By: Mike DeWitt
Mike.DeWitt@wktv.org

It’s a dogfight to get through districts. The bracket is littered with teams familiar with one another; A team’s strengths, weaknesses, game plans, and counters. Tonight, five Wyoming-Kentwood area teams have the opportunity to bring home a District Championship.

One championship game will be filmed an aired on WKTV.

Class A

East Kentwood (14-8) vs. Grand Rapids Christian (16-5) – District 5

Things weren’t looking pretty for East Kentwood at the beginning of February. The Falcons stumbled through the first month of the new year with a 4-4 record, but the girls were able to dig deep and find a second gear that has propelled them to the District Finals.

Since the start of February, the Falcons have won 8 of their last 9, including a revenge win over East Grand Rapids – the teams only loss in February – in the District Semi-finals on Wednesday. This team is rolling right now, but they’ll have their hands full in the finals.

On the other bench sits a team that has traveled a very similar path. Grand Rapids Christian is currently riding a 10 game win streak after dropping 4 of their first 5 games in January. Their last loss? The same Caledonia team they beat in a rematch in the District Semi-Finals.

East Kentwood beat Grand Rapids Christian in the first game of the season. With the way both teams have stormed into the playoffs, it’d be silly to look at that first game for any indication about how this one will go. A champion will be crowned tonight.

Wyoming (7-14) vs. Hudsonville (19-3)

The teams haven’t changed, but what was a clash of two titans in last year’s District Final has morphed into an uphill battle for Wyoming.

At the turn of the new year, the Wolves suffered a potentially fatal blow with the loss of MSU-commit Claire Hendrickson to a knee injury. In the aftermath after the injury, it looked to be the end to a once promising season. The Wolves lost 12 straight games to limp into the postseason. The playoffs are a new season, a slate wiped clean, and Wyoming sits at 1-0.

Hudsonville has been going full throttle since the season started. The team sits at 19-3 with win streaks littered throughout. Those three losses include two early in the season by a combined 7 points and a loss late in the season to East Kentwood, another District Final participant.

It’s going to be a tough game for Wyoming, but hey, they call it March Madness for a reason.

Class B

South Christian (20-2) vs. Wayland Union (9-11)

Both squads laid down the hammer in the District Semi-finals, winning by a combined point total of 124. Now they’re matched up with a team of equal caliber.

This District Final is also a rematch from last season. Last year, Wayland Union came in as the favorite and won handily, 59-39. This year, the roles are reversed.

South Christian is sitting on two losses by a combined 9 points. The Sailors are not only looking for revenge, but further down the line as well. This team has potential and very little weakness. Wayland Union will have to relish the underdog role.

Don’t let the under-.500 record fool you, the Wildcats have some pretty impressive games on their resumè. They currently own wins over District Final participants Wyoming (before the Hendrickson injury) and Hudsonville, and they’ve played Caledonia and Grand Rapids Christian to close losses. This is a dangerous team.

South Christian has already beaten Wayland Union twice this season, but it’s hard to beat a team three times. The game will be filmed live and aired tonight on WKTV.

Class D

Potter’s House Christian (7-13) vs. Tri-Unity Christian (18-4)

The theme of districts so far has been a rematch in the finals, this one is no different. Last season Tri-Unity beat Potter’s House handily to a tune of 21-points.

The Crusaders are currently on a 15-1 run in the last 16 games and don’t show any signs of slowing down. They won their last playoff game by 72(!) points and this one might play out similarly. Tri-Unity won the first meeting between these two 61-19.

Potter’s House will need to play some flawless basketball and force Tri-Unity into an uncharacteristic amount of turnovers. Regionals await.

Wyoming-Kentwood Area Teams and Results

Girls

Class A

East Kentwood – District 5
February 29
District First Round – W (58-39) Middleville Thornapple Kellogg
March 2
District Semi-Final – W (53-51) East Grand Rapids
March 4
District Final – Grand Rapids Christian

Wyoming – District 6
March 2
District Semi-Final – W (53-47) Jenison
March 4
District Final – Hudsonville

Class B

Godwin Heights – District 48
February 29
District First Round – L (38-60) South Christian

Grand River Prep – District 48
March 2
District Semi-Final – L (15-67) Wayland Union

Kelloggsville – District 48
March 2
District Semi-Final – L (7-79) South Christian

South Christian – District 48
February 29
District First Round – W (60-38) Godwin Heights
March 2
District Semi-Final – W (79-7) Kelloggsville
March 4
District Final – Wayland Union

Class D

Potter’s House – District 110
March 2
District Semi-Final – W (62-55) West Michigan Lutheran
March 4
District Final – Tri-Unity Christian

Tri-Unity Christian – District 110
February 29
District First Round – W (50-40) Zion Christian
March 2
District Semi-Final – W (72-36) Holland Calvary
March 4
District Final – Potter’s House

West Michigan Lutheran – District 110
March 2
District Semi-Final – L (55-62) Potter’s House