25 Fantastic Finals Performances
In this article:
A select few teams brought home District Championship trophies last night. It’s tough to win a title without some big individual games, so here are a few of the top performances from the championship games. Derek Bolton III Derek Bolton…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingA select few teams brought home District Championship trophies last night. It’s tough to win a title without some big individual games, so here are a few of the top performances from the championship games.
Derek Bolton III Derek Bolton III 6'4" | CG Roseville | 2022 State MI (2022, CG, Roseville)
Bolton III was electric in a district title winning game. He finished with a double-double, scoring 28 points and grabbing 11 boards. Bolton III added 3 assists as well.
Jalend Brock Jalend Brock 6'3" | SF Bendle | 2022 State MI (2022, SF, Bendle)
The Bendle program is back and they stamped it with a district trophy. Brock was excellent in the title game, finishing with 23 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists.
Kaden Brown Kaden Brown 5'10" | PG Grand Rapids Catholic Central | 2023 State MI (2023, PG, Grand Rapids Catholic Central)
Grand Rapids Catholic Central continued their quest for a repeat state championship by collecting the district title trophy last night. Brown scored a game high 26 points, dished out 6 assists and added 5 steals. Brown has got it done all season, and could be considered for a statewide MVP this season.
Daquan Coleman Daquan Coleman 6'2" | CG Bendle | 2022 State MI (2022, PG, Bendle)
Bendle advanced, giving college coaches another chance to watch one of the most talented unsigned seniors in the state. He’s going to make a college coach very happy someday. Coleman had 21 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 assists.
Ayden Davis Ayden Davis 6'9" | C Onsted | 2024 State MI (2024, C, Onsted)
Man, this kid is GOOD. His older brother Austin had a terrific basketball career at the University of Michigan. In my opinion, Ayden has as much, if not more, upside in his game. Davis controlled the paint with 28 points, 13 rebounds, 6 blocks, and 2 assists.
Robert Davis Jr. (2022, G/F, Hamtramck)
Hamtramck advanced to the regional final by defeating Grosse Pointe South 53-40. Davis Jr. went off, scoring 26 points and also getting 4 steals. He’s a matchup nightmare that will be tough to stop at any stage of the playoffs.
Thomas Dillard Iv Thomas Dillard Iv 6'4" | SF Kalamazoo Central | 2022 State MI (2022, G/F, Kalamazoo Central)
Dillard IV was key in a 69-41 victory against Coldwater. He finished with 18 points in the contest. Dillard’s ability to set the tone defensively makes all the difference.
Brady Ewing Brady Ewing 6'7" Petoskey | 2022 MI (2022, PF, Petoskey)
Petoskey picked a W in a 48-42 instant classic against Traverse City Central. Ewing came out firing and had an unforgettable championship performance finishing with an eye-popping 31 points.
Grant Gondrezick Grant Gondrezick 6'2" | PG Benton Harbor | 2023 State MI (2022, PG, Benton Harbor)
Benton Harbor defeated Berrien Springs 82-42. Gondrezick was on fire, finishing the game with 34 points. Gondrezick is one of the most talented players in the state, and with the talent around him, don’t be surprised if Benton Harbor is the last man standing.
Jeremiah Henderson Jeremiah Henderson 6'0" | PG Detroit PershingArts & Media | 2022 State MI (2022, PG, Detroit Pershing)
I don’t have his stats from last night, but I don’t need them. Pershing needed a big bucket late and Henderson delivered a triple to take a 1 point lead with just over 20 seconds remaining. The triple ended up as the game winner.
Ethan Hill Ethan Hill 6'8" | PF Muskegon | 2022 State MI (2022, PF, Muskegon)
Muskegon defeated Coopersville by a score of 69-43. Hill was the difference maker in the game as Coopersville had no answer for him in the paint. He finished the game with 17 points.
