The Flying Dutchmen boys’ basketball team is in rare air this season. They just completed what has been a historic season on the hardwood in finishing 18–4 to close out the regular season! This is one of the highest win totals in school history and they are not done yet as they are set to host Districts this week. The boys finished in the top three of the Cascades Conference. The Dutch boast wins over 16-win Jonesville and 15-win Leslie, as well as strong road wins at Whitmore Lake and Summerfield, to go along with season sweeps of traditional league powers Hanover-Horton and Napoleon this year in going 4–0 against them. The Dutch are also 10–1 on their home floor, with the only loss being 18–3 to Michigan Center.

The Dutch have been led by senior Grant Johnson, who was named Co-Player of the Year in the Conference as well as being named to the Conference Dream Team. Grant has averaged nearly 15 points a game, more than 10 rebounds, three blocks, and three assists a game to go along with a plethora of highlight reel dunks. Senior Cade Sayer (the team’s defensive stopper), junior Michael Navitskis, and sophomore Gavin Horky (who are both double-digit scorers) were all named Honorable Mention All-Conference. Senior Justin Gale, the team’s rim protector on defense, completes the starting lineup, which has started all 22 games this year together.

The Dutch have a great starting five, but the bench has also been a huge reason for the success this year. Sophomore forward Brennan Woods has been a great sixth man off the bench, and the Dutch have gotten great performances from junior forward Wesley Earhart and sophomore guard Eli Finnegan. Junior Max Harvey, sophomore Gavin Lindeman, and sophomore Caleb Weidmayer fill out the rest of the bench and have given great energy and minutes when called upon. One of the strengths of this year’s team has been that everyone has bought into their role for the betterment of the team. Since the JV season was cancelled, some of the bench players missed out on more minutes this year, but they have done a great job finding their role within the varsity and continue to improve.

The Dutch also have two transfers who had to sit out this season but are at every practice and do everything they can do whether that be filling water bottles or filming games. Junior Luke Dalton and sophomore Dawson Ward are important members of this year’s team even though they cannot play this season.

This week in Districts, the Dutch will face the winner of Blissfield and Grass Lake at 7pm on Wednesday, February 25. The other side of the bracket consists of Clinton, Sand Creek, and the 1-seed Onsted. The winners of both Wednesday games will play for the championship Friday at 7pm.

The Flying Dutchmen are hoping to earn some hardware that they can put in the trophy case to go alongside the 1944, 1945, 1951, 1957, 2001, 2004, and 2011 District Champs, as well as the 1984 Conference Champs, and the 1946, 1947, and 1974 Regional Champions. The season has been a great success, and they look to build upon that win total this week in Districts. The Dutch are looking for a home court advantage that will help them in their post-season run. If you have not come out to see them this year, come out and watch some good basketball! This is not something that has been seen in a while and Coach Will Bennett has the Dutch in year two putting the area on notice that Manchester Basketball is a team that will compete with anyone. Go, Dutch!!

Ticket info for District games can be found at https://gofan.co/event/6150658?schoolId=MI10016