By: Mike DeWitt
Mike.DeWitt@wktv.org

Five Wyoming-Kentwood area girls basketball teams entered the District Finals looking for a championship, two went home with a trophy intact.

Tonight marks the first round of districts for the boys as they begin their march to glory.

Girls Recap

Class A

Grand Rapids Christian – 54
East Kentwood – 39

East Kentwood struggled shooting all night, especially from the free throw line where the Falcons only converted 11-27 free throws. The game was close at halftime with the score at 25-20, but a lackluster third quarter saw East Kentwood get outscored 22-6.

After a successful 2016 campaign, the Falcons lose three seniors and look to reload heading into next season. Grand Rapids Christian heads into Regionals on an 11-game winning streak.

Hudsonville – 50
Wyoming – 28

Wyoming has dealt with a lot of adversity this season and still made it to the District Finals. However, for the second straight year, the Wolves fell to Hudsonville in the finals. The Eagles were never threatened.

With a healthy Claire Hendrickson next season, look for Wyoming to be a solid contender.

Class B

South Christian – 63
Wayland Union – 42

South Christian move onto Regionals thanks to a huge performance by Jennifer DeBoer. DeBoer poured in 31-points and also rewrote the record book at South Christian for most points scored in a season.

The Sailors improved to 21-2 on the season and will face Williamston in the Regional Semi-finals on March 8.

Class D

Tri-Unity Christian – 54
Potter’s House Christian – 38

Tri-Unity Christian defeated Potter’s House for their 11th straight victory and is eyeing that elusive Regional Championship. After finding themselves down three at halftime, the Defenders exploded into the second half with a 25-point third quarter. Potter’s House couldn’t mount a comeback.

Tri-Unity will play Athens in the Regional Semi-final on March 8.

Boys Preview

Class A

East Kentwood (15-5) v Ottawa Hills (11-9)

East Kentwood comes into the playoffs having won 8 of their last 9 since the start of February. Can they keep the good vibrations going into the postseason?

Don’t let the 11-9 record fool you, Ottawa Hills can play with anyone. Their regular season consists of close loses to two of the better teams in the area – Wayland Union and Hudsonville.

Winner is set to take on the winner of East Grand Rapids/Middleville Thornapple Kellogg in the District Semi-Finals on March 9.

Wyoming (14-6) vs. West Ottawa (17-3)

Wyoming is coming off their first ever conference championship in the OK Bronze. As winners of 7 of their last 8, Coach Vander Klay has the Wolves playing well. They’re in a tough district with West Ottawa in the first round and Hudsonville in the semis.

After winning their first 15 games, West Ottawa hit a slight dry spell to close out the season. One loss quickly turned into three as the Wildcats looked to rebound heading into the playoffs. After righting the ship by winning their last two regular season games, and taking a share of the OK Red for the first time since 2004, West Ottawa looks to keep their special season cruising along.

Winner will face Hudsonville in the District Semi-finals on March 9.

Class B

Godwin Heights (17-3) vs. Wayland Union (18-1)

Two of the best teams in the area are set to face up in round 1. Godwin Heights is on their usual tear through the regular season. The Wolverines high-flying and athletic offense is too relentless for most teams to handle. Their three losses – Hudsonville, Grand Rapids Christian, and Portage Northern – are nothing to be ashamed of.

Wayland Union dropped a game way back before the start of 2016. Since the New Year, it’s been all Wildcats as the team has rattled off 15 straight victories.

Whichever team escapes this dogfight will have a date with South Christian on March 9 in the District Semi-finals.

Grand River Prep (13-5) vs. West Michigan Aviation Academy (9-8)

Grand River Prep has won 9 of their last 10 games. The lone loss in that span? A one point defeat to Kalamazoo Heritage Christian Academy.

It’s been an up and down year for the Aviation Academy with the largest win and loss streak extending to 4 games. They’ve struggled to find consistency as a team.

Winner plays Kelloggsville on March 9 in the District Semi-Finals

Class D

Potter’s House Christian (15-4) vs. West Michigan Lutheran (2-16)

The last time these two teams faced off, Potter’s House Christian won by a convincing score of 84-7. Could be a long game.

Winner plays Tri-Unity Christian in the District Semi-finals on March 9.

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 – L (39-54) Grand Rapids Christian

Wyoming – District 6
March 2
District Semi-Final – W (53-47) Jenison
March 4
District Final – L (28-50) 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 – W (63-42) Wayland Union
Regional 11
March 8
Regional Semi-Final – Williamston

Class D

Potter’s House – District 110
March 2
District Semi-Final – W (62-55) West Michigan Lutheran
March 4
District Final – L (38-54) 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 – W (54-38) Potter’s House
Regional 25
March 8
Regional Semi-Final – Athens