C-S junior places 3rd at Midwest Showcase
Congratulations to Climax-Scotts High School junior Gabe Walliczek who placed third in the discus throw at the 2025 Midwest Showcase February 22 at Lincoln High School.
Walliczek recorded a throw of 47’9”, eclipsing his previous best throw by 2 and a half feet.
The C-S junior will now compete at the indoor track state meet at Central Michigan March 9.
According to track coach Dave Lodes, Walliczek now has the second farthest throw in the shot put in Climax-Scotts High School history.
Walliczek recorded a throw of 47’9”, eclipsing his previous best throw by 2 and a half feet.
The C-S junior will now compete at the indoor track state meet at Central Michigan March 9.
According to track coach Dave Lodes, Walliczek now has the second farthest throw in the shot put in Climax-Scotts High School history.
Cole Curtis rebounds from knee surgery
to place first at regionals; qualifies
for State Finals
Climax-Scotts High School senior Cole Curtis finished first at a regional qualifying powerlifter tournament at Farwell recently, qualifying for the State Finals.
Cole was competing in his first competition since undergoing surgery to repair an ACL, MCL and meniscus injury he sustained in the second game of the football season.
Cole recorded a squat lift of 255 pounds, a bench press of 185 pounds and a deadlift of 360 pounds for a total weight of 800 pounds.
Curtis, who was competing in the varsity 123-pound weight class, is first in his weight class. He is a returning state champion powerlifter.
The State Finals will be held at Lake Orion High School March 8.
Cole was competing in his first competition since undergoing surgery to repair an ACL, MCL and meniscus injury he sustained in the second game of the football season.
Cole recorded a squat lift of 255 pounds, a bench press of 185 pounds and a deadlift of 360 pounds for a total weight of 800 pounds.
Curtis, who was competing in the varsity 123-pound weight class, is first in his weight class. He is a returning state champion powerlifter.
The State Finals will be held at Lake Orion High School March 8.
Two wins give C-S boys JV basketball
team 14-5 finish
The Climax-Scotts boys JV basketball team closed the season on a positive note with a 49-38 home win over Kalamazoo Phoenix February 19 and a 46-39 win over Mendon at C-S Jr./Sr. High School February 21.
The two wins gives C-S a 14-5 finish to the season.
C-S moved in front 9-7 after one quarter but was able to stretch the lead to 25-17 at halftime behind six points from Mason Shannon and five points from Eli DeWaal in the quarter.
C-S’ offense sputtered in the third quarter and the home team entered the final quarter with a 30-28 advantage.
C-S, behind seven points from Ashton Heighton, closed out the Hornets in the fourth quarter with a 16-11 burst.
Heighton led C-S in scoring with 18 points and Shannon added 17 points.
Mendon 7 10 11 11 - 39
Climax-Scotts 9 16 5 16 - 46
Ashton Heighton 18, Alex Wurtzel 3, Dustin Crandall 2, Blake Wechsler 3, Mason Shannon 17, Eli DeWaal 5
The two wins gives C-S a 14-5 finish to the season.
C-S moved in front 9-7 after one quarter but was able to stretch the lead to 25-17 at halftime behind six points from Mason Shannon and five points from Eli DeWaal in the quarter.
C-S’ offense sputtered in the third quarter and the home team entered the final quarter with a 30-28 advantage.
C-S, behind seven points from Ashton Heighton, closed out the Hornets in the fourth quarter with a 16-11 burst.
Heighton led C-S in scoring with 18 points and Shannon added 17 points.
Mendon 7 10 11 11 - 39
Climax-Scotts 9 16 5 16 - 46
Ashton Heighton 18, Alex Wurtzel 3, Dustin Crandall 2, Blake Wechsler 3, Mason Shannon 17, Eli DeWaal 5
Strong Second Half Lifts C-S JVs Over Phoenix
The Climax-Scotts boys JV basketball team outscored Kalamazoo Phoenix 30-19 in the second half to register a 49-38 win over the visitors February 19 at C-S Jr./Sr. High School.
The two teams were tied 19-19 at halftime, however C-S outscored Phoenix 15-13 in the third quarter to take a 34-32 after three quarters and secured the win by outpointing the visitors 15-6 in the fourth quarter including a 7-for-7 effort at the free throw line.
C-S was led by Mason Shannon’s 15 points and Ashton Heighton’s 12 points.
