Brad Brechting going for the shot.
By Kendra Coons
The boys varsity basketball season has finally come to a close. The Red Hawks took on Sparta, and Forest Hills Northern last week. And on Monday, February 3, the Red Hawks played their first round of Districts against Rockford. Cedar Springs did defeat Sparta 58-42, but unfortunately lost to FHN 58-53 and lost in the first round of Districts against Rockford 59-55. The varsity team ended up 12-9 overall, and 6-4 in conference.
The Sparta game was held on Tuesday, February 25. In the first half, the Spartans scored a total of 24 points, but it wasn’t enough to stop the Red Hawks and they scored a total of 30 points. In the second half, the Spartans scored 18 more points to bring their score to 42. The Red Hawks scored 28 more points making the final score 58-42, with the Red Hawks taking home the win.
“We played a much better second half in which we got back to some things that had been successful for us earlier in the season,” commented head Coach Jeff Patin.
During the Sparta game, sophomore Taylor VanDyke and junior Brad Brechting led the team in total points coming in at 12 each. Senior Mitchell Kooiman also scored for the Red Hawks scoring a total of 8 points for the game. Seniors Aaron Mabie and senior Dakota Bekins also contributed with 5 points.
“It was a good road win for us in the last week of the season,” stated Coach Patin.
On Thursday February 27, the Red Hawks played their last conference game of the season against Forest Hills Northern.
In the first half, the Huskies had a lead of 28-21 over the Red Hawks. In the second half, Cedar Springs tried to fight back and scored 30 more points, but it wasn’t enough to take the lead away from the Huskies, who scored 32 points to take home the win 58-53.
“This game was a physical battle from start to finish. It came down to a couple of possessions and unfortunately we didn’t come out on top,” explained Coach Patin.
Junior Brad Brechting scored a total of 21 points for the Red Hawks. Also scoring for the Red Hawks was senior David Kearney with 6 points, sophomore Taylor VanDyke, senior Cameron Link, and senior Kyler Marble each also scored 5 points.
“In any game you play, you want to give yourself a chance at winning. We had opportunities to win, but it just didn’t work out for us,” said Coach Patin.
Also this week, Monday February 3, the boys had their first round of districts against Rockford. The loss against Rockford concludes the season for the Red Hawks. It was a very close game, but the Red Hawks were defeated 59-55.
In the first half, the Rams of Rockford led Cedar Springs into halftime with the score being 36-25. The Red Hawks came back out after halftime trying to fight back, but came up short, scoring 30 more points while Rockford scored 23. Rockford is now advancing to the second round of Districts.
“We talked before the game about leaving everything out on the court and having no regrets. I feel we did that. We fought hard throughout the whole game and just came up short,” stated Coach Patin.
Junior Brad Brecthing led Cedar Springs in points with a total of 33 for the game. Senior Cameron Link also scored for the Red Hawks with a total of 12 points. Senior Dakota Bekins and senior Austin Hilyer also contributed by Bekins scoring 5 points and Hilyer scoring 4.
The community of Cedar Springs would like to congratulate the boys on such a fantastic season.
“Like almost all seasons, this one had its ups and downs as far as wins and losses. One constant was the effort these 14 guys gave every day. The weather this winter brought its scheduling challenges and really disrupted any type of rhythm we could get into, but it was like that for everybody this year,” stated Coach Patin.
Especially, congratulations to the seniors for all of their hard work they have put into the basketball program for the past 4 years.
Coach Patin concluded, “The hardest part of every season is knowing that you won’t have your seniors anymore. We will be graduating 9 this year, and they will be greatly missed.”
