By: Nate Dreyer
Photo courtesy of Miles Postema
Well, there’s a reason why there’s a copyrighted saying about the madness of a certain month, as it pertains to basketball… And West Michigan certainly has proved it this week. Top ranked teams across divisions have already fallen, a two-win team in division one knocked out a ranked rival, and nearly another, and so much more – just two days into the boys tournament.
Let’s take a look at all of the districts that MSR will have Finals coverage of on Friday, to see some of the insanity that has already unfolded and preview a bit more. We’ll also whip around to some other key districts (especially on the lakeshore) that have watched big upsets turn everything upside-down.
LIVE Finals Friday on MSR:
Division 1, District 6 – Northview vs. Coopersville
This was a wild night of big upsets and near upsets from the start on Wednesday. First, Forest Hills Northern – fresh off nearly taking down Byron Center last Friday – gave state-ranked Northview all they could handle. The Huskies led with three minutes to go, and a pair of tough and-one’s for the Wildcats would help coach Chana’s team survive to Friday night. Senior E.J. Ryans put up a career-high 32 points in the win, with younger brother Cam chipping in 14 more.
The favored matchup for Friday was going to be Northview vs. Rockford. But, as we mentioned in our preview article this week – look out for the senior-led Broncos of Coopersville. Their experience, unique zone defensive approach, and methodical offense kept the game slow and made it a possession-by-possession finish.
Rockford’s sophomore guard Dylan Gross hit a mid-range 2 with 1:15 to go to put the Rams up by one, but ‘Coop’ answered right back with a triple of their own to take a lead they would never relinquish – eventually earning a 51-47 win.
This will be a really fun game, the Wildcats are young, outside of senior E.J. Ryans, but are as talented as any and like to play with a grinding-methodical pace of their own. But, their athletes and size will be negated some in the half-court by the tricky 1-2-2 zone the Broncos use.
Some keys to look for: First, the pace, every possession will matter and this is a game that very likely will ultimately be played in the 40s if both coaches control things on their own end the way they like to.
Also, look to the interior match-ups here and what Northview does to counter the size and strength of Gabe VanSickle down low, the Wildcats often operate a little more 5-out and despite having size, they like to slash and score and defend at the perimeter – So VanSickle in the zone and in the grinding dribble-drive offense will be a tricky matchup for the ‘Cats to figure out.
And lastly, basketball comes down sometimes just to making shots. The three-ball, in particular, will be big in the one as Coopersville is armed with deadly shooters like Eli Spencer and Judah Bartels, and the same can be said for Northview – who will additionally be looking to shoot over top of the zone.
Division 1, District 7 – East Kentwood vs. Byron Center
Byron Center was the site Wednesday for two of the wildest games in the area. First, Byron Center was able to hold off Hudsonville in a back-and-forth affair down the stretch. Camden Karel rose to the occasion to put up 14 points to lead the way, while Brayden Szamrej’s final high school game before he now heads off to play for Tiffin was a big one in the losing effort, as he had 16.
The Bulldogs were able to ice things at the line in the end and earn a 5-point, 57-52 win after both sides traded the lead for the 31+ minutes of this thriller that saw many of the big names – including Szamrej, McPhaul, and Karel battle foul trouble down the stretch, as bench contributors like Keane Hinkle and Griffin Baker each hit big shots as the time waned.
The second game featured a match-up that, on paper, would have not given us as exciting of a ballgame. Jenison picked up a massive upset over 15-win Grandville on Monday for only their third win of the season, but they had to take on East Kentwood – who at their best down the stretch beat Grandville, Rockford and Hudsonville all in a row and can be one of the most dangerous teams in the state.
From the beginning, it was apparent that the ‘Cats were going to make this a fight. After a back-and-forth first half, both teams were struggling to score as the Wildcats 2-3 zone also was forcing turnovers and kept them within five points at the break. After knotting the game up in the third quarter, Jenison would find themselves down only two (with the ball) late in the fourth – all while Jah Hatchett and C.J. Reynolds were battling injuries in the fourth quarter.
But, the Falcons were able to hold serve in the end, as Christian Humphrey-Rembert – after being held completely quiet – recorded his only points of the game at the line late to ice the game and eventually earn a 50-45 East Kentwood win. Jah Hatchett had 19 for EK, as Chris Vanslambrouck led Jenison again with 17 in the near-upset.
