LMCU Basketball Blitz Week3

It's week three of the 2025 LMCU High School Basketball Blitz.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
It's time to head to the hardcourt. Here on ninety
six won the game with the only weekly high school
basketball show in West Michigan.

Speaker 2 (00:07):
Packed up high the clayment down the left sideline with
the dribble. That's Levi Stewart over the hat and good looking.

Speaker 3 (00:12):
A free dos ont it dial it up?

Speaker 2 (00:15):
Another trip o'brooks hatt and he's their leading scorer, coming
in at twelve points per game. Kicking right side WI pitch.
That's Addison leaving at short and a y pitch. Don't
flying through with a rebound and off the window with
a ballow Markers went up, lots of contact, got it stripped.
Here comes bond bought in transition for a bread Carol
the allio slam. That might be your teen HS Family

(00:37):
Stores highlight of the game. Pretty basketball there that's going
to force a CC timeout.

Speaker 1 (00:42):
This is the LMCU Basketball Blitz presented by Lake Michigan
Credit Union and also brought to you by J and
H Family Stores, Vandor Lon Holme Improvement, Kids Food Basket,
Trinity Health, Sporting You Wing, Doozy Hals, Jepson Physical Therapy, Discount, Door,
Straight Line Fence, Rapid Radios Uptown Cheapskates stores in Granville,

(01:05):
kent Wood and Holland. MKD Funeral Homes and Meyer.

Speaker 3 (01:11):
Welcome into a week three edition of the LMCU Basketball
Blitz every Thursday night from six to seven as we
get ready for the road of the Breslin Center for
both the girls and boys. Remember the boys district start
not too far from now, about a month away, the
girls the week after, and then it's on down the
road to the Bresident Center. Brought to you by MKD

(01:31):
Funeral Homes. We are looking forward to a Chason Hutton,
buck Gino, Tom Kendra all set with the crew and Jay.
As we welcome people in, we need to note that
this show is being taped on Wednesday, late morning and
as of right now, Mother Nature has won two as
far as us trying to get games in because of

(01:53):
the schedule, all the school closings, all of the cancelations
with the activities and events at night. So as we
you might have some games tonight as you're listened to
this that are happening that we're supposed to be on Tuesday,
and then of course we're hoping as Mother Nature gets
a break from old Man Winner that on Friday we're
back to our regular schedule, which, by the way, our

(02:14):
LMCU basketball game of the week gonna be a girls
edition down in Whalen. Looking forward to it. The Sailors
of South Christian against the Wildcats of Whalen in that
tough Okay Gold Division, which West Catholic is at the
top right now and coming up Erica Brown is going
to join us little bit later in the show. In
the Montel Construction coaches corner, the head coach of South Christian, Yeah, I.

Speaker 4 (02:32):
Think West Calock's clearly the team to beat in the
Okay Gold. We're not quite at the halfway point yet,
and their closest game to this point was the South
Christian win, you know, but two almost two weeks ago now,
but they won that game sixty two to forty nine.
But you look at this battle between South Christian and Whalen.
The winner will stay alive here just one game back
of West Calic as they go through the second turn.
So in terms of a conference championship, it's important. But

(02:54):
also you look at it, these two teams are gonna
be in the same district, right South Christian and Whale.
Last year Whale beat South Christian twice in the regular season,
and South beats him in the district semifinal then goes
on to beat Holland Christian in double overtime in that
thrilling district finals. So that's going to be another really competitive,
fun district tournament. But Whalen and South, of course we'll
play twice, the first one this Friday.

Speaker 5 (03:12):
I think it's an excellent matchup.

Speaker 3 (03:13):
Wes Hudson and his coaching staff. His dad helps him out.
I know you got Lance Laker. I mean there's a
lot of head coaching years on that staff and they
always get their team kind of playing their best basketball
when at the end of the season, and right now
I think Whalen is kind of making that turn and
what is a very tough and deep, okay goal. We

(03:34):
talked about the start that Northview had, obviously South Christian,
obviously West Catholic, Whaling going to be the Mets Wyoming
and a lot of different styles of basketball in that division,
which makes it fun. I think we're going to be
in for a pound it if you're Whaling style tomorrow night.
And then South Christian they want to get up and
down and fire the threes.

Speaker 4 (03:52):
Well, and then Thorn Apple Kellogg two isn't a bad team, right,
I mean, you talk about six really quality teams and
the Oka Golden that's what's going to help these schools
as they get into the state tournament. You look at
it with the North Views and the Wyomings and the
Tks are in D one, but you look at West Catholic,
South Christian and Whalen are in D two and they're
right now probably the top three teams in a really
good division. And you throw Howard Christian in the mix

(04:13):
in that district that's going to take place for the girls.
And you look at that, that's a common opponent for
Whalen and South Christian. And South Christian went to Holland
Christian one by fourteen. Whalen went to Holland Christian up
losing the game by seven. Lak A got in foul
trouble in that game, right sat the entire second quarter.
And she's gonna have to be on the floor for
Whalen to be successful here Friday night against South Christian.

Speaker 3 (04:33):
I can't wait. And I know you've probably seen her
in person, but to call the game with me and
I just love the way, and it's part of being
a coach's daughter. Right, you talk about a coach's son
on the boy's side. But Harmony Laker, her basketball IQ
is just incredible, and I love that she is such
a versatile player, especially for her size. She can do
a lot of different things. She can post you up,

(04:54):
she can shoot the three, she can distribute, and she's
very good in transition handling the basketball as well well.

Speaker 4 (05:00):
And I love the way she defends too. Right, Whalen
runs that press and she's kind of at the head
of it. And she's I mean, she's listed at five eleven.
I think she's all a five eleven. She's tall and
long and really good defensively, so she really makes them
go and it'll be fun to watch.

Speaker 3 (05:14):
Yeah, it was last year and I'm looking forward to
it again. Don't forget the early start after the U
Show at six o'clock. All right, girls, Top ten rankings,
let's dive right in and again without action earlier this
week because of all the postponements due to the weather,
not much of a change, but we can go back
and look at some of the things that happened on
Friday night. Rockford's still my resounding at number one. Jay,

(05:34):
Let's take you through our top five at twelve and one,
a perfect four and oh atop the OK red. Grand
Haven right behind them for me anyways at number two,
eleven and one and three and one, then West Catholic
ten and one atop the OK gold at four and oh.
South Christian right behind them for me at number four,
nine and two are the Sailors three and one that
lone losses Jay alluded to a couple of weeks ago.

(05:55):
By thirteen it wasn't home for South Christian against West Catholic.
And then I have forest Hill's Northern Ronnie out my
top five at ten and one, two to zero in
division play.

Speaker 4 (06:05):
Yeah, the only thing we agree on is Rockford one
and Forestill's Northern five. I have Grand Haven and West
Catholic flipped. I have West Catholic higher. You know it's interesting.
West Callack was scheduled to play Goodrich on Saturday the
Martin Luther King Classic at Saganaw Valley, but due to
weather that game didn't get played.

