By Cris Greer
WKTV Managing Editor
greer@wktv.org
Check out our first WKTV Friday Night Highlights show of the basketball season featuring many area Boys and Girls high school teams in action.
Every week, we’ll bring you several high school basketball clips from the Wyoming and Kentwood areas, highlight some top performers and give a snapshot of the latest conference standings.
Thanks for watching, and see you after the holidays!
By Cris Greer
WKTV Managing Editor/Sports Director
greer@wktv.org
Please join us for WKTV’s 24th Annual Turkey Bowl on Thanksgiving Day!
Our WKTV truck has been busy all season long covering exciting high school football Games of the Week in the Wyoming/Kentwood viewing area.
If you missed a WKTV Football GOTW, or would like to see one for a second time, be sure to watch on Thanksgiving Day. Our 15-Hour Special, starting at 9 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 28, highlights the best of our High School Football Games this season.
Relive the excitement right here on WKTV 25 Thanksgiving Day!
9 a.m. Grand Rapids Sacred Heart @ Lee
11:30 a.m. Wyoming @ South Christian
1:40 p.m. Hudsonville @ East Kentwood
3:45 p.m. Zeeland East @ South Christian
6:15 p.m. Godwin Heights @ Kelloggsville
8:30 p.m. Jenison @ East Kentwood
10:30 p.m. Catholic Central @ South Christian
By Cris Greer
WKTV Managing Editor/Sports Director
Check out the exciting clips above from our latest Friday Night Highlights show of the season featuring many of the local high school football teams in Kentwood and Wyoming.
Just like basketball season, every week we’ll bring you most of the local high school football home stadium action from the Wyoming and Kentwood varsity teams, highlight some top performers and their stats, give final scores, and show a snapshot of the latest conference standings in an exciting 30-minute Friday Night Highlights show.
Thanks for tuning in!
WKTV Game of the Week
Year after year, our high-tech WKTV Truck Game of the Week covers one matchup per week, which includes two play-by-play announcers, an occasional field announcer and various camera angles with slow motion replays to capture all those great plays for your viewing pleasure.
You can count on our very experienced, exciting game announcers for both football and basketball to guide you through your local team’s games. If you are interested in volunteering at WKTV Sports for our Truck or Studio productions, please email me at greer@wktv.org
Game of the Week airs every Friday night on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 & AT&T U-Verse Channel 99 at 11 p.m. with a rebroadcast on Saturday at 11 a.m. You also can watch these games on our WKTV YouTube Channel.
By Cris Greer
WKTV Managing Editor
Check out our latest Friday Night Highlights show of the basketball season featuring many area high school teams in action the week of Jan. 23-26.
Every Friday, we’ll bring you several high school boys and girls basketball clips from the Wyoming and Kentwood areas, highlight some top performers and give a snapshot of the latest conference standings.
Thanks for watching, and see you next week!
By Cris Greer
WKTV Managing Editor
Check out our first WKTV Friday Night Highlights show of the basketball season featuring many area high school teams in action.
Every Friday, we’ll bring you several high school boys and girls basketball clips from the Wyoming and Kentwood areas, highlight some top performers and give a snapshot of the latest conference standings.
Thanks for watching, and see you next Friday!
By Greg Chrapek
WKTV Contributor
A trio of multi-time state champions took care of business during semifinal night at the West Michigan Golden Gloves and are poised to take the next step to become West Michigan Golden Gloves Champions.
Guillermo “Mo” Mercado, Aneudy “Junior” Rios and Bryan Caceres all won their matches against some strong competition during semifinal action Wednesday evening at West Catholic High School. The wins send the trio, who have combined for nine state championships, on to the West Michigan Golden Gloves finals at 7 p.m. Saturday at West Catholic.
Mercado led things off in the Elite Open division at 125 pounds when he won a decision against Elmer Velasquez of Anahuac Boxing Club. In one of the most action-packed bouts of the evening, Mercado used his skills to wear Velasquez down in a bout that was full of action from both boxers.
“This is the fourth time I have fought him,” Mercado said. “I knew coming in he is a very tough fighter. I knew this was going to be one of my toughest opponents here. I had to get on him with my jab and keep the pressure up.”
Mercado, who has been boxing for over seven years, is a two-time state champion on a mission to win a third state title before turning professional., Mercado has been busy fighting in some national tournaments this season and is primed for a long run in the Golden Gloves this spring.
Mercado’s coach, Anbrocio Ledesma, liked what he saw in the fight, but knows improvement needs to continue to be made.
“Mo has fought this guy several times,” Ledesma said. “He puts a lot of pressure on and Mo had to fight a little different fight. I asked Mo to do some different things and he pulled it off. Every opponent has a different style and you have to make adjustments and Mo did that.”
Rios, Mercado’s teammate who also is trained by Ledesma, is a four-time state champion and had a tough test in the next bout when he went up against Armond Bridgeford of Grand Rapids MGGA. After both boxers traded shots in the opening round, Rios began to take control of the match in the second round. By the third round Rios was in command of the fight and recorded a standing-eight count before the referee stopped the contest later in the round.
“This was the first time I fought him,” Rios said. “He is a taller fighter and in the first round it took me some time to get used to his size. Eventually I started to get inside and get off some good body shots. I was able to work the body and slow him down.”
The win moves Rios into a showdown Saturday against Gentle Gibson, an undefeated fighter from the Kalamazoo Boxing Club.
In the final match of the evening and in the Elite Open class, Bryan Caceres of Grand Rapids MGGA won a decision against Anthony Hurt of Team Glass from Lansing. Caceres, who has been boxing for nine years, is a three-time state champion looking for a fourth title before turning professional like both Mercado and Rios. Caceres has won his three previous state titles at 125 pounds and moved up to 139 pounds this year.
“My goal is to win a fourth state title before turning pro,” Caceres said. “This was my first fight in over eight months. I’m boxing up at 139 pounds so it’s kind of tough because I’m actually a 125-pounder.”
Caceres will go after the West Michigan title Saturday evening when he faces off against Marcos Saucedo Jr. of the Holland Westside Boxing Club.
At 147 pounds, Alejandro Hernandez of the Anahuac Boxing Club won a decision against Kardyea Williams of MGGA. Also at 147 pounds Stephen Ramirez, boxing unattached, won in the second round when the referee stopped the contest in his match against James McCullen of Crown Boxing Club of Lansing. Hernandez and Ramirez fight Saturday in the 147-pound finals of the Elite Novice division.
At 165 pounds, Jaier Morgan of MGGA won a decision against Ronald Taylor of the Muskegon Boxing Club. Also at 165 pounds, Matthew Moore of MGGA on a decision against Christopher McLaughlin of the Muskegon Boxing Club. Morgan and Moore will square off in the finals Saturday.
At 176 pounds, Isaiah Clay of Crown Boxing won when the referee stopped the contest in his bout with Paul Vaalburg of MGGA.
By Greg Chrapek
WKTV Contributor
Over the past several years, Aneudy “Junior” Rios has been one of the top amateur boxers in the Grand Rapids area. During his amateur career he has won 50 bouts and four Golden Gloves state championships.
Rios is competing in his final Golden Gloves this year, but before turning pro, he is looking to end his amateur boxing career in a big way.
Rios takes the next step in his quest to winning a fifth state championship in the open division at the semifinals of the West Michigan Golden Gloves scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday at Grand Rapids West Catholic High School.
“I feel like this year is my year for sure,” Rios said. “I won last year, but I feel like this year I am in better shape than I was last year. I’m at a different weight class and I feel more focused and more consistent. I’ve lost weight and I’m boxing at 132 pounds this year.”
Rios won his opening-night match April 1 and faces a challenge in the semifinals where he goes up against Armond Bridgeford of Grand Rapids MGGA in the semifinal match.
Not only does Rios have a goal of winning the state title this year, but he also wants to take it a step further at the National Golden Gloves tournament this May in Philadelphia. After that, Rios wants to earn a spot in the Olympic Trials where he will try to make the 2024 United State Olympic Boxing team.
“This is my last year of amateur boxing before turning pro,” Rios said. “My goal is the Olympics. I have one more national trial in December where I can earn a spot at the Olympic Trials.”
Rios, age 26, has come a long way in the sport of boxing since he first stepped foot in a gym 10 years ago. A four-time open division champion, Rios has fashioned an amateur record of 50-9. He also reached the semifinals of the National Golden Gloves in 2017.
Rios got his start in boxing at the former Wyoming Pride Gym that was open from 2012 to 2019.
“I started boxing when I was 16-years old,” Rios said. “I was a street kid, and a lady, we call her Momma G, took me to the fights and introduced me to coach Alex Fernandez. I fell in love with boxing as soon as I stepped in the gym. I started going to the Wyoming Pride Gym and that was where I met my coach, Anbrocio Ledesma. Coach Ledesma has always been like a father-figure to me. I call him dad and he calls me son.”
Rios trained at Wyoming Pride until the gym closed in 2019 when the landlord needed the space for another venture.
Since then, Rios has sparred at other gyms in the area while also training at a gym coach Ledesma created in a heated garage on his property. Currently, Rios and Guillermo Mercado are both training under Ledesma.
