Muskegon Big Reds get by Kalamazoo Central, 67-60

By Tom Westerholm
Local SportsJournal.com

MUSKEGON– Terrance Davis was winded.

It was only the second quarter in Tuesday’s regular-season finale between Muskegon and Kalamazoo Central, but the junior had just put together one his best stretches of the season, helping Muskegon stay attached against a talented Kalamazoo squad that pulled ahead by as many as seven in the second quarter. Davis’ work in the post was tiring, but it helped trim the deficit back down to two.

So with under a minute remaining in the first half, Davis went to the free throw line holding both hands on top of his head, breathing hard. 

“With bigs, we have to understand they are rim running for us and they are banging inside, so we try to get him in and get him out,” Muskegon coach Keith Guy said. “But he was playing so well, I’m like, ‘You know what, you’ve got to suck it up and play. You’re 17 years old. You’re not going to a factory to work, you’re coming to basketball. So suck it up and play.’”

Davis was a crucial piece of the puzzle for the Big Reds, as they pulled away for a 67-60 victory in their final game of the regular season, avenging last year’s loss to Kalamazoo on the road. Early in the game, Muskegon missed a number of open 3-pointers.

Davis, however, saw a mismatch against Kalamazoo freshman big man Isaiah Theodile right away, scoring a put-back layup in the first minute – the first two of his 17 points.

“I just had the mindset like ‘Oh yeah, he’s not going to be able to stop me,’” Davis said. “As long as I keep getting the ball and keep going up strong and getting to the spot I wanted to get to.”

For much of the second and third quarters, Muskegon fed Davis. He scored on several putbacks and post-ups, including two in a row in the third quarter that brought the Big Reds to within one.

Then senior guard Jordan Briggs took over. He scored eight of his 25 points in the third quarter, including a turnaround jumper that drew a foul as well, putting Muskegon up 41-39. On the ensuing possession, Muskegon full-court pressed the Maroon Giants into a turnover, and Briggs buried a 3-pointer in transition. The crowd erupted. 

“It was really a playoff atmosphere,” Briggs said. “Fans were loud, players were hyped, everybody was energized.”

Both Theodile and senior wing Hutch Ward went 1-for-2 at the free-throw line for Kalamazoo Central at the start of the fourth quarter while Briggs buried a jumper and fellow senior guard Anthony Sydnor III finished off a layup, allowing Muskegon to build its lead to seven. 

From there, most of the rest of the game took place at the free-throw line where Briggs finished 10-for-11. Senior guard David Day III added 6-for-6 shooting at the line in the fourth quarter as well. A defensive mistake in the final minute gave Ward a 3-pointer that brought Kalamazoo Central to within six, but the Big Reds’ steady free-throw shooting clinched the win.

“We got the win, we got our seniors a win in their last game here,” Davis said. “We just have to have the same mindset from this game to the playoffs.”

More takeaways from Tuesday’s game:

1. Muskegon focused much of its game plan on Ward, Kalamazoo Central’s star wing. Sophomore wing Montrel Oliver drew the first assignment but found himself in early foul trouble, so freshman James Martin replaced him. 

Martin wasn’t surprised to get the call. He said Guy told him “before the game, at practice, the whole week” that he might spend some time defending Ward. To prepare, Guy had Martin chase Sydnor – Muskegon’s athletic star guard – around in scrimmages.

“It was a big challenge – he kept on moving,” Martin said of Ward. “I just have to lock in while guarding him and know my surroundings.”

Ward – an impressive shooter with plenty of bounce to go with his deep shooting range – finished with 18 points. 

Martin has been eye-opening in his first season with the Big Reds. 

“People are going to start learning who James Martin is,” Guy said. “James Martin is fearless. He doesn’t understand it’s a big moment. He’s just out here like a baby just playing. He’s just innocent. 

“He’s going to be a great player, he works hard, you see him diving on the floor for loose balls, and he’s wise beyond his years when it comes to the things he can do naturally. You’re going to hear that name a lot for the next 3-4 years.”

2. The battle between Briggs and Ward was a preview of Wayne State University’s recruiting class for next season. Coach Bryan Smothers secured commitments from both Mr. Basketball candidates before his second season, and Wayne State assistant Raymoan McAfee Jr. was in attendance to watch the two future Warriors compete.
   
   

   Photo courtesy of Photographer Craig Smith

McAfee left impressed by both players, and he praised Briggs’ shooting ability and IQ as a floor general.

“The Muskegon program is always a good one to recruit from,” McAfee said. “We know what we’re getting. We’re getting a tough kid, we’re going to get a kid that’s about the right things, that’s going to go to class and be respectful on and off the court. So, can’t ask for more.”

He added that Briggs’ biggest adjustment will simply be adding strength to his frame. 

“The No. 1 thing we’ve been harping on our guys about is getting their body in tip-top shape and being ready to play against pretty much grown men with the transfer portal and things like that,” McAfee said. “He’s going to be 18 years old playing against guys who are 25, 26 years old, so he has to improve in the strength aspect.”

Briggs said he helped recruit Ward to Wayne State a little bit.

“Hutch is my guy,” Briggs said. “I’ve known him for years, just through AAU, high school, and things like that. On the court, we’re not friends though. It can’t be like that. We’ve got to go at each other.”