Breslin Center Michigan State University Tickets $12

GENERAL MOTORS
PRESENTS
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Breslin Center
Michigan State University
11:00
12:30
2:00
4:00
6:00
8:00
SPALDING
ATHLETE’S
CONNECTION
Laingsburg vs. Ithaca
Eaton Rapids vs. Grandville
Flint Beecher vs. Traverse City St. Francis
Lansing Eastern vs. Cadillac
Grand Ledge vs. Detroit Country Day
Fowler vs. Pewamo-Westphalia
Tickets $12
at the Breslin Center
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Game
Previews
By Stephen Bell
Bankhoops.com and
Blog.mlive.com/highschoolbasketball
11 a.m. – Ithaca vs. Laingsburg
It's always a cool moment when two Mid-Michigan teams can take center court
at Michigan State.
"This is a great opportunity for us, to be able to represent the community of
Ithaca," Ithaca coach Bob Anderson said.
"It should be a good matchup," Laingsburg coach Greg Mitchell said. "We want to
get out and run, so it could be a clash of styles."
Ithaca will look to take advantage of its size. If it gets into a halfcourt affair, long
and skilled 6-foot-7 Yellowjackets sophomore Creed Stapleton could prove a tough
matchup. But the 'Jackets start asophomore, 6-2 Luke Capen, at point guard, and
inexperience could be an issue this early.
"We should improve by the second half of the season," Anderson said.
While youth is a concern for Ithaca, talent isn't. Both the varsity and JV teams won
18 games a year ago.
12:30 p.m. – Eaton Rapids vs. Grandville
Grandville's task will be to slow down Alex Gauna, Eaton Rapids' gifted 6-9
junior.
"We know we're going to see some junk defenses this year," Eaton Rapids coach
Adam Trumpour said. "We need the other guys to make the right plays when Alex is
double- or triple-teamed."
Gauna is a tough cover because he doesn't just sit on the blocks and wait for the
balls. This year he won't just be setting screens like most high school big men, but
coming off them as well to take advantage of his outside shooting.
With Gauna, 6-1 senior Austin Smith, 6-2 senior Garrett Webb, 6-4 senior Bryant
Seigrist and 5-11 junior John Morgan, the Greyhounds have the athletes to play the
defense Trumpour envisions.
"We want to be tough to score on, and hold them to one shot," Trumpour said. "We
want to develop a defensive reputation at Eaton Rapids."
Grandville's strength is on the perimeter, with 6-0 junior Spencer Nabors, 6-1
sophomore Jacob Blauwkamp and 6-0 sophomores James Nabors.
"We have three guards who can run and jump, and that should help us play uptempo when we have the ball," Vanderwall said.
2 p.m. – Flint Beecher vs. Traverse City St. Francis
St. Francis, the Division 7 football champion, is also a vogue pick for Class C
come March. Here's a chance to test itself early against a program that's already made
it nearly to the top three times in the last decade. Beecher was Class C runner-up in
2008 and 2003, and in 2000 second in Class B. The Buccaneers return their leading
scorer and rebounder from the most recent finalist, 6-3 junior Taron Bose, as well as
senior point guard Janero Walker. They and 6-2 senior D'Marius Houston, another
state final vet, must lead the way for a young team featuring two freshmen onto the
big stage, through the bright lights.
Like most high school teams, Beecher doesn't have a logical matchup for St.
Francis senior Holden Greiner. He's a 6-8 former point guard headed to Lehigh.
And while they may seem somewhat isolated playing at a small school in Northern
Michigan, Gladiators like Greiner, 6-2 senior Corey Williams and 6-4 junior Ian
Sheldon have all excelled in high-level AAU competition against the best players in
the Midwest, and shouldn't be intimidated by Beecher's athleticism and aggressive
defense. Key for St. Francis will be to maintain the ball against the Bucs' pressure, and
keep them off the offensive glass.