All that sets up a high-flying Friday match-up between the Bulldogs and Falcons. The first match-up here is going to be the incredible head-to-head duel between Humphrey-Rembert and Karel. Both are 6’9”, both play an excellent game scoring the ball at all 3 levels. Both also impact the game defensively in a number of ways – especially in the paint, and are going to be division one stars at the next level. ‘CHR’ struggled mightily vs. Jenison, while Karel led the way vs. Hudsonville – So, watch as Humphrey-Rembert tries to get back on track and Karel looks to keep it rolling.
Pace and style will be interesting as well, Byron Center stayed mostly moderately paced on offense and used physical man-to-man on defense in the half-court while East Kentwood tried to up the pressure in the full-court on Jenison to less effectiveness than certainly expected. Byron Center has used some full and half court zones in the past, expect for Coach Rodriguez to break some of those looks after the effectiveness of zoning vs. EK was again proven by the 3-win Wildcats on Wednesday.
Division 1, District 5 – Zeeland East vs. Zeeland West
The GAME NIGHT on MSR crew will be at West Ottawa on Friday to cover a district championship game that will provide some real rivalry intensity. It’s the third ‘Bird Bowl’ of the season, as Zeeland West battles Zeeland East.
The Dux were able to advance past host West Ottawa on Wednesday in the semis easily (impressive considering the rampant upsets all over elsewhere for top seeds), winning 66-35. The Dux big men came up big with Yant scoring 16 and Alderink pitching in another 12.
Zeeland East had to battle Grand Haven in order to advance, and the Chix found themselves down early to a hot GH team that was coming off a win vs. East Kentwood to end their regular season.
But the Chix dynamic offensive duo of senior center Layne Risdon and junior guard B.J. Walker put their foot to the floor down the stretch, as the Chix pulled away for a 71-66 win over the Buccaneers. Walker had 24 and Risdon added in 23, as the starring two combined for 47 of the team’s 71 on the night.
Zeeland West took the first two match-ups of the season vs. East. They won easily in the second game at East, but in the first meeting on the Dux’s home floor, East overcame a double-digit halftime deficit to lead in the fourth before West pulled back away to win a tight meeting.
It could be the ultimate revenge for East, in what is a big game for a Zeeland West team that is as battle-tested and experienced as any in West Michigan. They sport a trio of fourth-year varsity seniors, including Merrit Alderink and Luke Bakker, who have also been essentially day-one starters over the past four seasons.
The X-factor for coach Jeff Carlson’s team for Zeeland East will be the speed of the game and their ability to score, the Chix can fill up the basket as well as anyone, especially with their lead duo of Risdon and Walker. If the game is high-scoring and both teams are hitting shots, expect the Chix to be right in it. Also, keep an eye on how West tries to defend the aforementioned Chix leading scorers, Merritt Alderink may split time between guarding Walker on the wing or the stretch scoring big Risdon inside and out.
Division 2, District 45 – GR Christian vs. South Christian
Unity Christian was a sell-out on Wednesday, as a district featuring three of the top teams in division two, all with championship aspirations, took to the floor. First GR Christian, the number one ranked team in D2 was able to handle business vs. Grand River Prep by a score of 84-49. Nate Johson led the way for Coach Eric Taylor’s squad, dropping 17 points, as sophomore wing Carl Thompson drained 13 more off the bench for the Eagles.
The second game was the one to watch, to see who the Eagles would take on in the final, as reigning state runner-up South Christian played the team they beat in the quarters last year again – Unity Christian.
The Crusaders were perfect in the O-K Blue this year, while the Sailors fell twice to GR Catholic Central and lost some of the buzz that they still fully deserve as a state championship threat for 2nd-year coach Taylor Johnson. The big-time players came to play in this one. Carson Vis dropped 30 for South Christian and Jake VerMaas poured in 23 more for the Sailors. At the same time, T.J. Fisher had 21 for Unity Christian.
The outcome: South Christian prevailed, 70-62. And they live on to try to slay the top-ranked dragon on Friday, live on MSR.
The Eagles have been (mostly) untouchable this year with big-time talent littered across the floor and an ability to play at multiple paces and control a variety of opponents. But, South Christian has talent of their own, and they also have the immeasurable X-factor of having proven winners across their roster.
