OK Conference Observations 2.0

<!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3><br>East Kentwood 65, Grand Haven 56</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>East Kentwood and Grand Haven met up in one of the most anticipated games in the state last night and did it ever live up to the hype. Grand Haven got off to a hot start thanks to [player_tooltip player_id='1006801' first='Harrison' last='Sorrelle']'s 18 first-half-points and the Bucs went into the locker room with a double-digit lead. East Kentwood dialed up the full-court pressure in the third quarter and got back into the game thanks to big performances from [player_tooltip player_id='1438849' first='Jah' last='Hatchett'], Marshawn Flakes, and [player_tooltip player_id='1437546' first='Darryl' last='Thompkins'] Jr. East Kentwood took control of the game in the fourth quarter and closed out the Bucs 65-56, handing Grand Haven it's first loss of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1438849' first='Jah' last='Hatchett'], 5'10 G, East Kentwood 25”</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jah was the linchpin of East Kentwood's comeback efforts in the second half, scoring 18 of his 19 points in the third quarter. Jah made his living knocking down three perimeter jumpers in the third quarter, with each make sending the crowd and the Falcon bench into a frenzy. Jah also showed his physicality in drives to the basket and finishing through contact. Defensively, Jah led the Falcons' full-court press with great communication and effort. Hats off to Jah for a great performance and for leading East Kentwood to a big come-from-behind win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1006801' first='Harrison' last='Sorrelle'], 6'5 G, Grand Haven 23”</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last night was my first time seeing Harrison live since last season, and the difference a year makes goes to show how much work Harrison has put in the offseason. Harrison looks much stronger than a year ago, which was evident by the way he controlled the paint last night. Harrison was effective in driving the lane and got his fair share of rebounds on both ends of the court. I was most impressed by Harrison's ability to get his shot off in a number of different ways. His turnaround jumpers in the high post were unguardable and hardly seemed to touch the net. Defensively, Harrison showed resilient effort and used his length to alter shots effectively.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Marshawn Flakes, 6'0 G, East Kentwood 23”</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Marshawn is one of the few prospects who have a natural ability to get a bucket when his team needs it most. He led East Kentwood with 21 points last night and did so quietly. I say quietly because of the way he made 21 points seem effortless. Marshawn does a good job of picking his spots and knocking down jumpers when given the opportunity. Given Grand Haven stayed in a zone all night, Marshawn took advantage and found breakdowns in the Buc's zone, and promptly knocked down mid-range jumpers for four quarters. Defensively, Marshawn was a key factor in the Falcons making their comeback. Marshawn has great lateral quickness and quick hands to match.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1437546' first='Darryl' last='Thompkins'] Jr., 5'10 G, East Kentwood 25"</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Darryl had one of the more complete games I've seen this season from a point guard, posting a double-double with 11 points and 10 assists. On multiple possessions in the second half, Darryl penetrated the Buc's zone defense, collapsed the helpside defenders, and hit his post with a great pass right on the block for an easy layup. His vision and ability to break down a defense is advanced for a sophomore. Darryl's defensive intensity was crucial to the Falcon's second-half comeback as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3>OK Conference Top Performers</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1112374' first='Durral' last='Brooks'], Catholic Central 24"</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Durral scored a career-high 44 points on 16-of-22 shooting, leading Catholic Central to a 90-77 win over Wayland.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Quintin Williams, Wyoming</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Quintin scored 27 points in Wyoming's 72-54 win over Holland.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1157486' first='Camden' last='Karel'], Byron Center 25"</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Camden posted a double-double, scoring 25 points and grabbing 12 rebounds in Byron Center's 59-50 loss to Covenant Christian.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Harry Halbert, Holland Christian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Harry scored 25 points in Holland Christian's 61-50 win over Allendale.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='987270' first='Kaden' last='Brown'], Catholic Central 23"</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kaden scored 25 points in Catholic Central's 90-77 win over Wayland.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brett Bultsma, Wayland 23"</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brett scored 23 points in Wayland's loss to Catholic Central.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Elijah Maas, Wayland</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Elijah scored 22 points in Wayland's loss to Catholic Central.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ky VanderWoude, Caledonia</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ky scored 22 points in Caledonia's 55-51 loss to West Ottawa.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Qua'dir Hatchett, Ottawa Hills 23"</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Qua'dir scored 21 points in Ottawa Hills' 56-54 win over Forest Hills Eastern.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1112299' first='Jaxson' last='Whitaker'], Reeths-Puffer 24"</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jaxson scored 21 points and grabbed eight boards in Reeths-Puffer's 50-42 win over Zeeland East.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1453409' first='BJ' last='Walker'], Zeeland East</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>BJ scored 25 points and grabbed 7 rebounds in Zeeland East's loss.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->