Event Preview: The Invite

After a successful maiden voyage. The Invite presented by the Grand Rapids Storm organization returns for a second year to Calvin College this Saturday. The ambitious four game slate will utilize a shot clock and feature many of the top players and programs from the West Michigan region. Following is a preview of each contest.

Hudsonville Unity Christian vs Grandville

This one will be about size. Due to injury Unity will be missing some size. However they are the the type of program that always has more in reserve. Senior guard TJ Fisher is one of the more underrated players in the region, if not the state. Coming off an outstanding summer with the West Michigan Lakers. He should be primed for a big senior campaign. However Unity always features a balanced and deep attack. Beyond Fisher watch out for Colin Nieuwenhuis. Nieuwenhuis is coming off a 32 point performance in a victory against Covenant Christian.

**Correction: the injuries keep coming for the Crusaders, TJ Fisher will be out with an injury as well. Wishing him a speedy recovery from a scary injury**

I mentioned size in the beginning of this piece. Grandville might be one of the biggest teams in the state. It starts with 6-8 Grand Valley commitment Cameron Regnerus. He has been one of the best rim protectors you will see anywhere for a few years running. As he enters his senior season, the offensive game is continuing to diversify and take shape. Finishing at the rim will never be a problem. The size goes well beyond just Regnerus. Corbin Heckman (6-6) provides girth to go along with the extreme length of Regnerus. Even the guards are big for the Bulldogs. Colin Heyboer is an emerging 6-5 junior who posted 18 points in the opener. While Caden Naves is a transfer from the Indianapolis area who runs about 6-4 as well

Hudsonville vs Grand Rapids Christian

This should be a good one. Two balanced and deep squads. I’m looking at the point guard matchup for this contest. Fresh off a commitment to Division II Tiffin University in Ohio. Hudsonville’s Brayden Szamrej is one the best passer you will see anywhere. In working with players in the past. There is often a sense of relief and freedom when a recruitment is settled going into a season. If Szamrej is playing loose that could be trouble for Christian. As he can find passing lanes that most other players simply can’t see.

However across the way will be his grassroots teammate Malachi Hooser. Coming off a football injury. Hooser is good enough to play somewhere at the next level as well. He leads a Christian offense that has weapons all over the court. The headliner is 6-8 Toledo commit Jaylan Ouwinga. Complementing Ouwinga is 6-5 wing Nate Johnson. An electric 6-5 athlete who lives above the rim. Hudsonville is not very big. Can the 6-4 duo of Braylan McPhaul and Joey Miller keep Christian off the boards? I think that will be the one of keys to the game.

As an aside. The basketball history geek in me can’t ignore the irony. Hudsonville head coach Eric Elliot is going to be on the sidelines wearing a shirt with an “H” on it. However in this gym it just might say HOPE.

Grand Rapids South Christian vs Rockford

Two schools with storied football and basketball traditions facing off. Last year South Christian was still getting their sea legs after winning a football state championship. They went back again this year. However with the MHSAA flip flopping the start of the season. They will have a little more time to get ready. Additionally the Sailors dropped their opener to the aforementioned Grand Rapids Christian squad.

I wouldn’t bet on Carson Vis losing many more this year. He is simply put, just a special athlete and competitor. Delivered a Superman (no other way to describe it) performance in a losing effort at Ford Field. He is explosive athletically and an ambidextrous finisher at the rim. The killer V’s are back for one more run as senior Jake Vermaas will run the point for the Sailors.

Like South Christian, Rockford is making a repeat appearance at The Invite. Last year they pulled the upset by defeating Grand Rapids Catholic Central. After graduating a portion of their rotation they will look to surprise once again. Last year’s star of the event Andrew Landis is back for the Rams. The Oakland baseball commit dropped a thirty piece on one of the better defensive backcourts you will see. What might he have in store for an encore?

I will also be watching the health of Rockford juniors Michael DuKuiper and Lucas Pitsch. Last time I saw them. They were sustaining injuries in a quarterfinal playoff loss to Davison on the gridiron. They are both talented and should be in line for a bigger role after contributing last year as sophomores. Speaking of sophomores, also keep an eye on 2026 prospect Jake Bascom. I really liked his versatility at a handful of elite camps in the fall. With their enrollment and tradition. The Rams don’t rebuild, they just reload.

** Update: Michael DuKuiper is expected to play, while Lucas Pitsch is most likely out a little while longer**

**Since I’m in an updating/correction mode— not long after originally posting. Jake Vermaas committed to Grand Valley St to play football**

Grand Rapids Northview vs GRCC

The headlining contest should have the gym buzzing at a fever pitch. Two top five seniors facing off. Both looking to make early Mr Basketball cases. It isn’t going to get much better than Durral “Phat Phat” Brooks and EJ Ryans. Possibly the highest profile matchup in the state this year. The matchup is accented by their contrasting styles. Brooks is tightly wound an old school defensive dynamo who impacts games through ferocity and intensity.

Ryans is a long and lean pass first point guard whose effect on a game goes far beyond just a stat line. He is a consummate floor general who has plenty of weapons at his disposal. Starting with his younger brother Cam Ryans. One of the top prospects statewide in the 2026 class. The younger Ryans has the opposite body type of his brother—stocky and strong. The dissimilarities don’t stop there. Cam is scorer with a nose for the basket. He likes contact and at a 6-3 can score from anywhere on the court. Also watch out for 6-5 junior Brady Swartz. A smooth shooting perimeter prospect. Additionally Northview has a lauded freshman class. It will interesting to see what their level of contribution will be on this big stage.

For the Cougars, you know what you are going to get from Brooks. Can Carter Meerman step into the Kaden Brown role for the Cougars this year? Early returns from the summer would say yes. It will be interesting to see what assignment the bouncy Ferris St commit draws. Catholic had a small frontline last year. They will be bigger and more dynamic this year. Juniors Jack Bowen (6-6) and Isaiah Hamlet (6-7) should lead the charge there. However don’t discount an athletic member of Catholic’s state championship football squad from stepping into the rotation as well.

**Correction: Isaiah Hamlet will not be playing for Grand Rapids Catholic this season**