Tag Archives: WKTV Sports Coverage

South Christian hosts familiar foe Middleville in WKTV’s Feature Game

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, Education, Local Entertainment, Local Faces, Recreation, Sports, Upcoming Events, WKTV Featured sports,
Grand Rapids South Christian High School football team at practice before the Middleville Thornapple Kellogg game Sept. 10. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

As Grand Rapids South Christian High School prepares to play its first OK Conference Gold game of the season, head football coach Danny Brown just wants his 1-1 Sailors to continue to improve when they host Middleville Thornapple Kellogg.

And despite Middleville coming in with a 0-2 record, including a forfeit loss last week due to COVID-19 concerns, coach Brown knows his team will have a challenge as they seek improvement and to be “paying our best at the end” of the season.

“Middleville always plays hard. We know they are going to play hard,” Coach Brown said this week to WKTV. “Last year we beat them 28-7, but we had to fight, and scratch for everything we got. I would not expect this week to be any different.

Grand Rapids South Christian High School head football coach Danny Brown. (WKTV)

“I think, for us, I just want us to get better week in and week out. We do not want to play our best football in week two or week three. We want to be paying our best at the end. As long as we continue to progress and we keep playing, we can continue to do what we have been doing and get better.”

WKTV will cover the South Christian vs. Middleville game as we  continue our 2021-22 Featured Game coverage season. This week’s game will be at East Kentwood with kick off at 7 p.m.

“We are feeling good about where we are at,” Coach Brown said, reviewing the Sailors’ 27-7 win at Grand Rapids Christian followed by a 21-30 loss at home to East Grand Rapids Sept. 3. “We felt like we got better last week, it just didn’t come to fruition at the end of the game. In the first half last week, we played good outside of one minute. We were up 7-0 with one minute to go. … All of a sudden it went from 7-0 to 13-7.”

Overall, coach Brown said, his team has been physical but needs to create and stop  “explosive plays” more often, and it needs to get healthy.

Grand Rapids South Christian High School football team at practice before the Middleville Thornapple Kellogg game Sept. 10. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

“I think physically, we are good. We are physical. We are playing hard. So, as far as the football piece, we’re doing very well,” he said. “Offensively, we have to start creating some explosive plays. We have to limit, with our defenses, their explosive plays. I think if we can get those two things figured out, I like where we are headed.”

In pointing out some of his key players, he also pointed out the team’s early season injury issues that are working themselves out.

“Jake DeHaan (junior quarterback) has maybe started a little slow, but obviously he is big part of what we do,” coach Brown said. “Jace DeMann (senior cornerback and wide receiver) … “He’s already scored a touchdown on an interception … We are going to get him in on some offensive stuff because he is just a really good player.”

He also pointed out Colton Schreur, a senior linebacker and wide receiver, and Cameron (Cam) Post, a junior offensive lineman and linebacker as players to watch — “They are both inside linebackers and play offense as well. They have been out with injuries. … If we can get healthy, that’s a big thing. We are missing some guys but when we can get healthy we should be in a good spot.”

WKTV featured games will on cable television in Wyoming and Kentwood on Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T Channel 99 Community Channel, rebroadcast on the night of the game and various days and times the week after. See the programming schedule at wktv.org. For more information on WKTV coverage of football and other fall prep sports, follow us at wktvjournal.org/sports.

All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV’s video coverage team, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvlive.com.

Wyoming Lee Legends, moving to 8-man football, in this week’s WKTV’s Feature Game

3-bottom, Area Education, City of Wyoming, Education, Going Local, Local Faces, Recreation, Sports, Upcoming Events, WKTV Featured sports, ,
  • Lee Legends head football coach Mark Smoes watching his team at practice prior to a Sept. 1, 2021 game. (WKTV)
  • Lee Legends head football coach Mark Smoes working with his team at practice prior to a Sept. 1, 2021 game. (WKTV)
  • Lee Legends head football coach Mark Smoes, right, with members of his coaching staff at a practice prior to a Sept. 1, 2021 game. (WKTV)
  • A Lee Legends football coach working with the team at practice prior to a Sept. 1, 2021 game. (WKTV)
  • Lee Legends football coaches working with the team at practice prior to a Sept. 1, 2021 game. (WKTV)
  • The Lee Legends team at practice prior to a Sept. 1, 2021 game. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

The Wyoming Lee High School football team will be embarking a new era with its Wednesday, Sept. 1, season-opening game hosting NorthPointe Christian — the era of playing 8-man football.

The late change to 8-man, made just before the season started, has head coach Mark Smoes, and his staff and team, doing a bit of audible game planning and play calling however.

Lee Legends head football coach Mark Smoes. (WKTV)

“We’ve had to adjust quite a bit,” coach Smoes said to WKTV this week. “It is the same game but we are adjusting our time because, as coaches, we are learning to adjust to this game.

“It is a faster pasted game. It allows you the opportunity to get skilled players on the field. That kinds of plays to our strength. We are adjusting a little every day, for the players and for ourselves.”

The Lee vs. NorthPointe game, which will be a junior varsity game for the visitors, will be this week’s WKTV Featured Game with coverage on cable television replay and on-demand. The game kick off will be at 5:30 p.m.

The change to 8-man was one of the first decisions made by new Lee Legends athletic director Tray Crusciel, after he took a look at a football program which has struggled in recent years, including going 0-4 and being outscored 193-41 in games played in its 2020 independent schedule season.

“After seeing the numbers we had out for the program, seeing the low numbers currently at 7/8th grade level, and the strength of the program over the last 10 years, we felt this was best for our kids right now,” Crusciel said to WKTV. “Our move to the Alliance (8-man) conference will definitely help across the board, give us more level competition and, I think, with the conference move and the move to 8-man, this community and school will benefit from it greatly.”

The program which Crusciel looked at, and which Smoes coaches, has its fair share of senior leadership, but with less than 20 players total in the high school program and on the school’s only team, almost half are sophomores and freshman.

But, Smoes said, the change to 8-man not only works with the numbers on his team but also on the talent on his team.

The 8-man game “is a little more offensive (and) we like to run the ball, we like to throw the ball. And we just have more area to work in,” he said. “We enjoy that and our players enjoy that. And we have players who are multi-talented on the field play, players who can catch, players who can run, players who can block. It just makes for a faster game. … It plays to our strengths.”

Among the Legends strengths, Smoes said, is a group to seniors and juniors who will likely play both ways in the 8-man system.

Smoes said senior quarterback Kemijion Reed, who did not play last season due to his family’s pandemic concerns, will be back and is expected to trigger the offense. Fellow seniors Rogelio Martinez, Shamaari Hill and Juan De La O are also expected to be key players.

Junior running back Elijah Beckwith, who rushed for 1,000 yards as a freshman two years ago, and slot back Ke’Ontae will also be key offensive players.

“Those players are going to handle a lot of the work for us this season offensively,” Smoes said. “We (also) have a very strong freshman class, and sophomores as well. And the nice thing about 8-man is that before, when your playing 11-man and you are short on players, you played players in positions which were tough for them to play in.”

But this season, with the 8-man format, many of those young players will be eased into the high school game.

This week’s game is one of four currently scheduled for Lee, with two being varsity 8-man and another JV game. (The Legends will be at Martin Sept. 20, hosting Gobles on Oct. 1, and at Dansville Oct. 21. But Crusciel said more games are likely to be added.)
 

WKTV featured games will on cable television in Wyoming and Kentwood on Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T Channel 99 Community Channel, rebroadcast on the night of the game and various days and times the week after. See the programming schedule at wktv.org. For more information on WKTV coverage of football and other fall prep sports, follow us at wktvjournal.org/sports.

All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV’s video coverage team, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvlive.com.

New Lee Legends athletic director makes hard decision to move football to 8-man game

3-bottom, Area Education, City of Wyoming, Education, Local Faces, Sports, Upcoming Events, WKTV Featured sports, ,
Lee High School’s football team celebrating a win over Galesburg-Augusta in 2019 one of only three in the last two seasons. (Supplied)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

New Godfrey-Lee Public Schools athletic director Tray Crusciel, on his first day on the job, had  to help make a hard decision about the Legends football program — a program which has struggled mightily in recent years including going 0-4 and being outscored 193-41 in games played in its 2020 independent schedule season.

The decision made was to move the high school program to the 8-man football game, and to scramble to find games — any games — for head coach Mark Smoes’ players.

“My first day in the office, I was tasked with helping make this decision for the district,” AD Crusciel said to WKTV this week. “After seeing the numbers we had out for the program, seeing the low numbers currently at 7/8th grade level, and the strength of the program over the last 10 years, we felt this was best for our kids right now.

“Our move to the Alliance conference will definitely help across the board, give us more level competition and, I think, with the conference move and the move to 8-man, this community and school will benefit from it greatly.”

After forfeiting a perviously scheduled 11-man game last week, the Legends will open their season by hosting an 8-man game against NorthPointe Christian’s junior varsity squad on Wednesday, Sept. 1, at 5:30 p.m.

The game will be covered by the WKTV Featured Game crew, and broadcast on cable television and made available on-demand.

Lee Legends Dragon and Crest. (Supplied)

This week’s game is one of four currently scheduled for Lee, with two being varsity 8-man and another JV game. (The Legends will be at Martin Sept. 20, hosting Gobles on Oct. 1, and at Dansville Oct. 21. But Crusciel said more games are likely to be added.)

 

“We felt comfortable (scheduling both JV and varsity games) because half our team is freshman/sophomore, but the teams we are playing are all facing the same issues,” Crusciel said. “We are keeping our eyes open for more games but we might have to get lucky.

“For the future, my plan is to seek our 8-man leagues/scheduling agreements to give us full schedules or build numbers back up to transition back to 11-man. Our enrollment sits at 505, so that tells me we have a decent number to tap into. But, this is a huge soccer community and we have kids with various interests and obstacles to overcome.”

He also said a “bright side”  is that the district has 30 or so kids playing football in 5/6th grade. “Our goal needs to be getting engaged with those kids at the lower levels more and keeping them interested and engaged in football.”

Prior to last season’s 0-4 record in a season also impacted by the pandemic, coach Smoes first season leading the team, Lee was 3-6 under then coach Tom Degennaro while also playing an independent schedule.

AD Crusciel’s journey to Lee

New Godfrey-Lee Public Schools athletic director Tray Crusciel, with his wife and new baby. (Supplied)

Prior to coming to Lee, Crusciel had been an athletic director for eight years, including three at Covert, where he helped build the athletic department from 1 team to 13 teams, and to get the school back into an athletic conference. He then worked at Benton Harbor for one year. His resume includes stops at Jackson Lumen Christi and Battle Creek Lakeview.

“The reason I’m up here now (is) wife got a new job at Mercy Health (and) we have tons of family in the surrounding areas and we wanted to move closer to our family,” he said.

Crusciel holds degrees from Western Michigan and Wayne State universities, in for my physical education and sports administration. He played football growing up, he said, and has coached multiple sports.

The George Keen I knew

3-bottom, Going Local, Local Entertainment, Local Faces, Local History, Recreation, Sports, Volunteers, WKTV Projects, ,
George Keen, left, and Ralph Baker on The Racing Show, taped by WKTV in January, 2020. (WKTV)

By Tom Norton, WKTV general manager

Whenever we receive news of the sudden passing of a colleague, friend or family member, it’s always a shock. All of us WKTV Community Media family were shocked and saddened by the sudden passing of George Keen Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021.

George began his decades of volunteering and creating television at WKTV in 1992. I remember first meeting George and knew instantly that he was a natural for broadcast work. His easy-going, affable  and conversational manner made him the perfect television host. We used to joke here that George was so good, he could give a play-by-play of paint drying. The ease from which George could take a guest’s answer and play it into the next question made his television appearances, not so much television, but more a conversation which is where television really shines. It seemed like it was an old acquaintance or friends talking and it was always a pleasure to watch.

And watch they did. In 1992 George and his team created “The Racing Show” to in George’s words, ‘give the racing fans something to talk about over the winter when they were at the races.” I asked him what they were going to talk about and he said, “racing, of course.” Within several months of its launch, “The Racing Show”, every Wednesday at 7 p.m., became appointment television for many in West Michigan. There was no internet or social media to push the audience (or divide it up), but the audience grew quickly.

The show sponsored sold out wintertime racing banquets at the K of C Hall and during a WKTV Buy a Brick telethon in 2002, we gave George and the racing community an entire night of the telethon. All night long the phones jangled with the sound of the racing community buying bricks to support WKTV. We knew, however, that they were really heeding George’s call and it showed that the racing community is a tight knit family.

George stayed with us through the early years of The 28th Street Metro Cruise, again providing that effortless style of good conversation when talking to any classic car owner. Gradually, though his talent led him to work more in radio and at Berlin Raceway and when “The Racing Show” went off the air in 2005 we were sad. For us it seemed an era had passed.

George returned occasionally to host a number of different shows including many years doing play-by-play for Golden Gloves Boxing. In February of 2020 George returned again to WKTV to tape the first  installment of the new “The Racing Show” which would’ve also featured a podcast. He just couldn’t stay away from making television and it was a comeback we were glad to have. When the pandemic shuttered productions, things never did come back together, but we have the one episode that will stay in our archive forever.

