Grand Rapids Christian 62, East Grand Rapids 41: Five Takeaways
Kobe Bufkin and the Grand Rapids Christian boys basketball team created some distance between themselves and the rest of the OK Gold by defeating East Grand Rapids 62-41 on the road on Tuesday evening. Bufkin led all scores with 20…
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Continue ReadingKobe Bufkin and the Grand Rapids Christian boys basketball team created some distance between themselves and the rest of the OK Gold by defeating East Grand Rapids 62-41 on the road on Tuesday evening. Bufkin led all scores with 20 points for the Eagles, who are now 9-0 (3-0 OK Gold).
Terrel Givens Proved He’s A Threat From Deep
At first glance, the junior forward resembles the embodiment of a big man. He’s sturdy, has boulders for legs, which he effectively uses to move opposing players out of the way. Yet he also has flashed the ability to knock down perimeter jumpers. Twice he did on Tuesday, adding yet another element to this already hard to stop offense. If Terrel can be a consistent threat from deep, this Grand Rapids Christian team has essentially five shooters on the floor at most times.
Donovan Brown-Boyd’s Hustle Creates Plays
When I first watched this Grand Rapids Christian team at the Cornerstone Holiday Tournament, it was clear who the scrappiest player on the court was. It’s evident that Brown-Boyd brings this junkyard dog mentality consistently to every game. He’s the first one on the floor for loose balls, grabs rebounds aggressively, and locks up on defense on each and every possession. Even when Christian’s shots aren’t falling, they can count on Donovan to bring his hustle and effort.
Kobe Bufkin’s Transition Game Is A Difference Maker
The junior guard who has multiple Big Ten offers has as smooth a mid-range game as I’ve seen. He consistently creates good shots without forcing the issue, and more often than not, they’re successful trips for the Eagles. However, his transition game is what separates himself from other similar prospects, and its what makes Christian a state title contender. When Kobe gets the ball out on the run, he’s near impossible to stop. Kobe has the quickness, handle, and length to get a bucket over any opponent. Early in the second half, the Eagles made it a point to speed up the tempo and get layups in transition. Kobe was at the forefront of this effort, scoring three-straight transition layups and effectively blowing the game open.
Ben Whiteside Flashed A Multi-Level Game
The junior from East Grand Rapids scored in a number of ways for the Pioneers, ultimately keeping East Grand Rapids within striking distance in the first half. Ben was able to find second-chance points by scrapping for loose balls and rebounds. He also hit a few mid-range looks with ease, which seemed to increase his confidence throughout the game. East Grand Rapids should feel confident with his ability to score on a consistent basis as they continue to go through conference play.
Keep An Eye On Christian Baty and Jared Lary
It goes without saying that Grand Rapids Christian has exceptional depth. This has allowed the Eagles to play effectively with multiple lineups. Juniors Christian Baty and Jared Lary have a lot to do with the many looks that the Eagles can throw at you. Both have great length, athleticism, and play with high motors. Both Lary and Baty have also shown the ability to score from the perimeter and in the lane as well. It’ll be interesting to see how dangerous this Christian team is come March when some of it’s underclassmen such as Lary and Baty have more games under them.