BATTLE CREEK — With the youth Battle Creek Central is putting on the court to start this year, the Bearcats know they are going to be better later in the season than they are now.

But, on Friday, Dec. 12, the young Bearcats were plenty good enough already.

The Bearcats started two freshmen and two sophomores in the varsity game and they all looked like they belonged. Battle Creek Central defeated Mattawan 55-52 in a Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference boys high school basketball game at the BCC Fieldhouse.

Jacobs Entertainment has confirmed it will file for a permit for the demolition of the old Bonanza Inn along Fourth Street in downtown Reno. 

This is a result of Jacobs’ analysis of the renovation costs of the Inn, to better serve their permitted project, adding youth athletic fields to downtown. 

The fields are planned to be the first four in the J Resort’s “Reno Neon Line District” and will accommodate two fields for 7×7 soccer games and two fields for 9×9 games, as well as youth lacrosse. 

“These new fields are going to help continue to transform downtown Reno,” said Jonathan Boulware, vice president of Nevada operations for Jacobs Entertainment. “We’re very excited to help bring youth sports to downtown Reno.”

After Jacob analyzed the costs to renovate the Bonanza, they came to the conclusion that it was not a viable path forward, due to rising construction costs. The demolition will allow for a larger scope of construction. 

“Travel youth sports is a multi-billion-dollar industry,”  Boulware said. “The average youth sports family spends nearly $1,500 a year on hotels and tournaments. These new fields will help us capture some of that revenue here in Reno.”

The timeline for future construction is still to be determined. 

Major League Baseball brothers Zack and Jake Gelof held their third annual Youth Sports Camp at Cape Henlopen High School Nov. 26, when 85 athletes ages 8 to 13 enjoyed a full day of baseball, soccer, basketball and more. Tickets sold out in just 23 minutes.

The mission of the Gelof Brothers Foundation is to provide resources and assistance to support the overall development of youth.

Joining the Gelofs were 2025 World Series standout and Cape graduate Mason Fluharty, along with newly drafted players Luke Johnson of the Washington Nationals and Jase Mitchell of the Houston Astros.

Delaware hasn’t traditionally produced a large pool of Major League Baseball draft picks, but all five emerged from the Cape community. Each returned to help run the camp and inspire the next wave of young athletes.

“I’m blessed to have the opportunity to come out here, see the guys and help out,” said Fluharty. “It’s really fulfilling after the year I had. I get to see all my boys and family, and help with this really awesome event. It’s super fulfilling to come back to my hometown that’s been behind me and supported me all the way.”

“This means so much to come back, see old friends and bring them together for this event,” said Jake Gelof. “It’s great to see the younger generation interested in baseball, and to let them know that their dream of playing at a higher level is achievable.”

“It means a lot to come back and give back to the youth of our community,” said Johnson. “Hopefully they set goals to become better players, and who knows, they might get drafted.”

The staff’s résumés were impressive, featuring conference champions, state champions, collegiate national champions and pro scouts. Coaches volunteering at the clinic included Adam Gelof, Alia Marshall, Annie Judge, Ava Calciano, Ben Ashby, Ben Evick, Brian Fleming, Chris Calciano, Dynell Toppin, Ellis Gaulden, DJ Toppin, Josh Reinhold, Kannex Camarco, Lindsay Monigle, Mike Fleming, Rick Townsend, Trey Hitchcock, Zach Dale and Zach Savage.

“It’s awesome to be around these guys and see all the talent that’s come out of Cape,” said Mitchell. “Coach Evick has done such a great job developing these players. I’m blessed to come out of such a great program. It’s really nostalgic as I was in these youngsters’ shoes just a few years ago, so it’s wonderful helping out.”

“I love the camp,” said 9-year-old Nolan Clark. “I’m a really big baseball fan, and to possibly face Blue Jays pitcher Mason Fluharty in the knuckleball catch challenge is great. I don’t know if I’ll catch it, but I’m going to try.”

“It’s cool being here at the camp,” said 8-year-old Layton Greer. “The hitting station was my favorite.”

“It’s always fun to be part of this event each year,” said Evick. “Seeing these guys give back to their community shows the pride they carry with them. Having all five pros here this year was great, and I hope we can continue that. The kids have such a good time and leave so happy, and that’s what it’s all about.”

“Today was a great day for the community,” said Zack Gelof. “The kids, volunteers and everyone involved made this possible. Jake and I hope to keep this going every year. This camp is another reminder of how many great role models we have in this community, and hopefully that inspires kids to become the best version of themselves.”

