Photo courtesy of Amanda Currie: Check out pictures from the cornerstone showcase here: https://wearhope.smugmug.com/Rockford-Mens-Basketball-2019-2020/Varsity-vs-GR-Christian-at-Cornerstone/n-ktGnvJ/
The holiday season is still in effect, and as a result the schedule is limited. We still had tremendous action this week at the Cornerstone Holiday Tournament, recapped below.
Cornerstone Holiday Tournament—Showcase Games
In the Cornerstone Holiday Tournament this week, there were a pair of “showcase games”. In the first game, West Catholic defeated Beal City 50-36. The Falcons played dominating defense, as they held Beal City to 14/47 shooting, including just 2/17 from three-point territory. West Catholic also won the rebounding battle, and they forced Beal City into committing sixteen turnovers. Kobe Kambestad was the leading scorer for West Catholic with 17 points, while Spencer Zobro (12 points) and Ethan Woodworth (10 points) also got into double figures. In defeat, Ty Schafer led Beal City with 10 points. He hit both three-point shots for the Aggies.
The second game of the showcase saw Grand Rapids Christian defeat Rockford 56-43. The Rams started this game strong with a 13-8 lead after the first quarter of play. After that, the Eagles began their climb back into this game. The second half of the game was the major turning point for GRC offensively, as they shot 13/17 from the floor. On the defensive side of things, GRC also held Rockford to 8/27 from the floor in the second half. Kobe Bufkin led GRC with 12 points, while Sam Krist led Rockford with 14.
Cornerstone Holiday Tournament—Blue Division
In the Blue Division, we had the second day of games tip off this past Monday. In the third-place game, Coldwater defeated Kenowa Hills 56-50. The Cardinals took a 13-8 first quarter lead and never looked back. The rebounding margin was crucial in this game, as Coldwater outrebounded Kenowa Hills 39-27. Dylan Targgart led Coldwater with 18 points, while Austin Santure added 19 rebounds for the Cardinals. Ryan Bart was the leading scorer for Kenowa Hills with 15 points.
The tournament’s championship game was between Hudsonville and Forest Hills Northern, two of West Michigan’s best teams. By creating five more turnovers and earning nine extra rebounds, the Eagles found themselves nine extra field goal shots. Ethan Erickson led all scorers with 20 points for FHN, while Justin DeGraaf led Hudsonville with 18 points. Johnny Miller hit all seven field goal attempts to finish with 15 points for Hudsonville.
Cornerstone Holiday Tournament—White Division
In the White Division, all four games were decided by single digits. Potters House advanced to the championship game by taking down Muskegon Oakridge 52-49. Odasi Irankunda shot 7/14 from the floor on his way to 14 points to lead the Pumas in scoring. Tanner Karel led all scorers with 15 points for Oakridge on 7/15 shooting. The Pumas were up by 12 points entering the final quarter before holding off a late surge by Oakridge to emerge victorious.
Cedar Springs advanced to the title game by defeating Mona Shores 49-44. The Redhawks and Sailors struggled to shoot in this game, combining for 34/96 from the floor, with each making seventeen field goals. The large difference in this game were the free throws and the turnovers. Cedar Springs made seven extra free throws and forced eight additional turnovers. Bryce Marvel was the leading scorer for Cedar Springs with 20 points, while Ahmon Dean led Mona Shores with 18.
In the consolation game, Mona Shores took down Oakridge 57-49. Mona Shores got out to a 22-13 lead after the first quarter of play and they held on the rest of the way. This game also had some offensive lulls, specifically the third quarter. In that frame, there were only fourteen combined points and the teams were 5/31 from the floor. Once again, Tanner Karel led Oakridge in scoring with 12 points. Jaylen Hopson led Mona Shores with 22 points in this victory, and he added ten rebounds to record a double-double.
Cedar Springs narrowly defeated Potters House 52-51 in the championship game. This game was tight the entire way, as the teams each had a large run in the middle of the game with a pair of tightly contested quarters. Bryce Marvel stole the show once again for Cedar Springs, as he had a 20-point night once again on 8/11 shooting and 4/5 from the free throw line. Case Medema finished with 23 points to lead all scorers in Potters House’s narrow defeat, as he hit 8/11 field goals.
Cornerstone Holiday Tournament—Silver Division
In the Silver Division, Forest Hills Eastern and Forest Hills Central met in the title game. The Hawks reached the finals by defeating Northpointe Christian 66-55. FHE got 23 points from Solomon White, as he hit 7/8 free throws in the win. The Hawks overcame a two-point first quarter deficit with a 53-40 run after the final twenty-four minutes. Jaren Culp was 8/9 for FHE with 16 points and he also had six rebounds. In defeat, Sam Vasiu led NPC with 19 points and 7 rebounds.
Forest Hills Central advanced to the championship game by defeating Allendale 61-46. Jimmy Scholler led the Rangers with 26 points, as he hit 14/15 free throw attempts. Mitchell Wilkinson added nine points for FHC. Allendale got 24 points from Ryan Corner, who hit 7/10 field goals and 10/12 free throws. The rest of Allendale’s team struggled from the field however, shooting 8/31 and 2/6 from the free throw line.
In the third-place game, Allendale defeated Northpointe Christian 74-55. The Falcons outrebounded NPC 41-25, and that resulted in many second chance opportunities. Allendale made 11 more field goals than NPC, allowing them to overcome the five-turnover deficit. Once again, Ryan Corner was the star for Allendale, as he got 21 points on 7/8 from the field and 7/8 from the free throw line. Corner also added 11 rebounds. Brayden Wilkerson led NPC with 16 points, while Sam Vasiu chipped in 13 for the Mustangs.
Forest Hills Central got revenge for their early season defeat to FHE in a 66-34 blowout. The biggest quarter in this game was the third for FHC, as they outscored FHE 19-4, with the Hawks going 0/11 from the floor. Once again, Jimmy Scholler was the best player on the floor. He was 11/23 from the field and 7/8 from the free throw line on his way to 34 points and 8 rebounds. Dallas Hopson also found his way into double digits for the Rangers, as he recorded 11 points. Gage Krueger had 16 points to lead FHE.
