GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Week 3 of the Grand Rapids All City Fall League brought one of the higher-scoring weekends the league has seen during its three-year run, with offenses beginning to find more rhythm as teams head toward tournament play.
With three weeks complete, the regular-season portion has set the bracket. Week 4 now shifts the league into tournament play.
VNYR 52 (3-0) defeats Michigan Thunder 2032 34 (2-1)
VNYR wasted little time establishing control.
Kalin Guyton came out aggressive, consistently getting paint touches and attacking the rim as VNYR jumped in front 26-6. After having to grind through tighter offensive stretches in previous weeks, VNYR found a much better scoring rhythm from the opening possessions.
Breckin Paul continued his steady play and again provided a spark, but this was largely a balanced VNYR effort. The ball moved, multiple players contributed and the early offense gave them control of the game before Michigan Thunder could settle in.
Thunder attempted to make runs after falling behind, but the early deficit proved too much to overcome.
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Phenom Elite 33 (1-2) defeats Ball Game 27 (0-3)
For the third consecutive week, Phenom Elite found itself in a game that required possessions to be won late.
Jayceon Stokes led the way with his impact on both ends of the floor. His activity defensively carried over into the offense, and Phenom consistently found ways to create extra opportunities by getting on the floor and winning loose-ball situations.
Ball Game received a strong showing from Dominick Mitchell and remained within striking distance, but Phenom was able to make more of the plays that mattered as the game tightened.
After two weeks of close basketball, Phenom finally converted enough of those possessions down the stretch to secure its first victory of the Fall League.
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Hoop City 65 (1-2) defeats J Cats 41 (0-3)
Hoop City found its offensive spark early behind SJ Richardson and LJ Mitchner.
Richardson set an aggressive tone on both ends of the floor, while Mitchner found a rhythm offensively that helped bring the rest of the group along. Once those two settled into the game, Hoop City began stacking quality possessions instead of relying on isolated stretches of scoring.
Jalen Brown continued to provide perimeter shooting for J Cats and again gave them a threat capable of changing a game quickly from beyond the arc.
But Hoop City was more consistent possession to possession. Richardson and Mitchner provided the initial push, and the rest of the group followed as Hoop City continued making plays and earned its first victory of the season.
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Next Up 70 (3-0) defeats Michigan Thunder 2031 46 (2-1)
Next Up established the tone almost immediately and never allowed Michigan Thunder 2031 to become comfortable.
Christian Broyles provided the early spark on both ends of the floor, combining offensive production with defensive activity. Aiden Ford followed with his own energy on both ends, helping Next Up build separation before Thunder could establish its rhythm.
Michigan Thunder entered the game shorthanded, and Next Up also had a clear defensive priority.
Rather than allowing Alijah Sydnor to consistently create in space, Next Up sent extra attention his way and worked to limit his touches and clean scoring opportunities. Sydnor still found ways to contribute, but the strategy prevented Thunder from consistently playing through one of its primary creators.
It was a disciplined defensive approach from an undefeated Next Up group that has now positioned itself as the top seed entering tournament play.
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Looking Ahead: Week 4
1:30 PM — #2 Michigan Thunder 2032 vs. #3 Phenom Elite
2:15 PM — #1 VNYR vs. #4 Ball Game
3:00 PM — #1 Next Up vs. #4 J Cats
3:45 PM — #2 Michigan Thunder 2031 vs. #3 Hoop City