Jenison - who is 3-20 - upsets Grandville in districts

Jenison junior Charlie Norton, center, scored nine points as the Wildcats upset Grandville on Monday. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Jenison pulled off the upset of the first day of boys basketball districts. 

The Wildcats - who entered the game with a 2-20 record - beat Grandville 46-45 on Monday in a Division 1 district at Jenison.

“It was insane,” Jenison junior Charlie Norton said. “We haven’t had anything go well all year. Having no one believe in us, we came together and just won. It was so crazy and to do it in front of the home crowd was huge. We would have had no shot if it wasn’t for our home fans.”

Grandville thought they tied it up with seconds to go in the game. Freshman Carter Wade shot a 3-pointer but it was ruled a 2-pointer when his foot was on the line.

“We were up by one (point) and with seven seconds left and I was at the free-throw line,” Norton said. “I made both free throws (to put Jenison up by three). Then their freshman guard hit (what appeared to be) a 3-pointer but his foot was on the line. The ref called it a 2-pointer.” 

Chris VanSlamBrouck led the Wildcats (3-20) with 16 points, Pierce Ginzer 10 and Norton 9. Wade had 17 for the Bulldogs (15-8).

“This win was big for us as the season hasn’t been going as well as we expected,” VanSlamBrouck said. “And I give all thanks to our coaches to hype us up all day and make us believe that we could win this game.”

During the regular season, Grandville beat Jenison 65-34 on Jan. 5 and 60-36 on Feb. 2.

“Coach had us prepared this weekend,” Norton said of Coach Ernie Paiz. “I knew we’d have to play really good to win.”

So did you think you had a shot to win?

“Yes, we thought we were going to either win or go out with all we’ve got,” VanSlamBrouck said. “My team and I knew that we were coming into this game as the underdogs. Grandville thought they would have us for sure and it was a free win. And we took advantage of that.”

Jenison advances to play East Kentwood on Wednesday.

Jenison senior Chris VanSlamBrouck had a team-high 16 points against Grandville on Monday. Here he is shown playing for his travel team, the West Michigan Lakers last summer. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).