Although we try our best to be at every game we possibly can, it’s just not a reality for us. What we can do however is provide you with a detailed layout of the District brackets as they begin to take shape and we will continue to do this for you throughout the playoffs. We saw some great games last night and we have described those district outlooks in the game reviews, below we have listed the games we missed however.

Ottawa Hills District

Forest Hills Central vs East Kentwood

EK wins 60-32 behind Fred Brown’s 16 points and stellar D. Steve Wittenbach scored 22 for the Rangers.

Ottawa Hills vs Byron Center

OH wins 39-38 and leaned hard on the defense that has gotten them here.

Outlook: EK now faces Caledonia at 6pm on Wed, while OH will face a very tough Union team at 7:30pm. This is about how we saw this bracket shaping up. Can Ottawa Hills slow down Union in front of their home crowd?

Grand Haven District

Muskegon vs Mona Shores

Musk wins 66-31 in a game where the Big Reds athleticism was just too much for the struggling Sailors to contain.

Grand Haven vs Kenowa Hills

GH wins 49-29 behind a 19-8 1^st quarter and a 18-8 3^rd quarter, pretty much wrapped it up for the Bucs.

Outlook: The Big Reds will play Cedar Springs in the opener Wed at GH while the Bucs will play host to Reeths-Puffer at 7:30. It appears Muskegon and Grand Haven are on a crash course to a District Final, Grand Haven is not and easy place to play in when it gets rockin’ in there..

Northview District

Northview vs Lowell

N’view wins 60-39 behind a 23-7 second quarter. Kevin Rich had 18 and Darren Kapustka chipped in with 10.

Outlook: Northview will move on the face Rockford in the nightcap on Wednesday. In the opener Creston will face-off against Greenville. Rockford should have no problem winning this district but it should be noted that Darren Kapustka could give the Rams nightmares with their lack of depth at guard.

Wayland Union District

Wayland Union vs Hamilton

Wayland wins 61-42 in a dominating performance where the Wildcats held Hamiton scoreless in the 2^nd quarter.

Holland Christian vs Allegan

HC wins 66-52, Holland Christian had high expectations but a disappointing season, can they make a run?

Outlook: Wayland will go on to play Otsego Wednesday at 5:30, the Maroons advance to play Hopkins at 7:30. Wayland should find it rather easy to navigate through this district, especially with it being at home.

Godwin Heights District

South Christian vs Wyoming-Rogers

SC wins 78-42. Twelve South Christian players scored in the game with Drew Stegehuis pouring in 19.

Godwin Heights vs Wyoming-Kelloggsville

GH wins 53-44, Kevin Badger’s 10 1^st quarter points led to his game high 22 and an impressive win for the Wolverines.

Outlook: South Christian will now take on GR Christian in the opener at 6pm followed by Godwin Heights and Wyoming Park in the nightcap. SC and GRC will be a great game and should have Christian ready for Godwin in the Final.

Muskegon Heights District

Whitehall vs Spring Lake

SL wins 69-57 and Coach Bill Core was impressed “I don’t think we can play any better than that” in regards to the Lakers opening three quarters. Austin Johnson had 18 points and 7 boards.

Muskegon Heights vs Fruitport

Heights wins 73-47 in a dominating performace.

Outlook: Oakridge will try to topple Spring Lake to kick things off and keeping Jamie Potts under control will be key, look for Michael Hankinson and Austin Johnson to try and limit Potts all night. Heights advances to play Orchard View who has struggled all year. We appear set for a Heights vs SL final and what a game that would be.

Grant District

Fremont vs Newaygo

Fremont wins 66-42 behind Tyler Krim’s 24 which put him over 1,000 points for his career and Lucas McKian snatched 17 rebounds!

Grant vs Big Rapids

BR wins 61-47 in a rather easy game for the Cardinals.

Outlook: Shelby and Fremont will provide fans with an amazing opener on Wednesday and either team could take that one home. Big Rapids should move by Reed City as they have already beaten them twice this year. Big Rapids will have a test on Friday regardless of who they get in the Final.

Calvin Christian District

Calvin Christian vs Saugatuck

Calvin wins 67-30 as the top team in this bracket this was to be expected.

Black River vs GR Covenant Christian

CC wins 80-44. Black River couldn’t mount the game that we thought they might.

NorthPointe Christian vs Kent City

KC wins 70-64, Kent City picked up their first win of the year and what a time for it! Congrats boys.

