Mickey, Jacket’s clutch win earns OK White crown.

Friday night’s OK White re-match between Grand Rapids Christian and Greenville was one of the most anticipated games in all of West Michigan. It was worth the wait (literally) for those in attendance. The night began with weather holding back the Girl’s referees and causing the Boy’s game to start around 9pm as snow fell across West Michigan all day long. Once warm-ups began we knew we were going to be in for a show as both teams were well represented and the entire gym was ‘Camouflaged Out’ as Greenville was hosting their third annual  ‘Hunt for a Cure’ Cancer Awareness game. A wild and aggressive 1st half gave us the setting for one of the great endings to a game in some time, Christian led at the break 25-24.

The third quarter blazed to a finish with just 5 combined field goals for the two teams and with fans no closer to an answer as we went to the 4th at 36-35 Christian. A 15-5 run to start the 4th by the Yellow Jackets would open this game up as Torrey Davis and Chris Mickey were able to penetrate and make huge baskets while Christian looked a little lost offensively. And then, Drake Harris turned it on. Harris, the sophomore standout for the Eagles had just 2 points in the first half but cranked it up when his troops needed him, scoring 15 of Christian’s 31 second half points. Harris hit a huge three to quiet a crazy Greenville crowd only to draw contact on a good no-call for another inside bucket to start slashing away at the Jacket lead. Solid defense and perfect free-throw shooting for the Eagles had us knotted at 56 with Greenville grabbing possession with :42 to play and this is how it ended..

Quick Hitters

Grand Rapids Christian

• Early on in this one Coach Mike Spicer made a great roster move by starting DaRohn Scott at center. The 6’8″ sophomore had countless blocks in the paint and provided the Eagles with 6 points in the 1st half as offense was hard to come by. The length of Scott gave the Eagles and edge inside and played right into the hands of an aggressive and penetrating Greenville team. Scott’s play early kept Christian in this one and as his game matures Christian will also grow by leaps and bounds. Check out Scott’s put back slam that got Eagle Nation rocking!

• Drake Harris turned into a different player in the second half. This was a rare look at how dominant this kid can be if he wants to be. Harris is a facilitator by nature, a kid who isn’t looking to light up a stat sheet every night but there are just times when it ‘s necessary for him to do so as his teams struggles to score. Drake became ultra aggressive and willed his team back into this one, even when 90% of the gym attempted to remind him that he’s “Over-rated”.

Greenville

• Torrey Davis and Chris Mickey each had 13 second half points, none bigger than Mickey’s game winner. Once DaRohn Scott left the game in the 3rd quarter the Jacket guards just seemed to impose their will on the Eagle front line. Time after time these two passed on jumpers opting instead to drive into the paint and make countless head shaking baskets much to the delight of the crowd. Davis finished with 21 while Mickey tallied 19.
• Coach Mark Haist drew up and impressive game plan and had his guys execute it to perfection. This win clinched at worst a share of the OK White as the Jackets move to 16-0 on the year. This is the first Conference title for Greenville since 1993 and the home fans showed their appreciation for Coach Haist and his team all night long. Here’s what we heard from Coach after the win.