Marissa Beraza chipped in five points for the Indians.

Coloma clipped the Bangor Vikings

Coloma girls’ varsity basketball team scored a 29-21 victory over Bangor Friday, January 27.

Coloma won their fifth game in the Southwestern Athletic Conference – Lakeshore Division. Bangor has only notched one win this season.

With the victory, Coloma stands in third place in the SAC – Lakeshore and holds a 6-4 overall record.

Hartford wrestling quad yields losses for Indians and Watervliet Panthers

 Hartford hosted a wrestling quad Wednesday, January 25 that featured matchups between Constantine, Decatur, Watervliet, and the home team grapplers.

WHO’S THE BOSS?… Water-vliet’s Brad Yazel picked up Lawton’s Aric Specht and sent him to the mat during their bout in the 152 lb. weight class Sat-urday at the Greater Berrien County Wrestling Invitational. Yazel pinned Specht at 4:45 for the win. (TCR photo by Kristy Noack)

Hartford fell 74-0 to Decatur and 75-6 to Constantine. Watervliet lost 66-12 to Constantine and 65-10 to Decatur.

In the Southwestern Athletic Conference – Lakeshore Division, Bangor, Coloma, and Gobles are knotted up in first place with 4-1 records. Hartford is 0-4.

Sign up now for Sarett Spring Stampede

 Registration is now open for Sarett Nature Center’s annual Spring Stampede. The 5k run and walk will be held on Saturday, April 8 at 9:00 a.m. Registration and packet pick-up will be open at 7:30 that morning.

The registration fee is $20 if you sign up by March 24. Register online at www.sarett.com.

Watervliet Rec softball and baseball registration is now!

 It is time to get your baseball- and softball-loving children signed up for the 2017 season sponsored by the Watervliet Rec Council.

Stop by the Watervliet High School cafeteria on Sunday, February 5 from 9:00 a.m. until noon; Tuesday, February 7 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.; and Saturday, February 11 from 9:00 a.m. until noon.

Children are encouraged to attend registration so they can be sized for uniforms.

Hartford Council for Recreation announces summer ball sign-up dates

 Register your children for the 2017 summer ball season with Hartford rec council at Red Arrow Elementary School from 6 – 8 p.m. on Tuesday, February 7 or Monday, February 20.

More information can be found at their website www.hartfordrecreation.org or on their Facebook page.

AQB FINAL GAME PREVIEW

Super Bowl sights set on Houston; AQBs pick final football game this season

By Kristy Noack

After 22 grueling weeks scouting football teams and players, comparing touchdowns thrown versus passes caught, and gazing into their crystal footballs, the end has come for our Tri-City Record Armchair Quarterbacks. This is the final game of the 2016-17 year and it all comes down to an epic battle in the Lone Star State.

Each week our six super fabulous gridiron greats put pencils to paper in the hopes of predicting the outcome of football games. Additionally one game was selected as the tie-breaker contest. Pleasant prognosticators had to predict the total points scored in that contest. The tie-breaker game was used to determine weekly rankings if AQBs ended up with identical records.

Tim Hildebrand opened up the season with a three-game run atop the leaderboard. Rodney Lynch spent four weeks in sole possession of first place and shared the spot an additional three times.

Greg Krell spent three weeks in the top spot, two of which were shared with Lynch. RoxAnn Rodney-Isbrecht laid claim to the number one position beginning with week 13 and refuses to give it up. She holds a substantial six game lead and, no matter the outcome of the game, will mark her second consecutive year as Armchair Quarterback Champion.

Chris Leach and Tom Gear round out our competitors; they tried their darndest to climb to the top but just could not break out of the pack.

There is one final game left on the docket this season: Super Bowl LI. The game will be played in Houston on Sunday, February 5 and will feature the New England Patriots versus the Atlanta Falcons.

The TCR AQBs are split as to which team will take home the trophy.

The Patriots are looking to cement their franchise’s legacy with their ninth big game appearance. New England has four SB victories in eight appearances. On the other hand, Atlanta is making only their second Bowl appearance. Vegas has New England three-point favorites to win the game. It is the number one AFC seed facing the number two NFC seed.

But none of that matters once the teams hit the field. Will Brady and Co. stroll into the game overconfident? Will Atlanta be gunning for their first big game win? Will Doritos have a better commercial than Pepsi? And just what are those Clydesdales up to now? Will Arthur Blank have an opportunity to show off new dance moves?

It’s the Super Bowl, baby! Anything can happen.