Watervliet zooms past Comets

 Katie Schultz certainly had the magic touch Tuesday, December 13 as she scored four 3-pointers in Watervliet’s 41-25 drubbing of the Comets.

Host Watervliet rocketed out to an early 15-9 lead against their Southwestern Athletic Conference rival. The Comet squad had no trouble picking apart Watervliet’s man defense. But, Panther head coach Jason Forrester made a quick adjustment to a zone defense and the game was in Watervliet’s court the rest of the night.

At the half, Watervliet held a 21-15 lead.

The Lady Panthers added another nine points on the board in the third period and held Coloma to just four points. Coloma trailed 30-19 at the end of three periods.

Coloma was unable to create much in the way of offense for most of the evening. The Lady Comets finished off their evening scoring six points on their way to the 41-25 loss.

Schultz was the high scorer for Watervliet with 14 points. Logan Mizwicki added 10 points and had 11 rebounds. Kara Liles scored seven points and had seven rebounds.

Madalyn Hutchins hit a 3-pointer, and Ariana Rowe scored three points.  Zoe Smith and Casie Gohr added two points apiece. As a squad, the team shot 50% from the free throw line.

Kayla Yore had an outstanding game for Coloma. She scored over half her teams’ points, sinking 16 to lead the Comets. Morgan Wagner scored five points and had six rebounds.

Nicolle Larson scored two points, while Emily Bolis and Hannah Mathis each chipped in one point.

Coloma shot 33% from the free throw line, hitting six of 18 attempts.

IN MOTION… Coloma’s Tevon Blazier heads toward the basket as Hartford’s William Martinez looks to get his hands on the ball Friday, December 16. Coloma beat the visiting Indians 78-59. The Comets now hold a 3-1 record. (TCR photo by Kristy Noack)

Turnovers aplenty as Coloma whips Watervliet; Goodline scores 23 points

 Coloma’s boys’ varsity basketball squad traveled to Watervliet for an impressive Southwestern Athletic Conference win, topping the Panthers 49-27.

To say it was a rough outing for Watervliet would be an understatement. The Comet defense stifled Watervliet from the get-go and, as the pressure increased, so did Panther turnovers.

Coloma roared out to a 16-4 first period lead. At one point, Watervliet trailed 14-0. Watervliet finally stopped playing Coloma’s game and set their own tempo in the second period. That allowed Watervliet to score 11 points to Coloma’s nine. Watervliet still trailed 25-15 at the half way mark.

The third period had Coloma eking out a one point advantage, seven points to six. Coloma remained in the lead 32-21 at the end of three.

The mighty Comets used the fourth period to finish off the Panthers. Coloma’s red hot offense scored 17 points while the defense continued to pressure Watervliet. The Panthers were able to score only six points and fell 49-27.

Coloma suffocated the Panthers throughout the game, which resulted in 25 Watervliet turnovers. Coloma coughed up the ball only five times.

Coloma star Zach Goodline led the Comet charge with 23 points. He hit four of the team’s six 3-pointers and was three for three from the charity stripe.

Adam Hearn scored eight points for Coloma. He also had six rebounds. Tevon Blazier hit a 3-pointer and contributed a total of five points to Coloma’s cause. Grant Kroschel scored four points, while Brendan Lute hit a 3-pointer.

Kobe Hunter, Levi Wilkens, and Robbie Schroeder scored two points apiece for Coloma.

Coloma shot 43% from the free throw line.

BOONE FOR THE BUCKET… Trent Boone of Watervliet’s varsity basketball team goes up for an easy layup Tuesday, December 13 as the Panthers welcomed Coloma to the court. Defending for Colo-ma are Calvin Starnes (32) and Adam Hearn (34). Coloma would easily defeat the Panthers 49-27, giving Watervliet their second loss of the season. (TCR photo by Kristy Noack)

Trent Boone led Watervliet with seven points, including five of six from the free throw line.  Daniel Cluster chipped in six points, seven rebounds, and three blocked shots.

LA Smith dropped in four points and was perfect, two for two, from the line. Devon Flowers scored three points, the only points scored by Watervliet beyond the arc.

