Conference matchups begin Wednesday
The Packers traveled up north to Petoskey last Saturday to wrestle 3 tough teams. The first dual was against the host Northmen. The Packers posted 6 straight wins starting with Killian Prewitt (103), RJ Thome (112), Tee Ward (119), Eli Beasley (125), Daniel Romero (130), and ending with Trey Myers (135). At 160 pounds, Trey Breuker had a 7-1 decision and then Michael Romero clinched the dual with a pin at the 189 pound weight class. Fremont narrowly edged Petoskey by a score of 36-34. The next match was against Warren De La Salle Collegiate High School. Both teams won 7 weights each, but Fremont had 7 pins to defeat the Pilots 42-36. Winners were: Killian Prewitt, RJ Thome, Eli Beasley, Trey Myers, Braulio Soto- Gomez, Alex Gleason, and Jager Kibart. Both Fremont and Escanaba entered the third round with wins over Petoskey and DeLaSalle. The Packers had 7 pins and 2 major decisions and tallied a score of 50 points against the 29 of the Eskymos. Victorious Packers were: Thome, Ward, Beasley, Myers, Gleason, Breuker, and M. Romero. The Packers are now 8-1 and start their CSAA duals on Wednesday at Chippewa Hills.
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Practices to begin March 22
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Feb. 22 – The Representative Council of the Michigan High School Athletic Association approved today 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. 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. The Council 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. Generally, 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, with MHSAA Finals in baseball, softball and girls soccer concluding the 2020-21 postseason June 19. The entire Spring sports season was canceled in 2020 due to COVID-19. However, the Council approved an allowance for Spring teams to meet for voluntary practices over 16 contact days this past September and October. General conditioning with an unlimited number of students is currently 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. By N3 Sports Team
If you love the sights and sounds of basketball being played in our local gyms you also are aware of the hard work and perseverance that goes into wearing those unis on winter evenings. Whether a starter, a role player or one of the players who primarily provide preparation during practices, these cagers all need to be recognized for their efforts. N3 will be selecting a Player of the Week from both the Girls and Boys teams. Whether nominated by a coach or chosen by our contributors we will strive to highlight some of the hoop heroics that fill those local gyms we mentioned. This week's choices were made based on the season’s start to this past Friday. Jaylee Long, Newaygo The senior in her 4th Varsity season has helped her team run off to a 5-0 start to the season. Averaging 20 points a game while dishing out the dimes to her teammates and grabbing her share of boards, Long exudes confidence on the floor and remains a key cog on a talented Lion squad. Coach Thomasma:“Jaylee kept us consistent on the court all the while dealing with a pretty big shiner on her eye.” Ms. Long took a hard elbow just above the eye in a recent game but battled on despite the irritating inconvenience of substantial swelling. Braiden McDonald, Fremont/Ashton Stephens, Newaygo We could not resist naming co-players of the week after seeing Editor Mercer’s account of the game within the game between them last week. “Then the third quarter happened. Braiden McDonald of Fremont and Ashton Stephens of Newaygo may well have been in a 1 on 1 offensive battle. The two leaders went back and forth , draining everything they touched.” Stephens and McDonald have continued to light it up since their duel when they combined for 65 points and they will meet once again on March 3rd at Newaygo. We know many of you cannot attend the games due to the current restrictions but you can still support your fave teams. Check out this article to find your way into the gym of your choice. https://www.nearnorthnow.com/sports1/where-to-catch-the-action By Mike Gesler Photos by Mike Gesler and Alexis Mercer Newaygo 48 Grant 26 “We definitely played scared. Obviously them coming back as good as they did last year that was in our heads. We were just pretty intimidated from the start,” stated Grant’s coach, Josh Delamater The Tigers were no match for the Lions tonight in Grant. A very experienced Newaygo squad jumped out to a five point lead on Grant and never looked back. The Lion’s scored in double digits each quarter while holding the Tigers down to single