West Michigan Roundup, Quarterfinals

West Michigan Roundup, Quarterfinals

Division 1:

Northview 54, Kalamazoo Central 52

• (24-1) Northview and (16-7) Kalamazoo Central met at Thornapple-Kellogg high school with a trip to the Breslin Center on the line. K-Central, who had won 14 of their past 17 games led 13-4 after the first quarter. The Maroon Giants lead expanded to 14 points at halftime leading 34-20. Northview rallied in the third quarter with a 17-2 run to pull within three points entering the fourth quarter. It seemed as though the Wildcats could not close the gap as they trailed 50-42 with 2:11 left in the game. Grant George was able to knock down a three-pointer to trail 50-45 with a little over a minute remaining. Northview was able to regain possession trailing 50-49 and score. The Wildcats trailed 52-51 when Kyler Vanderjagt hit a wing three-pointer to take a 54-52 lead with 1.8 seconds left. Northview completed the miraculous comeback with yet another Kyler Vanderjagt buzzer-beater. Vanderjagt finished with 17 points. The Wildcats will play De La Salle in the division one semi-final on Friday.

Division 2:

GR Catholic Central 86, Benton Harbor 60

• In a rematch from last season's quarterfinal, (23-1) Catholic Central faced (22-2) Benton Harbor. The Cougars of Catholic Central led by eight points 22-14 following the first quarter. Catholic Central broke the game wide open in the second quarter expanding their lead to 44-26 at halftime. The Cougars cruised to an 86-60 victory and will return to the Breslin Center with a chance to defend their division two state title. They will have to get past Ferndale for the second straight season in the semi-finals. Leading Catholic Central tonight was Kaden Brown with 23 points while Durral Brooks added 18 points and Jack Karasinski chipped in 14 points. Benton Harbor graduates multiple talented players with Marlon Williams, Trucel Singelton, and Jajuan Walker who led the Tigers with 14 points.

Division 3:

Schoolcraft 60, Pewamo-Westphalia 57

• (22-2) Schoolcraft linked up with (20-4) Pewamo-Westphalia for the second time this season, this time with a semifinal appearance on the line. Schoolcraft won the first meeting 61-32 back in December. Ty Rykse got off to a great start for Schoolcraft hitting his first three shots to lead 8-3 with 4:58 left in the first quarter. P-W was able to counter with three-pointers from Jamison Eklund and Blake Smith as the Pirates led 15-14 following the first quarter. P-W extended that lead to five points at halftime leading 31-26 after Braden Miller exploded for 9 points on 4-4 FG. Schoolcraft opened the third quarter with a three-pointer from Asher Puhalski to pull within two points and regained the lead 35-33 with 4:44 left in the third quarter. The game would be tied at 41 heading into the fourth quarter. P-W got a quick steal and dunk from Jamison Eklund to lead 43-41 early in the fourth quarter. The main story of the fourth quarter was soph. Shane Rykse heating up for Schoolcraft. He hit two three-pointers to lead 51-45 with 3:40 to play. Shortly after, P-W answered with a Jamison Eklund and-one, but he missed the free throw as they trailed 51-48. P-W was forced to foul and Eli DeVisser hit both free throws to lead 53-48. P-W missed a three-pointer and fouled Tyler DeGroote who knocked down both free throws as well to extend the lead to 55-48. On the next possession, P-W Blake Smith drained a three-pointer to trail 55-51 with :20 left. P-W fouled again with Schoolcraft making the free throws to lead by five once again. This time Blake Smith was fouled shooting a three and calmly made all three free throws to trail 57-54. After that, Shane Rykse was sent to the line for Schoolcraft where he made one of two. It was none other than Blake Smith to hit another clutch three to pull within one point 58-57 with :05 left. Shane Rykse was fouled and made both free throws while Jamison Eklund’s last-second three-pointer was after the buzzer and did not fall. Schoolcraft returns to the Breslin Center for the second consecutive season. Shane Rykse led the Eagles with 23 points while Tyler DeGroote added 15 points, and Ty Rykse had 12 points. P-W finished with three players in double figures: Blake Smith (19p), Braden Miller (13p), and Jamison Eklund (12p)

Division 4:

Tri-Unity Christian 69, Lenawee Christian 57

• (18-16) Tri-Unity Christian faced (13-12) Lenawee Christian with a chance to punch to their ticket to the Breslin Center once again with Brady Titus at the helm. The Defenders led 31-24 at halftime. Lenawee Christian continued to trail the rest of the game but cut the deficit to five points at 62-57 with a minute remaining. Senior point guard Brady Titus proved to be too much to handle leading the Defenders with 32 points and 6 rebounds. Tri-Unity Christian advances to face Genesee Christian on Thursday night at the Breslin Center.