Taking it to the house!

Probably the only open look of the game that I saw. This game was PHYSICAL.

#22 Landon Gray and Detroit Southeastern were definitely up for the title challenge.

T.J. Buchanan for one of his 7 of 12 free throws.

#22 Landon Gray with a hard drive down the lane.

Never a dull moment and a great show for the spectators.

#5 Darryl Flemister flying in.

Nothing uncontested on for either team.

On the line for some FTs

#12 Edward Brown went 4 of 8 from the field with shots like this.

McCants-Wilson = Quick.

#1 H'ian Hale with a nice move through the lane SW with a clean block.

Amazing really.

#3 T.J. Buchanan hanging for a jumper.

K Central spread the offense around well and kept the intensity going.

Coach

Truly great game!  Be sure to read all about it in West Michigan All Stars feature story about the game along with great story telling action shots too.

David Chandler is and East Grand Rapids based professional photographer and is available for freelance photography.  www.davidchandlerphoto.com

Jeff Burris looks to dish | Powers Media

After a quartet of extremely entertaining state tournaments, West Michigan brought home two boys basketball state championships in 2010.   And even as state championships go, these two were of particular significance.

In Class-A, Kalamazoo Central avenged their 2009 state championship loss with a 74-65 victory over Ann Arbor Huron, winning their first state championship in 59-years in the process.  Interestingly, that championship in 1951 was their third consecutive.  Speaking of three consecutive state championships, the 1951 Maroon Giants were the last team to accomplish that feat until 2010, when Muskegon Western Michigan Christian beat Marine City Cardinal Mooney 66-56 for their third Class-D championship in a row.

First championship in almost 60-years.  Third championship in a row.  Whether you’re a Kalamazooan or a Muskegonite, it’s time for a celebration.

Congratulations K-Zoo Central and WMC on a great 2010 boys basketball season.  Below you will find complete coverage of your championship victory.  Bookmark this page, and link to it from your Facebook pages, to remember every smidgen of your incredible accomplishment.

Kalamazoo Central beats Ann Arbor Huron

• Redemption tastes mighty sweet for Kalamazoo Central — Kalamazoo Gazette
• Kalamazoo Central puts on clinic in unselfish play — Kalamazoo Gazette
• One Giant Feat: Kalamazoo Central captures first title since 1951 — Kalamazoo Gazette
• Kalamazoo Central captures first title since 1951 — Detroit News
• Aw Rats: Ann Arbor Huron falls to Kalamazoo Central — AnnArbor.com
• Relive the game in its entirety on video — MHSAA.tv

Western Michigan Christian beats Marine City Cardinal Mooney

• Bruinsma leads WMC to third straight title — Your boys at WMA
• Western Michigan Christian captures third straight — Muskegon Chronicle
• WMC’s three-peat will only get more impressive with time (photos) — Muskegon Chronicle
• Evan Bruinsma plays like Class-D Player of the Year — Muskegon Chronicle
• Muskegon WMC makes it three straight with victory — Mlive.com
• Bruinsma leads Muskegon Christian to title — Freep.com
• Relive the game in its entirety on video — MHSAA.tv

Congratulations, guys, from your fans at WMA!

Keep up with the latest action and analysis by becoming a WMA fan on Facebook, or join the conversation by following WMA on Twitter.  Heck, even start your own topic over at Allstars Among Us.

TJ Buchanan puts up a floater | DavidChandlerPhoto.com

WMA’s own David Chandler Photography captured all the action and drama.  Prints are available online

Since 1997, only two greater Grand Rapids area Class-A teams have made the state finals — Ottawa Hills (’97) and Rockford (’03). Unfortunately, GR won’t have any Class-A representation at the Breslin Center in 2010 either. Grand Haven (21-5) fell tonight 54-36 to Kalamazoo Central (25-1) in the balmy Lansing Eastern gymnasium.

