Hartford overwhelms Eau Claire, wins 72-6

 Hartford’s varsity girls’ basketball team certainly played to their strengths Tuesday, December 6 as they routed visiting Eau Claire 72-6.

Hartford scored 39 points in the first period and tapped in another 15 all the while holding the Beavers to four total first half points.

MAKIN’ HER WAY THROUGH THE AIR… Ma-rissa Beraza makes her way through the air towards the basket last week Tuesday. Be-raza scored eight points and had four assists and three steals in the Indians’ 72-6 winning effort over Eau Claire. (TCR photo by Kristy Noack)

Hartford scored 10 points in the third period and held Eau Claire scoreless to take a 64-4 lead into the fourth and final period.

Eau Claire scored two points in the fourth while Hartford added another eight for the win.

Hartford’s Mikenzie Chambers led the Indians with 18 points, two assists, and two rebounds. Cora Wesaw scored 11 points and had three assists. Amara Wesaw landed 10 points, three rebounds, one assist, and two steals.

AJ Jackson tallied nine points, two rebounds, and one steal. Marissa Beraza scored eight points with four assists and three steals. Elly Valdes landed five points and had two boards and one steal. Jessica Cortes gave the Indians five points in the winning effort. Angela Saldana and Madisyn Earls scored two points each, with Saldana adding three assists and two steals. Megan Nelson shot 100% from the charity stripe, landing her two attempts for her two points.  Nelson also had two rebounds and three assists. Madison Garland was tough on defense for Hartford, notching three steals.

Hartford head coach Lee Mireles was very pleased with his team’s effort. “I feel that we moved the ball well. Our defense was good. We did a good job getting to the basket. We didn’t settle for the outside [shots] as much. I think we had a good effort by our girls.”

The Indians were scheduled to face Lawton on the road Friday, December 9 but that game was cancelled due to inclement weather.

Watervliet wins first game of season by blistering Bloomingdale

 Watervliet’s girls’ varsity basketball team opened their season with two losses the first week of competition. So, it was no surprise that the squad was gunning for their first win early last week.

And they got it: the Lady Panthers hosted Bloomingdale and blew the Cardinals out of the water, winning 62-36.

MIZWICKI MAKES A MOVE… Logan Mizwicki drives into the paint as Watervliet hosted Bloomingdale. The Lady Panth-ers crushed the Cardinals 62-36. Mizwicki scored 22 points, grabbed nine rebounds, and had seven steals. (TCR photo by Kristy Noack)

Watervliet opened the game by scoring 13 points in the first period. The Panthers limited scoring opportunities by Bloomingdale which resulted in the Cardinals scoring four first period points.

Bloomingdale opened up a little in the second period, becoming a bit more aggressive with their shooting but still trailed a red hot Watervliet squad 28-13 at intermission.

Watervliet totally dominated the third quarter courtesy of Bloomingdale turnovers. Thanks to the pressure added by the defense, Watervliet posted 26 points in the period and held Bloomingdale to only four. After three periods Watervliet led 54-17.

Watervliet coach Jason Forrester was able to rest his veterans for most of the fourth period. Bloomingdale scored 19 points with Watervliet adding eight to their bottom line. The result was a 62-36 “W” for Watervliet.

Logan Mizwicki was strong all night. She scored a team high 22 points and had nine rebounds and seven steals.  Zoe Smith added 14 points and was credited with five steals.  Casie Gohr added eight points, five rebounds, and five steals to her stat line.

Katie Clark chipped in one point and hoisted down nine rebounds.  Katie Schultz tossed in three points, seven steals, and six rebounds.

Madalyn Hutchins and Mikayla Lee both scored three points, while Jade Miller, Kara Liles, and Jaelyn Pitre added two points each.  Maggie Lynch scored one point.

Watervliet was scheduled to face Lawrence on the road Friday, December 9 but the contest was called due to the snow. The game has been rescheduled for Monday, December 19.

Coloma ballers win season opener against Lawrence, drop game to tough Kalamazoo Christian

 Coloma varsity boys’ basketball coach Paul Marfia had to be pleased with his team’s performance on Tuesday, December 6. His squad opened their season at home against Lawrence and won in dominating fashion 82-38.

