Region #3 Preview: The OK “Dread” Invitational

Regional #3 at the cavernous Holland West Ottawa Gymnasium is shaping up to be one of the most competitive regionals in the entire state. As the title implies. It’s largely due to the presence of three teams from the OK Red conference. The west side version of Detroit Catholic League was stacked with competitive teams from nearly top to bottom. 

2015 was the last time the regional was in this location. It produced one of the more electric non-Breslin atmospheres I have witnessed. The defending state champion Muskegon Big Reds took on an undefeated Forest Hills Central squad led by then sophomore Xavier Tillman. A standing room only crowd witnessed a duel between Tillman and Mr Basketball winner Deyonta Davis. The future Spartan standouts and NBA players traded dunks and blocks as the gym was buzzing through the whole contest. 

The nightcap of Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills and Hudsonville could not live up to that atmosphere. However 48 hours later Hudsonville would put a four—that’s right four overtime scare into Muskegon in the final. That makes for a long introduction but that information will be relevant momentarily. 

That regional was also a seminal moment for high school basketball in West Michigan. Both Muskegon and Hudsonville head coaches Keith Guy and Eric Elliot were early in their respective tenures. They would meet the following year in the same round with the Eagles emerging victorious that time. Also in that time frame Xavier Tillman transferred to Grand Rapids Christian. Establishing a resurgence in that program that continues to this present day. 

Speaking of this present day. That brings us to this years iteration. Same gym. Similar group of good teams with young talent that will not be going anywhere in the near future. Let’s do a deep dive into the field and pick the winners. 

Rockford vs Hudsonville @5:30

The early game will feature two OK Red squads with seven losses. However don’t let the records fool you. The conference is obviously difficult and both teams were aggressive in their non conferences slates. 

The Rams are coming in hot with a dramatic victory over favored Grand Rapids Northview on their home court. They are a balanced and deep unit that does not feature one particular player. The heartbeat of the team is found in the senior forward tandem of Charlie Deutsch and Caden Pokorzynski. 

Deutsch (6-5) is a “jack of all trades” forward who has committed to play at Olivet. There are not many weaknesses in his game. Good passer who can initiate offense. Also has a soft touch from the perimeter if defenders try to sag off into passing lanes. Has greatly improved his athleticism and frame in his senior campaign as well. Speaking of athleticism. Ladies and gentlemen…. Caden Pokorzynski. Might be the best overall athlete in the four team field. 6-7 with a condor like wingspan. Covers so much space on both ends of the court. Easily plays well above the rim. He is the Rams X factor. 

However good teams usually have multiple X factors. Another would be the outside shooting of junior Oakland baseball (college not A’s) commit Andrew Landis. Has shown a flair for the dramatic in his short career. Kicked off the season with 32 points in a win over Grand Rapids Catholic Central. Also had half court game winning buzzer beater last year as well.

Hudsonville is a similar team in terms of both personnel and style. The Eagles heart and soul is found in Ferris St football commit Mason Dykstra. Dykstra is not as versatile offensively as Deutsch. However he is a player with high intangibles. Many of his contributions (i.e punishing screens) won’t show up in a box score. The X factor is found in junior forward Breylen McPhaul. Like Pokorzynski has tons of length and athletic upside. However he is a grade younger and not quite as big or dynamic at this point of his development.

If the Deutsch/Dykstra and Pokorzynski/McPhaul matchups cancel each other out. The game might be decided in the backcourt. Here is where Hudsonville could have the advantage. When the outside shot is falling for junior point guard Brayden Szamrej (pictured) He shows a pretty complete point guard package. Good size at 6-1, a tight handle, and next level court vision. Excels at passing off the dribble with one hand. About that outside shot. Has an unorthodox release and I would still categorize him as streaky. But when it streaks— boy does it streak. On multiple instances in both AAU and regular season play I have seen him get red hot with deep range. 