Speaker 5 (06:19):
Goodrich outstanding team at nine and two.

Speaker 4 (06:21):
Would have been nice to see West Catholic against that competition,
kind of see how they stack up. I still like
Elishadikster in company just to buy a hare over Grand Haven.
A little bit more experience, I think, but I mean
it's splitting hairs. Grend Haven's really good as well. And
then I have Grandpa's Clock Central four. I really like
the Cougars. You know, they beat East Grand Rapids last
Friday night by eleven. East Grand Rapids was training. They

(06:42):
won four straight games. They've been playing really well, and
Jada Chandler came in played well for Catholic Central, So
I like the Cougar's therefore, and then I have Forts
Northern five, and.

Speaker 5 (06:50):
I come out with South Christian at six.

Speaker 3 (06:51):
Yep, you and I flipped Catholic Central and South are
and they'll play next Tuesday.

Speaker 5 (06:55):
That'll be a really good one.

Speaker 3 (06:56):
I'm looking forward to that. So Catholic Central is six
for me. Let's go six through two, and I've got
Holland Christian seven. You talked about them, they're literally a
sleeping giant. And I say that because everyone knows them
in the division they're in. But when you start talking
about those other teams, you're like, oh yeah, and don't
forget about how Christian and Jay. You hit it Holland
Christian the last couple of years have had nice runs.

(07:16):
They've been playing their best basketball at the end. I
remember the quarterfinal I covered. I think it was down
at Hopkins when they were taking on West Catholic and
West Catholic beat them. And Holland Christian very young, and
now finally it seems like she's been there forever. Cam Vandenbosch,
their leader is a senior.

Speaker 4 (07:32):
Well, she's really good and she's going to Toledo. She's
a D one player, but she doesn't always have to
lead them in scoring. In fact, a lot of times
she doesn't because they've got Adeline Nihoffen, They've got you know,
Brooklyn Phelips, and they have lots of really good players.
And their only loss was that early season loss to
South Christian. So I agree. I have honand Christian seven
as well. They're clearly the team to beat in the
Oka Black. They do not have a division loss, but

(07:52):
you know there's a bunch of hungry chasers behind them.
Is the only Spring Lake Unie Christian Hamiltons Zealand last
that's another deep division.

Speaker 3 (07:58):
And as you've talked about the last couple weeks, and
I can't agree more with what we've seen play out.
Then it's like, what do you do after that? Maybe
that's kind of the dividing linec aus Holland Christian has
done so well, what do you do with eight, nine
or ten. There's probably maybe five or six teams you
could shuffle in there. I ended up going Caledonia, who
right now is leading the OK Green because Mona Shores
on the girl's side lost tom A skeg In at

(08:19):
last Friday night. So Caledonia nine and two, four to oh.
Then I have Whalen next, so we'll have a South
Christian for me and Whalen matchup four and nine in
my top ten rankings this week. And then I have Wyoming,
who was out of my top ten in my top
ten because you can't forget about them, the Wolves at
eight and two and two and two in division play.
But as I say that, Caledonia, Whalen, and Wyoming to

(08:40):
have all kind of beat up on each other. They
played each other, but they beat up on each other
a little bit with wins and losses.

Speaker 4 (08:45):
Yeah, that's the tricky part. So Wyoming beat Caledonia, now
that was earlier in the season.

Speaker 5 (08:49):
I agree. I agree with you.

Speaker 4 (08:50):
At eight nine, I have Caledonia eight and Whaling nine
because Caledonia beat Whaling had had they have one fewer loss.
You know, Caledonia screaked it out last Friday, beating Byron
Center for four to thirty seven. Of course, the Bulldogs
don't have a win yet this season, but they currently
sit alone in first place in the Okay Green. So
I did give CALDONIY the nod there and I went
Wayland nine. I think the Wildcats are really good, but

(09:11):
I think they're still looking for their best win though,
and there's a great opportunity for that Friday night in
the game we'll call when the hold South Christian. Then
you get to ten, I think it gets even tougher
here at ten. What team do you put there? I mean,
maybe you make an argument from his Skegan to be
ten even without those two great players. You know, with them,
obviously they're higher, but without them, I think you can
make any argument from his Skigan. I ended up going

(09:31):
with Zealand East at ten. Now everybody here's got a loss.
You would question, right, Zealand East lost to Coopersville, But
I still is Lizzie Risden and Mira Finland. I like
the way that Troy Hammond in his first year with
the chicks has got them playing.

Speaker 5 (09:44):
So I gave Zealan East an out of ten.

Speaker 3 (09:46):
He can coach too, and we watched him for so
many years at East Grand Rapids. He always comes up
with some type of scheme, some type of plan that
will fit his kids and his roster toevery's face, and
you're right, Zealand East is one of those teams keep
an eye on, especially tournament time. They are trending. And
speaking of Muskegan, I can make this announcement now, but
we had two to be announced February games. One that

(10:08):
was going to be a boys game, what there's gonna
be girls gaming. We might add another one now because
we're supposed to do Northview and South Christian and twice
we've been able to do it this week because of weather,
so we'll probably have to reschedule another game in February,
which is fine, there's great matchups. But how about this
Jay The final week of the regular season for girls
boys will be in district on Tuesday, February twenty fifth.

(10:29):
We're lucky to do West Catholic at Muskegan, a non
conference affair, but what a perfect way to get ready
for the tournament as those two challenges because at that
time we're hoping the Lady Big Reds will have their
starting backcourt back.

Speaker 4 (10:43):
Yeah, we're rolling the dice a little bit. You know,
you gotta hope ce C Bonner and Mariah Sane are playing.
Then it's a fantastic matchup Without them, you know, West
Calink's going to be a pretty big favorite going into
that game. But we'll see, and you know, you think
if they're close to healthy, you'd like, if you're Bernard Ladimir,
to kind of get them in for a game a
little bit before you go boom right into that state tournament.
You don't want that to be their first game back.

Speaker 5 (11:04):
So we'll see.

Speaker 3 (11:04):
That'll be a seven o'clock tip that night here on
ninety six to one the game from Muskegan. Hope you
can join us for that edition of the LMCU High
School Basketball Game of the Week. We got to take
a break coming up on the other side the Montel
Construction Coaches Corner with South Christian Girls head coach Erica Brown.
We'll see them for ourselves live tomorrow night as part

(11:25):
of our LMCU Game of the Week coverage that's coming
up next as you're listening to a Week three edition
of the Basketball Blitz exclusively here on ninety six to
one the Game. Listen for the ninety six to one
the Game high School Basketball Game of the Week Boys
and Girls editions. Moterspawn the kickout to Wie Pitch No

(11:47):
and a white pitch though the other side the seacor
knocks down the three catch all the action being presented
by Late Michigan Credit Union and also being brought to
you by Meyer, Straight Line Fence, Montel Construction, the Uptown
Chief Skates Stores in Grandville, Kent Wood and Holland Rapid Radios,
Discount Door and MKD Funeral Homes Week Free addition of

(12:17):
the LMCU Basketball Blitz, and Jason Hutt and myself joined
now the Montel Construction Coaches Corner brought to you by
Montel Construction for your next exterior project. Think Montel, They're
my home team, Montel Construction dot Com for everything they
have to offer, and South Christian Girls head basketball coach
Erica Brown has joined us. Don't forget We've got an
early start for our Game of the Week tomorrow night,

(12:38):
featuring her Sailors against Whalen. Always a great rivalry down
at the home of the Wildcats and Erica. Thanks for
joining us tonight and welcome in. And you guys are
at nine and two in a very tough and I
know you and I talked about this before the season,
Okay gold right, Yes, absolutely.

