Freshman puts on a show at Showcase for Catholic Central

Grand Rapids Catholic Central freshman Miles Burgin dunks against L'Anse Creuse North at the 2K26 Showcase at Grand Rapids Community College on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. He finished with 22 points. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Miles Burgin did his best Clark Kent-to-Superman uniform change on Saturday.

The Grand Rapids Catholic Central freshman left the gym as fast he could after his team beat L'Anse Creuse North 80-44 at the 2K26 Showcase at Grand Rapids Community College. He had to change into a suit and tie for a school dance.

“I have dinner at 5:30,” he said after the game. “I have to put on a suit after this. After a game like that where we won by 40 points, it feels great to go to a dance with all my friends.”

Burgin, an unassuming freshman guard, might need a Superman cape after the performance he had. He earned game MVP honors after scoring a career-high 22 points, including four 3-pointers.

“Miles is a tremendous freshman,” Cougars coach Chris Pearl said. “When you’re starting at a Division 2 team with a lot of seniors, you have to be pretty special. In our eight-game winning streak, he’s scored in double figures in six of the eight games.”

Grand Rapids Catholic Central freshman Miles Burgin gets lifted up on the shoulders of his teammates after winning MVP honors at the 2K26 Showcase at Grand Rapids Community College on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).

Burgin, who is 5-foot-10, 165 pounds, is averaging 10 points per game. He also had two vicious dunks on Saturday.

“I knew I was gonna have a couple of dunks today,” he said with a smile.

Pearl, in his second season at Catholic Central, said he’s excited to coach Burgin for three more years.

“Any coach would be blessed to have him. I’ll be blessed to have him for the next three seasons after this one. It helps having his brother (Carter Burgin) out there and playing with some of his AAU teammates. He’s been amazing. Coaching him is special.”

Tommy Jandernoa had a career game, too.

The lanky 6-foot-5 senior drained six 3-pointers and finished with 18 points. He also had four 3-pointers on Friday against East Grand Rapids.

“He had a great week,” Pearl said. “He hit four last night in a chippy rivalry. Then comes here to GRCC and hits six more. Tommy’s been amazing. We know he can hit the three ball. But he’s a better teammate than a shooter. I’m glad he had the game he had today.”

Also for Catholic Central (11-4), Brigand Watkins had 17 points and Jordan McCoy 12. The Cougars have won eight games in a row. 

Tommy Jandernoa, a senior at Grand Rapids Catholic Central, had six 3-pointers and 18 points at the 2K26 Showcase at Grand Rapids Community College on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).