Climax-Scotts 6 13 15 15 - 49
Kalamazoo Phoenix 4 15 13 6 - 38
Ashton Heighton 12, Alex Wurtzel 6, Dustin Crandall 7, Aiden Klusman 4, Miles Shannon 15, Luke Frost 5
C-S boys basketball team can’t
overcome turnover issues in 73-60
loss to Kalamazoo Phoenix
By Bruce Rolfe
While there were some positive moments, too many turnovers proved to be costly for the Climax-Scotts boys varsity basketball team in a 73-60 loss to Kalamazoo Phoenix February 19 in a non-league game at C-S Jr./Sr. High School.
C-S enjoyed some good ball movement that led to multiple inside attempts and the Panthers pushed the visitors often.
But 27 C-S turnovers led to a whopping 35 points for Phoenix.
Phoenix, which forced eight C-S turnovers in the opening quarter, marched out to an 8-0 lead and settled for a 19-12 advantage after one quarter.
C-S, behind 6-for-12 shooting from two-point range and seven points from Chase VanMiddlesworth, enjoyed a much stronger second quarter but trailed by a 35-26 count at halftime.
Phoenix’ pressure factored into eight more C-S turnovers and reducing offensive opportunities for the home team in the third quarter. While C-S shot a respectable 50 percent (5-10) from 2-point range, Phoenix shot a warmer 62 percent (8-13) from two point range and added two three-point baskets to move out to a 59-43 lead after three quarters.
Overall, C-S shot 51 percent (22-43) from two-point range and 25 percent (3-12) from the three-point line. Kalamazoo Phoenix made 56 percent (27-48) of its two-point attempts and 21 percent (5-24) of its three-point attempts.
VanMiddlesworth had a very strong game, scoring 24 points on 9-for-16 shooting from floor to go with four rebounds, five assists and two steals. Liam LaSala had a solid game also, scoring 12 points on 6-for-10 shooting from the floor to go with 13 rebounds and two steals.
Kalamazoo Phoenix 19 16 24 14 - 73
Climax-Scotts 12 14 17 17 - 60
Chase VanMiddlesworth 24, Luke Lawrence 4, Dane Sattler 5, Maddox Wyman 5, Liam LaSala 12, Hunter LaSala 4, Nyle Sattler 6
Free throws: C-S 7-9/Phoenix 4-7
3-point baskets: C-S 3 (Nyle Sattler 2, Dane Sattler 1)/Phoenix 5 (L. Javeon Lewis 2, Antrel 1, Brashers Rufus 1, Parker Kamrion 1
C-S Stat Leaders
Rebounds: Liam LaSala 13, Maddox Wyman 6, Nyle Sattler 6, Dane Sattler 5, Chase VanMiddlesworth 4
Steals: Liam LaSala 2, Dane Sattler 2, Chase VanMiddlesworth 2
Assists: Chase VanMiddlesworth 5, Luke Lawrence 3, Dane Sattler 2
Blocked shots: Nyle Sattler 2, Dane Sattler 2
While there were some positive moments, too many turnovers proved to be costly for the Climax-Scotts boys varsity basketball team in a 73-60 loss to Kalamazoo Phoenix February 19 in a non-league game at C-S Jr./Sr. High School.
C-S enjoyed some good ball movement that led to multiple inside attempts and the Panthers pushed the visitors often.
But 27 C-S turnovers led to a whopping 35 points for Phoenix.
Phoenix, which forced eight C-S turnovers in the opening quarter, marched out to an 8-0 lead and settled for a 19-12 advantage after one quarter.
C-S, behind 6-for-12 shooting from two-point range and seven points from Chase VanMiddlesworth, enjoyed a much stronger second quarter but trailed by a 35-26 count at halftime.
Phoenix’ pressure factored into eight more C-S turnovers and reducing offensive opportunities for the home team in the third quarter. While C-S shot a respectable 50 percent (5-10) from 2-point range, Phoenix shot a warmer 62 percent (8-13) from two point range and added two three-point baskets to move out to a 59-43 lead after three quarters.
Overall, C-S shot 51 percent (22-43) from two-point range and 25 percent (3-12) from the three-point line. Kalamazoo Phoenix made 56 percent (27-48) of its two-point attempts and 21 percent (5-24) of its three-point attempts.
VanMiddlesworth had a very strong game, scoring 24 points on 9-for-16 shooting from floor to go with four rebounds, five assists and two steals. Liam LaSala had a solid game also, scoring 12 points on 6-for-10 shooting from the floor to go with 13 rebounds and two steals.
