Grant High School

Congratulations to our 3 wrestlers for earning All-Conference honors last Saturday. Best of luck to you guys and the rest of the team as they begin Team Districts on Wednesday in Kent City and then move to Individual Districts over the weekend at Whitehall.

Boys basketball at White Cloud tonight!

Girls basketball at home today!

Reminder that Friday, Feb. 13th is the last day to pre order shirts. We will have a limited number for sale at the game as well.

Friday, February 20th we will have some amazing events taking place at our Girls and Boys Varsity basketball games when we play host to the Big Rapids Cardinals.

Between games we will be recognizing our Varsity Girls and Boys Senior basketball players and thank them for the countless hours of work and dedication to their sport.

This will also be a Pink Out Game Night to pay respect to all those who have had to deal with cancer in any way. This game will be dedicated to the amazing Cheri Wood and her family. Cheri was a teacher at Grant Public Schools where she taught 3rd and 4th grade for eight years, special education for eighteen years and 5th - 8th grade intervention for four years. Cheri eventually lost her battle with cancer in 2020 and soon after her family set up the scholarship fund to honor Cheri and her love for kids of all ages.

All the proceeds from the game will go to help sponsor the Cheri Wood "Kids Come First" Scholarship fund. We will be selling T-shirts, doing a 50/50 raffle, money from the Athletic Boosters 1/2 court shot during halftime, and other activities will all go towards this amazing scholarship.

If there are any businesses that would like to help out and donate towards this event please reach out to Krysta Freeland or Kirk Rider in the athletic office.

We will have a few shirts available for purchase at the ticket table the night of the game. If you would like to guarantee yourself a shirt you may preorder using them one of two ways.

You can print out the order form and return the form and money to the high school athletic
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rAtC1GpGYGMBXbDzj-JsnSUBz-CMlhhYtQw-4t2Pmbk/edit?usp=sharing

Or you can order and pay online with a credit card at the following website.https://fan.hudl.com/passes/UGFzc0NvbmZpZzY5N2NmNzE5ZjQwYmM4MTA4ZDJkMDk3Mw==

Let's make this night amazing, cheer on our teams, recognize our Senior hoopers, and Pink Out the crowd supporting a wonderful person and scholarship fund!

Three Tigers earned all conference recognition on Saturday. Newaygo hosted the 2026 CSAA conference individual championship, the last regular season event with districts starting next week. Sophomore Kaden Smith was runner up at 215lbs earning 2nd Team all conference losing to Senior Trae Zerba from Central Montcalm. Senior Cameron Espinoza took 3rd place earning him Honorable Mention defeating Mason from Lakeview and going 3-1 on the day. Sophomore Antonio Santana also earned Honorable Mention, beating Antor from Tri County in the 3rd place match, also going 3-1. The Tigers travel to Kent City Wednesday for team districts and then Whitehall on Saturday for Individual Districts.

Grant Athletics - Feb. 9 - 15

Grant Athletics Update for Friday, Feb. 6th.

Middle School Wrestling @ Tri County has been canceled (working on a reschedule date)

Girls and Boys Varsity Basketball vs Chippewa Hills will be played tonight. Girls at 5:30 and boys at 7:00. We will also still be doing our Competitive Cheer Senior night between games.

Hard to believe that it is already time for Wrestling Team Districts. This year our Wrestling Team will be at Kent City High School on Feb. 11th. They will take on Kent City in the first round of team districts.

Individual Boys Districts - Saturday, Feb. 14th in Whitehall at 10:30am
Individual Girls Districts - Sunday, Feb. 15th in Whitehall at 11:30am

Come help us celebrate our Senior Cheer Team.

Friday, February 20th we will have some amazing events taking place at our Girls and Boys Varsity basketball games when we play host to the Big Rapids Cardinals.

Between games we will be recognizing our Varsity Girls and Boys Senior basketball players and thank them for the countless hours of work and dedication to their sport.

This will also be a Pink Out Game Night to pay respect to all those who have had to deal with cancer in any way. This game will be dedicated to the amazing Cheri Wood and her family. Cheri was a teacher at Grant Public Schools where she taught 3rd and 4th grade for eight years, special education for eighteen years and 5th - 8th grade intervention for four years. Cheri eventually lost her battle with cancer in 2020 and soon after her family set up the scholarship fund to honor Cheri and her love for kids of all ages.

All the proceeds from the game will go to help sponsor the Cheri Wood "Kids Come First" Scholarship fund. We will be selling T-shirts, doing a 50/50 raffle, money from the Athletic Boosters 1/2 court shot during halftime, and other activities will all go towards this amazing scholarship.

If there are any businesses that would like to help out and donate towards this event please reach out to Krysta Freeland or Kirk Rider in the athletic office.

We will have a few shirts available for purchase at the ticket table the night of the game. If you would like to guarantee yourself a shirt you may preorder using them one of two ways.

You can print out the order form and return the form and money to the high school athletic
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rAtC1GpGYGMBXbDzj-JsnSUBz-CMlhhYtQw-4t2Pmbk/edit?usp=sharing

Or you can order and pay online with a credit card at the following website.https://fan.hudl.com/passes/UGFzc0NvbmZpZzY5N2NmNzE5ZjQwYmM4MTA4ZDJkMDk3Mw==

Let's make this night amazing, cheer on our teams, recognize our Senior hoopers, and Pink Out the crowd supporting a wonderful person and scholarship fund!

Basketball Games tonight

Girls Varsity basketball at home vs. Lakeview - 6pm start (this is just a varsity game as Lakeview does not have a JV team)

Boys JV and Varsity play AT Lakeview tonight - 5:30 and 7pm

Grant Tiger Athletics.

