MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[calvin_grad]

I don't recall seeing this in my two visits to the Van Noord this year, but exactly how long is the home team bench area?   

Long enough to accomodate Hope's entire coaching staff.

That was WAY too easy!   

[goodknight]

KII's information about Snikkers is accurate. With regard to Huntley, I had heard rumors that he might transfer to Calvin, but KII's information is the first confirmation that he will be doing so. Since I've seen both players compete in high school (in Snikkers case, many times), I'll offer my impressions of these two players.

Tom is a rugged, mulit-talented 6'3"--6'4" player (a member of the Grand Rapids Press Dream Team with VanDussen and Duke Mondy among others) who I expect will play major varsity minutes right away for KVS. If Snikkers doesn't, that would be a disappointment since he is arguably the most gifted front line player to commit to Calvin since Jeremy Veenstra. Tom was also an excellent football player that Dean Kreps courted for the Flying Dutchmen. Many posters are familiar with Tom's older brother who has had a gypsy and unsatisfactory college career, but Tom is a player far superior to his older brother. Tom also is a pretty decent student and is not likely to have the academic issues that have dogged Jon. Tom has a reliable jumper and is a load to guard down low because he already has a fully developed upper body with upper arms that resemble a pair of bazookas. He also has extremely long arms (a reach of 6'7") which makes him elevate well beyond what someone normally would at his height, he is a good defender, and can effectively play almost any position on the floor. Like his older sister Carrie--a Hope All American--Tom has great basketball hands. He often took the ball up the floor on the press and averaged 16 points on a team that had many offensive options. Scoring 16 for Scott Soodsma is like scoring 21 for anyone else. When eventual D3 All American Joel Kolmodin played for Soodsma, I think Joel only averaged about 13-14 per game. But to me the most pleasing (and underrated) aspect of Tom's game are his passing skills. He's one of the finest interior passers I've ever seen at the high school level, with the knack for delivering the ball softly, accurately and on time. The only criticism of Tom is his tendency to sulk when a referee's call or non-call doesn't go his way. He's an emotional player and when things haven't gone his way he has occasionally lost focus and loafed his way back into transition defense. But I've seen him play since his freshmen year and he has made a lot of progress with the mental aspect of the game.

Huntley played guard for a very good Forest Hills Northern squad that advanced to the semifinals his senior year. In my opinion, Bryan was the most effective player on a well-balanced team, and a pretty tough matchup with a consistent jumper from both long and mid-range. I suspect he'll play wing for KVS and his coming is more good news for a backcourt that needed infusion of talent.

Great information, thanks.

Since you've seen Snikkers and Unity play, do you think Calvin is recruiting Van Koevering also?

Huntley is intriguing. He did not play basketball at GVSU, so it will be interesting to see how much he can contribute.

I'm also curious to hear where Zach Schutte of Calvin Christian ends up. He's receiving some post-season all-area honors.

Schutte is going to play for Dick Shilts at Kzoo Valley CC for a year or two.  You may see him isuited up n the MIAA by his junior year.
Not sure about VanKoevering, but there is at least one other Unity Christian player being recruited by Calvin.

[oldknight]

Since you've seen Snikkers and Unity play, do you think Calvin is recruiting Van Koevering also?

Huntley is intriguing. He did not play basketball at GVSU, so it will be interesting to see how much he can contribute.

I'm also curious to hear where Zach Schutte of Calvin Christian ends up. He's receiving some post-season all-area honors.

VanKoevering is a very good baseball player and I've been told he's headed to Davenport which now has a baseball program.

BTW: Channel 8 still has the link up to its highlights of the Unity Christian/Zeeland East matchup of titans in the district final. Click the link below if you want to see Snikkers' steal and subsequent running triple at the buzzer to send the game into OT (it appears at the 37 mark).

http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/sports/High_school_boys_hoops_3_13_09

[Knight81]

KII's information about Snikkers is accurate. With regard to Huntley, I had heard rumors that he might transfer to Calvin, but KII's information is the first confirmation that he will be doing so. Since I've seen both players compete in high school (in Snikkers case, many times), I'll offer my impressions of these two players.

