Quick action by pilots saved the U of M Men's basketball team in 2017.

Matt Melcher of Watervliet High School Wrestling is the WSJM Sports Berrien County Student Athlete of the Week for the week of February 24, 2019.

At the MHSAA Division 4 Individual State Finals, Matt eventually placed 4th overall, going 3-2. His three wins were a 9-5 decision, a 4-3 decision, and a 5-1 decision.

Matt has also been a member of the Watervliet football and track teams. In the classroom, he carries a 3.86 grade point average.

Other finalists for the week were Hunter Heath of Brandywine Wrestling and Mara Rugen of Michigan Lutheran Basketball.

Matt is the son of Bill and Angela Melcher of Hartford.

Catch Phil McDonald's conversation with Matt below...

A recap of Thursday's area high school boys' basketball regional championship games and a preview of Friday's girls' basketball district championship games...

The WSJM Sports Road Trip made a stop at South Haven High School March 7 to talk Rams athletics, robotics, drama, choir, and Be Nice Program.  Catch the broadcast below...

A recap of Tuesday's boys' basketball regional semifinals and a preview of Wednesday's girls' basketball district semifinals...

Alycia Patterson of Niles High School Basketball is the WSJM Sports Berrien County Student Athlete of the Week for the week of February 17, 2019.

In the Vikings’ game against Lakeview, Alycia scored ten points, pulled down six rebounds, and added two steals and two assists. Then against Lakeshore, she scored 25 points to go along with six rebounds, two steals, and two assists.

Last year, Alycia set the sophomore scoring record at Niles. In her free time, she volunteers with the YMCA youth basketball program. In the classroom, she carries a 3.77 grade point average.

Alycia is the daughter of Anthony and Kristen Patterson of Niles.

Catch Phil McDonald's conversation with Alycia below...

Indiana's former head basketball coach Bob Knight is apparently not well.

We talked Lake Michigan Catholic, St. Joe, Michigan Lutheran, and Benton Harbor girls basketball this week at Henry's Hamburgers...

Benton Harbor 54, Lakeshore 43

Benton Harbor survived a hard fought battle with Lakeshore to win the Division 2 District Championship as they topped the Lancers 54-43.

The Tigers opened the game on a 9-0 run and led by as many as 11 in the first half. Dylan Clem scored seven of his ten points in the second quarter as the Lancers pulled to within three at the half. The Tigers extended the lead to seven after three quarters and then Carlos Johnson went 9-10 at the free throw line in the fourth to help seal the win.

Johnson finished with a game high 25 points. JJ Bushu led Lakeshore with 11, scoring ten of the 11 in the second half to keep the Lancers close.

With the loss, Lakeshore ends the season at 15-6. The win lifts Benton Harbor to 21-1 as they advance to face undefeated Otsego Tuesday at 6:00 in the Regional Semifinals at Wayland Union High School. Otsego defeated Hastings 70-45.

INDIVIDUAL SCORING

BENTON HARBOR

Carlos Johnson – 25

Justin Brown – 7

Jamon Walker – 7

Chris Conway – 6

Quindarius Davis – 5

Kentrell Pullian – 3

Chris Kyles – 1

LAKESHORE

JJ Bushu – 11

Dylan Clem – 10

Austin Kiser – 8

Ben Brower – 6

Micah Seats – 4

Dylan Sing – 4

A recap of Thursday's girls' basketball action and a preview of Friday's boys' basketball district championship schedule...