West Michigan Roundup, Tuesday 1/4/22

West Michigan Roundup, Tuesday 1/4/22

Best Win: Jenison over Zeeland West 57-46

After going 0-16 last season, the Wildcats of Jenison are now off to a 4-2 start with a win over Zeeland West. Zeeland West entered the game with a 3-1 record with strong wins over West Ottawa and Gull Lake. A double-digit victory over a strong team is a fantastic win for Jenison who could pull some surprises during OK Red play this season.

Next Best: Kalamazoo Christian over Centreville 71-44

Under the direction of first-year head coach Seth Dugan, the Comets entered the game 3-1 hosting 2-0 Centreville. Led by 22 points from junior guard J.J. Manion and 18 points from senior big Brandon DeVries the Comets defeated Centreville in a rout. This K-Christian team is special and if they can defeat unbeaten Lawton on Friday they might take over the #1 spot in my D3-D4 rankings.

Starting Five (Notable Games)

1. Marshall 71, Gull Lake 66

This Marshall team is off to an insane start with wins over Edwardsburg, Harper Creek, Otsego, and now Gull Lake. They are just outside my viewing area, thus not included in the rankings, but it seems like they will challenge Coldwater and Pennfield for an Interstate Eight title. Gull Lake on the other hand has now dropped two straight and will look to bounce back on Friday at Battle Creek Central

2. Covenant Christian 70, Holland Christian 64

Covenant Christian improves to 5-2 with a win over Holland Christian. The Chargers will be off until January 14 when they take the floor against Potter’s House Christian. The way Covenant has played this season leads me to believe that their season won’t end without a trip to the Breslin Center. An experienced Chargers team will be battle-tested for the tournament in March where they will face tests such as Calvin Christian and possibly Kalamazoo Christian or Schoolcraft.

3. FH Eastern 66, East Kentwood 60

Forest Hills Eastern is quietly 3-2 with their only losses to Top 10 teams FH Central and Rockford. Now with wins over Covenant Christian and East Kentwood, the Hawks have quite the resume early in the season. FHE will have a huge test on the road on Friday against arguably the best team in the state Catholic Central.

4. Calvin Christian 60, Kenowa Hills 56

Calvin Christian earns their first win of the season after an 0-3 start that featured close losses to Holland Christian, Unity Christian, and Covenant Christian. Calvin is my pick to win the OK Silver as an underrated, experienced small-school team. Kenowa Hills drops their first game of the season after a 4-0 start.

5. River Valley 78, Decatur 35

River Valley is a small school that is on my radar after their 4-1 start. With the exception of a 2 point victory over Countryside Academy, River Valley has won by at least 20 points in their four wins. The lone loss came by 1 point against Bridgman. River Valley will look ahead to a massive conference matchup at undefeated New Buffalo next Tuesday.

Top Performances:

-Ryan Young (Buchanan): 30 pts, 13 reb, 5 stl

-Henry Weller (Dowagiac): 30 pts

-Markvell Shaw (New Buffalo): 26 pts

-Javion Otten (Kenowa): 24 pts

-Tristen Perry (Hopkins): 24 pts

-Kaden Parmley (New Buffalo): 23 pts

-Brady Haisma (Calvin): 23 pts

-JJ Manion (K-Christian): 22 pts

-Parker Swartz (Mona Shores): 22 pts

-Zach Gritters (Covenant Chr): 22 pts

-Adam Kroeze (Holland Chr.): 22 pts

-Jalen Overway (Holland Chr.): 21 pts, 16 reb

-Jack Karasinski (Catholic): 20 pts

-Nate Orr (Brandywine): 20 pts

-Angelo Hausmainis (Three Rivers): 20 pts

-Kaden Brown (Catholic): 19 pts

Scores

OK Conference

Allendale 62, Kent City 38

Big Rapids 65, Cedar Springs 64

Caledonia 80, Mattawan 55

Calvin Christian 60, Kenowa Hills 56

Covenant Christian 70, Holland Christian 64

FH Eastern 66, East Kentwood 60

Grand Haven 67, St. Joseph 39

GR Catholic Central 69, East Grand Rapids 34

Greenville 50, Comstock Park 48

Hopkins 59, WM Aviation 56

Jenison 57, Zeeland West 46

LO Lakewood 66, Belding 59

Mona Shores 63, Lowell 54

Plainwell 60, Middleville-TK 48

South Christian 68, Byron Center 37

Sparta 57, Grant 55

Unity Christian 71, Zeeland East 52

Southwest MI D1-D2

Adrian 83, Sturgis 42

BC Pennfield 78, Charlotte 53

Berrien Springs 47, Cassopolis 40

Delton-Kellogg 72, Allegan 53

Dowagiac 60, Coloma 31

Marshall 71, Gull Lake 66

Portage Central 72, Harper Creek 68

Portage Northern 57, Vicksburg 46

Three Rivers 56, Buchanan 48

Southwest MI D3-D4

Athens 51, Jackson Prep 43

BH Countryside 69, Bangor 44

Brandywine 75, Gobles 29

Burr Oak 78, Will Carleton Acad. 48

Galesburg-Augusta 66, Battle Creek Acad. 16

Howardsville Chr. 57, Goshen Clinton Chr. (IN) 48

Kalamazoo Christian 71, Centreville 44

LaGrange Prairie Heights (IN) 60, Bronson 38

Lawton 48, Paw Paw 35

New Buffalo 83, Career Academy South Bend 73

Potter’s House 59, Saugatuck 12

River Valley 78, Decatur 35

Watervliet 59, South Haven 43