COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – In Branch County high school sports, it was a day for practice Wednesday for Coldwater Cardinal Football and Bronson Lady Viking Volleyball as the two teams prepare for their upcoming MHSAA state tournament semifinal action this weekend. First on the schedule is Bronson against Traverse City St. Francis at 2 p.m. tomorrow at Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek. Our live coverage of the match on the radio with the audio streaming on-line at wtvbam.com begins at 1:30 p.m. The winner advances to the Class C Volleyball Final Saturday at 12 noon.
Bronson Community Schools announced on their Facebook page yesterday that all of their schools will have only a half day schedule on Friday so families and students can support the volleyball team in the Lady Viking’s quest for a state title. School officials said the early dismissal was possible since the district this fall has not used any additional hours in their schedule.
Coldwater’s bid to reach the football finals on Thanksgiving weekend takes the Cardinals to Jackson for a Division 3 semifinal Saturday at one pm against Chelsea at Jackson High School’s Withington Stadium. Our live coverage on AM 1590 and FM 95.5 begins with the pre-game show at 12:20 p.m. The winner will face either Orchard Lake St. Mary or East Grand Rapids in the Division 3 Final Saturday, November 28, at 7:30 p.m. at Ford Field in Detroit.
In middle school boys basketball, Coldwater dropped 3 out of their 4 games against Jackson Lumen Christi with the lone win for the Cardinals coming in their 8th grade A team home contest against the Titans. It was a 57-46 victory for Coldwater with 17 points for Austin Santure, 16 for Damon Beckhusen, and 10 points for Dylan Targgart. The Cardinals lost the 8th grade B game 37-36. Grey Skudlarick had a double-double with 19 points and 13 rebounds.
In the 7th grade action at Jackson, the Cardinals dropped the A game 34-31 with 14 points for Bradey Moore. The Titans beat Coldwater in the B game 41-22 with 8 points for Rylan Brockway and 14 rebounds for Zak Saeed.
The Bronson 8th grade boys team lost at home last night 41-17 to Battle Creek St. Philip with 11 points for Graham Eley. The Bronson 7th grade team beat St Phillip 42-14 to improve to 2-2 on the season. Collin Cook led all scorers with 10 points, while Jordan Gill and Noah Houtz each had 8 points. The Vikings travel to White Pigeon Monday.