Kalamazoo Phoenix 19 16 24 14 - 73
Climax-Scotts 12 14 17 17 - 60
Chase VanMiddlesworth 24, Luke Lawrence 4, Dane Sattler 5, Maddox Wyman 5, Liam LaSala 12, Hunter LaSala 4, Nyle Sattler 6
Free throws: C-S 7-9/Phoenix 4-7
3-point baskets: C-S 3 (Nyle Sattler 2, Dane Sattler 1)/Phoenix 5 (L. Javeon Lewis 2, Antrel 1, Brashers Rufus 1, Parker Kamrion 1
C-S Stat Leaders
Rebounds: Liam LaSala 13, Maddox Wyman 6, Nyle Sattler 6, Dane Sattler 5, Chase VanMiddlesworth 4
Steals: Liam LaSala 2, Dane Sattler 2, Chase VanMiddlesworth 2
Assists: Chase VanMiddlesworth 5, Luke Lawrence 3, Dane Sattler 2
Blocked shots: Nyle Sattler 2, Dane Sattler 2
C-S clinches SCAA West Division title
By Bruce Rolfe
The Climax-Scotts girls varsity basketball team clinched the SCAA West Division championship with a 49-28 win over Mendon February 20 at Mendon.
C-S took a 14-5 overall record and 10-1 mark in the SCAA West Division into its final two regular season games February 25 at home against Gobles, and February 27 at Burr Oak. The Panthers have a two-game lead over Burr Oak with just one more division game remaining at Burr Oak.
Coming off a frustrating non-league loss to Galesburg-Augusta February 17 when the team committed 34 turnovers, C-S reduced that number significantly to 12 against Mendon.
The Panthers also enjoyed a strong night shooting from the floor, making 47 percent (17-36) of its floor attempts overall, including a 5-for-10 effort from the three-point line
Holly Talbert scored seven points in the opening quarter to help the Panthers to an 11-11 tie after one quarter.
C-S, behind three-point baskets in the second quarter from Sophie Braithwaite, Stephanie Behlke and Talbert, moved in front 24-20 at halftime.
The Lady Panthers used strong defense in the second half to secure the win, holding Mendon to four points in the third and fourth quarters while scoring 24 points.
Addy Reeves took over in the third quarter, scoring eight points to help C-S to a 39-24 advantage after three quarters.
Reeves finished with 18 points to go with six rebounds and two steals, and Talbert added 17 points.
C-S will host the district tournament March 5-7. The Lady Panthers will face Calhoun Christian March 5 at 5:30 p.m. in the district semifinals.
Climax-Scotts 11 13 15 9 - 49
Mendon 11 9 4 4 - 28
Kendal Reitz 2, Sophie Braithwaite 3, Stephanie Behlke 3, Holly Talbert 17, Ashlynn Gilbert 6, Addy Reeves 18
Free throws: C-S 9-14/Mendon 6-14
3-point baskets: C-S 5 (Holly Talbert 3, Stephanie Behlke 1, Sophie Braithwaite 1)/Mendon 2 (Gracie Schultz 1, Brianna Heilkamp 1)
C-S Stat Leaders
Rebounds: Sophie Braithwaite 7, Addy Reeves 6
Steals: Kendal Reitz 3, Addy Reeves 2, Ashlynn Gilbert 2
Assists: Holly Talbert 2, Kendal Reitz 2
C-S, behind three-point baskets in the second quarter from Sophie Braithwaite, Stephanie Behlke and Talbert, moved in front 24-20 at halftime.
The Lady Panthers used strong defense in the second half to secure the win, holding Mendon to four points in the third and fourth quarters while scoring 24 points.
Addy Reeves took over in the third quarter, scoring eight points to help C-S to a 39-24 advantage after three quarters.
Reeves finished with 18 points to go with six rebounds and two steals, and Talbert added 17 points.
C-S will host the district tournament March 5-7. The Lady Panthers will face Calhoun Christian March 5 at 5:30 p.m. in the district semifinals.
Climax-Scotts 11 13 15 9 - 49
Mendon 11 9 4 4 - 28
Kendal Reitz 2, Sophie Braithwaite 3, Stephanie Behlke 3, Holly Talbert 17, Ashlynn Gilbert 6, Addy Reeves 18
Free throws: C-S 9-14/Mendon 6-14
3-point baskets: C-S 5 (Holly Talbert 3, Stephanie Behlke 1, Sophie Braithwaite 1)/Mendon 2 (Gracie Schultz 1, Brianna Heilkamp 1)
C-S Stat Leaders
Rebounds: Sophie Braithwaite 7, Addy Reeves 6
Steals: Kendal Reitz 3, Addy Reeves 2, Ashlynn Gilbert 2
Assists: Holly Talbert 2, Kendal Reitz 2
____________________________________
C-S JV/Var. Girls Basketball
A Look Ahead ...
