GRAND RAPIDS, MI - The Associated Press released its fifth set of Michigan girls high school basketball rankings this week, and the Grand Rapids area was well-represented near the top of Division 1 and 2.
Returning state runner-up Rockford checked in at No. 3 in Division 1, while undefeated South Christian was the top team in Division 2, followed by a trio of Grand Rapids-area squads in No. 5 West Catholic, No. 6 Covenant Christian and No. 7 GR Catholic Central.
There are still 16 days before the start of the playoffs, but several local squads are starting to find a groove and establish themselves as state title contenders.
With that in mind, we're looking at five Grand Rapids-area girls basketball teams on the rise, plus laying out another set of local power rankings.
Rockford (15-1)
The Rams have won 13 in a rows since a Dec. 16 loss to Muskegon, and the recent stretch has been a busy one, with Rockford playing four games in five days, including a 63-40 win over Division 2 No. 7 Haslett on Saturday.
Rockford will be heavy favorites in each of its next three games, before wrapping up the regular season against Grand Haven (14-2) and Jackson Lumen Christi (14-2).
South Christian (17-0)
South Christian is one of three undefeated teams left in Division 2, joining Covenant Christian and Goodrich, and their unblemished record is a big reason why the Sailors are ranked atop their division. Their last two victories over DeWitt and Wayland are both quality wins, and the latter secured at least a share of the OK Gold title for the second consecutive season.
The last four games of the regular season are manageable, with Wyoming (12-5) and Thornapple Kellogg (9-7) posing the biggest challenges.
Thornapple Kellogg (9-7)
The Trojans picked up their best win of the season last week by defeating West Catholic, 54-43, thanks to a big game from junior Reece Ritsema, who collected 17 points, 17 rebounds, two assists and three blocks.
After taking care of business against Jenison and GR Union this week, Thornapple Kellogg has now won four in a row - its longest streak in an up-and-down season - and the Trojans have an opportunity to avenge an earlier loss against Wayland on Friday.
Unity Christian (10-7)
After enduring a four-game losing streak in mid-January, Unity Christian has won six of seven, including Tuesday's 44-40 victory over Spring Lake, which avenged a 40-33 loss to the Lakers on Jan. 13.
The Crusaders have an outside shot at catching Holland Christian in the OK Black standings, and that attempt starts with Thursday's home game against Zeeland West. But ultimately, the Crusaders would like to be playing their best ball at the end of the regular season, and Friday’s contest against undefeated Covenant Christian gives them a great opportunity to keep building momentum.
Hopkins (13-3)
Hopkins has one of the area's most underrated seniors in 5-foot-11 guard Cora Hall, who scored a season-high 26 in Tuesday’s win over Fruitport and is averaging 13.3 points per contest during Hopkins’ 10-game winning streak. If it weren’t for blowout wins, Hall’s numbers would likely be even better, as she’s averaging 16.6 points in losses or wins decided by 10 points or fewer.
The Vikings are currently a half-game ahead of Calvin Christian in the OK Silver standings, and if both teams win the rest of their league games, they’ll be conference co-champions, after splitting their regular season series. For Hopkins, the next step toward that goal is Friday’s home game against Kelloggsville.
On the bubble: East Kentwood (7-7), West Ottawa (8-9), Greenville (13-4), Byron Center (8-7), Unity Christian (10-7)
- This week: Defeated Hamilton (51-42), Friday vs. Zeeland East
- This week: Defeated East Kentwood (54-35), Friday vs. Grandville
- This week: Lost to South Christian (62-47), Friday at Thornapple Kellogg
- This week: Lost to West Catholic (56-45), Thursday at Greenville
- This week: Defeated Potter's House (61-33), defeated Allendale (58-28), Friday at Unity Christian
- This week: Defeated Forest Hills Northern (46-34), Friday vs. Forest Hills Central
- This week: Defeated West Ottawa (68-33), defeated Grandville (74-40), Friday vs. West Ottawa