New-look Caledonia has 4 freshmen, 2 transfers and 1 new coach

Caledonia senior Kyan VanderWoude shoots a 3-pointer during a Fall League game in September 2023. He averaged 13.4 points per game last season. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The Caledonia basketball team walked back to the bench after a long day of playing in a scrimmage. They were sweaty and exhausted but they were smiling.

The Fighting Scots beat Mattawan, Battle Creek Pennfield and Grand Rapids Union in a 42-team scrimmage held at the MSA Fieldhouse in Grand Rapids on Wednesday afternoon.

“We weren’t really focused on winning and losing,” first-year coach Lamar Chapman said. “But we won all three games.”

Caledonia didn’t do much winning last year. It was 7-16 overall and 3-11 in the O-K Red Conference. But they expect to turn things around with a new-look team.

“I think we should be contenders for the top,” senior Kyan VanderWoude said of the O-K Red. “People have looked down on the program for years. They’ve looked at Caledonia as an easy win. But I think that changes this year.”

The Caledonia basketball team bench - including first-year coach Lamar Chapman on the far right - during a scrimmage on Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023 at MSA Fieldhouse in Grand Rapids. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).

Chapman was hired in May to replace Phil Visser. Chapman has spent the past decade as a Division I assistant coach at five different colleges. But he started as a high school coach. Chapman coached Muskegon Heights to a 42-9 record over two seasons, including a 21-4 record in 2002-03 when the Tigers made it to the Class B state title game.

“I like the experience that we have with the seniors, the versatility and the togetherness the guys have right now,” Chapman said. “Those three things kinda stand out.”

Caledonia has an unusual roster. It has four senior starters, two transfers and four freshmen. 

VanderWoude and Jaiden Googins were the team’s leading scorers last season and are back for their senior years. Googins, a 6-foot-4 power forward, averaged 17.9 points and VanderWoude, a lanky 6-foot-5 guard, averaged 13.4 points.

“I’m looking for Ky and Jaiden to have great years,” Chapman said. “They put in great work. I don’t know what they did before I got here, but they do everything I ask of them. I’d like to get Googins to talk a little more. Ky works his butt off and he brings an energy to practice. They’re both proven scorers in the O-K Red. So I’m excited.”

The Fighting Scots added Enrique Morris and Lual Abiel, seniors who transferred from East Kentwood High School. 

“I love them as people,” VanderWoude said. “They work so hard. They’re great at the rim, they’re good shooters, they just want to play basketball.”

Chapman likes the athleticism of Abiel, who goes by the nickname LuLu.  

“He’s athletic, he changes direction and his shifty,” Chapman said. “He’s not a great shooter, but he can make timely shots. I like his energy and he’s a good defender. He’s our best athlete.” 

Said VanderWoude: “He’s a rim-runner. He can get hot, he’s got a good mid-range shot and he’s one of the bounciest kids I know. He’ll go out and dunk on people.”

Enrique Morris, left, and Jaiden Googins celebrate after Morris scored a bucket during a scrimmage on Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023 at MSA Fieldhouse in Grand Rapids. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).

Morris will be the team’s point guard.

“When he wants to be, he gives us as calming presence,” Chapman said. “His real strength is his outside shot. He’s getting a chance now to run his own team without having to look over his shoulder.”

The four freshmen are Bryce Backus, Ben Geerdes, Jarell Jefferson and Dallas Moody. 

Chapman likes the young group but he didn’t think he’d have all four on varsity.

“I’m looking forward to them growing the next few years,” he said. “But they just need to get reps. They’re going to play. It’s good having them here. But I had no choice. I had 14 guys come out and since then two guys quit because they weren’t going to play as much as they would have liked. We have just 12 guys (now).”

VanderWoude has some lofty goals this season.

“I want to have a winning season,” he said. “I want to try to win the O-K Red and I want to make it as far as we can in the playoffs, win a district championship. After that, win a regional championship and even a state one.”

Caledonia begins its season on Dec. 1 at Byron Center.  

For more photos of the Caledonia basketball team, click here.

Caledonia freshmen, from left, Jarell Jefferson, Bryce Backus, Dallas Moody and Ben Geerdes. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).