digits. The play of Newaygo’s Long sisters combined with Emmerson Goodin was clinical, and if that wasn’t enough of a threat, Grace Painter was the nail in the coffin. For Grant, this was a game for their young players to learn and grow from. “We obviously didn’t get any time together this summer,” continued Delamater, “so everything is really new for them. So it’s a process, and it’s one of those things where you learn from this game and take lessons going forward.” For Newaygo, it was a continued confirmation that they may be able to go as deep in the playoffs this year as they were on their way to doing last year before the COVID virus shut the season down. “I thought we played pretty well,” stated Newaygo’s coach, Nate Thomasma. “Took care of the ball pretty well. Tried to make it difficult. I know Grant’s got a couple shooters, and we tried to make it difficult on them a little bit while making our own shots.” Leading in the Lion’s victory was Emmerson Goodin with twelve points followed by Jaxi Long with ten. Grace Painter had nine herself with Lillian Ruehmeier (6), Jaylee Long (5), Anna Brummel (4), and Kayla Fisk (2) each contributing. For the Tiger’s Julie Ashbaugh led with eight followed by Sara Arends with seven. Trinity Swanson (5), Jaycee Rider (3), Mackenzie Ritz (2), and Chloee Chase (1) helped out the Tiger’s effort. By Mike Gesler Photos by Mike Gesler and Alexis Mercer Grant 60 Newaygo 51 If you have ever been to a Grant Newaygo boys basketball game, then tonight’s game would have been a surreal experience for you. Normally the stands surrounding the court are packed with fans and students. It is a loud, boisterous affair as the Tigers and the Lions play for bragging rights even if it is just at the local McDonald’s, hardware store, or morning coffee group. But tonight’s game was COVID influenced with CDC restrictions and limited access that resembled the stands more when these athletes played as first graders than as high school varsity students. Yet, despite this less than ordinary season, the game in itself was quite familiar. As Newaygo’s coach, Jason Long, put it, “It reminded me of a good old fashion Grant Newaygo game where people were going at it and both teams are going hard. It was fun.” “Hard” may be an understatement. Within mere seconds of the start of the game, Newaygo found themselves at the free-throw line hitting one out of two. This would become a theme that would rack up the foul count on both teams like Oprah giving out gifts; you get a foul, you get a foul, everybody gets a foul. Yet despite the physical play, Newaygo found themselves in a big hole by the end of the first quarter as Grant held them to a measly five points. You would have thought that this was going to be a much easier game for Grant than the usual rivalry, but Newaygo’s Wyatt Mortensen didn’t receive the memo. The second quarter could have easily been titled the “Wyatt Mortensen Show.” “It was a fun night to watch him get into it and go,” shared Coach Long. Of Newaygo’s eighteen second quarter points, Mortensen had sixteen of them. It was an effort that brought the Lions to within five points of Grant by the half, and a game that became more reminiscent of years gone past. With new life breathed into Newaygo for the second half, both teams locked into a fierce battle. For Newaygo, that battle was made slightly easier when Grant’s Brett Long fouled out. Without Long’s aggressive play on the boards, the Lion’s pulled themselves within three and could see the possibilities of securing a Lion’s victory, but an early fourth quarter nine point run by Grant would be too much for Newaygo to come back from. It would also be the final difference as the Tigers secured bragging rights at least until these two teams meet again on March fifth. “I think that was a good victory for us,” shared Grant’s coach, Joe Schuitema, “and we needed that. In a home game, a rival game with Newaygo, they put a lot of pressure on us with their dribble-drive activity. We sustained until the end, even though it really didn’t feel like it was being sustained. We had foul trouble. We had weird plays that were going on. We had some guys step up. I thought Orion Evans stepped up big with power moves around the rims. That was super for him, and I’m proud of him. I thought Elliot [Butchart] played really well on both ends of the floor doing the dirty work, and doing it with foul trouble so that was good. Some role players stepped in. You got Swinehart hit a three, VanderWeide hit a three, Gage [Burrows] hit a three, and that’s what their role is. And I thought Seth [Schuitema] stepped in on a bum ankle, and