“I’m a full-time dad, a full-time worker and a full-time boxer,” Rios said. “When I get out of work, I head over to Anbrocio’s and easily put in two to three hours a day working out. Anbrocio is a really good coach. He is great at strength and conditioning. Everything is precise and there is always a routine. I also get a lot of help from my sister, Andreina Torres, who helps watch my son (Gabriel) when I’m at the gym.”
The work Rios has been putting in over the years is paying off as Rios is one of the top amateur boxers in the state.
“Junior has put in a lot of hard work,” Ledesma said. “He also does what we ask him to do. He believes in my coaching style. Junior is very aggressive in the ring, but he also has a lot of skill, a lot of knowledge and a lot of quickness. Not only does he have very good hand speed, but he has very good footwork and that is hard to teach.
“You either have it or you don’t. He has the natural skills and he is also a hard worker who gets the most out of what he has.”
Ledesma believes Rios has what it takes to accomplish his goals.
“Junior looked pretty good in his fight last week,” Ledesma said. “As always, there is room for improvement and each opponent will test him in a little different way. Things are looking good for him as long as he keeps consistent in his training and his conditioning.
By Cris Greer, WKTV Managing Editor
WKTV is bringing you another great season of high school football, starting with our season-opening truck coverage of Ionia at Kelloggsville on Thursday, Sept. 1.
Our high-tech WKTV Game of the Week truck will film one game each week, which will include two play-by-play announcers, a field announcer and various camera angles with slow motion replays to capture all those great plays for our broadcast.
Game of the Week airs every Friday night on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 & AT&T U-Verse Channel 99 at 11 p.m. with a rebroadcast on Saturday at 11 a.m. (See schedule below) If you don’t have cable, visit our website at WKTV.org to watch the livestream. Watch at home on your Smart TV in brilliant HD. Broadcasts also are available on Video on Demand at a later date.
We are planning a much greater presence this year with high school football. Yes, even bigger than before if you can believe that. Every week, our sports staff will post football game stories and roundups covering each varsity high school team in our viewing area in Kentwood and Wyoming.
We plan to give you the stats and highlights of each game in our stories … explaining the details of how your team marched to victory.
Look for you school’s game story or roundup on our WKTV Journal website each week.
Support your team in every way by going to the games, cheering them on, watching the featured Game of the Week on WKTV and visiting the WKTV Journal for the exciting game stories.
Game of the Week airs every Friday night on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 & AT&T U-Verse Channel 99 at 11 p.m. with a rebroadcast on Saturday at 11 a.m. If you don’t have cable, visit our website at WKTV.org to watch the livestream.
For your home team’s complete football schedule click here
For more information on WKTV and what we offer, visit here
By K.D. Norris
The first national coaches poll came out early this month and the Grand Rapids Community College men’s cross country team was ranked #3 in the country for National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division 2 schools.
And as the team prepares to host its annual GRCC Raider Invitational Saturday, Sept. 18, at Calvin University’s course, three runners with local ties will be on the course for the Raiders.
While the most watched of a large and talented squad of first-year GRCC runners, according to head mens coach Garrett Lacy, is Coleman Clark — the 2020 MHSAA Division 4 cross-country state champion from Carson City-Crystal High School — two freshman from Kentwood, Christian Martinez-Ramos and Lucas Schneider, are expected to also be top runners.
And sophomore returner Lance Jourdan, of Wyoming, can challenge for a top spot “on any give day,” Lacy said to WKTV.
The top GRCC returner — and the team’s No. 1 runner — is Joshua Kipkoech (Kenya/Kipsoen Secondary). Kipkoech was the Michigan Community College Athletic Association and NJCAA Region XII champion last year, and went on to finish 5th at NJCAA D2 cross-country national championships. He also holds the school record at GRCC in an 8k time of 25:22.
Martinez-Ramos, who attended Wyoming Kelloggsville High School, and Schneider, who attended East Kentwood High School, both finished within the top 7 runners in the Raiders first action at Calvin University Sept. 4. Martinez-Ramos finished as the 5th GRCC runner in a time of 28:16 over the 8-kilometer distance, and Schneider was the 7th man in 29:17. Jourdan attended Calvin Christian.
“This year’s squad is probably the deepest it has ever been with 15 guys on the roster,” Lacy said. “When I came to GRCC just two years ago we had just three men on the roster, so to grow the program over the last two years into a team of 15 is really quite rewarding.
“Beyond that, we are coming off a season in 2020 that was one of the best in school history where the team captured it’s first MCCAA and Region XII championships for the first time since the reboot of the program took place in 2014.”
The team then went on to finish in 9th place at the NJCAA D2 National Championships last year in Fort Dodge, Iowa.
“For this season’s outlook we look to build upon the success that we had least season and defend our conference and regional championships and attempt to go back-to-back. We also are aiming for a top three podium finish at our national competition this year and to bring home some hardware for the college and the Grand Rapids community.”
This year’s squad is highlighted by 10 newcomers to the team, Lacy said, including Clark as well as transfers Brian Frazee (Kellogg Community College) who was NJCAA D3 All-American last season, and Jaydon Moleski (Rochester University, and a graduate of Cedar Springs High School.
And Lacy also sees good things coming from both Martinez-Ramos and Schneider.
“I think both runners have a ton of potential for growth, and will continue to improve throughout the season,” Lacy said. “Lucas is a very hard worker who put in a ton of summer miles to get ready for this season, but had a two week setback with an ankle injury that sidelined him for two weeks right before the start of the season or he would likely be even further up on the squad than he is now.”
“Christian has a desire to be great matched by few that I have ever coached before, he just needs to work on being patient and trust the process and I have no doubt he will achieve the goals he has set for himself.”
Jourdan, coach Lacy said, is “not inside our top 7 right now, but could be on any given day. He is also a great sophomore leader on the team and brings a ton of value in practices and on meet days that goes beyond just being in the top 7 runners.”
Another “key” returner is Andrew Periard of East Grand Rapids.
For a full schedule of the GRCC cross country team, visit grccraiders.com.
By K.D. Norris
Clearly the Grand Rapids South Christian High School football team hoped and practiced for a better result than the 47-7 road loss at state-power Edwardsburg, Saturday, Jan. 9, after the state playoffs resumed following a six-week, state-mandated pause due to COVID-19 restrictions.
But Sailors head coach Danny Brown had nothing but praise for his team, which finished the season 8-2, their best season since 2014, and never backed down from the challenge of a night road game in freezing January temperatures against the Division 4 powerhouse Eddies (now 9-0).
“Our team as a whole deserves a lot of praise,” Brown said to WKTV this week. “This has been a tough journey for these kids and they never wavered. They were always ready no matter what was thrown their way.”
And a lot was thrown their way, including the nearly two-month layoff, less than a week in pads to prepare for the game, and a rigid COVID-19 rapid testing protocol the team and staff had to pass. And that was before they took the field.
In the game, South Christian took the opening kickoff and drove to Edwardsburg 28, keyed by a 22-yard pass from senior Ty Rynbrandt to Trevor Hansen that got the ball to the Eddies’ 28. But the drive stalled, Edwardsburg took over, and the Eddies scored first. The Sailors answered later in the first quarter with a 7-play, 60-yard scoring drive finishing with Hanson’s 28 yard run and Nate Brinks’ PAT to make the score 8-7.
But Edwardsburg, and its prolific offense, proved just too much from there on out. For the game, the Eddies out-gained the Sailors in total yards 306-138, and the host team marched to their fourth Regional title in five seasons while continuing a streak of scoring at least 43 points in every game this season.
For the game, Sailors’ quarterback Rynbrandt was 11-of-26 for 96 yards while returning to the field after recovering from an injury in the November.
But finishing the season on the field was important to Rynbrandt, and to the rest of the South Christian team.
“I think it was important to get closure on the season,” Brown said. “There would of always been this thought of ‘what if’ if we weren’t allowed to continue. We always just wanted a chance to complete the season. The game didn’t goes as we hoped but at least we know we got to play in our last game of the season.”
By K.D. Norris
Registration is now open for the IRONMAN 70.3 Michigan Triathlon scheduled for Sept. 21 in Frankfort, Michigan. In December 2020, it was announced that the Traverse City area location will serve as a multi-year host venue for the 70.3-mile swim, bike and run event.
Traverse City hosted the 70.3 triathlon in 2019 and, according to the announcement, relocating the race to nearby Frankfort — on the coast of Lake Michigan — offered “the perfect setting” for 2021.
“Following in the success of the event in Traverse City a couple years ago, we’ve seen an incredible interest from athletes to visit and race in northern Michigan,” Keats McGonigal, of The IRONMAN Group., said in supplied material. “We are excited to continue to host an event in this beautiful region and … we feel that Frankfort and the surrounding areas will deliver an unparalleled race week experience while being the perfect destination for both athletes and their families alike.”
