12-28-2017 Tri-City Area Sports

AQB WRAP-UP

College bowl games bang up TCR ‘backs; Hildebrand wins week

By Kristy Noack

The six football fanatics that make up the Tri-City Record Armchair Quarterback roster suffered a difficult week as none of them correctly predicted all three college bowl games on the docket.  However, Tim Hildebrand claimed the number one spot on the roster for the week after posting a 5-3 record.

Hildebrand, who suffered two back-to-back weeks of 3-5 predictions, gained one game on leader Rodney Lynch and is officially back in the swing of things.

Each week the six football superfans are tasked with predicting the winners of eight games. The college season is in the thick of bowl games and professional football wild card games are being firmed up.

With the Idaho Potato, Birmingham, and Hawaii bowls on tap last week, the action on the football field was plentiful.

Trailing Hildebrand for the week was Lynch. He predicted a 4-4 record for the week and took second place.

Greg Krell, RoxAnn Rodney-Isbrecht, and Bryan Conrad posted 3-5 records, so their place in the standings came down to the tie-breaker game.

One game is specially selected each week as the tie-breaker game. The AQBs must determine how many points will be scored in that contest. Whoever has the closest guess to the actual total wins the higher ranking in the standings.

The mighty Chippewas of Central Michigan faced Wyoming. Although CMU lost, they did score 14 points in the 37-14 loss. Krell predicted 47 points would be scored, closest to the 51 point total. That meant Krell took third place.

Fourth place went to Rodney-Isbrecht with her 45-point guess. Conrad finished fifth with his 70-point prediction.

Chris Leach landed in sixth place for the week with a 2-6 record.

Overall, Lynch still leads the contingent with a 104-40 record; and, he gained one game over Rodney-Isbrecht, who maintains her hold on second place with a 100-44 record.

Hildebrand gained a game and sits in third place with a 96-48 overall record.

Krell is in fourth place overall with a 90-54 record. He gained a little breathing room over Leach, who trails in fifth place and is now tied with Conrad. Both Leach and Conrad hold 87-57overall records.

This week bowl games make up the majority of the games our ‘backs are predicting. Here is what our swami six are reviewing:

Washington State vs. Michigan State

USC vs. Ohio State

Michigan vs. South Carolina

Notre Dame vs. LSU

Georgia vs. Oklahoma

Alabama vs. Clemson

Minnesota vs. Chicago

Green Bay vs. Detroit

The tie-breaker game this week is the Fighting Irish taking on the Tigers. Can Notre Dame top talented LSU?

Did Santa deliver a perfect record to anyone this week? Check back to find out!

Father bests son as Coloma beats Grant

 With Fred Paulsen coaching the Coloma squad and his son Paige leading the varsity team from Grant; all eyes were on the father/son matchup Thursday, Dec. 21.

The nod and victory would go to the Comet squad as they topped visiting Grant 37-30 in the non-conference game.

The game was a lot closer than the score would indicate. Coloma trailed 9-8 after the first period as cold shooting and defensive pressure caused the Comets to struggle.

Grant moved the ball well enough in the second period to outscore Coloma 9-6 and took an 18-14 lead at the half.

Coloma head coach Fred Paulsen’s half-time chat fired up the Comets and the squad went to work. They outscored Grant 23-12 in the second half of the ball game to grab the 37-30 win.

Coloma’s Morgan Wagner, Megan Neubecker, and Kayla Yore played well in the second half. Wagner had a nice steal and easy layup. Neubecker put up quite a few shots from inside the paint, and Yore played the corners well.  Mika Anderson had a nice blocked shot.

Wagner led Coloma with 15 points and the team’s only 3-pointer.  Yore scored 11 points.

Neubecker dropped in five points, while Anderson tallied four.  Kelsey Ellis scored two points.

Coloma was eight of 15 (53%) from the free throw line, while Grant was one of four (25%).

Grant was dangerous from beyond the arc; the squad hit five 3-pointers compared to Coloma’s lone hit.

On Tuesday, Dec. 19, the Comets also defeated Lawrence 49-44.

