Shelby’s Leighton Belasco brings the ball up the floor during last season’s district game against White Cloud. After a promising freshman season, the Tigers will count on Belasco for a big leap forward in 2025-26.
Shelby alum and wrestling official Edmundo Flores (left) celebrates his induction into the Michigan Wrestling Association Hall of Fame Nov. 8. Flores has officiated in many sports for over 40 years, though he’s best known for working wrestling and softball. Courtesy Photo
Edmundo Flores (highest in back row) has wrestling roots that go back to his time on the 1972 state champion Shelby Tigers’ team, and he’s continued in the sport to this day as an official, being inducted into the MWA Hall of Fame Nov. 8. Courtesy Photo
Edmundo Flores (left) and his brother were able to meet basketball legend Magic Johnson while Flores was umpiring a baseball tournament early in Flores’ officiating career. Officiating and umpiring has taken Flores all over the country and even to Mexico. Courtesy Photo
Shelby’s Jaylin Henderson battles with a Richmond opponent during last season’s state finals. Henderson and teammate Brody Fessenden are the Tigers’ two returning state qualifiers from last year.
Pentwater’s Abram Kieda puts up a free throw during a 2024-25 game against Bear Lake. Kieda will be the Falcons’ “man in the middle” on a team looking to build on a historic season.
Hart’s Adrian Lara grapples with an Allegan foe during last season’s quarterfinal match in Kalamazoo. An all-stater last year, Lara is among four senior leaders for the Pirates heading into 2025-26.
Montague's Bryton Belinger gets in position to field a slow grounder during a 2025 baseball game. Belinger recently underwent surgeries to remove a cancerous mass and lymph nodes to combat a rare form of cancer. A community fundraiser for the Belinger family is set for Sunday, Nov. 30 at the White Lake Eagles.
Montague FFA advisor Kate Feuerstein (right) and NBC middle school advisor Addyson Hall ran the Montague FFA cider sale Oct. 24 at the Wildcats' football game vs. Ravenna. Their efforts raised $775 for the Belinger family, one example of the area coming together to aid Bryton in his fight against cancer.
Solutions by The State News