SHOULDERING THROUGH… Coloma’s Levi Wilkens shoulders his way past Kalamazoo Christian’s Ridge DeJong Friday. Wilkens scored three points in the 56-46 Colo-ma loss. The Comets are 1-1. (TCR photo by Kristy Noack)

Of his 10 players available to play, the scoring was spread out among six of them.

Coloma took an early 18-10 lead in the first period. That was followed by a 23 point second period. The Comets led 41-23 at the half.

Coloma dominated every aspect of the second half. Their stingy defense allowed Lawrence to score only 15 points in the half, while the Comet offense blazed to the hoop and scored 41 points.

Zach Goodline opened his season in dominating fashion as well. Whether it was driving the lane for two point jumpers – of which he sank seven – or standing just beyond the arc and letting loose with the long ball – of which he sank four 3-pointers – or nailing his free throws – of which he dropped eight of nine – Goodline commanded the court on Tuesday. He led Coloma with 34 points and had eight assists and eight steals.

Adam Hearn scored 15 points, while Levi Wilkens knocked down 13. Brendan Lute added nine points, and Robbie Schroeder chipped in five.  Willie Donald scored four points.

Coloma shot 61% from the free throw line and sank eight 3-point shots.

On Friday, December 9 Coloma suffered their first loss of the season as they welcomed Kalamazoo Christian courtside.

The first period was evenly matched as both teams appeared to be settling in. The score was 6-6 after the first period.

After getting comfortable, both teams amped up their performance in the second period. The pace quickened with both teams utilizing the full court press.

Kalamazoo began to run away with the game, scoring 21 points to Coloma’s 13. The Comets just couldn’t get the shots to drop as Kalamazoo’s defense tightened up. At the half, Kalamazoo led by six, 27-19.

Coloma continued to trail Kalamazoo for the rest of the contest, although the game was closer than the final score would indicate. Coloma continued to work their plays and battle for boards but fell further behind in the third period. Kalamazoo led 43-33. That 10 point lead was all Kalamazoo would need as they closed out the fourth period with the 56-46 win.

Hartford wallops Eau Claire; Indians nail nine 3-pointers

 Hartford varsity basketball head coach John Johnson may have, in his words, “an inexperienced team this season with only four players with varsity experience” but the Indian squad played like a group of veterans Tuesday, December 6 as they opened their season at home against Eau Claire. The Indians won 68-45.

Austin Nelson and William Martinez, two of the four returning players, combined for 41 of Hartford’s points.

Tuesday’s game opened with Eau Claire winning the tipoff but Martinez stole the ball and dropped two points on an easy layup.

Hartford’s Austin Nelson got on the board with a 3-pointer from the low side to give the Indians a 5-0 advantage.

Martinez landed another two points before Eau Claire got on the board with their own jumper.

Then, it was Nelson again with the 3-point shot. On Hartford’s next possession Martinez dished a pass to Nelson who took it to the hoop. Hartford led 12-2.

REACH… Mya Potter of Co-loma’s varsity girls’ basketball squad attempts to snag a tipped ball Friday during the Comets’ game against Kalamazoo Chris-tian. Kalamazoo defeated Co-loma 50-48 in overtime. (TCR photo by Kristy Noack)

Eau Claire scored on a long ball to take the score to 12-5 before Nelson sank another 3-pointer for the Indians. The first period ended with Hartford leading 19-9 over the visiting Beavers.

The game continued in much the same fashion for Hartford. They remained in the lead and notched their first win of the season, 68-45.

Nelson led Hartford with a team high 25 points including five 3-pointers.  He grabbed five boards and had five assists and five steals.  Martinez chipped in 16 points and nine rebounds in the victory.

Hartford had Lawton on the schedule for Friday, December 9 but that game was called due to the snow.

Watervliet hoops nipped by Bloomingdale

The Watervliet boys’ varsity basketball team kicked off their season on the road in Bloomingdale on Tuesday, December 6. The Panthers lost by the slimmest of margins, 52-51, in the final minute of the game.

Watervliet enjoyed a 15-12 lead over Bloomingdale after the first period, with Panther head coach Chris Prom thanking his defense for their “great effort.”  The second period found Bloomingdale knocking down 12 points to Watervliet’s 10, as the Cardinals drew to within one point. Third period action found Watervliet increasing their lead over the Cardinals to four points, 40-36.