Wyoming-Lee vs Grand River Preparatory

Lee wins 74-27, like many of the first round games in this district handling your business will be vital against lesser teams.

Outlook: Calvin Christian will host Covenant at 5:30 in a game of the top two teams in the bracket in terms of record. NorthPoint will take on Kent City at 8pm with KC coming off of their first win of the year. NorthPoint should move on but it’s the opener that will be interesting. I was at Calvin Christian for the Regional final last year and let me tell you, The Squires will make sure it is loud! It will be tough to beat them at their own place.

If you don’t see the district of interest to you then take a look through our Game Coverage tab as those districts are laid out for you at the end of the game action. Thanks for being with us all year! This is Playoff Basketball!

It was a battle of neighbors as the Godwin Heights Fighting Wolverines paid visit to the Kelloggsville Rockets.  The two schools, barely two miles apart, entered the contest sitting 1-2 atop the OK Silver standings and with a victory, the Rockets could enter into a first place tie with the Wolverines.  Godwin Heights decided to have none of that, however, as they fought their way to a 73-66 victory on “Think Pink Night”.

Godwin Heights jumped out to a quick 19-8 lead after one, but Kelloggsville managed to fight their way back into the game during the second quarter, putting up 26 points.  The Rockets appeared as if they had momentum on their side as the clock counted down the final seconds to halftime, but the Wolverines wiped that away as they sunk a half-court shot right as time expired, and what would have been only a four point halftime lead was instead seven.

In the second half both teams wound up outscoring one another by two—16-14 in favor of Godwin Heights in the third, and 18-16 in favor of Kelloggsville in the fourth.  The Rockets remained pesky throughout the entire game, just couldn’t make up the distance they fell behind to start the game.

Godwin Heights had four players end the game in double digits.  Junior Kevin Badger led all players with 26 points on the night, senior Joseph Hicks chipped in with 17, and Shaquille O’Neal (senior, and not a typo, honest) and Jamal Bland (sophomore) each had 10.

Kelloggsville was led by senior Carl Roscoe’s 20 points.  Junior, Te’Shon Walton had 18 points, including four baskets from three-point land.  Sophomores Cody Williams and Alston Ferrell each had 8 points in the loss.

TJ Burnett (#30) launches up a three point shot.

Joseph Hicks (#10) hauls in a rebound on defense.

Carl Roscoe takes a jump shot from just outside the key.

Alstron Ferrell (left) and Joseph Hicks (right) square off a free throw is shot.

Carl Roscoe (left), Joseph Hicks (center) and Demari Brown (right) take to the air after a rebound.

Brentyn Whitby with a shot from the top of the key.

Alston Ferrell with a layup.

Demari Brown (#3) blocks Kevin Badger's (#23) layup.

Kevin Badger scopes out the defense.

Demari Brown (left), Joseph Hicks (center) and Alston Ferrell (right) wait for a free throw.

The Fighting Wolverines improve their overall record to 13-2 with tonight’s win, 9-1 in the conference.  They next play on Tuesday as Cedar Springs comes to visit.  The Rockets fall to 12-3 overall, 7-2 in the conference.  Their next game will be Monday, when they host Saranac.

Matt Philpott Photography was proud to bring you photos from tonight’s action.  Please visit his website to view additional shots, and purchase prints!

Quinton Morrow | Murray Sports Photography

Catholic Central came storming out of the gate, overwhelming Forest Hills Eastern with defensive pressure.  The Cougars held their opponent to one point in the first quarter, while forcing nine turnovers.  They eased off the gas a bit as the game went on, but their defensive pressure still forced Forest Hills Eastern into 26-turnovers on the night.  It’s those guards, swarming like gnats around the ball from every angle. Particularly given their lack of a dominating inside presence, Catholic Central is a load to try and score against.  Few teams have mastered the art of team defense to that degree.

That team chemistry extends to the offensive end of the floor as well, a testament to the work of head coach Dan Farrell. Senior Conor Hogan led a balanced Cougar attack with 16 points, followed by seniors Zeke Mojica-Skinner, John Haley and MJ Oshinski, each of whom added 10 of their own.

Forest Hills Eastern found their groove at times during the game, but they were never able to dig out of that early hole.  Junior Quinton Morrow paced the Hawks with 13 points, while Alex Harrison scored 12.

