Varsity basketball coach summarizes its 2020 season
The 2019-2020 MHS Varsity Flying Dutch basketball team. Front, L-R, co-captains Braeden Caszatt, Tyler Horky, and Ryan Mann. Back, Riley McGuigan, Ian Penberthy, Jeff Carpenter, Aiden Kelly, Coach Mike Ahrens, Cody Guernsey, Hayden Taylor, and Joe Rogowski.
With the Flying Dutchmen sitting in the District Championship bracket after a victory over Ann Arbor Greenhills on March 11, the team ended its season with a 10-12 record, when the MHSAA halted tournament play due to the Coronavirus pandemic. The state tournament hadn’t been stopped since WWII.
“We were confident we could have won this game and advance to the regionals,” said Coach Mike Ahrens. “The team and staff were extremely disappointed the season ended on this note.”
The Dutch finished 5-9 in the Cascades Conference, which, according to Ahrens, is arguably the best Division 3 League in the state. State-ranked Hanover Horton dominated both their league and non-league opponents this season, ending up with a 20-1 record.
Ahrens added, “Early in the season, the staff and I realized that losing junior Ryan Mann to a knee injury in the first game was a major blow to our team. He had worked so hard over the summer in preparation for this season.” He is happy to report that Ryan’s recovery is coming along “great.”
In non-conference games, the Dutch were 3-3 vs a tough schedule made of mostly larger schools including Ann Arbor Skyline. The team improved steadily throughout the season; in the last 10 games the team was 5-5, in the last five games their record improved to 3-2. The team also won both overtime games this season. In games decided by five points or less, the Dutch won three and lost one.
The team averaged 57.3 points per game, while opponents averaged 61.7. Individual stat leaders included Senior Tyler Horky, who had a Season 644 points (29.3/Game); Senior Braeden Caszatt and Sophomore Aiden Kelly led the team in rebounding, with 154 each. Horky led the team with 55 assists, closely followed by Junior Cody Guernsey, who had 49.
Horky also grabbed 57 steals throughout the season, while Caszatt topped the charts with 42 blocked shots. Defensive player of the game honors were awarded to Horky (10) and Kelly (7).
The team also received a good deal of Area and State recognition, with Horky making the All-Conference First Team and Kelly earning Honorable Mention. Horky was named to the Jackson Area’s MLive “Dream Team” and also earned the MLive MVP award, with 10,332 votes.
Horky was also the state’s leading scorer according to MaxPreps, with his 29.3 points-per-game average. He was named to the Basketball Coaches Association (BCAM) of Michigan Academic All State, while Caszatt was awarded the Outstanding Senior Student Athlete by the BCAM. The Associated Press All-State also named Horky to its Division 3 first team.
Being unable to play in the District Championships was a major setback to an otherwise stellar season. The disappointment was tangible among the staff and the players alike. “I was particularly sensitive to our four seniors,” Ahrens said, “knowing that they would not be playing another high school game in their career.”
Ahrens summarized by saying he “was very pleased” with the progress of the program’s Youth Clinics for 4-6th graders; the Summer Middle School Camps; and the Program Player Development Plan. He also was highly satisfied with the commitment level of the players and is grateful for the parent and community support that the team has received during this banner year.
Team awards will be announced in the coming weeks.
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