Speaker 6 (12:54):
It's been a very tough one this year so far.

Speaker 4 (12:57):
Well, coach, last year, incredible run for your team. You know,
you didn't the greatest regular season, but then boom you
get all the way to the regional final. Obviously had
a super young team last year. So what did that
run last year due to your returning players and how
have they kind of evolved and become better here leading
into this good start for your team.

Speaker 6 (13:14):
You know, it's interesting. You know you talk a lot
about as coaches loving the journey, and last year, as
my first year as a head coach here at South,
I really really preached that and really talked about the
journey because that's all season's really long. And we got
to that point in season I think where we the
belief started clicking, and it clicked at the right time.

(13:35):
So we had an amazing postseason at the end that
run in the tournament, which was so awesome, and I
think it just allowed us to start. We laid that
foundation and now this year, going into this year, it
just makes it a little easier, right, And we continue
to talk about that process, is that journey, because that's
what's about seasons long and you get the excitement at

(13:56):
the beginning, and then you get the monotonymous of routine
as you go through and you can't lose that fire.
So we talk a lot about that, and I think
that really propelled us coming into this year.

Speaker 3 (14:07):
Speaking of fire, you were a standout high school player
back in the day at Flushing, went on and a
Division one career at Eastern Michigan University. I'm always curious
to talk to and we've had some great coaches, both
boys and girls that have played and been high level
athletes and then how they translate into the coaching rank.
Sometimes it can be difficult, sometimes it can be easy.
How has it been for you and was that always

(14:29):
your calling once your career was done, that you wanted
to be a coach.

Speaker 6 (14:32):
I think it was. I think you know a lot
of kids these days you go into For me, I
went into college and I just wanted to play basketball.
I knew I liked, you know, some subjects and all
that stuff. But I found my passion in psychology going
into my junior year in college and my professor, I'll
never forget my abnormal psychology professor. She just opened so

(14:55):
many doors for me. And then that rolled into wanting
to be a counselor. I loved the high school age,
so then that rolled into high school counselor and coach.
And my dad was a longtime coach at my high
school for many, many years, twenty plus years. And so
when I had the opportunity after my collegiate career, I
joined forces with him on his bench, and I think

(15:17):
the passion just grew and grew from there, and I
just fell in love with I mean, I've always loved
the game, but I fell in love with impacting the
high school level age girls just loved it.

Speaker 3 (15:28):
Coach's daughter, Now, was your dad a tough coach? And
I want to ask you, now your players might have
a different answer, but do you think you're a tough
coach on your players?

Speaker 6 (15:38):
I my dad, yes, tough love for sure. We all
messed with coach board. But you know what, I look
back at that and I'm so thankful for all those
you know, those days after practice where he's like, no,
you're not leaving until you do, you know, twenty more
minutes of work, you know, And as a teenager you
fight it, but you look back and you're like, I'm
so thankful for that. So he stuck with it. I

(15:58):
think I think I I have found a good balance.
I think in my earlier years of coaching, I was
a little bit more intense. I think with having kids
on my own and really, you know, with the generation
that we have and understanding kind of the things that
kids are going through, you got to find that balance,
especially with girls. So there's times to be real tough,

(16:18):
there's times to just love on them, and I think
that's an art, especially with coaching.

Speaker 4 (16:23):
We're talking with South Christian girls basketball coach Erica Brown
in the coach's corner. Her Sailor's getting ready to play
Whalen in our game of the week on Friday night. Coach,
how have you kind of adopted this South Christian right
because you you came from the east side of the
state a little bit, and of course married to head
football coach Danny Brown, who's a South Christian alum, and
you know, how how is this kind of I mean,
you guys are kind of almost like the first family

(16:44):
of South Christian.

Speaker 5 (16:44):
Athletics at this point.

Speaker 4 (16:46):
Rightly, how how have you kind of like taken on
that role being you know, maybe not from this area
to start with.

Speaker 6 (16:52):
Yeah, it's been a journey for me too. You know,
I was assistant coach who Ken Langen for you know,
quite a few years and her legacy. You know, there's
only been from my knowledge, the two coaches Debryan and
leg and all these years of South Christian basketball. So
it's you know, stepping in to fill those shoes that
it can be intimidating and it's a lot of pressure.

(17:14):
So you got to find you know, you got to
find that passion, that tradition right and really and really
grow into you know, this community. And I think my husband,
you know, growing up here in this community and being
the head coach for football has really helped me transition.
I listen and learn a lot from him on how
he runs his program and you know, just the inner

(17:35):
workings of South And then I was blessed to work
for two years as a counselor at SO High School.
So just being in there and working with you know,
the staff, the incredible staff there has just given me,
you know, more confidence and ability to uh, you know,
to really lean into this community, which I think is cool.

Speaker 3 (17:54):
Before I get to my main question, I could just
see you and Danny at the ditt or table the
kids right or off plane, and you guys having coaching
conversations because I know your competitiveness, but I know you're
also great for each other. Do you guys have those
coach kind of coach conversations or is it more husband
wife support conversations.

Speaker 6 (18:13):
It's both. You know, it's funny because I love critique.
I've always been a big believer in it. But then
it's funny because you put your wife hat on and
it's like I get kicked off at him for the
first five minutes, but then I'm like, Okay, yeah, I
needed to hear that. So it's kind of that friendly
banter back and forth that we have. But I think
it's incredible to be able to share that with him.

Speaker 3 (18:35):
By the way, Danny's probably listening, and so Danny needs
that from you too when it's football season.

Speaker 6 (18:39):
Just he'll never admit it, but he does.

Speaker 3 (18:44):
Erica, let's talk about your team. I got a chance
to see you guys last year. What was a great game.
I'm looking forward to the Whalen matchup again coming up
tomorrow night down to Whalen. But I was really impressed
with the youngsters that you have. And now you have
Prince sisters, you have Waldheis's sisters. Meredith Helmus is a sophomore.
She came up halfway through the season last year and
really has a complete game. What have you seen as

(19:04):
far as the growth your team and talk about your
girls a little bit.

