By Scott VanSickle
LocalSportsJournal.com
WHITEHALL - Camden Thompson is one of the most accomplished Muskegon area athletes in recent memory, but the senior still isn’t satisfied.
The 6-5 Whitehall forward is a three-time All-State basketball player, already has the stats to be called the best boys basketball player in school history, helped lead the football team to four straight conference titles and two district crowns, is a state runner-up in the high jump, not to mention he will be a dual sport Division 1 athlete after he graduates. Thompson, however, just wants to win. The Viking standout led his team into the 2024-25 season opener at Hudsonville and wants to end his high school basketball career the way it started - with the opportunity to bring championships back to the school.
“My biggest goal this year is trophy games. I’m focused on team goals,” said Thompson. “I want to win another district title like my freshman year, we didn’t get it done the last two years. Get back to the regional, maybe farther. Those are my main goals.”
And the future Western Michigan Bronco is poised to add to his legacy as the best basketball player to don the red, white and black of Whitehall. Thompson, who starts his 4th varsity season with 1,318 career points, can break the overall school scoring record of 1,673 career points set by Dawn (Baker) Monette in 1997. According to Whitehall basketball coach Christian Subdon, he is already the school rebound leader and needs about 100 rebounds to eclipse 1,000 for his career, and is currently tied with Subdon for the school record in assists. He also is among the single-season leaders in state history for rebounds, according to the MHSAA. And while his individual stats are impressive, his team-first attitude and desire to see others around him shine really stand out.
“What makes him a special athlete is that when you talk to him, you can tell he cares about everyone but himself. We just wants to win. He could shoot just about every time, and we might lose a few of those games because he’d be forcing it. But he would rather take three shots and win, and affect the game on the offensive glass,” Subdon said. “It’s been the same thing since he was a freshman. He wants to bring trophies, banners and championships to Whitehall.
“(In the 2022 regional final), he scored 27 points against (eventual state runner-up) Grand Rapids Catholic Central, and they were a really good team. But after the game he’s crying and telling me, ‘I didn’t get it done for us.’”
Thompson was able to make that kind of immediate impact not just because of his talent, but because the senior leaders took the then-freshman under their collective wings to help make the transition from middle school basketball to high-level varsity smooth. Whitehall had a strong core of seniors in the 2021-22 season, led by Isaac DeHart, Brodie Fogus and Red Watson, that welcomed in the talented freshman and they put together the best Whitehall season since 2007.
“They were really welcoming and we have a great relationship,” Thompson said. “I looked up to those guys and they were like older brothers to me.”
The basketball journey for Thompson began in the driveway, but it was in third grade he made his first venture into organized basketball. He got into travel basketball early on, enjoying the challenge of playing against the best players and seeing how he stacked up.
“It’s been great,” Thompson said of his travel basketball experiences. “We’re not playing against guys around here. We’re playing people from different states and seeing better players and
competition.”
But he also saw plenty of competition at home. Thompson’s mom and two sisters were standout high school and collegiate athletes in their own right. His mom, Annette, was a stellar athlete at Hart before moving on to Grand Valley State, while sisters Autumn (Christenson) Holzgen and Rayne Thompson played volleyball at Michigan State and Northern Michigan, respectively, after starring at Whitehall. Not only have they pushed in at home in the driveway, Thompson’s family has always been supportive of him and his teammates, whether it be his Lil’ Vikes youth football team or the varsity basketball team.
“They are a very supportive family, and his mom lets the coaches coach him,” Subdon said. “They push for each other, and the only thing his mom has said to me is to push him harder. He puts a lot of pressure on himself, but he’s got a good head on his shoulders and that’s a tribute to his family.”
Thompson and his teammates will be tested by some of West Michigan’s top talent with the daunting schedule Subdon has compiled for his team. In addition to the opener against Hudsonville, Whitehall has neutral site or road games against Reeths-Puffer, Rockford and Big Rapids, home games against Spring Lake, Mona Shores and Allendale to go with additional matchups with Grand Blanc and Coopersville in separate Christmas tournaments or showcases. Playing those opponents, along with a 12-game grind in the WMC Lakes Division, is meant to give the Vikings the best chance to put together another long postseason run.
And that’s just what Thompson wants to see this year.