Jackson sets new scoring record at Hartford with 36-point effort against White Pigeon

 AJ Jackson continues to amaze foes and fans on the basketball court. The senior center scored 36 points Thursday, Dec. 21 in a 60-52 Hartford win over host White Pigeon.

Jackson’s effort set a new single game scoring record for the school. She also recorded a double double in the game after collecting 13 rebounds.

The schools battled back and forth through the entire four periods of play.

White Pigeon trailed 10-7 at the close of the first period, but they evened the game up in the second period to tie the game at 23-23 at intermission.

Third period action found Hartford down by one, 22-21, before rallying for 16 points and the lead in the fourth period.

Jackson also recorded four blocks during the game.  Jessica Cortes scored 11 points and had seven assists.  Cora Wesaw tallied nine points.

MEGAN’S MOJO… Coloma’s Megan Neubecker goes up for a two-point shot Thursday, Dec. 21 in a game against Grant. Neubecker recorded five points in Coloma’s 37-30 victory. (TCR photo by Kristy Noack)

Comets remain undefeated as Goodline scores 25

 The Coloma Comets boys’ varsity basketball team continues to chug through the season racking up wins and big numbers for junior guard Zach Goodline.

On Tuesday, Dec. 19, the squad hosted a visiting Lawrence team for a non-conference game.

The game was evenly matched through the first quarter before Coloma broke loose at the basket.

After eight minutes of play, Coloma led 15-12.

In the second quarter, Coloma hoisted 18 points on the scoreboard and virtually eliminated any scoring opportunity by Lawrence. The Tigers were limited to four points in eight minutes, giving the Comets a 33-16 lead at intermission.

Coloma’s ball – and clock – control continued in the third quarter. The Comets scored 21 points and held Lawrence to nine. Coloma’s lead increased to 54-25 as time expired in the third period.

The Comets scored 16 points in the fourth period to win the contest 72-32.

Goodline led Coloma with 25 points; he also had six assists and five steals. Chris Brown scored 10 points. Levi Wilkens, Tevon Blazier, and Robbie Schroeder scored six points apiece.

Phillip Caldwell drained five points, while Willie Donald scored four.

Kenny Crowder, Mike Dancer, Brendan Lute, Adam Hearn, and D’Avion Carter scored one point apiece in the team effort.

Coloma was seven of 12 at the free throw line (58%). The team’s three 3-pointers came courtesy of Goodline’s hands.

Although Coloma head coach Paul Marfia’s squad got the win, he was hesitant to brag on his team. “We did not execute versus their 3-2 zone to begin with and it slowed the game down in their favor. We made some adjustment[s] at half-[time] and I feel our depth and conditioning played a factor in the third quarter.  I was happy with the balance in our scoring and the ball pressure we were able to give in the second half.”

Coloma (4-0 overall) will face South Haven on December 29 at home. Shake those winter break blues and come out to support the Comets!

Watervliet wins 58-54 nail biter over Saugatuck

 It took a dramatic fourth quarter rally but the Watervliet Lady Panthers secured a 58-54 victory over visiting Saugatuck Tuesday, Dec. 19.

Talk about a doozy of a game! Saugatuck jumped out to an 18-13 lead after the first quarter. The squad suffered some shooting miscues, stolen balls, and a pesky Saugatuck defense.

The Panthers decreased Saugatuck’s lead by one point in the second period as they scored 10 points. Saugatuck only scored nine. At the half it was Saugatuck leading 27-23.

SMITH’S SWEET SHOT… Lamarrius Smith of Watervliet’s varsity basketball team hits a sweet spot Tuesday, Dec. 19 in the Panthers’ game against visiting Saugatuck. Watervliet won the contest 59-47. (TCR photo by Kristy Noack)

Watervliet gave up too many scoring opportunities to Saugatuck in the third period.  The Panthers had the ball stolen, were unable to rebound both offensively and defensively, and their pressure on the Saugatuck offense was nonexistent.

In spite of all that, Watervliet was able to chip one more point off Saugatuck’s lead and trailed 43-40.

The stars aligned for fourth quarter action as Watervliet began to hit its marks.  It started with a 3-pointer by Jaelyn Pitre on a dish from Kara Liles.

