Author: Andy Hawley | Page 57

Late first half run dooms Spring Arbor Men’s Basketball in loss at #3 Marian

January 11, 2016

INDIANAPOLIS – The Spring Arbor University men’s basketball team started hot and led No. 3-ranked Marian University midway through the first half, but the Knights closed the period on a 13-0 run en route to a 93-81 win over the Cougars on Saturday. “Marian has some very impressive parts,” said associate head coach Brandon Baum following the game. “We could clearly see today why they are so highly ranked.” Junior guard Caleb Hogans dropped a team-best 24 points while also matching his career-high with eight assists. Sophomore Zach Medendorp finished with 16 points going a perfect 7-for-7 from the field. Seniors Peter Barry and Greg Hamilton also scored in double figures with 13 and 10 points. The Cougars shot 60 percent (21-for-35) in the second half, including hitting 4-of-9 attempts from three-point range. “Caleb played his best overall game of the year,” added Baum. “He did a great job playing composed and taking what the defense gave him. Our assist to turnover ratio was outstanding today. Zach played a very good second half after early foul trouble. He came out with great intensity after half. We are encouraged by several bright spots on our team.” …

Finding ways to win

January 11, 2016

Napoleon girls still figuring things out, but start season with eight wins in a row By Mike Moore Staff Writer Napoleon – This remains a team with some flaws to fix, but a record to cherish. Steve Smoyer compared what his Napoleon High girls basketball team has gone through so far to what the Michigan State University football team was able to do this fall. “I’m not comparing the two teams, but the fact (MSU) had so many close calls, and still found ways to win,” Smoyer said. “That’s kind of what we’ve been through. We’re not a perfect team, and we have a lot to work at, but there’s something to be said about having more points than the other team when the horn blows.” The Pirates have made a habit of doing just that so far this winter. Following Friday night’s 52-22 victory over Michigan Center, Napoleon was 8-0. It’s the best start for the Pirates since the 2008-09 team won 25 games in a row before ending that season 25-1 with a loss in the Class B semifinals. And while this year’s group is a long way from thinking…

Friday Night Scoreboard

January 9, 2016

Boys Onsted 66 Hillsdale 62 Grand Ledge 47 Jackson 46 Marshall 61 Lumen Christi 52 Coldwater 59 Northwest 50 Western 66 Charlotte 60 Columbia Central 58 Blissfield 49 Girls Grand Ledge 57 Jackson 43 Vandercook Lake 63 Addison 47 Napoleon 52 Michigan Center 22 Manchester 37 Hanover-Horton 21 Grass Lake 59 East Jackson 21 Charlotte 37 Western 33 Northwest 65 Coldwater 39 Marshall 56 Lumen Christi 24 Jackson Christian 56 North Adams-Jerome 41 Concord 74 Union City 43

Onsted vs. Hillsdale Photo Gallery

January 9, 2016

Final - Onsted 66 Hillsdale 62 View photos from the game

Hope escapes with 68-65 victory over Albion

January 7, 2016

HOLLAND, Mich. – Chad Carlson scored seven of his 12 points during a 13-0 run as third-ranked Hope College erased a 14-point deficit with eight minutes to play and escaped with a 68-65 victory over Albion College on the opening night of Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball action. Albion led 31-29 at halftime and it extended the margin to 13 five minutes into the second half. Dakota Kazen produced Albion’s first two baskets of the second half and Jaylen Fordham tacked on a three-point basket and a layup. Albion led 58-44 on Fordham’s layup with 7:43 to play. Albion committed three turnovers and missed two shots while Hope went on its run, as the Briton lead melted to 58-57 on Brock Benson’s layup with five minutes left. Albion held off Hope at first, getting a three-point basket by Fordham to hold a 62-57 lead with four minutes left. Hope scored the next five points on baskets by Benson and Alex Eidson to forge a tie at 62. Benson scored the Flying Durchmen’s final four points from the free throw line. Fordham led all players with a career-high 24 points, connecting on 9-of-13 shots. Jordan Herron added 12 points. Hope…