Cam Rendo scored three points. Ryan Chisek added two points, and Tyler Brant kicked in two points and eight rebounds.

As a team, Watervliet shot 80% from the free throw line.

Twenty-two three pointers in Coloma/Hartford game

 The basketballs were flying Friday, December 16 as Coloma welcomed Hartford to the hardwood. Coloma scored 14 3-pointers to take the 78-59 victory.

The story of the night was the 3-point attempts and buckets made by both teams. Hartford hit eight 3-pointers, five of them in the first half of the contest. Coloma landed a whopping 14 3-pointers, splitting them evenly between halves.

Coloma’s Zach Goodline led the team with 31 points including four two-point buckets, five 3-pointers, and eight of nine free throws. Goodline is a triple threat on offense and clearly has no limitations on the floor.

Kobe Hunter stepped up his level of play and dropped 14 points including two 3-pointers. Grant Kroschel joined the three-point brigade; he scored eight points including two 3-pointers.

Brendan Lute’s nine points came on three 3-pointers.Tevon Blazier tossed in one 3-pointer and two field goals for seven points. Levi Wilkens rounded out the long ball scoring with one 3-pointer. Robbie Schroeder scored four points, and Willie Donald added two points to the Comet effort.

Coloma shot 67% from the free throw line.

The Comets began the game with a decisive 21-12 lead in the first period. Coloma continued to build on that lead in the second period, adding 24 points to Hartford’s 15. Hartford trailed by 18 points as the first half ended, 45-27.

The Indians did make some adjustments on offense in the second half. They scored 16 points in the third period, but Coloma continued to roll on scoring 20 of their own.

Fourth period action found Hartford outscoring Coloma 16-13, but Coloma ran away with the 78-59 victory.

For Hartford, Austin Nelson was the team’s top scorer. He hit five 3-pointers and scored 23 points. William Martinez landed three 3-pointers and five field goals and shot two for two from the free throw line; he scored 21 points. Trey Ackerman dropped in six points, including hitting 100% from the free throw line (four for four).

Garrod Johnson scored four points. Randy Ramirez tallied three points, and Luke Manning scored two.

Hartford shot 88% from the free throw line.

Coloma is tied with Saugatuck atop the Southwestern Athletic Conference – Lakeshore Division standings with a 3-1 overall record. The Comets are 2-0 in the conference.

Hartford falls to 1-2 overall and 0-1 in the SAC – Lakeshore division.

WITH A BASKET IN MIND… Hartford’s Elly Valdes slips past Coloma’s Kayla Yore (10) and Jenna Walter (34) toward the basket as Morgan Wagner (22) looks on during varsity basketball action Friday, December 16. The Comets topped the Indians 47-32 at home. (TCR photo by Kristy Noack)

Coloma clips Hartford 47-32

 Coloma’s girls’ varsity basketball squad hosted rival Hartford on Friday, December 16. The Lady Comets settled some early jitters and walked away with the 47-32 win.

Hartford commanded the first period, scoring 11 points. Coloma did a good job keeping pace, scoring nine points. Coloma calmed down in the second period and posted 11 points on the board. Hartford was limited to eight, giving Coloma the 20-19 advantage at the half.

Third period action found Coloma scoring 13 points. Hartford was held to nine. Coloma increased their lead to 33-28. And it was all Coloma in the fourth quarter as the ladies scored 14 points and suffocated Hartford’s offense. The Indians scored only four points in the fourth period.

Hartford struggled at the free throw line all night. The team had 12 attempts at extra points but only landed three free throws. The Indians depended heavily on their 3-point game, hitting five 3-pointers, which was just two fewer than the seven field goals the team scored.

Coloma’s success rested on Kayla Yore and Hannah Mathis. Yore scored 16 points including two 3-pointers and was six of seven at the charity stripe.  Mathis turned in a great game and showed her potential. She scored 11 points.

Morgan Wagner continued to dominate on defense. She scored seven points. Nicolle Larson added six points, and Skylar Crisenbery had four.  Mika Anderson contributed three points.