4 p.m. – Cadillac vs. Lansing Eastern
This contest features two all-staters, 6-7 senior Ben Simons
of Cadillac and Eastern's 6-6 sophomore LaDontae Henton.
Simons, who has signed with Drake, plays a sophisticated game
off the ball to get his shot, and can also do damage around the
hoop. Though he could, Simon's not necessarily a guy who will
go out and bomb for 30 every night. In Cadillac's system, that's
usually all right.
"We have a number of guys who are interchangeable, and that
allows us to play uptempo," Cadillac coach Jeff MacDonald said.
"But we still have to be patient and get the shots we want. We
could play a game in the 70s, or one in the 40s."
Despite his nickname, "Buckets," Henton, like Simons, can
do more than just score. He's a hard-working, productive allaround player, particularly for a young kid who has already
received so many accolades. Like the rest of the Quakers, he has
to play defense.
"We'll pick you up full court, guard you from sideline to sideline, endline to endline, and follow you to the drinking fountain
and back," Lansing Eastern coach Rod Watts said.
6 p.m. – Detroit Country Day vs. Grand Ledge
Country Day is the tallest and most talented team in the
state. 6-11 senior DaShonte Riley, 6-8 senior Donnavan Kirk
(Miami-Fla.), 6-6 senior Jordan Dumars (South Flroida), 6-1
junior Ray McCallum Jr. and 6-9 sophomore Amir Williams are
all high-major college prospects.
The Yellowjackets start five seniors. Their second unit is all
sophomores, talented in its own right.
"We go 10 deep and have big guys who can run, so we play
uptempo," Country Day coach Kurt Keener said. "I'm just as
comfortable with the second five on the court as I am the first
five. They're all pretty good athletes."
When motivated, Riley looks like the best big man from
thestate since Al Horford. Horford's "little" brother, 6-9 junior
Jon Horford, will be battling that mammoth Country Day frontline for Grand Ledge.
8 p.m. – Fowler vs. Pewamo-Westphalia
The nightcap features an early league showdown between
CMAC rivals Fowler and Pewamo-Westphalia, year-in, year-out
two of the most consistent Mid-Michigan winners at the Class D
and C levels, respectively. They may not have many surprises in
store for each other. Not only are these schools league foes, but
second-year Fowler coach Paul Hungerford was the JV coach for
Luke Pohl at Pewamo-Westphalia.
"We want to push the ball and make it tough for the opponent to score," Pohl said. He has the right point guard for the
former, in third-year starter Kaleb Thelen.
Fowler will start with a four-guard lineup. "The more we can
push, the better it will be for us," Hungerford said.
game
1
11:00 a.m.
Ithaca
Good Luck Ithaca Yellowjackets!
vs.
i(3"5*05$06/5:4-"3(&45
$*3$6-"5*0//&841"1&3u
(989) 875-4151 • 123 North Main Street, Ithaca, MI 48847
Laingsburg
Team Capsules
By Stephen Bell
Bankhoops.com and
Blog.mlive.com/highschoolbasketball
Ithaca
Ithaca Yellowjackets
Varsity Boys' Basketball
Ithaca
High School
10
12
14
20
22
24
30
32
34
40
54
Principal:
Mr Steve Netzley
Hansen, Corrie
Capen, Luke
Reeves, Brad
Murdock, Stephen
Marble, Christian
Stapleton, Creed
Beard, Logan
Oosterhoff, Alex
Loomis, James (Drew)
Wideman, Darin
Macha, Josh
Guard
Guard
Guard
Guard
Forward
Forward
Center
Guard
Forward
Center
Forward
Junior
Soph.
Senior
Junior
Junior
Junior
Junior
Junior
Junior
Junior
Senior
Coach: Bob Anderson
Manager: Craig Forman
Superintendent:
Mr Charles Schnetzler
Athletic Director(s):
Mr Paul Hornak
Colors:
Blue & Gold
Nickname:
Yellowjackets
Primary League:
Tri-Valley Conference
Ithaca returns a number of experienced
players from an 18-5 team that won the
TVC West. "We only return one senior,
so we're inexperienced, but we're tall and
long," Ithaca coach Bob Anderson said.