I never saw the man use notes. He ability to wing it effortlessly always impressed me and we’re sure much more will be said of George who had so many friends and colleagues across so many facets of life. Something tells me that if Heaven has racing and they want the new guy to “call the race,” everyone back here who knew George would recommend him highly.

God speed George Keen. Thank you for 29 years at WKTV.

Muskegon’s Great Lakes Surf Festival to return to Pere Marquette Beach in August

Entertainment, Great Lakes, Kids Activities, Local Entertainment, Recreation, Sports, Travel, ,
The Great Lake Surf Festival will be returning this year to Muskegon’s Pere Marquette Beach. (GLSF)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

The Great Lakes Surf Festival at Muskegon’s Pere Marquette Beach was a great success in 2018 and 2019, and then there was the pandemic year of 2020. But the organizers of the festival recently announced that they will be holding their third event on Saturday, Aug. 14.

And this year, event goers will be able to learn how to surf and paddleboard, along with practicing in yoga directly on the beach. Music, food, and a raffle will also take place. Several surfboards and paddleboards will be given away along with a surf trip to Costa Rica, according to the announcement.

“We are excited to see the Great Lakes Surf Festival grow and to have the support from our sponsors and from the surf and paddleboard industry,” event co-founder Joe Bidawid said in supplied material. “We have one of the most beautiful venue locations on the Great Lakes, in Pere Marquette Beach.”

  

And what if there is no waves? Tommy’s Boats of Grand Rapids Michigan will be making artificial waves — waist high waves to simulate ocean waves — wave conditions ideal for those seeking to learn a variety of boardsports.

“Imagine a late summer day on an amazing beach, doing what you love and surrounded by so many people from all over the Great Lakes, who share the same passion,” Bidawid said in supplied material. “That is our goal.”

For more information visit GreatLakesSurfFestival.com.

Golden Glove boxing returns to West Michigan June 5, and WKTV sports coverage returns as well

3-bottom, Local Entertainment, Recreation, Sports, Upcoming Events, WKTV Featured sports,
Golden Glove boxing action is covered by the WKTV sports coverage crew. (Supplied/from previous event)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

WKTV Community Media has been a broadcast partner with Michigan Golden Gloves for more than two decades, and Bob Serulla has been the announcing part of the team all that time.

So, as the West Michigan Golden Glove Preliminaries begin this weekend at the DeltaPlex Arena, with boxing set to begin Saturday, June 5, at 7 p.m., Bob and the WKTV team will be back ringside as well.

“I started broadcasting boxing 22 years ago for WKTV, and we have built a great team of broadcasters and staff and we put on a first class show,” Serulla said. “It has been a great pleasure watching the young talent grow into professionals and seeing the difference boxing can make in a young life.

“Trainers and coaches that act as mentors for these young men and women should be recognized and thanked for their service to the community. It’s always a pleasure to interview a young fighter and give them a chance to gain confidence grow as a person.”

WKTV’s recording of the bouts of Saturday, June 5, will be rebroadcast on WKTV cable television on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T U-verse 99 on Sunday, June 6, at noon, as well as Wednesday, June 9, at 5 p.m. Video copies of WKTV’s coverage will be available for purchase by emailing kelly@wktv.org or calling 616-261-5700.

Tickets to the June 5 live event are available. The DeltaPlex Arena is located at 2500 Turner Ave. NW, Walker. For more information visit michigangoldengloves.com/events or call 616-784-0862.

The West Michigan Golden Gloves Championships will continue though June and into July, with WKTV there as well.

The West Michigan Semi-Finals will be Saturday, June 12, and airing Sunday, June 13, at noom, and Wednesday, June 16, at 5 p.m.

The West Michigan Finals will be Saturday, June 19, and airing Sunday, June 20, at noon,  and Wednesday, June 23, at 5 p.m.

The State Semi-Finals will be Friday, July 9, and airing Saturday, July 10, at 11 a.m., and Wednesday, July 14, at 5 p.m.

The State Finals will be Saturday, July 10, and airing Sunday, July 11, at noon, and Wednesday, July 21, at 5 p.m.

Lee, Kelloggsville girls soccer clash as teams in different stages of development

Area Education, Education, Local Entertainment, Local Faces, Recreation, Sports, WKTV Featured sports, ,
The Lee and Kelloggsville girls soccer teams took the field on May 19. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

The official scoring line from the local high school girls soccer game May 19 when Lee High School hosted Kelloggsville was a 9-1 win for the Legends in a match ended early in the second half, by MHSAA rule, when the hosts scored to make it an 8-goal lead.

But both teams advanced their program development in the late season clash: Longtime Lee coach Gabriel Snyder’s team continued to get better and better as they prepare to move into the Alliance League next season, and new Kelloggsville coach Randy Tate’s team continued to gut out a season of almost total rebuild.

Both teams lost all of their 2020 season due to the pandemic — Tate actually took over the Rockets program last season but was unable to work much with his team and new program.

Kelloggsville High school girls soccer coach Randy Tate talking to his young, mostly inexperienced team at halftime of game at Lee. (WKTV)

Kelloggsville (0-7, with several games cancelled due to lack of players) fields a team filled with freshmen and sophomores, may of which have never played soccer before. But they scored their first goal of the year against Lee after sophomore midfielder Kalyna Flores out-hustled her defenders to feed speedy sophomore forward Anna Nguyen, who advanced the ball to an open area in front of her opponent’s goal and then outran the defense to the ball in the first half.

The Legends (6-11 after the win), on the other hand, had the advantage of not only having a deep bench but also 2021 seniors who learned leadership from last year’s seniors as Coach Snyder’s program continues to make strides, including with team chemistry.

“It was hard to begin the year, because we were not with them (much of the team) in the prior year,” senior Nayzeth Fernandez said to WKTV. “After I got to know them a little bit, my goal, actually was to go to them and tell them ‘Enjoy this year’ … because they (last year’s seniors) did not have one last year.”

In addition to Fernandez, other Legends seniors include Geidi Perez, Rosalinda Jacinto, Arely Fernandez, Emily Sanchez and Aracely Ortiz-Vieyra.

And all the seniors, all the players on the Lee bench, saw action in the win over Kelloggsville as the Legends jumped out to a 2-goal lead early on two scores by sophomore Lytsy Reyes within the first seven minutes of the game.

Then, after Nguyen’s goal for the Rockets, Lee build a 7-1 first-half lead on goals by Perez, freshman Janelly Sanchez (two of them), Nayzeth Fernandez, and sophomore Karla Cervantes. The Legends scored twice in the early part of the second half, the first by freshman Emily Campos and the second by sophomore Stephanie Mendez, to end the match.

Lee squad continues improvement as program grows

While this will be the Legends last season in the OK Conference, where they are likely the smallest school, coach Snyder says the Alliance League still will have tough teams but his team will continue to develop as well.

Lee High School girls soccer coach Gabriel Snyder talks to his team after a win against Kelloggsville May 19. (WKTV)

And just getting back on the field this season, after a year lost to the pandemic, is part of the reason for development.

“This has been an opportunity to do what we wanted to do — that has been absolutely thrilling to have the opportunity for our seniors to play,” coach Snyder, who has coached Lee for 13 years, said to WKTV.

Snyder said his program, as a whole, is in developing well with not only a junior varsity (JV) squad but also a freshman team.

“I am seeing our teams build that soccer knowledge,” he said. “We will compete no matter where (what conference) we are in.”

Kelloggsville squad will improve as coach builds program

“We have four players that have a little bit of experience, that we can build around,” Rockets coach Tate, who previously served two years as head coach of Grandville’s JV girls and was varsity assistant coach in 2019, said to WKTV.

“As a coach, you end up in this situation from time to time. This is not the first time I have build a program from the ground up. … As a coach, you just move the trend towards improvement. And as long as you keep that trend going, you don’t know what the upper limits are.”

Tate pointed out that he has several players having success at the middle school level who will be in high school next year. “And that should solve our numbers problem,” he added.

For all WKTV sports coverage, see wktvjournal.org/sports.

Returning after lost 2020, Whitecaps open home season, gain first home win since ’19

Entertainment, Kids Activities, Local Entertainment, Recreation, Sports, Upcoming Events,
The West Michigan Whitecaps in action. (WM Whitecaps)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

The West Michigan Whitecaps — returning from a lost season in 2020 due to the pandemic — rallied for a 9-8 walk-off victory over the Great Lakes Loons Wednesday, May 12, at LMCU Ballpark, the team’s first home victory since Aug. 25, 2019.

The Whitecaps improved to 3-4 on the season while the Loons fall to 2-6.

This six-game series against the Great Lakes Loons continues Thursday at 6:35 p.m., as the Whitecaps send pitcher Chance Kirby to the mound against lefty Alec Gamboa for Great Lakes.

Broadcast coverage with Dan Hasty begins on the Whitecaps Baseball Network at 6:20 p.m. A limited number of tickets are available for select Whitecaps 2021 home contests by calling the Whitecaps front office at 616-784-4131 or visiting whitecapsbaseball.com.

May 12 game breakdown

According to supplied material, in the May 12 game, Whitecap Daniel Cabrera’s game-tying RBI-double in the ninth set up a wild pitch that scored the Tigers 2020 second round pick from third base to win the contest.

The Whitecaps were hot at the plate early, plating seven runs through the first three innings as the Loons committed two errors while walking six as Parker Meadows, Andre Lipcius, and Dillon Dingler combined for four RBIs to take a 7-0 lead.

Whitecaps starting pitcher Garrett Hill, and bullpen arms Zach Hess and Brendan White, struck out 10 Great Lakes hitters through the first six innings while allowing two hits – both of them solo home runs. But the Loons made their comeback in the eighth as Miguel Vargas and Deacon Liput both drove in runs and narrowed the West Michigan lead to 7-4.

In the top of the ninth, the Loons loaded the bases with none out before single and a hit-by-pitch allowed a pair of Great Lakes runs and ended Whitecaps closer Ruben Garcia’s night while cutting the lead to just one, 7-6.

Yaya Chentouf came on in relief for the Whitecaps with the bases loaded and still none out, striking out two Great Lakes batters before two West Michigan fielding errors allowed Great Lakes to take the lead, 8-7.

But the Whitecaps responded in the bottom half, as Cabrera laced a game-tying RBI-double before scoring on a wild pitch to score the winning run.

Chentouf (2-0) gained his second win of the season with one inning while allowing no earned runs on a pair of strikeouts in the victory.

Wyoming high, Mona Shores baseball teams battle in WKTV featured game

3-bottom, Area Education, City of Wyoming, Education, Local Entertainment, Sports, WKTV Featured sports, WKTV Journal Sports Connection,
The Wyoming Wolves used four straight bunt singles, bracketed by swing-away singles, to score four 4th-inning runs in what ended as a 4-3 win over Mona Shores on May 11. (WKTV)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

Wyoming High School head baseball coach Travis Stricklin, in a pre-season interview on WKTV Journal Sports Connection, said his team would likely need to “play small ball” in many games this season to be successful.

In a WKTV Sports Featured Game Tuesday, May 11, when the Wolves baseball team hosted Muskegon Mona Shores for the first game of double-header, Coach Stricklin’s team played small ball to perfection as they overcame a 2-0 Sailors lead by stringing together four straight bunt singles, bracketed by swing-away singles, to score four runs in what ended as a 4-3 win in seven innings.

The game is available on-demand here and all feature games are on WKTVlive.org.

Want to join the WKTV crew?

WKTV is always looking for community volunteers to help coverage of local high school sports — in print on WKTVjournal.org, as part of our in-studio crew for our twice-a-month WKTV Journal Sports Connection program, and as part of our Featured Game truck game coverage crew. Training is provided and for more information email ken@wktv.org. 

Where and when to see featured games

Featured games are broadcast the night of the contest and then at least once later in the week.

Sophomore Wolves pitcher Bryce Bosovich went seven innings for the win against Mona Shores May 11. (WKTV)

WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; Channel 26 is the Government Channel, where local government meetings and events are shown. The games can also be seen on AT&T U-verse 99.

For complete schedules of programs on WKTV channels, see our Weekly On-air Schedule.

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/.

Whitecaps set to open season in May with new safety precautions but same ol’ ballgame fun

Community Health, Entertainment, Kids Activities, Local Entertainment, Sports, Upcoming Events,
The West Michigan Whitecaps will soon begin play at the newly named LMCU Ballpark. (Supplied/West Michigan Whitecaps)

By Ellington Smith, WKTV Intern

ken@wktv.org

With opening day a little less than a month away — with their first game May 4 and first home game May 11 — the West Michigan Whitecaps are gearing up for a season that is bound to be unlike any they have had in the past.

Due to the pandemic, the fan experience will still be fun, but will be slightly different, according to Steve VanWagoner, director of marketing, for the Whitecaps and the now-named LMCU (Lake Michigan Credit Union) Ballpark.

The current capacity for the stadium is at 2,000, which is 20 percent of their normal capacity. Initially, the organization sold multi-game ticket plans to make it easier to comply with health and safety guidelines such as seating groups in pods at the stadium. But a “very limited” number of single game tickets for May and June games are on sale starting Wednesday, April 21.)

“The Whitecaps will be fun and entertaining and be a great experience this summer,” VanWagoner recently said to WKTV. “In the meantime go to our website (milb.com/west-michigan), find the safety and information page, and know that when you come to the ballpark we are serious about being family friendly and safe.”

