District hoops: Hamilton's Justin McIllwain drains school-record 44, passes 1,000 points
It wasn't one, but two milestones for Hamilton's Justin McIllwain on Wednesday.
The senior scored 44 points in a 95-72 win over Wayland in the Division 2 district semifinals at Hastings to break the school record for most points in a game.
If that wasn't enough, with a 3-pointer in the fourth quarter, he passed 1,000 career points.
"He came out with a sense of urgency as a senior playing win-or-go-home basketball and that paid for itself," Hamilton coach Nick Kronemeyer said. "He scored at all three levels, got on the glass and got to the line 19 times. We had faith he would answer the call this week, and he did just that."
The Hawkeyes led 21-14 after the first quarter then scored a stunning 34 points in the second quarter to pull away.
James Hoffman scored 17 points, while Riley VanDerHulst had eight points and seven assists.
Holland Christian 71, Hastings 44
The Maroons defeated host Hastings in the Division 2 district semifinals with 27 points in the fourth quarter to close it out.
Holland Christian scored in bunches as Caleb Karsten scored 22 and Luke Michmerhuizen added 18. Grant VanderZee added eight.
"It was a great playoff atmosphere and we got big games from Caleb and Luke - and Henry Langejans played lights out defensively on Hastings' best player," Holland Christian coach Brad Jansen said.
Holland Christian will face Hamilton in the district final on Friday at Hastings.
Saugatuck 48, Fennville 33
The Trailblazers won the Division 3 district semifinal at Bloomingdale on Wednesday.
On the offensive end, junior Carter Miller gave Saugatuck the spark it needed, hitting some shots both inside and out. He scored 11 of his game-high 15 in the first half and helped the Trailblazers to a 29-19 lead at the break. Saugatuck pushed it to 15 by the end of the third and were able to coast from there.
Leading the way for the Trailblazers was junior Carter Miller with 15 points. Junior Cass Stanberry played through an illness and still managed to score 10 points. Senior Matt Hartgerink added seven points.
Delton Kellogg 67, Black River 60
The River Rats fell in the Division 3 district semifinals at Bloomingdale and finished the season 7-17.
Jonah VanderMeer led the Rats with 19 points and five rebounds. Josiah Thomas had 13 points and three assists.
"Tonight was a Game of run and Delton Kellogg made the last run," Black River coach Darrion Denham said. "Tough night for my ball club. Our record doesn't justify the talent and how much work we put in all season to get to this point."
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: District hoops: Hamilton's Justin McIllwain drains school record 44