Ariana Rowe hit a basket under the bucket and drilled the bonus after she was fouled. Liles had a nice rebound off a second Watervliet shot attempt, which she passed down the court to an awaiting Rowe under the basket.   The Panthers broke out for the lead with less than three minutes on the clock.

Taylor Shafer had a nice block in the fourth period to give Watervliet possession of the ball and save a potential game-tying basket by Saugatuck.

Pitre drilled another 3-pointer that was nothing but net and followed that with a bucket with one minute left on the clock.  Pitre was later fouled and made two of two to take the game to a 56-50 Watervliet lead.

In the end, Watervliet walked away with the 58-54 hard fought victory.

Rowe led Watervliet with 25 points and 10 rebounds, giving her a double double.  Pitre scored 15 points.

Zoe Smith added seven points, five steals, and four assists. Kara Liles contributed four points and six assists.

Taylor Shafer scored three points and had four rebounds and four steals. Celina Klimkiewicz netted two points and had three steals. Vicky Smith scored two points and grabbed three boards.

Watervliet is undefeated in the Southwestern Athletic Conference – Lakeshore Division. They hold a 3-0 record and are 5-1 overall.

The Panthers will face conference rival Coloma on January 9 on the road following the winter break.

Martinez scores 15 in Hartford hard court loss to Decatur

 Shooting woes continued for the Hartford Indians as the squad welcomed Decatur to town Tuesday, Dec. 19.

Numerous missed rebounding opportunities, balls that bounced short of their intended basket, a couple of questionable calls by the officials, and turnovers helped lead Decatur to a 54-46 victory over the Indians.

There were bright spots for the Indians during the contest, however.  The first period ended with the Indians trailing the Raiders by just two points, 11-9. The Indians worked the floor the second period and cinched up the game at 26-26 at intermission.

Both teams were limited to single-digit points in the third period. Hartford scored four points, while Decatur broke open for the two-point lead, 32-30.

With less than a minute on the clock in the third, Hartford was dealt a blow as Trey Ackerman went up hard to the basket to block a shot and ended up with what appeared to be a dislocated shoulder. Ackerman is often one of the team’s top shooters and it was a blow to the Indian offense to see him walk out of the gym.

The Indians got some much needed fourth quarter offense from Moses Beraza, Buddy Earls, William Martinez, and Evan Delarosa, but it wasn’t enough to top the Raiders.

Martinez led Hartford with a game-high 15 points. Ackerman scored 11 before his injury took him out of the game.

Cluster comes up big in Watervliet’s 59-47 win over Saugatuck

 Dan Cluster had a heck of a game Tuesday, Dec. 19 as Watervliet smothered Saugatuck 59-47. Cluster scored 16 points and, equally important, knocked down two blocks and had eight deflections, which stymied the Saugatuck offense.

It was a rough opening for Watervliet, however. Following a two-point bucket by Bryant Kieft to open the game, the squad was only able to score five points in the first period. Saugatuck, on the other hand, ran the floor and nailed 13 points.

The Panthers were stripped of the ball numerous times and struggled at the foul line. The squad made only three of eight attempts at the charity stripe.

Saugatuck had an eight-point scoring drive before the period ended.

The Watervliet offense came alive in the second period as they took command of the game. The first score came when Jakob Aldrich scored an easy basket on an inbounds pass from James Bell.

Cluster, who was limited to one point in the first period, scored seven points in the second period, including a dunk and five of six from the free throw line.

Watervliet added 19 points to their total and held Saugatuck to six points to take a 24-19 lead into half-time.

The Panthers continued to pressure Saugatuck on both sides of the ball and seamlessly score points. Watervliet posted 19 points in the third period, while Saugatuck scored 11.

The Panthers sealed the victory for a 16-point fourth quarter for the 59-47 win.

In addition to his 16 points, two blocks, and eight deflections, Cluster had seven rebounds and two assists.

Kieft scored 11 points with five rebounds, one assist, and five deflections. Aldrich added 11 points, three rebounds, one assist, two deflections, and two steals.

Watervliet will return to the court January 6 at River Valley.

