Regional Semifinal Observations and Top Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After last night's regional semifinal games, we now have just 16 teams left in each division as dreams of reaching the Breslin are becoming more of a reality. I was at West Ottawa High School for the Division 1, Regional 3 action between Rockford, Hudsonville, Muskegon, and East Kentwood. I'll get into my thoughts on those two games below as well as the top performers from around the area.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3>Hudsonville 55, Rockford 50</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hudsonville and Rockford met for the third time this season, and for the first time in three tries, Hudsonville beat Rockford in a back-and-forth game that came down to a few specific sequences late in the fourth quarter. The Eagles are heading back to a Division 1 Regional Final, while Rockford's season ends with a record of 18-8.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1359511' first='Brayden' last='Szamrej'] was excellent from start to finish, leading the Eagles with 19 points and four assists. He was in a groove from the jump and dictated the flow of the game. He made several perfect dump-off passes to [player_tooltip player_id='1077678' first='Mason' last='Dykstra'] in the paint for high-percentage looks. Brayden also knocked down some perimeter shots, but ultimately took what Rockford's defense gave him and he never really got outside of himself and forced things. Defensively, I thought Brayden was just as impressive. He led Hudsonville's efforts in keeping Rockford's guards in check and made multiple effort plays on 50/50 balls. Overall a top-end performance from one of the area's best floor generals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1077678' first='Mason' last='Dykstra'] used his size and length to seal off Rockford defenders, leading to post touches that resulted in points. I thought his touch around the rim was excellent all game, and he made several contested shots through contact over Rockford's frontcourt. Mason was also active on the glass and prevented Rockford from getting many second-chance opportunities.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1431590' first='Caden' last='Pokorzynski'] did everything he could to keep Rockford dancing, scoring a game-high 19 points. He was determined at getting downhill in the early going and got a lot of good looks near the rim. Despite playing through a torn labrum and a bad ankle, Caden once again looked like one of the best prospects in the area in the 2023 class. Whoever ends up with Caden at their program next year is getting a steal, in my opinion.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3>Muskegon 68, East Kentwood 48</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Muskegon and East Kentwood squared off in game two of regional three as Muskegon came away with a 20-point win. Game two wasn't nearly as methodical as game one as the Big Reds got out to a quick 20-point lead in the first half, only for the Falcons to come roaring back for a moment in the third. Muskegon would eventually close out East Kentwood to set up a regional championship with Hudsonville on Wednesday night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>By now, everyone knows that Muskegon is led by the dynamic backcourt duo of [player_tooltip player_id='987274' first='Jordan' last='Briggs'] and [player_tooltip player_id='987635' first='Anthony' last='Sydnor III']. What shouldn't be lost, however, is the quality of production the Big Reds get from it's supporting cast. [player_tooltip player_id='1212747' first='David' last='Day III'] took four charges for Muskegon, with several of those plays coming in crucial, momentum-swinging moments. Day III also added 13 points and knocked down a few long-range threes with a hand in his face.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>M'Khi Guy was a bulldog defensively, and never really let East Kentwood's talented backcourt get into a shooting rhythm. M'Khi added seven points as well, helping take some of the load off Briggs and Sydnor III. Speaking of, the senior duo combined for 31 points in what was a relatively quiet statistical night for the Big Red tandem.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>East Kentwood sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='1438849' first='Jah' last='Hatchett'] had a solid night, scoring 17 points before fouling out late in the 4th. He made a handful of deep threes with an outstretched hand in defense. His shot-making is on another level from other guards in his class at the moment and should be one of the top guards to watch in the state for the next two seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3>Top Performers</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1402856' first='TJ' last='Fisher'], Unity Christian 24"</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>TJ scored 24 points in Unity Christian's 70-40 win over Fremont. Unity will play Grand Rapids Christian in a Division 2 Regional Championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>JD DeGroot, Hamilton 23"</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>JD led Hamilton with 17 points in the Hwkeyes' 63-62 win over Marshall. Hamilton will play South Christian in a Division 2 Regional Championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1359511' first='Brayden' last='Szamrej'], Hudsonville 24"</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brayden led Hudsonville with 19 points and four assists in the Eagles' 55-50 win over Rockford. Hudsonville will play Muskegon in a Division 1 Regional Championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Caden Pkorzynski, Rockford 23"</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Caden scored 19 points in Rockford's loss to Hudsonville.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='987635' first='Anthony' last='Sydnor III'], Muskegon 23"</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Anthony led Muskegon with 19 points in the Big Red's 68-48 win over East Kentwood.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1438849' first='Jah' last='Hatchett'], East Kentwood 25"</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jah scored 17 points in East Kentwood's loss to Muskegon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nate Brinks, South Christian 23"</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nate led South Christian with 15 points in the Sailor's 72-33 win over Niles. South Christian will face Hamilton in a Division 2 Regional Championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1223513' first='Jaylan' last='Ouwinga'], Christian 24"</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jaylan scored 14 points in Christian's 64-39 win over Spring Lake. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->