High school roundup: Hamilton wrestling reaches regional final; Saugatuck girls win
HOLLAND - While the season came to an end team-wise for the Hamilton wrestlers, a few are still chasing dreams of a state championship.
Hamilton defeated Holland in the Division 2 regional semifinals on Wednesday at Holland, then lost 62-12 to defending state champion Lowell in the regional final.
The loss ended a remarkable season that saw Hamilton win districts for the third consecutive year and win a conference championship for the first time since 2013.
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"We had a great year," Hamilton coach Trenton Holyfield said. "We gave them everything we had, and I am proud of them. We have coaches in the right spots in our program which keeps our developmental part going."
Hamilton's Jake Chase earned his second win of the night against Lowell. In the semifinals, he defeated Holland's Israel Castro, one of the top wrestlers in the area.
"Jake is a guy who puts in as much time as anybody," Holyfield said. "He is a competitor who is working year-round. He is there now."
He is one of seven Hawkeyes heading to individual regionals on Saturday with hopes of qualifying for the state tournament.
"Last year I was a regional qualifier and all year I wanted to make it to state," Chase said. "I have tested and refined a bunch of stuff this year. I wanted to focus on improving. I just need to go out there and wrestle as best as I can."
In the semifinals, Hamilton got wins from Broden VanWieren (106), Ethan Goodwin (120), Eli Ramsey (138), Brandon Olson (157), Trace Lopez (165), Tyler Block (175), Shane Dams (215).
Holland's winners in the semifinal were Aiden Segovia (113), Julian Segovia (132), Joel Morin (144) and Alessandro Fillmore (285).
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Saugatuck 49, Buchanan 35
The Trailblazers extended their winning streak to 10 and sit 15-1.
Miss Basketball candidate Brook Simpson had six 3-pointers and finished with a game-high 24 points. Meanwhile, Kennedy Gustafson had 15 points in the paint. Mylah Simpson added 10 points.
"It was the team defense that was the true star, holding the Bucks to 23 points until late in the game," Saugatuck coach Kevin Tringali said.
Saugatuck can clinch a share of the SAC Central with a win Friday against Delton Kellogg.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Parchment 71, Black River 49
Josiah Thomas had 15 points and Jonah VanderMeer had 10 as the River Rats dropped to 7-13.
"Parchment shot the ball well, we tried to contain them and pack the paint because they are a super=fast team off the dribble, and we couldn’t make shots to slow them down in transition," Black River coach Darrion Denham said. "Long night for us, we need to have a short memory put this game behind us and be ready for Friday."
Contact sports editor Dan D’Addona at Dan.D’Addona@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @DanDAddona or Facebook @HollandSentinelSports.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: High school roundup: Hamilton wrestling reaches regional final