Ryheem Stokes | Murray Sports Photography

Quick Hitters:

• Catholic Central’s Mojica-Skinner is a player on the offensive side of the ball.  The kid can put the ball in the hoop.
• As the closest thing to a post guy the Cougars have, Haley holds his own on the blocks.  He’s the kind of tough kid you stick down low because he outhustles and outmuscles others to loose balls, and he’s fun to watch because of that hustle.
• Forest Hills Eastern didn’t play their best game on Tuesday, but they do have some pieces that they can build around.  Similar to Catholic Central they don’t have a dominant post presence, but what they do have is a couple young guards in Morrow and Harrison who have a bright future.  Couple that with a strong JV team, and the Hawks will be a team to keep an eye on in the near future.
• Shout out to Lou Murray, of Murray Sports Photography, for his awesome work this season.

Although WMA is currently in hibernation for the summer, while management works hard to make this year’s offering even better than the last (get ready for some sweetness), WMA contributor David Chandler snapped this photo of Ladon Carnegie that needed to get out there.

Enjoy.

Hudsonville/Hope's Austin Elling

Two top big men in West Michigan hoops from 2010 have committed to local schools.  Shane Tiemeyer of Zeeland West and Austin Elling of Hudsonville.

Tiemeyer signed with Cornerstone University. The 6-11 center joins former teammates Derek Kingshott and Bryce Semple on the roster and succeeds former Zeeland West standout Matt Kingshott.  Shane is the second player from West to sign this season; Austin Semple signed with Mount Vernon Nazarene in Ohio this past March.

Shane is a stringbean at this point, but he’s got the frame to put on a couple more pounds.  The biggest asset he brings to Cornerstone is his height, and his understanding of and passion for the game.  He’s not going to jump out of the gym or throw down rim-rocking dunks, but he will scrap with much more solidly built big men, and he understands how to play his position.  Great pickup for Cornerstone.

Hudsonville’s Elling has committed to Hope College.  The 6-9 Elling was one of the more influential on-the-court players in the area in 2010.  Even going against players as big or bigger than him, there are few players who made the kind of individual impact on the game that Elling did on a consistent basis.

He is a disruptive force on defense, capable of entirely altering an opponents gameplan.  He can score from inside five feet with confidence and authority, but outside of that he is inconsistent.  He will need to add an outside game to earn significant minutes at the next level, but that’s nothing a few hundred hours shooting jumpers in the gym won’t do.  Again, awesome get for Hope.

Keep up with the latest action and analysis by becoming a WMA fan on Facebook, or join the conversation by following WMA on Twitter.

Much of this success has to do with the Lakers’ two head guys, Kevin Tringali and Joe Soules.  They teach a brand of basketball that is in many ways different than what AAU has become.  In a section of the sport dedicated to showcasing individual talent for college scouts, the Lakers have found success teaching team.  Coach Soules caught up with WMA in the week before the CDBA Invitational in Lansing to talk about the season, and provide an inside perspective into the mind of an AAU coach.

WMA: So how did you and Kevin get started in all this? How did the Lakers get formed? What’s the story there?

JS: Kevin started this program 9 years ago after being out of high school basketball for a year. He wanted to get back in and started the West Michigan Lakers. He loves basketball and helping young men succeed not only on the floor, but in life.

WMA: And then how did you get involved?

JS: The real story?  I was 22, just finished off my second season as an assistant coach at Forest Hills Northern and wanted to learn more, continue coaching and learn as much as I could. I got online, looked for some AAU teams and found the Lakers. I emailed Kevin at midnight (I had no clue who the Lakers were or what they really were about either, but I loved the website and the info they gave me). He called me at 8am the next morning and we had lunch that day. 6 years later, here we are. I did one year of 15u and then went to the 17u team to help him and now, with the help of great young men, great families and support, we are making strides to be one of the best organizations in the Midwest.

WMA: Speaking of the hierarchy of AAU teams in the Midwest, people assume there’s a rivalry between you guys and the Grand Rapids Storm. Is that legit? What’s that like?

JS: (Laughs) No comment.  There is a rivalry, no question.  The Storm have a history of being one of the top clubs in Michigan. We are just a few years younger, but the competition is very healthy.  Just like in any sport or business, you need that competition to keep you on your game. That said we both do things differently in many aspects. And there are a lot of great teams now. Darryl has a great program (CDBA), I’ve got a ton of respect for what he and his organization do. And ACB and Central Michigan All Stars as well.

WMA: You’ve named some really great AAU clubs around the area, and there are even more than that too.  You’ve spent time in both the AAU and the high school basketball ranks.  What in your opinion is the role of AAU?