6-foot-7 junior Creed Stapleton and
6-3 junior Christian Marble both started
as sophomores. Stapleton actually played
guard last season, but now finds himself
inside, where Anderson calls him a "lazy
dunker" because he extends and finishes
so easily. Stapleton will be looked upon
to carry the scoring of the graduated
Kyle Oosterhoff and Cory Radak, while
Marble is the team's defensive stalwart.
6-4 junior Darin Wideman start at center
for the Yellowjackets, while 6-3 junior
Alex Oosterhoff plays in the backcourt
alongside a sophomore point guard, 6-2
Luke Capen.
Laingsburg
Laingsburg Wolfpack
Varsity Boys' Basketball
Laingsburg
High School
02
03
03
04
05
10
11
20
25
20
32
33
34
42
44
55
Principal:
Mr Denny Fulk
Nathan Barnes
Jarrod Bloomfield
Devin Ridsdale
Scott Taylor
Scott Wickham
Klinton Koonter
Chris Koerner
Dillon Bates
Nathan Pearson
John Brown
Ryan Hasselbach
Tom Little
Nick Jarvis
Eric Silvernail
Aaron Malitz
Dakota Ridsdale
Coach: Greg Mitchell
Center
Guard
Forward
Guard
Guard
Guard/For.
Forward
Guard
Guard
Guard
Guard
Forward
Forward
Forward
Forward
Center
Senior
Junior
Junior
Junior
Junior
Senior
Junior
Junior
Junior
Senior
Senior
Junior
Junior
Senior
Senior
Junior
Superintendent:
Mr Richard Dunham
Athletic Director(s):
Mr Matthew J Shastal
Colors:
Red & White
Nickname:
Wolfpack
Primary League:
Central Michigan
Athletic Conference
The Wolfpack is looking to improve on
its 2008 sixth-place finishes in the CMAC,
one of the state's tougher small-school
leagues. To that end Laingsburg returns
its two leading scorers, 6-foot-2 senior
Klinton Koonter, a standout quarterback
this fall for the Wolfpack's playoff football team, and 5-11 junior Dillon Barnes,
who was the starting point guard as a
sophomore. Key returning seniors are 6-4
Nathan Barnes and Eric Silvernail. More
size comes with 6-6 junior Nico Rios.
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email: [email protected]
game
2
12:30 p.m.
Eaton Rapids
vs.
Grandville
Team Capsules
By Stephen Bell
Bankhoops.com and Blog.mlive.com/highschoolbasketball <http://blog.mlive.com/
highschoolbasketball>
Eaton Rapids
Eaton Rapids Greyhouds
Varsity Boys' Basketball
Eaton Rapids
High School
01
10
12
20
22
23
24
30
32
34
44
54
Principal:
Mr David B Johnson
Alex Gauna
Cory Walterhouse
Chad Aleo
Jon Morgan
Austin Smith
Matt Gruesbeck
Adam Jaksa
Cody Harris
Adam Kowalk
Alex Archambeau
Garrett Webb
Bryant Siegrist
Forward
Guard
Guard
Guard
Guard
Guard/Forward
Guard
Guard/Forward
Forward
Forward
Guard/Forward
Guard/Forward
Junior
Senior
Senior
Junior
Senior
Senior
Junior
Junior
Senior
Junior
Senior
Senior
Superintendent:
Dr William L DeFrance
Athletic Director(s):
Mr Jeff Dassance
Colors:
Maroon & White
Nickname:
Greyhounds
Primary League:
Capital Area Activities
Conference
This season is coach Adam Trumpour's
first at Eaton Rapids. Making the transition
easier for the former Webberville coach is
the presence of one of the state's elite college prospects, 6-foot-9 junior Alex Gauna.
