12-13-2018 Tri-City Area Sports

Coloma Press Box By Dave Vollrath

Comet Boys Basketball wins first game at Buchanan, then has tough loss at Martin

The Coloma boys’ basketball team started the week on a positive note by hitting the road and defeating the Buchanan Bucks in their house by a score of 73-70. Led by Zach Goodline, who scored a game high 23 points, the Coloma five looked like the better team for most of the night, and kept a lead for the first three quarters, even though they were beaten badly on the boards by 21 rebounds.

The Comet defense was strong all night however, and forced the Bucks into nine more turnovers which resulted in many fast break opportunities and easy buckets. The crowd on both sides came to life in the fourth quarter as the game was back and forth, and the lead changed hands six times. Phillip Caldwell and Drew Goodline both hit big 3-pointers, and Kenny Crowder drove the lane and made a layup to ice the game for the Comets in the closing seconds.

The Bucks were forced to foul in the last 10 seconds, with Coloma leading by one, but had to create four fouls just to send the Comets to the free throw line, where Zach Goodline hit a couple of big shots. That left no time for the Bucks to catch back up. Coach Marfia said after the game, “It was a good win, we have some work to do, but we will take it and keep working to get better.”

Caldwell added 22 points with 18 coming from beyond the arc, Crowder added 14 and Drew Goodline tossed in two 3-pointers, and showed the kind of mental toughness a good shooter has to have as he had missed on his first six attempts.

The Comets then traveled to Martin and took a very tough loss 61-58. Martin hit a 3-point shot to end the first quarter and led 15-14. The Comets behind the sharp shooting of Zach Goodline dominated the game, and led by 13 at the half and had as much as a 20-point lead in the 3rd quarter.

The home team then got hot, thanks in no small part to Coloma being whistled for 13 fouls while Martin had just one, and they closed the gap. The Clippers then managed to out shoot and play the Comets down the stretch and take a win away from Coloma. Once again Zach led Coloma with 26 points and Kenny Crowder added 10.

The Coloma boys have two home games coming up, and are now 1-3 on the season.

Coloma Girls Basketball plays well and wins one and loses one of the road

The Comet girls also went 1-1 on the road for the week, as they started by soundly defeating the Buchanan Bucks by a score of 51-29. Coloma dominated the Bucks as the Comet D forced them into 29 turnovers. The win was the first in the varsity career for Coach Kim Gear who said, “I was very happy with my team. They played aggressively the whole game.” She also goes on to state that, “there is still a lot of work to be done, to keep improving.”

Leading the Comets offensively were Hannah Mathis with 24 points, Megan Neubecker who had 11 points and pulled down 10 boards, and Megan Koenigshof who added seven points and six rebounds.

The Comet girls then traveled to Martin and lost a game they trailed throughout, but also kept within striking distance. However their shots really weren’t falling and they ended on the wrong end of a 46-40 score. No stats were provided for this game. The Coloma girls also have two home games coming up.

FROM COMET TO REDHAWK… Sam Stewart, of Coloma High School, signed a letter of intent to play softball at Lake Michigan College following the completion of her senior year of high school. Stewart played third base for the 2018 state championship softball team. She was joined by LMC softball head coach and assistant coach John and Laurie Jewell and parents Rachel Stewart, seated left, and Jason Stewart, seated right.

Coloma Comet Wrestlers begin their season on the road as they win one and lose one

The Coloma Comet wrestlers began their season on the road at Mendon, who defeated the Comets 51-21, but they also picked up a win as they outwrestled Charlotte to the tune of 52-21.

The Comets who won their matches versus Mendon are, at 189 Dalton Turner, 285 Cole Alsup, 103 Delray Williams, and 112 Caleb Ishmael.

The Comets who won their match in defeating Charlotte are, 140 Ian Ishmael, 145 Cody Reese, 171 Aaron Pounders, 285 Cole Alsup, 103 Delray Williams, 112 Caleb Ishmael, 119 Blane Sutherland. In addition, Coloma was awarded two forfeits.