District Tournament At C-S
3/5 C-S Vs. Calhoun Christ., 5:30 p.m.
3/5 Battle Creek St. Phil Vs. Athens, 7 p.m.
3/7 Championship game, 7 p.m.
____________________________________
New scoreboard
The new scoreboard at the new softball field at Climax-Scotts High School was installed a short time after the new scoreboard was installed at the baseball field.
(Photo by Curtis Holtz)
Regular season frustrating but Panthers
hopeful entering postseason
By Bruce Rolfe
While a 5-15 regular season finish isn’t what the Climax-Scotts boys varsity basketball team was hoping for, the regular season did have some encouraging moments, leaving C-S coach Kenny Sattler hopeful his team can enjoy a similar run in the postseason that started February 26, last year’s team that finished below .500 did by capturing the district championship.
C-S ended the regular season February 21 downing Mendon 57-37 on senior-parent night at C-S Jr./Sr. High School.
C-S finished the regular season last year with a 5-17 overall record and 2-10 mark in the division, but went on to claim the district championship trophy.
Now the team hopes to repeat those good fortunes in the district tournament. C-S enters the district tournament February 26 against Bellevue with a 5-15 overall record and a 3-9 SCAA West Division record. A win in the district opener would send the Panthers into the district championship game February 28 at 7 p.m. at Battle Creek St. Philip.
“We talked about it all season. We’re not as bad as our record says. We’ve had a lot of close games over the past two weeks and we knew today (February 21) was the day we had to win. I think that’s great momentum heading into the districts this week,” said senior Chase VanMiddlesworth.
“We’re playing our best basketball right now so we’ve just got to keep our nose to the grind stone and just got to keep doing what we’re doing,” adds senior Luke Lawrence.
Sattler said it’s unfortunate this year’s team hasnt enjoyed more success on the court because the team works hard all four quarters, no matter what the score is.
“I think the good outweighs the frustration. I think the way these guys conduct themselves, I think that the way they play every night, the effort that they give, the way they play for each other, is a testament to their charactor. Yes, maybe the wins and losses don’t look great as far as the numbers and the columns, but these young men have flat out played for each other and played for the seniors and represented the name on their chest very, very well,” said the C-S coach.
C-S broke a six-game losing skid with the win over Mendon.
Seniors Luke Lawrence and Chase VanMiddlesworth and their parents were recognized before the game.
VanMiddlesworth finished with a career high 27 points to lead C-S.
“It (the career high in points) means a lot. I couldn’t do it without my teammates. They’re passing the ball. Luke’s (Luke Lawrence) passing the ball. We’re all sharing the wealth. We just have great chemistry together,” said VanMiddlesworth.
While Mendon enjoyed three, two-point leads early, C-S took the lead for good with 24.6 seconds left in the first quarter on a Chase VanMiddlesworth basket and free throw following a foul that gave C-S a 12-9 lead entering the second quarter.
C-S turned up the defense in the second quarter, allowing just one basket from the floor. VanMiddlesworth, with two three-point baskets, and Nyle Sattler, with another triple, helped C-S to a 24-11 halftime lead.
C-S entered the final quarter with a 40-25 advantage.
Nyle Sattler added 12 points, 11 rebounds and three blocked shots for the winners.
C-S shot 42 percent (16-38) from two-point range and 33 percent (4-12) from three-point range. Mendon knocked down just 3-of-21 (14 percent) three-point attempts and made 8-of-32 two-point attempts (25 percent).
Mendon 9 2 14 12 - 37
Climax-Scotts 12 12 16 17 - 57
Chase VanMiddlesworth 27, Luke Lawrence 4, Dane Sattler 3, Hunter LaSala 7, Liam LaSala 4, Nyle Sattler 12
C-S 13-18/Free throws: Mendon 12-14
3-point baskets: C-S 4 (Nyle Sattler 2, Chase VanMiddlesworth 2/Mendon 3 (Ryder Gorham 2, Carter Huston 1)
C-S Stat Leaders
Rebounds: Nyle Sattler 11, Liam LaSala 8, Hunter LaSala 6, Maddox Wyman 5, Dane Sattler 5, Chase VanMiddlesworth 4
Steals: Chase VanMiddlesworth 2
Assists: Dane Sattler 3, Chase VanMiddlesworth 2, Liam LaSala 2
Blocked shots: Nyle Sattler 3
While a 5-15 regular season finish isn’t what the Climax-Scotts boys varsity basketball team was hoping for, the regular season did have some encouraging moments, leaving C-S coach Kenny Sattler hopeful his team can enjoy a similar run in the postseason that started February 26, last year’s team that finished below .500 did by capturing the district championship.
