Intensity is never a problem when Belding and Greenville meet. That is true for any sport between the two rivals. On the hard court Friday, the Yellow Jackets bounced back from a poor defensive effort on Tuesday to shut down the Redskins early in a 61-48 win.

For the second consecutive game, the Greenville Yellow Jackets’ defense was the deciding factor in its victory. Once the Yellow Jackets (2-0) got the lead, they used their size and strength to force turnovers, missed shots, grab rebounds and get to the free throw line in a 54-37 win over the Belding Redskins at North Gym on Friday night.

Central Michigan’s women’s basketball team knew they had a big game Thursday night against fifth-ranked Notre Dame. The crowd knew it too and came out over 3,800 strong to support the Lady Chippewas.

Just like the Belding boys basketball team, the Redskins girls team will begin the season with a new coach. Stepping into the coach’s position is Brad Wilson. Wilson was the junior varsity coach last year and replaces longtime Belding coach Mike Nelson.

The 2012 season was one of transition for Belding’s football team. The Redskins had a new coach in Joe Schwander, who installed new offensive and defensive systems.

Belding’s volleyball team had their season end in tough fashion Tuesday night. The Reed City Coyotes swept the Redskins from the Class B playoffs with a 25-10, 25-19, 25-17 win in the regional semifinals at Fremont High School.

It’s been a season of learning and gaining experience for the Belding Redskins volleyball team. With no seniors, an injury to a key player (Gabby Holyfield) and four freshman starting, the Redskins (17-16-5) have done a good job as they prepare to face Reed City in the Class B regional semifinals tonight at Fremont High School.

Two in a row and four out of the last five. That’s how many volleyball district titles the Belding Redskins have won in the past five years. On Thursday, the Redskins (17-16-5) defeated the Central Montcalm Hornets 25-17, 25-12, 25-13 to sweep the Class B district championship game at Redskin Arena.

At least one of our area teams will be crowned a district volleyball champion at the end of today. The Central Montcalm Hornets and Belding Redskins made sure of that with Class B district semifinal wins on Wednesday night at Belding. The Hornets needed five games to do so, while the Redskins advanced after three games.

Even though neither of Belding’s cross country teams qualified for the state finals, there were two boys who are going anyway. The Redskins finished sixth in boys in the Division 2 meet at Fish Creek Sportsman’s Club in Carson City Saturday. The girls were seventh.