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Boys Varsity Basketball


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Boys Varsity Basketball vs. Grand Rapids Catholic Central
7.0 years ago | Travis Van Bemmel
Chargers Lose: 58 - 62
News (19)

Covenant wins Regional


Updated on 06/10/2022

Bench comes through for Grand Rapids Covenant Christian in win over Dansville


Updated on 06/10/2022

By Steve Kaminski

Skaminsk@mlive.com

Covenant Christian jumped out to an early lead in Wednesday night's 58-48 victory over Dansville in the Class C regional final at Pewamo-Westphalia.

But there was reason for concern in the second quarter.

"Dansville is a good team, and they came out and gave us their best shot at the start of the game," Covenant coach Tyler Schimmel said. "We knew they were going to be tough and physical.

"There was a big stretch in the first half when we had three starters on the bench with foul trouble. Our bench increased the lead before halftime. I thought that was a big part of our win. Our bench has been really good for us this year. It hasn't been the same guy every night. Sometimes it's defensive minutes, sometimes it's rebounding and sometimes it's hitting big shots. I thought those guys did that late in the second quarter."

The Chargers, 21-4 overall, will next play Sanford Meridian in Tuesday's 7 p.m. state quarterfinal at Fremont High School. Sanford Meridian defeated Mason County Central 54-43 Wednesday.

The Chargers, who were state runner-up a year ago, led 11-6 after one quarter and 25-18 at halftime. Covenant then finished the third quarter on a 6-0 run, giving the Chargers a 40-28 lead. The Chargers led by as many as 18 in the fourth quarter.

Junior Carson Meulenberg led the Chargers with 16 points, while Nate Minderhoud added 11 points. Tyler Cammenga and Chuck Kaptein scored eight points apiece. Blake Kamps also came off the bench and made a big 3-pointer late in the first half. The Chargers outrebounded Dansville 37-33 and committed 15 turnovers while committing 11.

Wednesday's win marked the first time that the Chargers have won back-to-back regional titles since 1993-1994 when Covenant won consecutive state championships.

"We wanted to enjoy the regular season, but we were looking forward to this moment, this opportunity in March," Schimmel said. "We've had five games in a week-and-half, and we got the job done. I'm really proud of our boys for doing that.

"I'm excited for our team to have the opportunity to play in a quarterfinal. It's pretty rare to do it one time. We get to do it back-to-back. Our team and our community are really excited about that."

2nd half defense lifts Covenant Christian to district win over Calvin Christian


Updated on 06/10/2022

Covenant Christian boys basketball team excelling again despite loaded schedule


Updated on 06/10/2022

MLive

 

By Don VanderVeen | Advance Newspapers 
on March 02, 2018 11:40 AM
 

WALKER – Coming off its greatest tournament run in nearly a quarter century, the Covenant Christian boys basketball team continued to put the pedal to the metal this season by playing a demanding schedule against larger and/or state-ranked opponents.

And once again, the Chargers held their own – and then some – while going head-to-head against many of the area's top basketball programs.

The Chargers played a similar schedule one year ago before advancing to the Class C state-championship game, where their tournament run came to an end with a 73-58 loss to Flint Beecher.

Ty Cammenga(Brian Forde | Advance Newspapers)

“Last March was a really cool experience for our program and our community,” Covenant coach Tyler Schimmel said. “Any time you have that type of run and return the players that we did, expectations will be high.

“This season, the team has done a nice job with managing those expectations, while playing a really tough schedule. We are trying to just play team basketball, be good teammates, and have a consistent effort each day.”

The Chargers loaded up their schedule again this season by playing five Class A teams and the No. 2-ranked team in Class B (Godwin Heights), along with all of the traditionally strong West Michigan Christian schools, including Unity Christian, Calvin Christian, Grand Rapids Christian, South Christian, Holland Christian, Northern Michigan Christian, Western Michigan Christian, and Tri-unity Christian. Also on the schedule were state-ranked teams from Catholic Central and Kelloggsville. Fourteen of those opponents were either Class A or Class B schools.

Trent Koole(Brian Forde | Advance Newspapers)

“Being an independent school allows us to play a unique schedule against a lot of the bigger schools,” Schimmel said. “We have played a lot of the Christian schools in the area, which is always fun and adds a rivalry feel to each game.”

The Chargers took a 15-4 record into their final game of the regular season against Holland Christian.

“This season has gone by really fast, like they always do,” Schimmel said. “Our focus this year was not to look ahead to March, but just focus on getting better each day and focus on the things we can control.

“We also stressed just having fun and enjoying the ride that is high school basketball.”

Carson Meulenberg(Brian Forde | Advance Newspapers)

The Chargers returned seven seniors, including four starters – Ty Cammenga, Trent Koole, Carson Meulenberg, and Nate Minderhoud – from last year's Class C state runner-up team. The other returning seniors – Chuck Kaptein, Mike Altena, and Brice VanOverloop – have also provided valuable minutes on the floor for the Chargers.

“They have been consistent all year as a group, and they all stepped up in their own ways, especially a few guys that did not play as much last year,” Schimmel said. “The unique thing about this group is that when one guy has an off night, the other players pick up their games to make up for it.

“Since these guys first started playing together in grade school, they have been a balanced group that has bought into team basketball. That is what makes them special.”

Nate Minderhoud(Brian Forde | Advance Newspapers)

Meulenberg, a 6-7 forward, leads the team by averaging 16 points, 7 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocked shots per game. Minderhoud, a 6-3 guard/forward, is averaging 10 points and 3 rebounds, while Koole, a 6-4 forward, is averaging 8 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists, and the 5-9 Cammenga has made more than 50 3-pointers. In the middle, the 6-4 Kaptein is averaging 7 points and 5 rebounds.

