GR Christian beats Northview again, thanks to big game by Hooser

Grand Rapids Christian seniors, from left, Carter Goodyke, Malachi Hooser and Quintin Willis in a game earlier this season. Hooser had 17 points in a win over Northview. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Malachi Hooser is stepping up big when his team needs him the most.

The Grand Rapids Christian senior - who is usually more of a pass-first point guard - showed his offensive skills. He had a game-high 17 points as the Eagles edged Northview 46-42 on Wednesday night.

“Anytime you can beat a top-tier team twice in a week span, you have to be excited about that,” Christian coach Eric Taylor said. “Overall I’m proud of the way they fought. Our leadership came through tonight in a close game.”

Northview led most of the game, including 22-17 at halftime and 38-32 going into the fourth quarter. But a 3-pointer by Hooser gave Christian its first lead of the half at 41-40 late in the fourth quarter. Northview would score again to make it 42-41 for the Wildcats.

“That was huge,” Taylor said of Hooser’s three. “A big momentum shift. Give credit to Northvew. They controlled the game after the first quarter and really for the first 2 1/2 quarters. That big three by Malachi gave our team a huge boost.”

Nate Johnson got a steal and went the length of the court and scored with just 58 seconds to go to make it 43-42 for the Eagles. He would make two free-throws with 21.6 seconds left to make it 45-42. A free throw by Jaylan Ouwinga with 2.2 seconds left clinched it.

“Malachi stepped up big as a senior,” Taylor said. “He made play after play for us. I gotta tip my hat to him. He was determined not to let us lose tonight. He hit some big threes and he’s played well down the stretch.”

Hooser also had 16 points in a win over East Grand Rapids on Tuesday.

Johnson scored all 10 of his points in the second half. For Northview (9-2, 14-4), Brady Swartz had 16 points and brothers E.J. Ryans and Cam Ryans each had nine points.

Christian, the No. 1 team in Division 2, beat Northview 54-43 on Feb. 9. They take a commanding lead in the O-K White Conference with a 10-1 mark and they are 17-2 overall.

“If you‘re gonna do anything in the postseason,” Taylor said. “You have to get wins like this down the stretch.”

The win was the 100th in the six-year career for Taylor at Christian.