Chambers records double double in Hartford’s 56-45 win of Decatur

 Hartford’s girls’ varsity team earned their fourth win of the season Tuesday, Dec. 19 as the squad topped Decatur on the road 56-45.

The Indians remain undefeated in the Southwest 10 Conference with a 4-0 record and are 4-1 overall.

JOHNSON’S DRIVE… Hart-ford’s Garrod Johnson drives toward the basket Tuesday, Dec. 19 as the Indians wel-comed the Decatur Raiders to the hard court. Hartford lost the contest 54-46. (TCR photo by Kristy Noack)

Hartford opened the game with a 14-9 first period lead and did not relinquish it. The squad added 19 points in the second period to take a 33-20 lead at intermission.

Decatur mounted a rally in the third period, outscoring the Indians 16-8 but Hartford held strong with a 41-36 lead.

The Indians added another 15 points in the fourth for the 56-45 victory.

It was Jessica Cortes who led Hartford.  The senior guard scored 16 points including five of the team’s seven 3-pointers.

Mikenzie Chambers recorded a double double as she scored 13 points and had 10 rebounds and two steals.

Jackson added 15 points and grabbed nine rebounds, while Cora Wesaw contributed 10 points and five steals. Elly Valdes scored two points.

Watervliet Wrestlers top Gobles 46-27 and Fennville 69-6 in quad action

The Watervliet wrestling team hosted Coloma, Fennville, and Gobles in quad action Wednesday, Dec. 20.

Watervliet posted team wins over their two opponents, Fennville and Gobles.

Notching two wins for the Panthers were: Trever Pelton (103 lbs.), Klayton Marshall (135), Coby Henslee (140), Anthony Wade (160), Don Smith (171), Logan Swigart (189), and Matt Melcher (215).

Panthers who won one match include: Dillon Clemons (112), Alex Isbrecht (119), Corbin Camp (130), Isaiah Yazel (145), Dylan Lynch (152), and Cole Hunt (heavyweight).

Hartford wallops White Pigeon as Martinez scores 24

 Will Martinez scored 24 points as the Hartford Indians capitalized on hot shooting in their 83-58 drubbing of host White Pigeon Thursday, Dec. 21.

Hartford, who led from the first period, recorded their first win of the season.  The Indians broke out for a 28-12 cushion in the first period. They scored another 15 points in the second period to lead 43-21 at the half.

In the third period, Hartford outscored White Pigeon 15-9. A fast-paced fourth quarter found Hartford adding 21 points to White Pigeon’s 19 as the Indians sealed the 83-58 win.

In addition to Martinez’s 24 points, Garrod Johnson scored 14 and Aaron Sinclair added 12.

Watervliet wrestlers place third at Clipper Classic Invitational

The Watervliet grapplers spent Saturday, Dec. 23 at Martin wrestling in the Clipper Classic Invitational. The team finished in third place after defeating Hopkins 54-17 and Kelloggsville 45-29.

The Panthers lost to Martin 48-30, Gobles 49-24, and Grand Rapids Catholic Central 51-24.

Trever Pelton and Matt Melcher, wrestling in the 103 and 215 lb. weight classes for the Panthers, were undefeated on the day, wrestling a perfect 5-0.

Klayton Marshall (135 lbs.) and Anthony Wade (160 lbs.) went 4-1.

Comets best Fennville 54-22 and conquer Gobles 54-28

 Seven Coloma wrestlers were a perfect 2-0 during their matches against Fennville and Gobles in quad action at Watervliet Wednesday, Dec. 20.

ALL WRAPPED UP… Coloma’s Ian Ishmael wrapped up his Fennville opponent Wednesday, Dec. 20 in SAC quad action at Watervliet. Ishmael led 4-0 after the first period and got the win by pin with 23 seconds left in the second period. (TCR photo by Kristy Noack)

Coloma beat Gobles 54-28 and then topped Fennville 54-22.

Cole Alsup, Shane Champion, Noah Mart, Cody Reese, Ian Ishmael, Cole Allman, and Jamane Smith Jr. went undefeated, recording 2-0 records during the matches.