So far so good in the brief Grand Haven coaching tenure of Greg Immink. After coaching the 2014-15 season at Traverse City West, the former Hudsonville and Hope standout guard finds himself closer to home. He was on the sideline as the Buccaneers were the surprise winner of a loaded tournament field for Grand Valley State’s second team camp session, knocking out Class B state champion Wyoming Godwin Heights in the final 60-56.
Grand Haven doesn’t have a dominant D1 player, but does have depth and size. 5-10 senior Drew Hewitt is both a shot and penetration threat at point guard. 6-5 senior Zach Sinke is burly enough to impact in the lane and has an easy touch from 20. He banked in the game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer as the Bucs got past Muskegon in the tournament semifinals. Sinke gives Grand Haven bookend posts along with 6-7 junior Ross Koella. Koella is athletic and pursues tough rebounds. He’s like former Bucs center Nate VanArendonk in that he has rare physical tools, you just wish there was always the motor to match. 6-4 Zac Holman gives Grand Haven a smooth, athletic wing, and some length along with 6-5 junior Drew Van Andel.
Here are more outanding prospects, from other teams competing at Grand Valley.
Sy Barnett 6-2 Jr Charlotte: He was dominant against Allendale, and even against Muskegon it was Barnett who flashed the most athletic play of the game when he threw a Big Reds shot attempt off the backboard. Can shoot well past the arc. At 6-2, strong and vertical, he’s more wing than guard right now.
Jacob Boonyasith 6-1 So Jenison: As a freshman he was probably already Jenison’s best player but didn’t want to rock the boat. Now he’s the clear leader with the ball in his hands and when at his best, Boonyasith favors his coach David Kool in more than just the haircut. He plays with a nice shot/drive/pass balance and consistently beat older players one-on-one. Jenison was knocked out of bracket play by Lowell as the Wildcats’ young guard got looks but struggled to finish. Jenison starts two sophomores, as 6-4 Colton Ritsema at times looks like a young Matt Kingshott at the 4.
Jermaine Goliday 6-2 Jr Muskegon: Microwave scorer off the bench for the Big Reds. Not especially skilled and a good not great athlete, yet Goliday gets into the paint at will and is a layup machine. His deep shot continues to improve and what really impressed was the number of easy layups he got for his teammates from his penetration and dishes. He’s strong through the shoulders and shows some toughness on the glass. Right now some of his older teammates may be more vested defensively, when Goliday finds the fire on that end too really good things could ensue.
Anthony McIntosh 6-2 Sr Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills: Ottawa Hills may have lost its highest ranked prospect, junior forward James Beck, to Grand Rapids Christian but their best player right now regardless would have been McIntosh. He’s a sneaky dunker but one defenders will remember once he does, and sets it up with a sound if not pure three-point shot. Not a point guard but an unselfihs passer. When Mac is full auto on the defensive end is where he really starts to separate himself from the typical high school 20 ppg kid.
Lamar Norman 6-1 So Wyoming Godwin Heights: Godwin has a good chance to repeat in Class B because of an elite high school backcourt: senior slasher Leon Redd, lefty junior point guard Christian Rodriguez and this sophomore star. The heir apparent to Delaney Blaylock at Godwin, Norman has been on fire ever since the Class B state championship game, which carried over all spring for the Mustangs in 15U AAU. No one in the 2018 class has more hair, and there aren’t 10 with more game. In the closing minute against East Kentwood, Norman made the go-ahead bucket on put-back then chased Rodriguez’ two ice-time free throws with a pair of his own. There has been an uptick in his athletic ability, as he could dunk on the break and now he’ll catch alleyoops. Thrives in the pitch-and-shoot setups Godwin is known for, but also has the ability to create and shoot off the dribble. Tends to float and leak too much on defense, and will have to become a leader on that end, too, as an upperclassman.
Michael Peterson 6-6 Sr Rockford: He didn’t play Saturday when Rockford was knocked out by Godwin, but looked good Friday. Mike Pete has some heretofore unknown meat on his frame which made his curls that much more dangerous. He’s strong off the ball overall and cuts with purpose. Peterson has a significant wingspan making him a poor man’s Chris Hass, pullup shot his most reliable weapon. Could easily see him playing again in the Lakers gym, for the home team or GLIAC opponent.
Tony Poljan 6-7 Sr Lansing Catholic Central: Minnesota’s answer to Ben Rothlisberger, if he stuck to hoops Poljan would be a top 10 senior and he was the best individual 2016 talent at GVSU. Despite how big and strong he’s gotten, he hasn’t lost his shooting touch. He’ll beat you as a passer under physical duress not just at Ford Field, but from the low or high post.
Micah Rosser 6-4 Sr East Kentwood: He can make so inspiring and then equally frustrating plays in such a short period of time. Mike Ross will hit an impossible scoop shot, then short-arm an easier layup. This roller coaster climaxed at the end of EK’s elimination loss to Godwin Heights. Rosser has all kinds of length on defense, and is fast and effective pushing the ball. He needs to play lower in the halfcourt and gain not just physical but overall toughness for the next level.
Ryan Stevens 6-1 Sr Lowell: Vastly underrated player whose physicality, athleticism and confidence show wrestling isn’t the only winter sport where the benefits of being Lowell’s QB carry over. He and junior guard Matt Beachler give the Red Arrows one of Michigan’s elite backcourts as both can stretch defenses and beat you off the bounce to score or pass. They led Lowell to the semifinals at Grand Valley, where they fell in a close one to Godwin Heights. Stevens plays like David Krombeen, a former Hope standout via Grandville, with an offensive game based on a big first step, easy direction changes and the right choices once his man his on his hip … or even further behind. And you gotta love the money entry passes.
Jordan Weber 6-1 Sr East Jordan: While EJ may have been the most obscure in-state school in the field, the talent at Grand Valley was such that even the Red Devils featured a college prospect. Coach’s son is a volume shooter with the results to justify it. Still undetermined which will give out first, Weber’s shooting range, or shooting conscience? Playing in the middle of East Jordan’s zone doesn’t alleviate concerns of his ability to check players in the MIAA or WHAC.
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