Author: Gr3g Hoops

Born & raised in Grand Rapids, MI Classically trained in cheering for the underdog. Watched Isiah hobble off the court at The Palace, Barry walk away from the Lions and all 119 losses for the Tigers. Passionate about our local sports franchises past and present here in Beer City USA, including the Grand Rapids Hoops and Sullivan's baseball.

Red Cedar: Union of Hawks

Forced into a new crest, Year 1 Champs rebrand

Whence does the Red Hawk fly if time goes by in the age of gravity?

Forever will the Red Hawk soar like kites in the West Michigan wind. From the western shores of Muskegon Lake to the skies above West Muskegon Ave, the Union of Hawks ascend above the Red Cedar of the Grand Valley.

The Red Hawks of Force have rebranded as the Red Cedar: Union of Hawks, per league sources.

While most of the original Hawks found nests away from the League, some continually migrated between on court and off court during season 2. Newcomer Daniel Bk, the Hawks MVP who played every game last year, joined Year 1 returnees Cake and I’ll Will as the team went through serious roster turnover.

On the crest:

  • five hawks represent the team on the floor
  • the trees, hoop and arrow symbolize the flight of M-46 (Muskegon, Cedar Springs, Grand Rapids)
  • the white trophy is the 2020-21 Championship
  • (Big) Red Cedar (Springs) Union (GR) = HAWKS

 

The Hawks will move on from their former logo.

Redhawksbasketballlogo
Red Hawks of Force (2020-2022)

 

If you’re interested in joining the Red Cedar: Union of Hawks and are at least 30 years old, please REGISTER NOW!

Player Entry into the Gr3g League is contingent on REGISTERING for the League via our website while CREATING your persona (nickname & number, team selection) & PURCHASING YOUR OWN CUSTOM JERSEY ($150 one-time payment) with the plan on playing for a single team FOREVER (new jersey purchase required to change teams during offseason).

 

Ricky Bobby photo

Dawg of the Year: Ricky Bobby named Gr3g League MVP

New season, new team, new trophy: Ricky Bobby takes the MVP

Ricky Bobby of the Creston Rock Crew has been named the 2021-22 Gr3g League MVP and takes home the Jackson Walker “Dawg of the Year” trophy, the league announced today.

The lead singer of the band Pretoria (check out there music here!), Ricky Bobby led the Crew to another great year on the court while playing General Manager for the Purple amid a season of roster fluctuation due to work & school schedules, injuries and Covid precautions.

Pretoria music

He finished 2nd in total points (184), games played (14), wins (11), was 7th in PPG (3rd among players playing 10+ games) and was the key contributor to the success of his team throughout the season.

On the All-Time stats list, he ranks 1st in the MVP Race (58.60), 4th in total points (296), 1st in games played (24), and holds a 12.3 PPG overall.

Ricky Bobby played Year 1 with the Greyline Nines, alongside MJ (351 points) and 2020-21 League MVP Los (318 points).

After (his dad) Goolay retired in the offseason, he signed with his hometown Crew to play with Jimmy G and Boog.

While we missed all but one song at his latest gig, here’s a link to the next one!

June 3rd at the Pyramid Scheme in Grand Rapids, MI

2021-22 “Old School” Player of the Year: Jimmy G

Par for the course, JImmy G medals again

Every team needs a leader that will take the helm during the toughest of times and be there as support when the game plan works to its best possible outcome. Being present and patient is what veteran leadership is all about.

No one does a better job of being the “Old School” man on the floor than the Crew‘s own Jimmy G.

One of the first players to register for the Gr3g League back in early 2020, #13 in purple and gold has been a top recruiter, a mainstay on the court and an avid supporter and very generous donor since Day One.

The league is built for hoopers like Jim.

By far (not by far), he’s the elder statesman playing in the league. And although he’s “not as quick as (I) used to be”, he’s played in 23 of the 25 games for the Crew over the last two seasons.

“Not as quick as I used to be.” -Jimmy G

 

While the buckets weren’t filling up this year for the 50+ year old guard, his presence on and off the court has made a huge impact in the lives on his teammates and the author of this article. So, let’s…Raise 2 Pints

to our 2021-22

“Old School” Player of the Year,

Jimmy G!

