Powers Catholic’s Morgan McKerchie is not usually one who’s at a loss for words. But on Feb. 7, the day that she and 10 of her classmates signed their National Letters of Intent, the senior was humbled.
 
“When you sign your name on that dotted line, you realize all of your hard work and dreams have paid off,” said McKerchie, who signed to play soccer at Michigan State University. “MSU was somewhere that I knew I wanted to be. It’s close to home, but I just loved everything about the program. I couldn’t be happier with my decision I made.”
 
McKerchie signed her letter along with two of her soccer teammates, Heather Rolls and Allyson Haran. Signing with them made the day even more special. “You want to celebrate this day with everyone that helped make it possible,” she said. “Having Ally and Heather alongside me, as well as our other classmates, is pretty special.”
 
McKerchie, a forward,  tallied 41 goals and 38 assists in two seasons. Sitting out last season only made her hungrier heading into her final season. “I want us to have a great year and another run at a state title,” she said.
 
Powers won a state a championship in 2011 and was runner-up in 2012 and posted a combined 31 shutouts and an undefeated conference record.
 
Rolls, a goalkeeper who held opponents to 2.5 goals per game over those two seasons, signed with Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.
 
She is as fearless as they come in goal. “When she leaves, she’s dirty, she’s wet, and she’s tired,” Powers assistant coach Jeff Tippett said. “She’s very dedicated, and anybody that thinks her job is easy, because she doesn’t have to run a lot, I invite you to try and keep a ball from going into a big space.”
 
Rolls expects a big season in the spring for the Chargers. “I love these girls,” she said, referring to her teammates McKerchie and Harran. “I would love nothing more than going out on top with another state championship.”
 
Rounding out the three was Haran, a first-team all-state defender in 2012, who signed with perennial NCAA tournament team Wake Forest University.
 
POWERS CATHOLIC SIGNING DAY
Michela Coury (basketball) – Lake Superior State University
Sara Ruhstorfer (basketball) – Wayne State University
Philip Stair (soccer) – Michigan State University
Madison Sabourin (lacrosse) – Siena Heights University
Trent Grimes (football) – Central Michigan University
Kristen Wolfe (golf) – Central Michigan University
Morgan McKerchie (soccer) – Michigan State University
Allyson Haran (soccer) – Wake Forest University
Heather Rolls (soccer) – Georgetown University
Jared Pechette (soccer) – Missouri University of Science & Technology

Swan Valley wrestling coach Darrell Burchfield said, “Don’t let the score fool you,” after his team lost a 58-9 Division 3 semifinal match to eventual state champion Dundee.

“When someone sees that score, they will think that we were blown off the mat,” he continued. “Do I like to see that score? Heck no, I don’t, but Dundee is a better team than we are, but not by much. I guess if you have to lose, it doesn’t hurt to lose to a defending state champion.”

Swan Valley’s Matt Santos gave the Vikings a 3-0 lead, earning a 6-5 decision in the first match. He was coming off a gut-wrenching performance in the quarterfinal the night before, where he needed a three-overtime performance to defeat defending state champion Devin Schroeder of Grand Rapids Catholic Central so that the Vikings could advance to the semifinal.

“When you need a victory over a state champion like Devin, and you are the guy that needs to get the victory, now that’s pressure,” Santos said after his victory over Schroeder. “That kind of stuff right there I live for.”

Santos’ victory against Dundee got Swan Valley started on the right foot, but Dundee won the next nine matches, a string that included five consecutive pins, to take a 46-3 lead.

“We made a few mistakes along the way, and at this level you can’t do that,” said Burchfield. “At this point, I couldn’t be happier for a great bunch of kids, who have dedicated themselves to getting better. We have to get our numbers up, and we have to get down here again to get that experience. These teams are not that much better than we are.”

Steve Becker broke the Dundee string at 285 pounds with a 4-2 win. KJ Suitor gave the Vikings their other win, a 5-2 decision at 112.

Swan Valley made it to the semifinal with a 32-27 win over Grand Rapids Catholic Central. It finished the season with a record of 41-2.

 

 

The much-anticipated rematch between Detroit Catholic Central and Davison was what the fans wanted to see during the Division 1 final at Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek on February 22. And that is exactly what they got, as the wrestling powers squared off for the second year in a row to determine the top D1 team in the state.

Earlier in the year, Davison defeated Catholic Central by three points, but this time around, the Shamrocks claimed a 34-19 victory over the Cardinals. They finished the match by scoring the final 21 points to claim the victory.
 
Davison, top-ranked all season and top-seeded coming into the MHSAA finals, couldn’t hang on to a 19-13 lead through eight matches, and the match was decided when two of the premier wrestlers in the state squared off. Catholic Central’s Drew Garcia outlasted Davison’s Jordan Cooks 3-1 in overtime to help clinch the Shamrocks’ third straight D1 title. Both Garcia and Cooks were reigning two-time individual champions.
 