Coloma also wrestled on Saturday last week, but no stats were provided.

Girl Bowlers roll on and roll over Comstock and boys do likewise

The Coloma Comet Girls Bowling team hit the lanes at home at Kelley’s Bowl and pounded out a big win in defeating Comstock by a score of 30-0.

Topping the Comet Keglers was Emily Feldton who shot 387 with a high game of 204, and Karissa Richmond who rolled just one game at 192. The Comets are now 2-0 on the season.

The Coloma boys also won big in defeating Comstock by a score of 29-1.

Top bowlers for the Comets were, Charlie Cullitan with a 388, and a high of 197; Damian Gomez had a high game of 191; and Ryan Wilson rolled a high game of 203. Jonathon Swetay was consistent with games of 177 and 176 for a 353 total. Coloma boys are now 1-1 overall.

Hartford Prress Box By Jerrod Birmele

Winter sports picked up in earnest for Hartford’s student-athletes last week. The boys’ basketball team tipped off their season with a pair of conference road contests, while the wrestling team began their quest for glory with a road triangular meet, as well as a weekend individual tournament. Add to this the fact that the girls’ basketball team began their season Tuesday, Dec. 11 with a conference road test at Mendon, and you realize that business has officially picked up!

Hartford Boys Basketball swishes home two victories in opening week

This past week was a busy one for the Hartford Boys Basketball team, who tipped off their 2018-2019 season with a pair of Southwest 10 Conference road games. On Tuesday, Dec. 4, the Indians began their quest for the Breslin Center with a matchup against Eau Claire, while on Friday, Dec. 7, they visited Bangor for a tilt with the Vikings. Last season, Hartford posted an 11-11 record overall when it was all said and done, but had success against the two opponents they would play in their opening week. The Indians were a combined 4-0 against Eau Claire and Bangor last season, and the team was looking to continue the recent run of success in the season series against these two opponents.

In Tuesday night’s game against Eau Claire, Hartford defeated the host Beavers, 65-47. The game was close throughout the first half, as both teams balanced a solid offensive attack with good defense, as well. At halftime, the Indians led by just seven points, 25-18. However, the second half saw Hartford take over, as they nearly doubled their first half output with 40 points in the final two quarters to take command and score a decisive victory in this conference contest. All in all, nine different players put points on the board for the green and white, showing they have depth in the starting rotation, as well as on the bench, too.

EYES ON THE PRIZE… Trey Ackerman, a senior guard on the Hartford varsity basketball team, outmaneuvers Eau Claire’s Dontrell Roseburgh under the bucket Tuesday night. The Indians won the road game on December 4 over the Beavers 65-47. (TCR photo by Kristy Noack)

The team had two players finish in double digits scoring, led by Trey Ackerman with 21 points, while Aaron Sinclair chipped in 10 points. Also scoring for the Indians were Evan De La Rosa (nine points), Brandon Galvan (eight points), Moses Beraza (eight points), Xavier Salinas (four points), Anthony Rodarte (two points), John Burfield II (two points) and Elijah Ledesma (one point). Hartford finished the night making 24 two-point baskets, two three-point baskets and shot 11-for-18, or 61 percent, from the charity stripe.

In Friday night’s game against Bangor, Hartford defeated the host Vikings in dominating fashion, 59-32. The Indians outpaced Bangor in the first quarter, 12-8, before basically putting the game away in the second quarter. The second eight minutes saw the team chip in 16 points, while holding the Vikings to a goose egg, courtesy of a dominant defensive effort; one that Head Coach John Johnson can hang his hat on.

Bangor would close the gap slightly in the third quarter, picking up the tempo and scoring 19 points to Hartford’s 16, but the Indians responded with a 15-5 scoring margin in the fourth quarter, finishing off a solid effort. The victory meant the Indians would begin the year with two straight victories, the first time that has happened since the 2011-2012 season.