 

 

2021-22 Defensive Player of the Year: Cope Creatif

City’s Big man makes music on the defensive end

The 2021-22 Gr3g League Defensive Player of the Year, the City of Bridges Basketball Club‘s big man, Cope Creatif.

It was a mid-summer Tuesday evening over on Grand Rapids’ southeast side when we first met Cope. The sun was setting a little low in the western sky and the guys shooting toward the east bucket over on Michael Sanders Memorial Court at Wilcox Park definitely had an advantage not dealing with the twilight.

Do you know that feeling when you know the other team has to deal with something like a bent rim, overly cracked pavement, the tree branch, or the sun? It’s not subtle. You’ve got an advantage. And it’ll break down your hustle.

That’s what happened that day in the park. Cope happened.

but he also plays “without contacts” offense

He didn’t overwork to get to his spot. He didn’t lunge to get the steal. He wouldn’t bite on the pump fake. What did he do? He continued a defensive assault on the opposing team. Wait for the opposition to attack and thwart away the efforts like a fly.

We knew very early in Summer League what to expect in the regular season.

When the “2021 Draft” took place, it was obvious to the team ambassadors to keep the continuity from the Summer League teams together on the floor and found City to be the best option. Cope, Trav Waylaa, Jose XIX and Weston (IR, return in 2022-23 likely) joined up with D Nags and Kid A to form a formidable new look Bridges.

Cope did the dirty work for the Bad Boys in Blue all year long. You can look at the yearly stats and see that he scored 10 points over 13 games this past season, but that doesn’t tell the story at all.

The League doesn’t currently keep (read: who wants to watch some YouTube games & do the book?) defensive stats like rebounds, blocks, steals and turnovers forced. This year, we didn’t need them.

Every game this year, Cope owned the middle of the floor on the defensive end. His abundant rebounding numbers and the numerous shots blocked were high on the mind of the voters (most of whom had been victim to the Creatif’D).

“He plays a no-contact type of defense that takes away an opponents ability to body up and control the narrative”, his biggest fan in the League told us earlier this year, “no need to be more than DPOY”.

“Yeah, but he also plays “without contacts” offense and we could use some easy buckets”, another player chimed in.

No player in the league did more to effect the opponents as a whole that Cope did this season.

Congratulations, Cope Creatif!

Keep making that music! 

 

Check out his work off court:

https://www.facebook.com/lescreatifmusic

#
6
Name
Cope
Position
Center
Member Status
Lifetime
Height
6-3
Weight
180
Current Team
Rhythm
Past Teams
City
Leagues
2nd Ward Division, 3rd Ward Division, the GR3G league
Seasons
2021 Playoffs, 2021 Season, 2022 Season, 2023 Season, 2024 Season
Age
38

2nd Ward Division

SeasonTeamMVP RaceGFGMFGAFG%3PM3PA3P%GRMGRA3G%PTSPPGZEBREBZPGASTSTLBLKFTMFTAFT%OFFDEFTOPFGSRPGAPGSPGBPGEFF
2023 SeasonRhythm021425.011100.000031.51400.0333000000020.01.51.51.59
2024 SeasonRhythm021425.011100.000031.51400.0333000000020.01.51.51.59
Total-042825.02220000060.72800.6666000000040.00.40.40.411

3rd Ward Division

SeasonTeamMVP RaceGFGMFGAFG%3PM3PA3P%GRMGRA3G%PTSPPGZEBREBZPGASTSTLBLKFTMFTAFT%OFFDEFTOPFGSRPGAPGSPGBPGEFF
2022 SeasonRhythm03040.0010.000000.0000.0000000000030.00.00.00.0-4
Total-03040.001000000.0000.0000000000030.00.00.00.3-5

the GR3G league

SeasonTeamMVP RaceGFGMFGAFG%3PM3PA3P%GRMGRA3G%PTSPPGZEBREBZPGASTSTLBLKFTMFTAFT%OFFDEFTOPFGSRPGAPGSPGBPGEFF
2021 SeasonCity013000000000100.8040.30040000000130.00.00.00.314
2022 SeasonRhythm081119.1020.000020.3000.0000000000080.00.00.00.0-8
2023 SeasonRhythm011131968.41520.000090.89600.08990000000110.00.70.80.829
2024 SeasonRhythm071311118.21425.000091.35400.0557000000070.00.70.71.028
Total-039274146.721145000300.715040.11314200000000390.00.30.30.435