Fourth period action showed a Cardinal resurgence as they scored 16 points to Watervliet’s 11 to snatch the 52-51 victory from the Panthers.

According to Prom, “The Cardinals used a full court press to try to force turnovers. [We] did a good job finding the open man in the zones and broke the press well to get layups” in the second half of the game.

It was the final minute of the game that was most exciting for fans of both squads. Watervliet led as the clock ticked off the final seconds of the game. Bloomingdale secured the last possession of the game, raced the ball down the court, and launched a three point shot that sank through the net seconds before time expired.

Watervliet’s Ryan Chisek scored 14 points.  Trent Boone added nine points, and James Bell turned in a seven point performance.

On Friday, December 9, Watervliet was to host Lawrence. However, inclement weather east of Watervliet forced the cancellation of that matchup.

AWESOME AUSTIN… Hart-ford’s Austin Nelson stretches for a layup last week Tuesday in the Indians’ game at home against Eau Claire. Austin knocked down three 3-pointers and a field goal in the opening minutes of the contest. (TCR photo by Kristy Noack)

Coloma nipped by Kalamazoo Christian in overtime

 It was an exciting night Friday, December 9 as Coloma’s girls’ varsity basketball team hosted Kalamazoo Christian. In their first overtime game of the season, Coloma was nipped by Kalamazoo, 50-48.

The Lady Comet squad played an impressive game. First period action found both teams scoring eight points. Kalamazoo took a two point lead at the half, 23-21.

Coloma roared back in the third period, stealing the lead from Kalamazoo, 32-29. But Kalamazoo bounced back in the fourth period to tie the game at 43 all. Kalamazoo held Coloma to five points in the overtime period to take the 50-48 win.

One of Coloma’s strengths is the team’s ability to land the 3-pointer. Three players scored deep for Coloma Friday night which accounted for 15 of the team’s points.

Coloma will have to improve at the charity stripe. The team netted only five of their 14 attempts, shooting a dismal 36% from the line.

Kayla Yore led Coloma with 18 points including two 3-pointers.  Hannah Mathis scored 11 points, including one 3-pointer.

Morgan Wagner scored 10 points, six of which came from beyond the arc. Jenna Walter scored six points and was perfect (two for two) from the free throw line. Nicolle Larson netted three points.

Detroit Free Press names Watervliet’s Brant and Rendo and Hartford’s Arnold to All-State list

The Detroit Free Press issued their annual listing of players they select to their All-State First Team and Honorable Mention rolls.

Watervliet senior Tyler Brant was selected to First Team in Division 6 Offense.

Brant’s teammate Cam Rendo, a senior, was given an Honorable Mention nod for his work at quarterback.

Cory Arnold, a sophomore for the Hartford Indians, was named on the Honorable Mention list for linemen.

Manning takes helm of Hartford football

Brad Manning, a teacher at Hartford Middle School and varsity track and junior varsity football coach, has been pegged to lead the Hartford Indians on the gridiron for the 2017-18 season.

According to Hartford High School Athletic Director Nick Blackmer, Manning was one of three candidates who interviewed for the position vacated by Ben Kain following the 2016-17 season.

“Brad was a very successful coach at the sub-varsity level for many years. He has shown not just his ability to coach football but also lead young men.  I look forward to watching the growth of the program under his direction.”

Manning will inherit a program that has seen three coaches over the past three years. Dave Janicki, longtime successful coach retired in 2014. Janicki was replaced by Jason Fiacco, who coached the Indians for one season. Following his departure, Kain took the reins, also for one year.

Manning’s familiarity with the Indians’ football program and expectations will give him a head start in his move to varsity competition on the gridiron.

You “Can” help 2.0

 The varsity basketball games that were scheduled for Friday, December 9 were cancelled due to the weather. That meant the can drive being co-sponsored by the Watervliet High School Student Council and athletics was not held.

The good news is the new date has been set for the can drive. If you are attending Friday’s varsity basketball games at Watervliet, you “can” still help. If you donate five or more non-perishable food items, you will be admitted into the contest for free.

If basketball isn’t your cup of tea, stop by Watervliet High School on Wednesday, December 21 for wrestling action. You “can” donate at that event as well!

