Columbia Central vs. Jonesville District Final – Photo Gallery
Columbia Central vs. Jonesville Girls Basketball by JTV Sports
A shot at the unbeaten
Hanover-Horton girls take aim at Napoleon in tonight’s district final By Mike Moore Staff Writer Napoleon – These are long odds for a young team seeking a major upset. But come playoff time, anything is possible. That’s the mindset Andrew Birch and his Hanover-Horton girls basketball team have heading into tonight’s Class C district final against Napoleon at 7 p.m. “They are unbeaten, but not unbeatable,” Birch said of the Pirates. “We believe anyone can beat anyone this time of year.” Napoleon enters the home game tonight with a 22-0 record and a substantial favorite. The Pirates already defeated Hanover (14-8) twice this winter, as recently as last Saturday by a 61-35 count. “The first game we hung around for a half,” Birch said. “We came out and played with them. But that’s an experienced team that doesn’t get frustrated. They are persistent. That comes from being a senior-led team. The second time was an awkward game, where it was a snow day and we had to play on Saturday morning.” The key, Birch stressed, was patience and ball possession. “We need to be patient offensively,” he said. “We have…
Spring Arbor’s Caitlin Clark competes on day one of NAIA Track & Field National Championships
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – Spring Arbor University freshman Caitlin Clark (Brooklyn, Mich. / Lumen Christi) missed advancing to the finals in the 5000 meter run Thursday at the 2016 NAIA Indoor Track & Field National Championships, held at the David E. Walker Track at Gentry Field. Clark, who entered the national meet with the sixth-best time among her competitors, placed 15th overall in the preliminary round with a time of 18:43.67. "I am proud of Caitlin and the work she has put in this season," said head women's track and field coach Bryan Burk. "To qualify as a freshman is a huge accomplishment! She has a very bright future ahead of her. Sure she had a tough day today, but knowing her, it's only going to drive her to do better and better!" Even though her indoor season has come to a close, Clark achieved something few athletes ever get to experience. The Brooklyn, Michigan native had an outstanding rookie campaign posting some of the top times in program history in the 3000 and 5000. She currently holds the second-fastest time in school history in the 3000 with a 10:22.52 while her 18:07.14 in the 5000 ranks…
Regular season wrapped
(file photo) Jackson trumps Lumen 55-43 on the hardwood, both teams shift focus to postseason By Mike Moore Staff Writer Jackson – From the football field, to the frozen ice, and now the hardwood. In terms of the 2015-16 sports season, the guys at Jackson have had Lumen Christi's number. Baseball season begins in mere weeks. The Vikings completed the season sweep in basketball Thursday night, using a strong first-quarter run and some key defensive stands to exit lumen with a 55-43 victory in the regular-season finale for both teams. “There was a lot of pressure coming in here tonight,” Jackson coach Dan Crowley said after the win. “They may only be a one-win team, but we knew they were going to give us their best, and they did. We were able to make some big plays down the stretch, and that was huge.” “It was the story of our season here tonight,” Lumen’s Pat Neville said. “We cut it four in the fourth quarter, missed a lay up, and then they made a huge play. Story of our season.” The game was even much of the first quarter, but the Vikings…
Girls District Final Schedule
Class A at Okemos 7:00pm Northwest (20-2) vs Mason (12-10) Class B at Hillsdale 7:00pm Jonesville (19-2) vs. Columbia Central (19-3) Class C at Napoleon 7:00pm Napoleon (22-0) vs. Hanover-Horton (14-8)
Hanover-Horton vs. Vandercook Lake Girls Basketball – Photo Gallery
Hanover-Horton vs. Vandecook Lake Girls Basketball District Semifinal
Everett vs. Jackson Boys Basketball – Photo Gallery
Everett vs. Jackson Boys Basketball, Photos by JTV Sports
Everett vs. Jackson Girls Basketball – Photo Gallery
Everett vs. Jackson Girls Basketball Photo Gallery, Photos by JTV Sports
Challenge of the season
Jackson United hockey team to put impressive record on the line in playoff opener By Mike Moore Staff Writer Jackson – After a season of winning, a year of entering nearly every game as the favorite to skate away with victory, the Jackson United hockey team is about to be on the other side of that equation. Coach Andy Sinkovitz has coached enough hockey, at many different levels, to approach every game with a realistic vision. And that won’t change Monday as his Jackson squad begins the Division 1 state playoff at 6 p.m. against Brighton at the Kensington Valley Ice House. “We know they are very good, they are very deep, they have good defense, they move the puck well,” Sinkovitz said. “I’ve been around long enough to know you have to play a perfect game to have a good shot. But we’re not a slouch of a team. If we show up with our A-game, we’ll have a good chance.” Brighton, ranked No. 2 in all of D-1, is 16-8-0 and placed second in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association Central Division standings. Jackson, ranked No. 13 in D-1, was 20-3-1 entering…
Opportunity at perfection
Weather allowing, Napoleon girls take aim at undefeated regular season By Mike Moore Staff Writer Napoleon – In 19 attempts, no other team has had even a shred of success trying to take down the girls basketball squad at Napoleon. Mother Nature may be the lone victor. But, if the Pirates do welcome in Hanover-Horton tonight for the regular-season finale, they do so with a chance to turn what’s been a wonderful season into a perfect one. “Every team wants to be 20-0, but the thing these girls have done is keep everything in perspective,” coach Steve Smoyer said. “They started with a focus on winning the conference. They have focused on getting better today than they were yesterday.” And it’s worked, every day and every game. Following Tuesday night’s 52-35 victory at Columbia Central, the Pirates improved to 19-0 on the season. The lone outstanding piece to a perfect puzzle is scheduled for 7 p.m. tonight at home. As of this morning, Smoyer said he was not sure if the game would be played or not, and Hanover is not able to make it up tomorrow night if it’s not…