Isiah Law shoots a three | DavidChandlerPhoto.com

Kalamazoo Central controlled the flow and balance of the game with their full court press and constant double teaming of Grand Haven’s backcourt. The pressure was too much for Grand Haven, forcing them to turn the ball over multiple times in the opening quarter. Despite no first quarter field goals and numerous turnovers, Grand Haven trailed only four points (6-2) at the end of the quarter, a testament to their own stifling defense. Grand Haven would finally score their first field goal with 7:11 left in the second quarter on a Nate VanArendonk layup. The first lead of the game for the Buccaneers came in the second quarter after VanArendonk made a bucket while getting fouled and hitting the free throw (7-6). The largest lead of the night for Grand Haven was 13-9, before Kalamazoo Central went on a 14-2 run to take a 23-15 lead into halftime.

Kalamazoo Central is a very balanced team, showing great patience on offense. More impressive though, was Central’s commanding defensive performance against a solid Grand Haven team. So good in fact, that at times it felt as if Kalamazoo Central had six players on the court. Central’s pressure on the ball stifled Grand Haven’s offensive flow and limited VanArendonk from getting quality touches and even fewer scoring opportunities. T.J. Buchanan (18pts) and Devin Oliver (16pts) led Central offensively. Both players are tremendously talented, able to put the ball on the floor and slash to the bucket, but can also hit open jump shots when necessary. Central’s ball movement was crisp and kept Grand Haven’s defense constantly moving, often finding the Buccaneers out of position for an open layup or jumpshot.

Grand Haven could get no closer than within eight points in the third quarter (31-23)-impressive given the high number of turnovers Central was forcing. Kalamazoo Central blew open the game in the fourth quarter; tempo, ball control, and defensive pressure were all in Central’s favor. When it came time for Grand Haven to start fouling in a futile attempt to erase their twenty-point deficit, Central players calmly stepped to the free throw line, hitting their shots and eliminating any chance of a comeback.

The next stop for Kalamazoo Central is the Breslin Center. They will play their semi-final game against Detroit Denby (16-9) on Friday at 2:50pm. Judging from Central’s performance tonight, Friday afternoon could be a rough one for Denby.

Keep up with the latest action and analysis by becoming a WMA fan on Facebook, or join the conversation by following WMA on Twitter.  Heck, even start your own topic over at Allstars Among Us.

What a venue, Lansing Eastern | DavidChandlerPhoto.com

]]> http://westmiallstar.com/2010/03/kalamazoo-central-plays-like-giants-in-win-over-grand-haven/feed/ 4 http://westmiallstar.com/2010/03/west-michigan-allstar-top-10-teams-basketball-state-tournament/ http://westmiallstar.com/2010/03/west-michigan-allstar-top-10-teams-basketball-state-tournament/#comments Mon, 08 Mar 2010 14:36:28 +0000 ryan vaughn http://www.westmiallstar.com/?p=3956 One last time, we here at West Michigan Allstar have done the dirty work, combing the far reaches of the Internet for nuggets of pertinent basketball info until our beards grew dark and the coffee was gone, all to rank the Top-10 basketball teams in West Michigan.  You’ll find the results below.

These will be the last rankings of 2010, as we now enter the state tournament.  Along with a team’s record, these rankings take into account quality of wins, talent, synergy,  and a handful of more subjective factors, and may be correctly interpreted as an authoritative list of the top basketball teams in West Michigan.

Yeah, ranking teams is a tough business.  But somebody’s got to do it.

West Michigan Allstar’s Top-10 (End of Regular Season)

1. Kalamazoo Central — The Maroon Giants enter the tournament on top, having earned every bit.
2. Wayland — The Wildcats finish their storybook regular season undefeated.
3. Muskegon Heights — Will threaten the duration of the tournament, opponents beware.
4. Grand Rapids Union — Was the Puffer game a fluke?  It makes you think, despite 19-1 record.
5. Rockford — Talk about momentum, Rams ride a seven game winning streak into the tournament.
6. Holland Christian — That being the case, what do you call an 11-game winning streak?
   
7. Gull Lake — Finish their season with two big wins, South Haven and Otsego.
   
8. Otsego – Got spanked by Gull Lake, but 18-2 doesn’t lie.
9. Grand Rapids Christian — Losing two out of last three is not how Christian wanted to end.
10. Grand Haven — End their regular season with a disconcerting loss, but dangerous tourney team.

