By: Mike DeWitt
Mike.DeWitt@wktv.org
The boys tipped off the postseason with fireworks in the first round of districts. Heart stopping plays, incredible performances, and down-to-the-wire finishes were the standard.
Two area girls teams prepare for their upcoming regional tilt.
Boys Recap
Class A
Ottawa Hills – 58
East Kentwood – 56
East Kentwood and Ottawa Hills battled all night, and then some, in a tight game from start to finish. With the score knotted up at 50 at the end of regulation, both schools needed an extra period to battle it out.
With the score tied at 56, East Kentwood missed a pair of free throws that would’ve given the Falcons the lead. Following the missed free throws, Bengals guard Ojani Echevarria took the ball the length of the court and made a shot as the buzzer sounded.
It was a tough way for East Kentwood to end the season.
Wyoming – 60
West Ottawa – 58
In a game as tightly contested as this one was, making the freebies at the charity stripe can decide a winner and a loser. Wyoming ended up a perfect 9-9 from the line. Contrast that with West Ottawa who struggled, 3-for-8, from the free throw line in the final 2 minutes.
The game was back and forth all night with both teams making plays and answering back. Wyoming senior Edwin Martinez made a three-point play in the final 15 second to put the Wolves up two. West Ottawa had a chance to tie things up but couldn’t get a bucket to fall as the clock wound down.
With the win, Wyoming will play Hudsonville in the District Semi-finals on Wednesday night. Hudsonville has won six-straight district championships.
Class B
Godwin Heights – 65
Wayland Union – 52
Up 34-29 with the final second waning down in the third quarter, sophomore Markeese Hastings picked up a ball underneath his own basket and fired it towards the other end. The ball looked pure from the moment it left it left his fingers and hit nothing but net with the buzzer sounding. The gym erupted and the shot gave Godwin Heights three points to add to their lead entering the final stanza.
Behind the play of their strong first half defense, Wayland Union entered halftime with a three-point lead, stifling a potent Wolverines offense and holding them to only 16 points. Then came the third quarter where Godwin Heights put things together and outscored Wayland Union 21-10.
With the win, Godwin Heights is one step closer to defending their Class B State Championship. They play South Christian in the District Semi-finals on Wednesday night.
A replay of this game will be aired on WKTV on Wednesday, March 9 at 5:00pm
Grand River Prep – 65
West Michigan Aviation Academy – 44
Shahadah Camp scored a game-high 34 points as Grand River Prep defeated West Michigan Aviation Academy. Camp drained six 3-pointers and scored 32 points before the 4th quarter.
Grand River Prep will play Kelloggsville on Wednesday night in the District Semi-finals.
Class D
Potter’s House Christian – 81
West Michigan Lutheran – 6
The game was close when it was tied 0-0 at the opening tip. Potter’s House plays Tri-Unity Christian in the District Semi-finals on Wednesday.
Girls Preview
Class B
South Christian (21-2) vs Williamston (19-3)
After scoring 31 points in the District Final, Jennifer DeBoer looks to keep the wind in South Christian’s sails. They play Williamston, winners of 11 of their last 12, in the Regional Semi-final.
Class D
Tri-Unity Christian (19-4) vs Athens (16-7)
The Crusaders look to keep their season alive in the Regional Semi-final against Athens. They ended 2015 in the Regional Final, they’re looking to take the next step in 2016.
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
West Michigan Lutheran – District 110
March 2
District Semi-Final – L (55-62) Potter’s House
Boys
Class A
East Kentwood – District 5
March 7
District First Round – L (56-58) Ottawa Hills
Wyoming – District 6
March 7
District First Round – W (60-58) West Ottawa
March 9
District Semi-Final – Hudsonville
Class B
Godwin Heights – District 48
March 7
District First Round – W (65-52) Wayland Union
March 9
District Semi-Final – South Christian
Grand River Prep – District 48
March 7
District First Round – W (65-44) West Michigan Aviation Academy
March 9
District Semi-Final – Kelloggsville
Kelloggsville – District 48
March 9
District Semi-Final – Grand River Prep
South Christian – District 48
March 9
District Semi-Final – Godwin Heights
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 – W (81-6) West Michigan Lutheran
March 9
District Semi-Final – Tri-Unity Christian
Tri-Unity Christian – District 110
March 9
District Semi-Final – Potter’s House
West Michigan Lutheran – District 110
March 7
District First Round – L (6-81) Potter’s House
