West Michigan Roundup, Friday 2/18/22

West Michigan Roundup, Friday 2/18/22

Best Win: Schoolcraft over Parchment 49-45

Parchment entered the game (17-0), the lone undefeated team in Southwest Michigan. Schoolcraft avenged a six-point loss from the first week of the season with a home victory in front of a capacity crowd. The SAC-Valley division title was shared with both teams finishing (11-1) in divisional play. This is a huge win for Schoolcraft who will gain confidence going into the state tournament where they will attempt to return to the Breslin for the second straight season. For Parchment losing isn’t the worst possible outcome as they now don’t have the pressure of being an undefeated team. The Panthers will look to repeat as district champions, but will likely have to get past Otsego.

Next Best: FH Central over GR Christian 55-48

GR Christian entered the night tied for first place in the OK White with Northview at (9-1). The Eagles were upset on the road by FH Central and will now need help in order to secure a share of the conference title. The Rangers senior duo of Jacob Bonnett and Conner Milton combined for 46 of FHC’s 55 points. Bonnett scored 27 points while Milton added 19 points. FH Central picked up a much-needed victory following two straight losses. The Rangers improved to (10-6) on the season while GR Christian fell to (13-4). The Eagles were led by 19 points from senior Jasiah Rainey.

Starting Five (Notable Games):

1. Union 58, Zeeland West 43

Union has quietly won three straight games including this 15 point victory over a talented Zeeland West team. Senior Genesis Kemp scored 19 points while grabbing 15 rebounds. Kemp has been a major impact transfer for the RedHawks this season. It would not shock me to see Union play spoiler in the state tournament in a stacked district with Coopersville, Grand Haven, Kenowa Hills, Muskegon, and Reeths-Puffer.

2. South Christian 75, FH Eastern 61

South Christian avenged an early-season one-point loss to FH Eastern with a 14 point home victory. Junior guard Jake DeHaan led the way scoring 28 points for the Sailors. I believe South Christian is an undervalued team at the moment with young players that will continue to grow as the season goes on. The Sailors should be favored in their final three games with an opportunity to finish (15-5) before district play where they could potentially meet up with GR Christian.

3. Caledonia 70, West Ottawa 58

West Ottawa has gone cold again after a mid-season revival. The Panthers have dropped three of the past four games including tonight’s road matchup against Caledonia. The Fighting Scots on the other hand have won five of their past seven and are peaking at the right time. Senior guard Liam Mulnix led Caledonia with 17 points while senior forward Nick Henry added 16 points and 7 rebounds. Kobe Haglund led West Ottawa with 19 points and 4 assists in the defeat.

4. Brandywine 66, Buchanan 52

Buchanan’s nine-game winning streak comes to an end with a 14 point road loss to rival Brandywine. Buchanan trailed by only one point following the third quarter but was outscored 25-11 in the fourth quarter. Carson Knapp led Brandywine with 21 points while Macoy West led Buchanan with 19 points. Brandywine was able to contain one of the best scorers in the area Ryan Young holding him to just 11 points. With the win, Brandywine clinched at least a share of the BCS Red title and can clinch an outright title with a win over South Haven next Friday.

5. BC Lakeview 74, Gull Lake 70

In a shocking upset, Gull Lake fell to now (6-11) Lakeview by four points. Gull Lake had already wrapped up the SMAC-East title, but this loss concerns me in regards to Gull Lake’s postseason potential. Yes, the Blue Devils have beat K-Central twice and defeated Lakeshore along with Portage Central, but they have also laid some eggs including this game. A 22 point loss to Otsego, a 13 point loss to Zeeland West, and this game have all shown that Gull Lake is an inconsistent team that could win a district title or lose their first game.

H-M: Mattawan 55, Lakeshore 52

The Wildcats picked up a massive victory to extend their winning streak to four games. This young team continues to get better as the season goes on. Lakeshore falls to (11-5) and is now tied for the SMAC-West title at (5-2) with Portage Central.