handled it pretty well. I’m excited about where we can get, but we are definitely not there.” Coach Long added, “I thought both sides played hard physical basketball, and it kind of came down right to the end. It was a five six point game all the way through. Just a good Grant Newaygo game.” Leading in tonight’s victory for Grant was Seth Schuitema with fourteen followed by Orion Evans with twelve and Gage Burrows with eleven. Jed VanderWeide (9), Brett Long (7), Elliot Butchart (4), and Payton Swinehart (3) also contributed to the Tiger’s win. For Newaygo, Wyatt Mortensen led with twenty-four followed by Bryce Decker with fifteen. Also contributing to the Lion’s efforts was Ashton Stephens (5), Josiah Long (3), and Seth McGowen and Hudson Harkness each with two. Late game heroics seal Holton win; Bowers, Harrison reach legacy numbers
Photos by Sue Harrison Holton 42 Kent City 38 Give the (Red) Devils their due. With their 3rd win in a row and 5th in 6 games Holton ended the evening all alone atop the Silver after a dramatic win over the Eagles. And they did it on the road in The Nest, one of the toughest venues for visitors in the area. Coach Swanson: “This one was tight the whole game.” Late in the fourth Hayden Carlson made his second consecutive 3 to give Kent City a 38-35 lead. Wyatt Monette responded with a three from the corner to tie the game up at 38. Aidan Poling would get a steal the next possession and draw a foul at the rim. He hit both free throws to give Holton a 40-38 lead. A couple scoreless possessions later as the clock wound down Wyatt Monette read a trap and found Austin Fowler for a lay up to ice the game 42-38. “I'm just very impressed with the poise of this group,” added Coach Swanson. “ Kent City kept coming back all game long and our guys persevered through it all. They made the big plays when the big plays needed to be made.” Poling finished with 19 points, Monette hit for 10, and Carter Brant dropped 7. Hayden Carlson had a game high 20 points for the Eagles and Kyler Larson also reached double figures knocking down 11. Kent City 79 Holton 9 The Eagles are an offensive juggernaut averaging 77 points a game The Devs have struggled with getting the ball to fall scoring over 40 just once. The combination led to a romp in the Nest as 4 Eagles reached double figures in a dominating performance Friday night that featured a pair of milestones. Senior guards Kenzie Bowers and Jenna Harrison put a couple of exclamation points on the win as Bowers scored career point #1500 and Harrison joined her in quadruple figures reaching 1000.The two finished with 26 and 18 respectively as Kent City made it 5 in a row to start the season. Bowers and Harrison look to add to their substantial totals Saturday when Kent City welcomes in the Tigers of Grant for a non-con matchup. The Red Devils (1-4, 1-3) look to get back on the winning track Monday when they travel to Orchard View to take on the Cardinals (0-6) who are averaging 13 points a game. That’s 64 less than the numbers produced each game by the team they faced Friday. Miller rifles in 30, McDonalds combine for 45
Girls Tri County 51 Fremont 48 They’re getting there. The Packers didn’t notch their first win of the season Friday night but they gave a good team all they could handle and the grit and drive put on display look to bring the team benefits down the road. After a slow first quarter, both teams got the offenses rolling. Tri County held a 9-4 lead after one butin the second quarter Calla Miller got the Packers rolling by pouring in 13 points on three 3-pointers and a perfect 4-4 from the FT line. Fremont led 21-18 late in the half, but a TC triple knotted the score at 21 just before the buzzer. The Vikings came out of the half still hot from long range, as Mary Siple hit two more threes in the quarter and the hosts held a 34-29 lead heading into the fourth quarter. The fourth saw more offense from both sides, as Miller scored another 13 in the quarter to keep the game neck and neck. TC held on by hitting enough of their free throws down the stretch to hold onto the lead. Miller ended up with 30 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists on the night for the Packers. Kennedy Christoffersen had 6 points and 5 rebounds. Tri County was led by Mary Siple's 19 points and Ashley Bialek had 11. The win improves the Vikings' record to 3-1, while the Packers drop to 0-4. Fremont gets right back to it with three more games in the next four days, first traveling to Shelby for a Saturday matinee. Coach Zerlaut -- "Obviously Calla had a great game offensively. That's what people notice, and deservedly