Sports

Jayda Beene places 2nd in long jump at State Finals 

Benton Harbor Boys Basketball Team Scores 51 to 61 against the Division 2 Region 12 

Champions Grand Rapids Christian

Benton Harbor Boys Basketball Team Defeats Niles 

for the Division 2 District Championship

Benton Harbor Boys Basketball Team Wins District Semifinals vs Stevensville Lakeshore

Jaeden Meeks Signs with Wayne State University

and

Monty Duckett Signs with Community Christian College 

Varsity Boys Basketball Team Wins, 74-37 vs South Haven

Varsity Boys Basketball Team Wins, 69-35 vs Berrien Springs

Varsity Girls Basketball Team Loses, 8-58 vs Berrien Springs

Varsity Girls Basketball Team Loses, 17-69 vs Brandywine

JV Boys Basketball Team Wins, 84-47 vs Brandywine

Varsity Girls Basketball Team Falls, 26-43 vs St. Joseph

Varsity Boys Basketball vs Buchanan

JV Boys Basketball vs Buchanan

Varsity Girls Basketball Team Wins, 41-30 vs River Valley

Wrestling Practice with Brandywine, Eau Claire, Lakeshore, South Haven and St. Joseph

In First Home Game for Boys Basketball,

Junior Varsity Beats Countryside Charter, 

Varsity Beats Muskegon Heights Academy, 90-29

The First Home Game of the Season

By Zaria Williams

11/28/2023

On Tuesday, November 28th, Benton Harbor High School boys varsity played their first home basketball game, against Muskegon Heights Academy. 

In the first quarter, Javon Mason scored the first two points for the Benton Harbor Tigers, followed with a lay-up by Josiah King. A foul was called on Muskegon Heights, and J’Kwon Lewis scored two free throws for the Benton Harbor Tigers. A fast break led to a lay-up by Mustapha Muhammed. Antwan Callahan made a steal, followed by a lay-up by KeSean Hobbs. The end of the first quarter score was 20-8 with the Benton Harbor Tigers taking a lead.

Beginning the second quarter, J’Kwon Lewis scored a free throw basket for the Benton Harbor Tigers. A foul was called on Muskegon Heights after Josiah King made a two-point basket; he also scored the foul shot. La’Trell Johnson made a steal, followed by a lay-up by KeSean Hobbs. A three-point shot was made by Kesean Hobbs. DaSean Mathinson made a pass to La’Trell Johnson, followed with a lay-up by Johnson. A steal was made by DaSean Mathison, followed with a buzzer-beater lay-up. The halftime score was 55-19 with the Benton Harbor Tigers leading.

Starting the third quarter, Josiah King put up a lay-up for the Benton Harbor Tigers. A block was made by Javon Mason. A foul was called on Muskegon Heights, J’Kwon Lewis scored two free throw points for the Tigers. Mustapha Muhammed made a three-pointer. KeSean Hobbs was on a roll, scoring another three-pointer for the Benton Harbor Tigers. The end of the third quarter score was 77-23, with the Benton Harbor Tigers leading.

Beginning the fourth quarter, Avion Wilson scored a two-pointer for the Benton Harbor Tigers. Hobbs scored a three-pointer. Josiah King made a rebound, followed by a lay-up. A two-pointer was made by Javon Mason. 

The final score of the match was 90-29 with the Benton Harbor Tigers winning the game. Freshman KeSean Hobbs led the Tigers with 17 points. In conclusion, the first game should have a positive impact on the rest of their season. The Benton Harbor Tigers fought hard, leading their team to victory!

Varsity Boys Basketball

Fall Team Pictures

Junior Varsity Volleyball Starts a Rebuilding Season

By Zaria Williams

10/10/2023

     On October 10th, 2023, the Benton Harbor High School volleyball team went against Godwin High School's JV team. The Benton Harbor Tigers fought hard and lost 25-21 in the first set and 25-22 in the second set. This was a very interesting game for my team and me, since it was the first volleyball game we were able to play since the season started. This game was a battle that pushed us to our limits, but we refused to back down. Our first game taught the team the true meaning of teamwork and perseverance. This match against Godwin tested our ability to work together as a team, but sadly the match ended in defeat.

