Northview’s E.J. Ryans mobbed after hitting buzzer-beater
Northview senior E.J. Ryans is guarded by Carter Meerman of Grand Rapids Catholic Central on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023 at Calvin University. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - E.J. Ryans was swallowed up by the Northview High School student section and he even hurt his back in the process. But he loved every second of it.
Ryans hit a buzzer-beating 3-pointer as Northview beat Grand Rapids Catholic Central 70-67 on Saturday night in “The Invite” at Calvin University.
“That was crazy,” Ryans said. “I hurt my back in the bleachers. But it was definitely fun. I love it a lot.”
Brady Swartz finished with 28 points, Cam Ryans 23 and E.J. Ryans 13.
With 16.2 seconds left, Cam Ryans hit a long jumper to give Northview a 67-65 lead. Then Catholic Central’s Durral Brooks scored with 3.5 seconds left off an in-bounds play to tie the game at 67-67.
Northview had to go the length of the floor and score with just 3.5 seconds in the game.
“At first, we were trying to throw it down to Brady and then me and Cam would streak up the sidelines and try to get the ball,” E.J. Ryans said. “They were covering Brady, so I just said ‘give me the ball, I’m going to try and make a play’.”
It shocked Swartz, too.
“I was just ‘oh my goodness, we just won that game!’ Then we were jumping on him,” Swartz said with a smile.
Northview junior Brady Swartz drives to the lane in the first half of The Invite at Calvin University on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023. Swartz had a team-high 28 points. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).
So has Ryans, who has committed to Western Michigan University, ever had a shot like that?
“I’ve made a few a couple of times like that,” he said.
Really? In a regular-season game?
“Nah, just scrimmages,” he said with a smile.
Swartz, a 6-foot-6 junior forward scored what likely is a career high. But he said he has no idea.
“I’m not surprised he’s kinda clueless about that kind of thing,” E.J. Ryans said with a laugh. “I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s his best in high school though.”
So how good can Swartz be?
“His ceiling is the sky,” Ryans said. “It just depends on how hard he works.”
Swartz has an offer from Wayne State University.
Brooks, who has committed to the University of Michigan, finished with 31 points. Zay Larthridge had 15 points and Carter Meerman had 13 for the Cougars.
