Friday Night Kickoff

I didn't even know I was this good an athlete, but I was even more surprised to see myself in the World Under 18 Hockey Tournament currently taking place in Ottawa.

"Another two-man advantage helped Canada again in the second period, with Benn taking a pass from John Tavares to bury it past German netminder Phillip Grubauer for a two-goal lead. With Stefan Della Rovere in the penalty box just two minutes later, the Germans cut the lead in half with their own power play goal by David Wolf."

Now, I am half german, I would be eligible for the german team, the only problem is that I'm about 15 years past the 18 years old mark.  Now I am a HUGE hockey fan, this made me real happy.

So I know that I blocked an extra point attempt back in 1983 for Jackson high school.
(http://wsjmsports.com/blogs/kickoff/2008/10/i_did_what.html).  Now I can also add scoring a power play goal in the 2008 World Juniors against Canada... wow I'm good.

I also was an astronaut for four space shuttle missions and spent some time on the Russian Mir Space Station.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Wolf.

And I also wrote a book called "Foul! The Connie Hawkins Story" http://www.amazon.com/Foul-Connie-Hawkins-Story-David/dp/0030860210

Can't wait to see what I'll do next.

Posted by Dave Wolf at 10:14 PM | Permalink

Oh since the weather outside is frightfull, so I thought I'd be insightful, and since there's some stuff I know... Here I go, Here I go, Here I go...

BASKETBALL

First off, obviously the weather has played havoc on the area sports schedule from Friday with many games begin postponed.

I have created a page here on WSJMsports.com that hopefully won't have many more games on it, you can find the list of cancelled games and if there is a make up date, I added that too.

http://wsjmsports.com/basketball/rescheduledgames.htm

A couple of key games were rescheduled.  Today the Benton Harbor girls basketball team will host Niles at 3:00.  This is a major test for both Benton Harbor and Niles.   The Tigers have rolled over... everybody behind Destiny Williams.  Niles used a pressure defense and quick strike scoring and  recently rolled over St. Joe.  

The Benton Harbor boys game from Last night is going to played on Monday at Kalamazoo Central's Zuidema Gymnasium.

St. Joe had a girls game against Kalamazoo Central on Friday "snowed out" that'll be played on February 12th at St. Joe.

Lakeshore's girls were supposed to be at Mattawan on Friday, that was also cancelled.  I don't have a make up date for that as yet.

FOOTBALL

Well, after about a month of searching, the Mattawan Wildcats have filled their head coaching position.  Current Bangor Head Coach Matt Stephens has left as coach of the Vikings and takes over the Head Coaching position at Mattawan High School.

The Kalamazoo Gazette has the story
http://highschoolsports.mlive.com/news/article/-549568854/homecoming-of-sorts-stephens-to-lead-mattawan/

To sum it up, he lives in Mattawan, he assisted at Mattawan, he has 5 kids at Mattawan, I guess it makes sense that he should be the head coach at Mattawan... doesn't it.

He takes over a program that has 4 wins the last two seasons combined, 3-6 in 2007 and 1-8 in 2008.  The Wildcats were last in the playoffs in 2006 where they lost to Lakeshore in the first round.

So that leaves Benton Harbor without a head coach, and now you can add Bangor to the list of schools looking for a new head coach.

In other area football news.  St. Joe's Matt Mattox, recently had a dinner in Detroit for the Detroit Free Press's football Dream team.  Rumor has it that of the 23 players there who are some of the top players in the state,  13 of those 23 are committed to Michigan State.  Both Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez and Michigan State's Mark Dantonio were both in attendance.   Michigan State looks as if they have another win over Michigan.   BTW  Mattox is NOT commited to MSU or the U of M.   speculation has him going to either Illinois, or Western Michigan.

Posted by Dave Wolf at 11:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This last week has been a real busy one for me, I've had high school basketball games 4 out of 5 days this last week.  All I can say is that I hope my doctor doesn't read this but... I had 8 hot dogs this week.

Now I am the announcer for the St. Joe basketball teams (boys and girls).  So forgive me if this sounds a lot about St. Joe..