After the Whitecaps open the season May 4 at the Fort Wayne Tin Cups, then open the home season on May 11 with a six-game homestead starting with the Great Lakes Loons.

VanWagoner said ticketed fans should be expecting an email outlining the team’s plan for how to administer all the necessary safety protocols, such as social distancing, wearing masks, continuing checking bags as in the past, and regulations regarding concession and where you are allowed to eat. Fans will be “recommended” to get tested prior to coming to a game, but it is not a requirement.

However safety precautions are not the only thing that is new for the Whitecaps this upcoming season as they were officially named a High A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers.

 

This decision came during December 2020 and VanWagoner spoke to how this will change the overall fan experience.

“For the fans, (it will be) a better experience, because the players that they are watching are higher caliber with more experience and higher skill level then West Michigan fans are used to seeing, so we expect to see plays that fans haven’t seen before from the Whitecaps, and just a better experience overall,” he said.

Another change for the team came in February when the stadium name was changed from Fifth Third Ballpark to LMCU (Lake Michigan Credit Union) Ballpark in a new 10-year deal. Van Wagoner went into further detail about what this change actually means for the Whitecaps organization and the fans.

“Many huge signs and things inside the ballpark will look different, but to be clear it is a name change and not an ownership change” VanWagoner said. “We are family owned and privately held, as we always have been.”

For more information visit milb.com/west-michigan.

Snapshots: Spring high school sports season is here, and WKTV has stories you might have missed

3-bottom, Area Education, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, Local Entertainment, Local Faces, Recreation, Sports, WKTV Featured sports,

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

Quote of the Day

“Love is the most important thing in the world. But baseball is pretty good, too!”

Yogi Berra


WKTV’s Featured Game coverage began Tuesday, April 13, when the East Kentwood Falcons baseball team hosted Holland West Ottawa for the first game of double-header. (WKTV)

A little Kentwood game action on-demand

WKTV high school sports Featured Game coverage crew started the spring season this week at East Kentwood High School, and will be out twice next week — as long as the nice spring weather holds. Our Featured Game coverage began Tuesday, April 13, when the East Kentwood Falcons baseball team hosted Holland West Ottawa for the first game of double-header. Go here for the story.


Wyoming high head baseball coach Travis Stricklin. (WKTV)

Wyoming high baseball … what you need to know

Just before the start of the 2021 spring sports season, WKTV sports volunteer Paul Kabelman sat down with Wyoming high head baseball coach Travis Stricklin to talk about the lost season for the Wolves last year, and how it is just another obstacle for his team to overcome. Go here for the story.


Wyoming high head softball Coach Kaitlin Failing’s WKTV Journal Sports Connection interview with WKTV’s Mike Moll. (WKTV)

Wyoming high softball … what you need to know

Just before the start of the season, Wyoming head softball coach Kaitlin Failing sat down with WKTV’s Mike Moll to talk about her program, the new normal for high school sports still impacted by the pandemic, but also her optimistic outlook about her team and what it might look like this season. Go here for the story.

Fun fact:

120 balls in play

According to an MLB equipment manager, up to 120 baseballs can be used per game. This is due to the number used up between home runs, fouls, scuffs and from players tossing them to the stands.

Wyoming Wolves new head football coach Brewster visits WKTV Sports Connection to talk football and mentorship

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, Education, Local Faces, Sports, WKTV Journal Sports Connection, ,
New Wyoming High School head football coach Carlton Brewster II visits the set of WKTV Journal Sports Connection to catch us up on his return to the Wolves sidelines. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

On this latest episode of WKTV Journal Sports Connection, a changing of the guard — and program leader — on the Wyoming High School football field.

Wyoming High School head football coach Carlton Brewster II. (WKTV)

When Irv Sigler Jr. resigned his position of head football coach at Wyoming high after this season, Wolves athletic director Ted Hollern said he needed to find a replacement quickly. But more importantly, he needed to find the right guy, quickly. In early March, Wyoming found “the right guy” — Carlton Brewster II, who most recently was head football coach at Kalamazoo Central High School but is no stranger to the Wyoming Wolves football sidelines.

With WKTV sports volunteer Mark Bergsma, Coach Brewster visits WKTV Journal Sports Connection to talk about his journey back to Wyoming, his work as a student mentor as well as a coach — Brewster will also work as Dean of Students at the high school — and what he envisions as the football program he wants to build.

For a WKTV story on Coach Brewster and his background, visit here.

WKTV Journal Sports Connection is a WKTV produced program dedicated to bringing you interviews and stories focused on local Wyoming and Kentwood area high schools sports. You can catch up on all our local sports coverage by visiting WKTVJournal.org/sports. But we also have a volunteer sports crew, both in studio and with our coverage truck. For more information email ken@WKTV.org.

This WKTV Journal Sports Connection is available on-demand, along with WKTV coverage of high school athletic events and other sports, at WKTVlive.org. It also airs on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 (For dates and times on Channel 26, see our Weekly On-air Schedule). Individual interviews included in episodes of WKTV Journal Sports Connection are also available on YouTube at WKTVvideos.

Local Fellowship of Christian Athletes to host event with baseball great Darryl Strawberry speaking

Community Health, Education, Entertainment, Health, Local Entertainment, Non-Profits, Recreation, Sports, Upcoming Events, WKTV Journal Sports Connection, ,
Darryl Strawberry (Supplied/FCA)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

Matt Diener, State Director of the Michigan Fellowship of Christian Athletes, believes that if 2020 and the pandemic have “taught nothing else, it’s that the human spirit is more capable and enduring than we ever imagined.” And he has many stories to prove his point.

And one of the stories that has and continues to encourage and grow hope in others is that of Major League Baseball legend — and one of life’s ‘overcomers’ — Darryl Strawberry.

So it is fitting that the Kent County Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ annual FCA Pro Athlete Event (formerly known as the Pro Athlete Breakfast), scheduled for Saturday, April 10, at Calvary Church in Grand Rapids, will include a talk by Strawberry.

This event, free and open to all members of the community, will be used to create awareness of ministry outreach and to raise funds to support programs and activities associated with the Kent County FCA, according to a FCA statement.

“We are excited for attendees to hear the powerful story of how God has worked in Darryl’s life, and to highlight the ministry of FCA that has been serving the local sports community for over 65 years,” Diener said in supplied material.

Strawberry is a former 8-time MLB National League All-Star status, with four World Series Titles, a National League home run leader, and was 1983 National League Rookie of the Year.

While incredibly successful in his career, Strawberry’s personal life was plagued with addictions, abuse, divorces, cancer, jail-time, and other issues. Strawberry, however, is widely known to have found redemption and restoration in Jesus Christ, and “lives to share the wisdom and grace of his experience with others,” according to the statement.
 

This event will also feature several local leaders within the Michigan FCA organization to share their experience with the ministry, as well as their vision and hope for future growth.

FCA is the largest Christian sports organization in America and focuses on serving local communities by engaging, equipping, and empowering coaches and athletes to know and grow in Christ.
 

Since 1954, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes has been challenging coaches and athletes on the professional, college, high school, junior high and youth levels to use the powerful medium of athletics to impact the world for Jesus Christ.

The Rev. Billy Graham once said, “A coach will impact more people in one year than the average person will in an entire lifetime.”

The FCA and Calvary Church “have worked hard to ensure proper distancing and a safe environment” under current COVID protocols. Since seating is limited, online registration is highly encouraged. To register online visit michiganfca.org/proathlete.

More COVID vaccines pouring into state, more local vaccination opportunity available

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Health, Upcoming Events, WKTV Projects,
COVID-19 vaccine supplies are increasing and so is local distribution options for expanded age groups, including through the West Michigan Vaccine Clinic, Metro Health and SpartanNash pharmacies and special clinics. (SpartanNash)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

This week, as the West Michigan Vaccine Clinic at DeVos Place announced it had given a one-day record of 12,532 first vaccine doses on March 29, the State of Michigan announced next week’s shipment of federally supplied doses of vaccine would increase to a total of 620,040 vaccines, which would be a weekly record high for the state.

And those are just the start of the good news for COVID-19 distribution, as Kent County announced this week that the West Michigan Vaccine Clinic is immediately expanding vaccine availability to everyone 16 years of age and older, Metro Health will open its vaccine availability to 16 and up on April 5, and SpartanNash will be hosting pair of COVID-19 vaccine clinics, April 2 and April 6, in Hudsonville as part of a larger community roll-out to the public.

“Receiving a COVID-19 vaccination is the best way to help stop this virus and pandemic,” Lori Raya, SpartanNash executive vice president, said in supplied material. “Getting vaccinated adds one more layer of protection for you, your coworkers, your family and your loved ones … we look forward to administering more than 2,200 total vaccines in the next week and beyond.”

West Michigan Vaccine Clinic

The West Michigan Vaccine Clinic at DeVos Place — operated by Kent County, Spectrum Health and Mercy Health in collaboration with Vaccinate West Michigan — is available by appointment only. Patients can self-schedule at wmvaccineclinic.org.

Persons were waiting for their appointment times at the West Michigan Vaccine Clinic at DeVos Place on Monday, March 29. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

To set up an appointment at the clinic for someone ages 16 or 17, or for people who need special assistance, persons are asked to call 833-755-0696. A parent or guardian must accompany minors.

 

Additionally, non-clinical volunteers are needed with greeting clinic attendees, providing directional assistance, escorting attendees who need help, sanitizing and organizing supplies, performing temperature checks and more. Volunteers need not have prior healthcare experience.

While the clinic has special capacity to provide 20,000 vaccinations, it has been limited by vaccine supplies.

SpartanNash clinics

The SpartanNash clinics on April 2 and April 6 will be held at 5221 Cherry St., in Hudsonville, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Appointments are available to schedule three days prior to each clinic and are based on Michigan’s expanded vaccination eligibility. To schedule a COVID-19 vaccine appointment, visit shopfamilyfare.com/covid19vaccine.

To ensure the safety of both patients and pharmacists, customers must have an existing appointment and complete a health screening prior to receiving the vaccination. The vaccine will be administered at no cost to patients.

For those unable to attend the clinics, COVID-19 vaccines are also available to store guests at SpartanNash pharmacies throughout Michigan. Participating pharmacies include Family Fare, D&W Fresh Market, VG’s Grocery, Martin’s Super Markets and Forest Hills Foods. 

More federal supplies; higher state goals

On March 31, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer raised Michigan’s COVID-19 vaccination goal from 50,000 to 100,000 shots per day.

The new goal is “based on the state’s successful efforts to expand equitable and efficient vaccine administration by partnering with private and public organizations in communities across the state, and is made possible by continuous week-over-week increases in the number of vaccines allocated to the state of Michigan,” according to a statement from the state.

  

Dr. Joneigh Khaldun of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, at a January news conference. (State of Michigan)

For 38 days, the state has met or exceeded its original goal of administering 50,000 vaccinations per day. As of March 31, Michigan has administered 4,207,102 vaccines, moving the state closer to its goal of “equitably vaccinating at least 70 percent of Michiganders ages 16 and older” as soon as possible.

 

“Michigan is making great strides as our rollout of the COVID-19 vaccines continues ramping up,” Gov. Whitmer said in supplied material. “These new, higher vaccine targets are a testament to what we can do together … I urge everyone to continue doing their part with masks, social distancing, and hand washing, and when you are eligible, get your vaccine.”
 

In next week’s shipment, according to the statement, the federal government will increase the state’s direct allocation by 66,020 doses and the total allocation includes 147,800 doses of the single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

In addition to the state’s direct allocation, the governor also applauded “the millions of additional doses being sent to federally partnered retail pharmacies across the country, including numerous locations in Michigan,” such as SpartanNash.
   

“The state is working hand-in-hand with health care systems,  local health departments, Federally Qualified Health Centers, primary care providers and others to get Michiganders vaccinated with the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine as quickly as possible,” Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health,” said in supplied material. “Providers have administered more than four million doses in just four months and we praise and appreciate their willingness to serve their communities, and are confident they will meet and exceed the new 100,000 shots per day goal.”

Spring baseball: Wyoming Wolves head coach Stricklin visits WKTV Sports Connection

3-bottom, Education, Going Local, Local Faces, Recreation, Sports, WKTV Journal Sports Connection, ,
Wyoming High School head baseball coach Travis Stricklin visits the set of WKTV Journal Sports Connection to catch us up on his team and the Wolves program. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

On this latest episode of WKTV Journal Sports Connection, as part of our coverage of local high school athletics, we talk spring sports — yes, the weather may delay prep baseball and softball this season, as usual, but at least there is likely to be some action on Wyoming and Kentwood diamonds this year.

Last year, high school spring sports was washed away by the pandemic.

Wyoming high head baseball coach Travis Stricklin. (WKTV)

In late March, just before the start of the 2021 spring sports season, WKTV sports volunteer Paul Kabelman sat down with Wyoming high head baseball coach Travis Stricklin to talk about the lost season for the Wolves last year, and how it is just another obstacle for his team to overcome.

Coach Stricklin also talks about the new normal for high school sports still impacted by the pandemic, and — of course — what his team might look like this season. (Hint: they like “small ball”!)

