The crowd is roaring as Brian Grabinski shouts and your starters for the Hawkeyes number 0 JT McIllwain as the crowd roars, cheers and claps. All the fans are watching the home bench ask JT runs through the tunnel made by his teammates and goes to give the refs and coaches a fistbump.
JT McIllwain is committed to Calvin University to play basketball for them next year. JT has some outstanding qualities but don’t take it from me, take it from his teammates that play and practice with him everyday.
To understand how JT excels it’s important to know his role on the team. Jt plays all over the court in just about every position he mostly plays point guard or shooting guard. He is the lead scorer for the team and is just 48 points away from scoring 1000 varsity points in his time playing for Hamilton Basketball. Along with helping the team to a district championship in his junior year.
What are JT’s best skills from his teammates of the 2023/2024 varsity basketball season?
Riley Vanderhulst says that JT has the best mid range jump shot out of everyone in the O.K. Blue conference.
“JT is an elite offensive player and this is part of his gameplay that makes him the leading scorer on the Basketball team. His ability to make plays with his ball handling and passing on offense not only help him score more points but also help the rest of the team to score. JT is a consistent shot with the basketball and he also is more than capable of driving down hill and getting into the paint to make a play is an outstanding thing to witness everyday whether at practice or on the court.” Brett Vanderkoi
“The best part is that he is a 3 level scorer. No one can stop his mid range game. His ability to get to his spots on the court and his ability to get down hill unlike any other. Also he is a 2 way player, not only can he score but he can play D and rebound.” Logan O’conner
What has JT improved on from last year to make him more of a threat to the opponents this year?
“Jt has gotten stronger making him quicker and more powerful off the dribble.” Gavin Sabala
“It being my first year playing with him and this being his last year as a Hawkeye, JT stepped up and shot a lot more shots than he has in years past.” Londin Cooper
“His confidence is at an all time high. He is Extremely strong with the ball and can get to wherever he wants on the court.” Logan O’Connor
What is JT’s greatest moment on the basketball court?
“I would say his game against Byron center when he had 38 points which is 4 all time school record.” Brett Vanderkooi
“Every time he steps on the court it’s magic, even on a bad day JT still dominates.” Jace Mitchell
“When he went crazy at Coopersville his Junior year to help lead the team to its first Conference Championship.” Londin Cooper
What will be missed about JT Next year?
“Joking around with him and quadrant shooting with him. Also I’ll miss having someone with his skill set on the court with me.” Logan O’Conner
“Him as a person, he’s really good at making everyone laugh. He gets along with everybody on the team and is always there if you need to talk to him about something.” Londin Cooper
“I will miss the natural leadership of JT.” Gavin Sabala
“The biggest thing will be how he leads the team and his ability to score the ball in any way.” Brett Vanderkooi
“Just him and his ability to score the ball and his funny personality so I will miss that too.” Riley Vanderhulst.
JT plays a massive role in this 2023/2024 boys varsity basketball team he will be missed as a player person and mentor to the younger players of hamilton’s basketball program. JT is a straight A student and has been honored at all of the ABC nights for the Basketball program. In the district semi finals JT broke the single game scoring record with an outstanding 44 points during this game he also passed 1000 career points on the Basketball team.
As JT goes on to play college basketball at Calvin he will be missed by the people of Hamilton high school. Whether it is just him walking in the hall or sitting in class running the football into the end zone after plowing through three defenders in the game. To Jt and his incredible game against Wayland in the semi finals in a 95 -72 victory against final minute of the St Johns Hamilton football the Wayland Wild Cats.