Sports

Saugatuck volleyball team drops pair of tough matches

Editorial StaffSep 24, 20252 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports EditorThe volleyball match between Saugatuck and Lawton on Thursday, Sept. 18, started well enough for the host Trailblazers.Saugatuck took the opening set 25-20.Unfortunately for the Trailblazers, they weren’t able to sustain that momentum and dropped the next…

Plainwell cross country teams perform well at Bangor Invite

Editorial StaffSep 24, 20252 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor BANGOR—The boys cross country teams from Plainwell and Paw Paw had quite the battle for the top spot at the Bangor Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 20.And despite putting all five of their scoring runners in the…

Allegan boys tennis team hosts stacked tourney

Editorial StaffSep 24, 20253 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor For the record, Allegan was not hosting the Division 4 Boys Tennis State Finals on Saturday, Sept. 20.But based on the level of talent on hand at the Gary Ellis Courts, it had the feel of…

Gobles volleyball team win

Editorial StaffSep 24, 20251 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent GOBLES — The Gobles varsity volleyball team won a hard-fought five-set battle against Saugatuck, with scores of 17-25, 25-12, 17-25, 25-22, and 18-16. Kylee led the team with 18 digs and seven aces, while Ellie Wood added…

Second-half scores, stifling defense lead TR to homecoming win over Plainwell

Second-half scores, stifling defense lead TR to homecoming win over Plainwell

Robert TomlinsonSep 21, 20256 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director THREE RIVERS — In football, like in life, sometimes something unanticipated comes at you, and you need to learn to adapt on the fly in order to succeed. After a scoreless first half in Friday’s Three…

Soccer Roundup: Three Rivers shut out by Plainwell

Editorial StaffSep 19, 20252 min read

PLAINWELL — Three Rivers’ boys’ soccer team had a tough time at Plainwell Thursday, Sept. 11, getting shut out by the Trojans 7-0.No stats were reported for the match.With the loss, Three Rivers goes to 1-4-1. Constantine earns first win…

Tennis Roundup Three Rivers loses to Vicksburg, narrowly beat Niles

Editorial StaffSep 19, 20254 min read

VICKSBURG — Three Rivers’ boys’ tennis team traveled to Vicksburg Thursday, Sept. 11, and came away with a 6-2 loss to the host Bulldogs.Winning for the Wildcats were the No. 1 doubles duo of Parker Bingaman/Todd Wadsworth, who defeated Mason…

Clare golfers first at Shepherd

Editorial StaffSep 19, 20251 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent CLARE — Clare’s golf team was first at Shepherd on Monday at Pleasant Hills Golf Course.Itwas a nine-hole tournament with Clare at 210, Shepherd at 224, Saginaw Heritage 232 and Clare No. 2 team at 238.For the…

Saugatuck cross country teams place second at Holly

Editorial StaffSep 17, 20252 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports EditorHOLLY—Under the leadership of the husband/wife team of Rick and Angelina Bauer, the Saugatuck cross country team has never shied away from tough competition.Case in point: the Trailblazers moved up a Division at the Holly Duane Raffin…

Allegan soccer ties Hackett

Editorial StaffSep 17, 20251 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor KALAMAZOO—A back-and-forth battle ended in a 2-2 tie when the Allegan boys soccer team traveled to Kalamazoo to face Hackett on Monday, Sept. 15.Allegan opened the scoring when LJ Dial scored off an assist from Sawyer…

Gobles improves to 3-0

Editorial StaffSep 17, 20252 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent GOBLES — The Gobles Tigers put together a complete performance on both sides of the ball Friday night, rolling to a 44-0 victory over Marcellus, coach Greg Eichler said.The Tigers racked up 396 total yards of offense…

Schoolcraft’s high-flying offense downs Constantine

Schoolcraft’s high-flying offense downs Constantine

Robert TomlinsonSep 14, 20256 min read

By Robert TomlinsonNews Director CONSTANTINE — In the 79th meeting between U.S. 131 football rivals Constantine and Schoolcraft, Constantine has led the series 43-35 prior to Friday night’s contest, including a double-overtime win in the 2024 meeting in Schoolcraft. However,…

Tennis Roundup TR tennis defeats Plainwell, loses to Brandywine

Editorial StaffSep 12, 20253 min read

THREE RIVERS — Three Rivers’ boys’ tennis team split their two matches this week, defeating Plainwell Monday 7-1 and losing to Brandywine Tuesday 7-1.Against Plainwell, Three Rivers won matches at all but No. 1 doubles. Alex Nowak defeated Plainwell’s Kevin…

Soccer Roundup: TR loses to Otsego in shortened game, shut out by Harper Creek

Editorial StaffSep 12, 20251 min read

THREE RIVERS — Three Rivers’ boys’ soccer team dropped a close, weather-shortened 2-1 game Wednesday, Sept. 3 at home against Otsego.Carter Rice scored the lone Three Rivers goal in the loss. The game was called at halftime.On Thursday, Sept. 4,…

Pioneer two-way player off to impressive start

Editorial StaffSep 12, 20252 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent CLARE — Clare is off to a 2-0 start in varsity football and Brendan Burton is confident the Pioneers can keep it going.This is his second year of varsity football. Last year he played left tackle and…

Wings West and Wings Event Center to close, hockey parents worried

Wings West and Wings Event Center to close, hockey parents worried

Jordan WilcoxSep 11, 20254 min read

Jordan WilcoxAssistant Publisher For many years, Wings West has been more than a building. It has been a gathering place, a training ground, and a second home for athletes, families, and fans. The beloved Texas Township hockey arena opened in…

Saugatuck volleyball falls short in battle with Fennville

Editorial StaffSep 10, 20253 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports EditorFENNVILLE—The volleyball match between archrivals Fennville and Saugatuck didn’t start exactly the way Blackhawks coach Rebecca Hughes had hoped.Saugatuck took an early lead in the opening game and never looked back in securing the 25-17 win.“The rivalry…

Otsego girls golf wins pair of league jamborees

Editorial StaffSep 10, 20251 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor BUCHANAN—The Niles-hosted Wolverine Conference girls golf jamboree at Orchard Hills took place on Monday, Sept. 8.And as has been the case in the previous two league competitions, it was Otsego that came out on top.The Bulldogs…

Allegan tennis hosts Gary Ellis Invitational

Editorial StaffSep 10, 20252 min read

By Jason WesseldykSports Editor The Allegan boys tennis team hosted the Gary Ellis Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 6, placing third in the four-team field with 10 points.Unity Christian took top honors with 22 points, while Traverse City West was second…

Paw Paw soccer wins 2-1

Editorial StaffSep 10, 20251 min read

By John RaffelCorrespondent PAW PAW — The boys soccer team faced off Monday night vs. No. 8 ranked Potter’s House. JV started the night out strong with a 1-0 win. Ethan Leaser scored assisted by Colby Barnett. Nate Klein and…

By Mike Wilcox
Owner/Publisher

Every year, as the Christmas season draws near, I’m reminded just how generous our communities can be. For nearly two decades, Wilcox Newspapers has hosted what’s become one of my favorite traditions: our Annual Christmas Wish Program.

It started simply enough. We asked readers who were struggling to write in and tell us what would make their Christmas a little brighter. The idea was to connect local families in need with local people who wanted to help. Over the years, it’s grown into something truly special—and this year, we’re doing it again.