South Christian’s Sam Medendorp has elevated his game

South Christian’s Sam Medendorp grabs and offensive rebound over Grand Rapids Catholic Central’s D.J. Nystrom on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).

BYRON CENTER, Mich. - Sam Medendorp was destined to play basketball at South Christian.

When he was 6 or 7 years old, he sat on the Sailors’ bench as the team’s water boy when his older brother Zach was on varsity.

“I watched him play at the old South gym,” Medendorp said. “I was the water boy when he was in high school. It got me excited to play. The older guys looked like they were having fun.”

That little boy is now a 6-foot-7 senior at South Christian and he’s having his best season.

“He’s been amazing,” South Christian coach Taylor Johnson said. “Even from the player he was in November and December to now. He’s demanding the ball, he’s probably the best defensive center in the league (The O-K Gold Conference). No one blocks shots like he does. He can really rebound the ball at the highest point. What I love about him the most is he’s just being a good teammate.”

Medendorp had 20 points and 14 rebounds on Tuesday as South Christian beat Ottawa Hills 73-51.

“Recently, he’s really taken off,” teammate Jake Vermaas said. “He’s been a huge piece of our success. His presences in the paint, blocking shots and getting rebounds … it’s huge. He’s a great target to throw to and he comes off screens really well. He’s getting a lot better at playing physically in the paint.”

The college recruiting is also heating up. Medendorp has offers from Albion College, Aquinas College, Calvin University, Cleary University and Olivet College. His brother, Zach, played basketball at Spring Arbor University.

South Christian’s Sam Medendorp towers over a Catholic Central defender during a playoff game on Oct. 20, 2022. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).

Medendorp easily could play soccer or volleyball in college, too. 

He helped South Christian win the Division 3 state championship in soccer in 2021. He even scored a goal in the state title game. This past season, he was first-team All-State. He plays on the South Christian volleyball team in the spring.

So did he think about playing soccer in college?

“No. I have not considered it,” he said. “I play because the game is fun and I get to play with my friends. Obviously, our team was really good. So it’s fun to win.”

During the summer, Medendorp played on a dominant MBA Lakeshore travel basketball team.

“It got me more consistent,” he said of playing travel ball. “I played with some of the best players around here. So playing with good players helps. And it helped with my confidence.”

Medendorp, who is averaging 11 points, 7.6 rebounds and 3.1 blocked shots, has been known for his defense. He is a great shot blocker and rebounder.

“A majority of my game is defense first,” he said. “The last few games though, I’ve been demanding the ball on offense a lot more. So I’ve been looking to score more.”

That could be scary for the O-K Gold Conference. South Christian is second in the conference at 8-1 and 13-3 overall. The Sailors have won 12 of their last 13 games. 

South Christian’s Sam Medendorp takes a shot against Byron Center on Jan. 3, 2023. (Photo | Lenny Padilla)