The inaugural IRONMAN 70.3 Michigan triathlon will consist of a 1.2-mile swim in the protected water of the Frankfort Harbor. Once out of the water, athletes will transition to the bike for a 56-mile ride on sections of the M-22 scenic highway. Concluding their IRONMAN 70.3 journey, athletes will run 13.1 miles in Frankfort and surrounding areas. (Additional course details will be shared as soon as they are available at ironman.com/im703-michigan.)
General registration for IRONMAN 70.3 Michigan opened in December 2020. And athletes and spectators can find lodging opportunities at traversecity.com/ironman. For more information on Traverse City area attractions, visit traversecity.com, as well as ironman.com for details on the global event series.
“We can’t wait to welcome IRONMAN 70.3 back to northern Michigan,” Trevor Tkach, of Traverse City Tourism, which also represents Frankfort, said is supplied material. “Our organization is honored to continue to support the race and the athletes who train for this incredible feat. The new course will be an exciting change for athletes, and spectators will be able to enjoy exploring the beautiful town of Frankfort in addition to the surrounding Traverse City region.”
By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org
After a 17-1 regular season, and being crowned co-champions of the OK Conference Silver, the Lee High School Legends boys soccer team is preparing for another run at a District title next week at Hudsonville Unity Christian and — hopefully — another shot at a Unity Christian squad which knocked them out in the District finals last season.
But first things first. As his team practiced this week, Lee coach Jaime Ramirez talked to WKTV about his team having a week off after a great regular season, detailed his top players, and his belief that this year’s team has brought their own bit of pride to the school.
Oh, and ya. There is that thing about “the kids” wanting a rematch with Unity Christian.
“It is a fantastic season so far, the kids are playing so good,” Ramariez said. “They earned this (conference co-championship) because they are doing the job on the field. … There is a little (school) pride in this team this year.”
Ramirez gives some of the credit for the school pride to Lee Middle and High School’s new principal, Candy VanBuskirk, who in addition to her impressive educational background played and coached basketball at the collegiate level — “This year the new principal is doing good job announcing (game results) every morning when we play, how we did.”
There was a lot of good news announced, as far as the soccer team’s season was concerned.
The Legends outscored their regular season opponents 81-12, with their only loss being a 1-0 setback to conference co-champion Grandville Calvin Christian, which the Legends beat early in the season, 2-1.
While scoring has not been a problem for the Legends this season, Ramirez still thinks they can do better and he is using the team’s 10-day layoff to “adjust” some things.
The long layoff “is kind of bad because the kids don’t get to play,” he said. “But it is kind of good too because the kids get to rest and I am able to adjust some things, what we’ve been struggling on, like targeting or scoring goals. That is my main thing right now.”
The Legends are deep and talented with both offensive and defensive position players, according to their coach.
Senior co-captain and midfielder Raúl Montañez has 10 goals and six assists this season, junior co-captain and midfielder Gerardo Montañez has scored 10 goals and has eight assists, sophomore midfielder Edgar Vazquez leads the team in assists with 16 while adding five goals. But the team’s scoring leader is co-captain Michael Esqueda with 19 goals and five assists this season.
Senior forward Tristan Perez has played through injuries but still contributed nine goals and 10 assists.
On what has been a smothering defense, sophomore Alexandro Ruiz “improved so much and … (is a) very solid defender”, Ramirez said, while junior Gustavo Romero has also anchored the back line. Senior goalkeeper Jorge Montes blocked two penalty kicks, has 25 saves and six shutouts.
Two younger players who have contributed to the team’s success are junior Wili Diaz and Jacob Flores, who has played both on the field and in goal. “Definably he (Flores) will be my main goalkeeper next season, but he did an outstanding job as a defender,” Ramirez said.
Coach Ramirez said he and his team are not looking past their first game of the District 35 tournament, scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 15, at a time to be determined, when they will play the winner of an opening round contest between Grand Rapids Catholic and Grand Rapids West Catholic. But, should they win, they know which team they’d like to see in the District finals.
“We have to beat anybody that is going to be in our way, regardless of who it is,” Ramirez said. “If we come out and play a bad game, and they beat us up, then we don’t have anything to say. But if we play good, it doesn’t matter who we play, if we play good, we beat them.”
And as far as that rematch with Unity Christian — “The kids are looking for that rematch because they think they can do better this year than we did last year.”
By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org
As his team “went to work” at practice this week in preparation for a high school football Week 2 game at Northview High School, Wyoming high head football coach Irv Sigler Jr. sounded like an X’s and O’s football coach as he talked to WKTV.
He praised his offensive line play in the team’s dominating 59-25 win over Holland opening week. He praised his opponent this week and said his team would need to be better to beat the Wildcats on their home field — a game which WKTV’s Featured Game sports coverage crew will be covering. UPDATE: Due to technical issues, WKTV was unable to video record the game.
But Coach Sigler also went a bit beyond the X’s and O’s by talking about the “culture” of his program, which has a modest 5-13 record in his first two years but may be about to turn the competitive corner.
“We’ve grown a great deal in our ability to practice with purpose, with having a sense of urgency about getting better every day when we come out … the little things are the difference between being good and great,” Coach Sigler said in a WKTV interview. (See the entire interview on YouTube here.) “I describe our kids as lunchbox kids. They come here every day. They got a lunch box and they go to work.”
In their opening night games, Northview defeated Comstock Park 28-7 while Wyoming defeated Holland 59-25 in a game which was began on Thursday night but finished on Friday night due to storms moving through the area.
For the Wolves, junior running back (and linebacker) Cameron (Cam) Simon rushed for just shy of 200 yards and scored four touchdowns, while junior quarterback Matthew Berg passed for three TDs.
Northview, out of OK White, had 10 new starters on defense against Comstock Park but still held the Panthers to a single touchdown. Running back Jakaurie Kirkland had 220 yards on 23 carries. Senior quarterback Dan Frey went 7-of-11 for 72 yards, with two touchdown passes to sophomore Kyler VanderJact.
Northview, last season, was 7-3 including an opening round playoff loss to Grand Rapids Christian, which ended a six-game winning streak. They were 5-1 in OK White and finished second to Cedar Springs, their only conference loss.
All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvlive.org.
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.
By Drew Dargavell, WKTV Sports Intern
ken@wktv.org
After an illustrious career that spanned 38 seasons over 43 years, Jock Ambrose, head swim coach for the East Kentwood Falcons boys swim team, is stepping down from his position.
Ambrose accomplished a lot in his 38 seasons as head swim coach including 17 league titles, three state runner-ups, two state championships, and five Coach of the Year honors.
In his 43 years in the East Kentwood community, Ambrose not only served as the boys head swim coach but also as the boys water polo coach from 1977-1992, girls swim coach from 1994-1997, and athletic director from 1997-2001. He also served as Michigan Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association (MISCA) area vice president for seven years, and MISCA water polo chair for five years. He was the founder of the West Michigan Water Polo League, and a founding member of the West Michigan Swim League.
But it wasn’t any of the awards, honors or positions that Ambrose said he will miss most.
“It’s the people around here, in this community that have made it as special as it is and will make it tough for me to walk away,” Ambrose said to WKTV.
Ambrose had a lot of praise for his final team as head coach, currently in its winter swim season, and its group of seniors — “This senior class is a tremendous group of young men, and a great group of leaders.”
The coach went on to give praise to his three senior captains — Nick Cohey, Theo Duong, and Max Henderson — who have stuck with the program all four years.
Ambrose has hopes of finishing his final season in the top half of the team’s state swim division and “to make a nice showing at the state meet. It’s been a few years since we’ve done that and I think this senior class is ready to.”
Ambrose also had a very optimistic outlook on the future of this program once he’s done as head coach. “We’ve got a wonderful freshman class, they’re going to be very, very good, four of them have senior brothers on the team so that’s very exciting.”
This video story and all sports news segments are available on the WKTV YouTube channel . All featured games covered by WKTV’s sports coverage crew, as well as other community events covered, are available on-demand at wktvondemand.com .
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports .
By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org
I’m a frustrated actor. My…goal is to beat Alfred Hitchcock in the number of cameos. I’m going to try to break his record.
- Stan Lee
If you are taking The Rapid anywhere, you will now be able to grab something to read. The Rapid and the Kent District Library have partnered up for the program Books on the Bus. The program provides a collection of books for all ages that are conveniently placed on buses for riders to enjoy.
As an experiment, imagine six to seven people gathered at a holiday social event people who don’t know each other and from the forced, polite conversation you could probably tell each of them would rather be someplace else. Now, in this polite conversation, introduce the subject of toys and in particular, favorite toys and within 60 seconds you would sense the atmosphere around this group changing.
WKTV has also started early to bring local audiences a full slate of games began with the final varsity game to be played at South Christian High School’s current location when the Lady Sailors entertained Hamilton on Dec. 4. But we will also showcase the new location on Kalamazoo Avenue just north of 84th Street, as WKTV will bring the opening night games as both the boys and girls initiate the new gymnasium when they host Unity Christian on Friday, Dec. 21.
That is how many cameos Stan Lee made in the Marvel films before his death. It does not technically beat Alfred Hitchcock’s 39 cameo appearances, however; if you add in all the non-Marvel appearances and his animation work, Lee definitely beat Hitchcock. Also, posthumously, Lee will make cameos in Captain Marvel and Avengers: Endgame, both set to be released in 2019.
WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org
On a special high school sports episode of WKTV Journal: In Focus, WKTV caught up with Brandon Kimble, who in May took over as head football coach of the Godwin Heights High School Wolverines.
Kimble is no stranger to the Wolverine program as he served as the team’s defensive coordinator in 2015. He played wide receiver and safety at East Kentwood High School before graduating in 2006, and went on to play wide receiver at Olivet College. He has also coached in the East Kentwood and Grand Rapids Union football programs.
At the time of his hire, Godwin athletic director Rob Hisey praise Kimble’s football knowledge but also praised his ability to build relationships with kids.
In Focus host and producer Ken Norris talks with Coach Kimble about football, off-seasons in the weight room and, maybe most importantly, leading young men to become better on and off the field.
All In Focus interviews are available on YouTube at WKTVvideos .
By Elmer Cox, for WKTV
Citizens of Kentwood, Wyoming and the surrounding area can now find out about a relatively new sport on a program called Disc Golf Live, now on WKTV community television.
Disc Golf Live is produced by Hucker Report, and will air on Wednesdays at 4 p.m., Fridays at noon and at various times on Saturdays, beginning this week on Comcast WKTV Channel 25 and on AT&T U-Verse Community 99.
Each episode is designed in four sections: Disc golf world wide tournament highlights, instructional highlights for all levels of players, views of disc golf courses from around the world, and interviews with all the top players.
Beginning as early as the 1970s, disc golf began being popular all over the country. Some called it Frisbee or Frisbee golf. Others named it disc golf. Disc golf courses began to grow up all over the area including Brewer Park in Byron Center, Riverside Park in downtown Grand Rapids, Fallasburg Park in Lowell, as well as Johnson Park, Old Farm, Garfield Park, JC Park and Grand Isle Park Rotary Disc Golf Park in the Comstock Park area.
In recent years, the World Seniors Tour Disc Golf Tournament was held in Grand Rapids with entrants from most of the states in the U.S. and many foreign countries.
For a complete schedule of broadcasts on WKTV community television, visit wktv.org and click on the Programming tab.
Mike Moll, WKTV Volunteer Sports Director
sports@wktv.org
Many of the local schools have the first week of April off for their spring breaks, but after that, the spring seasons all pick up in full swing, mother nature permitting that is. The WKTV truck and crew will once again be visible at local events as they bring viewers a pair of girls’ water polo matches along with a softball game during the monthly schedule.
They will be busy outside of the local high school scene as well when they cover the GVSU Lubbers Cup, along with coverage of the Golden Gloves boxing. Be sure to check the weekly schedule to see when they will be broadcast.
Each will be broadcast live or replay on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 and can also be seen on AT&T U-verse 99.
The busy tentative April WKTV feature broadcast schedule with tentative day and time of broadcast, includes:
Tuesday, April 10, East Kentwood girls water polo vs. Zeeland West (Tuesday, April 17, at 11 p.m. and Wednesday, April 18, at 5 p.m)
Friday-Sunday, April 13-15, GVSU Lubbers Cup (Live Saturday, April 14, 10-noon and 4-7 p.m.)
Saturday, April 14, Golden Gloves Boxing (Sunday, April 15 at Noon)
Wednesday, April 18, Kelloggsville softball vs Tri-Unity/Calvin Christian (Friday, April 20, at 11 p.m. and Saturday, April 21, at 5 p.m.)
Friday, April 20, Golden Gloves Boxing (Saturday, April 21, at 11 a.m.)
Tuesday, April 24, East Kentwood girls water polo vs. Portage Central (11 p.m. night of and repeat on Wednesday at 5 p.m)
Friday, April 27, Golden Gloves Boxing (Saturday, April 28, at 11 a.m.)
All games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvondemand.com .
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and features on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/
Following is the this week’s complete high school sports schedule:
Monday, April 9
Boys Lacrosse
South Christian @ Jenison
Boys Baseball
Hopkins @ Godwin Heights
Wyoming Lee @ Kelloggsville
Girls Softball
Hopkins @ Godwin Heights – DH
Wyoming Lee @ Kelloggsville – DH
Girls Soccer
Tri-Unity Christian @ Kelloggsville
Barry County Christian @ West Michigan Aviation
Tuesday, April 10
Boys Baseball
South Christian @ Wyoming – DH
West Michigan Aviation @ Belding – DH
West Ottawa @ East Kentwood – DH
Potter’s House @ Barry County Christian
Girls Softball
South Christian @ Wyoming – DH
Cedar Springs @ East Kentwood – DH
Girls Soccer
South Christian @ Wyoming
Wyoming Lee @ NorthPointe Christian
Holland Calvary @ Zion Christian
Hudsonville Hornets @ West Michigan Aviation
Grand Haven @ East Kentwood
Hope Academy @ Potter’s House
Boys Golf
Calvin Christian @ South Christian
Wellsprings Prep @ Tri-Unity Christian
Girls Tennis
East Kentwood @ South Christian – Cookie Invite
Jenison @ Wyoming
Boys/Girls Track
Godwin Heights @ Wyoming Lee
Middleville T-K @ Wyoming
Calvin Christian @ Kelloggsville
Girls Water Polo
Zeeland West @ East Kentwood – WKTV Featured Event
Wednesday, April 11
Girls Softball
South Christian @ Caledonia – DH
Godwin Heights @ Hopkins
Kelloggsville @ Wyoming Lee
Unity Christian @ East Kentwood
Girls Tennis
South Christian @ Wyoming
Calvin Christian @ Kelloggsville
Byron Center @ East Kentwood
Boys/Girls Track
South Christian @ FH Eastern
Boys Baseball
Godwin Heights @ Hopkins
Kelloggsville @ Wyoming Lee
Girls Soccer
Hopkins @ Godwin Heights
Wyoming Lee @ Kelloggsville
Boys Golf
East Kentwood @ Grandville
Thursday, April 12
Boys Baseball
Wyoming @ South Christian
GR Crusdaers @ Wyoming Lee
Zion Christian @ Holland Calvary
Holland Calvary @ Zion Christian
West Michigan Aviation @ Heritage Christian – DH
East Kentwood @ West Ottawa
Potter’s House @ Western Michigan Christian
Girls Soccer
Wayland @ South Christian
Wyoming @ East Grand Rapids
Saugatuck @ Zion Christian
West Michigan Aviation @ Heritage Christian
Caledonia @ East Kentwood
Boys Lacrosse
Muskegon Mona Shores @ South Christian
Boys Golf
South Christian @ Kent County Championships
East Kentwood @ Kent County Championships
Boys/Girls Track
Benton Harbor @ Godwin Heights
Wyoming Lee @ Hopkins
NorthPointe Christian @ Kelloggsville
Grandville @ East Kentwood
Girls Tennis
Muskegon Catholic Central @ Tri-Unity Christian
@ East Kentwood – Quad
Girls Softball
Caledonia @ East Kentwood
Girls Water Polo
West Ottawa @ East Kentwood
Friday, April 13
Girls Soccer
Potter’s House @ Godwin Heights
Ottawa Hills @ Wyoming Lee
NorthPointe Christian @ Zion Christian
Hudsonville Hornets @ Tri-Unity Christian
East Kentwood @ Northview
Boys Golf
Kelloggsville @ Calvin Christian
Boys Baseball
Zion Christian vs Potter’s House @ Cornerstone University
Barry County Christian @ Tri-Unity Christian – DH
Girls Water Polo
East Kentwood @ Saline – Invite
Saturday, April 14
Boys Baseball
South Christian @ East Kentwood – EK Invite
Godwin Heights @ Wyoming – Invite
Kelloggsville @ Wyoming- Invite
Union @ Kelloggsville – DH
Girls Softball
South Christian @ East Kentwood – EK Invite
Boys Golf
South Christian @ Christian – Christian Invite
Kelloggsville @ Kenowa Hills – Wilson Classic
Girls Tennis
South Christian @ East Kentwood – EK Invite
Kelloggsville @ Wyoming – Invitational
Boys/Girls Track
South Christian @ Unity Christian – Houseward Invite
Wyoming @ Comstock Park
West Michigan Aviation @ Lakewood
East Kentwood @ Mansfield/Mehock Relays
Potter’s House @ Big Rapids Crossroads Academy
Girls Water Polo
East Kentwood @ Saline – Invite
Monday, April 16
Girls Soccer
South Christian @ Christian
Wyoming @ FH Eastern
Wyoming Lee @ Belding
Kelloggsville @ Calvin Christian
Grand River Prep @ Lake Odessa Lakewood
Fruitport Calvary @ Potter’s House
Boys Golf
South Christian @ Forest Hills Invite
Tri-Unity Christian @ Kelloggsville
Girls Tennis
South Christian @ Wayland
Wyoming @ East Grand Rapids
Kelloggsville @ West Catholic
East Kentwood @ West Ottawa
Boys Baseball
Union @ Godwin Heights
Belding @ Wyoming Lee
Kelloggsville @ Calvin Christian
West Michigan Aviation @ Barry County Christian – DH
Girls Softball
Belding @ Wyoming Lee – DH
Kelloggsville @ Calvin Christian – DH
WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org
The high school boys and girls basketball season is in the state championship playoff stretch, but due to Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) rules the WKTV sports truck is done for the winter season.