Seven different players scored points for Hartford, led by leading scorer Trey Ackerman, who sailed to a game-high 28 points, while Brandon Galvan chipped in 10 points. Also scoring for the Indians were Aaron Sinclair (six points), Evan De La Rosa (six points), Moses Beraza (four points), Xavier Salinas (three points) and Jose Villalobos (two points). Hartford finished the night making 13 two-point baskets, eight three-point baskets and shot 9-for-16, or 56 percent, from the charity stripe.

With their two victories, the Hartford Boys Basketball team is currently 2-0 overall on the young season and 2-0 in Southwest 10 Conference play. The Indians play a pair of conference games this week; on Tuesday, Dec. 11, they traveled to Mendon to take on the Hornets, before returning to Hartford for their home opener on Friday, Dec. 14 against Marcellus, one of the favorites for the conference crown this season. Come on out and support the team to victory!

Hartford Wrestling faces growing pains at season’s dawn

The Hartford Wrestling team began its 2018-2019 campaign this past week, and it’s safe to say, this will be a trying season for second-year head coach, Matthew Nilson. As part of opening week, the Indians traveled to Gobles on Wednesday, Dec. 5, to compete in a triangular meet against the host Tigers and Colon, before participating in the Galesburg-Augusta Invitational on Saturday, Dec. 8. Hartford may have some holes to fill in their team lineup, but they do have some talented young wrestlers that could be a force throughout the conference season, as well as in the postseason.

Hartford boasts a number of returning wrestlers, led by second-place conference finisher and regional qualifier, Jared Foerster. He will be joined by a trio of returning conference placers, in the form of Noah Wade, Tye Phillips and James Terry.

In the triangular meet at Gobles on Wednesday night, Hartford suffered a pair of defeats. In their first dual against Colon, the Indians fell to the Magi, 52-3. The Indians lone victory of the dual came at the 285 pound weight class, where Noah Wade defeated Bryce Frame by decision in a thrilling match, 10-9. In the second dual of the night against the host Tigers, Hartford won a couple of more matches, but still suffered defeat by a score of 30-18.

Winning matches for the Indians were Jesus De La Rosa, who scored a forfeit victory at 189 pounds; James Terry, who pinned Matt Underwood in 2:51 at 215 pounds; and Noah Wade, who pinned Kyan Grauman in 18 seconds at 285 pounds.

In the individual tournament, held at Galesburg-Augusta, the Indians competed against teams such as Benton Harbor, Bloomingdale, Kalamazoo Lakeside Academy, Kalamazoo Loy Norrix, Marcellus, New Buffalo, Plainwell, River Valley, South Haven and Watervliet. Unfortunately, no detailed results were made available prior to press time.

With their two losses, the Hartford Wrestling team is currently 0-2 overall on the dual season. The Indians will only participate in one event this week; on Wednesday, Dec. 12, the team participated in a Southwest 10 Conference double dual, hosted by Bangor. In addition to the host Vikings, the meet featured Bloomingdale and Eau Claire.

Watervliet Press Box by John Oliphant

Panther wrestlers at Otsego quad

The Watervliet wrestling team opened their season on Wednesday, December 5 at Otsego High School, where they faced teams from Parchment and St. Joseph. So far, the Panthers are only able to fill eight of the 14 weight classes due to injuries and a couple team members not quite ready to compete. That left the Panthers short on team points in both matches, but at this point in the season the grapplers are just trying to get good matches to gain experience and see how they perform. Despite losing the team matches 36-24 and 57-21, Coach Joe Isbrecht’s young team still managed to compile an 8-7 record in their individual matches.

Sophomore Isaiah Yazel, wrestling at 152 pounds, led the way with two pins, the first one late in the third period of a back and forth match and the second one 33 seconds into the 1st period. Senior Coby Henslee (145) won on a pin in the 3rd period and also won a 5-1 match. Junior Alex Isbrecht (125) won two, a 13-6 match and a pin with a minute left in the 3rd period. Junior Trever Pelton (112) went 1-1 with a pin in the 1st period. Freshman Nathan Isbrecht (119) won one match by a score of 7-3.

