All-OK Conference: Honorable Mention

<p>As we enter the final week of the regular season, it’s time to handout awards for the areas best players. Today, I’m honoring the 17 players who made my All-OK Conference honorable mention list. Stay tuned for my third, second, and first teams to come out later this week.</p> <h6><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1143391" first="Merritt" last="Alderink"], Zeeland West 2024"</strong></h6> <p>Merritt emerged as one of the top players in the 2024 class from West Michigan, helping Zeeland West finish with a 9-9 record. He has good size and a skillset to match. Watch for Merritt to carry this momentum into a big summer on the grassroots circuit.</p> <h6><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1356946" first="Travis" last="Ambrose"], Reeths-Puffer 2024"</strong></h6> <p>Travis and fellow class of 2024 teammate [player_tooltip player_id="1112299" first="Jaxson" last="Whitaker"] might be the best duo in the area for the foreseeable future. Travis had numerous double-doubles this season and should be a highly coveted prospect given his frame.</p> <h6><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1377931" first="Kayden" last="Bird"], NorthPointe Christian 2023"</strong></h6> <p>Kaden led NorthPointe to a second-place finish in the Silver and formed one of the better scoring duos in the area with teammate [player_tooltip player_id="1211147" first="Brayden" last="Wilkerson"]. Kaden was a weekly fixture on my Player of The Week articles and proved to be a scoring threat game in and game put this season.</p> <h6><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="863974" first="Jorden" last="Brooks"], Catholic Central 2022"</strong></h6> <p>Arguably the best shooter in the state, Jorden plays an integral part of Catholic Central’s success and is a big reason why they’re favored to run it back in Division 2 this season. Jorden set the school record at Catholic Central for three-pointers made and made as many as nine in a game this season. Jorden currently has offers from Aquinas College, Grand Rapids Community College, Calvin College, and others.</p> <h6><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1128345" first="Ramere" last="Draper"], Wyoming 2022"</strong></h6> <p>A double-double machine, Ramere is one of the more gifted athletes in the area and helped Wyoming to a second-place finish in the OK Green this season with a 13-6 record. Ramere currently has offers from Grace Christian College, Grand Rapids Community College, and others.</p> <h6><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1214779" first="Marshaun" last="Flakes"], East Kentwood 2023"</strong></h6> <p>A true gamer in every sense of the word. Marshaun had his biggest games against top-level competition and proved to be a guy that East Kentwood could rely on to get a bucket when needed. Expect Marshaun to continue to be near the top of the high scorer’s list throughout the next year.</p> <h6><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1211149" first="Ethan" last="Hill"], Muskegon 2022"</strong></h6> <p>The talented big man on one of the most talented teams in the area, [player_tooltip player_id="1211149" first="Ethan" last="Hill"] is a center piece in the frontcourt for a Big Reds team that has a legitimate shot at making a run to the Breslin. Ethan is committed to play at Saginaw Valley State next season.</p> <h6><strong>Conner Milton, Forest Hills Central 2022"</strong></h6> <p>Conner is one of the more proven commodities in the area and will leave Forest Hills Central with a lasting legacy for his play in both football and basketball. Conner was a consistent scoring threat for the Rangers and a workhorse on the glass. Watch for him and [player_tooltip player_id="1211148" first="Jacob" last="Bonnett"] to make a push in Division 1 before everything is said and done.</p> <h6><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="863963" first="Michael" last="Morris"], West Catholic 2022"</strong></h6> <p>Michael led a program shift that resulted in a 13-4 overall record and second-place finish in the OK Blue. The senior had multiple 30-point games this year and composed one of the best backcourt tandems alongside fellow senior [player_tooltip player_id="983513" first="Kobe" last="Kambestad"].</p> <h6><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1068265" first="Bashir" last="Neely"], Grand Haven 2022"</strong></h6> <p>Bashir played an integral part of Grand Haven’s second-place finish in the OK Red and is a big reason why the Bucs should be considered a dark horse to make a run to the Breslin in Division 1. The senior guard displayed a knack for getting downhill and opposing his will on a nightly basis this year. Bashir is committed to play at Grand Rapids Community College next season.</p> <h6><strong>Jaylan Ouwinga, Grand Rapids Christian 2024"</strong></h6> <p>Jaylan is my pick for the biggest breakout candidate in the 2024 class from the Grand Rapids area. His size, athleticism, and skillset are hard to find and he should soon be on the radar for college programs following another summer of development on the circuit.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1067860" first="Jalen" last="Overway"], Holland Christian 2022"</strong></p> <p>Arguably the best back-to-the-basket big in the area, Jalen has the size and skillset to carry a team and make other teams structure their whole game plans around him. Jalen was a double-double machine and helped Holland Christian to a successful 12-7 season.</p> <p><strong>Caden Pokorzynski, Rockford 2023"</strong></p> <p>It was hard to signal out just one player from the most balanced team in the area, but Caden stood out to me as the Ram’s go-to guy during several big-time moments during Rockford’s OK Red title campaign. The junior wing delivered a phenomenal performance on the road against Grand Haven and has proved to be one of the biggest matchup problems I’ve seen among any team this year. Rockford will be a tough out in the postseason with Caden helping lead the way.</p> <h6><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="863999" first="Nic" last="Stump"], Grand Haven 2022"</strong></h6> <p>Nic played a big role in Grand Haven’s 15-3 season, serving as the Bucs go-to guy in the frontcourt and all around on-court leader. Nic has a diverse bag of offense tools that will translate well to the next level. Nic is committed to play at Hope College next season.</p> <h6><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1213117" first="Parker" last="Swartz"], Mona Shores 2023"</strong></h6> <p>Parker took one of the biggest leaps of any junior this season and was the leading scorer for Mona Shores in several games against high-level competition. His length and ability to go get a bucket should have college programs knocking at his door sooner than later.</p> <h6><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="987635" first="Anthony" last="Sydnor III"], Muskegon 2023"</strong></h6> <p>Anthony is another talented piece on the loaded Big Reds squad, and was often the leading scorer and most versatile offensive threat in various games. His first step is among the quickest in the area as is his motor. Anthony currently has offers from Saginaw Valley State and Central Connecticut.</p> <h6><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1211147" first="Brayden" last="Wilkerson"], NorthPointe Christian 2022"</strong></h6> <p>Brayden topped the high scorers club almost more than any other player in the area and helped lead the Mustangs to a second-place finish in the Silver. His 6’3 frame and ability to get a bucket in a variety of ways makes him one of the best available seniors in the area.</p>