Homeboys: CHAP wins state crown

CHAP’s Wyatt Braatz brings the ball up against the Grand Rapids Angels’ Shawn Coad, with teammate Noah Menzel trailing in the second half of the home school state championship game.

The Lansing-area Capital Homeschool Athletic Program overcame a cold start with fearless three-point gunning from Wyatt Braatz, clutch shooting from Noah Menzel and final-minute free throws by Louis Irrer — all seniors — to beat the Grand Rapids Angels 41-35 for Michigan’s home school state championship. There were a number of college prospects in the game, most notably future Toledo Rocket Luke Maranka.

Wyatt Braatz  6-2  Sr  CHAP: His first-half three-pointers helped keep CHAP in the game, his second-half bombs gave their rally momentum. Plays like a more good-natured Marshall Henderson, with his limitless range, quick trigger and liberal shot selection, while engaged with the crowd and slapping hands with younger kids behind the bench during timeouts. A good and willing passer in the half-court. Sometimes worked hard off the ball on offense and sometimes was dialed in on defense, if he can do those consistently could be a small college player.

Shawn Coad  6-0  Jr  GR Angels: A well-known dunker, and it was easy to see how with those Dominique Wilkins calves, but he didn’t put one down in this game. More of a forward than a guard who will have a chance as he solidifies and polishes his footwork and handle.

Louis Irrer  6-3  Sr  CHAP: He’s played a lot of winning basketball over the years with Championship Sports 2019 team, which was a top five AAU club in Michigan the past three seasons. Irrer has a different look then a lot of players, operating from the high post where he can shoot it or operate to the hole. A good one-on-one scorer who passed well in transition.

Luke Maranka  6-10  Sr  GR Angels: It was one-and-done for CHAP, as Maranka towered over anyone on the court cutting off offensive rebounding options. He had 19 rebounds. Playing often away from the basket (two free throw attempts), he scored 12 points with one monumental put-back dunk. With his ball skills and big first step, resembles Holden Greiner, who went from Traverse City St. Francis to becoming an all-league forward for Lehigh.