22 DOUBLE TEAMED… Co-loma’s Morgan Wagner goes for two points on Tuesday, De-cember 13 as Watervliet hosted the visiting Comets. Water-vliet’s Logan Mizwicki (00) and Katie Schultz (20) defend against the shot. The Panthers would top Coloma 41-25. (TCR photo by Kristy Noack)

AJ Jackson and Jessica Cortes led Hartford with 14 points each.  Cortes also had one rebound and one steal. Jackson grabbed two boards for the Indians. Cora Wesaw posted four points for Hartford. Elly Valdes scored her two points from the free throw line; she also chipped in two rebounds and one assist.  Marissa Beraza scored two points and had three steals and one assist.

Amara Wesaw added one rebound and five assists to the team effort. Angela Saldana and Mikenzie Chambers chipped in two rebounds each.

Coloma captures Simpson Memorial crown

The Coloma wrestlers had reason to celebrate Saturday, December 17. The squad picked up the championship title at the South Haven Simpson Memorial wrestling competition. Coloma defeated Niles 42-35 in the championship round. Bloomingdale outwrestled Bangor 41-34 in the consolation round to take third place.

During the event, Coloma wrestled Watervliet and won 56-12.  Watervliet’s Trevor Pelton pinned Coloma’s Teo Mastral in the 103 lb. weight class. Also winning for Watervliet was Brad Yazel in the 160 lb. weight class. He pinned Dalton Turner.

Coloma’s Dylan LeClear pinned Alex Isbrecht in the 112 lb. weight class. Cody Reese beat Klayton Marshall 9-1 in the 125 lb. weight class. Mike Case won the battle of the 140 lb. weight class; he pinned Koby Hensley.

In the 189 lb. weight class, Jamane Smith defeated Matt Melcher 19-5.

Against Reed City, the following Coloma wrestlers won (contested matches only): Smith pinned Austin Fowler (189), Billy Boyd pinned Brett Walker (215), Cole Allsup (heavyweight) pinned Ryan Neal, LeClear pinned Ryan Simmons (112), Harrison Spaulding pinned Auston Major (119), Cody Reese pinned Mark White (125), and Ian Ishmael pinned Hunter Brahman (135).

Coloma also topped Bloomingdale in pool competition 41-39. Coloma wrestlers who proved victorious (contested matches only) include: Boyd, who pinned Brody Whitecotton (215), Allsup (heavyweight) pinned Johnny Jackson, LeClear (112) pinned Julian Reyes, Spaulding (119) beat Oracio Garcia 17-2, Steve Poundes pinned Tony Westerhoff (125), and Ishmael pinned Brian Paquette (135).

Against Bangor, Coloma’s Taquan Shurn pinned Evan Siler in the 119 lb. weight class and Rickie McClain pinned Trevor Hiatt in the heavyweight category.

Coloma faced Niles for the championship and won 42-35.

Jamane Smith beat Tysen Custard 17-2 (189). Billy Boyd pinned Caiden Smith (215). Allsup pinned Darian Sosa (heavyweight). Harrison Spaulding topped Terris Frick 15-3 (119), Ian Ishmael pinned Austin Reid (135) and Mike Case won a 10-9 decision over Zack Keck (140).

Suffering losses to Niles were Steve Poundes (125), Cody Reese (130), Alec DelaTorre (145), and Dalton Turner (160).

Hartford struggles against Kalamazoo Hackett

 Hartford’s boys’ varsity basketball team struggled early and often against a solid Kalamazoo Hackett squad on Tuesday, December 13.

Hartford lost the away game 74-43. The Indians were outscored in the first period 29-11. Hartford was unable to find their footing and trailed the entire game.

At the half, the Indians were down 47-23. Third period action found Hartford keeping pace with Hackett; the Indians scored 11 points to Kalamazoo’s 12. But, it was not enough to kick start the Indians’ offense. Hartford was limited to nine points in the fourth quarter, and the Indians headed home with the loss.

William Martinez was Hartford’s high scorer. He scored 13 points. Austin Nelson added 11 for Hartford.