Much of the Sailors roster on the hardwood features football players that have been to Ford Field for two straight seasons, won the 2022 title, and came just a few points short (without Vis) of also winning the basketball title last year.
Vis and Ouwinga will each be D1 stars at the next level, and will need to lead the way Friday. Ouwinga (Toledo), will have a size advantage down-low, and will try to impact the game by controlling the painted area while also stretching the floor. While Vis (uncommitted, junior) will use his 2-way athleticism to push the pace and make even the often run-and-gun Eagles backcourt uncomfortable.
Division 2, District 47 – GR Catholic Central vs. Wyoming Godfrey-Lee
Catholic Central is back in the state title mix again this year, despite dealing with injuries to some of their most important stars. They won the O-K Gold title, taking down South Christian twice and were fortunate with their draw and avoiding the ‘murderers row’ district that South and GR Chrisitan will decide at Unity on Friday.
But, the Cougars cannot look past their battle with Wyoming Lee at West Catholic on Friday. To get there, GRCC took down Allendale 75-56 Wednesday, and notably were able to welcome Michigan-Signee and Mr. Basketball finalist Durral Brooks back to their lineup: He scored 20.
Lee had to take down district-host West Catholic, and it took a thrilling effort to do so. The Legends were able to hang on and win 49-48 to secure their spot in Friday’s final.
The first match-up to watch for the Legends as they try to pull the upset will be the dueling leading senior scorers for each. Durral Brooks is well known, by all measures, and has an ability to easily score 20+ in any game he plays. But another one of West Michigan’s top averaging scorers is Marc Whitfield for Lee. A dynamic slasher and pull-up shooter, Whitfield leads a high-paced offense for the Legends.
On the other side of the ball for Lee, their defense has an ability to pressure, create steals and compliment their sprinting offense. Lee often-times puts teams outside of their comfort zone and forces them to run at the Legends’ pace. Lee did just just that when they went on the road to take down D4 championship favorite Tri-Unity earlier this year in a frenetic-paced ballgame.
Catholic Central is the favorite here, but in an already wildly-unpredictable tournament, Lee might have the type of uncomfortable pace and toughness to make this one close and be pull another upset on one of the state’s best.
Other Quick Notes and Match-ups
*Mona Shores had other plans on their home floor Wednesday for the likely rubber-match between Muskegon and Reeths-Puffer. Junior guard (and football QB) Jonathan Pittman helped lead first-year head coach Louis Murray to a win over Puffer, 52-49. Pittman had 25 points in the contest and sets up another fun rivalry clash, that includes Murray trying to take down a Muskegon team that he was a long-time assistant at before moving to the head job at Shores this year.
*Whitehall was perfect coming into Wednesday night and a heavy favorite to take their district and make a deep run of their own this year. The lakeshore again provided a stunner here, as 12-12 Spring Lake would take Whitehall to OT and win it – handing the first loss of the season to Whitehall, 73-61. Spring Lake will look to get by 7-17 Fruitport, in an unexpected district final between neighboring rivals.
*Caledonia will be on their home floor hosting Forest Hills Central on Friday in a division one district final. The game features two first-year head coaches, who have very different backgrounds to that point. Lamar Chapman is a long-time division one NCAA assistant and head coach, while Jordan George is a young 2016 graduate of Forest Hills Central looking to pick up the favored win on the road for a big start to his head coaching career.
*Tri-Unity Christian is one of the leading favorites to win the D4 state title, and finished with a top-10 ‘MPR’ rating among GR-area teams after playing a loaded schedule to prepare them for the title run. They play Byron Center Zion Christian, at Zion Christian, Friday in an attempt to advance on over a good Zion team that has won 5 of their last 6.
*Hamilton’s J.T. McIlwain set a school-record with 44 points scored in a huge Hamilton win over Wayland on Wednesday, also becoming a career 1000-point scorer in the process. The Hawkeyes will take on rival Holland Christian for the district crown.
*Covenant Christian is looking for another deep run in division 3 this season for coach Tyler Schimmel. They put together a statement win on Wednesday over Calvin Christian – winning 62-26. They play Northpointe Christian for the district on Friday.
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It’s a packed night of action, and we’ve got five of the biggest districts covered, with live radio coverage on MicihiganSportsRadio.com. Be sure to tune in as things are only going to heat up with the girls state tournament joining the fray alongside the boys regionals next week!