A skilled offensive big man being recruited
by the likes of Indiana and Xavier, Gauna is
developing the total package.
"Alex has really worked on his defense,
moving laterally and getting out to guard
guys outside the paint," Trumpour said.
But this won't be a one-man team.
Rangy 6-1 senior Austin Smith is a defensive presence at point guard. Garrett Webb,
a first-team all-leaguer in the CAAC Gold
last season, is a senior lefty who can play
all five positions. 5-11 junior John Morgan
is another strong perimeter defender, and
6-4 senior Bryant Siegrist has a wingspan
and ups around the basket.
Grandville
Grandville
High School
Grandville Bulldogs
Varsity Boys' Basketball
03 Seth Hanenberg Junior
04 Spencer Nabors Sophomore
05 Chase Sherrod Senior
12 Jake Blauwkamp Sophomore
15 James Nabors
Junior
20 Josh Sepanik
Junior
21 Terrence Harris Junior
22 AJ Hensen
Senior
23 DJ Wielhouwer Senior
24 Zach Johnson
Senior
33 Jake Hoffman
Senior
44 Collin DeHaan
Junior
50 Nate Allspach
Junior
Coach: Kyle VanderWall
Assistant: Charlie Kleinheksel
Assistant: Craig Lawton
6’2”
5’10”
5’10”
6’1”
5’11”
6’1”
6’3”
6’2”
6’3”
6’3”
6’3”
6’9”
6’6”
Principal:
Mr Randall Morris
Superintendent:
Mr Ron Caniff
Athletic Director(s):
Mr Brian Parsons
Colors:
Maroon & White
Nickname:
Bulldogs
Primary League:
OK Conference
(Red Div.)
The Bulldogs are building their program
with a young coach, second-year man Kyle
Vanderwall, and a young team, with two
sophomore and two junior starters.
"Our talent level is better this year,"
Vanderwall said. "We're pretty athletic."
Grandville's returning starters are
6-foot-1 sophomore Jacob Blauwkamp,
a standout shooter, and 6-6 junior Nate
Allspach, whose post footwork and finishing moves have improved.
Joining Blauwkamp on the perimeter are
two good athletes in James Nabors, a 6-0
sophomore, and Spencer Nabors, a 6-0 junior.
When Grandville needs more size it can turn
to Collin DeHaan, a
6-9 junior.
game
3
2:00 p.m.
Traverse City St. Francis
vs.
Flint Beecher
Team capsules
By Stephen Bell
Bankhoops.com and Blog.mlive.com/highschoolbasketball <http://blog.mlive.com/
highschoolbasketball>
Traverse City St. Francis
Traverse City St. Francis
Gladiators Varsity
Boys' Basketball
02
03
04
05
10
11
12
15
20
21
25
32
34
42
44
Hooper, Tyler
Greiner, Holden
Burke, William
Schell, Ben
Benson, Matthew
Popp, Luke
Wheatley, Jonathon
Sheldon, Ian
Zakrzewski, Matt
Kanitz, Marc
Karpinski, Adam
Wheelock, Spencer
Williams, Corey
Nobre, Pedro
Bullough, Max
Guard
Forward
Center
Guard
Forward
Guard
Guard
Forward
Forward
Center
Forward
Forward
Guard
Center
Forward
Senior
Senior
Senior
Junior
Senior
Junior
Junior
Junior
Junior
Junior
Senior
Senior
Senior
Senior
Junior
St Francis
High School
Principal:
Mr Erick Chittle
Superintendent:
Mr Mike Buell
Athletic Director(s):
Mr Tom Hardy
Colors:
Blue & Gold
Nickname:
Gladiators
Primary League:
Lake Michigan
Conference
Head Coach : Ginsberg, David
Assistant Coach: Bauman, Matt
Many of St. Francis' players are fresh off
winning the Division 7 football state title,
and there's a possibility they could get a
basketball championship as well. Veteran
first-year coach Dave Ginsberg has inherited a lot of talent in the North Country.