Career Total

SeasonMVP RaceGFGMFGAFG%3PM3PA3P%GRMGRA3G%PTSPPGZEBREBZPGASTSTLBLKFTMFTAFT%OFFDEFTOPFGSRPGAPGSPGBPGEFF
2021 Playoffs0300000000000.0000.0000000000030.00.00.00.00
2021 Season013000000000100.8040.30040000000130.00.00.00.314
2022 Season081119.1020.000020.3000.0000000000080.00.00.00.0-8
2023 Season011131968.41520.000090.89600.08990000000110.00.70.80.829
2024 Season071311118.21425.000091.35400.0557000000070.00.70.71.028
Total042274146.721145000300.715040.11314200000000420.00.30.30.435

nines champions 2021-22

Greyline Nines take the Championship

Nines win 3 in a row to take the title

The Greyline Nines won the last three games of the season and took home the 2021-22 Championship with a 52-48 victory over the Broadleaf Buzz.

The winningest team in the history of the Gr3g League, presented by BeerCityHoops, the Nines completed the sweep of the GGR Ligers, the Creston Rock Crew and the Buzz, and will forever etch their names in the trophy (literally) and the history books.

Led by returning players MJ and Double Barrett, the Nines physically outmanned the Ligers in the Quarterfinal before newcomers Money and Mr94Feet outgunned the Crew in the first game of the Final night a week later.

During the last game of the season, it was time for revenge against the Buzz. Broad Leaf sent the Nines down the Loser’s Bracket route causing the extended detour to the title game.

MJ bullied his way to the basket over and over and over again on his way to 24 points and the Final Game MVP award.

2021 Final: Buzz vs Nines

 

 

B. Buckets heats up the kitchen in Ligers 53-16 win over Hawks

Defending Champs goin’ fishing early

It wasn’t much of a game from the early going as the Ligers put together a team effort in a 53-16 win over the defending Gr3g League champions.

While the Ligers and Hawks both looked to the deep depths of free agency to fill their playoff roster, the names on the jerseys wouldn’t matter except for #13 in green.

B. Buckets set fire to the entire block on the home end via the 3G and sent the Hawks out to the lake on an early exit fishing trip.

Silky did his usual work, LaCrosse played the role previously filled by B Stacks, and Gr3g worked out on the defensive boards in his return to the court for the Ligers (after being released from the Buzz after their acquisition of Ford). In fact, we heard whispers of “is that team modeled after the ’96 Sonics?” in the arena throughout the night. (Think Gary Payton, Detlef Schrempf, Sam Perkins, and Steve Scheffler, respectively.)

DanielBk led the Hawks, as he did all season. After losing a majority of their roster after the holiday break (4 players went on to coach their kids in little ball), the Hawks became his team to lead. A team had to make week-to-week roster moves which caused a bit of flux in the flow of their foundation.

Hazy AF n/a jan 2021 photo

He’s back! The logo returns to his roots with the Buzz

IV abruptly retires & the Buzz trade for Gr3g

Coming off a disappointing first year playing in the BeerCityHoops Gr3g League, starting point guard and Buzz team ambassador IV dramatically walked off the court mid-game and subsequently retired this past Tuesday.

While the team continued on to a defeat at the hands of the Crew, league officials were already in contact with each other during the second half about the future of players (IV & Gr3g, specifically), the players still on the floor for the Buzz and the Broad Leaf franchise, in general.

Having taken the lead for the Buzz since late last summer, IV had shown promise as a team owner/ambassador as he put together a roster of competitive hoopers. Although the Buzz hadn’t entered the league with the type of success and fanfare as the Crew or the City, the stability as a franchise seemed to be on par with that of the Nines and the Ligers. But, if he doesn’t want to play during the hard times, the players union has already spoken and declined to allow IV back on the court.

the players union has already spoken and declined to allow IV back on the court

In a meeting just prior to new year, Gr3g talked with Grizzly Doug, the founder of the Broad Leaf Buzz, and admitted that his days playing for the Nines were numbered (mostly 15, 36 & 52) but would continue as a role player on the Alpine Route if needed and would gladly accept a move away from “an environment I once enjoyed but can’t exist in anymore” as soon as possible. The worst part, he added, “was asking Money to join me over there while not really knowing if I could stay”.