WKTV Journal Sports Connection brings its audience interviews and stories focused on local Wyoming and Kentwood area high schools sports, on-line, on cable television, and on our on-demand and YouTube channels. Readers can catch up on all our local sports coverage by visiting wktvjournal.com/sports.

WKTV Journal Sports Connection is available on-demand, along with WKTV coverage of high school athletic events and other sports, at WKTVlive.com. It also airs on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 (For dates and times on Channel 26, see our Weekly On-air Schedule). Individual interviews included in episodes of WKTV Journal Sports Connection are also available on YouTube at WKTVvideos.

South Christian boys are district champions after a high-energy game against GR Christian

3-bottom, Area Education, City of Kentwood, Education, Local Entertainment, Recreation, Sports, Upcoming Events, WKTV Journal Sports Connection, ,
Grand Rapids South Christian High School hosted a boys basketball district final on March 27 between the host Sailors and the Grand Rapids Christian Eagles. (WKTV/Ellington Smith)

By Ellington Smith, WKTV Intern

ken@wktv.org

Despite an unfilled gymnasium at Grand Rapids South Christian High School, due to pandemic restrictions, the atmosphere and energy was high with fans on both sides in a district final March 27 between two consensus top 30 teams in the state, the host Sailors and the Grand Rapids Christian Eagles.

In the end, the Sailors weathered a hectic fourth quarter and sent their fans home happy with a 62-54 win and a Division 2, District 44 championship. Christian ends the year at 9-3.

South Christian head Coach Jeff Meengs was proud of the team’s composure in the tight game, especially in the fourth quarter, and was specifically proud of his seniors.

“They weathered a lot, (against an athletic Eagles team), and dealt with the pressure,” Meengs said to WKTV. They “kept their composure, and kept making plays.”

The Sailors (17-2) now have a tall task ahead of them as they advance to the Division 2 Region 11 tournament — also on South Christian’s home floor — starting on Tuesday, March 30, at 5 p.m., against rival Grand Rapids Catholic Central.

South Christian only two losses on the year were to Catholic Central by a combined margin of five points.

The fans on both sides were limited (due to COVID-19 restrictions) but loud as Grand Rapids South Christian hosted a boys basketball district final on March 27 between the Sailors and the Grand Rapids Christian Eagles. (WKTV/Ellington Smith)

District final was back and forth game

In the District final game, both teams set out to be evenly matched, with both only having two losses going into this contest, but the Eagles were without their star, University of Michigan commit Kobe Bufkin, which completely changed the outlook of their team.

Despite Bufkin’s absence, early on both teams were consistently trading baskets back and forth with offensive rebounds and getting out in transition being two early keys to success that saw South Chrisitan jump out to an early lead due to the height advantage they possessed with senior forwards Elliot Grashiuis and Connor Dykema.

As a result, the first quarter ended with South Christian leading 18-13 in a very high action game with the refs letting them play. It was not all positive for the Sailors as their lead guard Isaac Northouse picked up an early knee injury, and was out for the remainder of the game.

In the second quarter, South Christian was able to gain separation jumping out to a double-digit lead due to stifling defense that left Christian’s offense stagnant.

Much of the Eagles’ offense has been singularly isolation focused as they are used to McDonald’s All American Bufkin leading them. Due to Bufkin’s absence, senior Donovan Brown Boyd carried much of the load of the offense, scoring and making plays for his teammates.  The half ended with South Christian up 34-23, dominating on both ends of the floor creating turnovers and generating good looks with Dykema leading all scorers with nine points.
 

The third quarter began with much of the same as the Sailors are able to jump out to an 18-point lead, their biggest of the game. However, the game was clearly not over as Christian was able to cut the lead to nine later in the quarter due to timely buckets from Brown Boyd leading his team with 21 points. Brown Boyd picked it up defensively as well with 2 blocks in one possession.

But the Sailors were still comfortably in the lead with a score of 47-36 at the conclusion of the third quarter.

For much of the fourth quarter the score stayed at about a 10-point spread in a sequence dominated by fouls and turnovers on both sides.

The game’s momentum then picked up when the Eagles came out in a press that generated turnovers in consecutive possessions and were able to cut the lead to five.

However, Sailors were able to regain their composure and take command of the game as with about 40 seconds to go South Christian went to the line repeatedly to keep its separation and successfully closing out the game with free throws and offensive rebounds resulting in a final score of 62-54.

For the game, the Sailors had a very balanced attack with three players in double figures, as guard Jacob Dehaan led the team in scoring with 18 points, followed by Dykema and Sam Meengs, each with 12 points.

After the game coach Meengs spoke on the fluidity of the Sailors’ offense.
 

“We had an inside presence with Connor, especially in the first half, that forces (the defense) to worry about that, and that set up some nice outside shooting,” he said. “And we hit them.”

WKTV prep playoff coverage: South Christian, Tri-unity Christian in boys district finals

Education, Sports, Upcoming Events, WKTV Journal Sports Connection, , ,
A Grand Rapids South Christian boys basketball graphic for this week’s district semifinal game. (South Christian Athletics Facebook)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

The shortened 2020-21 boys high school basketball season came to an end this week for several local teams in state district tournaments, but the Grand Rapids South Christian Sailors are in the finals of their Division 2 tournament, and the Wyoming Tri-unity Christian Defenders are in the finals of their Division 4 tournament.

Both teams will be on their home floors for games Saturday, March 27.

South Christian (16-2, with two wins in the district tournament) will take on Grand Rapids Christian (9-2) at 6 p.m., with the winner advancing to the Division 2 Region 11 tournament — also on the Sailors’ home floor — starting on March 30.

Tri-unity Christian (9-2, with one win in the district tournament) will take on Martin (6-6-1) at 7 p.m., with the winner advancing to the Division 4 Region 29 tournament at Niles starting on March 30.

South Christian, in early district play, defeated Kelloggsville (2-8 to end the season), by a score of 66-20, in opening round action March 23. The Sailors then handed Godwin Heights (10-1) its only loss of the season, by the score of 79-49, in the semifinals March 25.

Tri-unity, in early district play, defeated West Michigan Lutheran, 83-22, in semifinals play on March 25.

Other local district results

In the Division 1 tournament at East Grand Rapids, Wyoming high won an opening round game March 23 against Byron Center, 54-53, but then lost in the semifinals March 25 to host East Grand Rapids, 54-52. The Wolves finished the season at 7-9 overall.

In other Division 1 tournament action, East Kentwood lost to Caledonia, 53-49, on March 23, to end the season at 3-12. (WKTV was there and a report is available here.)

In other Division 2 action at South Christian, West Michigan Aviation Academy lost to Grand Rapids Christian, 74-48, on March 25, to end their season at 12-6.

In Division 3 action at Fennville, Wyoming Potters House Christian lost to Calvin Christian, 38-37, on March 23, and ended their season at 5-5.

WKTV prep playoff coverage: East Kentwood, South Christian in girls district finals

Area Education, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, Sports, Upcoming Events, WKTV Journal Sports Connection, , ,
The East Kentwood High School girls basketball team (shown here in an early season game) will be playing in a District final game this week. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

After a hectic week of local teams battling in state girls basketball district tournaments, the East Kentwood Falcons are in the finals of the Division 1 tournament at Middleville Thornapple Kellogg High School, while the South Christian Sailors are in the finals of the Division 2 tournament in Wayland. Both finals will be Friday, March 26.

East Kentwood (13-3, with two wins in the tournament) will face off against East Grand Rapids (12-2) at 7 p.m., with the winner advancing to the Division 1 Region 3 tournament at Holland West Ottawa starting on Monday, March 29.

South Christian (11-4, with one win in the tournament) will take on host Wayland (9-2) at 7 p.m., with the winner advancing to the Division 2 Region 12 tournament at Edwardsburg, also starting on March 29.

In this week’s early district play, East Kentwood defeated host Middleville, 69-44, on Monday, March 22, and then defeated Byron Center, 41-34, in semifinal action Wednesday, March 24.

South Christian, also in early district play, had a bye and then defeated Kentwood Grand River Preparatory Academy, 71-15, in the semifinals March 24.

Other local district results

In the Division 1 tournament at Middleville, Wyoming high lost an opening round game to Byron Center, 63-41, as the Wolves ended their season at 10-7.

In the Division 2 tournament at Godwin Heights, Kelloggsville defeated the host Wolverines (5-6 overall) in opening round action by the score of 41-39. The Rockets then lost in the semifinals to Grand Rapids Catholic, 44-36, to finish their season with a 5-8 record.

In the Division 2 tournament at Wayland, West Michigan Aviation Academy defeated Hopkins, 53-42, before falling to Wayland, 57-22, in the semifinals to finish their season at 12-6.

In the Division 3 tournament at Covenant Christian High School, Wyoming Potter’s House lost to Grandville Calvin Christian, 49-39, in semifinal action and ended the season at 9-5 overall.

In the Division 4 tournament at Martin, Tri-unity Christian lost to host Martin, 49-41 in semifinal action and ended their season at 5-10.

WKTV prep playoff coverage: East Kentwood’s season ends with loss to Caledonia

Area Education, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, Recreation, Sports, WKTV Featured sports,
East Kentwood boys basketball head coach Jeff Anama gives directions to his team during a timeout. (WKTV/Mike Moll)

Mike Moll, WKTV Volunteer Sports Director
sports@wktv.org

The East Kentwood Falcons boys basketball team opened post-season play March 23 against host and fellow OK Conference Red member Caledonia, in what was their third matchup in the shortened 2020-21 boys basketball season.

Caledonia won the first two games by margins of two and 15, and while it proved difficult to defeat a team three times in the same season, the Fighting Scots accomplished just that with a hard-fought, 53-49, victory to open district play.

Caledonia (9-6) moves on to face Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills (7-10) Thursday, March 25, in district semifinal play.

Falcons head coach Jeff Anama’s young team — which started a freshman, two sophomores, and two seniors in the game — finish the year with a 3-12 record that included a 3-11 conference mark.

In contrast, Caledonia head coach Phil Visser’s Scots team is loaded with height as three starters are 6-foot-5 or taller, and experience, with four seniors and a junior starting.

Caledonia got off to the early lead because of several offensive rebounds to set the stage for second- and third-chance points to take a 17-9 lead after the first quarter. That contrasted with East Kentwood, as the Scots zone defense limited them to few second opportunities.

East Kentwood super sophomore Marshaun Flakes scores two of his team high 17 points. (WKTV/Mike Moll)

Sophomore Marshaun Flakes led the scoring for the Falcons in the quarter with five points, including a 3-pointer to open the game’s scoring, while Caledonia senior Koby VanderWoude had 9 points, including a pair of 3-pointers of his own.

The second stanza had the Falcons connecting from the outside after Caledonia changed defenses to start the quarter, as sophomore Jy’Air Harris hit a pair of threes and a free throw to finish with 7 points in the quarter, which matched Flakes as the leading scorers for East Kentwood.

VanderWoude had another five points in the quarter, including his third triple of the half, to lead all scorers with 14. Nick Henry chimed in with 7 points at the half for Caledonia as the 8-point deficit was cut to five at the half, 27-22, after the Falcons scored the last three points in the quarter.

The third quarter started with Caledonia’s VanderWoude shooting a pair of free throws after the referees assessed a technical foul on the Falcons for dunking during halftime warm-ups. He made one to give the Scots a 28-22 lead, but the Falcons offense really came to life after that with a 12-0 run to secure a 34-28 lead.

That run was led by senior Chris Brown with six points, including a 3-point make that, after a foul by Caledonia’s Henry, turned into a 4-point play. Caledonia’s Liam Mulnix stopped the run with an old fashioned 3-point play on a basket and made free throw, but the Falcons immediately went on another 5-0 run including another triple from Brown, before Caledonia finished the quarter by scoring the last four to cut the deficit in half, 39-35.

Flakes had 11 points. and Harris and Brown each had nine after three quarters while VanderWoude led all scorers with 19.

After an opening basket by East Kentwood to again increase the lead to six, 41-35, it was Caledonia’s turn to make a run as they scored the next seven including VanderWoude’s fourth triple of the night, to go ahead 42-41.

The fouls quickly mounted for East Kentwood after that as the Scots were in the bonus with just over six minutes remaining in the game and in the double bonus at the 3:43 mark.  While the Falcons were scoring from the floor and attempting to use time, the Scots made 14 trips to the charity stripe in the quarter, where they converted nine to win the quarter, 18-10.
 

The game looked like it was possibly heading to overtime before a key turnover by East Kentwood with the score 51-49 in favor of Caledonia, which forced the Falcons into committing another foul in hopes of getting a late shot. But Mulnix calmly dropped a pair of free throws with just over six seconds remaining to put the game out of reach.

On the night, East Kentwood made 2-of-6 free throw attempts, while Caledonia was plus 11 from the line, sinking 13-of-22 attempts.

East Kentwood freshman Christian Humphrey scores two of his eight points. (WKTV/Mike Moll)

East Kentwood was led by Flakes with 17 points, Brown had 11, Harris nine, freshman Christian Humphrey eight and senior Joshua Mayhue added four.
 

The victorious Fighting Scots were paced by Vanderwoude with a game high 27, Henry nine, Mulnix five, and four each from Paul Vogeler, Andrew Larson, and Brooks Day.
 