Speaker 6 (19:06):
Yeah, this team, this seems so much fun, you know,
and a big testament to my seniors, the three that
start and then I have one Kaylee Quist, who's also
a part of a huge part of our team. But
those seniors have really taken on, you know, the leadership
responsibilities that they that they you know, have grown into
and have made our younger ones feel just loved and

(19:28):
supported and accepted. And sometimes it's hard because you know,
you're a senior and but some freshmen are playing over you,
you know, So the dynamic of that has been really
interesting for us this year. But with the group that
I have, I've just been blessed with the girls and
how they relate to each other and pump each other up.
And hold each other accountable and and understand their roles.

(19:50):
We talk a lot about that too, But are starting five.
You know, I couldn't ask for about our starting five.
They come out, they get us rolling, and then when
they're you know, sitting on the bench, they're encouraging our
youngsters to get out there and not let up what
they you know, what they started. So all around, it's
been it's been a really fun group to be a
part with.

Speaker 5 (20:09):
Coach.

Speaker 4 (20:10):
You had eleven days off, you know, around Christmas, but
you know that's kind of expected. You find yourself with
some more time off here because with seven teams in
the Okay Gold you didn't have a game on Friday
of last week, and then you're kind of dealing with
weather and trying to practice. Like what are the challenges
of this type of week where you have kind of
extended period without games and I don't even know how
much you're practicing.

Speaker 6 (20:29):
Yeah, not not much unfortunately, But the challenges that that
is just getting in the right mindset, you know, the
luggishness of being home and sleeping and you know, just
not being in your routine and then getting into the
gym and just being slow, so flooded soull minded. So
those are the challenges we really try to face when
it comes to you know, having this time off, especially

(20:51):
in the winter months, that doesn't help either just the weather,
but we really pay attention to, you know, the drills
that we start with a practice and the high intensity
right away, just so we can kind of translate that
into Okay, it's game day tomorrow. We can't start slow.
So those are the those are the biggest challenges we
see is just the mindset and getting back into that
high performance mindset.

Speaker 3 (21:10):
Eric, I want to ask you, because as we tape
this show on Wednesday, it's still up in limbo whether
you're going to have the Northview game played tonight as
this airs on Thursday night or not. So let me
ask you about Wayland. And obviously we talked about the
deep ok Gold but Harmony Laker is their leader. There's
another Laker, so the Lakers sisters along with the sisters
you have, but you look at that matchup they're coming

(21:32):
on right now and with you guys, with Wes Catholic,
there's certainly a player in the mix, aren't they.

Speaker 6 (21:38):
Oh yeah, for sure, they always will be. They're so
well coached. I respect that coaching staff over There a
tremendously a lot of legacy there with them too. But
they're just tough. They are full of grit and they're
they're just a team that you got to try to
out tough is what we is.

Speaker 5 (21:53):
What we say, coach, They're really tall, you know.

Speaker 4 (21:56):
I mean, you look at it. You beat halend Christian,
I may be your best win. And how Christian's really good?
How Christian's really tall? How do you combat the size
of whaland here Friday night?

Speaker 6 (22:05):
Well, we you know, it's give and take on both ends, right,
So if we can play fast and quick on our end,
then we got to try to you know, mask our
not being as tall as them on the defensive end
with different you know, defensive schemes, whether that be zone man,
mix it up, try to catch them off guard, you know,
those kind of things. So I'm sure it will be
a back and forth game for sure.

Speaker 3 (22:26):
Erica, last but not least, since you played back in
the day and you've seen this evolution. You said you
were an assistant coach now before taking over last year
the South Christian program. How have you seen the girls
basketball explosion? I mean, you know, with Caitlin Clark and
the WNBA and everything. I think girls basketball. We've enjoyed
covering it here on ninety six to one. The game
the last few years has really exploded. Have you seen

(22:47):
that as a coach?

Speaker 6 (22:48):
Yeah, I would say so. And even the feel. You know,
we just took our girls to the Iowa Indiana game
and really we wanted just them to experience the atmosphere
of a women's college basketball game and it was amazing electric.
So just the you know, the I think these days
where you know, AAU is is so much bigger than
what it was, and the traveling and you know, all

(23:08):
the things that comes with you know, women's sports and
the girls that it's had. It's just fun and it's exciting.
And you know, when you get your youth and your
programs looking up to that and you build that culture,
it's just a really cool thing to be a part of.

Speaker 3 (23:21):
I want to plaud to some of the rule changes.
Maybe they've been subtle, maybe they haven't the last few years,
but you know, the smaller ball, for instance, I think
has been good for women's and girls basketball. The other
thing that I look at is the quarter system that
we see now at the college level. And it's so
interesting I say this, and it really shocked me when
I heard it, but it makes sense to me, and

(23:42):
I'd love to see it as part of rule changes
for men's college basketball. Is I heard Jay Billis during
an ESPN game say, you know what, the girls have
it right, and the women have it right, we should
be switching to quarters because no one likes to No
one likes to watch a free throw shooting contest, right,
and the girls game has such great flow, Erica, it does, yep.

Speaker 6 (24:01):
I think those the fouls, you know that, the way
they change that, it just flows a lot, a lot better.
You know, it kind of becomes like a four kind
of four mini game if you really look at it,
instead of a real stretched out, you know, long haul.
But I would agree, I would agree one hundred percent
with that.

Speaker 3 (24:17):
We are fired up. Jay's going to be court sided
with me tomorrow night for your game South Christian Whale
in the LMSU Game of the Week Round ninety six
won the game to earlier start six o'clock tip off
right after the huge show, we'll be on the air,
and Erica, thank you so much for joining us in
Best of luck to you and the Sailors tomorrow night.

Speaker 6 (24:33):
Thank you so much, you guys, I appreciate it.

Speaker 2 (24:41):
We're back to Blanker dribbles, beautiful, don't look pass and
cut down the baseline putting it up and in that
time on the finish with Cody Osmond.

Speaker 4 (24:49):
Blanker with the don't look past the silver too is
off the mark cost him a chance in the layout,
but Blanker the senior gets it back. Nice jump stop,
great past to Osden.

Speaker 3 (25:00):
So the girls went first tonight on this edition of
the LMCU Basketball Blitz. Thanks again to Erica Brown joined
US South Christian girls head coach in the Montel Construction
Coaches corner in our last segment. Now let's switch over
to the boys, and we were supposed to have Northview
and South Christian the first meeting of two in the
Oka Gold Division, which is proven to be pretty tough
on the boy's side as well as how deep it

(25:21):
is on the girls side. And due to taping this
on Wednesday, hopefully tonight that game will be played. And
as part of our boys segment, I had a chance
to for a pregame interview talk to South Christian boys
head coach Taylor Johnson. So we'll have a second coach's
corner at the end of this segment, Jay, and really
interesting to talk to coach Johnson. He's one of our
favorites about the team and they are really starting to

(25:43):
come together. And as I say that, boy, is anyone
playing much better than Northfield right now? Cam Ryan's and
also Brady Schwartze both going for thirty plus in a
win over Whalan last week.

Speaker 4 (25:54):
Well, I've been carrying the Northview flag all year. I
really liked the Wildcats. But South Christian's went seven in
a row for that one in three start. You know,
a tough schedule, but they've turned it around. You know,
it was long football season getting everybody around, and they're
humming right now. South Christian's playing great.