Tom is a rugged, mulit-talented 6'3"--6'4" player (a member of the Grand Rapids Press Dream Team with VanDussen and Duke Mondy among others) who I expect will play major varsity minutes right away for KVS. If Snikkers doesn't, that would be a disappointment since he is arguably the most gifted front line player to commit to Calvin since Jeremy Veenstra. Tom was also an excellent football player that Dean Kreps courted for the Flying Dutchmen. Many posters are familiar with Tom's older brother who has had a gypsy and unsatisfactory college career, but Tom is a player far superior to his older brother. Tom also is a pretty decent student and is not likely to have the academic issues that have dogged Jon. Tom has a reliable jumper and is a load to guard down low because he already has a fully developed upper body with upper arms that resemble a pair of bazookas. He also has extremely long arms (a reach of 6'7") which makes him elevate well beyond what someone normally would at his height, he is a good defender, and can effectively play almost any position on the floor. Like his older sister Carrie--a Hope All American--Tom has great basketball hands. He often took the ball up the floor on the press and averaged 16 points on a team that had many offensive options. Scoring 16 for Scott Soodsma is like scoring 21 for anyone else. When eventual D3 All American Joel Kolmodin played for Soodsma, I think Joel only averaged about 13-14 per game. But to me the most pleasing (and underrated) aspect of Tom's game are his passing skills. He's one of the finest interior passers I've ever seen at the high school level, with the knack for delivering the ball softly, accurately and on time. The only criticism of Tom is his tendency to sulk when a referee's call or non-call doesn't go his way. He's an emotional player and when things haven't gone his way he has occasionally lost focus and loafed his way back into transition defense. But I've seen him play since his freshmen year and he has made a lot of progress with the mental aspect of the game.

Huntley played guard for a very good Forest Hills Northern squad that advanced to the semifinals his senior year. In my opinion, Bryan was the most effective player on a well-balanced team, and a pretty tough matchup with a consistent jumper from both long and mid-range. I suspect he'll play wing for KVS and his coming is more good news for a backcourt that needed infusion of talent.

Great information, thanks.

Since you've seen Snikkers and Unity play, do you think Calvin is recruiting Van Koevering also?

Huntley is intriguing. He did not play basketball at GVSU, so it will be interesting to see how much he can contribute.

I'm also curious to hear where Zach Schutte of Calvin Christian ends up. He's receiving some post-season all-area honors.

Schutte is going to play for Dick Shilts at Kzoo Valley CC for a year or two.  You may see him isuited up n the MIAA by his junior year.
Not sure about VanKoevering, but there is at least one other Unity Christian player being recruited by Calvin.

Unity had a 6-8 center, Devries(?) Good size and build, not real skilled or polished, but maybe worth taking a chance on, given the lack of size on Calvin's roster.

[oldknight]

Unity had a 6-8 center, Devries(?) Good size and build, not real skilled or polished, but maybe worth taking a chance on, given the lack of size on Calvin's roster.

No; the post player's name is Adam DeYoung, a dominating lineman from the football team who has been recruited by Hillsdale for that sport.

[GoKnights68]

After a couple years of not so much hype about recruiting at Calvin, it is nice to have some excitement finally come in this time of year.

Calvin next season may resemble the 2006 team, a MIAA champs team, with the way they will have a few returning varsity players with a lot of experience and talent to go along with some very talented freshmen.    They probably will have even more talent than that team imo.  It is all up to guys like Mantel, Veltema, Rodts and of course KVS to teach these guys the offense well just like Trewella and Draayer did back in 2006.

I've never seen Snikkers play before.  Do you think he will start the season on JV or varsity?

[Knight81]

After a couple years of not so much hype about recruiting at Calvin, it is nice to have some excitement finally come in this time of year.