Beraza leads Hartford with seven points in loss to Kalamazoo Hackett

 Hartford’s Marissa Beraza led the Indians in scoring Tuesday, December 13 in a 55-32 loss to Kalamazoo Hackett. Beraza scored seven points, grabbed four boards, and had one steal and two assists.

Hartford was slow out of the gate, as Kalamazoo jumped out with an early 10 point lead. At the end of the first period, Hartford trailed 17-7.

Hartford’s offense kicked into gear in the second period as the Indians outscored Hackett 15 to 13 and sliced two points off Kalamazoo’s lead. At intermission, Hartford was behind 30-22.

Third period action found the Indians offense shuttered through all eight minutes of play. The Indians grappled with errant shots and an offense that smothered their every move. Hartford was held to four points in the third period, while Kalamazoo continued to attack the basket for 15 points. Hartford fell behind 45-26.

The Indians finished out the game by scoring six points in the fourth period. They were defeated 55-32.

Hackett had three players with point totals over 10.

Mikenzie Chambers added six points to Hartford’s bottom line. She also nabbed six rebounds and three steals. AJ Jackson contributed five points, five rebounds, and one steal.

Amara Wesaw scored four points and had five rebounds and two steals. Angela Saldana and Jessica Cortes each sank a long ball for three points.  Cortes was also credited with two rebounds, one steal, and three assists.

Cora Wesaw scored two points on one field goal; she also tallied two rebounds, one steal, and two assists. Elly Valdes scored two points.  Madisyn Earls snatched one rebound and had one steal.

Buzzer beater best Watervliet

 Nod if this sounds familiar: Watervliet’s boys’ varsity squad just missed a win by a last second three point buzzer beater that ended the game. If it sounds familiar, you are right. It happened the week before last. And then it happened again.

This time, Watervliet faced Saugatuck at home Friday, December 16. The Panther squad looked much more settled and in control than they did on Tuesday when they faced Coloma.

Watervliet kept a cohesive offense throughout the four periods of play and held their composure. Unfortunately, a last second shot by Saugatuck sank through the net and the visitors stole a 48-46 victory from Watervliet.

Watervliet led 9-8 after one period of play. As Watervliet head coach Chris Prom termed it, Watervliet “used a patient offensive attack” to take the lead.

Saugatuck, however, did not rest on their laurels. The Indians fought back in the second period to take a 22-21 lead into half-time.

Saugatuck increased their lead to 36-28 after a sluggish third period by the Panthers. But, Watervliet tore off the gloves in the fourth period and jumped out with 18 points. As the clock drifted to 0:00, Watervliet led 46-45. Saugatuck raced down the court and launched a 3-pointer… which sank through the net, giving the Indians the 48-45 victory.

James Bell was Watervliet’s high scorer with 11 points. Trent Boone added eight points to the Panther effort. LA Smith, Cam Rendo, and Sheldon Tobar scored seven points each.

Watervliet is now 0-3 overall and 0-2 in the SAC Lakeshore division.

Pitre fires four 3-pointers in Watervliet’s win over Saugatuck

 Watervliet’s Jaelyn Pitre was a force to reckon with Friday, December 16 as the Lady Panthers hosted Saugatuck. Pitre dropped four 3-pointers on her way to scoring 14 points in the 45-36 victory.

Watervliet held a two-point lead, 6-4, at the end of the first period. Saugatuck chipped away at that lead but still trailed Watervliet 15-14 at the half.

It was an exciting third period for Panther fans as Watervliet sank 21 points and limited Saugatuck to 16. Watervliet enjoyed a 36-30 lead at the end of three. The Lady Panthers added a little cushion to their lead, scoring nine points in the fourth period to take the 45-36 win.

Zoe Smith scored nine points for Watervliet. Logan Mizwicki added eight points. Taylor Shafer contributed six points and six rebounds and “helped shut down Saugatuck’s best player in the fourth quarter,” according to head coach Jason Forrester.

Ariana Rowe scored four points and grabbed five boards, while teammate Kara Liles landed four points and five rebounds.

Run your buttons off

 The Southwest Michigan Racers will once again offer you an opportunity to work off those holiday pounds you may put on by eating candy canes, sugar cookies and the like. The group is sponsoring this year’s Run, Frosty, Run 5k and 10k event on Saturday, January 7.

