From the post to the perimeter, Francesca Buchanan, Kenedy Schoonveld and Madison Geers made sure the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association co-champion Hope College women’s basketball team had the court covered.
The trio was recognized for its performances this season as All-MIAA honorees. Buchanan,
a forward, and Schoonveld, a guard, were among six first-team selections. Geers, a
guard, was one of six second-team players.
Buchanan, Schoonveld and Geers helped the Flying Dutch go 15-1 in MIAA play and share
first place with Trine University.
“It’s a great honor for our team to have three players recognized as all-league,”
head coach Brian Morehouse said. “I think it speaks to the value of putting the team
first to have three be voted by the league coaches.”
Buchanan — Hope’s leading scorer and rebounder — averaged 13.0 points per MIAA games.
The junior from Grant, Michigan (Sparta HS) ranked fifth in individual scoring. She
finished third in rebounding at 8.3 per league game.
Buchanan tied for second in the MIAA with 50.0 percent field goal shooting. She hit
the game-winning shot in a 70-69 win at Calvin on February 7.
Buchanan is All-MIAA for the second consecutive season.
Morehouse said Buchanan improved in many statistical categories since last season
but it was her better understanding of the game that really showed her growth this
year.
“She's so athletic for a post player and is unselfish,” Morehouse said. “She could
have played more minutes and accumulated more stats, but she willingly mentored the
younger post players while improving her own play.”
Schoonveld averaged 10.3 points per MIAA game. The freshman from Zeeland, Michigan
(Holland Christian HS) shot 47.4 percent from 3-point range in league competition
— second-highest among all MIAA players and 47.3 percent from the field overall.
“Kenedy had a very strong first year,” Morehouse said. “She was very fundamentally
sound when she arrived last fall and her growth in understanding our system grew quickly.
She Was a very consistent performer in her shooting and defense. She was a nominee
for defensive player of the year in our league as she was unique in guarding all positions
on the floor except the opposing center.”
Geers averaged 9.6 points per league game and contributed in many other areas for
the Flying Dutch.
“Madison had a tremendous senior season,” Morehouse said. “She carried our team for
portions of the season with her big games and mental toughness. I can point to so
many games where we were struggling and she made a big play or free throw to get us
going. Her toughness is a trademark of her play and showed up in rebounding.”