C-S ended the regular season February 21 downing Mendon 57-37 on senior-parent night at C-S Jr./Sr. High School.
C-S finished the regular season last year with a 5-17 overall record and 2-10 mark in the division, but went on to claim the district championship trophy.
Now the team hopes to repeat those good fortunes in the district tournament. C-S enters the district tournament February 26 against Bellevue with a 5-15 overall record and a 3-9 SCAA West Division record. A win in the district opener would send the Panthers into the district championship game February 28 at 7 p.m. at Battle Creek St. Philip.
“We talked about it all season. We’re not as bad as our record says. We’ve had a lot of close games over the past two weeks and we knew today (February 21) was the day we had to win. I think that’s great momentum heading into the districts this week,” said senior Chase VanMiddlesworth.
“We’re playing our best basketball right now so we’ve just got to keep our nose to the grind stone and just got to keep doing what we’re doing,” adds senior Luke Lawrence.
Sattler said it’s unfortunate this year’s team hasnt enjoyed more success on the court because the team works hard all four quarters, no matter what the score is.
“I think the good outweighs the frustration. I think the way these guys conduct themselves, I think that the way they play every night, the effort that they give, the way they play for each other, is a testament to their charactor. Yes, maybe the wins and losses don’t look great as far as the numbers and the columns, but these young men have flat out played for each other and played for the seniors and represented the name on their chest very, very well,” said the C-S coach.
C-S broke a six-game losing skid with the win over Mendon.
Seniors Luke Lawrence and Chase VanMiddlesworth and their parents were recognized before the game.
VanMiddlesworth finished with a career high 27 points to lead C-S.
“It (the career high in points) means a lot. I couldn’t do it without my teammates. They’re passing the ball. Luke’s (Luke Lawrence) passing the ball. We’re all sharing the wealth. We just have great chemistry together,” said VanMiddlesworth.
While Mendon enjoyed three, two-point leads early, C-S took the lead for good with 24.6 seconds left in the first quarter on a Chase VanMiddlesworth basket and free throw following a foul that gave C-S a 12-9 lead entering the second quarter.
C-S turned up the defense in the second quarter, allowing just one basket from the floor. VanMiddlesworth, with two three-point baskets, and Nyle Sattler, with another triple, helped C-S to a 24-11 halftime lead.
C-S entered the final quarter with a 40-25 advantage.
Nyle Sattler added 12 points, 11 rebounds and three blocked shots for the winners.
C-S shot 42 percent (16-38) from two-point range and 33 percent (4-12) from three-point range. Mendon knocked down just 3-of-21 (14 percent) three-point attempts and made 8-of-32 two-point attempts (25 percent).
Mendon 9 2 14 12 - 37
Climax-Scotts 12 12 16 17 - 57
Chase VanMiddlesworth 27, Luke Lawrence 4, Dane Sattler 3, Hunter LaSala 7, Liam LaSala 4, Nyle Sattler 12
C-S 13-18/Free throws: Mendon 12-14
3-point baskets: C-S 4 (Nyle Sattler 2, Chase VanMiddlesworth 2/Mendon 3 (Ryder Gorham 2, Carter Huston 1)
C-S Stat Leaders
Rebounds: Nyle Sattler 11, Liam LaSala 8, Hunter LaSala 6, Maddox Wyman 5, Dane Sattler 5, Chase VanMiddlesworth 4
Steals: Chase VanMiddlesworth 2
Assists: Dane Sattler 3, Chase VanMiddlesworth 2, Liam LaSala 2
Blocked shots: Nyle Sattler 3
C-S senior Chase VanMiddlesworth scored a career high 27 points against Mendon February 21 at C-S Jr./Sr. High School.
Pictured are (left to right) Troy VanMiddlesworth, C-S senior Chase VanMiddlesworth, Jennifer Swintz, Jason Lawrence, C-S senior Luke Lawrence and Sara Lawrence. Luke and Chase were recognized with their parents on senior-parent night before the C-S-Mendon game February 21.
(Photos by Bruce Rolfe)