JS: It can be two different animals. There is no doubt that AAU is faster, because you are taking some of the best players from every school and placing them on one team. I truly believe that you have to place yourself against better competition to get better — whether it is for the next level (college) or you just want to go back to your school team and enjoy that season.  In high school you have 5 months to mesh players and teach players the game. In AAU you have very little practice time.  I love both sides of the game. I love to teach the game of basketball and have a team work as a single unit. Sometimes it takes longer than you’d like, but you have to teach.  I guess I don’t know if there are enough teachers of the game in aau yet. That may be changing slowly, but I believe basketball in general would be better if more high school coaches became involved in AAU and taught these young men how to play even more.

WMA: You teach a team oriented brand of basketball.  In that environment, who has been stepping it up for you this season?

JS: Our whole team has really stepped up. That’s the base of who we are — everyone does their job. Colin Meadowcroft has been a very solid combo guard for us, playing with a very steady hand and hitting big shots when called on.  Our two point guards, Thomas Hendricks and Xavier Watson have been outstanding in leading our team and making sure everyone is on the same page.  Those two are definitely unsung heroes for us.  Justin Pepper has been a steady force, with a good face up game, and now learning to dominate the glass.  Ladon Carnegie just rejoined the squad this past weekend (from the Mustangs) and, as everyone knows, he can effect the game in so many ways. Ladon just makes everyone around him better.  And then we also have our junkyard dogs. Caleb Bosch, Bryce Lutke, David Evenhouse. They do whatever it takes to win on both sides of the floor and enjoy doing it.

WMA: I love to watch the guys who just go pedal-to-the-medal all the time.  Personal preference.  So to wrap up our chat, do you have anything you want to add?

JS: Organization, structure, doing things the correct way.  Those are rules you can live by not only on the floor, but in life. And for all the young players out there, remember that the whole is greater than the sum of its individual parts.  Me for we.

WMA: The proof is in the results, I would say.  Thanks again for taking the time today, coach.  Look forward to covering you more this season.  Good luck at the CDBA tournament this weekend!

JS: Thanks. We love everything you do for the kids in the West Michigan area. Anytime you want to talk, just let me know.

Keep up with the latest action and analysis by becoming a WMA fan on Facebook, or join the conversation by following WMA on Twitter.

Decisions, decisions... | DavidChandlerPhoto.com

WMA just received the latest of what is to date a three part series examining the decision making process of Rockford guard Ryan Majerle as he determines where he will attend college.  For context, read part-1 and part-2 here.  The third part is a note from Majerle himself, saying in no uncertain terms that he will follow former University of Wisconsin Green Bay coach Tod Kowalzcyk to Toledo.

Ryan,

I have decided to follow coach Kowalzcyk to Toledo.

I know I said I was gonna wait till the UWGB job was announced, but in the end it wouldn’t have mattered. My family and I love coach Kowalzcyk as a person and as a coach, and I have decided to join him at Toledo. In addition to the fact that we love him as a coach, it is a good school, the facilities are great, and Toledo is a lot closer to home.

Coach Kowalczyk is a proven winner, and I am confident he will turn the program around quickly.

Thanks again.  I appreciate everything.

Ryan

This means that, at least the way it looks now, Majerle will be joining fellow West Michigander Chris Anderson (Reeths-Puffer) on the Rockets, giving coach Kowalzcyk two key building blocks as he crafts his team.  The versatility of Majerle and the athleticism of Anderson will give Kowalzcyk substantial freedom to mix and match them in different places in the lineup.  I wouldn’t say that either of them will be a star, but that both of them will log above average burn with an outside chance to start early.  Majerle in particular can also shoot a high percentage from anywhere on the court, which makes it tough to keep him off the court.  Either way, they’re two perfect building blocks for a newly appointed coach.

That said, since Majerle is only a junior there’s still an awful lot of time between here and an actual pen-to-paper signing.  This certainly sounds final, but as my wise old grandfather used to say, “don’t count the college commitment until someone signs on the dotted line.”

Gramps knew from experience, growing up watching Brett Favre.

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.

Ryan Majerle (#4) drives the lane

Last week I wrote an article speculating on the collegiate future of Rockford’s Ryan Majerle, after he was seen snooping around the Toledo campus.  He had previously verbally committed to play at the University of Wisconsin Green-Bay, so his presence on campus was clearly noteworthy.

Add to that my excitement at the potential collegiate uniting of two of West Michigan’s top basketball talents in Majerle and Reeths-Puffer’s Chris Anderson (verbally committed), and an article discussing the was a simple byproduct, even without any substantiated information other than the fact that he was in Toledo.

