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Category: Local News
News and updates on players, coaches and more from Grand Rapids, MI #BeerCityUSA
Former Union HS bb coach Larry Ware has passed away
#GodspeedRedhawk
Ware, Larry 2/6/1954 – 11/6/2019
Grand Rapids
Larry Ware, age 65, passed away suddenly Wednesday, November 6, 2019.
Memorial service was held Thursday, November 14, 2019 at 11 am at Brown’s Funeral Home Chapel, 627 Jefferson SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.
You may pay your respects at Garfield Park Cemetery.
West Michigan Officials Association news
Awards Banquet set for Monday, March 25
The WMOA will gather at Watermark Country Club on Monday, March 25, 2019 at 6 p.m. for their annual banquet and awards ceremony.
The group will present awards for Student Athlete of the Year (3), Coach of the Year (3), Athletic Director of the Year (1), Officials of the Year (2) and a Lifetime Achievement Award to Don Edwards.
BeerCitySports’ inaugural Hall of Fame Class
BeerCitySports is proud to announce our inaugural Hall of Fame inductees, the Class of 2019.
Induction Ceremony to take place at the Roll-It-Out Skating Fundraiser for HQ on February 17th at the Kentwood Fun Spot. Tickets are available here.
Posthumously:
- Chris Napieralski
- “Uncle Bob” Schab
- Pete Camp
GC’s Originals:
- 1986-87 St. Paul the Apostle Cougars
- Those Langley Boys (1987 Gus Macker)
Current Legends:
- Michael “Pops” Sims
- Allen “The Hulk” Durham
- Marco Wilkinson
Anybody but (Derek) Anderson….I don’t know his first name.
Chris Napieralski on The 3-Point Turn podcast talking Arizona Cardinals football
Allen Durham wins back-to-back Best Import award in Philippines Basketball
For the second straight season, Allen Durham has taken home the award for Best Import in the Philippines Basketball Association.
After taking home the award last season, the former Grace Bible College standout returned to the islands this year and averaged 27.8 points, 19.4 rebounds and 7.1 assists while helping the Meralco Bolts back to the PBA Finals. Durham shot 49% from the field, 45% from behind the 3-point arc and 70% from the free throw line in nearly 40 minutes per game during conference play.
Meralco returned to the PBA Finals against rival Ginabray but find themselves in a 2-0 deficit heading into Game 3 on Wednesday.
Durham is the first player since Gabe Freeman, the winner of the Best Import in 2009 and 2010, to win back-to-back awards.
The 3-Point Turn: The Legacy of Michael Sanders
Finding a way through the world after the loss of a loved one is quite possibly the most difficult task to take on. Elizabeth Sanders has accepted that challenge and excelled at making sure her late husband’s legacy lives on.
Michael Sanders was an avid basketball player who grew up in the Wilcox Park neighborhood. His love for the game was only matched by his devotion to his family. After his cancer diagnosis in 2014, Michael fought the good fight and made sure that Elizabeth knew she was loved and would be taken care of. That fight lasted 18 months. On July 26, 2016, this world lost that fighter. But his legacy lives on.
Elizabeth set up a Patronicity campaign aimed at raising $12,500 in Michael’s name to be donated to update and reinvent the basketball courts at Wilcox Park, a place Mike was known to trash-talk the best of the trash-talkers. On September 11th, the campaign went live. Within three days, the goal had been reached and the Michigan Economic Development Coalition had agreed to match the $12,500 for a grand total of $25,000. But, the campaign was not over yet. With an closing fundraising date of November 10, 2017, we still have the opportunity to help raise funds for even more projects at Wilcox Park. While the original goal was to honor Mike and update the courts, there’s possibility of upgrading the bathroom facilities, the lighting and more. Oh yeah, there’s going to be a bench for us old fogies.
Campaign raises over $12500 in 3 days in honor of Michael Sanders
While Elizabeth is doing all she can to keep Mike’s legacy alive, she’s also jumping at the chance to chase her dreams, something her husband was adamant about. She’s currently researching and schooling herself in Thai Massage and Yoga (you’ll see her soon at Yoga Fever in GR), running and writing the flyoverwidow blog and looking to self-publish her new book (yet to be titled).
Listen to the podcast to hear her real emotions and the love that she has in her heart.
Maybe you’ll join us at the dedication on the basketball court at Wilcox Park and trash-talk the writer of this article. Hopefully, you’ll join us on the brick roads of Eastown to raise a glass and cheers Michael. We hope to see you there.