The Gladiators have two three-year
senior starters who have been their high
scorers the last two years, leading them
Lake Michigan Conference crown in 2008.
Holden Grenier, who signed with Division
I Lehigh, is a tough matchup at 6-foot-8
with guard skills, while 6-2 Corey Williams,
the quarterback of that championship football team, is St. Francis' best shooter and
can score inside, as well.
The seniors are joined by the likes of 6-3
junior Max Bullough, a future Michigan
State football player; 6-4 junior Ian Sheldon,
the leading scorer for an unbeaten JV team;
physical 6-2 junior point guard Luke Popp;
and Pedro Nobre, a 6-8 exchange student
from Brazil.
Flint Beecher
Flint Beacher Buccaneers Beecher
Varsity Boys' Basketball
High School
Head Coach: Mike Williams
Assistant Coach: Tony Lee, Eric Whitaker,
Tracey Harris
03
10
11
12
15
20
23
25
30
31
32
33
34
Salatheil Noronha
Kevin Matiere
Janero Walker
Torrey Cordell
D'Marius Houston
Antuan Burks
Ishmal Birden
Dimitri Turner
Antwan Chappel
Taron Boose
Javontae Hawkins
Freddaryl Brown
Stephon Hedrix
5'6"
5'7"
5'9"
5'8"
6'2"
5'7"
6'2"
5'10"
6'0"
6'1"
6'4"
6'3"
5'8"
Junior
Sophomore
Senior
Junior
Junior
Freshman
Senior
Junior
Sophomore
Junior
Freshman
Senior
Senior
Principal:
Mr Eugene Pratt
Superintendent:
Ms Jerri-Lynn Williams
Athletic Director(s):
Mr Courtney Hawkins Jr
Colors:
Red & White
Nickname:
Buccaneers
Primary League:
Independent
Beecher is no stranger to the Breslin
Center, having lost to Kalamazoo Christian
in the 2008 Class C state final. Two starters
return from that squad, leading scorer and
rebounder Taron Boose, a 6-foot-3 junior,
and 5-10 senior point guard Janero Walker.
"Janero's the glue for this team," Beecher
coach Mike Walker said.
The other player with championship
game experience is D'Marius Houston.
"He can play guard and forward,"
Walker said. "He can shoot and he's athletic.
D'Marius is one of our go-to guys."
6-2 Ishmael Briden will have an expanded role as a senior.
After the experience of those four,
the Buccaneers get green quickly. They'll
depend on two freshmen, 6-4 DeVonta
Hawkins and Antwan Burks. Hawkins is
a long-armed shooter, while Burks proved
his varsity mettle starting at quarterback for
Beecher's playoff football team.
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game
4
4:00 p.m.
Lansing Eastern
vs.
Cadillac
Team capsules
By Stephen Bell
Bankhoops.com and Blog.mlive.com/highschoolbasketball <http://blog.mlive.com/
highschoolbasketball>
Lansing Eastern
Lansing Eastern Quakers
Varsity Boys' Basketball
Eastern
High School
01
03
05
10
11
14
15
21
22
23
24
32
34
Principal:
Ms Ella Dickson
Brian Foy Jr
Leroy Green
Rico Stewart
Terry Love Jr.
Takari Johnson
David Hernandez
Billy Montgomery
Tony Atangana
Terrence Mullins
LaDontae Henton
Cameron Sanchez
Montrell Grimes
Tim Wells
Guard/For. Senior
Guard
Junior
Guard
Senior
Guard
Junior
Forward Senior
Forward So.
Forward Junior
Guard
Senior
For./Center Junior
For./Center So.
