12-12-2019 Tri-City Area Sports

Hartford Prress Box By Jerrod Birmele

Manning steps down as Hartford football coach

Well, the rumors have been rampant around Hartford for the past few weeks regarding the future of the football program. And, unfortunately, for Indian fans, the rumors are indeed true. Just before the holiday break, head coach Brad Manning submitted his official letter of resignation, ending his three-year stint as the coach of “the tribe”. The search for the next leader of the Indians is officially underway, as the job listing has been officially posted.

Manning leaves the football program having gone 17-12 in his three seasons as head coach, and 15-10 in games within the Southwest 10 Conference. He led the Indians to winning seasons in all three of those years, and made the playoffs on two different occasions: 2017 and 2019. Before becoming head coach, he spent several years as an assistant, spending time both here at his alma mater and one season in Lawrence. Many will remember him from his high school playing days, where he was the Indians starting quarterback, and was an integral part of the success Hartford enjoyed in the early 2000s.

In addition to the head coach, the resignation letter also included the majority of the coaching staff from this past fall. While many names are on the official resignation letter, one of the more notable names was Terry Manning. The longtime coach spent the better part of three decades as an assistant coach, many of which were as the defensive coordinator. Terry Manning will be remembered for his tough style of coaching, but earning the respect of those who played for him. He was also on the coaching staff in 1993 that delivered Hartford their lone football state championship in school history.

Hartford Athletic Director, Nick Blackmer, was surprised to receive Manning’s letter of resignation. In comments released to the Hartford Press Box, he stated, “Brad has dedicated a significant portion of his life to athletics here in Hartford, first as a player and then as a coach. The contributions that the entire Manning family has had on the football program are countless. The Hartford Athletic Department thanks Brad for his dedication to our student-athletes on the football field over the years.”

Meanwhile, what will Coach Manning do now that he doesn’t have to look at film after film and procrastinate on offensive schemes? It gives him more time to spend with his wife, Sarah, and their growing family. He most likely has some different projects outside the coaching arena he wants to accomplish. However, he will continue to be a teacher in the Hartford Public Schools, so he’s not going anywhere. But, after more than a decade of dedication to the sport, both as a player and coach, he is entitled to break from that and enjoy the next chapter of his life.

The Hartford Press Box thanks Coach Manning and his entire family for their support of Indian Athletics, and wishes them nothing but the best! As the head coach search continues, stay tuned to the Press Box for more information.

Hartford winter athletics beginning in earnest this week!

The Hartford Press Box has been quiet since the fall sports season ended a few weeks back, but a new season is always around the corner! Fans have seen the previews, and have received the inside information on all the Indian teams. But now, this week, the winter sports schedule begins, with three of the four winter sports teams seeing action for the first time. It is an exciting time to be an Indian fan!

The sports schedule tipped off on Tuesday, Dec. 10, when the Hartford Lady Indian Basketball team traveled to Cassopolis for a match-up against the Lady Rangers. These two teams played each other twice in conference competition last year, with Hartford sweeping both games that were decided by nine points or less.

The Hartford Indian Wrestling team began their season one day later, on Wednesday, Dec. 11, by traveling to Gobles to compete in a triangular meet against the host Tigers and Colon. The wrestlers competed in the same event last year, and were swept by Gobles and the Magi. However, with more weight classes covered, the Indians have the good possibility of winning many more team duals this year.

The Hartford Lady Indian Basketball team will be on the court to begin the home schedule for Hartford Athletics on Friday, Dec. 13, by hosting the Centreville Lady Bulldogs in conference action. In the recent team preview, it was stated that Centreville will be the favorite to win the Southwest 10 Conference again this year. The Lady Bulldogs finished 23-1 last year, and swept Hartford by big margins in their two meetings last season.

Saturday, Dec. 14 is the busiest day on the schedule in the coming week, with three teams competing in athletic competitions. Both the Hartford Indian Varsity Basketball teams will be in action at Watervliet, with the Lady Indians playing first at 4:30 p.m. and the Indian men follow around 20 minutes after the conclusion of the first game. The two teams were a combined 4-1 against their rivals last year. Also, the Indian wrestlers will be in action at an individual tournament, traveling to Galesburg-Augusta on Saturday morning.

Expect results and much more from these athletic events in the Hartford Press Box next week!

