Packers tally another comeback win
Photos by Gail Mansfield Fremont 18 Oakridge 8 This group of Packer ballplayers must either thrive on adversity or are merely trying to elevate Coach Jeff Foster’s stress level. For the 4th straight game the team has had to rally back from a deficit to secure the win and Thursday they did it in a big way. Down 8-5 after 4 innings the Pack exploded, posting a double digit inning as 10 players crossed the plate taking the wind out of the Eagle sails and propelling Fremont to their 24th win of the season. Drew DeBlake collected 5 RBI’s, Payton Mansfield doubled twice, singled and scored 4 times and Logan Nelson slapped out 4 hits driving in 4 teammates in the process. David Faulkner, Brenden Maka, Joe Kortje, Michael Baden and Grant Vissa each notched an RBI in the rout. The huge 5th inning production delivered the mound win to Jaxon Deur with Mansfield coming in to slam the door in the 7th striking out 2 of the 3 batters he faced. Next stop for the Packers (24-4-1) will be this Saturday when they compete in a tournament at Grant. They will face the Vikings of Tri County in their first game beginning at 11am.
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Lions to challenge Cards for CSAA Tourney Title
Photos by Tara Hefferan Newaygo at Big Rapids, Friday 5pm Just a week ago the Lions soccer squad traveled north and saw their undefeated record come to an end against conference rival Big Rapids in a match that determined the conference title. The Cardinal squad is deep and experienced. They shook off a loss to #1 ranked D4 powerhouse Calvin Christian a month ago and have been undefeated since, yielding but a single goal in the process. The strength of the Big Rapids game is their ability to control the tempo and keep the ball on the opponent's side of the field and they did that against the Lions last week constantly pressuring the Newaygo defense. The Lions have put together a splendid season piling up wins with collaborative combination of youth and experience, a staunch defense, effective ball control and a team camaraderie that reveals the familiarity the players have with each other. They are a spirited group who have embraced the opportunity to take to the field after the cancellation of last year's season and reeled off a sterling record this Spring with the only blemish the loss to the Cards. And the only way to get another shot at BR was to march through the tournament and hope the redbirds did the same so the two talented teams could meet in the finals. This week these teams have kept an eye on each other as both have taken down opponents in the tourney to get to this game. Newaygo ran past Chip Hills and went to shootout after a pair of overtimes to sink the Vikings of TC. The Cardinals swept past Lakeview then ran into a determined Reed City defense to advance with a 1-0 win, though the BR team spent the vast majority of the game on the Coyote side of the field. Can the Lions thwart the game management expertise of the Cardas? Can they capitalize on the scoring opportunities that may be few and far between? The Lion defense has been stellar all season and Toth has shined in goal. Offensively Painter. Long, and Son have been the top scorers. But overall this is a team that communicates well and the aforementioned familiarity allows them to anticipate trouble as well as opportunity. The Lions will have to bring their A game to Big Rapids Friday. They will need to keep the Cards from dominating possession and can't afford to miss scoring chances when they come. But make no mistake this Lion team does not take losing lightly and would like nothing more than to enter next week’s state tournament carrying a bit of revenge hardware. Go Lions! Toth stones Vikes in Lion shootout win
Photos by Tara Hefferan Newaygo and Tri County played a tough back and forth match tonight. It was tied 2-2 after regulation time and still tied after both overtime periods, forcing a penalty shootout to decide the game. Alexandra Son and Grace Painter scored in regular time, helping to force the shootout. Goalkeeper Barbara Toth made 3 saves on Tri County shots while Jaxi Long, Connelly Hefferan-Nordlund, and McCaiden Rienstra hit their penalty shots to secure the win for the Lady Lions. Coach Painter: “Our girls hung in there against a Tri County team who seemed just a step faster tonight. Barbara Toth played a solid game in the net and made a few key saves prior to the shootout to give us the chance at the end. I am proud of our girls for never giving up and supporting each other all the way to the final shot!” Kortje sparks late comeback in game 2