Calvin next season may resemble the 2006 team, a MIAA champs team, with the way they will have a few returning varsity players with a lot of experience and talent to go along with some very talented freshmen.    They probably will have even more talent than that team imo.  It is all up to guys like Mantel, Veltema, Rodts and of course KVS to teach these guys the offense well just like Trewella and Draayer did back in 2006.

I've never seen Snikkers play before.  Do you think he will start the season on JV or varsity?

I think he's definitely good enough to play on the varsity.

I wonder if he has a chance to start. I would see the starters being Mantel, Veltema, Rodts, and Salo/Powell (point guard). The competition for the other starting spot should be intense.

It is good to see the excitement back. A new facility and a great recruiting class will do that!

[Knight In The Stan]

I would think that Brad Schnieders would be the front runner for the 5th spot in the starting rotation. KVS really likes his size, 6'6", and his scoring abilities. He is really athletic and I think that a year in this defensive system already puts him in the starting lineup.

[arena]

So, did KVS sell his soul???  All this good news makes me nervous

[Knight In The Stan]

So, did KVS sell his soul???  All this good news makes me nervous

This is would be called...PROVIDENTIAL

[arena]

So, did KVS sell his soul???  All this good news makes me nervous

This is would be called...PROVIDENTIAL

I know. but I'm a Chicago Cub fan.  The foreboding feeling of failure is engrained.

[Knight In The Stan]

So, did KVS sell his soul???  All this good news makes me nervous

This is would be called...PROVIDENTIAL

I know. but I'm a Chicago Cub fan.  The foreboding feeling of failure is engrained.

I am as well a Chicago Cubs fan, as a matter of fact I saw Ronny Cedeno hit a Grand Slam to beat the Mets last April. But waiting sometimes for glory makes it that much sweeter.

[sac]

Frequent MIAA ref Mark Ditsworth was behind the plate at the Michigan/Michigan State baseball game played at wonderfully sunny and pleasant Kobs field.

I'm told Mark was an umpire in the Olympics last summer, or some summer.

The game can only be described as exciting and weird.
http://mgoblue.cstv.com/gametracker/launch/gt_mbasebl.html?event=743240&school=mich&sport=mbasebl&camefrom=&startschool=&

Its a horrible play by play link but the gist is MSU scored 5 runs in the 9th, 10th and 11th (down 2 in both the 9th and 10th) without a single hit scoring a run and 3 Michigan errors, 2 on one play only credited as one.

The strike zone was consistent.

[OC_SID]

Frequent MIAA ref Mark Ditsworth was behind the plate at the Michigan/Michigan State baseball game played at wonderfully sunny and pleasant Kobs field.

I'm told Mark was an umpire in the Olympics last summer, or some summer.

The game can only be described as exciting and weird.
http://mgoblue.cstv.com/gametracker/launch/gt_mbasebl.html?event=743240&school=mich&sport=mbasebl&camefrom=&startschool=&

Its a horrible play by play link but the gist is MSU scored 5 runs in the 9th, 10th and 11th (down 2 in both the 9th and 10th) without a single hit scoring a run and 3 Michigan errors, 2 on one play only credited as one.

The strike zone was consistent.

sac ...

here are better links to the box score and play-by-play:

For Michigan fans: http://www.mgoblue.com/baseball/article.aspx?id=175228
For MSU fans: http://msuspartans.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/stats/2008-2009/mich4-17.html

Speaking of baseball, Olivet baseball swept a doubleheader from Alma today to win its 13th straight conference win ... Adrian is first in the MIAA standings with a 15-1 record, and Olivet is just a game behind at 13-1.

[Flying Dutch Fan]

I don't recall seeing this in my two visits to the Van Noord this year, but exactly how long is the home team bench area?   

Long enough to accomodate Hope's entire coaching staff.

So I take your response to mean that given the results of the last game at the Van Noord this past season, Hope will now be considered the home team (this is our house)?