Two Hope basketball players have received All-America honors for outstanding play during their senior seasons.
Marcus Vanderheide of Grandville (Calvin Christian HS) was named to the first team by the National Association of Basketball Coaches while Jordyn Boles of Grand Rapids (Forest Hills Central HS) was one of 10 players named to the All-America team of the National Association of Women's Basketball Coaches.
Each is being honored for their role in Hope's MIAA championship season. Vanderheide was voted the MIAA's most valuable player and was name the Great Lake region's most outstanding DIII player. Boles was a three-time All-MIAA honoree who over her career started in a school-record 120 games and compiled an amazing 110-10 record.
"Marcus has prepared himself for his senior season like All-Americans
prepare themselves," said coach Glenn Van Wieren. He's been our vocal leader -- as
a captain, as a senior, as an all-conference player, MVP of our conference -- as any
senior we've had at Hope College. He's led our team to the final four
and has had a career that he should be proud of; we're proud of him
because of the work he's put into his preparation for his senior year
at Hope. He has said that since this is his last time around, he
would be as ready as he's ever been ready, mentally and physically, to
have a great senior season. I'm happy for him and Hope College
basketball."