Sports

CENTREVILLE — Glen Oaks Community College announced last month the hiring of Sam Waniewski as the GOCC men’s basketball head coach for the 2025-26 season. Waniewski’s extensive experience and reputation for scouting, recruiting, skill development and academic oversight made him stand…

BATTLE CREEK — The Sturgis girls swim and dive team finished third at the SCC Championships, which was hosted by Battle Creek Harper Creek last Friday and Saturday.The Trojans recorded 311 points, with Harper Creek (527 points) finishing first and…

By John RaffelCorrespondent FARWELL — Farwell and Harrison football teams were members of the Jack Pine Conference’s Division 2 this season and placed several players on the all-league list announced recently.For Farwell, sophomore Mason Sterling was honored as a first-team…

By Jason WesseldykSports EditorAs a sophomore last season, Saugatuck soccer standout Dante Holley received Second Team All-State recognition.As a junior, he wanted more.“I know being Second Team All-State is an honor, but it’s never fun to feel like you are…

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor BATTLE CREEK—Host Harper Creek ran away—or, more accurately, swam away—with the SCC title on Saturday, Nov. 8, racking up 527 points.But the three local girls swim & dive teams—Plainwell, Otsego and Allegan—had plenty to celebrate as…

By John RaffelCorrespondent LAWTON — Lawton’s football season came to an end in the second week off the playoffs with a 26-0 loss to Schoolcraft in Friday’s district title game.Lawton’s season ends at 7-4. Schoolcraft takes a 9-2 record into…

BROOKLYN, Mich. — The state cross country finals were held last Saturday at Michigan International Speedway, with numerous area runners competing in Divisions 2 through 4.Division 2 saw the Three Rivers Wildcat boys grab 11th place with 344 points. Charlie…

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director PAW PAW — A few weeks ago, amid some injuries to key players on defense, Three Rivers got rinsed by Paw Paw at home 43-0, part of a stretch where the Wildcats lost three consecutive games…

By John RaffelCorrespondent CLARE — The Clare boys cross team ended their season 11-1 in Jack Pine Conference action, finishing as JPC runners-up.“They finished eighth in the fastest Regional in D2 (Benzie), posting 5 of 7 career PRs on the…

By Jason WesseldykSports EditorBROOKLYN—So close, yet so far away.That has been a familiar refrain for the Saugatuck girls cross country team when it comes to the Trailblazers’ quest for a podium finish at the State Finals.And unfortunately for Saugatuck coach…

Otsego junior Peyton Dennany is pretty good at soccer.How good, you ask? Well, she’s ranked 10th in the nation as a midfielder.And that earned her a coveted spot on the US Youth Soccer roster, giving her the opportunity to train…

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor High school sports, when done right, are about much more than wins and losses. They’re about teaching life lessons that the athletes can carry with them into adulthood.Such was the case for the volleyball programs from…

By John RaffelCorrespondent GOBLES — In the first round of the MHSAA football playoffs, the Gobles Tigers (7-3) put up a fierce fight in a 72–62 loss against Climax-Scotts, showcasing a dominant rushing attack and balanced offense.Steven Juarez led the…

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director MENDON — A confluence of conflicts between both Mendon and Grand Rapids Sacred Heart Academy led to Sacred Heart’s MHSAA eight-man Division 2 football team forfeiting their first-round playoff matchup against the Hornets that was scheduled…

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director ST. JOSEPH COUNTY — Local volleyball teams will be starting their road to Kellogg Arena beginning next week. All local teams will be participating in the MHSAA playoffs, which begin on Nov. 3 with first round…

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director ST. JOSEPH COUNTY — Seven of the eight local football teams that made the MHSAA football playoffs will try to run the gauntlet toward a state title beginning this weekend with district play. All games will…

By John RaffelCorrespondent FARWELL — Farwell lost 37-8 in a home game to Harbor Springs on Oct. 24 to end the regular football season.“We took the opening drive 64 yards and didn’t score. We stalled out on the 5-yard line,”…

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor PARCHMENT—Facing Coloma and Parchment on Tuesday, Oct. 21, the Saugatuck volleyball team came away with a pair of wins.The Trailblazers bested Coloma 17-25, 25-20, 25-20 and upended Parchment 25-19, 12-25, 26-24.Natalia Laskowski had a big night,…

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor PORTAGE—Throughout the season, the Otsego girls cross country team—led by senior Emma Hoffman—has been ranked first or second in the Division 2 poll.So the Bulldogs entered the Division 2 regional at Portage West Middle School on…

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor The 2025 season ended on a high note for the Allegan football team.Led by a ground attack that amassed 376 yards, the Tigers racked up more than 400 yards of total offense to post the 44-37…