Please note that on Saturday, Feb. 7th the boys and girls varsity teams play at White Cloud vs Fremont in the Newaygo County Showcase.

Cheri Wood "Kids Come First" Scholarship Pink Out Basketball Game.

February 20th the boys and girls Varsity Basketball teams will play host to Big Rapids. Not only will this be our Senior Night but it will also be a Pink Out Night to help raise money for the Cheri Wood "Kids Come First" Scholarship Fund.

All proceeds from this game will go to benefit the Cheri Wood “Kids Come First” Scholarship fund. Cheri was a teacher at Grant Public Schools where she taught 3rd and 4th grade for eight years, special education for eighteen years and 5th - 8th grade intervention for four years. Her family set up the scholarship fund to honor Cheri and her love for kids of all ages.

If you want to pre-order a T-shirt please follow the link below. All orders are due by Feb. 13th and will be available for pick up after 12pm on Feb. 18th. You may pick up your shirt at the High School office or at the ticket table the night of the game. If you are not able to attend the game you can still help support the scholarship fund by purchasing a shirt.

We are excited to see a crowd full of pink to support all those that have been affected by cancer!

Order Form Link
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rAtC1GpGYGMBXbDzj-JsnSUBz-CMlhhYtQw-4t2Pmbk/edit?usp=sharing

Link to purchase online via credit https://fan.hudl.com/passes/UGFzc0NvbmZpZzY5N2NmNzE5ZjQwYmM4MTA4ZDJkMDk3Mw==

Wrestling

Varsity Basketball

JV Basketball

Meet Coach Rob Smith

A New Era Dawns for Grant Girls Basketball
Coach Rob Smith joins the Tigers, bringing decades of success, a commitment to culture, and a devotion to developing both players and people.
Rob Smith’s return to coaching this winter marks a deliberate reentry into a vocation he relishes. After stepping away from the sidelines to focus on family, he found himself drawn back to the game—and ultimately to Grant.
After meeting with Athletic Director Kirk Rider and Superintendent Kevin Akin, Smith felt confident in the district’s direction and values.
“I love to teach the game of basketball,” Smith said. “What impressed me about Kirk and Kevin was their focus on culture, academics, and athletics. That alignment matters. It’s where meaningful work can happen.”

Establishing What Matters First
For Smith, rebuilding a program does not begin with the scoreboard—it begins with standards, shared expectations, and daily habits.
“A successful program starts with shared standards and belief,” he explained. “That comes from relationships, consistency, and daily habits. It’s about creating a sisterhood where every player understands her value.”
He emphasizes that contribution cannot be reduced to minutes played.
“This isn’t only about points or minutes,” Smith said. “It’s about effort, body language, hustle, and doing the small things that elevate the group. Every girl matters.”
These details, though subtle, form the indispensable foundation of trust, accountability, and eventual success.

Why Grant’s Potential Is Real
Smith speaks plainly—and confidently—about the athletes he is coaching and the community they represent.
“Our players are great kids and they are learning every day,” he said. “Grant is a community centered on hard work and a real commitment to academics. I believe that all players can be successful with the right support and coaches who are passionate about creating a positive environment.”
In a rebuilding year, Smith measures progress differently. Wins are welcomed, but they are not the primary metric.
“The main focus in the first year is building a culture of trust and a base of fundamentals that creates the potential for a championship program,” he said. “We want players who exhibit teamwork and a commitment to individual improvement.”
His vision for how the game should be played is unmistakable.
“We want to play the game at 1,000 mph,” Smith said. “Defense and offense, all 94 feet. That means players have to train to be in the best shape of their life. In Year 2 our community will see huge growth.”

A Career Anchored in People, Not Accolades
Over a 22-year career, Smith has been part of 19 conference championships and a state title in 2010—a season that coincided with the birth of his son, Tate.
“That period was incredibly meaningful,” he reflected.
Still, achievements have never been the axis of his coaching philosophy.
“Every single person has the potential to be great,” Smith said. “You just need support, love, and a passion that motivates you to go out and do the work. People make choices. Winners do the work and it most certainly pays off.”
Coaching girls basketball has always carried personal significance.
“I’ve never had a daughter,” Smith shared. “All these girls over the years have been like daughters to me.”

Life Beyond the Sidelines
When he is not in the gym, Smith enjoys time with his family, especially watching Tate compete in distance running. He takes pride in his son’s dedication to training—even on snow-covered roads—and the discipline he shows in pursuing his goals. Summers often find them along Lake Michigan, while fall is reserved for time in the woods deer hunting. His wife, a kindergarten teacher, keeps the household grounded and is famous for making monster cookies that the team swears are legendary. Smith jokes, “We’ve never met a pizza we didn’t devour.”

Looking Ahead With Purpose
Smith’s belief in Grant’s athletes is unwavering.
“I believe in the girls at Grant,” he said. “They are going to be great! I feel like next year we have the potential to win 13–15 games. Two years from now, look out. We look to win the conference and make a deep run in the tourney. Ultimately, I want to take the girls to Breslin in March and win a State Title!”
As the season unfolds, the emphasis remains steady and uncompromising: habits over hype, effort over entitlement, and relationships over results.
Grant High School welcomes Coach Smith and his family and is appreciative of the role they are playing in the lives of Grant students.

Basketball update.....

Again, Varsity girls and boys basketball will be played Wednesday at Sparta

JV girls and boys basketball will be played at HOME vs Sparta on Wednesday.