Southwest 10 Conference Hosting “SW10 Cares” week in February

The Southwest 10 Conference is excited to announce a special week to raise awareness and funds to help fight cancer. The designated week will be the first week of February. Each school will sell pink shirts with 100% of the proceeds going to the American Cancer Society. Anyone wearing the SW10 Cares shirt will receive free admission to any SW10 athletic contest the week of February 3 through 8. Shirts will be available for purchase at each Southwest 10 Conference athletic office in the coming weeks. Be a leader in your community, and help us in our battle to eradicate cancer!

As always, GO INDIANS!

Press Box Player of the Week!

By Dave Vollrath

This week’s Press Box Player of the Week is Coloma Comet senior bowler Ashley Ikerd.  Ashley was nominated by Coach Carley Burrell, who is impressed with her extreme dedication to her sport of bowling and the classroom.

Ashley is in her fourth year on the Comet ladies bowling squad, and has shown steady improvement each year, because of her dedication and commitment.  Last year, her junior year, Ashley averaged scores between 150 and 160, and was an important member of the Comet team that won the 2019 Division 3 state championship. Ashley was named to the 2019 SAC all-conference team. 

Ashley’s dad is Michael Ikerd, and mom is Alison Walvoord.  In the classroom Ashley is currently carrying a GPA of 3.0, and is also enrolled in the early middle college program at Lake Michigan College, where she will graduate in 2021, earning an associate’s degree in Liberal Arts. She sees her future self working in the television and film industry on the production side.  Ashley is also involved in the Coloma drama club and varsity singers.

Coach Burrell says about her senior bowler, “Ashley is one of my most dedicated bowlers. She works very hard at learning and improving in her sport, and is also very selfless, and willing to help others. I really appreciate her hard work, and willingness to improve, as she has come a long way from where she started four years ago.”

We congratulate Ashley and wish her the best of luck in her senior season and all she goes after in the future.

Coloma Press Box By Dave Vollrath

Coloma girls basketball gets the winter sports season started

The Coloma girls basketball team had a rough start to the season, in dropping a pair of games on the road. One to Brandywine, a girls team which always seems to be one of the top girls basketball programs in the area, and one to Kalamazoo Hackett Catholic, another school with a rich tradition of winning more than they lose.

On Tuesday, Dec. 3, the Comets traveled to Brandywine, and fell to the Bobcats by a score of 53-33.  Coloma started slowly and trailed after the first quarter by a count of 20-5.  The Comets fought back and outscored the Bobcats 8-6 in a low scoring 2nd quarter, but still trailed at the half by 13 points, with Brandywine leading 26-13.

Whatever the Comet head coach Kim Swisher told the girls at halftime got the Comets fired up as they went out and pulled within 8 and only trailed the Bobcats by a score of 36-28 after three quarters.  The Coloma girls couldn’t keep that momentum going however, and the Bobcats once again pulled away in the fourth quarter, to finish with a 20-point final margin of victory, 53-33.

Point guard Megan Koenigshof led the Comets in scoring by putting up 15 points, with six field goals and going 3-4 at the foul line. Koenigshof also picked their pocket for four steals.  Marissa Sherburn scored 9 points, hitting on three shots from 3-point range.  Megan Neubecker, Coloma’s all conference center, was held to just one field goal and three points, but she did pull down 14 rebounds.

On Friday night, Dec. 6, Coloma traveled to Kalamazoo to play Hackett Catholic, and lost by a score of 56-25.  It was quite a turnaround from their last meeting when the Comets easily handled Hackett last spring in beating them 46-33 in the Comet gym.  This time around however, it was all Hackett as they easily beat the Comets.  Coloma was led in scoring by Marissa Sherburn who scored 8 points, knocking down two shots from 3-point range and adding two free throws in three attempts.

Megan Koenigshof scored 6 points, as Megan Neubecker was once again held down in scoring only 4 points. But she was strong on the boards, in pulling down 10 rebounds.   Mia Cole, Vanessa Crisenbery, and Taylor Brown all chipped in with 2 points for Coloma.  Amaria Echols hit one of two free throws to add one for the final point total.  Coloma is now 0-2 on the new season.

Comet wrestlers ready to begin the season with young team

Coloma Comet head wrestling coach Kenny Ashley says he has a very young team this year with not a great deal of experience.  He also states that his numbers are currently low, but feels that his numbers could increase over the next couple of weeks.  The Comets do return three wrestlers who have a great deal of experience in seniors Cole Alsup and Ian Ishmael, along with Ian’s brother sophomore Caeleb Ishmael.

Cole and Caeleb both placed at state last season, and Ian was a state qualifier in the 2017-18 year.  Cole and Ian also surpassed the 100 career victory mark last season, and are very motivated to making it back to Ford Field for the wrestling finals next spring.  Coach Ashley has high expectations for senior Michael Case who has been working very hard. Ashley believes if Case can put in the work necessary he could also make a good run at qualifying to go to state.

