By Cris Greer
WKTV Managing Editor
South Christian’s lethal combination of Carson Vis and Jake Vermaas combined for 50 points to give the Sailors a 71-56 win over visiting Byron Center.
Vis led with 28 points, while Vermaas added 22.
“That was pretty special,” said South Christian Coach Taylor Johnson, whose team improved to 4-2 overall. “They’re our 1-2 punch.”
The pair also helped South Christian win a D-4 state championship in football this year.
“It was just a great team effort in a packed house, standing room only,” Johnson continued. “It was fun to see. I want to thank the fans for coming out after the holiday; both visitors and home fans.”
Byron Center was undefeated at 4-0 heading into the contest, coming off a win over Hudsonville.
The Sailors trailed by 12 points to end the first quarter and then grabbed the lead 37-33 at the half.
“It was a big win tonight for us to get to 4-2,” said Johnson, in his first year at South Christian.
Senior center also impactful
Johnson said Senior Sam Medendorp, a 6-foot-6 center, “was huge for us tonight, with tons of blocked shots and rebounds.
“He’s a tall, thin, shot-blocking athletic player who’s very unselfish. He does a great job of finding ways to impact the game defensively, and just does all the little things that help you win the game.”
Johnson said Medendorp has scholarship offers from Cleary University, Olivet College, Aquinas College and Grand Rapids Community College.
The Sailors open OK Gold conference play at Forest Hills Eastern on Friday.
Coach Johnson: a GVSU history and former state champion
Johnson previously was an assistant coach and interim head coach at Grand Valley State University, and played for Kalamazoo Christian during their 2008 Class C state championship.