Close but no cigar (alphabetical): Allendale, Battle Creek Lakeview, Battle Creek St. Philip, Comstock Park, Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills, Montague, Muskegon Western Michigan Christian, Parchment, Schoolcraft.

Along with a team’s record, these rankings take into account quality of wins, talent, synergy,  and a handful of more subjective factors, and may be correctly interpreted as an authoritative list of the top basketball teams in West Michigan.

Playoffs coming up, these are the teams you gotta keep an eye on.

Yeah, ranking teams is a tough business.  But somebody’s got to do it.

West Michigan Allstar’s Top-10 (Week-13)

1. Kalamazoo Central — Chalk up two more wins, #1 and #2.
2. Wayland — Undefeated still, dubyas over Ottawa Hills and South Christian last week.
3. Otsego – Going strong into the playoffs, wins over Vicksburg and Plainwell.
4. Grand Rapids Union – Talk about your all-time blown leads…
5. Grand Rapids Christian — Barely lost to Union, but rebounded over Greenville.
6. Muskegon Heights — So far so good in the rebound attempt, Ludington can attest.
7. Battle Creek Lakeview – Apparently Loy-Norrix was on fire.
8. Rockford — They don’t win big, but they get it done.  Two more last week.
9. Grand Haven – Almost above Rockford, after wins over West Ottawa and Hudsonville.
10. Ottawa Hills — Still couldn’t hang with Wayland, but Hastings was another story.

Close but no cigar (alphabetical): Allendale, Battle Creek St. Philip, Comstock Park, Holland Christian, Montague, Muskegon Western Michigan Christian, Parchment, Richmond Gull Lake, Schoolcraft.

Along with a team’s record, these rankings take into account quality of wins, talent, synergy,  and a handful of more subjective factors, and may be correctly interpreted as an authoritative list of the top basketball teams in West Michigan.

Yeah, ranking teams is a tough business.  But somebody’s got to do it.

West Michigan Allstar’s Top-10 (Week-12)

1. Kalamazoo Central — No doubt left, after this and this, they’re number 1.
2. Wayland — Proving doubters wrong, Wayland is legit. Wins over EGR and GRCC last week.
3. Grand Rapids Union – Like Wayland, still undefeated.  Last week saw Kenowa Hills.
4. Otsego – Wins over Dowagiac and comeback over Comstock last week, hitting their stride now.
   
5. Grand Rapids Christian — Continuing to roll over Kenowa and Northview, but big test this week.
6. Battle Creek Lakeview – Nice win against Coldwater on Friday.
7. Muskegon Heights — Lost 4 of their last 5 after going gangbusters early on.
8. Rockford — Two huge wins last week put the Rams back in the hunt, and they’re rolling.
9. Ottawa Hills — Huge win over Muskegon Heights, and followed it up with win over Caledonia.
10. Grand Haven – Hiccup against Rockford drops them, but still looks like a great tourney team.

Close but no cigar (alphabetical): Battle Creek St. Philip, Comstock Park, Godwin Heights, Grandville Calvin Christian, Holland, Holland Christian, Hudsonville, Montague, Muskegon Western Michigan Christian, Parchment, Richmond Gull Lake, Schoolcraft, Spring Lake.

Agree?  Disagree?  Wish we would have remained shaven and not even bothered?  Let us know in the comments!

Keep up with the latest action and analysis by becoming a WMA fan on Facebook, or join the conversation by following WMA on Twitter.  Heck, even start your own topic over at Allstars Among Us.

1. Feb. 15 high school basketball scores (boys) (girls) — Associated Press
2. Class-A boys basketball rankings — HSBB
3. Class-B boys basketball rankings — HSBB
4. Tuesday’s best bet HS basketball games — HSBB
5. Muskegon WM Christian beats Montague — Muskegon Chronicle
6. Catholic Central cheer team wins first conference title — Grand Rapids Press
7. Allendale girls bball eke by Unity Christian — Grand Rapids Press
8. Skee-town area wrestling info — Muskegon Chronicle
9. 2010 rivalry football game list — Searn’s board
10. The purpose driven marathon runner — Kalamazoo Gazette

Keep up with the latest action and analysis by becoming a WMA fan on Facebook, or join the conversation by following WMA on Twitter.  Heck, even start your own topic over at Allstars Among Us.