But... It all started Monday when I worked the St. Joe vs. LMC girls basketball game at St. Joe, which the Lady Bears won 59-30.   Total Hot Dog Count: 2

On Tuesday, the boys season started.  St. Joe had to rally from a 2 point halftime deficit and defeated Coloma in their annual season opening meeting for a 56-44 win.   Total Hot Dog Count: 5

Wednesday was the day off, so you'd think that I would avoid hot dogs altogether for dinner... well you're almost right,   Name the one food that can be consumed like a hot dog... Bratwurst,    Total Hot Dog Count: Still 5 but add 2 brats...

On Thursday, I was on the road with the St. Joe Girls basketball team at Battle Creek Harper Creek.   St. Joe was defeated 49-41, but the thing that really bugs me is this.   I realize that a lot of schools forbid certain drinks from being taken inside their gymnasiums, but never have I ever before seen the lengths that Harper Creek will do to try to preserve the floor of their multi million dollar facility,  the ONLY foods that are allowed inside the gym.... Water and Popcorn...  that's all, nothing more.   They have a person assigned to stand at the door almost giving you a pat down to make sure that the contraband you have just purchased at the concession stand is not within the same zip code as their floor.   

Now let me ask this.... What kind of damage can two PLAIN HOT DOGS DO?   Especially since I am at the scorers table where the game staff of Harper Creek has cans of pop, the woman next to me had a Wendy's burger.   Last year somebody had a microwaved container of Campbell's clam chowder... (Believe me I remember the smell).  Are you telling me that a container of hot and  smelly clam chowder is allowed when two plain hot dogs are forbidden?    Funny thing is, about 5 years ago when I worked a few St. Joe games at Harper Creek's old high school gym, they didn't really care.   Total Hot Dog Count: 7

Friday the week came to an end with St. Joe defeating Sturgis 54-24 in a snore fest for the first 2 and a half quarters.   The only thing that really kept me awake was the screaming of the new Sturgis head coach.   Well, I guess that the St. Joe fans were hungry on Friday, because I was only able to get one hot dog on Friday night, they were sold out at halftime of the varsity game.   So I had a slice of pizza.   Total Hot Dog Count: 8  Brat Count: 2   Slices of Pepperoni Pizza: 1

Wow.... All of the meat I consumed this week were in tube form, yikes.

OK, enough ranting, more basketball stuff now.

Boys

Lakeshore's boys are off to a 2-0 start, which is pretty much expected.   The Lancers have answered some early questions about how they will survive in the post Troy Peter era.  Lakeshore has wins over Dowagiac and a nail biter against Marshall on Friday that wasn't decided until the final buzzer went off.

Benton Harbor is also 2-0, the Tigers have rolled off wins against rival Battle Creek Central and Coldwater, with Tyrone Black and Aaron Clayborn leading the way for Marcus Mohammed's team.   The Tigers are quickly erasing the memories of the 5-15 season a year ago.

Could things be turning around for Lake Michigan Catholic?  Now it's hard to say for sure after only one game but if you look at the opening game, an 80-41 win at Morrice, Josh Beckman's team could possibly be ready to contend for the Red Arrow title once again.

Michigan Lutheran is 1-2 after the first week, falling to Bloomingdale on Tuesday in their opener, and then falling in the championship game of their annual season opening tip off tournament.   I think it was expected that Michigan Lutheran would have an adjustment period after the Ryan Ross era came to a close.  You can't really replace that kind of talent that easily.   If there is any advantage to this for the Titans.   Other teams actually have to cover all 5 guys on the floor instead of Ross alone.

Girls

Benton Harbor is undefeated, as expected.  But, if I were to ask you about the area's most dominant basketball player this season.  You might assume I was talking about a boys player like Tyrone Black or maybe even Zack Eddy.   I would tell you that you were dead wrong.  Destiney Williams is the real deal.  If you need proof, during the Tigers 80-35 win over Kalamazoo Central.  Williams herself had 35 points, matching the entire output of the Maroon Giants... this just in... she's good!!!