LocalSportsJournal.com
WHITEHALL - Camden Thompson is one of the most accomplished Muskegon area athletes in recent memory, but the senior still isn’t satisfied.
The 6-5 Whitehall forward is a three-time All-State basketball player, already has the stats to be called the best boys basketball player in school history, helped lead the football team to four straight conference titles and two district crowns, is a state runner-up in the high jump, not to mention he will be a dual sport Division 1 athlete after he graduates. Thompson, however, just wants to win. The Viking standout led his team into the 2024-25 season opener at Hudsonville and wants to end his high school basketball career the way it started - with the opportunity to bring championships back to the school.
“My biggest goal this year is trophy games. I’m focused on team goals,” said Thompson. “I want to win another district title like my freshman year, we didn’t get it done the last two years. Get back to the regional, maybe farther. Those are my main goals.”
And the future Western Michigan Bronco is poised to add to his legacy as the best basketball player to don the red, white and black of Whitehall. Thompson, who starts his 4th varsity season with 1,318 career points, can break the overall school scoring record of 1,673 career points set by Dawn (Baker) Monette in 1997. According to Whitehall basketball coach Christian Subdon, he is already the school rebound leader and needs about 100 rebounds to eclipse 1,000 for his career, and is currently tied with Subdon for the school record in assists. He also is among the single-season leaders in state history for rebounds, according to the MHSAA. And while his individual stats are impressive, his team-first attitude and desire to see others around him shine really stand out.
“What makes him a special athlete is that when you talk to him, you can tell he cares about everyone but himself. We just wants to win. He could shoot just about every time, and we might lose a few of those games because he’d be forcing it. But he would rather take three shots and win, and affect the game on the offensive glass,” Subdon said. “It’s been the same thing since he was a freshman. He wants to bring trophies, banners and championships to Whitehall.
“(In the 2022 regional final), he scored 27 points against (eventual state runner-up) Grand Rapids Catholic Central, and they were a really good team. But after the game he’s crying and telling me, ‘I didn’t get it done for us.’”
Thompson was able to make that kind of immediate impact not just because of his talent, but because the senior leaders took the then-freshman under their collective wings to help make the transition from middle school basketball to high-level varsity smooth. Whitehall had a strong core of seniors in the 2021-22 season, led by Isaac DeHart, Brodie Fogus and Red Watson, that welcomed in the talented freshman and they put together the best Whitehall season since 2007.
“They were really welcoming and we have a great relationship,” Thompson said. “I looked up to those guys and they were like older brothers to me.”
The basketball journey for Thompson began in the driveway, but it was in third grade he made his first venture into organized basketball. He got into travel basketball early on, enjoying the challenge of playing against the best players and seeing how he stacked up.
“It’s been great,” Thompson said of his travel basketball experiences. “We’re not playing against guys around here. We’re playing people from different states and seeing better players and
competition.”
But he also saw plenty of competition at home. Thompson’s mom and two sisters were standout high school and collegiate athletes in their own right. His mom, Annette, was a stellar athlete at Hart before moving on to Grand Valley State, while sisters Autumn (Christenson) Holzgen and Rayne Thompson played volleyball at Michigan State and Northern Michigan, respectively, after starring at Whitehall. Not only have they pushed in at home in the driveway, Thompson’s family has always been supportive of him and his teammates, whether it be his Lil’ Vikes youth football team or the varsity basketball team.
“They are a very supportive family, and his mom lets the coaches coach him,” Subdon said. “They push for each other, and the only thing his mom has said to me is to push him harder. He puts a lot of pressure on himself, but he’s got a good head on his shoulders and that’s a tribute to his family.”
Thompson and his teammates will be tested by some of West Michigan’s top talent with the daunting schedule Subdon has compiled for his team. In addition to the opener against Hudsonville, Whitehall has neutral site or road games against Reeths-Puffer, Rockford and Big Rapids, home games against Spring Lake, Mona Shores and Allendale to go with additional matchups with Grand Blanc and Coopersville in separate Christmas tournaments or showcases. Playing those opponents, along with a 12-game grind in the WMC Lakes Division, is meant to give the Vikings the best chance to put together another long postseason run.
And that’s just what Thompson wants to see this year.
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