Guard
Junior
Guard
Junior
Center/For. Junior
Head Coach: Rod Watts
Asst. Coach: Duvale Murchison,
Tommy Benson, TJ Hawkins,
Calvin Beard, Daniel Jimenez
Cadillac Vikings
Varsity Boys' Basketball
02
05
14
15
21
23
25
33
34
41
42
44
Matthew Dunbar
Jeff Bruggema
David Erdman
Joe Youngman
Clay Comstock
Ryan LaLone
Jacob Ball
Connor Parcell
Ben Simons
John Simons
Zach Pant
David Salminen
Guard
Guard
Forward
Guard
Forward
Forward
Center
Center
Forward
Forward
Center
Center
Head Coach: Jeff McDonald
Assistant Coaches: Dave Dunbar,
Dave Simons, John Emington
JV Coach: Marty Cartwright
Freshman Coach: Dan Dahlquist
Managers: Charlie Runstrom,
Andrew Emington
Superintendent:
Dr TC Wallace
Athletic Director(s):
Mr David Panici
Mrs Ashley Murray
Colors:
Blue & Gold
Nickname:
Quakers
Primary League:
Capital Area Activities
Conference
Cadillac
High
Junior School
6’2
150 lbs
Senior
6’1
160 lbs
Principal:
Senior
6’2
170
Mr Todd Bruggema lbs
Senior
6’2
165 lbs
Superintendent:
Junior
6’3
180 lbs
Mr Paul Liabenow
Senior
6’2
205 lbs
Junior Director(s):
6’4
185 lbs
Athletic
Junior
6’4
205 lbs
Mr Rich Giddens
Senior
6’7
185 lbs
Colors:
Freshman
6’5
165 lbs
Blue & Gold
Senior
6’6
295 lbs
Senior
6’7
190 lbs
Nickname:
Vikings
Primary League:
Big North Conference
Lansing Eastern is a program on the
rise in coach Rod Watts' second season. It
helps to have players, of course, and the
Quakers have a legit one in 6-6 sophomore
LaDontae Henton. He was the rare player
to make Associated Press Class A all-state
as a freshman, as Eastern's top scorer and
rebounder last season.
"LaDontae has done everything we've
asked," Watts said. "He's improved his ballhandling, he's improved his shooting. He's
even improved his defense, but I don't think
any coach is every satisfied on that end."
As talented as the sophomore is, Eastern's
lynchpin is 5-8 senior Rico Stewart.
"It's amazing what a summer together
can do for a coach and a point guard,"
Watts said. "Rico's become the leader of this
team," Watts said.
Two more standout guards for the
Quakers are 6-0 junior Cameron Sanchez,
who can defend, pass and knock down
shots, and 6-0 senior B.J. Foy, an outstanding athlete who was an all-league football
player.
Cadillac
The Vikings return four of their top six
players from last year, chief among them
6-foot-7 senior Ben Simons, who signed
with Drake. Simons is a big-time shooter,
but has grown his offensive arsenal.
"Ben's gotten stronger, so he's improved
taking the ball to the basket and using his
body to score inside," Cadillac coach Jeff
McDonald said. "Hopefully that will help
him get to the line more."
Other key seniors for Cadillac are 6-0
point guard Jeff Bruggema, much improved
according to McDonald, and 6-2 forward
Ryan Lalone. 6-3 junior forward Clay
Comstock will also start.
"We have some size, which we didn't
last year, and we're fairly deep," McDonald
said.
game
5
6:00 p.m.
Detroit Country Day
vs.
Grand Ledge
Team capsules
By Stephen Bell
Bankhoops.com and Blog.mlive.com/highschoolbasketball <http://blog.mlive.com/
highschoolbasketball>
Detroit Country Day
Grand Ledge Comets
Varsity Boys' Basketball
Grand Ledge
High School
10 Garrison Reed
Guard
Junior
12 Tony Wieber
Guard/Forward Senior
14 Joe Estrada
Guard
Senior
20 Steve Kingery
Guard/Forward Senior
22 Dale Robinson
Guard
Junior
23 Josh Sellers
Guard
Junior
24 Dario Bongiorni Guard
Soph.
