Berrien Springs beats Brandywine in an emergency-shortened game

NILES - Berrien Springs defeated Niles-Brandywine 63-48 Friday in a medical emergency-shortened game.

With under three minutes remaining in the game, a spectator suffered a critical medical emergency, halting the game. The game was never restarted and fans were ushered out of the school.

On a basketball note, Berrien Springs displayed toughness and skill to earn their eighth straight victory. Oregon commit J.J. Frakes (6-4) was trapped every time he touched the ball, settling for 13 points.

Berrien Springs MVP: Micah McFarland, 6-4, Sr.

McFarland was everywhere on the court, scoring a team-high 22 points while soaring above opponents for rebounds and making nice decisions with the ball. He’s the type of player all winning teams have. McFarland didn’t shoot much from the outside, but he crashed the boards and made life tough for an undersized Brandywine squad.

Niles-Brandywine MVP: Nylen Goins, 5-11, Jr.

The lone returning starter from last season’s D3 state championship squad. Goins is quick, strong and poised. He scored a game-high 23 points, making 3-pointers and getting to the basket with regularity. His mix of speed and strength allows him to get to the basket and finish through traffic. He’s also an excellent free throw shooter with unlimited overall upside.

Can Berrien Springs make a Breslin run?

The Shamrocks are a sleeper team, despite having a Power-4 D1 recruit on their roster. Frakes is a superb athlete with a pure 3-point shot with NBA range. He was quiet Friday, but he can explode for massive scoring outputs on any given night.

Berrien Springs junior point guard Brady Blasko (6-2) is a patient player who can knock down shots. He didn’t face much pressure in this game, but he looks like he’d be up for the task, backed by their double-digit win against Benton Harbor.

In the post, Berrien Springs has height and bulk with Brody Brewer (6-5) and Alex Odell (6-7) dominating touches. Brewer is a good football player, and uses his frame to bury defenders and score in the paint. He moves well for a center and positively contributes on defense.

Shooting guard Ethan McCrary (6-2) has nice range from beyond the arc and can put the ball on the floor a bit. He had some nice defensive moments and adds balance to the offense.

This is certainly a starting lineup worth keeping an eye on come March. Berrien Springs possesses size and skill. They also play with discipline and have positively responded from two early-season losses.

Ultimately, this team would have to beat the team that emerges out of Grand Rapids, but a Breslin Center trip should be the goal.