GR’s Top 10: #9 Lee Lafayette

#9 Lee Lafayette, GR South High

Lee Lafayette was born in Pointe Coupee, Louisianna but played basketball in Grand Rapids at South High in the mid-60’s. “The Tree” was a 6-6 forward/center with guard-like skills who led South High to a 25-3 record and two City League championships before graduating in 1965. He was named to the Detroit Free Press All-State Class A First Team in both 1964 and 1965. He once scored 54 in a game in 1964. South High School is the alma mater of US President Gerald R. Ford and singer Al Green, who graduated the year following Lafayette. South High opened in 1914 and was closed in 1968. The building now houses the Gerald R. Ford Job Corps Center.Lafayette went on to play at Michigan State from 1966-1969 averaging 16.8 points and 10.2 rebounds.

In 1969, Lee was drafted by the San Francisco Warriors in the 4th Round of the NBA Draft, but never played in the League.

GR’s Top 10: #10 Katie Feenstra

#10 Katie Feenstra, GR Baptist (Northpointe Chr.)

Katie Feenstra comes in at #10 on my list of local Grand Rapids basketball players. After starring at Grand Rapids Baptist Academy (now Northpointe Christian) until 2001, Katie headed to Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia.

She was named to the Big South All-Rookie team in 2002 and followed that up by being selected the Conference Player of the Year each of the next three years. She was named the Big South Woman of the year in 2004, as well as being named an AP All-American Honorable Mention and Big South Tournament MVP. She finished her career in 2005 as the All-time Liberty and Big South leader in blocked shots(246) and field goal percentage(.624) She passed the previous block record on Feb. 14, 2005.

She was drafted by the Connecticut Sun in the 2005 WNBA Draft, but was traded to the San Antonio SilverStars for Margo Dydek, the tallest player ever in the WNBA. Later that year, she was named to the All-Rookie Team. Feenstra averaged over 15 points and 5 rebounds over her two years with the SilverStars but was traded to the Detroit Shock for Ruth Riley in February of 2007. One year later, she would be selected by the Atlanta Dream in the WNBA Expansion Draft. She played one season in Atlanta before splitting time with San Antonio and Chicago in 2009. Katie left the WNBA after 15 games that season to play in the Chinese Pro League, where she spent three seasons.
On Tuesday, May 8, 2012, Cornerstone University announced Katie (Feenstra) Mattera would replace longtime head coach Carla Fles, who would retire after 13 years at the helm. Fles is the winningest coach in Cornerstone history and never had a losing season, Mattera has led the Eagles to a 53-27 record since, currently 18-9. You can see her coach February 18th vs. rival Aquinas College at Mol Arena in Grand Rapids, MI.