Time is running out, you are one point behind and you need someone to fire the last shot.
You are in the right place.
The five finalists for the 42nd annual Hal Schram Mr. Basketball Awards are players who live to pull off the winning shot for their school.
Jack Karasinsky of Grand Rapids Catholic Central, Treyvon Lewis of Ferndale, Kareem Rozier of Orchard Lake St. Mary’s, Chansey Willis Jr. of Detroit King and Kyler Vanderjagt of Grand Rapids Northview have all been staple players since the day they entered high school.
They are finalists for the most prestigious award a Michigan high school male athlete can receive. The state’s Mr. Basketball award is named after Hal Schram, the former Free Press sportswriter who covered high school athletics for more than 40 years.
It is awarded annually to the top senior in the state by the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan in conjunction with the Free Press.
It’s another generally good year for high school talent; Narrowing the field wasn’t easy for Steven Norgrove, chairman of the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan’s Mr. Basketball award.
“It’s an honor to be part of the process,” he said. “We do our due diligence as a basketball association to maintain the integrity of the process. There were a lot of great candidates, but these five stood out and they’re all very deserving.
“I am very satisfied with the candidates this year.”
Although all of the finalists are excellent scorers, they are anything but one-dimensional players.
Rozier is just 5-foot-8, but he also leads St. Mary’s in rebounding. The same can be said for Willis, who is 6-2 and close to a triple-double average for the Crusaders.
Lewis is a bottom-out shooter, but he can attack the rim.
Grand Rapids has a pair of runners-up in Vanderjagt and Karasinski; they play on the wing, but aren’t afraid to go inside and are capable of scoring and defending in the paint.
Only BCAM members are allowed to vote. Voting runs from March 8-12 and the winner will be announced on March 21.
Here is an alphabetical overview of the finalists:
Jack Karasinsky
Grand Rapids Catholic Center, 6-7
University: William and Mary.
Averages 17 points, 6 rebounds, two assists and two blocks.
Biggest area of improvement: Defense.
Best move: While handling the ball, he stops for a pull-up jumpshot.
Favorite athlete: Michael Jordan.
Jadversary op: Jason Drake (Ferndale).
Favourite book: “Freak the Mighty” by Rodman Philbrook.
When my basketball career is over, I will: “Owning my own business.
Overview: You might remember him last season when he led CC to the Division 2 state title. He’s making plays at both ends of the court now. He blocks shots and takes charge defensively. He’s worked to perfect his jump, and with the elevation he gets, it’s nearly impossible to block. It also finishes games over the rim.
Treyvon Lewis
Ferdale, 6-5
University: Loyola (Chicago).
Averages: 23 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, two blocks.
Biggest area of improvement: Bounce.
Best move: Uses a hesitation dribble with a crossover for a drive to the basket or a 3-point drop.
Favorite athlete: Devin Booker.
Best Opponent: Rosier.
Favourite book: “The Mamba Mentality: How I Play” by Kobe Bryant.
When my basketball career is over, I will: “Be a detective in the criminal justice system.”
Overview: A natural scorer, he scored 50 points last season in a win over D-4 champion Detroit Frederick Douglass. He takes the ball to the basket with authority and easily overturns the 3 points. He’s become a better defender this season and has become a rim protector as well as a guy who can pick up some tough rebounds.
Kareem Rozier
Orchard Lake St. Mary’s, 5-8
University: Duquesne.
Averages: 14.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, eight assists.
Biggest area of improvement: Perimeter shot.
Best move: Use a crossover to pass a defender for a jumpshot or drive to the basket.
Favorite athlete: ChrisPaul.
Best Opponent: Jalen Terry (Flint Beecher).
Favourite book: “Michael Jordan: The Life” by Roland Lazenby.
When my basketball career is over, I will: “Be a college basketball coach.”
Overview: Leaders with a 2-to-1 assist-to-rotation ratio are good. A ratio of 3 to 1 corresponds to the elite level. Magic Johnson’s ratio was 3.9 to 1. Rozier’s? An incredible 8 against 1.5. It’s almost impossible to stay in front of him when he has the ball. His improved strength allowed him to effectively complete his basket workouts.
[ The Free Press has started a new digital subscription model. Here’s how you can read all of the best from Mick McCabe and more. ]
Kyler Vanderjagt
Grand Rapids Northview, 6-4.
University: Belmont.
Averages: 24 points, seven rebounds, six assists.
Biggest area of improvement: Interior marking.
Best move: Coming out of a screen, he catches the ball and fires a jumpshot.
Favorite athlete: James LeBron.
Best Opponent: Kobe Bufkin, Christian of Grand Rapids.
Favourite book: “Pain – The Gift Nobody Wants” by Paul Brand and Philip Yancey.
When my basketball career is over, I will: “Become an anesthesiologist.”
Overview: Holder for four years, he gradually became a complete player. He’s always had a knack for scoring on perimeter jumps, and this season he’s become difficult to deal with in the paint, where he’s effective with his back to the basket. He has also worked hard over the season to become an elite passer.
Chansey Willis Jr.
King of Detroit, 6-2
University: Undecided.
Statistics: 25 points, nine rebounds, nine assists, four steals.
Biggest area of improvement: Bounce.
Best move: Coming off a screen, he rolls and makes an opposite diagonal pass to set up an open jump shot.
Favorite athlete: Stephen Curry.
Best Opponent: Fletcher Rent (Clarkston).
Favourite book: “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” collection by Jeff Kinney.
When my basketball career is over, I will: “Creating my own sports business.”
Overview: Possibly the best athlete in the state, he follows his all-state football season with an all-state basketball season. He’s always been coachable, and now he’s become more of a leader helping King win another PSL title. He doesn’t play defensively. He averages nearly a double-double and beats you in scoring and passing.
Follow the free press on Facebook and Twitter for more news.
Mick McCabe is a former longtime columnist for the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at [email protected] Follow him on Twitter @mickmccabe1. Order his book, “Mick McCabe’s Golden Yearbook: 50 Great Years of Michigan’s Best High School Players, Teams & Memories,” by visiting McCabe.PictorialBook.com.
Your subscription makes this work possible. Get exclusive content for subscribers and more here.