A program on the rise

January 7, 2016

Title in Hillsdale is just the start for Northwest wrestling program according to Gumbert By Mike Moore Staff Writer Jackson – Wrestling remains one of those sports where veteran leadership, or that veteran presence on a roster, is one thing. But just having veterans to throw their weight around is another. The Northwest squad has neither, which makes what the Mounties are doing this winter even more spectacular. “We only have one varsity senior, but a real good group of younger guys and freshmen,” coach Bruce Gumbert said. “I think, when you look at what we’ve done, it’s a little better than any of us expected. And that’s mainly because of how young we are.” The Mounties’ season was going just fine up until the holiday break, and then came the exclamation point — so far. On Jan. 2, the team went to Hillsdale for the Dan Taylor Invitational, and when the dust settled, sat alone on top in the 15-team event. The Mounties earned the top spot with a team score of 178.5. Waterford Kettering was second at 169, while Harper Creek was third with 156. Reese Darrow took first…

Round 1 to the Vikings

January 6, 2016

Jackson uses big runs, and 23 from Suddeth, to roll past Lumen Christi 57-43 By Mike Moore Staff Writer Jackson – He played like a man possessed, and just maybe, he was. How else can you explain Shonte Suddeth and the game the Jackson High junior had Tuesday night against rival Lumen Christi on the hardwood. Well, Dan Crowley put it in much simpler terms. “That’s Shonte,” Crowley said. “That’s what Shonte does.” Suddeth scored a game-high 23 points at home Tuesday, anchoring a number of big runs for the Vikings in what eventually was a 57-43 victory over the Titans. “Always a big win,” Crowley added. “We had to win this one at home.” “It was what we expected,” Lumen coach Pat Neville said of the high paced, back-and-forth game. “Watching them play, it was the tempo we expected. But I thought we did a good job keeping it a half-court game at times. We mixed in some zone, and we made some big shots.” Suddeth hit an early 3-pointer, and it seemed to ignite the Vikings, who started the game on a 14-3 run. But after Neville used a…

Outdoor enthusiasts invited to Sportsman’s Banquet

January 5, 2016

Jackson College will host a sportsman’s banquet, social hour at 5 p.m. and dinner at 6:30 p.m., on Feb. 13 in the Victor Cuiss Fieldhouse, Central Campus. Community members are invited to this evening dedicated to outdoor enthusiasts. There will be a dinner with live auction for a variety of prizes, including: Bear hunt in Canada Turkey hunt in Delton, Mich. Deer hunt in southern Ohio Duck hunt Raffle drawing for guns, hunting equipment, sporting goods, and more! Banquet dinner tickets are $45; contact Rick Smith at 517.796.8592. Sponsorships and Table Captains are also available; contact Smith for information. Proceeds from this event will benefit JC baseball and volleyball.

Spring Arbor Baseball head coach Sam Riggleman to enter ABCA Hall of Fame Friday

January 5, 2016

SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – Spring Arbor University head baseball coach Sam Riggleman will be inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) Hall of Fame on Friday, Jan. 8 in Nashville, Tennessee. Riggleman will be honored alongside Bob Babb of Johns Hopkins University, Augie Garrido of the University of Texas and Ray Tanner from the University of South Carolina during the ABCA/Diamond Hall of Fame/Coach of the Year Banquet at the annual convention. "The ABCA recognition of Coach Riggleman is fantastic, but not unexpected," said Spring Arbor University President Brent Ellis. "Sam's career is stellar with few coaches even in the same vicinity of his accomplishments." "Beyond his baseball expertise, Sam's investment in the faith and character of student-athletes is inspiring and essential for other coaches to emulate," added Ellis. "I am thankful for the commitment to excellence Coach Sam Riggleman has demonstrated here at Spring Arbor University and at the previous institutions where he has served. God has blessed Spring Arbor with a true servant leader. Congratulations Sam, on your induction in to the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame." Riggleman, a two-time National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) National Coach of the Year,…

A star in every season

January 4, 2016

Concord’s Lehman has seen and done just about everything on the field of play By Mike Moore Staff Writer Concord – From as soon as she can remember, she’s been right there, the little girl on the sideline, just trying to fit in, the team manager with the parent as head coach. She’d help her mom in volleyball, her dad with the boys basketball team. That was before she actually had the chance to shine at Concord High. Since then, well, senior Lindsey Lehman has redefined individual success while serving as the integral part of some of the school’s best teams the past four years. “It’s been fun,” Lehman said about her upbringing around the Concord athletic department and her time as a main component of it. “I’m always busy, but it’s been a lot of hard work. The summers and offseason include so much work to get ready for everything I’ve done. But I’ve been in the gym with my parents ever since I was a baby. I never stopped playing something growing up.” It certainly paid off, as her athletic resume weighs heavily on the impressive end. As a freshman,…

Andy Hawley