Caledonia will now face O-K Gold Ottawa Hills on Thursday after they defeated Middleville 60-55 in their district opener.  The winner of that game will play the winner between Wyoming (7-8) and East Grand Rapids (5-5) for a district championship on Saturday.

Carlton Brewster, a familiar face in Wyoming football circles, named Wolves head football coach

3-bottom, Area Education, City of Wyoming, Education, Local Faces, Sports, WKTV Journal Sports Connection, ,
Carlton Brewster II, shown in the colors of Kalamazoo Central High School, will be wearing a different color when he takes the field as Wyoming High School football head coach. (Coach Brewster’s Twitter Page)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

Wyoming Pubic Schools announced this week that Carlton Brewster II, who most recently was head football coach at Kalamazoo Central High School but is no stranger to the Wyoming Wolves football sidelines, has been named Wyoming high head football coach as well as the school’s Dean of Students.

Brewster takes over the Wyoming program from Irv Sigler Jr., who resigned his coaching position in January after four years leading the Wolves.

Brewster, at Kalamazoo Central, also served as “Character Development Coach” and WPS superintendent Craig Hoekstra stressed that the new coach brings knowledge and skills both on and off the playing field.

“After a thorough interview process, we are confident his knowledge and experience makes him the right person to lead our team,” Hoekstra said in supplied material. “Brewster knows what it takes to be a successful student-athlete both on and off the field and he brings to Wyoming an impressive plan to grow and develop our football program.”

After graduating from and playing football at Grand Rapids’ Creston High School, Brewster played football at the college and professional levels, and coached at three Wyoming-area highs schools — Wyoming high, Lee and Godwin Heights — before his stint at Kalamazoo Central. Coach Brewster and his wife, Cassondra, live in Wyoming with their five children: Aniyah, Kevin, Teonna, Zara and Carlton III.

And being back in the community where he lives and where much of his coaching history was made is important to “Coach Brewster”.

“I have been living in Wyoming for the past 10 years and coaching at Wyoming High School has been a dream of mine,” Brewster said in supplied material. “I look forward to serving our community and students.”

Wyoming Public Schools Athletic Director Ted Hollern not only knows Coach Brewster well but has high expectations for the football program under its new coach.

“Coach Brewster is a great addition to the Wyoming High School staff and athletic department,” Hollern said in supplied material. “He brings excitement, experience, and a tremendous work ethic. I know our student athletes will be prepared and have fun while competing against teams in the O.K. Conference.”

A wealth of experience and success

After playing at Creston high, Brewster was a standout wide receiver at Ferris State University, ranking high in the Bulldogs record book for wide receivers with 234 receptions for a total of 3,184 yards. Also at Ferris State, he earned his Bachelor of Integrative Studies of Arts and Science in 2010, and then his Masters in Educational Leadership from Grand Valley State University in 2013.
 

Following his tenure playing for the Bulldogs, Brewster spent two years in the NFL as a wide receiver and punt returner for the Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers and Denver Broncos. Later he also played semi-pro ball for the Grand Rapids Rampage, Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz and Chicago Rush.
 

Once his playing career had finished, Brewster moved to the sidelines to coach.

His first stops were as wide receiver coach at Creston High School, Ottawa Hills High School, Grand Rapids Catholic Central and Forest Hills Eastern.

In 2014, Brewster served as the Wyoming high offensive coordinator. That season, Wolves quarterback Brendan Berg threw for 2,001 yards and wide receiver Michael Williams was named 1st Team All Conference.

Brewster was then named head coach at Godfrey Lee Public School’s Wyoming Lee High School in 2015. He then spent the 2016 and 2017 seasons as the head coach at Godwin Heights, where his teams went 5-5 and then 7-3. In 2018, Brewster was named head coach at Kalamazoo Central, and in three years his team complied an 11-15 overall record, including the COVID-19 disrupted 2020 season.

WKTV featured game coverage this week includes Kelloggsville girls basketball and East Kentwood hockey

Area Education, Local Entertainment, Recreation, Sports, Upcoming Events, WKTV Featured sports, , , ,
The Kelloggsville High School girls basketball team celebrates after a 2020 victory. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org


This week WKTV Sports will record two featured games, a girls basketball game at Kelloggsville High School and a hockey match from Kentwood’s Ice Arena.

Starting off, Sparta will visit Kelloggsville for an OK Conference Silver girls basketball contest on Tuesday, March 9. The Spartans enter the game with a 6-3 overall record (4-2 in conference) and coming off a home win against Godwin Heights. The Rockets enter at 3-6 (3-5 in conference) but coming off a tight, 27-26, loss to conference leader and undefeated Comstock Park (8-0, 5-0).

WKTV will cover high school hockey this week. (WKTV)

Later in the week, on Friday, March 12, the WKTV crew will be at the hockey game between Kenowa Hills and East Kentwood. The Falcons enter the week with a 1-10 overall record (0-6 in OK Red), but coming off their first win of the season, at home (8-5, over Northview) followed by a tough, 3-2, loss to Jenison on the road. Kenowa Hills is 8-2, and 1-0 in a 3-team OK Conference Gold.

The Tuesday contest will tip off at 6 p.m., and WKTV will record the game and replay it later Tuesday night, at 11 p.m.; then Wednesday, March 10, at 11 a.m., with more replays to be scheduled, and it will available on-demand later. (See details at bottom of story.)

The Thursday hockey match will have the puck drop at 4:40 p.m., and WKTV will record the game and replay it later Friday night, at 11 p.m., then Saturday, March 13, at 11 a.m., with more replays to be scheduled, and it will available on-demand later.

To see both featured games on WKTV on-demand visit WKTVlive.com.

Additionally, the remainder of the WKTV featured game tentative schedule has the WKTV truck and team covering the Tuesday, March 16, girls and boys basketball games when Zion Christian visits Grand River Preparatory (at 5:30 and 7 p.m.), and then the Thursday, March 18, girls basketball game when Zeeland East visits Wyoming high (at 7 p.m.).

We are also tentatively scheduled to cover the girls district Division 2 tournament at Godwin Heights, with Godwin Heights, Kelloggsville and Lee all set to participate.

WKTV featured games will be on cable television in Wyoming and Kentwood on Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T Channel 99 Community Channel, on various days and times the week after. See the programming schedule at wktv.org. For more information on WKTV coverage of winter high school sports, follow us at wktvjournal.org/sports.

WKTV sports covers Forest Hills Eastern at South Christian girls basketball this week

Area Education, Local Entertainment, Recreation, Sports, WKTV Featured sports,
The South Christian High School girls basketball team, from at 2020 game. (WKTV)

By Ellington Smith

ken@wktv.org

To end this week’s Featured Game schedule, WKTV is covering an OK Gold Conference matchup between Ada Forest Hills Eastern and Grand Rapids South Christian girls varsity basketball teams, scheduled for Thursday, March 4, at South Christian High School.

The contest will tip off at 7 p.m., and WKTV will record the game and replay it Friday night, at 11 p.m., with more replays to be scheduled, and make it available on-demand later. (See details at bottom of story.) The WKTV sports crew was also at East Kentwood for a March 2 game this week, and it is available on-demand.

The South Christian Sailors come into the game with a record of 7-2 (6-2 in OK Gold), but coming off a 43-49 loss to Middleville Thornapple Kellogg. With the exception of their two losses, they have dominated the game on the defensive side of the floor causing almost 20 turnovers each game.

The leading scorers for the Sailors are junior Sydney Vis, followed by senior Josie Vink.
 

The Forest Hills Eastern Hawks currently sit at 4-6 (4-5 in OK Gold) coming off a 38-33 victory against Grand Rapids Catholic Central. After an 0-4 start the Hawks have started to pick up a rhythm.

Both of these teams have shown improvements from the previous 2019-20 season.

The Lady Sailors were 10-10 last year, and will likely surpass their win total in this pandemic-delayed year. Last season they did win their district and eventually lose in the regional semifinal, so they are hoping to transform their district title into a regional one this year.

The Hawks struggled last season with a 2-18 record, and they were defeated in the district opener by Grand Rapids Christian. So, they have already improved on this record this year.

South Christian has already defeated FH Eastern once this year by a score of 50-23. However, the Sailors were one of two victories the Hawks claimed last season.

To see the Forest Hills Eastern vs South Christian girls basketball on WKTV on-demand visit WKTVlive.com.

WKTV featured games will be on cable television in Wyoming and Kentwood on Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T Channel 99 Community Channel, on the night of the game and various days and times the week after. See the programming schedule at wktv.org. For more information on WKTV coverage of winter high school sports, follow us at wktvjournal.org/sports.

RunGR to host in-person, virtual St. Patrick’s Day 5K, supporting Riding for Ryan effort

Community Health, Health, Local Entertainment, Non-Profits, Recreation, Sports, Upcoming Events, WKTV Journal Sports Connection,
St. Patrick’s Day runs were a common-place thing in March before 2020 … and COVID-19. Hopefully things will change in 2021, including having a local Shamrock run. (Creative Commons/from a Baltimore run in 2019)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

The local running club RunGR has had to cancel many events over the last year, but they are planning to keep their St. Patrick’s Day tradition “running” with a 5K run this year as part of the RunGR Shamrock Shenanigans 5K on March 20.

With the safety of participants in mind, the RunGR Shamrock Shenanigans 5K will be using both Millennium and Meadows Parks in Grand Rapids to spread the course and participants out. They also have created registration by 5-minute time blocks, with each block having a registration cap to limit the number of people gather before and after the race, as well on the course itself.

There is also created a virtual participation option for those who may not able to join be present at the starting line.

According to the group’s website, RunGR’s mission is to “bring running to the Grand Rapids community in a way that enables our members to live healthier and happier lives by providing the structure, organization, support, training, guidance, and friendships necessary to push themselves to new limits and achieve their running goals.”

This year’s run will also be a benefit for Riding for Ryan, a program which promotes the safety of young bike riders through visibility and awareness.

“Riding for Ryan’s goal is to provide free bicycle safety flags to kids to help keep them safe as they enjoy one of the most cherished and memorable activities,” according to the RunGR promotional material. “As the temperatures warm-up, it is a good time to make sure kids are visible to cars and other cyclists while enjoying their bikes.”

RunGR’s goal is to raise more than $1,000, and A+ Family Medicine has committed to matching the first $350 of donations.

For more information about Riding for Ryan visit ridingforryan.org/.

To reserve your spot at the RunGR Shamrock Shenanigans 5K starting line or to learn more, visit runsignup.com/Race/MI/GrandRapids/RunGRShamrock5K. For more information on RunGR, visit rungr.com.

WKTV featured game coverage this week begins with state-ranked East Kentwood girls basketball

City of Kentwood, Education, Kentwood Public Schools, Local Entertainment, Recreation, Sports, Upcoming Events, WKTV Featured sports, , ,
The East Kentwood High School girls basketball team defended their home floor in this 2020 game recorded by WKTV. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org


This week WKTV Sports features two high school girls basketball match-ups beginning Tuesday, March 2, with an OK Conference Red match-up as Grandville visits East Kentwood, the state’s No. 4 ranked team in Division 1.

Later in the week, on Thursday, March 4, the WKTV crew will be at South Christian as Forest Hills Eastern visits for an OK Gold contest. The Sailors enter the week 6-1 in conference and 7-1 overall; FH Eastern is 3-5 and 3-6 overall.

 

The WKTV Featured Game sports crew includes volunteer announcers including, from a 2020 game at East Kentwood, Ron Schultz and Mark Bergsma. (WKTV)

The Tuesday contest will tip off at 7 p.m., and WKTV will record the game and replay it later Tuesday night, at 11 p.m., with more replays to be scheduled, and it will available on-demand later. (See details at end of story.)

The Grandville Bulldogs come into the game with 2-7 record (1-6 in OK Red) and coming off a 73-38 loss at Holland West Ottawa on Feb. 27.

The Falcons come into the game with a 6-1 record, all in conference, after a 54-43 road win at Grand Haven Feb. 27, and riding a 2-game winning streak following their only loss of the season, a 56-52 nail-biter at OK Red leader Hudsonville (7-0, 8-1 overall). The Falcons and the Eagles will have their rematch, at East Kentwood, on March 13.

According to information provided to WKTV by Eric Large, East Kentwood head girls basketball coach, the Falcons are a deep, experienced team with four seniors  nominated for McDonald’s All American:  Alexis McCully, Kaybriana Hallman, Madisyn Tillman and  Keliese Christopher.

Christopher is averaging 20 points and 13 rebounds a game; McCully is averaging 17 points and 8 assists; junior guard Deyonce Thompson is averaging 15 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists; and Tilman is averaging 10 points and 9 rebounds.

Hallman is currently out due to an injury but, coach Large reports, she is ranked nationally (ESPN #46 in the country) and has signed to play at Xavier University next season. Tilmann will be playing at Eastern Michigan next season, and both Christopher and McCully have Division 1 offers.

To see the Grandville at East Kentwood basketball game on WKTV on-demand visit WKTVlive.com.

WKTV featured games will be on cable television in Wyoming and Kentwood on Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T Channel 99 Community Channel, on various days and times the week after. See the programming schedule at wktv.org. For more information on WKTV coverage of winter high school sports, follow us at wktvjournal.org/sports.

