Sam Medendorp’s hair isn’t intimidating, but his game sure is

South Christian senior Sam Medendorp grabs a rebound in a Division 2 state semifinal game on Tuesday, March 21, 2023. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Sam Medendorp isn’t the most intimidating guy when you glance at his hair during warmups.

The 6-foot-7 South Christian High School senior started having his blond hair braided or put in in pig tails before each game midway through the season.

“My hair got in my way too often,” Medendorp said. “So my girlfriend (Tina Vanderheide) wanted to put it in braids instead. We haven’t lost with them since then.”

But once the game starts, Medendorp is an intimidating, menacing force.

He had 16 points, 11 rebounds and 4 blocked shots on Tuesday night as South Christian beat Hudsonville Unity Christian 61-38 in a Division 2 state quarterfinal game held at Calvin University. 

“He had 28 points earlier this year where he scored on a lot of put-backs,” Sailors coach Taylor Johnson said. “I thought tonight, he had a lot of tough buckets. I challenged him at halftime telling him ‘you better get after it. We need you to score, big fella,’”

South Christian (24-3) advances to play Romulus Summit Academy North (25-2) on Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the Breslin Center for a Division 2 state semifinal.

South Christian junior Jake Vermaas drives past a Unity Christian defender in a Division 2 state semifinal game on Tuesday, March 21, 2023. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).

So what’s it mean to play in the home gym of the Michigan State University basketball team?

“It is a dream come true,” South Christian junior Jake Vermaas said. “It’s something we’ve worked for all season. We are locked in to win this thing.”

Jake DeHaan had a game-high 27 points and Vermaas finished with 14 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists.

Early in the third quarter, Medendorp stole the ball and went in for a dunk, which sent the Sailors’ student section into a frenzy.

“My dunk was fun,” he said. “I heard the roar of the crowd and we were going on a run. It as a huge momentum shift to get everyone fired up.”

Senior Nate Brinks had a flashback when returning to play on the Calvin University court.

“It took me back to when my brother played here (in 2019) when they ended up losing (to Unity Christian),” Brinks said of his brother Mason Brinks. “So it felt great to have my family in the stands watching. I’m just glad we could get it done.”

Vermaas wasn’t a fan of Medendorp’s new hairdo. But whatever works.

“That’s just Sam,” Vermaas said. “He’s got a goofy personality. It shows how much fun he is. It may not look great, but I love it now. He’s been a huge piece for us.”

Medendorp, a senior, has college offers from Albion College, Aquinas College, Calvin University, Cleary University and Olivet College

South Christian senior Sam Medendorp grabs a rebound after altering a shot by Unity Christian’s Jake Chapman in a Division 2 state semifinal game on Tuesday, March 21, 2023. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).