Event Preview: The Invite

In its fourth year. The Invite returns to Calvin University’s Van Noord Arena with the usual West vs West format. The four team slate has plenty of high level players and interesting matchups.

Below is the schedule, reasons to watch, and breakout candidates for each of the four contests.

Game #1 Grandville vs Holland Christian

Reason to Watch: A big stage regular season opportunity for Anthony Richardson to cement his emerging status. The 6-5 Grandville wing has gone from a little used junior to a legitimate next level wing prospect. He put up 28 points in his season opener and appears to be carrying over his momentum from a standout grassroots campaign. Checking him will most likely be Trine (IN) commitment Jake Holcomb. They are both products of the West Michigan Premier program, so they will be familiar to each other. While the fellow 6-5 wing has the ability to make this intriguing. I will be more interested in a different matchup….

Matchup to Watch: The adage of opposites attract apply to this one. Two very good point guards. With two very different frames and games. Holland Christian’s Titus Spencer is a small “water bug” type who scores in bunches. Grandville’s Carter Wade has the rare and unique skill set that makes him a true power point guard. How will these two players with divergent styles dictate the tenor of this game. Can Spencer push the pace and neutralize Wade’s size advantage. Let’s be clear, Wade can play fast. However, coming an extended injury absence. Are the legs all the way back to try and match Spencer’s extreme speed in both transition and the halfcourt.

Breakout Candidate: Don’t have to think too hard on this. In an excellent contest loaded with next level players. Grandville’s Heyden Jeremie might be the best overall athlete on the court. And… cue the student section… “he’s a freshman.” You won’t need a program to identify the 6-3 wing. It will be the tightly wound athlete making plays all over the court and above the rim.

Game #2 Grand Rapids Christian vs Holland West Ottawa

Reason to Watch: I’m trying not to date myself with a literary or cinematic reference here. But are “The Kids Alright”.? By kids, I mean the collection of young talent at West Ottawa. They surprised last year with a district championship. Now they get to step out onto the big stage. A veritable point guard party with junior Makai Campos and sophomore JT Gill. Backed up by junior twins Jay and Sam Watson. Size and dynamism down low with 6-6 sophomore Darien Stewart. Less than seven years removed from a final game appearance. This is the Panthers chance to announce that they are fully back.

Matchup to Watch: I don’t know if I call it traditional matchup. More of a question. Who is going to stop Christian’s Carl Thompson? The 6-4 senior and IPFW commit is one of the more complete and efficient scorers in the state. I think he might have too much size for the Panther’s plethora of point guard options. If they try to guard with their size (Stewart) Do 6-7 Connor Johnson (Northern Michigan) and the Eagles big frontline feast down low?

Breakout Candidate: It’s always tempting to go with a freshman or young player here. I’m going to zag a little on this one. In August I watched Campos and Christian’s junior guard Braylon Taylor engage in quite a duel at Ferris St Elite camp. I was tempted to make that the matchup to watch. However, the best performer of that particular day flies a little more under the radar. Christian’s 6-1 senior Ajak Gieu gets lost in the shuffle of the Eagles deep rotation times. At Ferris, he showed the ability to play with anyone. With a lanky frame he plays bigger than his listed height. If the game breaks right. He could pick his spots and provide an eye-opening performance.

Game #3 Hudsonville Unity Christian vs Rockford

Reason to Watch: I’m not going to get too creative on this one. Do you want to watch two of the tallest and deepest rotations in Michigan face off? That’s what we have going on here. If you are a Calvin fan or student. You could watch the possible future of the program in action. As three of the Crusaders starters have already committed to the Knights? Do you want to watch arguably two of the top underclassmen point guards in the entire Midwest region for the Rams? (Sophomore Eli Wolfe, and Freshman Jace Opoku-Agyeman) How about a Mr. Basketball candidate in Central Michigan commitment Josh Bascom? I could keep going, but I’ll just end with this. This should be a war between two top five teams in both Division I and Division II. Enjoy

Matchup to Watch: Could go in a lot of different directions. I’m going to focus on the block. Unity’s 6-7 Owen VanderWaal turned down some scholarship opportunities to play close to home at Calvin. I’ve watched him play a lot. He does not lack for confidence. That being said, in a matchup with the Division I bound Bascom. VanderWaal could firmly establish his “D3 steal status”. That won’t be easy at all. Bascom was electric in last year’s event. With motor than ran red hot in the Rams big victory over Northview. Outside of VanderWaal. The Crusaders have more than one option to throw at the future Chippewa. Including 6-9 Luke Tubergen. Not sure if the Rams have seen this much size in the regular season yet.

Breakout Candidate: Once again, I’m not going get points for creativity on this capsule. When you are as highly touted as Jace Opoku-Agyeman. Your first big game on this type of a stage is going to grab the headlines. While Unity is known for their frontcourt size and depth. I’ve long thought senior Brogan Sherd was an underrated guard with next level athleticism. If he can slow down the Opoku-Agyeman/Wolfe duo, that could open some eyes.

Game #4 Grand Rapids Catholic Central vs Grand Rapids Northview

Reason to Watch: Last year Grand Rapids Catholic Central came into the event with a new coach after a late coaching change. Additionally, the graduation of a big time player (Phat Phat Brooks) had some expecting a step back as a program. In an overtime loss to Unity Christian, they loudly announced that they were not going anywhere as program. They carried that momentum to a state semifinal appearance.

This year it’s Northview’s turn to play that role. New head coach Brandeon Guyton has a very talented team. However, he also has transfers, underclassmen, and did not have a full summer to work these pieces in. For the second straight year Catholic is dealing with a huge loss. This one a bit more unexpected. As the knee injury sustained by Northern Michigan commitment Izaya Larthridge has forced the Cougars into a slight lineup flux as well. How will two of the bell weather programs in Grand Rapids handle these changes?

Matchup to Watch: For Northview, it starts, begins, and ends with Mr Basketball candidate and Western Michigan commitment Cameron Ryans. He has expanded his game out to the perimeter in the last four years. He might want to hit the time machine for Saturday’s matchup. I have no inside info, but I think Catholic sophomore Emani Hinkle is going to draw the short straw on Saturday. What type of challenge will that pose for Ryans. Basically, playing himself as a sophomore. Hinkle is a bull of an athlete who is skilled, athletic, and does not mind contact. Does Ryans stick out on the perimeter to combat this? Or is he going to channel his inner underclassmen and head down to the block?

Honorable Mention: I’m also excited to see Jordan McCoy and Anthony Willis face off. While it might not carry the stakes (or bruises) of the Ryans/Hinkle battle. I believe both are very underrated point guards statewide.

Breakout Candidate: If the transfer minutia is ironed out. I’m excited to see Brayden Williams back out on the court for Northview. I really liked him as young player before a serious knee injury sidelined him for an extended period. This would be quite a spot to reannounce himself as one the best point guards in West Michigan’s 2027 class.