It was another stellar year for high school sports. Here are the top stories for the boys school year"
Zeeland West boys basketball reaches state semifinals
EAST LANSING - An incredible playoff run for the Zeeland West boys basketball team came to an end in the state semifinals.
It has been a stellar playoff run that saw the Dux claim the first district and regional titles in program history, then knock off Muskegon in the state quarterfinals - avenging two earlier losses.
The Dux faced another team it had lost to earlier in the season in the Division 1 state semifinals, but this time, lost 58-39 to North Farmington on Friday at the Breslin Center.
"These seniors have been around the program for so long, it is truthfully (impossible) to put this into perspective," Zeeland West coach David Klyn said. "We finally had a chance to show what we could do, and these guys delivered. First time to the Breslin after our first district and regional titles. To see the fans all come out was really special. This group of guys has had a bigger impact than anyone other group that has gone through, and that is going to continue for a long time with all the little kids who look up to these guys as heroes."
Merritt Alderink led the group as a Mr. Basketball Finalist and Holland Sentinel Player of the Year for the second time.
Zeeland West football finishes two yards from state finals
PARK TWP. - Facing a fourth-and-goal on the 2-yard line down 3, Forest Hills Central had a decision to make.
Kick the field goal to tie? Or go for the win.
FHC coach Tim Rogers opted to go for it and quarterback Mason McDonald pushed his way into the end zone and the Rangers scored and stunned Zeeland West 18-14 in the Division 3 state semifinals on Saturday afternoon at West Ottawa.
"It came down to two yards at the end. Both teams fought like crazy. They moved the ball, but we had a chance to stop them on fourth-and-2 after two good stops, but they made the play," Zeeland West coach John Shillito said. "We are proud of them. There was no give in. They fought. It just happened that they made the play at the end."
West Ottawa relays break state records
EAST KENTWOOD - Ruben Esparza said they would be faster.
Last week, the West Ottawa boys 4x100 set the all-time state record at the MITCA finals.
All that was left was clinching a state title.
The Panthers did that - and more - breaking the Division 1 meet record in both the 4x100 and 4x200 to double up on state titles.
"Since the first meet of the season, we knew what we could do," Esparza said. "We knew the weapons we had, and I knew we were going to do it."
Charlie Sanders, Esparza, Andrew Spilotro and Desmond Chapa won the 4x200 relay in 1:25.53 to break the meet record - holding off two other teams that broke the previous meet record.
Holland Christian soccer reaches state semifinals
GRAND RAPIDS - The Holland Christian players were pretty emotional as they slowly made their way off the field.
The Maroons soccer team lost 2-1 to Grand Rapids Christian on Wednesday night in a Division 3 state semifinal at Forest Hills Central High School.
It ends an impressive run by the No. 1 ranked Maroons, who finish the season 18-2-2. They won the Division 3 state championship last season.
“Privilege to coach this group,” Holland Christian coach David DeBoer said. “I’m going to miss seeing them every day at practice. They represented themselves and their school well.”
Holland Christian swims to third in state
HOLLAND - The Holland Christian boys swimming and diving team put together a stellar prelims session on Friday at the Division 3 state finals, which set them up for a possible trophy finish.
The Maroons took advantage of the opportunity to claim a third-place trophy on Saturday at Holland Community Aquatic Center.
Holland Christian scored 211 points, finishing behind champion Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood (380) and East Grand Rapids (243). Hamilton finished ninth with 96.
"It is a testament to our program as a whole. We have a lot of really good athletes who are willing to work really hard. I was proud of our guys. Every swim was a best time in prelims with except one. It is great for our program," Holland Christian coach Todd Smeenge said. "We had a few events we were down and East Grand Rapids was up, and that was enough for them to get us."
Contact sports editor Dan D’Addona at Dan.D’Addona@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @DanDAddona or Facebook @HollandSentinelSports.
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