30 Jamie Fox
Forward
Junior
32 Mason Maurer
Forward
Senior
33 Jon Horford
Center
Junior
40 Jason Morrall
Center/Forward Soph.
44 Jimmie Cotter
Center/Forward Soph.
Head Coach: Tony Sweet
Assistant Coaches: Dewey Charter, Bill Archer
Country Day is no stranger to playing at
the Breslin Center. The Yellowjackets beat
Wyoming Park at last year's Holiday Hoops
Invitational and won the Class B state championship on this floor in 2007. The odds are
good that this won't be their last trip here
this season, either. Country Day has the tallest and most talented team in the state.
The biggest of them is 6-foot-11 senior
DaShonte Riley, the state's leading shotblocker as a junior.
"He's gotten stronger, so now he's more
of an offensive presence in the post," said
coach Kurt Keener, who has won seven state
titles at Country Day.
The power forward is 6-8 senior Donnavan
Kirk, a Miami-Fla. signee who Keener calls a
poor man's Al Horford because of his energy
level. On the wing is 6-6 senior Jordan Dumars,
who signed with Big East school South Florida,
the teams' best shooter. The best athlete is 6-2
senior Bennie Fowler, a Michigan State football
signee and state champion long jumper.
Holding all that talent together is 6-1 Ray
McCallum, a junior all-American who moved
from Bloomington, Ind. Keener pays him the
ultimate compliment when he compares the
way McCallum prepares and approaches the
game to Shane Battier, who won three Michigan
state championships at Country Day.
Principal:
Mr Steve Gabriel
Grand Ledge
Detroit Country Day Yellow
Jackets Varsity Boys'
Basketball
03
04
10
14
15
20
22
24
25
30
32
33
34
40
42
Ray Mccallum
Point Guard
Chris Fowler
Point Guard
Ben Nielson
Guard
Matthew Leverett Point Guard
Devon Pyykkonen Guard/Forward
Bennie Fowler
Guard
Brandon Boswell Guard
Thomas Varner Forward
Lee Bailey
Guard
Kenny Knight
Guard
Jordan Dumars Forward
Dashonte Riley Center
Urbane Bingham Power Forward
Amir Williams
Center
Donnavan Kirk
Forward
Junior
Soph.
Senior
Junior
Senior
Senior
Junior
Senior
Soph.
Soph.
Senior
Senior
Soph.
Soph.
Junior
Detroit Country
Day High School
Principal:
Mr Bradley M Gilman
Superintendent:
Mr Glen Shilling
Athletic Director(s):
Mr Dan Mac Lean CAA
Colors:
Blue & Gold
Nickname:
Yellowjackets
Primary League:
Independent
Head Coach: Kurt Keener
Assistant Coaches: Joe Plawecki, Rick Palmer,
Jason Webber, Fred Massey
Superintendent:
Dr Steve Matthews
Athletic Director(s):
Mr Gary C Boyce
Colors:
Blue & Gold
Nickname:
Comets
Primary League:
Capital Area Activities
Conference
Country Day may have a poor man's
Horford, but Grand Ledge has a real one. 6-foot9 junior Jon Horford is the younger brother of
Al, the former Grand Ledge player who won
two NCAA titles with Florida and now stars for
the Atlanta Hawks. Comets coach Tony Sweet
said whereas Al was an aggressive, dirty-work
post player, Jon approaches the game with more
finesse, and is a better shooter.
Horford is one of two returning starters for
Grand Ledge who is recovering from a knee
injury. The other is 6-5 senior Mason Maurer.
Joe Estrada is the third returning starter, a
6-4 senior point guard who had a stellar 2-to1 assist-turnover ratio as a junior. 6-0 Tony
Wieber, a Michigan State baseball signee,
provides some athleticism in the backcourt.