(photo courtesy of Abbey Moore Photography)
Rex Reed Roundball Ruckus honors late teacher from Kenowa Hills
Samuel Reed is a local hip-hop musician who not only preaches, but teaches his love of God, family and friends.
Every summer since 2010, he’s put on an annual 3-on-3 basketball tournament, the Roundball Ruckus, honoring his late father, Rex Reed, a former educator and coach in the Kenowa Hills school district. This year’s tournament was held at his “International Office of Creativity” near Walker Ave. and 4 Mile Road on July 16th.
“It all started with my dad, Rex J Reed, who inspired me in and through the game of basketball (among other things), as well as many of my friends.”
After his dad’s passing in 2009, the younger Reed wanted to honor the man who taught him so much about life through the basketball court. So he decided to start this annual tournament to remember him by, as well as keep some of the close friends “in touch”.
Samuel told us that many of the people who loved to be out on the court with Rex had stopped playing as much since then. He also noticed a decline in outdoor play as a whole, which he blames more on the internet, generational changes and the availability of cost-efficient indoor courts.
Reed spoke of his desire to “be all about REAL outdoor three on three backyard basketball.”
A jack of many trades, Samuel makes most of the trophy hardware by hand and prints the t-shirts in his own shop.
“We have always given at least $100 to the winners, and two years ago we gave $200, since we had a better turn out.” 2016 saw the rains come in early in the day and wash out most of the competition. This year was much different with the clouds opening up and the sun shining down on the court.
Classic podcast: Steve Scheffler interview on The 3-Point Turn
This week’s The 3-Point Turn podcast is a re-airing of a classic interview with Grand Rapids’ own Steve Scheffler, who played in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics and Boston Celtics among others.
Scheffler and GC talk about the NBA Finals, going 1-on-1 with Larry Bird and more.
Subscribe to the podcast free on iTunes!
Scheffler starred at Forest Hills Northern HS here in Beer City, USA before a stellar collegiate career playing for the legendary Gene Keady at Purdue University.
Scheffler was named #6 in GR’s Top 10 Hoopers from Beer City, put together by our staff.
Bobby Kozminski charity basketball game to benefit KCSD’s Pavlovic family
GRAND RAPIDS, MI – On Saturday night at Kenowa Hills High School, the 10th Annual Robert Kozminski Memorial Games took place to benefit Hayden Pavlovic and his family with Childrens’ Hospital bills.
In 2007, GRPD Officer Robert “Bobby” Kozminski was killed in the line of duty. Every year since, a basketball game between the Kenowa Hills school’s teachers and local law enforcement to celebrate his life while raising money for a great cause.
Hayden, the son of Kent County Sheriff’s Department deputy Jeff Pavlovic, was born with Cri du Chat Syndrome and Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome. Both syndromes are rare. Hayden is the only child known to have both.
The first game was between
local police and Kenowa Hills teachers. The KHHS staff took an early lead behind Ross Hillock and Ken Fustian and never looked back. Kozminski’s son even got in on the action, scoring for the Kenowa Hills team in the second half, helping the KHHS team to a decisive win.
The KCSD had their K-9 Units, handlers and dogs both, in house meeting and greeting friends and family of both the Kozminski’s and Pavlov’s, as well as all local fans in attendance from throughout West Michigan. 
The second game was 
between Grand Rapids Police Department and KCSD. Local radio icon Bill “Huge” Simonson, who has been a big part of the Koz Classic Annual Golf Outing, threw on his basketball gear and played with the GRPD squad in the second game, promising to limit his game to only ten threes in the game.
It’s about Robert Kozminski, honoring his legacy. It’s about law enforcement, first responders…Kenowa giving back. Looks like one of the bigger crowds we’ve ever had nine years in on it. So, it’s for a great cause, a Kent County Sheriff’s Deputy’s family…It’s about West Michigan..so we respect law enforcement.
-Bill “HUGE” Simonsson, who promised to only take 10 three-point shots on the night
Cri du chat syndrome gets its name from the characteristic cry of affected infants, which is similar to that of a meowing kitten, due to problems with the larynx and nervous system. Wolf–Hirschhorn syndrome characteristics include a distinct craniofacial phenotype (microcephaly, micrognathia, short philtrum, prominent glabella, ocular hypertelorism, dysplastic ears and periauricular tags), growth restriction, intellectual disability, muscle hypotonia, seizures, and congenital heart defects.
On the Mitten Road with GC: City League Pride Weekend 2016
In this episode of On the Mitten Road with GC, it’s Grand Rapids City League Pride weekend to support their Scholarship programs. Check out our interview with Michael “Pops” Sims!