However you can still get out and see some action as this year’s girls Semi-Finals and Finals will be held on the campus of Calvin College at Van Noord Arena and the boys Semi-Finals and Finals will once again be on Michigan State’s campus at The Breslin Center.
The early start to spring high school seasons is also on the horizon as the first pitches will soon be thrown in boys baseball and girls softball, along with girls soccer, boys lacrosse, boys and girls track, boys golf, girls tennis and soccer, and girls water polo.
While the spring broadcast schedule for the WKTV sports crew is still being completed it it expected to include boys baseball, girls softball, and girls water polo.
In general, all games will be broadcast the night of the event on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 at 11 p.m. and repeat later in the week. The games can also be seen on AT&T U-verse 99. All games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvondemand.com .
The complete schedule of all local high school sports for the remainder of March is as follows. For any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and features on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/ .
Monday, March 12
Boys Basketball
TBD @ Grandville – Class A MHSAA Regionals
TBD @ West Catholic – Class B MHSAA Regionals
TBD @ Climax-Scotts – Class D MHSAA Regionals
Tuesday, March 13
No local contests scheduled
Wednesday, March 14
Boys Basketball
@ Grandville – Class A MHSAA Regionals
@ West Catholic – Class B MHSAA Regionals
@ Climax-Scotts – Class D MHSAA Regionals
Thursday, March 15
Girls Basketball
@ Calvin College – Class C MHSAA Semi-Finals
@ Calvin College – Class D MHSAA Semi-Finals
Friday, March 16
Girls Water Polo
East Kentwood @ East Grand Rapids
Girls Basketball
@ Calvin College – Class A MHSAA Semi-Finals
@ Calvin College – Class B MHSAA Semi-Finals
Saturday, March 17
Girls Basketball
@ Calvin College – Class D MHSAA State Finals 10:00 AM
@ Calvin College – Class A MHSAA State Finals 12:15 PM
@ Calvin College – Class C MHSAA State Finals 4:00 PM
@ Calvin College – Class B MHSAA State Finals 6:15 PM
Girls Water Polo
East Kentwood @ East Grand Rapids
Monday, March 19
No local contests scheduled
Tuesday, March 20
Boys Basketball
@ Lansing Eastern – Class A MHSAA Quarter Finals
@ Big Rapids – Class B MHSAA Quarter Finals
@ Portage Northern – Class D MHSAA Quarter Finals
Girls Water Polo
Grand Haven @ East Kentwood
Wednesday, March 21
Boys Baseball
Wyoming @ Lowell
Girls Softball
Wyoming @ Lowell
Boys Track
East Kentwood @ GVSU Laker Challenge
Thursday, March 22
Boys Basketball
@ MSU – Class C MHSAA Semi-Finals
@ MSU – Class D MHSAA Semi-Finals
Girls Softball
Wyoming @ Zeeland West
Girls Track
East Kentwood @ GVSU Laker Challenge
Girls Water Polo
Grandville @ East Kentwood
Boys Baseball
East Kentwood vs Christian @ Davenport
Boys Lacrosse
South Christian @ Northview
Girls Soccer
Zion Christian @ Fennville
Friday, March 23
Boys Basketball
@ MSU – Class A MHSAA Semi-Finals
@ MSU – Class B MHSAA Semi-Finals
Boys Golf
Lowell @ Wyoming
Girls Tennis
Zeeland West @ Wyoming
Boys Baseball
Wyoming @ Comstock Park
Grand River Prep @ Zion Christian (DH)
Girls Softball
Wyoming @ Comstock Park
Boys/Girls Track
Wyoming Lee – @ GVSU Laker Challenge
Kelloggsville – @ GVSU Laker Challenge
Girls Water Polo
East Kentwood @ Grand Haven
Girls Soccer
East Kentwood @ FH Central
Saturday, March 24
Boys Basketball
@ MSU – Class D MHSAA Finals – 10:100 AM
@ MSU – Class A MHSAA Finals – 12:15 PM
@ MSU – Class C MHSAA Finals – 4:30 PM
@ MSU – Class B MHSAA Finals – 6:45 PM
Girls Soccer
Kelloggsville @ Allendale
Girls Water Polo
East Kentwood @ Grand Haven
Girls Tennis
Grandville @ South Christian
Monday, March 26
Boys/Girls Track
Godwin Heights @ Wyoming
Wyoming Lee @ Wyoming
Kelloggsville @ Wyoming
Girls Soccer
Zion Christian @ Godwin Heights
Union @ Wyoming
Boys Baseball
Wyoming @ Covenant Christian
South Christian @ Byron Center
Martin @ Potter’s House (DH)
Girls Softball
Wyoming @ Covenant Christian
Tuesday, March 27
Girls Softball
Byron Center @ Wyoming – DH
Wyoming @ Caledonia
East Kentwood @ Zeeland East
Grandville @ South Christian
Girls Tennis
Wyoming @ Byron Center
Middleville T-K @ Kelloggsville
Boys Baseball
Wyoming @ Caledonia
Zion Christian @ Wyoming Lee
Grandville @ South Christian
West Michigan Aviation @ Kalamazoo Cougars
Girls Soccer
Wyoming @ Sparta
Zion Christian @ Wyoming Lee
Tri-Unity Christian @ Barry County Christian
Boys/Girls Track
East Kentwood – @ Aquinas Invite
Girls Water Polo
East Kentwood @ Hudsonville
Boys Lacrosse
South Christian @ Comstock Park
Wednesday, March 28
Girls Soccer
Kelloggsville @ Saugatuck
East Kentwood @ Plainwell
Boys Baseball
South Christian @ West Ottawa
Girls Softball
South Christian @ West Ottawa
Thursday, March 29
Boys Lacrosse
Byron Center @ South Christian
Friday, March 30
No local contests scheduled
Saturday, March 31
No local contests scheduled
WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org
With the high school girls basketball season beginning state championship playoff action, the WKTV sports truck will head out twice this week for featured game coverage, possibly both nights at the District 57 tournament to be held at Wyoming Godwin Heights.
The first game of the District 57 tournament is tonight, Monday, Feb. 26, as Godwin Heights (10-9 on the season) takes on Grand River Prep (8-9) in opening round action.
WKTV will get involved on Wednesday, Feb. 28, with two semifinal games. Initial plans are for us to be at Godwin Heights for Wyoming Kelloggsville (4-14) vs. West Michigan Aviation Academy (2-14) at 6 p.m., and then the winner of the Monday night game against tournament favorite Grand Rapids South Christian (16-4) at 8 p.m.
Depending on the results of those semifinals, and other Wednesday night games involving Wyoming and Kentwood area teams, WKTV will either be at Godwin Heights for the District 57 finals, scheduled for Friday, March 2, at 7 p.m., or at another district final in the area. (Check WKTVjournal.org/sports after Wednesday night games for the Friday schedule.)
The Wednesday games will be broadcast that night on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 at 11 p.m. and repeat later in the week. Each Friday game will be aired that night on WKTV 25 at 11 p.m. and repeat Saturday at 11 a.m. The games can also be seen on AT&T U-verse 99.
All games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvondemand.com .
The complete schedule of all local high school sports action through the end of the month. For any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and features on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/ . (We will have the schedule for March shortly, so check back.)
Monday, Feb. 26
Girls Basketball
Grand River Prep @ Godwin Heights – MHSAA Districts
Potter’s House @ Holland Calvary – MHSAA Districts
Ottawa Hills @ East Kentwood – MHSAA Districts
Wyoming @ Christian – MHSAA Districts
Tuesday, Feb. 27
Boys Basketball
South Christian @ Byron Center
Godwin Heights @ Christian
Martin @ Potter’s House
West Michigan Aviation @ West Catholic
Zion Christian @ Western Michigan Christian
East Kentwood @ Grand Ledge
Saugatuck @ Wyoming Lee
Comstock Park @ Kelloggsville
Calvin Christian @ Tri-Unity Christian
Wednesday, Feb. 28
Girls Basketball
TBD vs South Christian @ Godwin Heights – MHSAA Districts
West Michigan Aviation vs Kelloggsville @ Godwin Heights – MHSAA Districts
Zion Christian vs West Michigan Lutheran @ Potter’s House – MHSAA Districts
TBD vs Tri-Unity Christian @ Potter’s House – MHSAA Districts
TBD @ East Kentwood – MHSAA Districts
Boys Basketball
Grand River Prep @ Sparta
Boys Swimming
@ East Kentwood – Second Shave Meet
Boys Hockey
@ East Kentwood – MHSAA Pre-Regionals
WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org
The WKTV sports truck heads out twice this week for featured game coverage. First, on Tuesday, Feb. 20, It will be boys varsity basketball as Tri-unity Christian (12-4 overall, 7-1 in Alliance League as of Feb. 17) will host Muskegon Oakridge (5-10 overall, 7-8 in the West Michigan Conference) in a non-league tilt.