“We are confident in our boys, but a tournament run is really difficult and a lot of things have to fall into place to make it happen,” Schimmel said. “We're going to just take it one game at a time and play team basketball, have fun, play together, and play with confidence.”

Last year's tournament run marked Covenant Christian's first state-championship game appearance since the Chargers won back-to-back Class D titles in 1993 and 1994.

“Covenant has won state titles in '73, '93, and '94 at the Class D level, and last year was our first deep run in Class C,” Schimmel said.  “I believe the 1994 team went 26-0, so they might have the claim as the best team ever., but I'll let the alumni debate all of that. A lot of those guys from those teams in the early 1990s have been at our games supporting us or have kids playing in the program.

“I'm sure they'll be in the gym again and seeing their kids or friends' kids playing is really fun for them.”

Covenant Christian set to face NorthPointe Christian in battle of Class C powers


Updated on 06/10/2022

MLive

 
Covenant Christian set to face NorthPointe Christian in battle of Class C powers
Covenant Christian's Nate Minderhoud drives to the basket against on Wednesday, March 7, 2018. He had 13 points in a 62-15 win over Black River in a Class C district semifinal. (Photo | Lenny Padilla)

WALKER  - Two of the better Class C programs in West Michigan will face off on Friday.

NorthPointe Christian and Covenant Christian play for a district championship on Covenant’s floor at 7 p.m.
 

NorthPointe Christians Grant Baker had a game-high 23 points against Saugautck.(Lenny Padilla)

For the past three years in Class C, the representative from the west side of the state has come this district. It was NorthPointe in 2015, Calvin Christian in 2016 and Covenant Christian last year.

“They’re really good offensively,” Covenant Christian coach Tyler Schimmel said of NorthPointe. “So we’re going to have to play a good defensive game.”

Covenant Christian (18-4) beat Holland Black River 62-15 in a district semifinal on Wednesday night. The starters played maybe a total of eight minutes.

“It’s not the kinda competition we always face, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing,” said Carson Meulenberg, who had eight points and four assists. “They played their hearts out. We had a few turnovers, so you have to give their defense some credit for that. Now we have to get ready for Friday’s game.”

Nate Minderhoud had a game-high 13 points as 11 different Chargers scored. Covenant had 25 steals. 

NorthPointe Christian (12-9) beat Saugatuck 66-54. Grant Baker had 23 points and Sam Vasiu 14 for the Mustangs.

Covenant Christian's Carson Meulenberg mulling over college options


Updated on 06/10/2022

From MLive

WALKER - Carson Meulenberg likes to dunk.

Who wouldn’t when you’re a lanky 6-foot-6 and have springs in his legs?

In one year, the Grand Rapids Covenant Christian forward went from “who?” to one of the best un-signed high school players in West Michigan. He dunked on an in-bounds play 30 seconds into Wednesday’s Class C district semifinal. Meulenberg had eight points and four assists in limited playing time as the Chargers (18-4) beat Holland Black River 62-15.

“It’s always fun to get a dunk,” Meulenberg said with a smile. “It’s fun when (in-bounds plays) work. It’s about 50-50. Sometimes they don’t work out.”

Meulenberg has drawn attention from several colleges, but has yet to make his decision. 

“I’m definitely hoping to play in college somewhere,” said Meulenberg, who has been talking to Cornerstone, Calvin, Hope and Davenport. “I’ve got it narrowed down to about four schools, but I haven’t made a decision yet.”

His father, David Meulenberg, played basketball at Hope College. But dad didn’t get recruited like Carson has.

“My dad always tells me he didn’t get the same looks I have,” Meulenberg said. “He got one from Hope and he took it because that’s where he wanted to go.”

Covenant Christian coach Tyler Schimmel said some college is going to get a gem.

“He’s improved shooting and ball-handling,” Schimmel said. “He’s put a lot of time in the gym. But what he’s really improved on is his passing. He sees the court so well. At the next level, you can play him anywhere from a two (guard) to a five (post player). He’s a tough cover for most teams.”

Meulenberg has already competed on the big stage. He had a team-high 20 points in the Class C state title game last spring when the Chargers lost to Flint Beecher, 75-58. 

This season, he’s averaging around 16 points, seven rebounds and four assists.

“Early on, he was averaging about 20 or 25 per game,” Schimmel said. “But teams started to double team him and throw some different defenses at him. His points went down but his assists went up.” 

Covenant Christian hosts NorthPointe Christian in a Class C district final on Friday at 7 p.m.

 

South Christian tops Covenant Christian in battle at Calvin College


Updated on 06/10/2022

Covenant Christian holds off Grand Rapids Christian


Updated on 06/10/2022

Covenant falls at Kelloggsville


Updated on 06/10/2022

Covenant tops Calvin Chr


Updated on 06/10/2022

Covenant Christian Charges past Tri-Unity Christian


Updated on 06/10/2022

Covenant Christian boys notch another win


Updated on 06/10/2022

Zeeland West comes up short against Covenant Christian


Updated on 06/10/2022

Covenant bounces back with win over Forest Hills Northern


Updated on 06/10/2022

Norman and Hastings lead Godwin Heights past Covenant Christian


Updated on 06/10/2022

3 Cougars score double figures as GR Catholic remains unbeaten


Updated on 06/10/2022

Covenant Christian boys basketball team reloaded from 2017-18


Updated on 06/10/2022

10 reasons to watch Grand Rapids area boys basketball this season


Updated on 06/10/2022

Class C finalist Covenant Christian won’t surprise opponents anymore this winter


Updated on 06/10/2022
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