West Michigan Roundup, Tuesday 1/11/22

West Michigan Roundup, Tuesday 1/11/22

Best Win: East Grand Rapids over FH Central 44-40

EGR was able to earn a much-needed victory over FHC to improve to 3-3 on the season. The Pioneers have struggled against strong teams with losses to Hudsonville, Rockford, and Catholic Central. EGR has a chance to build off this win on Friday when they host another top program GR Christian.

Next Best: BC Pennfield over Marshall 48-44

In a battle of undefeated teams, the Pennfield Panthers came away with a close home victory. This game was the beginning of a gauntlet for Pennfield with Harper Creek on Friday and then Coldwater next Tuesday. Senior guard Aiden Burns led Pennfield with 21 points. If Pennfield is able to defeat Harper Creek on Friday they will jump Coldwater in my rankings prior to Tuesday’s huge matchup.

Starting Five (Notable Games):

1. NorthPointe Christian 78, Godwin Heights 74

In OK Silver action, NorthPointe Christian pulls off the road upset defeating Godwin Heights. The Mustangs have now won two straight after starting 1-4. Godwin Heights, one of the pre-season OK Silver favorites drops to 2-2. The Wolverines will look to get the season back on track with a huge conference matchup at home against Calvin Christian on Friday.

2. West Catholic 71, Holland Christian 49

After a shocking defeat to Hamilton on Friday, West Catholic was able to bounce back with a massive road victory over Holland Christian at the Civic Center. The OK Blue is extremely underrated this season and should have a large amount of parity besides Unity’s games. West Catholic is now 4-2 and will host Allendale on Friday. Holland Christian drops to 3-4 and will host a feisty 4-2 Spring Lake team on Friday.

3. Edwardsburg 67, Otsego 52

The Wolverine conference is one conference that I can’t seem to figure out this season. Otsego now holds losses to Dowagiac and Edwardsburg while Edwardsburg has a loss to Dowagiac. Dowagiac has knocked off both the top teams but has lost games to Sturgis and Plainwell. At this point, I’m led to conclude that the conference is down in talent this season allowing for a more level playing field. Anyways, Edwardsburg earned a very nice home victory over Otsego to improve to 4-2 and jump up to the top of the Wolverine conference hierarchy.

4. Watervliet over Fennville 52-45

A pivotal SAC-Lakeshore battle took place at Watervliet with the home Panthers defeating Fennville 52-45. This was the first big test for Watervliet after a pretty soft schedule to start the season. The Panthers will have another crucial game next Tuesday against Lawton. The division title will come down to Fennville, Lawton, and Watervliet.

5. Catholic Central 72, South Christian 53

Catholic Central entered the game 5-1 following a loss to Flint Beecher on Saturday at the annual Grand Blanc tournament. The Cougars lost Jack Karasinski to injury in the second half of that game and he was inactive against South Christian as well. Senior shooting guard Jorden Brooks stepped up in Karasinski’s absence scoring 31 points including nine three-pointers. Brooks is already becoming a coveted small college prospect that should be able to make an immediate impact. Catholic Central has two more games this week as they host Ottawa Hills on Friday and then play Henry Ford in the Floyd Mayweather Classic on Saturday.

Top Performances:

-Jakhary Towns (Godwin Hts.): 32 pts, 5 reb

-Jorden Brooks (Catholic Central): 31 pts

-Tony Williams (Parchment): 27 pts

-Jacob Zartman (Otsego): 25 pts

-Kaden Johnson (Hartford): 25 pts

-Travis Rosel (Coopersville): 24 pts

-Brayden Wilkerson (NorthPointe): 24 pts

-Kayden Bird (NorthPointe): 23 pts

-Merritt Alderink (Zeeland West): 22 pts, 10 reb

-Kyler Vanderjagt (Northview): 22 pts

-Aiden Burns (Pennfield): 21 pts

-Jaxson Whitaker (Reeths-Puffer): 20 pts, 5 ast

-Luke Stowasser (Edwardsburg): 20 pts

-Jeremiah Drake (Godwin Hts.): 20 pts

-Brayden Szamrej (Hudsonville): 19 pts

-Jake DeHaan (South Christian): 18 pts, 7 reb, 4 ast

-Bode Anspach (Fruitport): 17 pts, 4 ast

-Jake Rueff (Lawton): 17 pts

-Jack Lamancusa (Rockford): 17 pts

-Travis Ambrose (Reeths-Puffer): 16 pts, 14 reb

-Ryan Kiesling (Mattawan): 16 pts, 7 reb

-Calvin Hyde (Northview): 12 pts, 11 reb

OK Conference

Caledonia 52, Jenison 35

Calvin Christian 82, Hopkins 57

Catholic Central 72, South Christian 53

Coopersville 61, Hamilton 53

East Grand Rapids 44, FH Central 40

FH Eastern 85, Middleville-TK 44

FH Northern 63, Greenville 27

Grand Haven 51, West Ottawa 44

Hudsonville 62, East Kentwood 52

Kelloggsville 68, Comstock Park 41

Muskegon 65, GR Union 54

NorthPointe Christian 78, Godwin Heights 74

Northview 64, GR Christian 51

Ottawa Hills 73, Wayland 70 (3OT)

Reeths-Puffer 56, Zeeland East 46

Rockford 56, Grandville 43

Sparta 78, Belding 55

Spring Lake 65, Allendale 55

Unity Christian 75, Fruitport 40

West Catholic 71, Holland Christian 49

Wyoming 64, Holland 59

Zeeland West 61, Mona Shores 44

Southwest MI D1-D2

BC Central 72, Mattawan 50

BC Pennfield 48, Marshall 44

Benton Harbor 74, Niles Brandywine 52

Coldwater 75, Parma Western 45

Edwardsburg 67, Otsego 52

Harper Creek 68, Hastings 26

Kalamazoo Central 60, Lakeshore 49

Plainwell 53, Niles 42

Portage Central 68, Loy Norrix 58

Saugatuck 63, Coloma 51

St. Joseph 59, BC Lakeview 55 (OT)

Sturgis 44, Paw Paw 27

Three Rivers 77, Allegan 64

Southwest MI D3-D4

BC St. Philip 57, Camden-Frontier 51

Bellevue 74, Tekonsha 13

Bronson 72, Union City 45

Burr Oak 70, Athens 48

Colon 70, Litchfield 36

Decatur 68, Marcellus 55

Eau Claire 51, Lawrence 49

Hackett Cath. 45, Galesburg-Augusta 42

Hartford 72, Bloomingdale 54

Heritage Christian 46, Barry County Chr. 41

Hillsdale Acad. 78, Climax-Scotts 42

Kalamazoo Christian 71, Martin 47

LaPorte La Lumiere (IN) 73, Bridgman 34

Lawton 45, Gobles 29

Schoolcraft 92, Delton-Kellogg 13

Watervliet 52, Fennville 45

White Pigeon 44, Bangor 20