D1 Final 4: MOP And Honorable Mentions
The Division 1 playoffs saw high level basketball played by some terrific student-athletes. In the Final 4, Warren De La Salle topped Grand Rapids Northview 59-45. On the other end of the bracket, Grand Blanc defeated Belleville 61-40. In the…
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Continue ReadingThe Division 1 playoffs saw high level basketball played by some terrific student-athletes. In the Final 4, Warren De La Salle topped Grand Rapids Northview 59-45. On the other end of the bracket, Grand Blanc defeated Belleville 61-40. In the championship game, Warren De La Salle edged an excellent Grand Blanc squad by a score of 67-58. I’m going to name a Most Outstanding Player and Honorable Mentions for the Division 1 Final 4.
You can see the Division 2, Division 3 and Division 4 MOP’s and Honorable Mentions below.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Tae Boyd Tae Boyd 6'3" | SF Grand Blanc | 2023 State MI (2023, SF, Grand Blanc)
Boyd was terrific, especially so late in the season. The dynamic wing averaged 13.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2 assists in the Final 4.
Triston Nichols Triston Nichols 6'2" | SF De La Salle | 2023 State MI (2023, SF, Warren De La Salle)
First and foremost, Nichols strength and toughness set the tone. On top of that, he averaged 12 points and 4.5 rebounds in the Final 4.
Bryce Radtka Bryce Radtka 6'8" | PF Belleville | 2022 State MI (2022, PF, Belleville)
Radtka continued his excellent playoff run in the semifinals. He finished the game with 9 points, 8 rebounds and 2 steals.
Nino Smith Nino Smith 6'0" | CG Warren De La Salle | 2023 State MI (2022, CG, Warren De La Salle)
Smith has a very viable argument for the Final 4 MOP. In the semis he finished with 16 points, 3 steals, 2 rebounds and an assist. In the title game he scored 18 points, dished out 6 assists and grabbed 3 boards.
RJ Taylor RJ Taylor 6'0" | PG Grand Blanc | 2023 State #262 Nation MI (2023, PG, Grand Blanc)
Taylor showed why he should be considered an elite lead guard in the midwest. In the first game he had 10 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Taylor went off in the title game, scorching the nets with 28 points. He also had 6 rebounds and 3 assists.
Kyler Vanderjagt Kyler Vanderjagt 6'4" | 195 lbs | SF Northview | 2022 State MI (2022, SG, Grand Rapids Northview)
Vanderjagt finished a historic career in the round of 4. He shot 5-12 from the field and 8-19 from the line finishing with 19 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists.
MOST OUTSTANDING PLAYER
Michael Sulaka Michael Sulaka 6'8" | C Warren De La Salle | 2023 State MI (2023, C, Warren De La Salle)
Sulaka has officially established himself as an elite post player in the state of Michigan. In the semifinals he shot 8-10 from the field on his way to 20 points, 8 rebounds, 4 blocks and 1 steal. In the championship game he finished with 9 points and 8 rebounds. Sulaka’s stats only tell part of the story. His interior defense was intimidating and he consistently made life difficult for offensive players in the paint. Sulaka was a district advantage for De La Salle throughout the Final 4.