Along with a team’s record, these rankings take into account quality of wins, talent, synergy,  and a handful of more subjective factors, and may be correctly interpreted as an authoritative list of the top basketball teams in West Michigan.

Lots of shake up at the top of the rankings, so be sure to check out who’s number-1.  We’re also getting down to crunchtime in the season, when teams want to start hitting their stride to prepare for post-season success.

Yeah, ranking teams is a tough business.  But somebody’s got to do it.

West Michigan Allstar’s Top-10 (Week-11)

1. Kalamazoo Central — Smoked Portage Northern, Oliver now at full stride, the Giants are #1.
2. Wayland — Continuing to roll over Middleville, and has a chance to run the table.
3. Muskegon Heights — Kent City couldn’t hang, but Romulus handed them loss #2.
4. Grand Rapids Union – Northview and Mona Shores latest victims, but strength of sked isn’t there.
5. Grand Haven – Held East Kentwood to 18-points and Muskegon to 12-points in second half of games.
6. Richland Gull Lake — Beat Vicksburg soundly and looking strong overall.
7. Otsego — Had way too much trouble with Allegan, but a win’s a win.
8. Grand Rapids Christian — Convincing wins over Forest Hills Central and Lowell.
9. Schoolcraft — Back to their old ways with blowout victory over Delton Kellogg.
10. Battle Creek Lakeview — Continuing winning ways over Sturgis and Mattawan.

Close but no cigar (alphabetical): Battle Creek St. Philip, Comstock Park, Godwin Heights, Grand Rapids Catholic Central, Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills, Grandville Calvin Christian, Holland Christian, Hudsonville, Montague, Muskegon Western Michigan Christian, Parchment, Rockford, Sparta, Spring Lake, Zeeland West.

Agree?  Disagree?  Wish we would have remained shaven and not even bothered?  Let us know in the comments!

Keep up with the latest action and analysis by becoming a WMA fan on Facebook, or join the conversation by following WMA on Twitter.  Heck, even start your own topic over at Allstars Among Us.

Along with a team’s record, these rankings take into account quality of wins, talent, synergy,  and a handful of more subjective factors, and may be correctly interpreted as an authoritative list of the top basketball teams in West Michigan.

The top four teams have never been closer than they are right now, and a case could be made for any of them.

Yeah, ranking teams is a tough business.  But somebody’s got to do it.

West Michigan Allstar’s Top-10 (Week-10)

1. Muskegon Heights — First loss of the season shakes their spot, but doesn’t dislodge them from #1.
2. Kalamazoo Central — Two more blowout wins (#1) (#2) and now closer spread.
3. Wayland — Still undefeated at 13-0, and looking at their schedule, good chance they stay that way.
4. Grand Rapids Union – Also undefeated at 13-0, but near loss against Holland.
5. Grand Haven – At this point a clear choice for top defensive team in West Michigan.
6. Richland Gull Lake — Squeaked by Three Rivers and then beat Dowagiac.
7. Otsego — Rebounded from loss to Gull Lake with three straight wins.
8. Grand Rapids Christian — Shaky win over Grand Rapids Creston, but a win’s a win.
9. Schoolcraft — Loss to Parchment drops them, but they took out frustration on Kzoo Hackett.
10. Muskegon WM Christian — Lost to Muskegon Heights, but shouldn’t lose again this season.

Close but no cigar (alphabetical): Battle Creek St. Philip, Comstock Park, Covert, Godwin Heights, Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills, Grandville Calvin Christian, Greenville, Holland, Holland Christian, Hudsonville, Kalamazoo Loy-Norrix, Montague, Parchment, Rockford, Sparta, Spring Lake, Zeeland West.

Agree?  Disagree?  Wish we would have remained shaven and not even bothered?  Let us know in the comments!

Keep up with the latest action and analysis by becoming a WMA fan on Facebook, or join the conversation by following WMA on Twitter.  Heck, even start your own topic over at Allstars Among Us.