Spring sports delay of little impact for Wolves baseball, softball compared to last year’s lost season

3-bottom, Area Education, Education, Local Entertainment, Sports, WKTV Journal Sports Connection, , , ,
WKTV’s featured game crew was at this 2019 baseball game between Wyoming and South Christian high schools — the last season the Wolves were able to take the field due to the cancellation of the 2020 season due to COVID-19 restrictions. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

High school baseball and softball games in March routinely get rained, or snowed, out in West Michigan. But this year, even if delayed, they stand a chance to played — unlike last season, which was canceled as COVID-19 hit the scene.

So even before the announcement last week from the Michigan High School Athletic Association that spring sports practices and competitions would be delayed by a week, which is expected to have little impact on the Wyoming High School’s ball teams, the Wolves are mostly simply eager for their first live action in more than a year.

“With the delayed start being only one week, as well as the MHSAA allowing us to continue both four man workouts and conditioning workouts, I see no real impact,” Travis Stricklin, Wyoming head baseball coach, said to WKTV. Stricklin is entering his first year leading the Wolves onto the field. “If anything, it gives us an extra week with the kids to prepare and get ready for the start of our season.”

Kaitlin Failing, Wyoming head softball coach, agrees — but includes an additional reason the delay isn’t so bad.

“I think that the later start date is good considering basketball got pushed back,” Failing said to WKTV. “We share a lot of athletes with basketball and it would become pretty difficult to field teams if they are overlapping. We never really get games in the first couple of weeks anyways, so it doesn’t really matter to us that we are starting later.”

Both coaches, however, see last year’s hiatus from high school competition as being the real obstacle to be overcome by their 2021 teams and their entire programs.

“I think (losing) the entire season really affected our program and other programs in similar economic situations,” Failing said. “We tend to run a lot of opportunities for the girls within Wyoming to participate in softball through the school system, for 5th grade up.  With the season being cancelled, our girls lost out on their only opportunity to participate in softball. … (Also) without being allowed to run clubs and clinics for all of our younger students, we are not able to get new students interested in playing or give our younger girls the opportunity to get better.”

Failing also pointed out that some high school programs had a high level of travel participation, with their athletes able to play throughout the summer and fall despite Michigan restrictions, “while a lot of our athletes haven’t played in over a year now … our athletes missed out on their only opportunities to play if they do not play travel” ball.

And, she pointed out, with the missing season, many student-athletes are choosing not to play this season “for a number of other reasons because of COVID.”

Much the same is true for the Wolves baseball program.
  

“Not having a season last year took a toll on our program for sure,”  Stricklin said. “We feel that we are beginning to progress as a program, so losing a year due to the pandemic was definitely not easy.

“That being said, I am beyond proud of the way our kids handled it. Rather than getting upset and letting it keep them down, they simply asked when we could begin working out together again to try and get better for whenever we do actually get to play.”

Delay aside, a 2021 season is expected

The MHSAA announced Feb. 22 that its Representative Council had approved an “adjustment to the Spring 2021 schedule delaying the start of practices in those sports one week to March 22 and competition to March 26 “to accommodate a later end to Winter sports this season,” according to the statement.

“The calendar change should alleviate pressures on indoor facility usage and athletes changing seasons with Winter sports concluding up to two weeks later this school year after a delayed start due to COVID-19,” according to the MHSAA statement.

The MHSAA said it based its decision in part on feedback from a survey of MHSAA member high schools, which saw 74 percent favoring a delay in spring sports activity of at least one week. State coaches associations for spring sports also were consulted, and, according to the MHSAA statement “the great majority of Michigan schools are unable to begin consistent spring sports outdoor activity and competition until early April.”

All spring sports tournament dates remain as originally scheduled, however, with MHSAA finals in baseball, softball and girls soccer concluding the 2020-21 postseason June 19.

Previously, the MHSAA council approved an allowance for spring teams to meet for voluntary practices over 16 contact days in September and October, 2020. General conditioning with an unlimited number of students was allowed, with other out-of-season training (four-player workouts, open gyms/facilities) allowed to continue through March 21, with council having eliminated the preseason downtime restriction for Spring sports this year.

But those allowances did not necessarily benefit all schools, or programs, equally.

“We couldn’t really do much with the 16 days because we do not have enough athletes to scrimmage ourselves or run practices because our athletes all play other sports in the fall,” Failing said. “We held open fields but we knew we wouldn’t have a ton of participation because they were not available.  I know other schools were able to get their teams together and scrimmage themselves.”

WKTV featured game coverage this week is Zeeland East at Wyoming high for boys basketball

Area Education, City of Wyoming, Education, Local Entertainment, Sports, Upcoming Events, WKTV Featured sports, ,
WKTV’s coverage of high school basketball could be returning soon as local teams can begin play as early as Feb. 8. (WKTV)

By Ellington Smith, WKTV Intern

ken@wktv.org


This week WKTV Sports features a OK Green Conference showdown between the Zeeland East Chix and the Wyoming Wolves boys basketball varsity teams, Thursday, Feb. 25, at Wyoming High School.

The contest will tip off at 7 p.m., and WKTV will record the game and replay it later Friday night, at 11 p.m., with more replays to be scheduled, and make it available on-demand later. (See details at bottom of story.)

The Zeeland East Chix come into the game with a perfect 6-0 (5-0 on OK Green) record coming off of a Feb. 23 victory against rivals Zeeland West in which they outscored them 44-39.

The Chix are led by seniors Trip Riemersma and brothers Brandon and Nate Claerbaut.

Wyoming has not fared quite as well this year, as they have gotten off to a 3-4 start (3-2 in OK Green), but the Wolves are coming off of a 63-54 victory this week against Grand Rapids Union which snapped a 3-game slide.

Both of these teams are looking to continue the success they experienced during the 2019-20 season where the Chix finished with a 14-6 record, and the Wolves finished with an 18-2 record. In the state tournament last season, both teams were victorious in their first two playoff games and made it to the district championship, which was eventually cancelled due to COVID-19.

To see the Zeeland East vs Wyoming boys basketball on WKTV on-demand visit WKTVlive.com.

WKTV featured games will be on cable television in Wyoming and Kentwood on Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T Channel 99 Community Channel, on the night of the game and various days and times the week after. See the programming schedule at wktv.org. For more information on WKTV coverage of winter high school sports, follow us at wktvjournal.org/sports.

Return of prep winter sports comes with warnings, restrictions and local athletic director concerns

Area Education, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Health, Local Faces, Sports, WKTV Journal Sports Connection, ,
The tip-off of the local high school basketball season is this week. But there will be some differences from this 2019 game. (Curtis Holt)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

Wyoming and Kentwood high school athletic directors wasted no time when the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced last week that high school winter contact sports could begin full activities this week, and the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) announced that member schools had the green light to being practice and competitions.

And while there is competitive basketball and hockey being scheduled and played this week, some on the first allowed day of Feb. 8, there are some almost COVID-19 Catch-22 restrictions and state health requirements — including many basketball teams required to wear masks on the court and wrestling teams being required to find rapid test options or not take to the mats.

David Kool, South Christian athletic director, on the set of WKTV Journal Sports Connection. (2020/WKTV)

“There are still some unknowns with the testing requirements and the mask requirements,” David Kool, athletic director at Grand Rapids South Christian High School, said this week to WKTV. “The MHSAA is hoping to give us more clear guidelines … (this) week before the first games. As of now, we know that the kids have to wear masks while competing and that is what we will stick to until we are told differently.”

Wyoming high will also begin the basketball season with masks on their basketball players.

“Wyoming is planning on masks at this point,” Ted Hollern, Wolves athletic director, said to WKTV. “That is what we have agreed on.”

And Hollern pointed out that even if testing were to be available, there would be the issue of what is the opponent is doing — “Both teams would need to do the same thing,” he said.

South Christian’s Kool echoed his Wyoming counterpart.

“If there ends up being a rapid testing option and it is a level playing field for all, that is something we will consider and look into,” Kool said. “Our main concern is that if there is a testing program, it needs to be equitable for every school.”

Girls and boys basketball, competitive cheer, ice hockey and wrestling could begin contact practice on Feb. 8 — “with some precautions to continue limiting the spread of COVID-19,” according to an MHSAA statement late last week. And while basketball and hockey were able to begin competition this week, competitive cheer and wrestling will not be able to compete until Feb. 12 a the earliest.

Those four winter contact sports have been able to practice since Jan. 16, but only with non-contact activities. So local athletic directors are excited about the start, if still piecing together how they will meet requirements — and responding to other consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on high school sports.

Lee High School athletic director Jason Faasse. (Supplied)

We are “glad that our winter athletes, especially our seniors have an opportunity to compete,” Jason Faasse, Lee high school athletic director said to WKTV. “We are thankful that the research has been done by both the MDHHS and MHSAA to know what precautions are needed to help protect our athletes and their families.”

But Faasse’s optimism is balanced by the knowledge that this 2020-21 high school sports season is unlike any other.

“Many of our athletes have opted not to play this season for one reason or another,” Faasse said. “Some have concerns about playing contact sports during a pandemic, others have been working more hours with the uncertainties surrounding the season. The quick turn around (to allow winter contact sports) doesn’t help us promote the restart to help get more athletes on our teams.”

Ultimately, however, most schools including South Christian are just glad to have a chance to play, starting this week.

“The coaches and athletes have been doing everything they can to ensure they get a chance to compete this season and all they wanted was an opportunity,” Kool said. “The quick turnaround definitely adds to the craziness of this season. The biggest thing we looked at with our coaches was the simple fact that the kids want to play games and they are as ready as they ever will be.” 

State and MHSAA testing requirements, and warnings

“All four Winter contact sports also must participate with some level of masking and/or rapid testing,” the MHSAA announced last week. “All testing will be coordinated between schools and MDHHS or their local health departments. … Participants are defined as athletes, coaches and other team personnel active in practice and competition.”

For competitive cheer, teams may compete without testing or face coverings, but must wear masks at all times outside of active competition or stunting/tumbling practice.

For ice hockey, all participants must wear face coverings at all times – during all practices and non-game activities, and during games. The same testing and mask removal option exists for hockey as for basketball.

For wrestling, testing will be required but competitors will not be required to wear face coverings.

The same masking and testing requirements will be in place for all junior high/middle school teams wishing to participate in the four winter contact sports.

However, the state department of health is allowing school athletics to go ahead with some reservations — with or without testing.

“We are pleased at our continued progress in Michigan that has allowed us to take this step forward in a phased approach,” Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health at MDHHS, said last week. “As a parent and former student-athlete myself, I get how important athletics are to our children’s physical and mental health.

“However, parents and athletes need to understand the risk involved with contact sports if they choose to participate. Sports that require frequent closeness between players make it more difficult to prevent disease transmission even when mitigation measures are in place, including masks. Even when not required, we urge teams to implement a testing program to protect athletes, coaches and their families.”

High school basketball, hockey teams could return to action early next week

Area Education, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Education, Health, Kentwood Public Schools, Local Entertainment, Sports, WKTV Journal Sports Connection, ,
High school ice hockey is one of the winter contact sports given the green light by the state. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

Within hours of Gov. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announcing that high school winter contact sports could begin full activities next week, the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) announced that member schools had the green light to being practice and competitions.

But there will be restrictions.

Girls and boys basketball, competitive cheer, ice hockey and wrestling can begin contact practice on Monday, Feb. 8 — “with some precautions to continue limiting the spread of COVID-19,” according to a MHSAA statement. Competition in those four sports can also begin, with basketball and hockey able to also start play Feb. 8, and cheer and wrestling able to compete starting Feb. 12.

Those four winter contact sports have been able to practice since Jan. 16, but only with non-contact activities.
 

“All four Winter contact sports also must participate with some level of masking and/or rapid testing,” according to the MHSAA statement. “All testing will be coordinated between schools and MDHHS or their local health departments. … Participants are defined as athletes, coaches and other team personnel active in practice and competition.”

For the Governor and the state health department, the action continues a gradual expansion of allowed activities driven by increasingly lower numbers of COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations.

Dr. Joneigh Khaldun of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, at a large January news conference. (State of Michigan)

“We are pleased at our continued progress in Michigan that has allowed us to take this step forward in a phased approach,” Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health at MDHHS, said in supplied material. “As a parent and former student-athlete myself, I get how important athletics are to our children’s physical and mental health.

“However, parents and athletes need to understand the risk involved with contact sports if they choose to participate. Sports that require frequent closeness between players make it more difficult to prevent disease transmission even when mitigation measures are in place, including masks. Even when not required, we urge teams to implement a testing program to protect athletes, coaches and their families.”

Sport by sport details

The MHSAA statement gives some detail on the masking and testing requirements, as well as competition limits, for the various winter contact sports.

WKTV’s coverage of high school basketball could be returning soon as local teams can begin play as early as Feb. 8. (WKTV)

For girls and boys basketball, all participants must wear face coverings at all times – during all practices and non-game activities, and during games. There will initially be a competition limit of up to three games per week. However, a testing requirement “may allow participants to remove masks while in active participation on the floor if they test negative that game day.”

More details of the testing option “will be provided to schools when confirmed,” according to the MHSAA.

For competitive cheer, teams may compete without testing or face coverings, but must wear masks at all times outside of active competition or stunting/tumbling practice. And teams may participate in 12 days of competition, not counting MHSAA tournament events.