Jack Hollebeck (2022, SF, Calvin Christian)
Calvin Christian battled it’s way to a district championship in a hard fought win over Covenant Christian. Hollebeck gritted his way to a team high 20 point performance.
Ryan Hurst Ryan Hurst 6'2" | SG North Farmington | 2023 State MI (2023, SG, North Farmington)
North Farmington won the district title by beating Livonia Stevenson 77-54. Hurst scorched the nets finishing with a dominating 36 point performance. If Hurst continues at this pace, it might be a bit before North Farmington is done.
Joe Lung (2022, PG, Fulton)
Fulton was going on all cylinders in a 75-49 victory against Webberville. Lung’s huge night set the tone. He finished the game with 23 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists.
Kenneth Morrast Jr. (2023, CG, Ecorse)
Morrast was terrific in his team’s district final win. He scored 25 points while dishing out a crisp 6 assists. Morrast is a highly talented and very underrated player and prospect.
TJ Nadeau TJ Nadeau 6'5" | SF Detroit Catholic Central | 2024 State MI (2024, SF, Detroit Catholic Central)
DCC brought home the title with a 44-34 win over Walled Lake Northern. Nadeau was terrific, leading the way with a game high 21 points. He was efficient and effective as a scorer all night.
Malik Olafioye Malik Olafioye 6'2" | PG Ecorse | 2023 MI (2023, PG, Ecorse)
I’ll say it till I’m blue in the face, Ecorse has a superstar, VERY good talent around him, and a legitimate shot at a state title. Olafioye dominated the district finals with 25 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists. Keep doubting him, he dares you.
Nate Pierson Nate Pierson 5'11" | SG Plymouth Christian | 2023 State MI (2023, CG, Plymouth Christian)
Plymouth Christian won a district title in impressive fashion defeating Central Academy 72-49. Pierson played a key role in the win, scoring 21 points in the contest.
Phil Ragan Iii Phil Ragan Iii 6'2" | CG University Of Detroit Jesuit And Academy | 2022 State MI (2022, CG, UD Jesuit)
Ragan’s numbers weren’t huge, but Jesuit needed him badly in order to take home the title. He responded with an excellent game on both ends of the floor, finishing with 14 points. Ragan’s performance are what the playoffs are all about.
Trent Rice Trent Rice 5'10" | SG Marine City Cardinal Mooney | 2023 State MI (2023, SG, Marine City Cardinal Mooney)
Cardinal Mooney won the district title for the second straight season. Rice scored a game high 24 points, pacing his team in their electric offensive performance.
Jordan Scott Jordan Scott 6'3" | PG Plymouth Christian | 2023 State MI (2023, PG, Plymouth Christian)
Plymouth Christian collected a district title trophy last night and Scott set the pace early. He finished the game with 31 points, dominating the first half with 27 of his 31.
Kyler Vanderjagt Kyler Vanderjagt 6'4" | 195 lbs | SF Northview | 2022 State MI (2022, SG, Northview)
Northview defeated a tough and talented Rockford squad by a score of 71-48. Vanderjagt was borderline unstoppable in the game, racking up a game high 29 points.
Hutch Ward Hutch Ward 6'8" | PF Kalamazoo Central | 2023 State MI (2023, F, Kalamazoo Central)
Kalamazoo Central was terrific in an impressive win against Coldwater. Ward went off on the offensive end. He finished the game with 27 poits, burying jumpers off the catch and off the dribble.
Elisha Warren Elisha Warren 6'0" | PG Woodhaven | 2022 State MI (2022, CG, Woodhaven)
Woodhaven won over Carlson 70-46 and Warren led the way. He hit all corners of the stat sheet finishing with 25 points, 9 boards, 4 steals, and 2 assists.
James Wright James Wright 6'3" | PF Summit Academy | 2023 State MI (2023, PF, Summit Academy)
Summit Academy defeated Flat Rock and brought home the district championship. Wright stood out with his solid double-double. He finished the game with 15 points and 11 rebounds.