Hungry Howie’s Pizza, proud supporters of the
Sparrow Foundation’s Coaches and Athletes for
Kids committee, wishes all of today’s competing
teams the best of luck.
This great event goes a long way toward helping
Sparrow Hospital build the region’s first and only
Pediatric Emergency Room.
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game
6
8:00 p.m.
Pewamo-Westphalia
vs.
Fowler
Team Capsules
By Stephen Bell
Bankhoops.com and Blog.mlive.com/highschoolbasketball <http://blog.mlive.com/
highschoolbasketball>
Pewamo-Westphalia
The Pirates have the two most important
spots on the floor covered – point guard and
center. 6-foot senior Kaleb Thelen is back as
a third-year starting playmaker. This pure
point guard's counterpart in the paint is 6-3,
260-pound senior Bryant Schmidt.
"Bryant was an all-state football player, but
he's a good basketball player too," PewamoWestphalia coach Luke Pohl said. "He's good
on his feet at that size, and has a nice post
game."
More size comes from 6-5 senior Ion
Mason. Seniors Ryan and Adam Pohl, the
coach's nephews, round out the Pirates' starting lineup.
Pewamo-Westphalia Pirates
Pewamo-Westphalia
Varsity Boys' Basketball
01 Cory Noeker
Junior
02 Brad Winans
Junior
03 Kaleb Thelen
Senior
04 Robby Schafer
Junior
05 Ryan Pohl
Senior
12 Nick Pung
Junior
15 Austin Strong
Junior
21 Adam Pohl
Senior
24 Kyle Miller
Senior
25 Cody Martin
Junior
34 Tyler Schmitt
Junior
44 Ian Mason
Senior
52 Bryant Schmitt
Senior
54 C.J. Jegla
Junior
Head Coach: Mr. Luke Pohl
Assistant Coach: Mr. Todd Simmons
Clock/Score Keeper: Mr. Gary Hendee
Offical Scorer/Bookkeeper:
Ms. Marlene Martin
Announcer: Mr. Jim Thelen
High School
Fowler Eagles
Varsity Boys' Basketball
Fowler
High School
14
20
22
24
30
32
34
40
42
44
50
54
Principal:
Mr Neil Hufnagel
Zach Schmitt
Kody Schueller
Travis Thelen
Zach Birchmeier
Evan Thelen
Bryce Simon
John Hufnagel
Keaton Pike
Ethan Thelen
Brent Halfman
Devon Feldpausch
Josh Piggott
Guard
Guard
Guard
Guard/For.
Forward
For./Center
For./Center
For./Center
For./Center
For./Center
Guard/For.
Center
Head Coach: Paul Hungerford
Assistant Coach: Jason Goerge
Senior
Junior
Senior
Junior
Junior
Junior
Senior
Senior
Senior
Junior
Senior
Junior
Principal:
Mr Jody McKean
Superintendent:
Mr Ron Simon
Athletic Director(s):
Mr Todd Simmons
Mr. Tim Cornman
Colors:
Blue & Gold
Fowler
Nickname:
Pirates
Fowler has two dangerous, experienced
guards in seniors Travis Thelen and Zach
Schmidt, both 5-foot-10 three-year starters.
"They're very versatile," second-year
Fowler coach Paul Hungerford said. "They're
fairly good on-ball defenders, and they can
score in bunches."
6-2 senior Devon Feldpausch is another
versatile athlete, who can play the point all
the way up through power forward.
"We're going to start with a four-guard
lineup," Hungerford said. "We have a gamut
of big guys, 6-2 to 6-4, and for or five guys
will split time with that role."
Primary League:
Central Michigan
Athletic Conference
Superintendent:
Mr Neil Hufnagel
Athletic Director(s):
Mr Paul Hungerford
Mike Spicer
Colors:
Blue & White
Nickname:
Eagles
Primary League:
Central Michigan
Athletic Conference
Mr
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