Photos by Kacey Nelson and Gail Mansfield Fremont 10-2 Whitehall 5-1 Down 5-3 in the bottom of the 5th the Packers dropped a half dozen on the visiting Vikings and Michael Baden shut them down for the final 2 frames to secure the win. Joey DeLong doubled and singled twice, scored 2 and drove in 2 while Payton Mansfield and Drew DeBlake each knocked home a pair. The Packer defense held tight, finishing with just one error. In the Nightcap Gabe Van Vleet was tossing a gem from the mound, setting down 15 Vikings on strikes and giving up a lone run on 3 hits. But his team was still down 1-0 and time was running out. Finally thanks to a 7th inning miscue by the visitors Joe Kortje came in to tie it up and send the game into extra innings then capped off his heroics with a run scoring single in the 8th to give the Packers the sweep. Payton Mansfield took over mound duties in the 7th and blanked the Vikes giving up a walk and striking out 3 to get the win. Photos by Bobbie Cruzan Softball Morley Stanwood 11-15 White Cloud 1-8 In the opener the Mohawks pounded out 7 runs in the first 3 innings on a combination of timely hits and untimely errors by the WC fielders. The lone run came in the 6th when Emily Hodges got a hold of one and tripled before scoring courtesy of Jorja Baker. Kiara Edwards had the only other hit off Mackenzie Meldrum who kept the Cloud in check in picking up the win. The nightcap saw a sea of errors by both teams with White Cloud jumping out to a 4-1 lead after 2 only to see Morley tie it in the third. The Cloud came back with 4 runs in the top of the 4th but the ‘Hawks posted a 6 spot to take the lead for good. Makayla Felos knocked in 3 for the WC while Baker and Edwards each scored twice. Edwards and Emily Hodges each added an RBI. The teams combined for 18 errors in game 2. Baseball White Cloud 7-8 Kent City 1-6 In Game #1 - White Cloud was led in hitting by Taylor Bode, Sam Venema, Christian Ringler, and KJ Strait, with each collecting 2 hits.. Strait had a long double over the left fielder. Cam Wolters faced the minimum 15 batters in 5 innings, striking out 5, and allowing only 2 hits, as both runners were thrown out by Taylor Bode on steal attempts.. Alex Cruzan pitched the final two innings, striking out 4. In Game #2 - White Cloud had to battle from behind, finally taking the lead for good in the 6th inning. The team was led in hitting by Sam Venema with 3 hits, while Taylor Bode and Landyn McGowan, each added 2 hits. Adam (The Bulkinator) Bulk added a huge pinch hit single that drove in 2 late runs. Mason Ruether and Alex Cruzan combined for 12 strikeouts from the mound. Amazing defensive plays were turned in by Mason Cruzan and Sam Venema, which helped to preserve the team's victories. WC’s conference record now stands at 15-3, while their overall record is 21-5. Both teams travel to Shelby Friday to face the Tigers. City Council recognizes Lions for their run to Breslin
Accolades continue to pile up for the NHS Lions Girls basketballers. On May 10th at their regular meeting the Newaygo City Council passed a resolution recognizing the achievements of the team. Here is the proclamation read by Mayor Ed Fedell. RECOGNIZING THE 2021 NEWAYGO LIONS VARSITY GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM WHEREAS, The 2021 Newaygo Lions Varsity Girls Basketball Team’s season was outstanding, exciting and historic with an impressive State Final appearance at the Breslin Center in East Lansing. Prior to this season, the last Newaygo Lions Girls Basketball Team to reach the State Finals was in 1985. Close to 180 teams in the State play in Newaygo’s Division and Newaygo was one of the last two teams standing; and WHEREAS, under the leadership and guidance of Head Coach Nate Thomasma, who received Honorable Mention for Associated Press Coach of the Year, and Assistant Coaches Dan Maki, Jason Long, and Erik Mitchell the 2021 Newaygo Lions Varsity Girls Basketball Team earned the Central State Activities Association (CSAA) Conference Championship, with a 14-0 record, a District Championship, a Regional Championship, a Quarterfinal Championship, a Semi-Final Championship, and a State Runner-Up Championship with an overall record of 21-2; and WHEREAS, The 2021 Newaygo Lions Varsity Girls Basketball Team also earned 2021 Academic All-State; and WHEREAS, the City of Newaygo recognizes the 2021 Newaygo Lions Varsity Girls Basketball Team members: Anna Brummel, Kayla Fisk, Emmerson Goodin, Jaylee Long, Jaxi Long, Grace Painter, Lily Ruehmeier, and Lily Swinehart for their accomplishments they have demonstrated over the past months and for their hard work, dedication, perseverance, and love of the sport of basketball; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that on May 10, 2021, Ed Fedell, Mayor of the City of Newaygo, MI, the members of the Newaygo City Council, other City Boards, and City Staff hereby recognize and honor the 2021 Girls Varsity Basketball Team for their historically successful season, their great sportsmanship as demonstrated in cities and basketball courts across the State and their teamwork approach to basketball that was marveled by all who followed their games throughout the successes this group of young woman experienced under the leadership of Coach Thomasma. Signed and sealed this 10th day of May 2021 Ed Fedell, Mayor City of Newaygo Painter punches in a quartet of goals, defense posts 8th shutout