Then on Friday, Feb. 23, it’s an OK Gold varsity doubleheader with both boys and girls basketball being covered as Wyoming hosts East Grand Rapids. First up will be the Wolves girls team (9-10; 5-6 conference as of Feb. 16) against the Pioneer girls (15-3; 8-2). After that game will be the Wolves boys (14-4 overall, 10–1 conference as of Feb. 16) against the Pioneer boys (10-6 overall, 5-4).
Currently, each Tuesday game will be broadcast that night on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 at 11 p.m. and repeat on Wednesday at 5 p.m. Each Friday game will be aired that night on WKTV 25 at 11 p.m. and repeat Saturday at 11 a.m. The games can also be seen on AT&T U-verse 99.
All games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvondemand.com .
The last of the February featured broadcast schedule is:
Saturday, Feb. 24 — Boys Hockey: FH Central at East Kentwood
Following is the complete schedule of all local high school sports action this week. For any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and features on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/
Monday, Feb. 19
Boys/Girls Bowling
Wyoming Lee @ Potter’s House
Tuesday, Feb. 20
Girls Basketball
South Christian @ Middleville T-K
NorthPointe Christian @ Godwin Heights
Potter’s House @ Zion Christian
West Michigan Aviation @ Algoma Christian
Western Michigan Christian @ Grand River Prep
East Kentwood @ Rockford
Belding @ Kelloggsville
West Michigan Lutheran @ Wellsprings Prep
Boys Basketball
Middleville T-K @ South Christian
Godwin Heights @ NorthPointe Christian
Potter’s House @ Zion Christian
West Michigan Aviation @ Holland Black River
Western Michigan Christian @ Grand River Prep
Rockford @ East Kentwood
Hopkins @ Wyoming Lee
Kelloggsville @ Belding
West Michigan Lutheran @ Algoma Christian
Muskegon Oakridge @ Tri-unity Christian – WKTV Featured Event
Boys/Girls Bowling
Wyoming Lee @ Potter’s House
Wellsprings Prep @ Tri-Unity Christian
Wednesday, Feb. 21
Girls Basketball
Benton Harbor @ Godwin Heights
West Michigan Aviation @ WMAES
Boys Basketball
Benton Harbor @ Godwin Heights
West Michigan Aviation @ WMAES
Thursday, Feb. 22
Boys Swimming
East Kentwood @ Grand Haven
Friday, Feb. 23
Girls Basketball
South Christian @ Wayland
Potter’s House @ Algoma Christian
Holland Black River @ Zion Christian
Grandville @ East Kentwood
East Grand Rapids @ Wyoming – Coaches vs Cancer – WKTV Featured Event
Kelloggsville @ Calvin Christian
WMAES @ West Michigan Lutheran
Holland Calvary @ Tri-Unity Christian
Boys Basketball
South Christian @ Wayland
Algoma Christian @ Potter’s House
Creative Technologies @ West Michigan Aviation
Holland Black River @ Zion Christian
Grandville @ East Kentwood
Wyoming Lee @ Belding
East Grand Rapids @ Wyoming – Coaches vs Cancer – WKTV Featured Event
Kelloggsville @ Calvin Christian
West Michigan Lutheran @ WMAES
Holland Calvary @ Tri-Unity Christian
Boys Hockey
South Christian vs West Ottawa @ Griffs Ice West
East Kentwood @ East Grand Rapids
Boys Swimming
South Christian @ TBA – O-K Conference Meet
East Kentwood @ Grand Haven
Boys/Girls Bowling
Godwin Heights @ Muskegon Mona Shores – Team Regionals
East Kentwood @ Battle Creek Lakeview – Team Regionals
Wyoming Lee @ Catholic Central – Team Regionals
Saturday, Feb. 24
Boys Hockey
South Christian @ FH Eastern/FH Northern
FH Central @ East Kentwood — WKTV Featured Event
Boys Swimming
South Christian @ TBA – O-K Conference Meet
East Kentwood @ Grand Haven
Boys/Girls Bowling
Godwin Heights @ Muskegon Mona Shores – Individual Regionals
East Kentwood @ Battle Creek Lakeview – Individual Regionals
Wyoming Lee @ Catholic Central – Individual Regionals
Girls Cheer
East Kentwood @ Brighton – State Regionals
Boys Wrestling
@ TBD – Team Finals
Monday, Feb. 26
Girls Basketball
Grand River Prep @ Godwin Heights – MHSAA Districts
Potter’s House @ Holland Calvary – MHSAA Districts
Ottawa Hills @ East Kentwood – MHSAA Districts
Wyoming @ Christian – MHSAA Districts
Seth Van Ast, WKTV Intern
The WKTV sports truck will be busy as usual as it heads out twice this week for featured game coverage, first with a boy’s basketball game on Tuesday, Feb. 13, at Wyoming High School as the OK Gold Conference leading Wolves (8-1 in conference; 12-4 overall as of Feb. 9.) hosts Wayland (2-5; 6-9 as of Feb. 9).
Then on Friday, Feb. 16, we will be covering both boys and girls games at Zion Christian as they host West Michigan Aviation Academy.
Currently, each Tuesday game will be broadcast that night on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 at 11 p.m. and repeat on Wednesday at 5 p.m. Each Friday game will be aired that night on WKTV 25 at 11 p.m. and repeat Saturday at 11 a.m. The games can also be seen on AT&T U-verse 99.
All games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvondemand.com .
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and features on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/
The remainder of the tentative February broadcast schedule includes:
Saturday, Feb. 17 – Boys Hockey – South Christian/BC at East Kentwood
Tuesday, Feb. 20 – Boys Basketball – Muskegon Oakridge at Tri-Unity Christian
Friday, Feb. 23 – Girls and Boys Basketball – East Grand Rapids at Wyoming
Saturday, Feb. 24 – Boys Hockey – FH Central at East Kentwood
Monday, Feb. 12
Boys/Girls Bowling
Unity Christian @ South Christian
Wyoming Lee @ Godwin Heights
West Catholic @ Potter’s House
East Kentwood @ Hudsonville
Zeeland East @ Wyoming
Kelloggsville @ Hopkins
Girls Cheer
Wyoming Lee @ FH Northern – NorthStar Invitational
Wyoming @ FH Northern – NorthStar Invitational
Tuesday, Feb. 13
Girls Basketball
East Grand Rapids @ South Christian
Godwin Heights @ Belding
West Michigan Aviation @ Grand River Prep
Wellsprings Prep @ Zion Christian
West Ottawa @ East Kentwood
Wayland @ Wyoming
Kelloggsville @ NorthPointe Christian
West Michigan Lutheran @ Algoma Christian
Tri-Unity Christian @ Fennville
Boys Basketball
South Christian @ East Grand Rapids
Belding @ Godwin Heights
Heritage Christian @ Potter’s House
West Michigan Aviation @ Grand River Prep
Wellsprings Prep @ Zion Christian
East Kentwood @ West Ottawa
Wayland @ Wyoming – WKTV Featured Event
NorthPointe Christian @ Kelloggsville
Tri-Unity Christian @ Fennville
Wednesday, Feb. 14
Boys/Girls Bowling
Godwin Heights @ Calvin Christian
Grand Haven @ East Kentwood
NorthPointe Christian @ Wyoming Lee
Boys Wrestling
State Team Regionals @ TBA
Girls Cheer
Wyoming @ Comstock Park
Thursday, Feb. 15
Girls Basketball
Potter’s House @ Wellsprings Prep
Boys Basketball
Potter’s House @ Wellsprings Prep
Boys/Girls Bowling
Potter’s House @ Tri-Unity Christian
Friday, Feb. 16
Girls Basketball
South Christian vs Covenant Christian @ Calvin College
West Michigan Aviation @ Zion Christian – WKTV Featured Event
Grand River Prep @ Fruitport Calvary Christian
Hudsonville @ East Kentwood
Christian @ Wyoming – Hall of Fame Night
Kelloggsville @ Hopkins
Tri-Unity Christian @ Holland Black River
Boys Basketball
South Christian vs Covenant Christian @ Calvin College
Godwin Heights @ Wyoming Lee
West Michigan Aviation @ Zion Christian – WKTV Featured Event
Grand River Prep @ Fruitport Calvary Christian
Hudsonville @ East Kentwood
Christian @ Wyoming Hall of Fame Night
Kelloggsville @ Hopkins
Tri-Unity Christian @ Holland Black River
Boys Hockey
Milford @ South Christian
Rockford @ East Kentwood
Girls Cheer
Godwin Heights @ Comstock Park – Districts
Wyoming Lee @ Comstock Park – Districts
Wyoming @ Comstock Park – Districts
Saturday, Feb. 17
Boys/Girls Bowling
South Christian – OK Green-Gold @ Park Center
Godwin Heights @ Wyoming Lee – O-K Silver Conference Meet @ Paragon
Kelloggsville @ Wyoming Lee – O-K Silver Conference Meet @ Paragon
East Kentwood – Post Season Tournament @ Spectrum Lanes
Wyoming @ Christian
Boys Hockey
South Christian/Byron Center @ East Kentwood – WKTV Featured Event
Boys Wrestling
Individual State Regionals @ Grand Ledge
Girls Cheer
@ East Kentwood – State Districts
Wyoming @ Kenowa Hills
Monday, Feb. 19
Boys/Girls Bowling
Wyoming Lee @ Potter’s House
Mike Moll, WKTV Volunteer Sports Director
The winter seasons are not just in full swing but are quickly heading toward their respective tournament portions.