Coloma boys bowling numbers continue to grow, rolling out enough bowlers for varsity and junior varsity teams

If the saying about there being strength in numbers holds true then Coloma boys bowling team should be strong this year, because they certainly have plenty of bowlers out to compete.  Coloma coach Sharon Ball believes with the bowlers she has returning from last year, that Coloma has a good chance to qualify as a team for state this year, and possibly one or more individuals.

Coach Ball’s top returners, based on their early season practices, are sophomore Jonathon Swetay, senior Damian Gomez, senior Charlie Cullitan, and senior Nick Santarlas.  She also states that Eric Gomez, another of her top performers expected to have a great season, unfortunately broke several bones in his foot a few weeks ago and will have to sit out this season.

The remaining members of the Comet team joining them on the lanes this season will be, senior Cameron Needham, juniors, Ryan Wilson, Ben Reynolds, and Noah Blankenship.  Also on the team are sophomores, Michael DeRosa, Riley Davis, Chris Eastman, Jackson Winfield, and Aiden Dryer.  Brodie McQuillan is the lone freshman on the team.

Blankenship, Dryer, and McQuillan are the most inexperienced bowlers. Because of the high numbers on the team, Coach Ball says they will be able to have a junior varsity team.

Coloma bowling teams open season with a pair of lopsided wins

The Coloma girls bowling team opened defense of their state championship by pounding out a 29-1 victory against Comstock at Kelley’s Bowl on Monday, Dec. 9.  The Comets were led by Morgan Hosbein who knocked out a 411, with games of 200-211.  Ashley Ikerd added 331, 158-173, and Madison McQuillan shot a 275, on games of 125 and 150.

The Comet boys also came out of the gate fast by beating down on Comstock as they won 26 out of the 30 possible points, also on the home lanes at Kelley’s Bowl.  Damian Gomez was the top Comet kegler on this day rolling out scores of 192, 188 for a 380 total.  Ryan Wilson shot 309, 148-161, and leadoff man Charlie Cullitan was right behind with a 307, with games of 157-150.

The Coloma Comet winter sports season will get into full swing this week, with the basketball teams, wrestling teams, and competitive cheer, set to begin action. Go Comets!

Watervliet Press Box by John Oliphant

Panther Girls Basketball starts season 1-1

The Berrien Springs Shamrocks and Watervliet Panthers opened their regular seasons at the Panther gym last Tuesday, Dec. 3. The young and tenacious Panthers got out to a slow start and eventually lost 50-40. The Lady Panthers fell behind 10-3 in the first quarter with freshman Samantha Dietz and Madison Flowers the lone scorers.

Their offense opened up in the second quarter, putting 17 points on the board to close within five at halftime. The Shamrocks pulled ahead in the third quarter, outscoring the Panthers 14-9 to take a 10-point lead into the final quarter. The Panthers came out strong in the fourth quarter and pulled within five, but could not get any closer as both teams scored 11 points.

Showing a balanced and promising offense, the Lady Panthers had six players score in the game. Leading the way was Samantha Dietz with 18 points. Senior Alex Worley hit a three-pointer and a pair of baskets to finish with seven points. Sophomores Madison Saunders scored six points and Addison Riley scored five. Flowers and junior Adriyanna Winters each scored two points.

Dietz and Riley led the team in rebounds and Flowers led the team in assists. The Panthers were 3-for-11 at the free throw line.

On Thursday, Dec. 5 the Beavers from Eau Claire made a visit to the Panther gym. The Beavers, with eight freshmen on a 15-player roster, were completely outmatched. They managed just two shots on the rim the entire game and neither one was good for points. The Panthers eventually won by a score you don’t see very often in basketball, 52-0.

Samantha Dietz led with 14 points. Madison Saunders scored 10, Madison Flowers scored nine, Serena Reyna scored five, and Alex Worley and Sophia Warsko each scored four. Adriyanna Winters scored three points, Myah Hobson scored two, and Addison Riley hit a single free throw. The team was 2-for-12 on free throws.

The girls host Fennville on Friday, Dec. 13, and Hartford will visit on Saturday the 14th.

Panther Boys Basketball

The boys basketball team began their season on Tuesday, Dec. 10. The team was 2-19 last year and expects to finish with a much improved record in 2020. Coach Dan Hoff has the boys working hard developing a new offensive scheme. Sophomore Andrew Chisek returns to lead the offense again this season. He’ll be joined in the backcourt by senior Curtis White, junior Jordan Abney, and sophomore Brennan Bornas.

