Coming up on 2H (12/1-12/2)

November 30, 2012

Winter is upon us, and we're also in the midst of transitioning our Second Half coverage from one set of sports seasons to the next. Both will be highlighted this weekend. 

Keep an eye out for a feature on Grand Rapids Christian receiver Drake Harris. And Sunday, watch for the return of our series "Making - and Answering - the Call." This week we'll publish our first of three stories on MHSAA officials who have taken their games to college and professional levels as well. 

Wayne's Derrick Powers Past Reigning Champ to Clinch Division 1 Title

By Perry A. Farrell
Special for MHSAA.com

March 1, 2025

ALLEN PARK – All Dylan Harnden could do was shake his head.

In attempt to repeat as Division 1 singles champion Saturday at Thunderbowl Lanes, he ran into a buzzsaw named Lyman Derrick III.

The Wayne Memorial sophomore, standing just 5-foot-3, couldn’t miss. His two-handed style produced games of 257-233 and he emerged as champion over Harnden, who shot 444.

“He had the front seven and the front six; there was nothing I could do,’’ admitted Harnden.

Said Derrick: “I would describe my style as unusual.’’

Derrick broke 200 pins in 11 of his 14 games Saturday. His dad, Lynam Derrick Jr., saw this coming.

“He has been bowling since he was 4,’’ said Derrick Jr. “At 6 he almost threw a 300. My friends won’t even bowl with him anymore.

“He has put in a ton of work. So proud of him.’’

Said former PBA pro John Mazza: “He is amazing.’’

Derek Kern of Muskegon Mona Shores shot a 300 in the second game of qualifying. He eventually finished as the ninth qualifier at 1,320.

The top spot went to Haden Hebel of Hartland at 1,372, followed by Davison’s Joe Merz at 1,366, Jenison’s Benjamin Slagter at 1,355 and Matt Sprau of Portage Central with a score of 1,351. Harnden was seventh at 1,331.

Hebel advanced against Cole Rogus of Macomb Dakota, 459-453 to face Andrew Fsadni of Salem, who had knocked out Kern, 401-385.

Merz eliminated Johnathan Hatcher of Belleville, 466-453, then took on Harnden, who had defeated Jacob Kondratyev of Troy, 450-383.

Slagter also moved on by defeating Noah VanderVelde of Zeeland West, 435-424, but Sprau was defeated by Andy Folks of Belleville 439-344 to move on against Derrick. Derrick had downed Devin Harris of Kalamazoo Loy Norrix, 385-339

Feeling right at home, Harnden moved past Merz to reach the semifinals with a 477-402 victory. Derrick advanced to the semifinals, besting Folks 428-361 with top seed Hebel then in the way. Hebel advanced with a 459-452 thriller over Fsadni.

Slagter joined him in the semis with a 482-420 victory over Roberts, which included a 277 game, and squared off against Harnden, who won 435-383. Derrick ended the top seed’s run, eliminating Hebel, 390-369.

Click for full scores.