Best of The West Watch-List; Guards Part I

<p>With a little more than a month left in the regular season, the best players in West Michigan are starting to separate themselves from the rest of the pack. Let's take a look at the athletes whose play is earning all-area consideration. First up, the guards.  </p> <h6><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ethan-alderink/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ethan-alderink/">Ethan Alderink</a></a>, Holland Christian, 2020</h6> <p>Standing a solid 6-6, Ethan has the versatility to score from the perimeter and above the rim. Ethan has helped Holland Christian navigate a tough schedule to keep the Marrons at .500 (6-6, 3-3 OK Green). Expect a big push from Holland Christian in the upcoming weeks.</p> <p><em>Committed to Grand Valley State University</em></p> <h6><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/kobe-bufkin/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/kobe-bufkin/">Kobe Bufkin</a></a>, Grand Rapids Christian, 2021</h6> <p>Kobe has blossomed into the premier prospect out of the area, gaining attention from Big Ten programs. Armed with one of the prettiest mid-range jumpers I've seen, Kobe is an athletic guard that can score in a variety of ways. His efforts have led Christian to an undefeated 13-0 record.</p> <p><em>Offers: Northwestern and Michigan State.</em></p> <h6><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/devon-boyd/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/devon-boyd/">Devon Boyd</a></a>, Grand Rapids Catholic Central, 2020</h6> <p>Devon has captained the ship of what might be the most talented starting five the area has to offer in Grand Rapids Catholic Central. With their only loss coming to undefeated Grand Rapids Christian, expect Devon and the Cougars to do big things before the season is over.</p> <p><em>Offers: Northern Michigan University</em></p> <h6><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/trinidad-chambliss/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/trinidad-chambliss/">Trinidad Chambliss</a></a>, Forest Hills Northern, 2021</h6> <p>Trinidad has had a strong start to his junior season, which has been highlighted by a gutsy performance over OK White rival Northview. If he can continue his consistent play, Forest Hills Northern can make a deep run this March. </p> <h6><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ethan-erickson/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ethan-erickson/">Ethan Erickson</a></a>, Forest Hills Northern, 2021</h6> <p>The junior guard is averaging 21 PPG, 5 RPG, and 3 RPG and is proving to be one of the best sharpshooters in the area. Ethan makes up 1/2<span style="font-size: 1rem;"> </span><span style="font-size: 1rem;">of the lethal backcourt combination with classmate <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/trinidad-chambliss/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/trinidad-chambliss/">Trinidad Chambliss</a></a> and is a big reason why Forest Hills Northern is 10-4 (5-1 OK White).</span></p> <p><em>Offers: Ferris State University</em></p> <h6><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jamoni-jones/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jamoni-jones/">Jamoni Jones</a></a>, East Kentwood, 2020</h6> <p>East Kentwood has had a relatively up and down season thus far, sitting at 6-7 (3-3 OK Red). However, the Falcons shouldn't be overlooked as they have the talent and experience to compete with any team in the state. This was proven at the Red Hawk Showcase, and by Jamoni in particular, who scored 26 points in a 58-57 overtime loss to Detroit Cass Tech.</p> <p><em>Offers: Northern Illinois University.</em></p> <h6><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/menalito-mcgee/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/menalito-mcgee/">Menalito McGee</a></a>, Wyoming, 2020</h6> <p>Menalito has set the West Michigan basketball landscape ablaze with his eye-opening performances, highlighted by a 45-point, 12-three pointer performance over Middleville Thornapple-Kellogg. The senior guard just surpassed the 1,000 career point mark and has the Wolves just one game back of Grand Rapids Christian in the OK White standings.</p> <p><em>Offers: Concordia University</em></p> <h6><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/vern-nash/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/vern-nash/">Vern Nash</a></a>, Muskegon, 2020</h6> <p>Vern runs point for Muskegon 10-1 (6-0 OK Black), who is one of the favorites to take home the Division 1 crown in March. Vern had one of the best performances at the Red Hawk Showcase, scoring 27 points over a solid Saginaw team. </p> <p><em>Vern is committed to Saginaw Valley State University</em></p> <h6><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/blake-pedersen/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/blake-pedersen/">Blake Pedersen</a></a>, West Ottawa, 2020</h6> <p>Blake has led West Ottawa through a gauntlet of a schedule to a solid 9-3 start to the season. Sitting at 4-2 in the OK Red and two games back of Hudsonville, the Panthers will need continued consistency from its senior point guard if they hope to achieve similar success in March. </p> <h6><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/max-perez/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/max-perez/">Max Perez</a></a>, Hudsonville, 2020</h6> <p>Max is one of, if not the most efficient point guards in the state. Perez rarely forces the issue and consistently puts his teammates in favorable positions to score. He is a big reason why Hudsonville is currently sitting atop the OK Red at 11-1.</p> <p><em>Max is committed to Indiana Tech University</em></p>