Photos by Tara Hefferan The Newaygo Lions put in an excellent team effort defeating Chip Hills 8-0. Newaygo moved the ball well throughout the midfield, switching the ball from side to side until finding the run they wanted to put the ball in the net. Jaxi Long had 2 goals and 2 assists, Alexandra Son found the back of the net twice, and Grace Painter finished with a hat trick plus one netting 4 goals and adding 2 assists. The Lady Lions improved to 9-1-2 on the season and will face the winner of the Kent City/TriCounty game. Coach Painter “Coming off the loss to Big Rapids, it was important for our girls to gain back some confidence. Their teamwork tonight was rewarded with a win and they are looking forward to their next match up.” Foursomes sweep relays
The White Cloud Boys T&F team took home the top trophy in the CSAA Silver Conference Meet last Friday putting some distance between themselves and second place Kent City by winning 9 of 17 events. White Cloud dominated the relays winning all 4 events while Joel Bradley and Jace Silverthorn placed 1-2 in both the shot put and discus. Hunter Ciolk took the top honors in pole vault, Nikolas Parks-Josephson took the 300m hurdles and Tristan McHaney outdistanced the pack to grab first in the 800m run. Realy winners were Mason Morris, Vince Ockert, Silverthorn and Dexter Cox in the 4x100, Morris, Ockert, Cox and Ashton Byle in the 4x200, Parks-Josephson, McHaney, Byle and Terry Trendel in the 4x400 and Nathan Ciolk, McNahet, Trendel, and Kobe Canning in the 4x800. Named to the all conference team were Parks-Josephson, Morris, Ockert, Silverthorn, Cox, Byle, Trendel, McHaney, Hunter Ciolk, Canning, Bradley Nathan Ciolk, and Carson Foondle. The team will compete in the Regionals in Saugatuck this Friday 7 on T&F squad make all conference team; 2 more get HM
The girls’ track team completed their 2021 season in the CSAA Conference by finishing second in the championship meet at Morley Stanwood on Friday with a total of 118.33 points. Congratulations to those who were named to the All Conference Team: Janessa Shepard, Carsyn Scarlavai, Elizabeth Compeau, Gaby Reeve, Ryleigh Balke, Jaden Gomez, and Chesney Kooman. Honorable mention athletes were Kalyn Williams and Jolena Deaton. Our regional meet will be held Friday at Saugatuck. Results from our conference meet: Shot Put: 1st Janessa Shepard 34’2.75”, 2nd Gaby Reeve 31’9.5” Discus: 1st Gaby Reeve 104’3” 4th Janessa Shepard 95’1” Long Jump: 1st Jaden Gomez 15’1” 2nd Elizabeth Compeau 15’.25” 6th Annie Feldpausch 12’10” Pole Vault: 2nd Carsyn Scarlavai 6’6” High Jump: 5th Annie Feldpausch 4’2” Grace Richards 4’ 3200 Relay: 3rd Jolena Deaton, Annie Feldpausch, Grace Richards, Audrey Proctor 13:05 100 Hurdles: 2nd Ryleigh Balke 19.13 5th Chesney Kooman 20.61 100 Meters: 5th Carsyn Scarlavai 14.06 800 Relay: 2nd Kalyn Williams, Ryleigh Balke, Chesney Kooman, Jolena Deaton 2:09.65 400 Relay: 1st Elizabeth Compeau, Chesney Kooman, Jaden Gomez 54.66 300 Hurdles: 2nd Ryleigh Balke 56.54 6th Chesney Kooman 1:01.93 200 Meters: 4th Jaden Gomez 28.85 5th Elizabeth Compeau 29.67 3200 Meters: 6th Annie Feldpausch 14:10.49 1600 Meter Relay: 3rd Elizabeth Compeau, Ryleigh Balke, Carsyn Scarlavai, Jaden Gomez 4:43.96 Photos by Tara Hefferan Big Rapids 3 Newaygo 0 Friday’s soccer showdown between the Lions and the Cardinals featured the two top teams in the conference. Big Rapids came into the contest having won 7 of their last 8 matches and visiting Newaygo was riding a 10 game unbeaten streak. Something had to give. When BR senior Ariana Costie put a header into goal off a corner kick early in the first half it gave the Cards the edge they needed to put their ball control game into play. The Lions struggled with getting scoring opportunities and played much of the game defending their territory. A second goal by the hosts came as the teams approached the midway point of the second half and a late tally was added as time was winding down. The loss puts the Lions in second place with an 8-2-1 record. They will host Chippewa Hills Monday at 4:30. The two teams met in their season opener with Newaygo defeating the Warriors 7-1. |
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