06-28-2018 Tri-City Area Sports

Hartford All-Star softball tourney underway

Indian Pride Park was hopping last weekend as the Hartford Council for Recreation held its annual All-Star softball invitational.

Originally scheduled to begin Friday, June 22, the tourney opening was postponed one day due to heavy rains that fell most of Friday.

Games shifted to Saturday, and the tourney wrapped up Tuesday. Four new champions were crowned in 8U, 10U, 12U, and 14U divisions.

In 8U action, Coloma, Hartford, and Watervliet All-Star teams were joined by squads from Paw Paw, Decatur, River Valley, Gobles, and South Haven.

Coloma posted a 1-3 record and finished sixth in the division.  In their first game, Coloma lost 15-11 to South Haven.  The Comets then lost 9-7 to Gobles.

Coloma defeated Decatur 19-4 before falling once again to South Haven, this time by a score of 16-4.

ENTER COVERAGE… Coloma 8U outfielder McKenzie Harris checks a South Haven runner at second base Sunday during All-Star competition at Hartford’s Indian Pride Park. Coloma trailed the Rams 8-0 at the end of the first inning. (TCR photo by Kristy Noack)

Watervliet opened the tourney with a 14-6 victory over Paw Paw. The Panthers also posted a 17-3 win over host Hartford.  Watervliet fell 16-8 to River Valley but did make it into the final elimination game before the championship round.

Hartford shut out Decatur 15-0 in their opening game of the tournament.  The Indians dropped their next contest to Watervliet, 17-3. Following the loss, Hartford hammered Gobles 18-9 to pick up their second win. The Indians then outslugged South Haven 12-11 for their third win of the weekend and a place in the championship game.

The final elimination game of the bracket was held Monday when Watervliet and Hartford tangled for the final spot in the championship.  Watervliet and Hartford battled but it was Watervliet earning the 13-9 victory and final spot in the championship game against South Haven. Hartford finished the tourney with a 3-2 record and in third place.

Coloma’s 8U team received the team sportsmanship award.

HALL OF FAME FORRESTER… Jason Forrester, an inductee into the inaugural Watervliet Hall of Fame class accepted his award from Watervliet High School Athletic Director Ken Dietz. (TCR photo by Kristy Noack)

In 10U action, Hartford was joined by teams from River Valley, South Haven, and Lawrence. Coloma and Watervliet did not field 10U teams for the tournament.

Hartford lost their first game to River Valley 12-4. The Indians then recorded two victories over Lawrence, 6-2 and 12-1.

In the championship game, Hartford faced off on the diamond against undefeated River Valley.  The Indians lost 5-3 to finish as the runner-ups in the tourney. They tallied a 2-2 record. Lawrence was crowned with the team sportsmanship award.

The 12U division featured five teams including Hartford. The Indians hammered Decatur 24-4 in their first game.  They outlasted Dowagiac 8-7 but were outplayed by South Haven 12-10. Hartford roared back to send Dowagiac packing by a score of 12-4. With their 3-1 record, the Indians took on South Haven in the championship game Tuesday.

Dowagiac was honored with the team sportsmanship award.

There was plenty of talent at the 14U division level. After all, these are the future stars of the varsity teams in a year or two. Hartford and Watervliet were two of the six teams in the bracket.

Hartford lost their first game 5-4 to Dowagiac.  The Indians then rolled over Bridgman 8-2. Hartford won 14-3 over North Lincoln then nipped Dowagiac 3-1 to earn a spot in the championship game.

Watervliet beat Bridgman 8-2 and defeated Dowagiac 8-7 to claim their place in the championship game.

Watervliet and Hartford squared off Tuesday.

As of press time, results from Tuesday’s contests were not available. See next week’s Press Box article for a complete wrap up of the All-Star tourney.

PITCH PERFECT… Watervliet 14U pitcher Haiden Edelberg was on the mound against Dowagiac Sunday. The game was tied 1-1 after the first inning, but Watervliet would pull out the win. That victory gave Watervliet a berth in the championship game Tuesday. (TCR photo by Kristy Noack)

Lake Michigan College to hold boys’ basketball camp

Lake Michigan College announced they will host a boys’ basketball camp Monday, July 9 through Friday, July 12 for those entering fourth through 10th grades. The camp will be held at the St. Joseph High School field house, which is located at 2521 Stadium Drive in St. Joseph. The camp will run from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. each day. Players need to dress for play and bring a refillable water bottle and sack lunch each day.

Jeremy Schaeffer will act as the head coach and will be assisted by Gregg Schaffer. According to the college, campers will learn basketball skills, teamwork, and leadership.