For ice hockey, all participants must wear face coverings at all times – during all practices and non-game activities, and during games. The competition limit will allow teams play up to three games per week, but “teams also may play two games on one non-school day twice; during those two weeks, teams are allowed up to four games Monday through Sunday.” The same testing and mask removal option exists for hockey as for basketball.

For wrestling, testing will be required but competitors will not be required to wear face coverings.Teams may compete two days per week, with no more than four teams at a site, “with each individual (wrestler) competing in up to three matches per day,” according to the MHSAA.

The same masking and testing requirements will be in place for all junior high/middle school teams wishing to participate in the four winter contact sports.

The updated MDHHS epidemic order allowing for the resumption of winter contact sports remains in effect through March 29. at this point in time.

Positive results led to change

“We continue to make progress in reducing cases and hospitalizations, helping protect our families and frontline workers and saving lives,” Gov.  Whitmer said in supplied material.  “Michigan continues to be a national leader in fighting this virus, and we must continue using a fact-based approach so we can return to a strong economy and normal day-to-day activities.”

According to the MDHHS statement, the state “has been closely monitoring three metrics for stabilization or declines over the past several weeks, and Michigan continues to see improvements” in the following areas:

Hospital capacity dedicated to COVID-19 patients has been in 10-week decline, with current capacity at 6.6 percent for beds with COVID-19 patients. The number peaked at 19.6 percent on Dec. 4, 2020.
   

Overall case rates are currently at 159 cases per million after peaking at 740 cases per million on Nov. 14.  The rate has been in solid decline for 24 days.

The positivity rate is  currently at 4.9 percent  and declining — the last time positivity was as low was mid-October.

Kentwood’s Valentine’s 5K run to benefit Little Free Pantry returns Feb. 13

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, Community Health, Going Local, Health, Holidays, Kids Activities, Local Entertainment, Local Food, Recreation, Sports, Upcoming Events,
The finish line at the City of Kentwood’s Valentine’s Day Dash 5K in 2020. (City of Kentwood)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

A winter run for a good cause with costumes — sounds like another fun day in Kentwood.

The City of Kentwood will host its 4th annual Valentine’s Dash 5K — with Valentine’s-themed costumes encouraged — on Saturday, Feb. 13, to benefit Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry, which provides food and personal care items to community members in need.

“We’re excited to roll out a new route for this year’s Valentine’s Dash 5K that features a great combination of trails and paved pathways in two Kentwood parks,” Spencer McKellar, race organizer, said in supplied material. “Whether you plan to run with your sweetheart or run solo, this 5K is a great way to kick off the holiday weekend and foster a love for running.”
 

The 5K route will include a combination of trails and paved pathways starting and ending at East Paris Nature Park, 5995 East Paris Ave. SE. The course will take participants from East Paris Nature Park to Paris Park via the Paul Henry-Thornapple Trail and back to the finish line.

COVID-19 precautionary measures will be in place, including staggered start times beginning at 11 a.m., required face coverings at packet pickup and physical distancing.

While intended to be a fun run, the race will be chip timed. Awards for the fastest men and women in six age categories and overall will be available for pickup at the Kentwood Activities Center, 355 48th St. SE, the week after the event or can be mailed upon request.

Online registration is $25 until Feb. 12 and includes a long-sleeve shirt while supplies last. Day-of registration is $35. Runners who sign up as a couple save $5 each. If participants bring a non-perishable item or monetary donation for Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry, they will be entered to win a special door prize.

The Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department is seeking volunteers to assist with the event. Those interested can sign up online.

Kentwood’s first Little Free Pantry opened to the community in 2017 at the Kentwood Activities Center, where it remains available year-round during business hours. The City recently launched a second pantry at the Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch. More information, including a list of suggested donations, is available at kentwood.us/littlefreepantry.

For more event information, visit kentwood.us/valentinesdash.

Rapid testing program successful for fall contact sports but not on table for ‘paused’ winter basketball, wrestling

Area Education, Community Health, Education, Health, Kentwood Public Schools, Sports, WKTV Journal Sports Connection, , ,
The Tri-unity Christian boys basketball (shown here in a 2019 practice) is one of the many local sports teams currently unable to hold full-contact practices or compete. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

By. K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

Anybody hoping for the rapid resumption of high school winter contact sports such as basketball and wrestling — athletes, coaches, parents and fans — after the successful state-approved fall sports rapid testing pilot program, are going to be disappointed.

Despite the touted success of the recent testing of football and volleyball players engaged in contact sports, in a dual effort of both the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA), the testing protocol will not be used for winter sports. And, so, current plans are that it will be at least Feb. 21 before prep basketball, hockey, wrestling and competitive cheer can begin competition.

“The purpose of the pilot (program) was always to ease the pathway to expanded use of antigen testing to support school reopening, which is the state’s priority given limited testing resources,” Bob Wheaton, MDHHS public information officer, said to WKTV this week.

The MHSAA “also have said all along that MDHHS told us testing would never be an option for winter sports,” Geoff Kimmerly, MHSAA assistant director for communications, said to WKTV. But the state governing body for high school sports still touts the success of the program and advocates for the beginning of winter contact sports, even without rapid testing.

The South Christian High School football team returns to practice Wednesday, Dec. 30, after mandated COVOD-19 testing was completed. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

“This past weekend the MHSAA concluded its remaining Fall tournaments with 11-Player Football Finals,” a Jan. 27 statement from the MHSAA reads. “Earlier this month, Girls Volleyball, Lower Peninsula Girls Swimming & Diving and 8-Player Football Finals were competed to conclude those seasons.

“All four were allowed to complete their seasons because those teams took part in the MDHHS rapid testing pilot program. Results of that program were overwhelmingly positive. A total of 5,376 individuals (athletes, coaches, team personnel, cheerleaders, etc.) were tested, and 57 — or 1 percent — tested positive at some point in the pilot. Nearly 30,000 rapid antigen tests were administered — and 99.8 percent were negative.”

(According to the statement, the statistics were through Jan. 19, and were provided to the MHSAA by the MDHHS.)

And MHSAA leadership clearly believes not allowing Michigan athletes to return to the basketball courts and wrestling mats is unfair and could be putting the athletes at a greater risk of COVID-19 infection.

“Each week, we see hundreds of examples of children and families competing in non-school competition, both in-state and out-of-state,” Mark Uyl, MHSAA executive director , said in the Jan. 27 statement. “This not only is in violation of current MDHHS orders, but sending all of these families into different states will only become an impediment to getting students back in school full time.

“But we can contribute to students returning to in-person learning by allowing MHSAA member schools to begin full activities, participating locally and against more local competition, and under the guidance of trained, professional educators,” Uyl said.

State’s goal is safe communities and schools, first

“Counties around the country have faced outbreaks of COVID-19 associated with sports teams,” MDHHS’s Wheaton said to WKTV. “In Michigan, there were 42 outbreaks associated with athletics (K-12 schools, professional, collegiate, and commercial venues) in August and September 2020 before restrictions on contact sports were implemented … Outbreaks of this magnitude have the potential to affect not just a sports team, but the community in which the players and coaches reside as well.”

Competitive cheerleading is just one of several high school winter sports on hold at this time. (WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)

Sports that require “frequent closeness between players” — including basketball and wrestling — make it more difficult to prevent disease transmission, according to the MDHHS. And the risk of COVID-19 transmission is increased by the number of individuals a player physically interacts with, as well as the intensity and duration of that interaction.

“The arrival of the new B.1.1.1.7 variant also means even more caution must be taken so we avoid the rapid rise in cases, hospitalizations, and deaths that other countries that have seen this variant have experienced,” Wheaton said.

“Even with mitigation measures in place, such as wearing of masks, disease transmission cannot be completely prevented when players are in prolonged or intense contact,” Wheaton continued. “These risks are even greater for indoor contact sports where there is not natural ventilation to mitigate the close proximity of participants. Teams that can implement robust public health measures may be able to decrease risk, but risk remains elevated.”

And when asked about when contact sports might be able to begin in 2021, Wheaton said that is at unknown at this time — for several reasons, including the lack of resources to implement a more widespread rapid testing program.

“Contact sports can be more safely played at this time when teams undertake significant infection control steps that include testing participants at least three times a week on alternating days, ensuring no social contact outside of school and the team, and supervision by medical staff,” Wheaton said. “It is not easy to meet these standards, and typically requires institutional support from a college or university, or professional sports organization, to have sufficient resources and infrastructure to comply.

In the fall sports pilot program, about 200 schools that allowed several thousand high school athletes to safely complete their fall volleyball, football, and swimming and diving championships under these protocols, according to the MDHHS. But the enhanced testing during this pilot uncovered dozens of positive cases that could have otherwise spread to the rest of the team and their communities.

“We will continue to carefully watch the data to assess what other activities can be permitted,” Wheaton said in conclusion.

And the MHSAA will be ready when — and if — the state allows winter contact sports to begin.

“We have said from the start of the 2020-21 school year that we would do everything possible to have three seasons, and play all three to completion,” Uyl has previously said. “Our strong advocacy for all sports and seasons — and especially winter sports —continues every day.”

Search for next Wyoming high football coach begins as ‘Coach’ Sigler Jr. steps away

3-bottom, Area Education, City of Wyoming, Education, Going Local, Local Faces, Sports, WKTV Journal Sports Connection, ,

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

Wyoming Public Schools Athletic Director Ted Hollern could not give a specific timeframe for replacing Wolves head varsity football coach Irv Sigler Jr. — who resigned his coaching position last week after four seasons — but there is a sense of urgency.

The Wolves need a head coach “as soon as possible,” Hollern said this week to WKTV. “We need him now.”

Sigler, who will continue as Dean of Students at Wyoming High School, spent four seasons coaching the Wolves as part of a 30-year coaching career including work at Cadillac (1993-1997), Grandville (1998-2004), Kell High School in Marietta, Ga., (2005-2007) and Jenison (2008-2012). Prior to coming to Wyoming, he served as the offensive coordinator at Hope College.

“I just decided this is a good time after 30 years of coaching,” Sigler said this week to WKTV. “There are some other things I’d like to do. I’m not completely done coaching but this is more of a pause. I love working at (Wyoming high) and look forward to it every day.”

And his work at Wyoming high is certainly appreciated by the Wolves community.

Wyoming High School AD Ted Hollern. (WKTV)

“Just want to say how grateful Wyoming Public Schools is for everything (Sigler) has done for our kids … and I know people out in the community do also,” Hollern said. “He has done a tremendous job, there is no question about it.”

As far as the process of hiring a new head football coach, Hollern said “right now, we are reaching out to our stakeholders, to get as much input as we possibly can. The kids, the parents, the coaches … to find out what they want in the leadership of our football program.”

Then they will post the job and start the interview and hiring process.

As Sigler steps away for the sidelines, for however long, he does so with appreciation for his four seasons leading the Wolves.

“I want to thank everyone in the Wyoming community, school district, teachers administration and especially the young men who’ve played in our program,” Sigler said in a reported statement last week. “Our coaching staff has served with honor and dignity — our assistant coaches are the finest people.

“It has been my honor to be a Wolf. I spent a lot of time in thought and prayer, and this is a good time to turn the page.”

Wyoming was 1-4 this 2020-21 season, and lost two weeks of games in the middle of the season due to pandemic issues. Earlier in 2020, Sigler was honored as the West Michigan Officials Association Coach of the Year in 2019.

“I feel very honored, but it is truly a reflection of our program, players and assistant coaches,” Sigler said to WKTV about the Coach of the Year honor. “It is more significant than any award I’ve received in coaching. … It means so much to me, because officials have the chance to see coaches at our best and our worst. To know that I’ve earned the respect of this group of men tells me that we are doing things right as a team and program.”

Sigler’s other coaching accomplishments include MHSAA Regional Coach of the Year in 2001 and 2003 while at Grandville, the MHSFCA Community Service Award in 2009. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences from Adrian College in 1990 and his Master of Science in Kinesiology from the University of Michigan in 1992.

As state COVID-19 actions alter prep sports plans, again, MHSAA ‘disappointed’ for student-athletes

3-bottom, Area Education, Community Health, Education, Health, Sports, WKTV Journal Sports Connection, , ,
Dr. Joneigh Khaldun of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, at a Jan. 22 news conference. (State of Michigan)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the Michigan High School Athletic Association, the governing body for high school sports in the state, has been dutifully working with the state health department and the governor’s office as rules and restrictions have repeatedly changed during the last 10 months.

And they will again work with the latest changes, announced Friday, Jan. 22, but they are expressing their “disappointment” both from their own scheduling and logistical standpoint, and from the expected impact on student-athletes across the state.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), in its latest directive, altered the allowed number of spectators at events such as this weekend’s prep football finals as well as delayed until at least Feb. 21 all contact sport’s full-contact practices and any possible beginning of those sports’ competitions.

Winter contact sports such as basketball, hockey, wrestling and competitive cheer currently are only allowed non-contract practice but they had been expecting to begin full-contact practice on Feb. 1 and completion later that week.