Speaker 3 (26:09):
And don't you think And this is something I talked
to Taylor Johnson about, Carson Vis is starting to get
that senior oh this is my last goal around type
of look in his eye. And remember he wasn't able
to play when they made that run as a sophomore
because he went up and then fell and broke his wrist.
When they made it all the way to the final
game and lost a heartbreak at a Ferndale. So I mean,

(26:32):
this is kind of it for Carson and as you know,
when it becomes it and he takes that leadership quality
over like we've seen in football, he is an impressive athlete.

Speaker 4 (26:40):
Yeah, I mean, he's always just tough, you know, I mean,
on both ends of the court, can score it all
three levels. So Carson Vis is a big problem for
all opponents. And that's why I love that matchup with
Northview because you've got Brady Swartz, who's also going to
Western with Carson Vis to play basketball next year. You've
got cam Ryans who might be a power conference player
state offer already. So I mean, the star power is

(27:02):
great in that matchup, and man.

Speaker 3 (27:04):
I just love it how deep the boys are. And thus,
as we go into our top ten rankings, that's a
perfect lead in because there was some shuffling going on
even though we don't have any Tuesday games to really
reference here this week, and there's some great matchups coming up.
And when we get to our point where Jay, lets
you know about the highlighted games on Friday, not as

(27:25):
heavy of a batch of good games on Friday, but
another big showcase on Saturday.

Speaker 4 (27:30):
Yeah, so I'm gonna go Rockford at number one in
my voice top ten. I just you know, Miskegon got
beat on Saturday, and I'm not penalizing for losing to
Warren Lincoln. I mean defending Division two state Championshure, the
Abes have four losses all the four really good D
one teams. This is more of a James Martin getting
injured Friday night. You know, early in that game at
Mona Shores, he went up to block a shot, he

(27:50):
came down on his arm. It was a gruesome injury.
He's certainly going to be out for a long period
of time. And he's their best player on a really
good team, right. I mean, they've got a lot of
really good players and that'll help try to fill his void.
But ultimately, I'm moving Miskegan to two at this point
because anybody loses their best player just gonna take a
little step back. And you know, they won that game
at Mona and he got hurt really early in that game,

(28:12):
and they were down most of the first half. And
I think Mona Shores is good, so that was a
quality win. But now Keith Guy and company gets some time.
You know, they're gonna have some time here to learn
how to play without James Martin, and they've got other guys,
right like Keishawn Johnson's got to step up. You know,
James Young is a guy who's gonna have to step up.
He's kind of like their sixth man coming off the
bench a little bit. Obviously Darryl Tompkins Junior, their point guard.

(28:35):
So you know, guys are gonna have to step up.
They'll kind of learn how to play without James Martin
here over these next few weeks. They have Reese Puffer
at home on Friday night. But you know the schedule
is not easy for them. They they they loaded up
because they have aspirations of winning state championship. So anyways,
I went Rockford one, Muskigan two, and then I stay
the same three, four and five Byron Center nor a
few Hutsonville.

Speaker 3 (28:56):
All right, so I have Rockford as well, move it
up to number one because lost to Muskegan and just
what you were talking about with the injury with James Martin.
Rockford twelve in one. They beat Granville on Friday night
easily sixty to forty two. They are in control atop
the ok Red at four in oh Then I have
Muskegan two, like you do nice win though at Mona
Chores as you a little two fifty five to forty

(29:17):
eight to remain unbeaten in a tough Oka Green division
at four to oh and then i have Byron Centator's
right behind them in that division at three and one.
Ten and four are the Bulldogs and then Hudsonville four
for me, eight and three overall are the Eagles. They
are three and one in the Okay Red they are
next there and then gren Haven is two and two
behind them. They did beat grand Haven and then Unity

(29:39):
Christian at number five. Youned Christian just kind of hanging
there and they are twelve and one four and oh
and I'm excited to see them in a matchup with
Byron Center coming up next week as an LMC Game
of the Week on Tuesday Night for US.

Speaker 7 (29:53):
Yeah.

Speaker 4 (29:53):
You know, scott'slds have been the Sayers. They won their
first six, you know, overtime wins over South Christian and
Calck Central, really good wins. They lose the tough one
close to Hudsonville right before Christmas. Now they've ruled Real
Left six in a row. It was kind of quietly
going all out their business supposed to play Holland Christian
on Tuesday, Weather had other ideas. I think those are
the best two teams in the Oka Black, although Zealand

(30:14):
East is certainly rising right now in that division. But yeah,
unity is solid. So I have them six, and then
I had South Christian seven. We've talked about the Sailors.
I gran Up's Catholic Central at eight. How about say
Larthridge last Friday. You know they won a close game
against an old rival in East Ground Rapids. Larthridge was
twenty nine, eight for ten from three. Pretty hard to
shoot eight for ten if you're just out there by

(30:34):
yourself practicing impressive effort from the junior. I keep whaling
nine in grant Haven ten.

Speaker 3 (30:39):
When you look at teams as I go through my
six through ten, they could be dangerous and come on late.
I think Catholic Central has got to be one of
those the top lists. Maybe a Grand Rapids Christian as well,
but Norfew. I probably have them too low. I have
them at six and they just keep impressing me as
we go through. I was really bummed not to see
them in this matchup with South Kristin and hopefully happens

(31:02):
tonight at Northview High I have at seven Catholic Central.
This is where I switched. You talked me into it.
I had Christian, remember higher than them, and you're like,
how can you have Christian higher than them? And then
I looked at the body of work and you're right,
that's right, you heard me. Jays Nutt was right. As
Catholic Central moves up now to seven for me, then
I slided everyone down, so Grand up, it's Christian goes

(31:22):
down to eight. South Christian nine. Remember Christian beats South
Christis start of the year. I know it's a football
hangover as far as South Christian is concerned. And then
there's my Greenville Yellow Jackets at number ten at thirteen
and oh and right now the team to beat in
the River City's Alliance.

Speaker 4 (31:38):
Yeah, Greenville's playing great. You know I have Greenville right
there just outside the top tenneland Mona Shores in Grand
Rapids Christian. And you know, the second time through that
River City's Alliance be interesting with Greenville when teams have
seen him once. But I'll tell you what, they got
the power to run, make a run here and go
going defeed.

Speaker 3 (31:53):
It second time through to Okay White and what convinced
me just going back to what you said, not only
the victory over Grand Rapids Christian for Catholic Central back
on January third, they did that by eleven fifty four
forty three. But the next best team I think in
that division I think you would agree is for Still
Central and a nice win over them fifty seven forty four.
So I mean, how do you not have Catholic Central

(32:13):
head of those right now? And what's scary going back
to what I asked earlier, is I just think they're
going to be a dangerous tough out with those young
players getting more confident, more aggressive as they play with
the sophomores and everything in Larthridge. I mean, they're a
nice group and look out for them next year.

