OK Conference Power Rankings: Week Two

We’re through one week of action of high school hoops and what a week it was. The Union Red Hawk Showcase put on a show this past weekend, as it always does. Prior to this past weekend, Catholic Central beat South Christian at the buzzer in one of the craziest endings I’ve ever witnessed. There’s been some movement throughout the power rankings as Unity Christian and South Christian have made their way into the top-10 following strong performances. Check out my top 10 below. 1. Grand Rapids Christian (2-0), (↔ Previously 1st) Grand Rapids Christian had a business-like first week of play, decimating each of their first two opponents (defeated Greenville 87-49, Byron Center 68-44). Things will get much harder for Christian this week as the Eagles square off against Forest Hills Central (1-1), Northview (2-1), and what should be the game of the year in West Michigan, against Catholic Central (3-0) on Saturday. 2. Grand Rapids Catholic Central (3-0), (↑ Previously 3rd) Down 10 points for the majority of their opener against South Christian, Catholic Central was staring at a 0-1 start to their season on Tuesday. Jack KarasinskiJackKarasinski6'5" | SFGrand Rapids Catholic Central | 2022StateMI had other plans. With two seconds left and the Cougars down one, the junior forward caught a three-quarters court inbounds pass, turned, and banked in a shot at the buzzer to give Catholic Central the win. In addition to Karasinski, the Cougars have a very talented and young backcourt in freshman Durral BrooksDurralBrooks6'0" | PGGrand Rapids Catholic Central | 2024MI and sophomore Kaden BrownKadenBrown5'10" | PGGrand Rapids Catholic Central | 2023StateMI. GRCC hosts Ottawa Hills (3-0) and Cedar Springs (0-3) this week before the prime-time matchup with Christian on Saturday. 3. Zeeland East (2-0), (↑ Previously 5th) I caught Zeeland East’s 50-29 win over Reeths-Puffer Thursday night and was thoroughly impressed with the Chix’s length and disruptive presence on the defensive end. They stymied a solid Reeths-Puffer squad all game and made every Rocket bucket well-earned. The Chix trio of Brandon ClaerbautBrandonClaerbaut6'5" | SFZeeland East | 2021StateMI, Nate ClaerbautNateClaerbaut6'10" | CZeeland East | 2021StateMI, and Trip RiemersmaTripRiemersma6'4" | SGZeeland East | 2021StateMI is one of the best Big-Three’s in the state. Coming up, Zeeland East has a big matchup with Unity Christian (2-1) on Saturday, February 20th. 4. Rockford (2-0), (↑ Previously 9th) Rockford’s off to a hot start after beating Gull Lake, Jenison, and Grandville, all rather handily. Sam KristSamKrist6'5" | PFRockford | 2021StateMI has played like one of the premier scoring threats in the area, and he has several teammates who love to get after it on the defensive end. The Rams appear to be ready to challenge for the OK Red title. Rockford faces East Kentwood and Grand Haven this week. 5. Muskegon (2-1), (↑ Previously 6th) Muskegon might have had the best start to the season if not for a buzzer-beater loss to Benton Harbor on Friday night. However, despite the loss, sophomore Jordan BriggsJordanBriggs5'10" | PGMuskegon | 2023StateMI established himself as Muskegon’s guard of the future, dropping 25 points on a perfect 8-8 from the field (6-6 from three) shooting performance. The Big Reds face Holland (0-2) and Wyoming (1-1) this week. 6. Forest Hills Northern (2-1), (↓ Previously 2nd) To say the Huskies had a rollercoaster of a week would be an understatement. On Friday night, the Huskies trailed rival Forest Hills Central 40-35 at the break. Northern would go on to outscore Central 30-13 in the 4th quarter to take home the 82-71 win. The next day in the Red Hawk Showcase, the Huskies led Williamston 23-13 at the half and would go on to lose 46-44. Northern will face OK White foes Byron Center and East Grand Rapids this week. 7. Grand Haven (1-0), (↑ Previously 8th) Grand Haven played just one game in the opening week, yet it was an impressive one. The Bucs defeated West Ottawa 66-59 behind Nic StumpNicStump6'5" | PFGrand Haven | 2022StateMI’s 18 point performance. Grand Haven will be back on the court this week against Jenison (0-2) and Rockford (2-0) in a pair of OK Red battles. 8. Northview (2-1), (↓ Previously 4th) Northview dropped its season opener in a close one to Forest Hills Central 61-56, then responded with wins over Lowell 88-55, and Grand Rapids Union 61-36. Kyler VanderjagtKylerVanderjagt6'4" | SFNorthview | 2022StateMI looks to be one of the premier players in the state and should be on the radar of major Division 1 programs. His teammates Jalen CharityJalenCharity6'5" | CGNorthview | 2022StateMI, Tyran ThomasTyranThomas6'2" | SGNorthview | 2023StateMI, and freshman EJ Ryans also looked very impressive this past week. The road doesn’t get any easier for the Wildcats as they face East Grand Rapids (2-0) and Grand Rapids Christian (2-0) this week. 9. South Christian (2-1), (↑ Previously unranked) As previously stated, South Christian’s season opener against Catholic Central was an absolute thriller and an early candidate for game of the year. The Sailors rebounded nicely, picking up wins over Middleville Thornapple Kellogg 60-55, and Forest Hills Eastern 54-42. Forward Connor DykemaConnorDykema6'7" | PFGrand Rapids South Christian | 2021StateMI and a plethora of shooters will give South Christian’s opponents problems all season. The Sailors face Wayland (1-2), Ottawa Hills (3-0), and Holland Christian (1-0) this week. 10. Godwin Heights (2-0), (↑ Previously unranked) Godwin Heights had two of the gutsiest wins of the first week, picking up a narrow 41-40 win over a solid Hopkins team in the opener, and a 64-52 win over a Brady TitusBradyTitus5'10" | PGTri-Unity Christian | 2022StateMI-led Tri-Unity Christian team. Sophomore guard Jakhary TownsJakharyTowns6'1" | SGGodwin Heights | 2023StateMI was as advertised scoring 16 points in the opener and 22 against Tri-Unity. Up next for Godwin Heights is NorthPointe Christian (1-2) and Wyoming Lee (0-2).