Wrestlers at Galesburg-Augusta individual tournament

The Panther wrestling team started their tournament season at the Galesburg-Augusta individual tournament on Saturday, December 8. Trever Pelton (3-1) won the 112-pound class, going 2-0 with 2 pins.

Isaiah Yazel (5-1) went 3-1 with three pins at 145 pounds to take a third place medal. Nathan Isbrecht (5-1) went 3-1 with two pins and took another third place medal at 119 pounds. Freshman Jimmy Kolosowsky also took home a third-place medal.

INDIVIDUAL MEDALS… Four Watervliet Panther wrestlers earn medals at the Galesburg-Augusta tournament on Saturday, December 8. Pictured (from the left): Trever Pelton 1st place, Jimmy Kolosowsky 3rd place, Nathan Isbrecht 3rd place, Isaiah Yazel 3rd place.

Their next meets are a tournament at South Haven on Saturday December 15, and a team meet at Fennville with Gobles on Wednesday, December 19.

Panther Boys Basketball falls to Fennville

The Panther boys’ basketball team went to Fennville on Friday, December 7, looking for their first win in a conference matchup against the Blackhawks. It was Parent’s Night in Fennville, and a big group of spirited students on their side and our cheerleaders along with the girls’ varsity basketball team made for a noisy gymnasium. Fennville went on to win 56-36.

Coach Josh Beckmann’s team was plagued by the turnover bug, giving up the ball 12 times in the first half and 15 times in the second. Fennville took the lead early and built on that lead with hot shooting until the end of the game.

Danaveon Gilbert led the Panthers with nine points on three 3-point shots. Andrew Chisek scored eight points, most of which came from the free-throw line. JayShawn Scruggs and Kris Lenox each scored five, and Kade Van Niel scored four. Kenny Russell scored three points, and Dylan Lawson scored two and led with six rebounds.

The boys’ and girls’ varsity basketball teams play together for most of the rest of the season, girls usually playing at 6:00 p.m. and the boys at about 7:30. The next two games for the teams are at Gobles on Friday, December 14, and at Paw Paw on Tuesday, December 18.

Panther girls lose at Fennville

The girls also traveled to Fennville last Friday for their first conference matchup. Coming off an exciting win at home, they were looking for some more early-season success against a team with just seven players dressed for action, only to lose 44-35.

ROCKING THEIR WORLD… Watervliet’s Celina Klimkiewicz out muscles her Berrien Springs Shamrock competition on Monday evening as the Lady Panthers opened their varsity basketball season at home on December 3. Watervliet got the 38-36 win, as Klimkiewicz dropped in 11 points. (TCR photo by Kristy Noack)

The Panthers jumped out to an 8-4 lead in of the first quarter, but the Blackhawks responded with some good outside shooting, and the quarter ended with the Panthers leading 10-9.

The game remained close until mid-way through the second quarter when Fennville went on a 10-4 run, ultimately scoring 17 points in the quarter to jump out to a 26-19 lead at the half.

Coach Ken Dietz had the Lady Panthers starting the second half strong, getting to within four points at 26-22, but the Blackhawks responded every time our girls started to get close.

Celina Klimkiewicz led the Panthers with eight points, including two 3-pointers, and three rebounds. Elaine Koshar scored seven and had six rebounds. Ally Pazera scored six points and pulled down six rebounds. Victoria Smith scored six points. Emma Yazel scored four points and collected four rebounds. Alex Worley scored her first varsity points, finishing with four, and grabbed three rebounds.

Press Box Player of the Week

By Dave Vollrath

Jake Ickes a freshman player on the Junior Varsity Basketball team for Coloma is this week’s Tri-City Record Press Box Player of the Week. Jake who plays point guard on the team, may be currently small in stature, but he definitely plays big when he has the ball in his hands.