Speaker 4 (32:31):
Well, and Jack Bowen has stepped up. You know, they
don't have many seniors on that roster, and Jack Bowen
is playing well, he's starting, he's their tallest player and
he's been big for them. But these next five days
are going to be big for Chris Pearl's crew because
Friday night Tomorrow night they play Forestells Norman and say,
oh Forest's Norman's four and seven just take a little
bit closer. Luck for first of all, Forstels, Norm has
got Kyle Brown. You know, they've got Mohammed Dehabra. They've

(32:53):
got good players, they're well coached by Joe Solds, and
they played a lot of close games. You know, they
went to overtime with Greenville. I mean, they've been right
there a lot, So that's not an easy game for
Cathock Central. Saturday they played Detroit Martin Luther King at Aquitnas.

Speaker 5 (33:05):
Martin.

Speaker 4 (33:05):
King's eight and two, really good. That's a tough game.
And then Tuesday they have South Christian. Remember they're not
in the same division anymore, so we have a non
league Tuesday night game South Christian and Catholic Center, which
is going to be great for both the boys and
the girls.

Speaker 3 (33:17):
Since we're not on again until next Thursday, obviously we
can talk a little bit by the fact of how
good are those Tuesday games next week? I mentioned already
we're going to have Union Christian and Byron Center, but
Catholic Central, South Christian, I mean, the list goes on
and on.

Speaker 4 (33:32):
About Forestils Central, Hudsonville, how about East cat what's gonna
play Detroit Jesuit Trade. Jesuit's the number one team in
the state, right Now in Division one, you got Mona Shores, Whitehall. Yeah,
next Tuesday is really good.

Speaker 3 (33:42):
The Cubs. Look out for the Cubs. So my next
group of teams that are out and just to prove
how deep the boys are. You mentioned Zealand East. Keep
an eye on them. They could be a district buster
for somebody. BJ Walker, I mean, is he one of
the better players playing right now? Brady Schwartz, I know,
went off for fifty and he's got a thirty five
point game. I believe Cam Ryan's went off for thirty

(34:04):
in a game with Wayland with Brady Schwartz. But you
look at BJ Walker, I mean he's consistently going over
thirty points. And it's not just the BJ Walker show.
He's got other players around him as well.

Speaker 8 (34:14):
Well.

Speaker 4 (34:14):
They beat Forest Hill Central last Friday and Walker scored
thirty four again.

Speaker 5 (34:19):
Yep, he's done that a couple of times this year.

Speaker 4 (34:21):
And you talk about a district buster, I mean they're
in that same district with grand Haven, right, it's West Ottawa,
it's Holland as zel it's Zealand West and grand Haven.
You would look at that say grand Haven's the favorite there.
But you're right, I mean Zealand East is going to
pose a threat.

Speaker 3 (34:32):
And Grand Haven it's another team. I'm talking about nine
and three, two and two. I mean, you look at
their two losses in division play. It's to Rockford and
to Hudsonville and then Forest Hill Central. I've not seen
the Rangers yet. I know that they like to get
up and down and they can fill it up and
shoot the three. But they're one of those teams when
you look at it, you're like, how are they not
in the mix at eight and four and three and one.
It's just that's how deep it is. And we haven't

(34:53):
even talked about Whitehall with Cam Thompson.

Speaker 5 (34:56):
Well we have, I have Whitehall nine, but I'm just.

Speaker 3 (34:58):
Saying, yeah, you look at that North Muskegan another one, right,
Covenant Christian we saw how about trying to do Covenant
Christian for a second two. Jay so happy that you
talked me into picking that game for the regular season
because normally we don't get those teams until like tournament time,
but we try to if there's a matchup like that.
It was so fun and coach Keeler could have been
more cordial, and they love the fact the Defender fans

(35:20):
that we were out there. It's a packed house, great environment,
low scoring game, but the Defenders of Trinity to Christian
get it done over COVID and Christian thirty eight to thirty.

Speaker 8 (35:28):
Yeah.

Speaker 4 (35:29):
People see that score and they think, yikes, how is
there only sixty eight to I mean, just you have
to see it. I mean, both teams played just really hard,
really well defensively, just like I mean, that's how you
know they're well coached, right, because those kids played hard
and they play how they're coached, and it's impressive. It's
always a great game Trinity. I think you could kind
of see if you look at the state rankings that

(35:50):
come out from all the different sources that put them
out kind of got a boost this week. I mean
they're up to three four and most D four rankings
and they're going to be somebody's gonna have to come
take that state championship from them.

Speaker 3 (35:59):
You're looking forward to the run to the Brezilent Center
for Mark Keiler and his final go around as head
coach of the Defenders, and I tell you what, he's
going to be passing Dan Fife of Clarkston soon. As
far as the career win list getting up there, at
seven three is where Fife is at. Just a couple
of wins away for coach Keeler, weather permitting of trying
to do that insurpass him. Welcome back, and we'll wrap

(36:21):
things up with our Uptown Chiefs Skate players of the week.
Jay will announce our Lakeshore players for the girls and boys.
I'll do the same for Grand Rapids, brought to you
by your friends at Uptown Chiefs Skate. And also some
games that you might want to check out, whether it's
Friday or Saturday. And I know they've got the big
Open event that's coming to Aquinas College in the fieldhouse there.
They've been running for a few years and you've already

(36:43):
talked about some of those games. Will lay out that
schedule for you as well coming up as you're listening
to it in Week three edition of the LMCU Basketball
Blitz here on ninety six to one. The game the
final segment of the Basketball Blitz a little bit different. Now,

(37:04):
we're gonna wrap things up tonight since that Northew South
Christian Boys game is gonna tip off for a little
bit at Northfield High School again, weather permitted. As we
tape this, Taylor Johnson in the Montel Construction Coaches corner.
I had a chance to talk to him with an
abbreviate edition for a pregame we were supposed to cover
on Tuesday night. That will end our show coming up. Also,
Jay from our last segment, even though they weren't in

(37:25):
our top ten rankings, you highlighted last week that we
were gonna have on Friday night a big ok Silver
showdown on the boy's side, and we want to make
sure and cover that. Calvin Christian did win over fruit
Board sixty four forty eight, So they're a perfect five
and oh atop the Okay Silver Division, seven and five
overall and fruit Board. Keep your eye on the Trojans
still nine and three and just a game back at

(37:46):
four and one in the Okay Silver.

Speaker 4 (37:47):
You gotta give Matt Velton a lot of credit, right,
I mean, they had lost four in a row early
in the year. We're one and four, they were two
and five, and since then they've won five straight games.
They now sit alone at the top of the ok Silver.
That big win over Fruitport last Friday. You look at
this is not a typical Calvin Christian team. I mean,
they're not very big they don't mean anybody taller in
six to three. They don't start anybody taller than six two.

(38:08):
I mean Calvin Christians usually got some height and they
don't have that this year. But they have guards. You know,
will orm I'm super impressed with the way he's shooting
the basketball. And right now Calvin Christian is a team
to beat in the Okay Silver. They've really come on.

