Northview star Brady Swartz hopes to have a big senior season

Northview senior Brady Swartz warms up before a scrimmage with East Lansing on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Brady Swartz drained the final shot to win a game in overtime on Saturday evening.

It was in a meaningless preseason scrimmage. But it was a big deal for the Northview High School senior. There was more motivation because it was a win over East Lansing, which is one of the top teams in the state.

“It’s way better than playing against nobodies,” Swartz said. “Because you get to compete. It’s more fun.”

No scorebook was kept, but Swartz drained five 3-pointers and had close to 30 points. 

“They’re a really good team,” Swartz said of East Lansing. “But so are we.”

There’s extra motivation this season for the 6-foot-7, 195-pound forward. Because he finished the 2023-24 season on crutches. He tore the growth plate in his right knee during districts.

“Last year, was frustrating because I got hurt,” he said. “But I’ve been getting better every day.”

Swartz and junior Cam Ryans are a dynamic duo for the Wildcats and should have another good year.

“I’m really excited,” Swartz said. “I think we’re a really good team. From our team last year, we really only lost one player (E.J. Ryans, who is at WMU). Which was a big loss. But at the same time, we’ve got another really good point guard (sophomore Anthony Willis). So that helps.”

Swartz averaged 17.0 points and 7.7 rebounds last season and was named All-State.

Northview was 18-6 last season before falling to Zeeland West in the regional semifinals with Swartz injured.

Swartz committed to play basketball at Western Michigan University in the summer and made it official last week when he signed with the Broncos. 

He will be part of a freshman class than includes Carson Vis (South Christian), Camden Thompson (Whitehall) and Sharod Barnes (Orchard Lake St. Mary’s. 

“I’m really excited for my freshman year,” he said.