Junior big man Dylan Lawson returns to anchor the front court, along with seniors Cole Pline, Danaveon Gilbert, and Jacob Loomis. Juniors Kenny Russell, Evan Hutchins, and Davis King will also see plenty of action in a 22-game schedule.

Middle School Boys Basketball

On Monday, December 2 the 8th grade White team lost to Saugatuck 55-27. Connor Zwar led with 11 points. Joe Coulombe scored eight points and grabbed three rebounds. Deejay Welch scored two points and led with nine rebounds. Cole Drummond and Aiden Bethea each scored two points.

The 8th grade Maroon team played in the Berrien County Tournament Gold Division which began on Wednesday, Dec. 4. Game one was a tough match as Benton Harbor came to town and took the win, 46-19.

On Thursday the 5th they bounced back with a win over Saugatuck, 42-18. Their stingy defense protected the basket and led to plenty of fast break points. Wyatt Epple scored 17 points and Kaiden Bierhalter scored 10 to lead the Panther on offense.

On Saturday, Dec. 7, the final day of the Berrien County Tournament, the Maroon team dominated. In the first game the Panthers beat Niles 48-25, and in game 2 they beat Buchanan 43-28. The team is now 6-2 on the season.

Rodney Lynch extends his AQB lead, closest pursuers remain a tightly bunched group

By Dave Vollrath

It was the final week of the regular college football season with more, great match ups in conference championship games. It was also a week in the NFL that had some playoff potential meetings which all in all gave our panel of football picking experts one of the more challenging weeks of games this year.

The Big Ten championship was a game of two opposite halves, with Wisconsin, controlling and leading for the entire first half 21-7, and Ohio State flipped the script and outscored the Badgers 27-0 in the second half to not only win the Big Ten crown, but move into the playoffs as the number two seed, and the opportunity to win the national championship in January.

The NFL saw two of our better swing games as our panelists were split on picking the 49’ers and Saints’ game that was won by the 49’ers, 48-46, on the final play of the game.  Also the Ravens and Bills had our pigskin pickers split, as the Ravens prevailed by a touchdown in a game that went down to the wire.

Rodney Lynch gained a game on second place as his 5-3 record was one better than the 4-4 mark posted by RoxAnn Rodney-Isbrecht. Rodney now leads by four points over RoxAnn.  Tim Hildebrand also had a 5-3 mark, moving him back into a tie with RoxAnn. RoxAnn keeps a grasp on second place though by winning the tiebreaking game, as she missed the 53 points total of the Ohio State-Wisconsin game by just two.

The Tri-City Record Armchair Quarterback competition is held weekly from the beginning of the high school football season in late summer, until it finishes with the playing of the Super Bowl in February.  We have six Tri-City area football fans competing against each other, to predict the winners of a group of pre selected games, from the high school, collegiate, and professional ranks.  Following the conclusion of the Super Bowl, one winner is crowned champion and will have the honor of wearing the TCR AQB Championship hat.

In the event that two or more ‘backs have the same record for the week, or the yearly total, their place in the standings will be determined by a weekly tiebreaker game.  In addition to trying to correctly pick the winners of each week’s games, they predict the score from a specially selected game.  The AQB that comes the closest to the total number of points scored by both teams will get the higher spot in the standings.

Kathy Summers also posted a 5-3 week, and remains in the number 4 overall spot in the standings, but just one point behind RoxAnn and Tim. This group has been closely bunched for most of the season, while Rodney has been able to keep them at arm’s length.

In a correction from last week, Dan Jones and Greg Krell were each given credit for one more game than they should have, so their totals this week have been adjusted to reflect that. Tri-City Record apologizes if this caused any issues with anyone.  Dan also had a fine week, going 5-3, and Greg joined RoxAnn by posting a 4-4 week.

Kathy and Dan each get a piece of first place for the week with their 5-3 record because they each missed the tiebreaking number by four points.  Rodney gets the third place nod and Tim fourth for the week.  RoxAnn wins the tiebreaker for fifth place on the week over Greg.

Ferris State is in the hunt for the Division 2 national championship, playing on Saturday in the semi finals. Be sure and check back next week and see how our panel of pigskin prognosticators fares with that game and these others that will test their will.

West Florida vs. Ferris State

Slippery Rock vs. Minnesota State

Army vs. Navy (Tiebreaker)

Tampa Bay vs. Detroit

Chicago vs. Green Bay

Houston vs. Tennessee

Buffalo vs. Pittsburgh

LA Rams vs. Dallas