Majerle caught wind of the article on WMA (thanks to our Facebook page), and was gracious enough to get in contact with me to set the record straight.

Ryan,

Just saw the post, wanted to let you know what’s up.

UWGB’s old coach (Kowalzcyk) took the job at Toledo about a week ago.  He immediately invited me to visit whenever I got a chance, and also offered me a scholarship.

UWGB’s assistant coach is now in the hunt for the GB job (Kowalzcyk’s old job), so I’m taking it one day at a time right now.

As far as the visit, I took the visit and things went well.  But I will wait until I hear about the GB job before I announce anything.

Thanks,

Ryan

So there you have it.  We still don’t know anything for certain, and likely won’t at least until the University of Wisconsin Green-Bay head coaching vacancy is filled (stay tuned to this website for the latest).

As an interesting side-note, Majerle’s indecision underlines the significance the coach of a particular program has on an athlete’s decision to sign.  We often get carried away with the tradition of a program, or the style of play that they’re known for, or any number of a hundred other variables that factor into an athletes decision on where to go to school.  But at the end of the day it often amounts to nothing more or less than the sales-skills of a particular coach.  Apparently coach Tod Kowalzcyk, like Don Ready, has got the goods.

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.

(New Toledo coach Tod) Kowalczyk has already been very active on the recruiting trails, however.

Ryan Majerle, a junior at Rockford High School in Michigan and the nephew of former NBA all-star Dan Majerle, made a visit to UT’s campus yesterday, according to multiple people with knowledge of the situation.

To be clear, nothing has been decided yet.  Even if Majerle is checking out the Toledo campus, he’s still got his senior year at Rockford ahead of him, and a lot can change in that period of time.

That said, as a basketball junkie holy moley would it ever be cool if Majerle changed his mind and decided to join Chris Anderson in Toledo.  We’re talking two of the top players in West Michigan heading to the same school, to play under a coach who is looking to rebuild a program starting with underclassmen.

I wonder what Michigan cable channel carries Toledo men’s basketball?

Stay tuned, hoops fans!  If you hear anything new (or your name is Ryan Majerle, and you’d care to shed some light on this situation), I can be reached using the info below:

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.

Michael Hankinson's got fades. Sweet, sweet fades

When everyone and their mother are on vacation somewhere warm, the Bank Hoops spring minicamp marches on.  It’s a testament to the work ethic of the players, coaches and staff involved in the event, that no matter rain, nor snow, nor even spring break, West Michigan basketball players put in work.

This time of year, when the sun is shining and the girls are at the beach, this is when stars are crafted.

Of all those who sacrificed their fun in the sun for the love of the game, two frontcourt players from the left side of the mitten stood out.  Per Steve Bell:

Michael Hankinson |  6-6 | Jr | Spring Lake
Could just as easily be placed with the backcourt prospects. After all, as one coach asked rhetorically: “He’s just a big-ass point guard isn’t he?” True — Hankinson was Spring Lake’s point guard, though it may be back inside next year. Reminds me of Garner Small, the four-position star on Schoolcraft’s state runner-up team.

Hankinson has the build and the skill-set to play at an upper-level university, but in watching him you get the feeling that he’s not quite there yet.  His game right now is a little loosey goosey.  He’s got the complete package; the next step is wrapping the bow around that package just a little bit tighter.  Developing into the player he can be this summer will be crucial for Hankinson, as he will be losing a big part of the Lakers’ team next season.

Jason Pretzer | 6-10 | Jr | Jenison
He’s probably the biggest high school player in Michigan, but not to the tipping point where size becomes more hindrance than advantage. Pretzer works to get the ball, makes a good target and can catch and finish. Sometimes those finishes come with a flurry of dunks, but then he’ll also try to get pretty and leave shots soft and short (with all due respect to a sweet finger-roll). He’s not a shot-blocker, but is the kind of big guy who knows how to play that you need on defense and the boards in the college game. “I like Pretzer,” a coach said. “Has some Chris Grimm in him. He’s not a superstar, but he does a lot of good things.”

Like Hankinson, Pretzer is blessed with all the natural gifts you could ask for in a basketball player.  He hasn’t seen the kind of W/L success during the regular season that you might like, but that’s what this time of year is for.  Pretzer is fully capable of dominating at this level (and when he is committed, it seems almost unfair to his opponents), but he hasn’t consistently brought that level of intensity.  Yet.  From Bell’s comments at the Bank Hoops camp, he’s off to a good start.

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.