Speaker 3 (38:17):
I was gonna say one thing about Calvin Christian. Usually
their guards can shoot the basketball, and that's what the
Squires are relying upon right now atop the Okay Silver.
Nice win again for them over Fruitport last Friday night.
All Right, they're Uptown Cheapskate Players of the Week. They're
brought to you by Uptown Cheepskate locations in Granville, Kent
within on Lake Shore in Holland Uptown Chiefskate. They buy

(38:38):
what you loved yesterday, sell what you want today all
year long, clean out your closet or and cash for
your closed. Plus you can become an Uptown Insider get
monthly deals at Uptown Cheapskate dot com. I love shopping
in the sports section at Uptown Chiefs Skate. There at
the Grandville location which is closest to me. All Right, Jay,
we're gonna start on the Lake shore, and you've got
our girls player of the week.

Speaker 4 (38:58):
Yeah, we're gon go with Mia Clements Freemont. I mean,
she's been outstanding for them. You know, she averages it's
crazy stats sheet stuff for she averages nineteen a game points.
She also averages over five assists per game in over
nine rebounds a game. She does it all for the Packers,
who are eight and three. They're outstanding. You know, they're
trying to make a run at that West Michigan Conference

(39:19):
Lakes divisional. Luddington's is good there too, so she's an
outstanding player.

Speaker 3 (39:23):
Yeah, and she had a triple double that went over
Manistee seventy six forty four. She's also good at steals, Jay,
because I've never heard this combination. She went twenty one points,
twelve rebounds and then you're thinking assists or something. No,
ten steals in that game over Manistee to get her
triple double.

Speaker 4 (39:37):
So I'm wrong. Nine and two is Freemont's record. They
are nine and two, They are six and oh halfway
point of the West Michigan Conference Lakes Division, and they
are undefeated. Alone in first place. You know, they lost
to ever really good team from up north and then
they lost to Spring Lake out of the Okay Conference.
But Freemont's been outstanding this year.

Speaker 3 (39:55):
And then on the boys side.

Speaker 5 (39:56):
Yeah, so we're gonna go with Will Plumber from Grand Haven.

Speaker 4 (39:58):
You know, last Friday night, the Bucks were at West
Ottawa and you can look at West Oula's record and
say we I mean West Sidle was tough. I mean
they're good and it's not eat and West Ottawa controlled
that entire game, led the entire They on by twelve
points in the fourth quarter and Grand Haven fights back
and pulls it out. Plumber goes for Will Will Plumber
goes for twenty scores with about fifty seconds left to
break a seventy to seventy tie, and the Bucks come

(40:20):
back and win seventy three to seventy. So we're gonna
go with Will Plumber from Grand Haven.

Speaker 3 (40:23):
Those Lake Shore teams too, the rivalries go way back.
When it's West Ottawa Holland, Grand Haven Holland or Grand
Haven west Ottawa, you're in for a dog fight. And
that was a good one. Congratulations to mister Plumber and
miss clements as they are players of the week. I
also want to throw an houtable mention. You could do
this probably every week because his numbers are just eye popping.
Headed to Western though camp Thompson for Whitehall twenty two points,

(40:46):
eleven rebounds, four assists for steals, talk about a stat
stuff for in a win on Friday over Orchard View
seventy six forty two.

Speaker 4 (40:54):
And I want to give an honorable mention to Landon
Reister from Sparta thirty six Monday nights, Sparta goes to
Grant in wins. Grant was ten to zero and you'll
get sparted. They're learning to play without Mason Conklin who's
out with a knee injury, and they've had some close
losses and now down the stretch they got a close
win against a good team our.

Speaker 3 (41:11):
Grand Rapids area. Players of the week on the girls side,
Caitlin grink of Hamilton, senior forward, twenty two points come
back win over Unity Christian who you mentioned last week
on the show. What I agree with you is really
coming on on the girl side for the Crusaders. So
a nice win for Hamilton, then fifteen points in a
win over Holland for her and for the boys. Well,
we hope to see him on Tuesday night. We hope

(41:32):
to see him in the future. Carson VISs, the senior
point guard, the leader going to Western Michigan out of
South Christian. He is heating up. In January thirty three
points in a win over Wyoming. On January third, he
had thirty and win over Grand Rapids Union. I mean,
he's this that type of player, and I'm glad, as
Drew Knights would say, he's being a little bit selfish.
You know, the great players. There's times when you know,

(41:54):
I need to take over a game because you can,
and Carson VISs is doing that right now for South Christian.
Thus a seven game win.

Speaker 4 (42:00):
Yeah, and you know we're all pointing towards that district
right likely rematch with Grand Rapids Christian. You know that
Christian won that game pretty handily. First game of the
year early December. You know what will it be late
February when these two teams play again. I can't wait
for that one.

Speaker 3 (42:12):
So we were supposed to have for you South Christian
and Norfew the way the schedule played out with the postponements,
that game is about to tip off at Northview High School.
Earlier in the week had a chance to catch up
with South Christian Boys head coach Taylor Johnson, So we're
giving you a double dip of the Montel Construction Coaches
Corner to end this week three edition of the LMCU
basketball Blitz here on ninety six to one the game,

(42:35):
going to the Montel Construction Coaches Corner to talk on
our coaches before the game tonight and joining us South
Christian Boys head coach in his third season, Taylor Johnson
and coach, I know, you guys always challenge yourself early
then depending on the football players coming over, like Carson VISs,
it takes a little bit. You guys started one to
three but have rattled off seven straight wins, unbeaten. Okay,

(42:57):
goalplay before we get to what you faced with Northfiew tonight,
just how are you feeling about your team right now
in this stretch?

Speaker 7 (43:03):
Yeah, well, the biggest thing is growth, you know, That's
what we've been talking about right now. We're just trying
to grow every single day and try to get better,
a little bit better.

Speaker 8 (43:10):
Every single day.

Speaker 7 (43:11):
And you know, we don't get the preseason, we don't
get the offseason. Other team's douce which is always going
to take us a little bit harder and a little
bit longer to get things going.

Speaker 8 (43:21):
But we're finally showing some growth. We're starting to figure.

Speaker 7 (43:23):
Out where our holes are and how we correct some
of those things. So part of our guys, we're starting
to figure it out a little bit here.

Speaker 3 (43:29):
And with that said, the three losses you had earlier,
you guys started one and three. I mean Grand Rapids,
Christian Unity, Christian byrad Center. I think you'd be the
first because you're just a basketball fan like I am.
You go out to games and scout and everything when
you're off the boys basketball scene. Coach, let's be honest,
I mean very good, very deep this year like it
was last year.

Speaker 8 (43:49):
Right, It's crazy.

Speaker 7 (43:51):
I got to give a lot of these teams a
lot of credit and the coaches a lot of credit,
and the kid's a lot of credit because I mean,
I mean where we live, I'm you're just surrounded by
good teams. Hudson, call Enviyron Center and Unity and Grabs,
Christian and north View and Rockford.

Speaker 8 (44:06):
It's just I don't remember.

