Grace standout Cory Jamieson is in Tuscaloosa, Alabama finishing up his graduation requirements by interning at the University of Alabama in the Athletics Department. 

“Cory came in my office a while back and asked if he could do his internship with me and I was more than happy to have Cory for the summer,” said Coach Gary Bailey.  “I knew Cory was a big Crimson Tide fan and I joked that I thought he would rather be at Alabama than Grace.  As it turned out, we had a contact down there and he was more than happy to give Cory the opportunity.”

“After my first week here in Tuscaloosa, I can tell it is going to be an enjoyable experience, but more importantly, very valuable for my future.  It is crazy the amount of work that goes into making the University of Alabama’s athletics programs what they are, and I am looking forward to learning more and more about what goes into it throughout my time here this summer.  I am very thankful for this opportunity, and I am hoping to make the most of it!” – Cory Jamieson.

Torin Carlson is the latest player to sign with the 2012 NCCAA National Champion Tigers.  The 6’4″ Carlson, is a big guard out of Mona Shores High School.  At MSHS, Torin averaged 14 ppg, 6 rpg, 4 apg, & 2 bpg.  He was a 1st Team All Conference selection and was chosen to the All Area Team.

Torin is a solid classroom performer as well receiving the Silver Argonaut Award for consecutive semesters with a 3.5 gpa or higher.

“Torin is going to fit really well with our team,” said Coach Gary Bailey.  “He has a great personality and plays the same style of ball that we have been playing here at Grace.  He has an excellant three point shot and can finish at the basket.”

Torin is the son of Tim & Sue Carlson.  He has a sister, Nicole, and a brother Adam.

This past season, Torin made a full court shot that was featured on a lot of the news channels.  Click on the link below to see the shot.

Standing, Coach Gary Bailey & Bill Zobel. Seated Tracie & Kyle Zobel

The Tigers continue to strengthen at the guard spot by signing 5’8″ guard, Kyle Zobel, out of Arenac Eastern High School.  Zobel lead the Eagles last season by scoring 13 ppg, 5 apg, 3 spg, and 4 rpg.

“Kyle comes to us by way of a former college player of mine and teammate of Coach Bailey that called and said that Arenac had a kid that we needed to look at,” said Assistant Coach Dan George.  “I was happy to make the drive over to AHS and see Kyle play and was very pleased with his hard nosed play.  We are very happy to have Kyle join our squad for next year and feel that he is exactly the type of player that we want here at GBC.”

Kyle was active in school and is an Honor Roll student.  He is President of Skills USA, a member of Teen Institute (peer assistant leader), Spanish Club, and G3 Youth Group.  He also received perfect attendance at the Skills Center for two consecutive years.

Kyle is the son of Bill & Tracie Zobel.  He has a sister, Ashley and a brother, Jared.

Senator Jansen from Michigan invited the 2012 National Champion Tigers to Lansing to visit the State Capital and be presented with a special honor.  Senator Jansen spoke about the teams accomplishments and ask Coach Bailey to say a few words.  The House gave the team a standing ovation and then gave their personal congratulations and allowed the team to pose for a group picture.  Before the presentation, Senator Jansen and his staff hosted a reception in his office for the team and coaches.

Aaron Jones, a 5’11 guard, from Westover Christian Academy in Danville, VA has agreed to lace up his shoes for the Tigers next season.  Jones led the Westover Bulldogs to a 22-6 record, winning the school’s first ever regional championship and making it’s first ever state championship appearance.  Aaron ranked 1st on the team in 3pt fg and was 5th in the state of Virginia in assists with better than 7 per game.  He has a high scoring game of 27 points this season, which included 7 three pointers.  Aaron also finished this season with all-state tournament honors.

In the 2010-11 season, Jones led the Leesburg Christian Lions to the state championship, winning the school’s first state championship in school history.  Last season was capped off by a 33 point effort versus school rival Evangel Christian, which the Lions had failed to beat for the past 10 seasons.  Aaron closed out the game in dramatic fashion with a deep corner 3, his ninth of the night, at the buzzer to give the Lions the victory.

Aaron is a member of FCA and the Service Club.  Aaron is the son of Jason Jones of Salem, VA who has coached basketball for the last 20 years, and Allison Lambert of Winston-Salem, NC who was also a state champion point guard in high school.

“We are happy to have Aaron as a Tiger,” said Coach Gary Bailey.  “He distributes the ball well and can really shoot it from deep.  He is a great young man and will fit into how we do things at Grace very well.”

Coach Gary Bailey, Chris Bylsma, Jeff Bylsma, & BCHS Coach Jared Crandell. Jordan is seated.