Pick: Old basketball cliche alert— it’s hard to beat a good team three times. Rockford has defeated Hudsonville twice. They did it by a combined four points. That is a razor thin margin. Hudsonville has had an easier road to their district crown. Only playing twice and winning by somewhat comfortable margins. The Rams had to win three games on their home court. The last two being close emotional wins. You can probably tell which way I’m leaning. By slimmest of margins. I’m going go with Hudsonville.

Muskegon vs East Kentwood @7:00

Muskegon is the only non OK Red participant. However with a 22-2 record against a gauntlet schedule. The Big Reds are the unquestioned favorite in the field. They are led by the GLIAC bound backcourt of Jordan Briggs (Wayne St) and Anthony Sydnor (Ferris St). They are arguably the top backcourt in the entire state. They have size in the paint in junior Terrance Davis (6-6) among others. Additionally they have scoring on the wing with Grand Rapids Union transfer junior Montrel Oliver (6-4). I haven’t even mentioned Aquinas commit point guard David Day III. I described the teams in the opener as deep. I need a thesaurus for this lineup. This is an unplumbed unit that is going to be tough to beat. 

Believe it or not. A six loss East Kentwood squad just might have more talent than Muskegon. The catch to that statement? The talent is simply younger. If Briggs and Syndnor are the best backcourt in the state. The Falcons duo of Jah Hatchett and Darryl Thompkins Jr are arguably the best sophomore version. It’s not all youth either. Senior Marshaun Flakes can play with anyone. Earning first team all conference honors as well. The X factor for EK is 6-9 junior Christian Humphrey–Rembert. A nationally ranked prospect who simply hasn’t had a ton of reps with this unit after transferring from La Lumiere Prep (IN). After his late transfer he also missed some time with an ankle injury. If Humphrey-Rembert gets going he presents a big time matchup problem for anyone in the field. 

Coaching matters in March. Keith Guy’s extensive resume is going to break most ties in West Michigan. Not many can match his long record of success at two schools. The Falcons first year head coach Mike Thomas II can. Thomas has won state championships at both Grand Blanc and Kalamazoo Central (2x) The thesis of this article is how tough the OK Red is. Who ended up winning the league? That would be East Kentwood. This is going to be a heavyweight matchup with multiple players who are going to play at the next level. 

Pick: After that’s last paragraph it might appear I’m leaning towards East Kentwood. It’s definitely a consideration. When in doubt I lean on experience. While Muskegon is older in terms of raw numbers. They have also played more games together as a unit. Beyond four years in the regular season. Briggs and Sydnor were frequent AAU running mates as well. That a lot of chemistry and muscle memory to overcome. Muskegon in a close one.

Final Pick: Could we get another multi OT classic similar to the last time Muskegon and Hudsonville faced off in this gym? That would be nice and the symmetry would make it a compelling story. However this just feels like Muskegon’s year. Kalamazoo Central might have something to say about it in the next round. But the Big Reds should be through the regionals.

The Future

I want to close be returning to the opening paragraph. The 2015 regional portended emerging programs and new rivalries. Not only is this a talented field. It is brimming with young talent. If you were to include the Grand Rapids Northview program. I would say this regional is gong to look pretty similar and rotate among those fab five programs for the foreseeable future. Just a brief overview to wrap this up. For brevity I’m just going to focus on underclassmen.

Rockford: The Rams also feature standout sophomores in Lucas Pitsch (6-5) and Michael DeKuiper (6-0)

Hudsonville: Good sophomores in Joey Miller and Griffin Baker. However the future really pops with freshman guard Jovaan Daniels. Daniels is electric with the ball in his hands and is just missing size.

East Kentwood: Hatchett and Thompkins will have help the next two years. Sophomores Landon Storms and Jaden Bowman. To go along with freshmen Randy Chapman and Ahmad Edmonds

Muskegon: While the pick the win it will need to reload a bit. The cupboard will be far from bare. Sophomores Elija Langston (6-7) and Keashaun Johnson (6-4). Along with freshmen James Martin (6-3) and point guard Arquez Petty.