The advice?

“Tell ’em all to go take a flyin’ bleep on a rollin’ donut!”

Gr3g’s agent, Michelle, added,

“YOU DO YOU!”

And so here we are, the league’s founder will be traded back to the Buzz for a 2022 late-round pick trying to fit into a squad that has enough talent (and possibly enough time to mesh) to compete in the playoffs. Gr3g will wear the yellow #8 jersey for the Buzz.

Maybe it works. Maybe it fails miserably. Word is they’re just going out to hoop it up.

Check out the league games on YouTube

 

 

 

Scotty J photo

2021-22 Week 6 Preview: End of the 1st Half

first half of the season ends tuesday

The first half of the 2021-22 regular season will come to a conclusion on Tuesday night before the Gr3g League takes nearly a month off for the holidays.

7pm game: Championship rematch, part 2

CREW LOOKS TO STAY UNDEFEATED

The Creston Rock Crew will be looking to stay undefeated as they take the home end of the floor playing host to the Red Hawks of Force in the opening game (7pm). Both teams have a different look since the season opener where the Crew defeated the Hawks, 47-38.

Crew 2021Newcomers Ricky Bobby (left) and Proto have led the way for the Crew, according to the MVP Race, but it’s been a collective effort across the board for the Purple. Boog and Jimmy G are playing some of their best basketball to date while the new additions of Gavin and Asian Spice (right) have increased tempo and opened up wide-open pockets to shoot from.

The Crew hasn’t felt the need to take their game outside the 3G line, as they’e attempted the least of any team.

 

For the Hawks, this season has been the perfect storm

Coming off last season’s Championship victory, the team found itself in disarray. Multiple players had secretly positioned themselves to leave the squad for other teams over the summer creating a whirlwind of drama which was at the time only known to league personnel.

During the offseason recruiting process, multiple players had again made it “very clear” they did not want to return to the Hawks. One was even bold enough to tell the league they’d, “found another league to play in and I’m taking some players with me.” (That player no longer plays in the Gr3g League and did not respond to inquiries for a comment.)

The league made the choice to fill the team with incoming players in a huge trade after Week 1 “once the Nines decided how to fill their roster” AND “none of the other Hawks being available or having reached out to the league yet“.

In that trade, the Hawks secured the services of a “team of 4 that will start their own expansion team next season in Orange & Black” consisting of The Juice, AG, ****Mike & Coach Drew to go with  I’ll Will, (pictured below) Cake and newcomer Daniel Bk.

Hawks 2021With Bandit‘s sudden return in Week 4, the Red now have a returning squad of four plus the Orange 4 and part-time available services of Big Baby.

A.G. has lead the way in the scoring department so far this season, only giving way to Bandit this past week against the Buzz. ****Mike is a dominant force on the boards both offensively and defensively. After an injury to his shooting hand, Coach Drew has taken a prominent role on the sidelines as the “voice of the Force” and, not surprisingly, The Juice just keeps finding himself in open space to fire three-pointers in long-sleeves.

This team has taken the most 3G’s this season, a deep contrast to their upcoming opponent.

Continue reading “2021-22 Week 6 Preview: End of the 1st Half” →

To our Players: an update from the office

We know some of you players are upset with the ending of the final game tonight.
“The fault lies totally at my hands.” -Gr3g
To clear up the end of game status:
-We changed the rule to end the game at 52 points before this season.
-If neither team scores 52, the leading team after the 30-minute running clock takes the victory. Game 1 tonight ended 52-37 with 7:32 left in the game.
-Shortening the game and adding a target score allows more time for warmups and originally was key to the possibility of having 4 games per night with 8 teams.
-We could not field 8 teams at the start of the season. Multiple players have reached out over the last couple weeks in hopes of returning.
-And so, rosters got tighter and a couple people got traded.
-As we saw tonight, players will miss games.
Your $74/dues covers:
-the 7-week schedule in 2021,
-a 7-week schedule starting Jan 11, 2022 and
-a single elimination tourney in March 2022.
We’re paid up at the gym through Feb. 9th.
We’re trying to find a Gus Buster or 2 to oversee the tourney.