All items donated are being given to a local food pantry.

Former Hartford football coach Jason Fiacco in Texas state football championship game

Jim Sheffer, longtime Watervliet local and former WHS softball coach, has shared that his son-in-law Jason Fiacco is coaching in the Texas state football championship game.

Fiacco spent one season as varsity head coach of the Hartford Indians before returning to Texas with his wife Sarah (Sheffer) and two children, Colt and Callie.

After leaving Hartford, Fiacco accepted a position as offensive coordinator with the Yoakum Bulldogs in Yoakum, Texas. That high school team has reached the pinnacle of Texas football – the state championship game. Holding an 11-4 record, Yoakum will face Mineola High School today, Thursday, December 15. The game will be played at AT&T Stadium in Dallas at 7 p.m.

You can view the game on Fox Sports Southwest. Simply go to foxsports.com/southwest and click on the UIL State Championship banner.

According to Jim Sheffer, this game marks the first time since 1952 that Yoakum will play for the championship trophy.

Congrats to Jason and his team, and thanks to Jim for sharing his son-in-law’s news!

AQB WRAP-UP

Gear wins Armchair Quarterback week 16; Rodney-Isbrecht adds breathing room to lead

 Week 16 in the Tri-City Record Armchair Quarterback contest brought a bit of breathing room to RoxAnn Rodney-Isbrecht’s overall lead. She tied Tom Gear for best weekly record as both contestants went 6-2. But, it was Gear who won first place based on the tie-breaker point total guess.

Each week, six local football fans predict the winners of eight gridiron games. Their records are tabulated each week, and the armchair quarterback holding the best record following the Super Bowl is deemed the TCR AQB champion.

In the event two or more AQBs predicted their way to identical weekly records a tie-breaker game is used to determine who wins the better spot on the leaderboard. Each week one game is selected as the tie-breaker game. Our celebrated contestants must predict the total points that will be scored in that game; the ‘back closest to the actual point total wins the higher spot.

This week, Rodney-Isbrecht and Gear went 6-2. Gear guessed 45 points would be scored in the Chicago/Detroit game. The Lions notched another “W” in their score book as they topped Chicago 20-17.  Rodney-Isbrecht turned in a 48-point guess. It was close, but Gear got the nod and the top spot in the weekly matchup. Rodney-Isbrecht took second place for the week.

Greg Krell, Rodney Lynch, and Chris Leach all went 4-4 for the week, so their place in the standings came down to the tie-breaker game as well.

Lynch landed in third place with his 36 point guess. Krell captured fourth place as he guessed 42 points would be scored. That left Leach in fifth place; she predicted 54 points would be scored.

Sixth place was won by Tim Hildebrand. He turned in a 3-5 record last week.

Overall, Rodney-Isbrecht remains atop the leaderboard with a 94-34 record. She now holds a three-game cushion over second place Krell.

Krell hangs on to a 91-37 record. He dropped two games last week and is now three behind Rodney-Isbrecht.

Hildebrand also lost ground. His 86-42 record puts him in third place overall. He fell one game further behind Krell and is now eight games off the pace of our leader.

Lynch also fell two games. He is nine games from first place with an 85-43 record. Lynch moved one game closer to Hildebrand in third place, though, so things are looking up for him.

Gear grabbed some much needed traction. He closed the gap on everyone but Rodney-Isbrecht. Gear holds a 77-51 record and moved two steps closer to Lynch.

Leach remains in the cellar with her 73-55 overall record. She trails Gear by four games.

College football bowl games begin this week. Our AQBs will be predicting three bowl games and five pro games. The matchups include:

UCF vs. Arkansas State

Houston vs. San Diego State

Central Michigan vs. Tulsa

Green Bay @ Chicago

Detroit @ NY Giants

Indianapolis @ Minnesota

New Orleans @ Arizona

New England @ Denver

This week’s tie-breaker game is the Packers’ trip to the Windy City. Green Bay is coming off a 38-10 drubbing of Seattle, while Chicago suffered a close defeat to Detroit. The Bears – for some reason(s) – have certainly earned a spot on Santa’s “Not Nice” list this year. Can a Christmas miracle save the season for Bears fans? After all, this is season of hope. (But, truly, I do not think even Santa has that much pull.)