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Rivals become teammates in Champions of Character game against Michigan State stars

Hudsonford.jpg

Wes Hudson, left, of Wayland and Cornerstone University, and JaVontae Ford, of Forest Hills Northern and Davenport University, will put aside nearly a decade of court battles while taking on former Michigan State stars in the Champions of Character "pro" game Wednesday, June 18.
(MLive.com file photos)

GRAND RAPIDS – For nearly a decade, JaVontae Ford and Wes Hudson battled on basketball courts around West Michigan.

On Wednesday night, they will be teammates.

Ford, who played his high-school basketball at Forest Hills Northern, and Hudson, who was a Wayland Wildcat, clashed often in high school as their teams competed in the OK Conference's Gold Division.

The two continued their basketball careers in the same league, the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference. Hudson chose to play college basketball at Cornerstone University, just down Leonard Street from Ford's prep alma mater, while Ford decided to continue his career closer to Wayland, at Davenport University in Caledonia Township.

For four more seasons, Ford and Hudson squared off, enjoying highly successful collegiate careers. Hudson was a two-time MVP for Cornerstone and Ford finished his career as Davenport's all-time leading scorer.

Ford and Hudson will put their rivalry aside Wednesday when they are expected to play together on a “pro” team that is scheduled to face a squad of former Michigan State University Spartans as part of the Champions of Character series of all-star games. The game is scheduled for 8 p.m. at Cornerstone’s Mol Arena.

“It is going to be fun,” said Ford, who is working with an agent to secure a roster spot on an overseas team. “Even in high school I competed against Wes, so I learned what he is capable of doing, and he is a terrific basketball player. We know each other's strengths and weaknesses and even though it's an all—star game, I know he wants to win as much as I do.”

The team on which Ford and Hudson will play will be captained by former Forest Hills Central and Wake Forest star Kyle Visser, who has played professionally overseas. The teams also will include former Grand Valley star Jason Jamerson, who has played in Morocco and former Calvin College standout Tom Snikkers, who has played in the Netherlands.

“It has been good playing against JaVontae, but it will be nice to play with him, too,” Hudson said. “He is a great player. When two players like us get the chance to play together, you know the other guy's tendencies and where they are going to be on the floor. I know that (Ford) is very good coming off screens and shooting and he also knows how to get behind a defense. He also rebounds very well on the offensive end.”

While Ford hopes to play professional basketball overseas, Hudson's playing career could end Wednesday night.

“I've got some school left and I want to make sure I get that done first,” said Hudson, who is majoring in physical education. “If I went overseas to play right now, when I came back, I might not want to finish it up.”

Wednesday's game, which is being called “Hoop Heaven,” will be preceded by two high-school all-star games, a girls game at 5:30 p.m. And a boys game at 7 p.m.