so. However, it was truly a team effort tonight as many girls contributed on the defensive end, rebounded, and took care of the basketball." "We shook off a horrible shooting performance from earlier in the week and played a very good game against another good team tonight. As soon as a couple more girls gain some confidence offensively and look to score the ball, wins will start coming." Morley Stanwood 39 Hesperia 29 The Panthers hung tough with the ‘Hawks clutching a slim 16-15 lead at intermission. Then MS got hot. The hosts ran away in the 3rd busting out of the locker room with an 18-4 run. The Panthers regrouped and battled back but the deficit proved too much to overcome. Coach Grodus: “We played well in the first half then had a bad third quarter. That proved to be the difference in the game.” Emily Bayle came up big again for Hesperia dropping in 16 points to go with a half dozen boards and 4 steals. Boys Fremont 79 Tri-County 63 Coach Zerfas: “We continue to push the 'Next Man Up' mentality as we lost another starter to quarantine today during school. We have been 2 starters and 3 of our top 7 players down every game this season. Our players are responding well and improving each game though and different guys are stepping up each game. After being tied 17-17 after the first quarter we went into halftime down 32-28. We made a few adjustments on defense and how we attacked their zone on offense and it paid off. We led after 3 quarters 51-47 and scored 51 second half points. Braiden McDonald led us with 24 points, Sophomore Jordan McDonald had a breakout game with 21 points, 15 rebounds and 5 blocks even though he played in foul trouble the whole night. Joshua Zerfas had an outstanding all-around game coming close to a quadruple double with 12 points, 8 steals, 7 assists and 7 rebounds. Lane Converse had 8 points and 5 steals and Logan Nelson gave us a huge boost with 7 points, 5 rebounds and 3 steals. Tri-County was led by Ty Merlington with 28 points. Fremont (3-2, 3-1) hosts Shelby Saturday Morley Stanwood 54 Hesperia 9 No offense. The Panthers have had their challenges when it comes to scoring and Friday night the woes continued as they failed to get into double figures and were swamped by their Silver rivals. Coach Worcester: “Defensively we did well in the first half, holding them to 20 points. The offense did not show up tonight, We continue to struggle offensively. 9 pts total for a game is unacceptable.” Hesperia (0-3, 0-5) will look to recalibrate the offense Monday when they head to Fruitport to face Calvary Christian. By Ken De Laat, N3 Sports
Girls Newaygo (4-0, 3-0) at Grant (2-2, 2-1) Maybe it’s the tourney run last year that developed an indomitable spirit in this team but they take the floor with a winning demeanor. Falling behind TC early in their last game the team methodically got themselves steadied then proceeded to take the game away from the Vikings. The same Vikings that bested Grant by 15 points last week. It’s a rivalry game and the Tigers have some weapons and are still developing as a team but a lot would have to go their way for them to hang an upset on the Lions. Holton (1-3, 1-2) at Kent City (4-0, 2-0) The RD’s are averaging 27 points when they’re not playing Lakeview (The Wildcats cannot stop anyone from scoring...a lot) and the undefeated Eagles rang up 210 points in their first two games. KC is a solid strong team with a mission to grab the crown and head for a deep playoff run. Holton doesn’t seem to have the horses to keep up but they will certainly try. Fremont (0-3, 0-3) at Tri County (2-1, 2-1) The Packers are still finding themselves in a season that features , with the exception of Calla Miller, a new starting lineup and a youthful bench. They’ve had a tough start facing (and falling to) the 2 top teams in the league to open before losing their 3rd to Grant. It doesn’t get any easier because the Vikings mowed down their first 2 opponents before getting handled by Newaygo. The Pack will win some games this season but the Vikes are likely the best team in the league not named Big Rapids or Newaygo and the visitors will have to bring their 'A' game Hesperia (0-2, 0-2) at Morley Stanwood (2-2, 2-0) The Mohawks have dropped two in a row to pretty good teams while the Panthers have lost both times they’ve taken to the court. Not saying Hespo won’t beat MS but they will have to score more than the 25 points they’ve put up in their first 2 to do it. A lot more. Boys Newaygo (1-2, 1-2) at Grant (2-2, 2-1) This should be an interesting game since both teams are likely better than their records. The Tigers are making their home