Regional Championship Preview: GR Christian vs Unity Christian

Two of the area's basketball powerhouses meet tonight for a Division 2 Regional Championship. Unity Christian (17-9) will host Grand Rapids Christian (20-5) with a berth in the state quarterfinals and just one win away from the Breslin Center on the line. Let's get into player matchups, keys to the game, and my prediction.   <h3>Grand Rapids Christian</h3>   The Eagles enter tonight's game having won 11 of its last 12 games, with the lone loss in a one-point nail-biter to Northview. In years past, Christian has been known for a high-powered offense littered with athletes who can shoot it from all over the perimeter. While they do have impressive shotmakers this season, the Eagles 2022-23 edition has 20 wins thanks in large part to its defensive prowess. The Eagles have given up 60 points only twice all season, and have held a team under 50 points 14 times this season. A big reason for that is a healthy combination of guards who can defend the perimeter and an elite low-post rim protector.   [player_tooltip player_id='1587825' first='Donovan' last='Thames'] is Christian's primary ball handler and volume shooter. Dono has a unique combination of perimeter shot-making, ball handling, and athleticism that makes him one of the most difficult athletes to guard in the area. Given his slender size, you might not think he can finish above the rim, but that presumption would be wrong. Dono' has great bounce and has a heightened ability to finish through contact in the paint because of his leaping ability.   [player_tooltip player_id='1223513' first='Jaylan' last='Ouwinga'] has ascended as one of the state's premier talents in the 2024 class and has been fun to watch over the course of the past two seasons. Jaylan is one of the area's elite rim protectors due to his wingspan, lateral acceleration, and defensive awareness. Jaylan is a step ahead of similar players regarding defensive intelligence, in my opinion, and it shows up on the stat sheet. Offensively, Jaylan has been just as dominant in the paint and has also shown that he can knock down jumpers from 10-15 feet consistently.   [player_tooltip player_id='1223497' first='Nathan' last='Johnson'] is one of the area's best two-way players and one of few juniors who currently holds a Division 1 offer from the OK Conference. Nate has next-level athleticism, a 6'5 frame, and a developing skillset that makes him one of the most sought-after prospects in the area. Nate's iso package and overall shot-making in the halfcourt have proven to be tough to contain for four quarters and is one of the main assets that sets Christian apart from other teams in the state.   Malachi Hooser is Christian's X-factor, in my opinion, and is a guy who can microwave you a quick six points when you need it most. He's a smooth-shooting lefty who shoots a high percentage in catch-and-shoot opportunities. Malachi's spatial awareness and ability to anticipate passes while defending in Christian's press leads to turnovers and quick buckets for the Eagles.   <h3>Unity Christian</h3>   Similar to Grand Rapids Christian, Unity has been on a tear as of late, rattling off 10 wins in its last 11 games. The Crusader's offense has proven difficult to contain, as they've scored 70+ points in four of its last five games. The lone game they failed to reach 70 points in that stretch was Unity's 57-55 upset special over highly ranked Grand Rapids Catholic Central. That goes to show that this Unity team can both grind out wins and win in a game with more tempo.   [player_tooltip player_id='1402856' first='TJ' last='Fisher'] is Unity's unquestioned floor general and best overall shot maker. In Unity's biggest games this season, it's been TJ whose been called upon in crunch time. TJ is a great shooter who can knock down shots effectively off the bounce and in spot-up situations. In Unity's regional semifinal win over Fremon, TJ poured in 24 points, including six three-pointers.   Dylan Shaban is to Unity what Malachi Hooser is to Christian, meaning both athletes have a smaller role than their counterparts but are just as important in the grand scheme of things. Dylan is a perimeter marksman and doesn't need a lot of space to get his shot up. Much like Hooser, Dylan is an effective defender in Unity's full-court defense due to his ability to read and react to passes and create turnovers.   [player_tooltip player_id='1373853' first='Jake' last='Chapman'] is a lanky forward who seems to be coming into his own. His 6'7 frame is still adding muscle, but in the few games I saw Unity live this year, he's seemed to take the next step in using his length and size to become a formidable force on both sides of the court. His matchup with [player_tooltip player_id='1223513' first='Jaylan' last='Ouwinga'] will be a great litmus test to see where his development is at this stage in his career.   Colin Nieuwenhuis is another sharpshooter who has a little bit of Rip Hamilton to his game. Colin excels at coming off screens and getting his shot up with limited time. He has a motor that doesn't stop and eventually wears down his opponents.   <h3>Prediction</h3>   Unity certainly raised some eyebrows with how they've been playing in the last six weeks of the season, which culminated with arguably the most impressive win of any Grand Rapids area team by knocking off Catholic Central in a district semi. While the Crusaders have been rolling as of late, I'm picking Grand Rapids Christian to advance to the quarterfinals. I think Christian's athleticism and scoring ability will be the difference, and their season lives on for at least another week.   Grand Rapids Christian 54, Unity Christian 50

Two of the area's basketball powerhouses meet tonight for a Division 2 Regional Championship. Unity Christian (17-9) will host Grand Rapids Christian (20-5) with a berth in the state quarterfinals and just one win away from the Breslin Center on the line. Let's get into player matchups, keys to the game, and my prediction.