Boys wrestling begins the process with team Districts at various sites on Feb. 7-8, followed by individual Districts on Feb. 10, team Regionals on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, individual Regionals on Feb. 17, team Finals on Feb. 23-24 at The Wings Event Center in Kalamazoo, and completely close out the season with individual Finals on March 3-4 at Ford Field in Detroit.
Girls cheerleading also starts their tournament run with Districts Feb. 16-17, state Regionals on Feb. 24 and state Finals also March 3-4 at The DeltaPlex in Grand Rapids.
Both boys and girls bowling will hold their Regional tournaments on Feb. 23-24 and a quad of state champions will be crowned the first weekend in March, at various sites depending on the division.
Ice hockey will start tournament play late in the month with Regionals between Feb. 26 and March 3.
Lastly, girls basketball tournament will tip off what is commonly called March Madness but a week early during the last week of February this year. WKTV will be there to bring some of the action to the viewers, so be sure to check the weekly schedule.
Currently, each Tuesday game will be broadcast that night on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 at 11 p.m. and repeat on Wednesday at 5 p.m. Each Friday game will be aired that night on WKTV 25 at 11 p.m. and repeat Saturday at 11 a.m. The games can also be seen on AT&T U-verse 99.
All games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvondemand.com .
The busy tentative February WKTV feature broadcast schedule includes:
Thursday, Feb. 1 — Boys swimming, Grand Haven at East Kentwood
Friday, Feb. 2 — Boys basketball, Wellsprings Prep @ Tri-Unity Christian
Tuesday, Feb. 6 — Girls basketball, Caledonia at East Kentwood
Friday, Feb. 9 — Boys basketball, Wyoming Lee at Kelloggsville
Tuesday, Feb. 13 — Boys basketball, Wayland at Wyoming
Friday, Feb. 16 — Girls and boys basketball, West Michigan Aviation at Zion Christian
Saturday, Feb. 17 — Boys hockey, South Christian/BC at East Kentwood
Tuesday, Feb. 20 — Boys basketball, Muskegon Oakridge at Tri-Unity Christian
Friday, Feb. 23 — Girls and boys basketball, East Grand Rapids at Wyoming
Saturday, Feb. 24 — Boys hockey, FH Central at East Kentwood
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and features on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/
Following is the end of this week’s schedule:
Thursday, Feb. 1
Boys Swimming
South Christian @ Hastings
Grand Haven @ East Kentwood – WKTV Featured Event
Boys Basketball
West Michigan Lutheran @ Holt Martin Luther
Girls Basketball
Wellsprings Prep @ Tri-Unity Christian
Friday, Feb. 2
Girls Basketball
South Christian @ FH Eastern
Godwin Heights @ Calvin Christian
Grand River Prep @ Potter’s House
Holland Black River @ West Michigan Aviation
West Michigan Lutheran @ Zion Christian
Grand Haven @ East Kentwood
Middleville T-K @ Wyoming
Boys Basketball
South Christian @ FH Eastern
Godwin Heights @ Calvin Christian
Grand River Prep @ Potter’s House
Holland Black River @ West Michigan Aviation
WMAES @ Zion Christian
Grand Haven @ East Kentwood
NorthPointe Christian @ Wyoming Lee
Middleville T-K @ Wyoming
Covenant Christian @ Kelloggsville
Wellsprings Prep @ Tri-Unity Christian – WKTV Featured Event
Boys Hockey
South Christian @ Portage Central
East Kentwood @ Muskegon Reeths-Puffer
Boys Wrestling
East Kentwood @ West Ottawa – O-K Red Conference Meet
Wyoming @ Middleville T-K – O-K Gold Conference Meet
Girls Cheer
East Kentwood @ Rockford – O-K Red Conference Meet
Saturday, Feb. 3
Boys Hockey
Lowell/Caledonia @ South Christian
Boys Wrestling
Godwin Heights @ Kelloggsville – O-K Silver Conference Meet
Wyoming Lee @ Kelloggsville – O-K Silver Conference Meet
Boys Basketball
Godwin Heights vs Detroit Pershing @ Union – Union Showcase
East Kentwood vs TBA @ Union – Union Showcase
Zion Christian @ Calhoun County Christian
Girls Basketball
Grand River Prep @ Kelloggsville
Zion Christian @ Calhoun Christian County
Girls Dance
East Kentwood @ Jenison
Boys/Girls Bowling
Wyoming Lee @ Hudsonville
Kelloggsville @ Muskegon Reeths-Puffer
Girls Cheer
Wyoming @ Kenowa Hills
Monday, Feb. 5
Boys/Girls Bowling
Wyoming @ South Christian
Belding @ Godwin Heights
FH Northern @ Potter’s House
Wyoming Lee @ Tri-Unity Christian
NorthPointe Christian @ Kelloggsville
Girls Basketball
Potter’s House @ NorthPointe Christian
By Mike Moll, WKTV Volunteer Sports Director
WKTV will continue its featured high school sports coverage this month as fall sports wrap up and winter sports are on the horizon. The WKTV crew will be bringing the viewers not only the featured football game of the week, but once again will showcase other sports including girls swimming along with boys water polo during October. Planned coverage this month includes:
Friday, Oct. 13, football — Belding at Kelloggsville
Saturday, Oct. 14, boys water polo — at East Kentwood
Friday, Oct. 20, football — South Christian at East Grand Rapids
Friday, Oct. 27, football – Playoffs TBD (after games of Oct. 20
Currently, WKTV sports events will be broadcast the night of the game on Comcast Channel 25, usually at 11 p.m., and repeated on Saturday at 11 a.m. on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T U-verse Channel 99 in Wyoming & Kentwood.
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and features on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/
Local high school sports events this week are as follows:
Monday, Oct. 9
Girls Golf
South Christian – Ernie Popiel Invite @ Egypt Valley
East Kentwood – Ernie Popiel Invite @ Egypt Valley
Boys Soccer
Hudsonville @ East Kentwood
Boys Water Polo
Zeeland East @ East Kentwood
Tuesday, Oct. 10
Girls Golf
Hudsonville @ South Christian
Girls Volleyball
South Christian @ Wayland
East Grand Rapids @ Wyoming
Zion Christian @ Potter’s House
West Michigan Aviation @ Tri-Unity Christian
Boys Soccer
Covenant Christian @ South Christian
Wyoming @ Christian
Wyoming Lee @ Godwin Heights
Kelloggsville @ Hopkins
Zion Christian @ Potter’s House
Grand River Prep @ Kalamazoo Heritage
West Michigan Aviation @ Tri-Unity Christian – Senior Night
Boys/girls Cross Country
Wyoming @ Saranac
Wednesday, Oct. 11
Girls Golf
South Christian – MHSAA Regionals @ Quail Ridge
Boys/girls Cross Country
Godwin Heights @ Wyoming Lee
Kelloggsville @ Wyoming Lee
Boys Soccer
Rockford @ East Kentwood
Thursday, Oct. 12
Girls Swimming
South Christian @ West Ottawa
Grand Haven @ East Kentwood
Boys Soccer
FH Eastern @ South Christian
Middleville T-K @ Wyoming
Wyoming Lee @ NorthPointe Christian
Potter’s House @ Kelloggsville
Calvin Christian @ Godwin Heights
Zion Christian @ Heritage Christian
Grand River Prep @ Wellsprings
Algoma Christian @ West Michigan Aviation
Tri-Unity Christian @ Fruitport Calvary
Girls Volleyball
South Christian @ GR Christian
Wyoming @ FH Eastern
Godwin Heights @ Wyoming Lee
Hopkins @ Kelloggsville
Zion Christian @ Heritage Christian
Tri-Unity Christian @ Fruitport Calvary
Boys Tennis
East Kentwood @ Holland – MHSAA Regionals
Friday, Oct. 13
Boys Football
Middleville T-K vs South Christian @ Grandville
Greenville @ Wyoming – Homecoming
Wyoming Lee @ Hopkins
NorthPointe Christian @ Godwin Heights
Belding @ Kelloggsville – WKTV Featured Game
East Kentwood @ Rockford
Leroy Pine River @ Potter’s House/Calvin Christian
Boys Soccer
West Michigan Aviation @ Wyoming Lee
Saturday, Oct. 14
Boys Football
Tri-Unity Christian @ Grand Traverse Academy
Girls Volleyball
South Christian @ Troy
Wyoming Lee @ Godwin Heights – Pink Out
@ East Kentwood – EK Invitational
Boys/girls Cross Country
Wyoming Lee, Kelloggsville, East Kentwood and Tri-Unity Christian @ Grand Rapids Christian – Kent-Ottawa Invite
Girls Swimming
East Kentwood – MISCA Meet
Boys Water Polo
@ East Kentwood – EK – Mini Tournament – WKTV Featured Event
Monday, Oct. 16
Boys/girls Cross Country
South Christian @ East Grand Rapids
Boys Soccer
Everett @ Wyoming – MHSAA Districts
Wyoming Lee vs TBD – MHSAA Districts
Godwin Heights vs TBD @ Christian – MHSAA Districts
TBD @ East Kentwood – MHSAA Districts
By Mike Moll
sportswktv@gmail.com
The remaining winter high school seasons conclude in March and the spring seasons get started the last ten days of the month. But starting this week and weekend, the sports schedule is busy with state championships all over the state.