debut and have yet to be at full strength. The Lions have some intriguing parts and are beginning to show some offensive firepower beyond the considerable contributions of Ashton Stephens. Holton (4-1, 3-0) at Kent City (2-1, 2-0) I like the Red Devils a lot and they have a shot at breaking the stranglehold KC and MS have had on the Silver titles the past several years. A win on the Eagle home court would go a long way toward achieving that. Aidan Poling is a player. Scores when needed, throws out some tough defense and provides leadership on the floor. He and his teammates might be few in number but they will give any team they face all they’ve got. And they’ve got a lot. Fremont (2-2 2-1) at Tri County (1-2, 1-2) The Pack has lost 2. The opener against Big Rapids when they struggled to get the ball to fall and a Saturday contest against a really good OV squad. TC’s only win thus far was over Chip Hills a team that hasn’t come close yet and might be looking at a mid March matchup with Lakeview before cracking the W column. The Vikes can score but they also give up a lot of points so Braiden McDonald will likely knock down some numbers. Hesperia (0-4, 0-2) at Morley Stanwood (1-3, 1-1) The Panthers have a hard time scoring with any consistency. Morley is always tough at home. Not a great formula for Hespo to break into the W column. Strait fills stat sheet while Watson cleans the glass; Venema, Penland help snap skid
Girls White Cloud 52 Lakeview 5 White Cloud left no doubt early that this would be a victory against Lakeview. The lady Indians opened up with a 20-0 first quarter and continued the onslaught to the final buzzer. White Cloud was paced by Alexis Strait with 11 points, 6 steals, 4 assists and 4 rebounds. Abby Derks chipped in 10 points and 6 rebounds. Naomi Thompson and Carsyn Scarlavai added 9 points each. Cassie Watson dominated inside with 10 boards. White Cloud (3-2, 3-1) returns to action next Tuesday night when they host Mason County Eastern. Boys White Cloud 48 Lakeview 44 In their third game in three days White Cloud snapped a 3 game losing skid behind a 15 point performance by Sam Venema. “Three straight 4 point games in as many nights,” said Coach Jones. “The team displayed a lot of heart tonight. “Wes Penland gave us a huge lift off the bench with 4pts and several key rebounds.” Mason Ruether also hit double figures finishing with 10 points while Dexter Cox dropped in 9.. WC (2-3, 2-2) will host Tri County next Wednesday Wednesday Hoop Results: Devs Drop ‘Dogs, Pirates Sink Cloud, Crusaders Cruise Past Panthers2/18/2021 Holton 55 Ravenna 37 Both teams were coming off tough wins the previous night. Tied after one the Red Devils built a 12 point lead by halftime then kept the pressure on the Bulldogs in the second half to ice the non-con win. Coach Swanson: “Pleased with how we played tonight. After their gutsy performance down the stretch last night, to come out and play well tonight, it was a good step in our growth.” Aidan Poling continues to be a force on the Holton team, as he fired in 22 points adding 5 boards 4 steals and 3 assists to the stat book. Wyatt Monette also pulled down 5 rebounds to go with his 9 points, Brodrick Fialek dropped in a dozen and Austin Fowler added 6. Holton faces Kent City in the Aerie Friday Hart 50 White Cloud 46 The Cloud players were coming off a tough loss the previous night and facing a Pirate team looking for their first win. After an early lead the Indians fell behind trailing by as much as 14 points early in the fourth quarter. An inspired run closed the gap but WC could not overtake the Pirates and took the loss. Coach Jones: “Back to back heartbreaking losses. Every night we get stronger and more confident. Enrique Bowman gave us a big lift tonight with some much needed defense” Taylor Bode led the way with 14 points, Sam Venema scored 11, and Dexter Cox tallied 9. White Cloud was to make it three games in 3 days Thursday when they travel to Lakeview to face the Wildcats. Muskegon Catholic Central 64 Hesperia 22 The Panthers kept pace early on but MCC led by Jaden Johnson’s 22 points pulled away secured the win. Coach Worcester: “Our guys started off with the best offense and defense that I have seen all season. Turnovers in the second quarter and the duration of the game plagued our offense and second chance points for Muskegon Catholic hurt our defense. Overall, I believe our team has realized their capabilities and I look forward to more improvements going into our game against Morley on Friday.” Maddox Mosely paced the Panther attack with7 points. |
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