Senior scores 41 points and sets WMAA career scoring record

Luke Riebel, a senior at West Michigan Aviation Academy, shoots a 3-pointer during a game in January, 2023. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Luke Riebel set two school basketball records in one game and he had no idea he did it.

The senior at West Michigan Aviation Academy scored 41 points in a 69-59 win over Tri County on Wednesday night.

“It was kind of unexpected because we were in the heat of the game,” Riebel said. “When my teammates needed me to score, they got me the ball.”

His final bucket in the fourth quarter also gave him the school’s career points record. Riebel now has 846 points to pass Micah Broersma by one point.

“I was a little bummed because my older, Joey, said not to break the record until he came home,” he said of Joey Riebel, who is goes to Spring Arbor University. “We didn’t think I’d have over 40. I kind of (set the career mark) on accident.”

Riebel, a 6-foot, 178-pound shooting guard, had six 3-pointers and was 13-of-15 from the free-throw line.

“I knew I had 19 going into half,” he said. “Then I lost track of how many points I had. After the game, I asked our stat guy how many I had. I had no clue. He said 41. I’m like ‘wow!’”

Riebel is coached by his dad, Austin Riebel, who he credits for helping him retool his game this offseason.

“He said he was proud of me,” Luke said. “He transformed me from my game last year. I’m not just a catch-and-shoot guard. I can get to the rack. I’m an all-around threat now.”

Riebel’s previous high was 32 points last year.

“It was wild because I wasn’t thinking about it at all,” he said both records. “I killed two birds with one stone.”

Broersma, an elite shooter when he was at WMAA, set the record in just three years. He was happy to see Reibel break his mark.

“I do know Luke, he was the little brother of one of my teammates Joey Riebel,” Broersma said. “I played with Joey and I got to watch Luke grow and as a player.”

Broersma had hoped to see his record broken in person.

“Coach Riebel had reached out to me to see if I could be there to see Luke break it,” Broersma said. “I thought he would do it on Friday’s game. I can still go to the game anyways.”

West Michigan Aviation Academy is a Division 4 school located at the Gerald R. Ford Airport. They play in the Alliance League. 

Micah Broersma shoots a 3-pointer during his senior year at West Michigan Aviation Academy. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).