Freshman sets Forest Hills Central record for 3-pointers

Forest Hills Central freshman Kellen Paul scores on a layup in the fourth quarter of a district game against Ottawa Hills on Monday, Feb. 23, 2026. He set the school record for 3-pointers in a season with 78. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Kellen Paul had some impressive mentors before he even got to high school.

The freshman from Forest Hills Central High School watched elite shooters such as Jonas VanderWoude and Brendan Cargill when he was a little kid in the stands.

Now he’s already the best shooter in school history.

Paul set the school record for 3-pointers in a season on Monday in a 64-47 win over Ottawa Hills in the first game of districts. He now has 78 threes, surpassing the mark of 77 set by Cargill last season. Paul drained three 3-pointers and finished with 14 points.

“It shows that our offensive system here lends itself to shooting a lot of outside shots,” FH Central coach Jordan George said. “We had Jonas VanderWoude, Brendan Cargill and now Kellen. Top shooters across the state. Kellen shoots thousands of shots and is always buggin’ me to get into the gym at 6 a.m. It’s not an accident. If you ask Kellen, guys like Jonas and Brendan showed him the way to become an elite shooter.”

Forest Hills Central freshman Kellen Paul drives past Ottawa Hills’ Cajuan Hureskin in a district game against Ottawa Hills on Monday, Feb. 23, 2026. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).

Paul, a 6-foot guard, said the record is great, but he was focused at moving on in districts.

“Right now, it doesn’t seem like a big deal,” he said. “I’m focused on winning and advancing. But it’s a cool record to reach as a freshman.”

Paul is averaging 17 points per game, is shooting 87 percent from the free-throw line and 39 percent from deep.

“It’s crazy that he’s doing it as a freshman,” senior Matt Sexton said.” He’s stepped up big time. He’s a big part of our scoring and defense as well.”

Sexton said he knew knew Paul was special early on.

“I knew he was a sniper when he came into the season,” said Sexton, who will play football at CMU next year. “As soon as we had our first practice, he was lighting it up.”

George is excited to see what Paul can do the next three years.

“He’s special,” George said. “The sky’s the limit. He’s got big goals basketball-wise. Him missing three games this season and then getting 78 threes, he’ll have some lofty numbers at the end of his high school career.”

The Grand Rapids area record is a staggering 103, set by Wyoming’s Menalito McGee in 2019-20. The next closest is 84 by NorthPointe Christian’s Drew Zuidema in 2012-13.

Sexton had 31 points and 9 rebounds in the win.

“I thought we started off slow,” Sexton said. “But we busted it open (in the fourth quarter).”

The Rangers (14-9) advance to play Forest Hills Northern on Wednesday at Ottawa Hills. East Grand Rapids will play Northview in the other district game. 

Forest Hills Central senior Matt Sexton scores in the fourth quarter of a district game against Ottawa Hills on Monday, Feb. 23, 2026. He finished with 31 points. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).