Rivalry Among Friends
In all levels of basketball players anticipate certain matchups with other players. They may appreciate the other athletes skill or may have a history of great performances between them. A special circumstance is when opponents look across the court and see their friends.
On Tuesday December 5th, Cedar Springs will travel to Sparta. This won’t be your average high school basketball game. This will be a matchup between friends. Sparta features senior Logan Armock, who plays shooting guard and small forward. The point guard for Sparta is junior Conrad Savage. The Cedar Springs backcourt includes senior guards Chase Kinzinger and Austin Dekraker.
Keep in mind, these aren’t just names on the Sparta and Cedar Springs varsity basketball rosters. These young men are friends. They aren’t your average opponent, they are people who spend time together and care about each other.
Conrad Savage is a 5-10 playmaker, using the drive and dish to spark the Sparta offense. He can keep a defense honest with his ability to finish in traffic. Savage is active on the defensive end using quick feet to stay with opponents. He is especially effective playing defense on the ball. He is working to improve his shooting, to add consistency and range.
Chase Kinzinger is 5-9 and smooth on the court for Cedar Springs.. This has earned him the nickname ‘Milky’. He has good straight line speed which makes him especially dangerous on the fast break. He has the ability to lead the break or follow on the wing. Kinzinger has the ability to both shoot and finish at the bucket. He is in the process of improving defensively.
Spata’s Logan Armock is 5-11 and attacks the rim offensively. He likes to drive and finish, and he uses multiple moves to get to the rim. He is also a good passer both off the drive and on a post feed. Armock is solid defensively, especially on the perimeter. He is working to improve his range and consistency on his jumper.
Austin Dekraker is 5-10 and shifty. He uses superb body control to get to the rim. He I see fundamentally sound and plays a smart and efficient game for Cedar Springs. Dekraker uses his basketball IQ to play efficiently and keep his turnover numbers low. He is working to improve his pull up jumper.
In a situation such as this, there is so much on the line. Individual bragging rights between friends will be up for grabs. If Armock, Savage, Kinzinger, or Dekraker have a big game, they have the advantage until Round 2. There are also team bragging rights at stake. Two of these guys will have an edge until the teams square off again.