Women’s Basketball Trio Claims All-MIAA Recognition

• Athletics

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.”