International exchange students in the area and their host families gathered Sunday at the Rapid River Falls Park Lodge, often called Dutch Mill, to celebrate an International American Christmas. From left are Benedetta Curcio from Germany, who brought tiramisu; Laura Zoli from Italy, who presented carbonara; Marleen Giese from Germany, providing schnitzel; Marie Lou Koziol from Germany, who brought Kartoffelsalat; Kristina Plsekova from Slovakia, who shared zemiakove placky; Alba Muniz from Spain, who brought fritos de jamon y queso; and Helena Rabasco from Spain, who brought tortilla de patatas, fondue and panettone. Santa Claus brought candy canes, presumably from the North Pole. (Contributed photo)

RAPID RIVER — International exchange students and host families gathered Sunday at Rapid River Lodge, also known as the Dutch Mill, to celebrate a beautiful International American Christmas.

The table had dishes from around the world that the students brought, as well as tastes from each American host family. A gathering of cultures and hearts embraced the holiday spirit in bliss. A welcomed surprise visit from Santa Claus highlighted the afternoon.

A memorable day, embracing peace and understanding, was enjoyed by all.

Anyone interested in hosting an exchange student for the next school year can contact Melissa Carpenter, regional representative for International Culture Exchange Services, at mcarpenter@icesusa.org.

The lights are back on at the Watertown Middle School Gymnasium and the 2025-26 Basketball Season is underway. While Boys Hoops travelled to Belmont to open their campaign, the Girls opened at home to begin the the third and final interim season of hoops at the Middle School before beginning play at the new High School Gym in December of 2026. Coach Mike Tempesta, in his third year at the helm, and his young and small (as in only ten dressed) squad got off to a good start with a 63-54 win over the cross-town rival Marauders.

The Raiders graduated four seniors, all starters, so change was in the air, but at the same time, not so much. The starting five on this night included senior captain Sophia Setouhi, who played a significant role on last year’s team. It also included returning  junior Aisling Brennock, fresh off an excellent Field Hockey campaign and ready to play a more significant role on this year’s team.  Brooke Lambo, the third Lambo girl on the way to being a hoops star in Watertown and beyond, returns after a fine Freshman season. And rounding out the starting five were two fabulous freshman, Natalie Haley and Natalia Keuchkarian, who contributed significantly to last year’s 14-8 team as eighth graders, and already seemed ready to take on starring roles.

Tonight’s game did not play out like a first game of the season, full of nerves and turnovers and lack of a shooting eye. Well, don’t get me wrong, all those things were in play, but up and down competitive basketball was just as much the theme. Neither team ever led by double digits, and lead changes were as frequent as honking horns at the Common Street rotary. Sophomore Guard Sarah Geller had 7 first quarter points for Belmont on the way to a 16-12 lead after one quarter. But Watertown picked up its defense in the second, especially after going to a 2-3 zone, although they didn’t have an answer for forward Sophia McClendon, who had 8 in the quarter. And offensively, Natalie Haley made her first two 3-pointers of the season on the way to a 12 first half points. At the half, the Raiders led 29-26.

On this night, Coach Tempesta went only six deep, with Freshman Diana Martin the only other player to see the floor on this night. Diana is another who made the squad last year as an eighth grader and started to see more minutes the second half of the season. The third quarter was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams finding some range from beyond the arc, including two from Brennock and one from Keuchkarian, one of her two on the night. After three quarters, it was Watertown 43 and Belmont 39.

The fourth quarter saw both teams get a bit tight, with turnovers picking up. A promising sign though, and an improvement on a real achilles heal for last year’s team, was free throw shooting. Late in the fourth, and with Belmont playing catch-up and in need of stopping the clock, Haley, Lambo and Keuchkarian all went to the line four times and they combined to make 11 of 12 attempts. That and two more three’s from Haley and the night ended in joy, a third straight win over Belmont to start the season, this time 63-54.  

So, on a night when captain Setouhi, a growing offensive star last season, went scoreless, youth was served. Certainly there will be ups and down this season. Watertown isn’t overly tall or physical, and on this night the remaining bench — seniors Moya Flanagan, Lori Kouyoumjian and Morgan Macomber, as well as freshman Mackenzie Highland — were not called upon to contribute. Not every game will go that way, and Coach Tempesta will learn more about his team when the time comes. What he knows now is that Haley and Keuchkarian, 24 and 19 points respectively, are ready to shine most nights, even though they are young and physically still maturing. But, they will learn how to match physical play with physical play of their own, and best of all, they are both natural scorers. And Brooke Lambo’s (11 points) upside is huge, especially as she refines her inside game and bag full of moves which are already so good.   

So enjoy the future, now, because it’s here and fun and will only get better as the season progresses. Next week, the Raiders travel to Woburn on Tuesday Night Dec. 16, and are home Friday at 5:30 p.m. as apart of a Girls/Boys doubleheader versus Wilmington.

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                         1     2     3    4   –  F

Belmont          16  10    13  15  – 54

Watertown     12  17    14  20  –  63

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Haley… 24 points (4 3-pointers)

Keuchkarian… 19 (2 3-pointers)

Lambo… 11 (1 3-pointer)

Brennock… 9 (3 3-pointers)