Orchard View’s Darius Williams named to Associated Press first-team all-state basketball team in Division 2

By Craig Beilfuss
Local Sports Journal

A solid senior season earned Orchard View’s Darius Williams first-team honors on the Associated Press boys basketball team.

Seth Schuitema of Grant was a second-team selection, while six other local players gained honorable mention recognition.

Williams, who scored a career high 50 points against Manistee in January, averaged 22.5 points, 7.1 assists, 6.9 rebounds and 3.3 steals per game.

Other highlights for Williams included three triple-double games and one quadruple double game.

“Carried the load for our team,” Orchard View coach Nick Bronsema said. “He gave us a chance to win every night.”

It was a battle night in and night out for Williams, who was the No. 1 focus of opposing teams. The Cardinals saw a box-and 1, while Williams was face guarded on numerous occasions.

Schuitema , a four-year starter and honorable mention choice last season, led the Tigers with 22.6 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game. He finished with a career total of 1,371 points.

“At 6-6, Seth has great length to go along with his skill level as a combo guard,” Grant coach Joe Schuitema said. “As the lone returning player from last year’s team, he had to step up and mentor the juniors.”

Schuitema led the team in every statistical category while facing double teams and box and 1 defenses. His ability to create shots for his teammates while running the offense was another strong suit in Schuitema’s game.

Ludington forward Peyton LaCombe also was honorable mention. The 6-7 senior, who is heading to Michigan Tech in the fall, averaged 17 points and 8.9 rebounds per game.

“It was a blessing to have Peyton in our basketball program the past four years,” Ludington coach Thad Shank said. “It’s rare to get a player with the combination athleticism, fundamental skill, size, and intelligence that he has.

“His ability to score from behind the arc, beat people off the dribble and finish, and take people down low and play with his back to the basket made him an extremely hard guard for our opponents,” Shank said. “As good of a player that Peyton is, he’s a better person. We couldn’t ask for a better kid to be a representative of our program.”

Freshman Camden Thompson of Whitehall was another honorable mention selection. Thompson led the Vikings with 18.8 points and 13.2 rebounds per game. The Vikings advanced to the regional finals.

“I’m beyond proud of him and the work he has put in to get where he is,” Whitehall coach Christian Subdon said. “He is only a freshmen and he has already accomplished some amazing things.”

“The best part about him is that he is far from done,” Subdon said. “As soon as basketball season finished up, he was already in the gym working to better himself in the areas we identified in our offseason meetings.”

Thompson already has his sights on bigger and better things next season.

“Cam is dedicated to becoming better, not for his personal success but for the success of the team and the program,” Subdon said. “That is the attitude that is going to take him where ever he wants to go.”

Also named to the honorable mention was Fremont junior forward Jordon McDonald.

McDonald led the Packers scoring 20.3 points and 6.2 rebounds per game.

“Our school, our coaching staff, and our players are all very proud of Jordon for this well-deserved honor,” Fremont coach Adam Bowen said. “He had a tremendous year for us and was consistently one of the best players in our conference.

“He has worked very hard on his game and put a lot of hours in to get better over the past few years,” Bowen said. “He is also an excellent student and a great representative of our program, who always conducts himself with class.”

Spring Lake senior Kaden George was another honorable mention selection. George led the Lakers in scoring the past two seasons and was a first-team all-conference OK Blue selection. George averaged 15.5 points and 3.4 rebounds per game.

“I am really happy for Kaden,” Spring Lake coach Bill Core said. “He has been a big part of Spring Lake basketball for the past 3 years. Although he’s our leading scorer and go-to guy these last two years, he has evolved into a complete player. It has been a pleasure to not only coach him, but watch him play.”

Garret Wever and Ethan Jozsa, both from Oakridge, were honorable mention selections.

Jozsa led the Eagles with 17.8 points and 8 rebounds per game while Wever averaged 15.5 points and 6.8 rebounds per game.

“Both are great kids deserving of this award,” Oakridge coach Tracy Ruel said. “Ethan, and Garrett are two-time all-conference players and our leaders on our team.

“I’m very happy for these guys and how this helps our program,” Ruel said. “One thing we always talk about is leaving your mark within the program. These guys definitely left the program in a better spot.”