Class A Semi-Final: Recap and Top Performers
Today marked the final day of semi-final action, with a pair of games for both Class A and Class B taking place at the Breslin Center in East Lansing. Here’s a recap of the Class A semi-final action:
Clarkston vs Warren De La Salle (12:00pm)
If anyone is still doubting whether or not Foster Loyer deserved Mr. Basketball, he showed yet again why he was more than worthy of receiving the prestigious award. Loyer was hot from the jump, out-scoring De La Salle 12-4 all by himself in the first few minutes. He would match this 1v5 dominance, equaling De La Salle’s 26 points at the half. He would finish with 42 and Clarkston would cruise to it’s second straight finals appearance. Though it was the Foster Loyer
show Clarkston won the game 74-49, so there wasn’t too many positives for De La Salle in this one. However, dual-sport standout Luke Pfromm had a notable game, scoring 17 points, most of which came in the second half. Jordan Winowiecki, a 6’5″ wing who holds offers from Siena Heights, Concordia and Aquinas, was also in double figures with 12 points.
West Ottawa vs Novi (2:00pm)
This was the better of the two Class A games on the day, as it was competitive all the way until the final seconds. Anybody who has seen the two teams play this season knows this was a clash of styles, as Novi thrives in speed-it-up, run and gun type games where they can utilize their three scholarship guards to their advantage. West Ottawa, however, is one of the best defensive teams in the state and has sound, fundamental half-court offense. The later would get the upper hand, as West Ottawa defeated Novi 53-50 in a game that went back-and-forth throughout. West Ottawa got big performances from Miami (OH) baseball commit Ty Bosma, who posted 13 points and 12 rebounds, Ferris State football and basketball commit Xavier Wade who netted 13 points, and Drew Pedersen, who had 12 points on 4 timely threes. Bosma carried West Ottawa with 11 of the team’s 25 points in the first half. Pedersen’s final made three pointer would prove to be the game-changer coming down the stretch of the fourth quarter, as it gave West Ottawa momentum they’d never relinquish.
For Novi, the star of the tourney up to this point has been Oakland commit Tray Maddox, who’s now famous game-winner punched their ticket to this game. In this game, however, he struggled, posting 13 points on 4-14 shooting. Novi was able to find success early on feeding big man Tariq Woody, who finished with 14 points and 16 rebounds. Sharpshooters Jio Miles and Nik Williams made some big three pointers in the final minutes, however, it wouldn’t be enough as West Ottawa would put the game away with solid free throw shooting.