If your future all-star is interested in participating, the cost of the camp is $175. There is a family discount if there are multiple players from the same family. A scholarship rate of $75 is also available to those who qualify. Registration forms are available at lakemichigancollege.edu/athletics.

Contact LMC Athletic Director Melissa Grau at (269) 927-6172 or via email at grau@lakemichigancollege.edu for additional information or with any questions.

MHSAA release parade of champions numbers for 2017-18

The Michigan High School Athletic Association released its numbers of champions for the 2017-18 sports year.

Ninety-eight schools won one or more MHSAA team championships out of the 129 offered. Twenty-two schools won two or more championships during the year. Seven schools, including Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood, Detroit Catholic Central, Detroit Country Day, Escanaba, Flint Powers Catholic, Houghton, and Negaunee won three MHSAA championships.

Thirty-three teams won their first championship titles in the sports, including the Coloma Comets softball squad.

The longest title streak is currently held by the Petoskey boys skiing team, which celebrated their eighth championship winning season.

Hall of Fame honoree Jason Forrester is epitome of Panther Pride

Jason Forrester is the epitome of Watervliet athletics. He is a 1992 graduate of the high school, former award winning and current record holding basketball player, and has returned to his roots to coach the girls’ varsity basketball team.

He played three years of varsity basketball in which he earned First Team All-Conference honors.  He was a five-time WSJM Athlete of the Week.

In 1992, Forrester was named to the Associated Press and Detroit Free Press All-State teams.  He holds the WHS school record for number of points scored in his career at 1,158.  He also holds the school record for most points scored in a game with 43.

Forrester also played varsity baseball and football for the Panthers. In 1992, he was named Watervliet Outstanding Male Student Athlete.

BATTING BRILEY… Hartford’s Indian Pride Park began its annual All-Star softball invitational Saturday, following a reschedule of all Friday evening games due to rain. On Sunday, Hartford’s 14U Kendra Briley stepped to the plate in the third inning for her turn at bat. Hartford topped North Lincoln 14-1 to move on in bracket competition. Games continued through Tuesday. (TCR photo by Kristy Noack)

“There are so many great memories from my time playing sports at Watervliet. Probably the most memorable was our last regular season home game against Bridgman.  We had already clinched the outright conference championship, but we wanted to finish undefeated in a very good Red Arrow Conference.  I remember that game being really intense; earlier that year we blew out Bridgman at their gym and knew it wasn’t going to be as easy the second time.  Both sides of the gym were packed with fans, even the bleachers in both balconies.  It was an amazing environment, and we came back in the fourth quarter to beat them and finish undefeated in conference play. That was a great feeling celebrating that with my teammates and friends who I had played sports with all my life,” Forrester commented.

Following graduation, Forrester played four years of college hoops at Hannibal LaGrange University in Missouri. “My mom grew up in Hannibal.  My grandparents and some other relatives still lived there, so they got to see me play often. My parents would also see me play as much as they could, even if that meant traveling to Florida, Wisconsin, or anywhere else.”

Forrester earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and worked at a juvenile treatment facility.  In 1998, he moved back to Michigan and began working for the Department of Human Services. After 11 years at DHS, Forrester changed careers and began working as a felony probation / parole agent for the Michigan Department of Corrections. He has been in that position for eight years.

After returning to the area, the allure of coaching Panther basketball became insurmountable and Forrester returned to the court at Watervliet High School. However, this time he was the coach.

“Playing team sports helped me understand that to achieve goals as a team; every individual must accept their role and support one another.  The best teams usually have a positive culture, which includes hard work, positive support, understand each person has value, and personal accountability,” Forrester explained. “When I played team sports, I had mostly good coaches. I learned at least one aspect of coaching from each of them.  I experienced being the ‘star player,’ but also someone in college that had to pay his dues.  Most of my experiences with coaches have been great, but the best message I ever got as a player came from my dad. I learned that if I had a problem with my coach, I should approach the coach on my own and address it. [My dad] never wanted to hear me complain about it because, even if I perceived things as unfair or in reality they are unfair, he wasn’t going to try and fix it for me. That was a great lesson that extended far beyond sports.  As a coach, I have tried to encourage my own players to approach me if they have any concerns, because they need to learn at that age to problem solve and communicate their feelings.  I also try to make sure everyone knows they have value to the team.”

Although Forrester was a natural – and very talented – at sports, as a coach he understands that not all kids may feel they can succeed at sports. To them, he offers this advice: “Don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. Sports can create a lot of great memories and lessons that will stay with you your whole life. It can also develop supportive, lasting relationships.  Some of the closest relationships I have with past players are with those that didn’t play much.  So there are some great things that can come from sports, even if you are the last one to get into a game.”