Top Performances:

-Brady Titus (Tri-Unity Chr., Sr.): 33 pts

-Jake DeHaan (South Christian, Jr.): 28 pts

-Jacob Bonnett (FH Central, Sr.): 27 pts

-Michael Morris (West Cath, Sr.): 26 pts

-Brayden Wilkerson (NorthPointe, Sr.): 26 pts

-Conner Wright (St. Joseph, Sr.): 26 pts

-Jack Karasinski (Catholic C., Sr.): 24 pts

-Parker Swartz (Mona Shores, Jr.): 23 pts

-Henry Weller (Dowagiac, Sr.): 23 pts

-Tyler DeGroote (Schoolcraft, Sr.): 22 pts

-Aiden Sullivan (FH Eastern, Jr.): 22 pts

-Ashton Atwater (Otsego, Sr.): 22 pts

-Carson Knapp (Brandywine, Sr.): 22 pts

-Paschal Jolman (Fruitport, Jr.): 21 pts

-Luke Davis (Pennfield, Sr.): 21 pts

-JJ Frakes (Lakeshore, Fr.): 20 pts, 5 reb

-Jakhary Towns (Godwin Hts, Jr.): 20 pts, 3 reb, 3 ast

-Gabe Newhof (Unity Christian, Sr.): 20 pts

-Kaden Brown (Catholic C., Jr.): 20 pts

-Javion Otten (Kenowa Hills, Jr.): 20 pts

-Kayden Bird (NorthPointe, Jr.): 20 pts

-Jacob Zartman (Otsego, Sr.): 20 pts

-Jake Moore (Edwardsburg, Sr.): 20 pts

-Zay Strickfaden (Fennville): 20 pts

-Daeton Gillam (Cassopolis, Sr.): 20 pts

-Genesis Kemp (Union, Sr.): 19 pts, 15 reb

-Jaxson Whitaker (Reeths-Puffer, So.): 19 pts, 5 reb

-Kobe Haglund (West Ottawa, Sr.): 19pts, 4 ast

-Conner Milton (FH Central, Sr.): 19 pts

-Jasiah Rainey (GR Christian, Sr.): 19 pts

-Bode Anspach (Fruitport, Jr.): 19 pts

-Drew Caswell (East GR, Jr.): 19 pts

-Macoy West (Buchanan, Sr.): 19 pts

-Jackson VanHekken (Holland, Sr.): 17 pts

-Liam Mulnix (Caledonia, Sr.): 17 pts

-Harrison Sorrelle (Grand Haven, Jr.): 17 pts

-Dylan Schut (Fennville, Sr.): 17 pts

-Nick Henry (Caledonia, Sr.): 16 pts, 7 reb

-Brayden Szamrej (Hudsonville, So.): 16 pts

-Aiden Burns (Pennfield, Sr.): 16 pts

-Chris Castle (Harper Creek, Sr.): 16 pts

-Travis Ambrose (Reeths-Puffer, So.): 14 pts, 11 reb

Game I Attended: Schoolcraft 49, Parchment 45

One of the biggest games of the year brought me back to Schoolcraft High School for the second straight week. The home Eagles, my #1 D3-D4 team played host to Parchment, my #1 D1-D2 team. The division title was on the line with Parchment looking to win the title outright while Schoolcraft was playing for a share of the title. Parchment led early 11-5 halfway through the first quarter after a couple three-pointers from Aaron Jasiak and Jalen Kampen. Tyler DeGroote answered for Schoolcraft with a couple baskets to cut the deficit to 16-14 following the first quarter. The Eagles held Parchment to just two made field goals in the second quarter to take a 24-21 lead into halftime. DeGroote started the second half on fire knocking down his first three shots including a deep three-pointer to give Schoolcraft a 33-25 lead with 5:40 left in the third quarter. Schoolcraft continued to lead 39-31 with :38 left in the quarter until an and-one from Parchment’s Kofi Barima cut the deficit to five points for Parchment. Barima also scored the first basket of the fourth quarter to pull within one possession. A quick 4-0 run gave Schoolcraft a 45-38 lead with 2:44 left following layups by DeGroote and DeVisser. Schoolcraft turnovers kept Parchment in the game as they cut the deficit