KENTWOOD – Armoni Hall can do it all for the East Kentwood boys basketball team.
The 6-6 senior forward helped spark the Falcons to a couple of their biggest wins of the season over OK Red Conference leader and defending champion West Ottawa and OK White Conference leader and defending champion Forest Hills Central.
“As Armoni goes, it seems that is how our team goes,” East Kentwood coach Jeff Anama said. “He loves the game and is very hard on himself – too hard, I would say – when he doesn't meet his very high expectations.
“We would not have accomplished some of our key victories over state-ranked West Ottawa and Forest Hills Central without his presence in the paint on both ends of the floor.”
Hall was instrumental in the Falcons' 56-53 upset over fifth-ranked West Ottawa on a spectacular half-court, buzzer-beater shot by Ja'Moni Jones. Hall scored 13 points to complement an 18-point, buzzer-beating performance by Jones.
Just as importantly, Hall forced the turnover to get the ball into the hands of Jones, as West Ottawa was attempting to set up for a final shot. Instead, it was the Falcons who were able to take the final shot – and win the game in spectacular fashion.
“Armoni is a second-year starter who has developed this year into a key leader on our team,” Anama said. “It has been rewarding to see him develop from a first-year player trying to find his way, to this year being an assertive vocal leader, who every game and practice takes more and more a of vocal leadership role.
“One of his teammates said to me after the (West Ottawa) game, 'If Armoni puts it together on the court, we can beat anyone.'”
Along with his ability to score, Hall also provides the Falcons with a rebounding prowess and is a disruptive force on defense.
“Armoni is a great rebounder and shot blocker on the defensive end,” Anama said. “He is an inside and outside threat on offense.”
With the win over West Ottawa, the Falcons continued their march toward March by raising their record to 8-8 overall and 5-4 in the OK Red Conference.
“We have won four straight games and the team is starting to trust each other more and play together more effectively,” Anama said. “Armoni has been a big part of our current win streak.”