The 5k walk, 5k run, and 10k run kick off at 10:00 a.m. from Watervliet North Elementary, located at 287 Baldwin just north of Watervliet. All proceeds from the event are donated to the Watervliet Athletic Department.

Medals will be given to the top finishers in all three events. And, you do  not have to finish first to win! This race is a “predict your time” event. You determine how long it will take you to walk or run the course and the person who finishes the race with the closest time to their prediction wins! No watches, phones, or timekeeping instruments are allowed.

The cost to participate is $20 if you are 18 years or older and register by December 23. For anyone who registers between December 24 and January 6, the cost increases to $25. The race day registration fee is $30. For those under 18 years of age, the registration fee is $15.

Visit www.raceplanner.com/ registrationinfo/event/runFROSTYrun to get signed up today! Last year the weather was mild; the year before saw North Elementary principal Joe Allen clearing off the finish line with a shovel. You never know what the conditions will be at race time; that is what makes it so fun!

AQB WRAP-UP

Rodney-Isbrecht holds onto first place atop AQB leaderboard as Leach wins the week

 Last week was a mixed bag of sorts for our daring demonstrators of football fun. All six Tri-City Record Armchair Quarterbacks predicted records of 5-3 or 4-4, so the tie-breaker game played heavily in the weekly rankings.

Each week six local football fans dare to determine the winners of eight football games. Their records are tabulated weekly, and at the end of the season the AQB with the best record wins a fabulous prize: a Tri-City Record Armchair Quarterback championship cap!

In the event there is a tie – like this week – among the players, one game used as a tie-breaker contest. Players must determine the total number of points that will be scored in that contest. The AQBs’ place in the rankings is then sorted out by which player guessed closest to the game total.

This week, the tie-breaker game was the epic battle of the Green Bay Packers at the Chicago Bears. It was close, but Green Bay pulled out the 30-27win, and Chicago dropped to 3-11 on the season.

RoxAnn Rodney-Isbrecht, who was in sole possession of first place, Tim Hildebrand, and Chris Leach all earned 5-3 records from their predictions. Their place in the weekly standings came down to the tie-breaker game.

Chris Leach won the week as she guessed 58 points would be scored in the Packers/Bears game. Rodney-Isbrecht took second place with her 44 point guess. That left Hildebrand holding onto third place with his 38 point guess.

Greg Krell, Rodney Lynch, and Tom Gear posted 4-4 records for the week and the tie-breaker game had to be used to sort out their spot on the leaderboard.

Lynch’s 55 point game total guess was good for a fourth place finish.  Gear, the only AQB to accurately predict Arkansas State would beat UCF, finished in fifth place with his 49 point guess. That left Krell in sixth place as he guessed 48 points would be scored.

Overall, Rodney-Isbrecht continues to build her lead in the AQB contest. She picked up one game against Krell and now holds a four game advantage. Her record is 99-37.

Krell remains in second place overall with a 95-41 record. Hildebrand drew one game closer to Krell but is still four games back at 91-45.

Lynch’s 89-47 overall record puts him in fourth place. Gear kept pace with Lynch and now holds onto fifth place with an 81-55 record. Leach moved one game closer to Gear; she is in sixth place with a 78-58 record.

As the college bowl games kick into high gear and pro games begin to wind down their regular season this weekend, our super six will have to predict the winners of the following gridiron contests:

Old Dominion vs. Eastern Michigan

Mississippi State vs. Miami (Ohio)

Miami @ Buffalo

Minnesota @ Green Bay

Baltimore @ Pittsburgh

Detroit @ Dallas

Washington @ Chicago

Indianapolis @ Oakland

This week’s tie-breaker game will be the Lions at the Cowboys. What a great game for Christmas weekend! I would like to wish my brother-in-law Jay and nephews Travis and Brad safe travel as they leave Michigan for the Lone Star State. Bring me back a giant pretzel, please! (Everything really is bigger in Texas).

To all the Tri-City Record readers, have a very Merry Christmas!