to 45-42 with :36 left in the game. Asher Puhalski was sent to the line for a one-and-one and he was able to knock down both free throws for Schoolcraft. Parchment in need of points went to Aaron Jasiak who hit his second three-pointer of the night with :13 left to trail 47-45. Parchment was forced to foul Ty Rykse who made the front end of the one-and-one but missed the second free throw. Tyler DeGroote was able to grab the offensive rebound and was immediately fouled. DeGroote went 1-2 from the line essentially sealing the game for Schoolcraft leading 49-45 with minimal time on the clock. Schoolcraft pulled off the upset ending Parchment’s bid for an undefeated season. The Eagles were led by a big-time performance from Tyler DeGroote with 22 points while Asher Puhalski added 10 points. Kofi Barima led Parchment with 13 points while Tony Williams and Aaron Jasiak each scored 10 points. Williams was held to 4-14 from the field while Jasiak was only 4-18 from the field. Parchment will take on Watervliet in their SAC-Crossover game next Friday while Schoolcraft will travel to Fennville for the second time in two weeks.

OK Conf.

OK Blue

Fruitport 73, Hamilton 55

Holland Christian 62, Allendale 55

Unity Christian 63, Spring Lake 45

West Catholic 45, Coopersville 44

OK Green

Muskegon 60, Mona Shores 44

Reeths-Puffer 52, Holland 43

Union 58, Zeeland West 43

Wyoming 87, Zeeland East 72

OK Gold

Catholic Central 85, Middleville-TK 27

Kenowa Hills 54, Ottawa Hills 43

South Christian 75, FH Eastern 61

OK Red

Caledonia 70, West Ottawa 58

Grand Haven 54, East Kentwood 47

Hudsonville 51, Grandville 44

Rockford 63, Jenison 31

OK Silver

Calvin Christian 73, Sparta 41

Godwin Heights 73, Hopkins 42

Kelloggsville 81, Belding 24

NorthPointe Chr. 63, Comstock Park 52

OK White

Byron Center 42, FH Northern 36

East GR 54, Lowell 50 (OT)

FH Central 55, GR Christian 48

Northview 90, Greenville 41

Southwest MI

SMAC

BC Lakeview 74, Gull Lake 70

Mattawan 55, Lakeshore 52

St. Joseph 72, Portage Northern 50

Loy Norrix at BC Central (postponed)

Interstate Eight

Harper Creek 63, Pennfield 51

Coldwater 41, Jackson Northwest 31

Wolverine Conf.

Dowagiac 52, Three Rivers 39

Otsego 68, Paw Paw 63

Vicksburg 52, Allegan 49

Edwardsburg 64, Niles 47

Sturgis at Plainwell (canceled)

Southwest Athletic Conf.

Lawton 54, Coloma 27

Fennville 71, Saugatuck 39

Hackett Cath. 52, Gobles 23

Watervliet 64, Martin 36

K-Christian 58, Constantine 34

Delton-Kellogg 45, Galesburg-Aug. 41

Schoolcraft 49, Parchment 45

Southwest 10

Bangor 40, Bloomingdale 37

Cassopolis 69, Marcellus 18

Comstock 55, White Pigeon 49

Decatur 49, Mendon 32

BCS Red

Berrien Springs 54, South Haven 39

Niles Brandywine 66, Buchanan 52

BCS White

BH Countryside 103, Covert 68

Bridgman 65, Howardsville Chr. 31

New Buffalo 91, Lawrence 30

St. Joe MI Lutheran at Eau Claire (postponed)

River Valley at St. Joe Lake MI Cath. (postponed)

SCAA

Bellevue 63, BC St. Philip 29

Colon 61, Climax-Scotts 48

Waldron at Burr Oak (postponed)

Calhoun Chr. at Athens (canceled)

Other

Bronson 70, Homer 58

Reading 77, Union City 49