LBI West Michigan Scrimmage Recap

Grand Rapids, MI – The West Michigan Mega Scrimmage was held at East Grand Rapids High School this past Saturday. 24 teams from all parts of the state came ready to play. For every minute of the nine hour event, players and coaches put their hard work to the test. It’s always a pleasure to see good basketball. This will definitely be an interesting season!

Wayland Union (Class B)

Wayland hasn't missed a beat from the departure of all-state guard Presley Hudson.  After a good showing on Saturday, their 2-2-1 press will still be the backbone of their defense. The Wildcats ability to get out in the open floor will allow them to compete for the OK-Gold championship. This will be a tough week for the Wildcats to start their season, facing Rockford and Wyoming. These games will show what they are made of.

Hudsonville (Class A)

Hudsonville is looking like the team to beat in the Ottawa- Kent Red Conference. Shaina Debesten and Chloe Guingrich are monsters inside. Kasey Desmit did a great job getting to the paint and feeding her post or hitting the floater. With good post and guards the eagles will be a tough team to beat.

Saginaw Arthur Hill (Class A)

Coach Sanders is looking at this year as a rebuilding year but he has some athleticism and youth to do it. The Lumberjacks were very scrappy and played with a lot of heart, the same way their coach played when he was leading their city rival, the Saginaw High Trojans. Junior Krystaun Boykins got to the rack at will and was great at breaking opponents press.

Muskegon (Class A)

The Big Reds looked destined to be a team contending for the Ottawa Kent-Black championship. With Mardrieka Cook moving to the point enabled her to have opportunities for herself and her teammates. The Big Reds have the size and speed to make a run in March.

Lansing Waverly (Class A)

Alicia Smith pretty much owned the paint the entire afternoon. Waverly thrives off her block shots and ability to outlet and lead the break. Waverly has a lot of size and is very tough in their matchup zone, which gave opponents fits all afternoon.

East Grand Rapids (Class A)

Coach Melton's Pioneers were impressive this weekend and played with a lot of grit, toughness and heart. 5’11” Micki Ivy did a good job defending the opposing team's best player. Nicki Ezeh and Onika Berkley brought also brought a lot of energy on the defensive end. The OK-White will be tough with the addition of All-State returner Megan Belke in January.  The Pioneers look to make a run in March.

Catholic Central (Class B)

Nothing else is on the Cougars mind but getting to the Breslin in March. Saturday afternoon showed what they were made of. After playing great ball against Flat Rock, they to face a very disciplined and tough Stevensville Lakeshore team. Sophia Karasinski made tough plays down the stretch for the cougars. Shai Huggins was electrifying in the open floor. The young kids off the oak, Mauriya Barnes, Abby Teppe, and Jakari Alven allow CC to not lose a beat.

Stevensville Lakeshore (Class A)

With great team play and toughness Stevensville Lakeshore will look to repeat as Southwest Michigan Athletic Conference Champs. After strong display vs Catholic Central, they showed that they have what it takes to get through a tough district that includes a very athletic and hungry Kalamazoo Central team. We will be on the lookout for Lakeshore as they were one of two teams to upset Benton Harbor last season.

Marshall (Class B)

Marshall looked very poised and under control on Saturday afternoon. The timing and ball movement showed why this team was 23-2 last season. They are with almost every player returning for the next 2 seasons. Marshall had three close games this past weekend with Forest Hills Central, Grosse Pointe South and Flat Rock, but their experience was able to get them through tough possessions. Expect Coach Konkle’s team to be in the state’s top 10 all year and a chance to get to East Lansing in March.