Jordan Bylsma, a 5’11″ guard out of Byron Center High School, signed his Letter of Intent on Thursday to play for the Tigers next season.  Jordan is the son of Jeff & Chris Bylsma.  He has two brothers, Jeffrey & Jacob, and a sister, Abbigail.

Jordan averaged 14 ppg for Byron Center last season.  He also averaged 3 apg and 2 spg.  He served the team as a captain and was selected as the team MVP.  Jordan was selected to the All-Conference team his senior season.  He also excels in the classroom and is a member of the National Honor Society and the Student Leadership Team.

“Today was a good day for the Grace Bible College family and the Bylsma family,”  said Coach Gary Bailey.  “While we were at Byron Center High School today, I had so many people come up to me and tell me how lucky we were to get a student/athlete like Jordan.  Everyone had such great things to say about him and his wonderful family.  It’s a good feeling to know we signed the right player.”

Ben Kronemeyer of Holland Calvary Christian High School joined the 2012 recruiting class at Grace.  Kronemeyer, a 6’3″ guard led Calvary to a 17-5 record this season.  A 1st Team All Conference selection, Kronemeyer was also selected as the Conference Player of the Year.  Ben also picked up Class D All State Honorable Mention honors.

Averaging 18 ppg and 8 rpg, Ben also handed out 3.5 assists and 3.5 steals per game.

“We are really happy to have Ben and his family as part of our program,” said Coach Gary Bailey.  “Ben is a guard with good size and can really shoot the ball.  He has a good work ethic and should adjust to the college game quickly.”

“I chose Grace because when I went there for a visit I felt very at home.  The teachers, students, and coaches really made me feel very welcome” – Ben Kronemeyer

Ben is the son of Nancy and Harold Kronemeyer.

Coach Bailey, Ben, Nancy, and Harold Kronemeyer

K.C. Hills, Luke McKian, & Grace Coach Gary Bailey

Today, the Tigers signed Luke McKian, a 6’9″ post player out of Fremont High School, for next season.  McKian has agreed to wear #55 for Grace starting in the 2012-13 season.

“Luke is a great addition to our team,” said Coach Gary Bailey.  “He is an outstanding player with an unlimited ceiling.  He saw double and triple teams most of his senior season and still managed great numbers.  He can run the floor and is an awesome rebounder.  We are really excited to watch his growth over the next four years.  With our losses to graduation this year, we were really looking for players that could come in and contibute right away.  We are sure we found one in Luke.”

In his senior season, Luke averaged 14.1 ppg, 13.7 rpg, 4.2 bpg, and 1.1 spg.  He scored over 600 points, pulled down over 600 rebounds, and had over 200 blocks in his junior and senior years.  Luke averaged a double-double in both years.   His best game this season was a 24 point, 20 rebound, 10 block game against Tri-County.  His high rebound game was 22 this season.

Luke was selected 1st Team All-Conference, 1st Team All-Area, and 3rd Team All State his senior season.

Luke is the son of Tom McKian, K.C. Hills and the late Dean Hills. 

Sisters Samantha & Alyssa along with brothers Jake, Justin, Teri, & Nickey all look forward to watching Luke play at Grace next year.

Luke’s High School coach is Mr. Pete Zerfas.

Melvin DeVeaux, a 5’10 guard out of Spring Creek High School in Seven Springs, NC has agreed to suit up for the Tigers next season.  Melvin, an All-State selection in North Carolina averaged 21 ppg, 5 rpg, 5 apg and almost reached double figures in steals per game his senior season.  He was the runner-up for county Player of the Year in a very talented area of NC.  

“We are very pleased to have Melvin at Grace next season,” said Coach Gary Bailey.  “We lost four guards to graduation and we need to strengthen at the guard spot for next season.  Melvin is a tenacious defender and plays very physical.  He is lightning quick and can get to the basket and will distribute the ball.  We welcome Melvin and his family to GBC and to the Tiger Nation.”

A 2010 graduate, Melvin received perfect attendance at Spring Creek High School and was a member of the FBLA Honors Class.  Before coming to Grace he spent a year working with the Duke basketball team by playing on their practice squad.

Melvin is originally from Grand Rapids but moved to North Carolina around the age of 14.  He has now moved back and is living in GR.  He is the son of Valerie Butler and Melvin DeVeaux.

Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll (far left) joins the coaches and players for the presentation

The 2012 National Champions were honored tonight at Wyoming City Hall by the City Council and presented a new sign that will be displayed on the campus of Grace Bible College.   Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll invited the City Council to join him congratulating the Tigers.  The Mayor also gave a very nice presentation on how the team exemplified good sportsmanship and represented West Michigan and the City of Wyoming very well.  He asked Coach Bailey to say a few words.  Coach Bailey thanked the City and the Mayor for their continued support of Grace Bible College.