Garcia would go on to win this third title a week later, while Cooks was ousted on his way to another state championship.
 
“This was what the fans wanted to see, and hopefully we didn’t disappoint,” said Catholic Central coach Mitch Hancock. “This is what the kids dream about. Getting here is one thing, but taking it to that next level and winning a state championship is so rewarding. When DCC and Davison gets together, its always going to be a grudge match, and that’s exactly what the fans got.”
 
The win marked Catholic Central’s 11th team title, which ties the MHSAA record for most in Class A/Division 1 history.
 
“This ties Temperance-Bedford for the most in Division 1 history. That shows how hard the kids work in this wrestling program,” said Hancock, who has guided the Shamrocks to a 149-32 record over seven seasons as head coach. “That’s something we take a lot of pride in. But I told the entire team, coaches, and parents at the beginning of the season that we were not to mention the [word] three-peat. Every year is different, and our goal was to go out and try to win a state championship.”
 
Davison coach Roy Hall is no stranger to the big stage of the state tournament. From 2000-2006, he guided the Cardinals to six state titles, and during the last 14 years, Davison has made the final match 14 times.
 
Although Davison lost, Hall credited Garcia and Cooks for putting on a great show for the fans. “Garcia is tough,” he said. “Those are two of the better kids in the country. Cooks is legit.”
 
Davison led 19-13 with Justin Oliver’s pin at 140 pounds. Then Myles Amine (145) and older brother Malik Amine (152) earned consecutive decisions to pull the Shamrocks even before Nick Bennett’s pin at 160 opened up a 25-19 lead for Catholic Central.
 
Catholic Central freshman Tyler Morland faced senior Thomas Garty at 171, coming back from a 5-4 deficit to win 9-5 and set the scene for Garcia’s heroics.
 
Catholic Central’s Nick Geise (215) ended the match with a 4-1 triumph.
 
“This is all about Catholic Central High school, representing Catholic Central, the administration, the parents, and giving glory to God,” added Hancock. “We would not be able to do this without any of them.” 

Scott Keyes

Sports Scene

 

Freeland coach Tom Zolinski called it one of the best performances he has ever coached against in his seven years as coach of the Falcons.

He was probably right.

Alma’s Maddy Seeley single-handedly nearly willed her team to victory. She scored 39 points, including 21 of 21 from the free throw line, and added four rebounds and two steals, but it wasn’t enough, as Freeland held on to defeat the Panthers 68-62 in a regional semifinal game held at Carrollton High School.

“We did everything we could against Maddy Seeley, but she is that good, and she kept her team in the game,” Zolinski said. “Maddy gave one of the best performances I’ve ever seen in a game played against us since I’ve been coaching here. We had help defense, we tried trapping her, and nothing worked.”

That is a huge pat on the back coming from Zolinski, who coached last year’s Miss Basketball and current Michigan State Spartan Tori Jankoska for four seasons, but watching Seeley provide a Tori-like performance against Jankoska’s former team was impressive.

“To watch Maddy play the way she did and just being so aggressive going to the basket was special to watch,” Zolinski said. “A performance like that is what the month of March is all about.”

Seeley admitted that she was nervous going into the game. “I was pretty nervous all day leading up to the game,” she said. “Knowing it could be your last game, you leave everything you have out there on the court. I felt good. My shot was falling. You know, I’m just really proud of my team. We really came together towards the end of the season. I am proud of winning a district title, and I am proud of the effort we gave tonight. It’s sad it’s over, but I couldn’t be prouder of my team.”

Seeley closed the first quarter with a lay-up at the buzzer, and she scored 13 of Alma’s 15 points in the second quarter. The Panthers, who lost 61-49 and 49-38 to the Falcons during the regular season, held a 32-31 lead at halftime.

“Maddy Seeley played an unbelievable game,”  Freeland junior Taryn Taugher said. “That was one heck of a performance.”

When Seeley cut the lead to three points late in the game, Taugher made 3 of 4 free throws to ice the victory. She finished with 25 points, including 15 of 17 at the free throw line, and had nine rebounds with seven steals.

Taugher has had huge shoes to fill with the loss of Jankoska to graduation. Taugher admitted that the transition was slow, but mid season, things started to pick up, and Freeland started to play a more consistent brand of basketball.

Breanne Short added 10 points, eight rebounds, and four blocked shots, while Sofia Gutierrez and Tina Miller each had eight points.

Kendall Vedrode added 12 points for Alma, which finished the season with a record of 11-10.

 

 

Basketball players from Nouvel Catholic Central and Frankemuth gave back to their respective communities Feb. 16 by hosting a wheelchair basketball game. They partnered with the Special Olympics to benefit Elizabeth Kischnick in honor of her twin brother Zachary, who passed away in his sleep on Jan. 7, 2014, at the age of 18. 

Zachary and Elizabeth were both born prematurely and are special needs children. Mitchell Kischnick is a current athlete on the Frankenmuth varsity basketball team, and his brother Zachary was his biggest fan.

