By: Mike DeWitt
Mike.DeWitt@wktv.org
The girls play their District Semi-Final games tonight, and the Wyoming-Kentwood area has a number of teams looking to be one step closer to a district championship.
Class A
East Kentwood (13-8) vs. East Grand Rapids (16-5) – District 5
The last time these two teams met, East Kentwood found themselves down 11 at half, but they wouldn’t fold that easily. An 18-point third quarter gave the Falcons a one-point lead entering the final stanza. However, the furious comeback was too little too late as East Grand Rapids came out with a hard-fought 49-45 victory. Round 2 between these two squads looks to be just as exciting.
East Kentwood is coming off of a 19-point victory over Middleville Thornapple Kellogg. As winners of 11 of their last 14, the Falcons are looking to keep the positive vibes going for at least another couple of days.
East Grand Rapids defeated a very strong Byron Center team in the first round and is currently riding a 5-game winning streak.
Winner plays Caledonia or Grand Rapids Christian in the District Finals this Friday.
Wyoming (6-14) vs Jenison (5-16) – District 6
Wyoming came into this season ready for big things after having an extremely successful 2015 campaign that saw the season end in the District Finals. Behind junior star player – and Michigan State commit – Claire Hendrickson, the Wolves were primed for a special season.
Early on, everything was going according to plan. The Wolves were 5-1 and playing very well when they traveled to Calvin Christian on January 5. It was then that adversity struck, Hendrickson went down with a torn ACL and meniscus and a sprained MCL. After the injury, the Wolves slogged to a 1-13 finish. They enter the postseason on a 12 game losing streak.
Jenison hasn’t fared much better than Wyoming. The Wildcats handled Holland in the first round of districts to break a five game losing streak. Jenison hasn’t struggled scoring points this season, it’s on the defensive end where they’ve lost games. In their 16 losses, the Wildcats have surrendered over 54 points a game.
Winner plays Grandville or Hudsonville in the District Finals this Friday.
Class B
South Christian (19-2) vs. Kelloggsville (2-12) – District 48
After suffering only their second loss of the year in the season finale, South Christian got things back on track in a big way in the first round of Districts. The Sailors were able to quickly get the wind back in their sails and Godwin never stood a chance. South Christian won their 19th game of the season handily, 60-38.
Things haven’t been easy for the Rockets this season. Kelloggsville currently sits at 2-12 and has lost nine straight. They’ll have their hands full against the Sailors.
Winner plays Wayland Union or Kentwood Grand River Prep in the District Finals this Friday
Grand River Prep (5-13) vs. Wayland Union (8-11) – District 48
Grand River Prep and Wayland Union each look to end a long string of losing to reach the district finals. Grand River enters the postseason having lost 10 of their last 11, while Wayland Union has lost 5 of their last 6.
No matter how you look at it, Grand River Prep is facing an uphill battle. Wayland Union may be under .500 on the season, but the Wildcats have nabbed a few impressive pelts this season. The Wildcats have wins over Wyoming – before the Claire Hendrickson injury – and Hudsonville.
Winner plays South Christian or Kelloggsville in the District Finals this Friday.
Class D
Potter’s House (6-14) vs. West Michigan Lutheran (17-3) – District 110
Although Potter’s House comes in with a much less impressive record than West Michigan Lutheran, the Pumas hold the all important ‘W’ in the only head-to-head meeting between the two squads. The first time these two teams met, things were very close. Potter’s House had a strong second quarter and was able to hold on to the lead until the end, resulting in a 5-point victory.
West Michigan Lutheran has rebounded quite nicely from that last game. Since the loss, the Mustangs have rallied off 9 wins in their last 11 games. Expect another back and forth battle between the two squads.
Winner plays Tri-Unity Christian or Holland Calvary in the District Finals this Friday.
Tri-Unity Christian (17-4) vs. Holland Calvary (8-7) – District 110
Tri-Unity Christian made it all the way to the Regional Finals last season before falling to St. Joseph Michigan Lutheran. This season, they have their eyes set even further, they just need to make sure they don’t stumble looking ahead.
The Crusaders have already played, and defeated, Holland Calvary twice this season by a combined 62 points. Holland Calvary is hoping third times a charm!
Winner plays Potter’s House or West Michigan Luther in the District Finals this Friday.
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 – East Grand Rapids
Wyoming – District 6
March 2
District Semi-Final – Jenison
Class B
Godwin Heights – District 48
February 29
District First Round – L (60-38) South Christian
Grand River Prep – District 48
March 2
District Semi-Final – Wayland Union
Kelloggsville – District 48
March 2
District Semi-Final – South Christian
South Christian – District 48
February 29
District First Round – W (60-38) Godwin Heights
March 2
District Semi-Final – Kelloggsville
Class D
Potter’s House – District 110
March 2
District Semi-Final – West Michigan Lutheran
Tri-Unity Christian – District 110
February 29
District First Round – W (50-40) Zion Christian
March 2
District Semi-Final – Holland Calvary
West Michigan Lutheran – District 110
March 2
District Semi-Final – Potter’s House
Boys
Class A
East Kentwood – District 5
March 7
District First Round – Ottawa Hills
Wyoming – District 6
March 7
District First Round – West Ottawa
Class B
Godwin Heights – District 48
March 7
District First Round – Wayland Union
Grand River Prep – District 48
March 7
District First Round – West Michigan Aviation Academy
Kelloggsville – District 48
March 9
District Semi-Final – Grand River Prep/West Michigan Aviation Academy
South Christian – District 48
March 9
District Semi-Final – Godwin Heights/Wayland Union
West Michigan Aviation Academy – District 48
March 7
District First Round – Grand River Prep
Wyoming Lee – District 51
March 9
District Semi-Final – Grand Rapids Catholic Central
Class D
Potter’s House – District 110
March 7
District First Round – West Michigan Lutheran
Tri-Unity Christian – District 110
March 9
District Semi-Final – Potter’s House/West Michigan Lutheran
West Michigan Lutheran – District 110
March 7
District First Round – Potter’s House