Jake sees the court very well, is a capable distributor of the ball, and runs the offense better than you would expect for a freshman and first year starter. He also has a keen eye for the bucket as he led the Comet JV’s in scoring in their first two games; scoring 20 points, hitting on six from long range against Portage Northern, and followed that effort up with a 16-point game, that included four from beyond the arc against Kalamazoo Hackett.

Jake is the son of Dave and Jenn Ickes of Dowagiac and comes to Coloma as a School of Choice Student.

Jake ran on the cross country team this fall and was an all conference performer, running through the fields. Jake will also play baseball for the Comets this spring, as he plays travel baseball for the Around the Horn baseball team in the summer, and is a pitcher and, from what we hear, a very fine shortstop.

Jake also excels in the classroom, is a 4.0 student who is very conscientious and hard working.

Away from school Jake likes to relax playing video games, and is a huge MSU fan, who regularly attends the Spartan football and basketball home games.

Congratulations Jake and we’re happy to have you playing in Coloma for the Comets.

Dr. Andy says… “What is good exercise? Exercising should be about movement for extended periods of time. Do not make it so strenuous or complicated that you are not consistent weekly. Move for extended periods of time for at least 3 times per week doing activities you enjoy.

Tri-City Record AQB race still has plenty of interesting possibilities; Greg Krell tightens the screws, nears 3rd place

By Dave Vollrath Even though our AQBs seem to have been tied at the hip, and their crystal balls have all been hooked into the same WIFI for a couple of weeks, we had a weekend with a little bit of movement, thanks to Greg Krell breaking from the pack and picking a couple of upsets. It was a very interesting weekend of football with some exciting finishes, two overtime games, and one final play that will be replayed over and over for quite a while. In one of the biggest upsets of the weekend, the Miami Dolphins defeated the New England Patriots, on a last ditch play that included a 15-yard pass, then three laterals and a 50-yard zig zag to the end zone, which beat the Pats by one. It was the kind of last chance, close your eyes and hope for the best play that works about once a decade. But Greg Krell knew what he was doing when he took a flier on a couple of upsets that paid off as Chicago and Indianapolis won and all of our other AQBs picked them to lose. The TCR AQB competition is held weekly as six local football fans compete against one another to predict the winners of a pre selected group of games from high school, college, and the professional ranks. Following the conclusion of the Super Bowl, one winner is crowned champion, and will have the great honor of wearing a new Tri-City Record Armchair Quarterback 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 tie breaker game. In addition to trying to select the winners for each week’s games, they try and predict the score of a specially selected game. The AQB who comes closest to the final total points scored by those two teams will get the higher spot in the standings Greg because of his courage, finished the week at 7-1, has now pulled back to within one point of third place, held by Tim Hildebrand, and both are still within striking distance of first place. RoxAnn Rodney-Isbrecht once again holds down the top spot overall, because of the tie breaker over Rodney Lynch, as they along with Tim, Dan and Chris all had the same picks again this week and finished at 5-3. Dan remains in 5th place and Chris is still trying to find her way out of the cellar. Greg of course won the weekly honors for his efforts, but Chris won a little glory this week, as she gets the second place nod because she was closest to the tie breaking number of 27 total points scored in the Army Navy game. Following Chris for the week is RoxAnn, Tim, Dan, and Rodney brought up the rear. We are beginning to pick up a few bowl games this week, and these are the games that will challenge our pigskin prognosticators.

(Camellia Bowl) Georgia Southern 9-3 vs. Eastern Michigan 7-5 (Vegas Bowl) Arizona State 7-5 vs. Fresno State 11-2 (New Mexico Bowl) North Texas 9-3 vs. Utah State 10-2 Detroit Lions vs. Buffalo Bills San Diego Chargers vs. Kansas City Chiefs Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears New England Patriots vs. Pittsburgh Steelers Philadelphia Eagles vs. LA Rams

The tie breaker game is the oldest rivalry game in the NFL, the Packers and the Bears. Be sure and check back next week and see how our panel of pickers’ predictions pans out.