The twins were born Feb. 21, 1995, the first children of Earl and Karolynn Kischnick. Then Mitchell and Madison were born, and Team Kischnick was formed. Madison and Mitchell are both standout athletes at Frankenmuth High School. 

Nouvel coach Joe Jacobs heard of what happened and knew there had to be something he could do to help the Kischnicks and to celebrate Zachary’s life. Jacobs was the Frankenmuth junior varsity coach last season, and Mitchell Kischnick was one of his players.

Both teams spent a month before the game looking for sponsors for the wheelchair basketball game, which also included a silent auction and other ways spectators could enjoy the game.

Overall, it was a  huge success, and the community came out in droves to support the cause. It was a great game, that supported an even better cause. Zachary Kischnick would have been proud.

 

 

 It’s another great day at Sports Scene!!

It’s March. It’s Madness. What else can a sports fan ask for?

My team of photographers and writers need to be commended for a great job at Battle Creek and at The Palace these last couple weeks shooting photos for wrestlers statewide to cherish for the rest of their lives!! Thank you, Scott Keyes, Gary Williams, Paige Bennett, Jeff McGinthy,Reyna,Julius and Zip Widman, Greg Chrapek, Joe Vozar, Alan Holben, Jamie McNinch and Kelsey Jickling!!

Also, thanks to John Johnson for giving Sports Scene the opportunity and thank you Mark Uyl for your dedication to the sport of wrestling over the last 10 years.

We are truly blessed to be able to wake up every morning with the sun shining (snow and ice hopefully melting), the birds chirping, children playing, and a game on somewhere every day during the month of March. It’s times like this that I am glad I am a sports fanatic.

The first wave of champions has been crowned at the high school level, with wrestling taking center stage for two straight weekends. There were 56 individual champions crowned and four team champions, including New Lothrop (D4) and Lowell (D2), who knocked off state powers Hudson and St. Johns in the finals. Detroit Catholic Central and Dundee repeated in Division 1 and Division 3, respectively.

I am very happy for Coach Campbell and the New Lothrop faithful, as I wrestled with some of the parents and uncles of this team’s wrestlers. I am also happy for the Red Arrows seniors and coach Dean, who worked very hard to finally get to that moment on Saturday, February 23rd, when they snatched the trophy away from the St. Johns Redwings. It is a little bittersweet, knowing most of the St. Johns kids and wrestling community, and my old wrestling teammates at Michigan State, Hudson head coach Scott Marry and Davison head coach Roy Hall, but it was  great wrestling, full of intensity and down-to-the-wire matches; what more could a fan and fellow wrestler ask for?

We saw Zac Hall cap his career by becoming only the 18th four-time state champion. Next year, he will join University of Michigan teammates Taylor Massa and Adam Coon, who accomplished the feat the previous two seasons. Great job Zac! It was a privilege coaching you during your days at Ithaca and watching you wrestle during the years at St. Johns, and I look forward to watching you wrestle for the Wolverines in the near future.

We also saw another career come to a close, as Alma’s Maddy Seeley fought to the bitter end in the final game of her high school career, scoring 39 points in the Panthers’ 68-62 regional semifinal loss to Freeland. Maddy put her team on her back and nearly pulled off an epic comeback. It’s performances like hers that make the month of March so special. 

Another special shout to my dear Yellowjackets Travis, Logan, and Josh, who will be moving on to play football at the next level; I also look forward to following you!

March is a time where dreams are made and hearts are broken, but it’s times like this where I am glad I am a coach and a high school sports fan.

Thanks to my three seniors from this year’s Alma wrestling team, Alex, Stephen, and Johnny; it was a pleasure and I wish you three the best!! Boyd and Damian, I am proud of you as well!

Good luck to the rest of our area teams that are still fighting the good fight. One and done is what March is all about, so stay focused and mentally aware of your surroundings. This is what dreams are made of.

 

 

 

 Several area teams were ranked in the final boys basketball Associated Press Class D Michigan poll. Middleton-Fulton was ranked 11th and Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart is 16th.   

 

 Several area teams were ranked in the final boys basketball Associated Press Class C Michigan poll. Mount Clemens is first at 19-1. Sanford Meridian seventh at 18-2 and Pewamo Westphalia 10th at 17-2. Also ranked is Flint Hamady 16th, Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary  19th and Saginaw Valley Lutheran 24th.  

 

Several area teams were ranked in the final boys basketball Associated Press Class A Michigan poll. Muskegon is first at 20-0. Saginaw Arthur Hill is fifth at 16-4,  Holt is ranked 13th, Flint Carman-Ainsworth 17th, Grand Ledge 19th, Mount Pleasant 20th and Lansing Waverly 23rd.

 

Breckenridge’s boys basketball season ended with a 59-37 loss to Saginaw Nouvel in Class C district action on Monday. Nouvel led 20-6 after the first quarter 35-9 at halftime and 47-25 after the third quarter. Keegan Giles scored 16 points for Breckenridge.