Mark Uyl, MHSAA executive director, from a previous Zoom meeting. (MHSAA)

“We found out about this decision at 9:30 a.m. (Jan. 22) like everyone else, and we will address it as quickly as possible after taking the weekend to collect more information,” Mark Uyl, MHSAA executive director, said in supplied material. “We did not anticipate this delay in winter contact practices and competition, and today’s announcement has created many new questions.

“Obviously, this is disappointing to thousands of athletes who have been training with their teams over the last week and watching teams in other states around Michigan play for the last two months.”

The latest state pandemic-related changes in rules and regulations also could have allowed more people to attend this weekend’s football finals — but news came too late for the MHSAA to alter established plans to meet now-altered MDHHS rules and regulations.

Also on Jan. 22, Gov. Whitmer and MDHHS announced that sports arenas with capacities of at least 10,000 spectators may allow up to 500 to attend events. But, the MHSAA later announced, “no additional tickets will be sold for today and Saturday’s 11-Player Football Finals at Ford Field” due to the lack of sufficient notice.

“We have been planning these Finals for weeks to include immediate family, and unfortunately this isn’t a process we can adjust midstream,” Uyl said. “Distributing more tickets would put stress on those plans and Ford Field staffing, and force schools to make more hard decisions on who will be able to attend, but at the last second instead of with prior planning.”

With success of prep athlete COVID-19 rapid test program, some winter sports begin while basketball, others now have hope

3-bottom, Area Education, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Education, Health, Kentwood Public Schools, Sports, WKTV Journal Sports Connection, , ,
Local high school basketball is a huge step closer to hitting the floor. (Photo from previous year game televised by WKTV with East Kentwood High School’s boys basketball team at Wyoming.)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

When high school sports teams including football and volleyball were allowed to begin competition early this month after following extensive COVID-19 rapid testing protocols, not only were those sports given a chance to finish their season but winter sports including basketball could see a path ahead for their restart of practice and competition.

The antigen rapid test results — which showed more than a 99 percent non-infection rate among the student athletes as of last week — were seen as a success by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA).

And last week, both state officials and the MHSAA moved forward with plans to lift all restrictions on non-contact winter sports such as bowling and gymnastics, and began easing of restrictions even on contact sports, many local high school basketball teams began “non-contact” practices this last weekend and they are shooting for a beginning of February start to their seasons.

“We have shown with our remaining fall sports this month that our schools can participate safely, and we’re confident teams will continue to take all the appropriate precautions as we jump back into indoor winter activities,” MHSAA executive director Mark Uyl said last week in supplied material.

And the success of the rapid testing pilot program with the fall sports was a key factor in the continuing opening of high school athletics.

Abbott BinaxNOW COVID-19 rapid test. (Abbott)

According to numbers supplied by the MDHHS on Friday, and of Jan. 15, the antigen test results (which included multiple tests of same individuals) there were 25,601 total tests with 25,533 negative (99.73 percent) and only 69 positive (0.27 percent).

“Overall, schools have deemed this testing pilot a success that has allowed close to 7,000 student-athletes and staff to safely compete in high school athletics,” Bob Wheaton, spokesperson for the MDHHS, said to WKTV Jan. 15. “More than 99 percent of the tests were negative, however, testing allowed the department to find dozens of positive COVID-19 cases among student-athletes.”

One local school which participated in the testing pilot program was the Grand Rapids South Christian High School football team, which was able to finish their season on the field on Jan. 9 after beginning testing beginning just after New Years Day.

“The MHSAA and the MDHHS have clearly outlined their expectations and have given very sound guidance on the process so we are ready to begin the testing,” South Christian athletic director David Kool said to WKTV at the time testing began.

And that success was good news to local basketball coaches, including Wyoming High School’s head boys basketball coach Thom Vander Klay.

“We are so excited to get back in the gym go to work,” Vander Klay said to WKTV. “We could only see them via remote media using zoom meetings. The kids could not use school facilities either so we are a bit behind. … (But) even with masks and non-contact we will make up a lot of time, being to install our fundamentals and schemes.”

Vander Klay also said that at this point he is not sure if his team will need to work within the same rapid testing protocol or not, but “regardless of what the mandates are as long as we can practice and work on our game we will have plenty to do” in preparation for a scheduled Feb. 4 opening against South Christian.

MHSAA acts as state health department eases restrictions

The MDHHS updated its epidemic order last week to allow re-opening of additional activities including indoor group exercise and non-contact sports — with non-contact practice for contact sports such as basketball also allowed. The new order will last until Jan. 31, according to the MDHHS statement.

Currently, basketball, hockey and wrestling are allowed to practice but not allowed to have competition, while other winter sport include girls gymnastics, girls and boys bowling, and girls and boys swimming and diving are allowed to begin competition.

 

Masks will be required of all participants of the three sports now allowed competition “except when they are actively participating in gymnastics and swimming & diving,” according to the MHSAA statement. Spectators will be limited to 100 persons in school gyms or 250 in stadiums and arenas, “per MDHHS orders” in place.

“We are glad to have three more sports join skiing in returning to full activity, but we understand the disappointment and frustration on the part of our athletes and coaches whose sports are not yet able to restart completely,” MHSAA’s Uyl said. “We will continue to adjust schedules to provide all of our winter teams as substantial an experience this season as possible, as part of our greater plan this school year to play all three seasons to conclusion.”

Additionally, spring sports teams and fall teams not participating in the MDHHS rapid testing pilot program may begin four-player workouts and resume conditioning but only with non-contact activities.

“We are reopening cautiously because caution is working to save lives,” MDHHS director Robert Gordon said in supplied material. “The new order allows group exercise and non-contact sports, always with masks and social distancing, because in the winter it’s not as easy to get out and exercise and physical activity is important for physical and mental health.”

South Christian football returns to practice with extensive testing protocol requirements

Area Education, Community Health, Education, Going Local, Health, Sports, WKTV Journal Sports Connection, , ,
The South Christian High School football team returns to practice Wednesday, Dec. 30, after mandated COVOD-19 testing was completed. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

When Grand Rapids South Christian High School’s football team returned to the practice field Wednesday, in preparation for its hoped-for return to the Sailors’ Division 4 playoffs with a regional final game Jan. 9, 2021, coaches and players actually had two playbooks to follow.

One is the on-field playbook put together by head coach Danny Brown and his staff as they prepare the team for a road game against the Edwardsburg Eddies. The second is an even more extensive COVID-19 testing playbook which the team will have to follow to the letter to practice, let alone get back to competition.

Following extensive COVID-19 rapid testing instructions laid out by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Service (MDHHS) and the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) — including an 14-page “how to” of use for the BinaxNOW antigen tests by kit maker Abbott — the Sailors’ athletic department and school staff begin their first round of testing this week.

As with all fall sports teams preparing to return to action, if all players, coaches and personnel test negative through the first round of testing, they may proceed with full-contact practices as early as Dec. 31.

“Our players and coaches are looking forward to getting back on the field with another opportunity to finish our season,” South Christian athletic director David Kool said to WKTV. “We realize the only way we can accomplish this is by participating in the pilot testing program. The MHSAA and the MDHHS have clearly outlined their expectations and have given very sound guidance on the process so we are ready to begin the testing on Wednesday.”

The testing went well on Wednesday, Dec. 30, and the team began practice later in the day.

A graphic for Abbott BinaxNOW test. (Abbott)

Testing kits came this week

The MDHHS Testing Pilot Program for Organized Sports, which the Sailors are part of, involves the MDHHS, the MHSAA, all of the schools choosing to restart fall sports, and local health departments. It is available to student athletes in girls volleyball, girls swimming & diving, and football “who have already qualified or begun competing in MHSAA postseason championship games and meets within the regular Fall 2020 season,” the MHSAA states.

Also according to the MHSAA, the testing pilot program is “an opportunity for student athletes to finish out their seasons through rigorous COVID-19 antigen (rapid) testing. By agreeing to frequent rapid testing and other COVID-19 safety precautions, student athletes, coaches, and staff who are symptom-free and continue to test negative for COVID-19 can participate.”

In addition to providing a way for student athletes to complete their competitions, according to the MHSAA, if successful “this pilot provides an opportunity for public health and schools to assess an antigen testing strategy for students and staff, paving the way for a broader school testing protocol and the safe reopening of K-12 schools.”

“We’re excited about this opportunity for our remaining football playoff teams to return to play and thankful to the MDHHS for the opportunity to take part in this pilot program,” MHSAA’s Geoff Kimmerly said to WKTV. “Boxes of tests departed from our building Monday to give teams the opportunity to begin testing and full practice again Wednesday, and we are working with MDHHS to answer questions and provide training in administering these tests.

“This is the avenue forward for our teams wishing to complete the football season, and we’re confident the testing process will go smoothly and allow them to do so,” Kimmerly said.

And that “avenue forward,” just getting a chance to finish their season, is all that South Christian wants.

“January 9 (game day) is going to be a fun day for all involved,” Kool said. The hoped-for return to the field “has been a much anticipated day, and our athletes and coaches are going to be ready to go.”

When it comes to high school sports, state’s decision to allow resumption ‘guided by the data’

Area Education, Community Health, Education, Health, Sports, WKTV Journal Sports Connection, , ,
South Christian High School had their football team’s playoff drive halted in mid-November, after this game with Hamilton. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

When it comes to COVID-19 related restrictions, or allowances, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer often says her and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ decisions are “guided by the data.”

So as high school athletic departments across the state, including those in the Kentwood and Wyoming area, await an expected modification by Gov. Whitmer and the MDHHS of the current “pause” in competition and most practices, WKTV asked about the data — the numbers.

The MDHHS and the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) both responded, with numbers which might be viewed as telling a somewhat different story.

“There have been 42 outbreaks associated with athletics (K-12 schools, professional, collegiate, and commercial venues) in August and September,” according to a MDHHS statement prior to the Nov. 15 pause in athletics, along with indoor restaurant service and other COVID-19 related restrictions.

And “we do continuously track data on outbreaks, including outbreaks associated with high school sports, and we know that there continued to be high school sports associated outbreaks in (October and November),” Bob Wheaton, spokesperson for the MDHHS, said to WKTV this week.

But those “outbreaks” did not prevent high school sports teams across the state from safely completing the vast majority of scheduled contests, according to MHSAA numbers given to WKTV. Even in a sport considered by the state to be “high risk” — football — with nearly 600 teams playing on any given week the percentage of games not played due to COVID-19 outbreaks was never more than 4.1 percent and was under  3 percent five out of nine weeks of competition.

“Our schools, with athletic directors monitoring activities and trained coaches teaching their athletes best practices and holding them to high standards, have for the large part been able to keep their teams competing and free of infection this fall,”  MHSAA spokesperson Geoff Kimmerly said to WKTV this week. “We have maintained from the start of fall that schools are best equipped to provide athletics in the safest-possible environment, and we’re eager to restart our fall and winter seasons following the precautions that have been successful so far.”

(The complete data chart supplied my the MHSAA is at the end of this story.)

The MHSAA’s opinion on the effectiveness of high school sports programs’ COVID-19 safety efforts was echoed by David Kool, athletic director at South Christian High School, which had their football team’s so-far successful playoff drive halted in mid-November.

“Our staff and players have done a tremendous job navigating through this pandemic,” Kool said this week to WKTV. “The support and leadership from our coaches has been and will continue to be phenomenal. … We have followed the protocols and guidelines put on us to the best of our ability throughout the fall and now into the winter. We all realize that gives us the best chance for the student athletes to do what they love to do, which is to compete.”

MDHHS and athletics numbers

The MDHHS, in response to a questions about how much of a COVID-19 spreader problem high school sports has been this fall and early winter, referenced its late October update of its Interim Guidance for Contact Sports, which noted:

“There have been 42 outbreaks associated with athletics (K-12 schools, professional, collegiate, and commercial venues) in August and September of 2020. Outbreaks of this magnitude have the potential to affect more than just a sports team, but the community in which the players and coaches reside as well.”

The document also noted that contact sports are particularly concern, saying, “Given the available epidemiological data with concerning rising cases of COVID-19, contact sports such as football and wrestling pose a high risk of transmitting COVID-19 to athletes, coaches, and the general community, and should be avoided at this time.”

But under the mid-November order, while high school sports competitions and team practices were restricted, the MDHHS stated: “Gyms will remain open for individual exercise with strict safety measures in place. … (and) Professional and college sports meeting extraordinary standards for risk mitigation may continue without spectators, however all other organized sports must stop.”

And what’s next for high school athletics?

And what will drive Gov. Whitmer and the MDHHS’s decision to continue restrictions on, or allow resumption of, high school sports?

“As MDHHS’s order pausing gatherings for 3 weeks expires Dec. 8, we are reviewing the COVID-19 data and will make decisions on high school sports and other gatherings based on what that data shows us,” the MDHHS spokesperson said.

“We understand why the state health department paused activities for three weeks — we all have the same hopes for reducing COVID-19,” MHSAA’s Kimmerly said. “But we believe we have a good story to tell, and that we can continue to play a major role in keeping high school athletes safe while providing them a meaningful experience during this difficult time.”

And so local  high school athletic departments, coaches and athletes await the decision and guidance from the Governor, MDHHS and the MHSAA.

“Each and every day we are trying to do everything we can to give our student athletes as many opportunities as we can,” South Christian’s Kool said. “We are hopeful that we will be given the green light to continue with athletics on Wednesday, December 9 and look forward to being back in action.”