     When we arrived at the school, we were able to come in and start warming up as a team. Our spirits were so pumped as the background music played, and we waited for the clock to hit 5:30, so we could start. As the game began, our team was filled with high energy and determined to take home the victory. We took the court with confidence in our hearts. We relied on the skills and the strategies we learned in practice for the first start of the match. The opponents we faced were very competitive, but that did not intimidate us. 

     As the game progressed, the pressure kept building up. We seemed to become more frustrated with ourselves, but that didn’t stop us. With every pass, set, and serve we were able to learn from our mistakes for the future games. We were able to get a lead during the middle of the first match, but somehow our opponents caught up. Godwin started to match us point for point, showing off some serious teamwork skills. This is where the team and I started to worry, but we were still determined to win. This game taught us that volleyball is a team sport that requires everyone to give their best effort. 

     In the second set of Benton Harbor High School vs. Godwin High School, Benton Harbor unfortunately fell short, losing by only three points. It was a tough battle, but we did not give up. Despite losing, we learned from this loss to work as a team and to take our practice more seriously. However, we were able to show determination and fought hard until the end of the match. We displayed sportsmanship to the opposing team and congratulated them once the set ended. The game was filled with high tension moments and adrenaline coming from every player. Even though we weren't able to take home the victory, everyone had fun playing our first game together as a team. 

     I was able to interact with two of my teammates to get their voice on the game between Benton Harbor High School and Godwin High School. Nevaeh Williams states, “In my opinion, I think that our team did really well for our first game together. I think we should practice moving our feet and calling the ball.” Monteonna Duckett states, “I think that the game against Godwin went okay. I was able to have good serves, sets, passes, etc. The team overall did a great job for our first game together. The only issue that our team had was some teammates being lazy and not giving their full effort.”

     To conclude, the JV game between Benton Harbor High School and Godwin High School was incredible for both teams. We were both able to show skill and determination on the court. This was a game filled with excitement and memorable moments that will be cherished by many players, and even coaches. There was so much improvement our team showed from the first practice, to the first game. We were only three points away from victory, which makes the defeat harder to swallow. Although the outcome wasn’t in our favor, our team took pride in our strong performance and will use it as motivation for future matches.

Tigers Have the Momentum with Meeks

By Da'Marien Bell

9/14/2023

I interviewed some of the seniors on the football team and many of them had the same response. Quarterback Jaeden Meeks is a leader. His playstyle is he can do it all – throw it or run it. When asked about the win against Constantine he said, "I feel that we had everything clicking and the momentum was on our side, and I felt that it was a team effort and the offensive line did a good job."

After I spoke to Jaeden Meeks, I asked Avontae "Butta" Tasker, who is a senior looking to receive interest and offers, “How do you feel about the Constantine win?” He said it felt great, and he said, "We came together as a team, and I feel that it was Jaeden Meeks who lead the team to this win." Butta is a confident receiver and makes smart reads on defense and offense.  

Julius Watkins and Jaylien Sanders are also seniors who have goals to set. Both are looking to receive offers and academic scholarships. When asked how they felt about their win and beating the number 1 team in the Division, they said "It feels great that it was a team effort and everyone was doing their job, and it shows because a lot of people doubted the 2024 class on football – saying they wouldn't win any games because of the past two seasons."

Rodney Ford is another senior who has high expectations for himself and the team. Before we ended the interview, he said, "It was a good team win; they dominated on both sides of the ball." He felt that “Jaeden Meeks won the game by his good reads, touchdowns, and making smart passes during the game."  

Raymond Porter and Monty Duckett, two more seniors on the team, said, "Meeks and the defense won the game because without defense they wouldn't have had any stops, and doing good on defense gave the offense the energy to win." Duckett, who recently received an offer from Roseville Academy to play football said, "It’s only up from here." 

Dejuan Webster is a senior left guard and defensive end. When asked about his game, he told me, "I am a go-get-it grind player." When asked how he felt about the Constantine win he said, "It was fun, and I had a great game, and we wanted it more." He felt that it was the defense, because he said, "We shut them down in the second half, and it was big for us.” His goals are to keep working and before the season is over to receive offers.