What Grand Rapids Team Will Make The Run In 22-23?
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After a great run in 2021-22 to the Breslin Center for Tri-Unity (D4 State Champion), Grand Rapids Northview (D1 Semi-Finals), and Grand Rapids Catholic Central (D2 Runner Up), Grand Rapids looks for their next teams to represent them in the…
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Continue ReadingAfter a great run in 2021-22 to the Breslin Center for Tri-Unity (D4 State Champion), Grand Rapids Northview (D1 Semi-Finals), and Grand Rapids Catholic Central (D2 Runner Up), Grand Rapids looks for their next teams to represent them in the State Tournament. Even though GR Catholic Center lost Jack Karasinski (William & Mary), Jorden Brooks (Ferris State) and Luka Ressler (Calvin) they still return Kaden Brown Kaden Brown 5'10" | PG Grand Rapids Catholic Central | 2023 State MI (Wright State commit) and Durral “Phat Phat” Brooks for another season. Grand Rapids Northview have Kyler Vanderjagt (Belmont) and Jalen Charity (GVSU) to replace their Breslin Center run but they have some up and coming players like Tyran Thomas Tyran Thomas 6'4" | SG Northview | 2023 State MI , Parker Swartz Parker Swartz 6'7" | SF Grand Rapids Northview | 2023 State MI and the brother duo of EJ Ryans EJ Ryans 6'4" | SG Northview | 2024 State #224 Nation MI and Cameron Ryans Cameron Ryans 6'4" | SG Northview | 2026 State MI . Tri-Unity, after winning the State Title behind Brady Titus Brady Titus 5'10" | PG Tri-Unity Christian | 2022 State MI , has a lot of scoring to replace coming into this year. Those teams will be in some fight to make it back to the Breslin but they won’t be the only ones in the Grand Rapids area to make a run at it.
Coming off a year of of filling Kobe Bufkin’s presence, Grand Rapids Christian looks to be in good consideration of one of the teams to beat with Senior guard Dono Thames Dono Thames 5'11" | PG Grand Rapids Christian | 2023 State MI and newcomer Jaylan Ouwinga Jaylan Ouwinga 6'6" | C Grand Rapids Christian | 2024 State MI . They have a collection of guards and size that will give teams problems this year coached under Eric Taylor.
Two teams with new coaches that look to make a difference in the upcoming year and seasons are South Christian and East KentwoodThe young team to watch and to prove themselves this year is South Christian with a new head coach, Taylor Johnson. They have one of the top sophomores in the area/state in Carson Vis Carson Vis 6'3" | PG Grand Rapids South Christian | 2025 State MI who picked up a Ferris State offer over the summer. To go along with Vis they have Jake DeHaan and Sam Mendendorp Sam Mendendorp 6'3" | SF Grand Rapids South Christian | 2023 MI looking to cap their senior season with many victories. The Breslin Center is a place that Coach Mike Thomas is familiar with Grand Blanc (2021 & 22) and Kalamazoo Central (2009-11) both making runs to win the state title. Thomas looks to add a third team to his resume to help lead to the Breslin Center. They will be playing with a lot of energy and motivation with players like Marshawn Flakes and Jah Hatchett Jah Hatchett 5'9" | PG East Kentwood | 2025 State MI .
There will be several other teams that have a college basketball caliber player on their rosters to try and take down the local powerhouses. East Grand Rapids has Simon Neuhaus Simon Neuhaus 6'5" | SF East Grand Rapids | 2023 State MI coming into his senior year. Rockford with their constant success throughout the years looks to stir up the D1 playoffs with some key veterans. With a close group of guys lead Charlie Deutsch Charlie Deutsch 6'4" | SG Rockford | 2023 State MI , Caden Pokorzynski Caden Pokorzynski 6'7" | SF Rockford | 2023 State MI and Cayden Lepper Cayden Lepper 6'1" | SF Rockford | 2023 State MI (Adrian Commit), they will be in every game and could make a real push through Districts and Regionals, always a tough out. Kenowa Hills has GVSU commit Javion Otten Javion Otten 6'4" | SG Kenowa Hills | 2023 State MI to help them push through the season and make some noise. Byron Center is another team with a high caliber college prospect Sophomore big Camden Karel Camden Karel 6'9" | PF Byron Center | 2025 State #219 Nation MI that won’t be an easy out this season.
This should be a great competitive season throughout the Grand Rapids Area with a lot of college talent. Grand Rapids Catholic Central will be the team to beat in the GR area this season with their recent success and their loaded roster. But don’t be too surprised to see others make the journey and run to the Breslin Center this season.