The Michigan High School Athletic Association version of March Madness will continue the first week with girl’s districts wrapping up and eventually making their way to The Breslin Center on the MSU campus for state finals on the March 18, whereas the boys will begin district play the first full week of the month which will also lead to MSU to crown four state champions on March 25.
The wrestling state finals are March 2-4 at The Palace of Auburn Hills. That same weekend, on Friday and Saturday, will be the boys and girls bowling championships at various locations based on division. The busy championship weekend will also include the girls cheer on March 3-4 at The Delta Plex in Grand Rapids. Boys hockey drops the puck on pre-regionals this weekend of the month and will conclude their season the next weekend at Plymouth with semi-finals on Friday and finals on Saturday. Girls gymnastics and boys swimming will close out seasons with state championships the second weekend as well.
WKTV’s schedule will be determined by which teams remain in the tournaments between girls and boys basketball. The tentative early games currently are:
Friday, March 3
District Girls Basketball @ Grand Rapids Christian
or District Girls Basketball @ South Christian
Monday, March 6
District Boys Basketball Grand River Prep vs Kelloggsville and District Boys Basketball West Michigan Aviation vs Godwin Heights (both games being played at Godwin Heights)
Friday, March 10
District Boys Basketball @ Godwin Heights
The complete list of local high school athletic events this week include:
Wednesday, March 1
Girls Basketball
MHSAA State Districts @ South Christian – TBD vs Grand River Prep
MHSAA State Districts @ South Christian – West Michigan Aviation @vs South Christian
MHSAA State Districts @ Zion Christian – West Michigan Lutheran vs TBD
MHSAA State Districts @ Zion Christian – Potter’s House vs Holland Calvary
MHSAA State Districts @ Christian – East Kentwood @ Christian
Boys Swimming
@ East Kentwood – Second Shave Meet
Boys Hockey
MHSAA State Pre-Regionals @ Wing Stadium – East Kentwood vs TBD
Thursday, March 2
Boys Wrestling
MHSAA State Finals – @ The Palace of Auburn Hills
Boys Basketball
Kelloggsville @ Hamilton
Wyoming @ Benton Harbor
Grand River Prep @ Fruitport Calvary
South Christian @ Muskegon Reeths-Puffer
Friday, March 3
Boys/Girls Bowling
MHSAA State Finals – Division 1 @ Sterling Heights
MHSAA State Finals – Division 2 @ Canton
MHSAA State Finals – Division 3 @ Battle Creek
MHSAA State Finals – Division 4 @ Lansing
Girls Cheer
MHSAA State Finals – Division 1 @ The Delta Plex – Grand Rapids
Boys Wrestling
MHSAA State Finals – @ The Palace of Auburn Hills
Girls Basketball
MHSAA State Districts @ South Christian – TBD
MHSAA State Districts @ Zion Christian – TBD
MHSAA State Districts @ Christian – TBD
Saturday, March 4
Girls Cheer
MHSAA State Finals – Division 2, 3, 4 @ The Delta Plex @ Grand Rapids
Girls Gymnastics
MHSAA State Regionals – @ Kenowa Hills
MHSAA State Regionals – @ Grand Ledge
MHSAA State Regionals – @ Plymouth-Canton
MHSAA State Regional – @ Walled Lake Central
Boys Wrestling
MHSAA State Finals – @ The Palace of Auburn Hills
Boys/Girls Bowling
MHSAA State Finals – Division 1 @ Sterling Heights
MHSAA State Finals – Division 2 @ Canton
MHSAA State Finals – Division 3 @ Battle Creek
MHSAA State Finals – Division 4 @ Lansing
Boys Hockey
MHSAA State Regionals @ East Kentwood – TBD
Monday, March 6
Boys Basketball
MHSAA State Districts @ Godwin Heights – Grand River Prep vs Kelloggsville
MHSAA State Districts @ Godwin Heights – Godwin Heights vs South Christian
MHSAA State Districts @ Zeeland East – Wyoming @ Zeeland East
MHSAA State Districts @ Zion Christian – TBD
MHSAA State Districts @ Ottawa Hills – TBD
The Golden Gloves have a long, outstanding history throughout the country in the sport of boxing. What started in New York in 1927 as an amateur boxing tournament has morphed into The National Golden Gloves, a boxing program with affiliates in all 50 states who focus in training young people for success.
Grand Rapids started their involvement in 1932 under the sponsorship of the Grand Rapids Press and the Furniture City Post of the American Legion to foster competing teams in Grand Rapids. In 2008, Grand Rapids and the Michigan Golden Gloves Association hosted the 2008 National Golden Gloves Tournament of Champions.
Back in 1985, the Michigan Golden Gloves Association and WKTV formed a partnership to film the state championship boxing bouts. When the partnership began, the tournament was held at Stadium Arena (now known as the DeltaPlex). When Stadium Arena was no longer suitable, the tournament was moved to the Grand Valley National Guard Armory on 44th street.
2016 marks a return to the DeltaPlex and the 32nd year of WKTV’s coverage of the Golden Gloves Boxing Championship. Catch all the action on Live Wire Comcast Channel 24 with a tape delayed airing of each evenings bouts the following day at noon.
West Michigan Championships
Saturday, April 9
Wednesday, April 20 (airing at 8:30pm)
State Championships
Saturday, April 23
Friday, April 29
Saturday, April 30
It’s a dream scenario for every young athlete, something that’s thought about during every live telecast. What would they say about me? How would the announcers introduce me, and most importantly, what story would the stats tell?
I always envisioned myself looking into the camera, “Mike DeWitt, six-foot-one, point guard (or wide receiver depending on the sports season).” Then the graphics would flash the stats. Something impressive to show the fans what a monster I was on the playing field.
“Averages a triple-double… by halftime!”
“6 receptions, 305 yards, and 6 touchdowns in last years championship game.”
The stats serve to paint a picture of who the athlete is on the field, nothing more, nothing less. But what if the graphics shown let the audience know what an athlete was like off the field, as a person? Someone bigger than the term “athlete.”
These were questions posed during a WKTV Sports Department meeting back in November towards the tail-end of the the high school football season. Since high school sports teach more than winning and losing, and all of these athletes have futures off the playing field, why isn’t the focus on their lives outside of sports?
WKTV broadcasts at least one live high school athletic event a week throughout the fall, winter and spring seasons. The upcoming winter season was the perfect testing ground for the new idea. A meeting with the local athletic directors from the Wyoming-Kentwood area garnered more support for the shift in WKTV’s coverage of high school sports. Instead of a player’s sport stats on the introduction graphics, the broadcast would use a player’s “life stats” like their GPA, hobbies, college, and career interest.
The change in the graphics went into effect during the winter season and it took off in a big way! Players were excited to share their interests off the court and it added to the overall broadcast of high school sports.
“When we ask the players about their life interests, they’re always a caught off-guard a little. It’s not something they’re expecting as the first question,” explains Kyle Panek, the graphics technician at WKTV, “Once one athlete shares a little about themselves, the others jump in too. It fun to watch the guys interact, open up, and joke around with each other as we’re getting the information we need.”
WKTV sees high school sports as a way for kids to learn life lessons such as teamwork, perseverance, hard work, camaraderie, and discipline. It’s about so much more than just winning!
After the success throughout the winter season, the new graphics program is here to stay! It will again be used during spring, and the program will be out of experimental mode and into full gear by fall.
Here at WKTV, our goal is to serve the community the best we can. That means we have to adapt and not be afraid to try new things. The sports department is excited about it’s new plan to better cover all sports in Wyoming and Kentwood.
A few weeks ago, the Athletic Directors from the local schools came together here at the station to hash out a better way of covering a broader spectrum of sports.
The WKTV sports department is moving towards covering a “game of the week”, regardless of sport. If the biggest game one week is a football game, WKTV will be there to cover it. If it happens to be a girls volleyball or boys soccer game, then WKTV will sent the truck! With so many schools offering a number of different sports in Wyoming and Kentwood, it will be exciting to cover the biggest game with huge stakes and implications!
We are also planning to work with the Athletic Directors about their student-athletes accomplishments off the field. These academic and off-field stories can be worked it into our broadcasts to let student’s stories be heard!
There is also talk about broadcasting soccer games in Spanish and English! Anything to connect with the community.
It’s all about creating a more well-rounded approach to our sports coverage. The importance of sports is the sportsmanship and leadership it builds in young men and women. Here at WKTV we want to cover everyone who’s putting in the work before and after school.