Michigan Lutheran is another unbeaten team, they are 3-0 on the season, being led by Alyssa Curry and Freshman Leanne Priebe. Those two are getting a lot of the glory, but it is a team effort for the Titans.

Lakeshore picked up their first win of the season on Saturday with a 75-45 victory over Dowagiac on Saturday night to improve to 1-3 on the season.  But, the Lady Lancers could just easily be 3-1 on the season.  Lakeshore lost their first two games by three points each.  Losses in overtime to Battle Creek Harper Creek 47-44 and a 48-45 defeat to Marshall, could easily have gone Lakeshore's way.   The Lady Lancers will have their hands full on Tuesday, they host Benton Harbor.

Lake Michigan Catholic waited a week after the season started to play their first game.  The Lakers opened the season last Monday with a 59-30 loss at St. Joseph and a 43-40 loss on Wednesday at home to Mendon.  But the Lakers defeated Bloomingdale rather convincingly on Saturday.   After seeing them play it seems to me that the Lakers don't have the height they've had the last few years, but they do have some talent, watch out for 5'7" Freshman Laura Sifrig.

Well that's it for the week,

I've got three nights of games this week.  St. Joe girls host Niles on Tuesday, while the Boys are at Berrien Springs, I really hate having them play on the same night (Darn you Guzzo!!!), but you have to fit those 40 games in sometime.   Thursday the St. Joe boys host Harper Creek, maybe we'll let their fans bring hot dogs in the gym.   Friday the St. Joe girls host Kalamazoo Central.

And if my doctor is still reading... I'll try to lay off the hot dogs.

Get out to a game, doesn't matter who, doesn't matter where, but the $5 you will spend on admission is well worth it to watch and support our area athletes, boys or girls.   And it doesn't have to be just basketball either.  Wrestling is in full force, plus there is competitive cheerleading.  Just go and you'll enjoy it...  Maybe even have a hot dog.

Posted by Dave Wolf at 09:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Well the first week of the Girls season is done and so far Benton Harbor is 2-0... as expected.  The Lady Tigers have been led by Destiney Williams... as expected.

Michigan Lutheran is 1-0 on the season after beating Eau Claire and will play game 2 on Tuesday at Howardsville Christian.

Now the Titans big rivals Lake Michigan Catholic... has yet to play a game, the first week of the season took place without LMC even playing a game, they open their season on Monday at St. Joseph high school, where the Lady Bears are 1-1 on the season after dropping their opener at Buchanan and then beating Sturgis "sort of" at home on Friday night.  

Now I say "sort of" at home for St. Joe because the game had to be played at the Fieldhouse in St. Joe, another leak in the roof of the Bear Den forced the game into the fieldhouse,  The leak was discovered last Monday during the "Meet the team night" for the Bears boys team.   The leak is in the middle of the lane on the north end.    Now since I work games at St. Joe, I can tell you that this is the third time that leaks have either caused games to be moved or damage has been caused to the floor for a water problem.      I've been told that the leaks have been contained and all that is leaking now is the water that just needs to drain out.   

The Lady Bears host LMC on Monday night, it will most likely be in the Bear Den. 

Lakeshore is 0-2 on the season after falling in OT on Tuesday to Harper Creek, and then falling on Friday to Marshall.  Both of the Lady Lancer losses, were by a total of 3 points 47-44 to Harper Creek and 48-45 to Marshall.  Lakeshore visits Loy Norrix on Thursday.

Now for the Boys,

The Boys season begins for most area teams on Tuesday. 

The Benton Harbor boys break in the newly remodled Farnum Gym on Tuesday against longtime Rival Battle Creek Central.  

St. Joe opens Tuesday night at home against Coloma, Lakeshore opens at home against Dowagiac, Lake Michigan Catholic will wait until Friday to play at Morrice, Michigan Lutheran opens Tuesday at home against Bloomingdale.

Should be a fun ride, will Benton Harbor be able to rebound after a dissapointing season last year?   Will Lakeshore continue to dominate the Big 16 West after losing Troy Peter?   Will St. Joe be able to compete without Brad Guinane?

Did I mention that Michigan Lutheran is without Ryan Ross???

Posted by Dave Wolf at 11:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)