Speaker 7 (44:07):
Ever a time at being so deep. And then you
got teams like Grand Haven and Greenville that are off
to a great start. So it just feels like it's
so competitive.

Speaker 8 (44:18):
Everybody wants to win in boys basketball.

Speaker 7 (44:20):
I don't feel like it's like that in every sport.

Speaker 8 (44:23):
And you got to hit credit to the players and
the coaches.

Speaker 7 (44:25):
Everyone seems to be doing a pretty good job. It's
going to be a heck of a run here.

Speaker 3 (44:29):
So I mentioned you guys have won seven straight games.
You're eight and three overall, four to oh, just a
half game behind because you haven't played an extra game
like norfew has as far as the top the Okay
Gold standings. And again, before we get to the Wildcats,
I'm want to ask you something about your team and
that growth you alluded to. Carson VISs is now a senior.
Seems like he's been playing high school football and basketball forever.

(44:49):
But when I look at Carson, there's an added sense
of leadership and urgency I see in him this year.
I saw it in football as well. And I say
that because I go back to his sophomore year when
you got he has made that run to the state
title game. He missed the last couple of games because
of the injury right where he went up and he
got undercut and fell and hurt his arms. So I
look at it like, hey, as you know, you see

(45:10):
that look in the eye of seniors their last goal around, right,
But he is your leader of this team, and he
wants to get back to the Bresln Center.

Speaker 7 (45:18):
Yeah, no question. I mean he's got he's got a
lot of things still. He wants to prove and accomplish
and he's got a lot of goals and dreams and aspirations.
And that's how I want all my guys to be.
And he wants to go get it.

Speaker 8 (45:29):
And I think you're right.

Speaker 7 (45:30):
I think he's changed. His leadership skills have really stepped up.

Speaker 8 (45:33):
He's talking more.

Speaker 7 (45:34):
He's getting the guys' faces on the positive and negative side.

Speaker 8 (45:37):
Which is good to see.

Speaker 7 (45:38):
You know, sometimes being a leader, you know, you got
to say the things that nobody else wants to say.
And he's been saying those things.

Speaker 8 (45:44):
So I'm proud of him. You know, he's still got
a long way to go.

Speaker 7 (45:47):
You know, he's still the scratching the surface of the
player I think he can become. But what I love
the most about him, he is a great kid, great person.
He puts the team first. He wants to make winning plays,
he wants to be different than other players area, and
I think he's starting to do that more and more
every single day.

Speaker 8 (46:03):
So you know, senior year, he's gonna leave it all
on the line.

Speaker 7 (46:05):
And there's nobody else I want to be coaching right.

Speaker 3 (46:07):
Now, all right, And he's got the other seniors around him, right,
I mean, you look at Plume, you look at Kemper
scrolling board, they're all in the same boat. And they've
all known Carson since they were little.

Speaker 8 (46:16):
Kids, right absolutely.

Speaker 7 (46:18):
You know, we got eight seniors, we got five that
play a lot for us, and then six of branks
off the bench.

Speaker 8 (46:23):
So it's a strong group. You know, they they've been
together a long time. They've all matured.

Speaker 7 (46:30):
And grown differently and in different ways. But it's finally
like you can see it now, like you can see
everybody's strengths and like they're comfortable and their skills and
their bodies. And it's been a lot of fun just
to see these guys actually kind of come into their own.

Speaker 3 (46:44):
Coach, I love talking to you, going back to your
assistant days in college. How you dissect film, dissected team.
So give me your diagnosis of the Wildcats of Northview
led by Britty Schwartz and Cam Ryan's. I mean both
of them went off for thirty plus against Will on
the other night. They're on a two headed monster, as
you know.

Speaker 8 (47:01):
Though.

Speaker 7 (47:02):
Yeah, absolutely, I mean, obviously those two guys are gonna
be the focal point. But I think the one thing
that they don't get a lot of credit for is
their defense. If you watch the film lately, you know
all these games that they've won, these big games like
Warren Lincoln, I mean, they just get up and deny
and they make your life hard. On the defensive end,
I think it's easier for people to look around and say,

(47:22):
you know, all Schwartz and the game Ryan. They score
a lot of points, but you still got to stop somebody.
And I don't think they're getting enough credit for the defense.
They're really being up the line and doing aggressive job
switching off the ball on the ball, and I think
it's really causing a lot of teams some problems. And
then the offensive end, I think they do a good
job just mixing it up, but it's hard to tell
who's going to take the ball, whose turn is it,

(47:43):
who's going to get it, which set is for which kid,
Which makes it difficult when you got a two headed
monster like that. But the key player I think for
them is the you know, number twelve. I think what
he's been able to do on the offensive class and
rebounding his once and just kind of gives them that
third option that makes them really difficult to guard.

Speaker 3 (48:00):
When you look at the length in this game too,
I mean, not only is it going to be up
and down guys that can shoot the three, but I
just look at the size even at the guard positions
in this game. It's almost like a college game.

Speaker 7 (48:09):
Coach, Yeah, well they are.

Speaker 8 (48:11):
They're college players, you know.

Speaker 7 (48:12):
I mean how often you're going to play a high
school game and see sixty seven six.

Speaker 8 (48:16):
Four sixty three. I mean it's crazy.

Speaker 7 (48:18):
You're not going to see that, you know, And that's
why we want people to come out and watch some
great basketball. You know, if you're a Western Michigan fan,
you got two future Broncos and cam Ryans. Who knows
we're hill to end up. And you know, I think
Davis Kemper is going to be Division two player at
the end of the day. Excravel Bors had a lot
of opportunities, you know, lately's got Kuyper and Grace and
Calvin and Hope all looking at him. So you know,

(48:40):
if you like seeing college basketball players, you're gonna have
an opportunity here to see see some really good guys.
And I think you know, how often does that happen
at the high school level in West Michigan.

Speaker 8 (48:50):
I don't think that that often.

Speaker 7 (48:52):
So I think it's a graptitude for people to come
see some good basketball coach.

Speaker 3 (48:55):
Always a pleasure. Can't wait till tip off. Thanks for
joining us in the coaches corner tonight.

Speaker 8 (49:00):
You got it, man, I appreciate it.

Speaker 1 (49:01):
This has been another edition of the LMCU Basketball Blitz,
presented by Lake Michigan Credit Union and also brought to
you by J and H Family Stores, Vanderlown Home Improvement,
Kids Food Basket, Trinity Health, Sporting You Wing, Doozy Halse,
Jepson Physical Therapy Discount, Door, Straight Line, Fence, Rapid Radios, Uptown,

(49:23):
Cheapskate Stores in Granville, Kentwood and Holland, MKD Funeral Homes
and Meyer. Be sure to join us next Thursday night,
starting at six for another edition of the LMCU Basketball Blitz.
And just a reminder if you miss an episode or
want to hear one of our Game of the Week broadcasts,
go to the Trinity Health Michigan High School basketball page

(49:43):
at ninety six one, megame dot com and search under
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