Walking into Montague High School tonight it was clear that this was an EVENT, this wasn’t just a game. Forty-five minutes before tip the parking lot was jam packed and the line was long entering the school. Upon walking into the Gym there were only a handful of open seats remaining and both Montague and visiting Western Michigan Christian were well represented. The buzz was already there and the juices started to flow, there were no teams even in sight.

Once we got going it was loud, it was rowdy, and it was playoff basketball! WMC jumped out early and grabbed the momentum but not really much of a lead. London Burris and Omari Lewis worked the offense for the Warriors in what was a very nervous start to the game. WMC had a 5-0 lead with only 3:40 left in the 1^st quarter until Montague was finally able to get on the board. The Wildcats could not buy an outside shot and it sent them behind early. WMC led 9-4 after one.

The jitters were shaken by both teams and attack mode was engaged. This was some of the best basketball seen all night. The action was fast and action packed as both teams went back and forth. London Burris is an absolute flash with the ball and Montague had no answer for trying to cover him all night. The Wildcats were able to grab their first lead of the night however at the 5:34 mark they took a 12-11 lead yet were unable to hang on as WMC took a 25-21 lead into the half.

Paul Lombard and Omari Lewis fell into deep foul trouble very early into the 3^rd quarter and both sat with 4 fouls for much of the second half. This changed the game for Montague who lost their inside presence and watched the game slip away. Burris and fellow guard John Walker got inside and made some huge buckets to swell their lead out to 9 with just seconds to play in the quarter. Jaylyn Gordon was also vital at the end of the 3^rd and into the 4^th as he provided Burris with a much needed breather.

The crowd was feeling this 20-0 season slip away as we all took a deep breath entering the 4^th. The WMC fans traveled well and were not afraid to let everyone know they were there. With Lombard on the bench it was up to Anthony Root to make something happen for his team and will the Wildcats back into contention. Root and Dylan Ode led a feverish attack at WMC and after Root drilled a triple with 4:30 left the WMC lead was down to 3 at 41-39.

Sophomore Brandon Moore played a bigger roll on defense than at the other end as he picked up the slack for Lombard. Lewis did a great job of checking Moore all night whenever he had the ball and really made it hard for the sophomore to get anything done offensively. We had our first tie since early on at the 3:49 mark but it wasn’t until 1:45 left in the game when Lombard returned with his squad down by a bucket. Root missed a layup with about :20 left and WMC got the timeout call with 16.8 to go. A foul sent Lewis to the line for a one-and-one in which he missed the front end of and the huge rebound was snatched by the athletic Brandon Moore. Montague got their timeout with 7.4 left down 47-45 with the perfect season in the balance.

Running the designed play seemed to be going as planned but you got the feeling the wrong guy had the ball with time running out. Chase Casebolt had the ball and fired a three that nearly fell as many of his nearly fell all night and rimmed out. The buzzer sounded and the Warriors advanced in a knock down, dragout of a game. WMC is coming off of 3 straight state titles but those were collected in Class D as they were moved up to class C this year it is something of a new test for Jim Goorman’s team.

Burris finished with 15 points and 9 boards, Lewis with 9 points in limited play and Bernard Smith filled in well for Lewis and went for 11pts and 11reb. Ode led the way for Montague with 12 points while Root had 11. Lombard, in his short minutes, compiled 8 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 blocks.

WMC will move on to face Hart at 5pm on Wednesday at Hart. On the other side of the bracket North Muskegon took care of Ravenna 78-36 and will play Holton after they blew by Hesperia 76-45. WMC will open the action at 5pm followed by Holton and North Muskegon at Hart High School.

Huntey is pretty good for a youngin

This week’s Good GMC West Michigan All Star is Alexis Huntey, basketballer for Morley-Stanwood.

If you were told that a player lead her team to stretch of a 48-3 record, what would you think?  That she was a superstar?  That she played her best basketball over the duration?

How about she’s just getting started?

Alexis is only a sophomore.  She lead Morley-Stanwood to a 48-3 record, including 24-2 this year, over her first 51-games.  Coach Bob Raven credits Alexis as being a huge help in their 24-2 season, explaining that he thinks she might be the teams most versatile player, and the best pure shooter he’s ever had.  And in recognition for all this, she was recently named first team All-State in class-C.

Not bad for a girl with two more years to play.

Congratulations to Alexis Huntey, this week’s Good GMC West Michigan All Star. If you know someone worthy of the honor, go to woodradio.com, keyword athlete.

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.

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.

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.

1. Feb. 12 high school basketball scores (boys) (girls) — Associated Press
2. Feb. 13 high school basketball scores (boys) (girls) — Associated Press
3. Class-C boys basketball rankings — HSBB
4. Class-D boys basketball rankings — HSBB
5. Division-1 individual wrestling districts — Kalamazoo Gazette
6. Division-2 individual wrestling districts — Kalamazoo Gazette
7. Division-3 individual wrestling districts — Kalamazoo Gazette
8. Division-4 individual wrestling districts — Kalamazoo Gazette
9. Muskegon’s Matt Savage runs savagely — Muskegon Chronicle
10. EGR hockey opportunistic in win over Forest Hills Central — Grand Rapids Press

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.

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-9)

1. Muskegon Heights — 22-9 run in the fourth to remain unbeaten against Oak Park Academy.
2. Kalamazoo Central — Smoked Portage Central and back in the driver’s seat.
3. Wayland — They seem to be getting stronger, with blowout wins over Ottawa Hills and South Christian.
4. Schoolcraft — Shaky in win over Kalamazoo Christian, but comfortable in win over Galesburg-Augusta.
5. Zeeland West — Continues to win, now over Wyoming Park and Hamilton.
6. Grand Rapids Union — Dropped EGR by 20, then held on to beat Reeths-Puffer and stay unbeaten.
7. Grand Haven — Battling for close win after close win, this week over West Ottawa and Hudsonville.
8. Muskegon WM Christian — Beat Muskegon Catholic, but big test coming against Muskegon Heights.
9. Richmond Gull Lake — Beat then-undefeated Otsego handily, and then slid by Three Rivers.
10. Grand Rapids Christian – Lost big to EGR in the J@theV, but hangs on with blowout of Greenville.

Close but no cigar (alphabetical): Battle Creek St. Philip, Covert, Godwin Heights, Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills, Grandville Calvin Christian, Greenville, Holland, Hudsonville, Kalamazoo Loy-Norrix, Montague, Otsego, Rockford, Sparta, Stevensville Lakeshore.

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.