Forrester joined nine other inductees into Watervliet’s inaugural Hall of Fame class. He was included as one who “made outstanding contributions to [the Watervliet] athletic programs.” His reaction to receiving the news that he was a member of the Class of 2018, “Humbled and excited,” Forrester shared. “I thought it was a fantastic idea to create a Hall of Fame at Watervliet, and being voted in with that first class left me feeling honored.”

Forrester is joined in the first class of honorees by Kim Gear, Dan Hutchinson, Tom Hutchinson, Rick Sprague, Richie Morlock, Don Finnefrock, coach Ron Farac, coach Eugene Bednarowski, and coach Gerald Barchett.

“Coach Barchett is a Watervliet legend, and I started attending games when he was the football coach in the late 1970s, early 1980s. One of his star players was Dan Hutchinson, who I always emulated when I was in my backyard shooting baskets or playing football with my friends.  Coach Bednarowski lived just down the road from where I lived. I would often see him outside when I was riding my bike, and he would make time to talk to me about sports when I was nine and 10 years old.  And, of course, Coach Farac was someone I always looked up to as he was my football coach and teacher.  The amount of years and hours he has served Watervliet High School is incredible, and I continue to admire him, It was an unforgettable evening to be inducted with those guys and all the other great athletes.”

Forrester can now add “Hall of Fame inductee” to his resume. In the grand scheme of things, if you know him, the award is an honor but he’s focused on one thing: getting back on the court to coach the next batch of Panther athletes.

Ladies Monday Night Happy Hour Golf League

Monday, June 25 golf report from the Paw Paw Lake Golf Club:

Weekly Event winner: Cheryl Hutchins and Colleen McKeown; Low Gross:  Cheryl Hutchins and Colleen McKeown with 57; Low Net: Sandy Johnson and Colleen McKeown with 36; Low Putts:  Cheryl Hutchins and Colleen McKeown with 16; Pars:  Cheryl Hutchins #2.

Lady golfers are welcome to join this league which meets at 5:30 p.m. on Mondays.  Please call Charlene at 468-8111 if you are interested in joining.

Tricky Truex takes Sonoma after pit stop switcheroo Martin Truex Jr.’s racing strategy proved tricky Sunday at Sonoma Raceway in the Toyota/Save Mart 350 after he duped Kevin Harvick into thinking his entry into pit road was imminent then stayed out on the track to cushion his lead. With the 16th checkered flag of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season in hand, Truex Jr., who started the race in the second spot, tallied his third win of the 2018 season and 18th of his career. He led 62 laps on his way to Victory Lane. Truex Jr., last year’s Cup champion, also marked his 10th top five finish this season. Harvick finished second after he led 35 laps. Harvick has five wins this season and 13 top 10 finishes. Clint Bowyer completed the first road course race of the season in third place, which gave him his fifth top five of the year. Bowyer has two wins under his belt this season. Chase Elliott cruised to a fourth place finish. Elliott is winless thus far this season but did record his fourth top five finish. Kyle Busch rounded out the top five, as he marked his 11th top five finish. Additionally, Busch has four wins this season. Other drivers who led laps but did not finish in the top five included: Kurt Busch (1), Erik Jones (1), Denny Hamlin (4), Kyle Larson (2), and AJ Allmendinger (5). Larson was the race’s pole sitter, while Allmendinger won Stage 1 and Hamlin won Stage 2. William Byron was the highest finishing rookie in the race. He started eighth and finished 25th. The race lasted 110 laps and featured three cautions for eight laps. There were 11 lead changes. Next up is Sunday’s Overton’s 400 at Chicagoland Speedway. That’s good news for Truex Jr. as he won in Chi-town last season, too. Can he make it two in a row? Check back to find out!

Press Box Player of the Week

Lane Ulleg Lane Ulleg, 8, is this week’s Press Box Player of the Week. This is the second year Lane has played baseball. He is a member of the 8U Coloma Comets team and plays shortstop. Lane is coached by Cody Kelly. In Lane’s final game of the regular season, he blasted an in-the-park home run, triple, and single.

Lane will begin third grade this fall as a student at Coloma Elementary. His parents are Mike and Rochelle Ulleg of Coloma.

Dr. Andy says… “For you weekend warriors, the older we get, the less flexible we become. It is important to take the time to stretch and warm up your body before you go into battle. Soft tissue injuries can result from not taking the time to warm up and stretch before exercising.”