District Finals Matchups To Watch

<h4>Division 1, District 9</h4> <h5><em>Rockford (19-2) vs Northview (20-1)</em></h5> <h6>Caden Pokorzynski, Rockford 2023”</h6> <h6>[player_tooltip player_id="787685" first="Kyler" last="Vanderjagt"], Northview 2022”</h6> <p>The district championship I’m most looking forward to is Northview and Rockford. The reason for this is that both teams play as well together as any team in the state. The unselfishness across the roster on each team is easy to see and is a large proponent of each team’s success. The individual matchup I’m most looking forward to in this one is the matchup between both Rockford and Northview’s best overall players in [player_tooltip player_id="787685" first="Kyler" last="Vanderjagt"] and Caden Pokorzynski. Both Caden and Kyler can put up 20+ points and fill up the stat sheet in several other ways. I think the player that steps up the most down the stretch will ultimately keep their team alive and continue to march on to the regional next week.</p> <h4>Division 1, District 11</h4> <h5><em>West Ottawa (10-12) vs Grandville (12-10)</em></h5> <h6>Brady Bosma, West Ottawa 2022”</h6> <h6>[player_tooltip player_id="864020" first="Brayden" last="Gable"], Grandville 2022”</h6> <p>The district championship game between West Ottawa and Grandville is the classic case of two teams peaking at the right moment. Grandville has played as well as it has all season and is getting a healthy mix of scoring contributions from 3-4 guys every night. West Ottawa has also upped its game lately and looks like a team that many thought would compete for the OK Red title at the beginning of the season. The matchup I’m most looking forward to in this one belongs to the best overall athletes from each team. [player_tooltip player_id="864020" first="Brayden" last="Gable"] can help Grandville in several ways offensively, as can Brady Bosma. I’m expecting whichever player can give their team a bigger boost will claim a district championship. </p> <h4>Division 1, District 12</h4> <h5><em>Wyoming (14-7) vs East Grand Rapids (11-10)</em></h5> <h6><span style="font-weight: 400;">Jaleil Holt, Wyoming 2022”</span></h6> <h6><span style="font-weight: 400;">[player_tooltip player_id="1076034" first="Drew" last="Caswell"], East Grand Rapids 2022”</span></h6> <p>The district championship game between Wyoming and East Grand Rapids will be a fascinating matchup due to the vastly different styles of play. Wyoming loves to get up and down the floor more than arguably any team in the area, while East Grand Rapids likes to run long sets that get quality shots in the half-court. Because of this, I’m putting a lock of stock into the lead guards of each team. Whichever guard can control the pace of play the most should be able to come out on top.</p> <h4>Division 2, District 43</h4> <h5><em>Unity Christian (21-0) vs Grand Rapids Catholic Central (20-1)</em></h5> <h6><span style="font-weight: 400;">[player_tooltip player_id="787680" first="Jack" last="Karasinski"], Catholic Central 2022”</span></h6> <h6><span style="font-weight: 400;">[player_tooltip player_id="1211129" first="Gabe" last="Newhof"], Unity Christian 2022”</span></h6> <p>What might be the game of the year in Division 2 takes place tonight, unfortunately. I say this because this game is worthy of a final four matchup or a regional game at worst. The two faces of these teams are the leaders in the frontcourt and have largely dominated their individual matchups this year. Catholic Central is a slight favorite in the one, yet I wouldn’t be too surprised if Unity’s perfect season continues. In order for that to be the case, [player_tooltip player_id="1211129" first="Gabe" last="Newhof"] will have to control the glass and win his individual matchup against potential Mr. Basketball [player_tooltip player_id="787680" first="Jack" last="Karasinski"].</p> <h4>Division 2, District 44</h4> <h5><em>South Christian (16-5) vs Grand Rapids Christian (17-4)</em></h5> <h6><span style="font-weight: 400;">[player_tooltip player_id="987281" first="Sam" last="Mendendorp"], South Christian 2023”</span></h6> <h6><span style="font-weight: 400;">Jaylan Ouwinga, Grand Rapids Christian 2024”</span></h6> <p>Grand Rapids South Christian and Grand Rapids Christian are two of the higher scoring teams in the area because of the shooting and guard play that each team has. Yet, I believe that this game will be decided by the play of the frontcourt, specifically in Christian’s Jaylan Ouwinga and South Christian’s [player_tooltip player_id="987281" first="Sam" last="Mendendorp"]. Jaylan is one of the more skilled bigs in the state, and has the ability to step outside and knock down perimeter jumpers. Jaylan will most likely be matched up with one of the lankier forwards in the area in [player_tooltip player_id="987281" first="Sam" last="Mendendorp"]. Sam has exceptional length and a motor to match, making him one of the better rim protectors in the area. Whoever wins this specific matchup and can help their team control the paint will give their team a huge advantage.</p> <h4>Division 3, District 75</h4> <h5><em>NorthPointe Christian (14-8) vs Pewamo-Westphalia (17-4)</em></h5> <h6><span style="font-weight: 400;">[player_tooltip player_id="1211147" first="Brayden" last="Wilkerson"], NorthPointe Christian 2022”</span></h6> <h6><span style="font-weight: 400;">[player_tooltip player_id="986252" first="Jamison" last="Eklund"], Pewamo-Westphalia 2022”</span></h6> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1211147" first="Brayden" last="Wilkerson"] has been a mainstay in the West Michigan area for the past several seasons and should be considered one of the more versatile scoring threats in the state in Division 3. He has the size, shooting stroke, and athleticism to win just about any matchup that he faces. [player_tooltip player_id="986252" first="Jamison" last="Eklund"] of Pewamo-Westphalia should offer an interesting matchup for Brayden due to Jamison’s length and ability to defend both on the perimeter and in the paint. Whoever wins this matchup will have a huge impact to the overall winner of tonight’s district championship.</p> <h4>Division 3, District 76</h4> <h5><em>Covenant Christian (17-3) vs Calvin Christian (18-3)</em></h5> <h6><span style="font-weight: 400;">[player_tooltip player_id="1211154" first="Zach" last="Gritters"], Covenant Christian 2022”</span></h6> <h6><span style="font-weight: 400;">Carson DeHaan, Calvin Christian 2023”</span></h6> <p>Division 3 is as talented in West Michigan as ever before, thanks in large part to players like Carson DeHaan and [player_tooltip player_id="1211154" first="Zach" last="Gritters"]. Both Carson and Zach are the type of players you can call on when the game gets tight in the 4th quarter. Carson is one of the best pure scorers in the state in Division 3. Carson can fill it up from just about anywhere on the court and he has a smooth approach that seems to flow effortlessly. Zach is one of the better two-way players I’ve watched this year and also someone who can dominate the glass. These two players might not guard each other, but each offense will heavily rely upon each of them to facilitate their halfcourt sets and lead the way in scoring.</p>