GR Catholic Central’s top two scorers are out with injuries

Grand Rapids Catholic Central players, from left, Carter Meerman, Jordan McCoy, Jack Bowen, Durral Brooks and Zay Larthridge during a preseason scrimmage in October 2023. Brooks and Larthridge are out with injuries. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Injuries have hit the two best players on the Grand Rapids Catholic Central basketball team.

Durrall Brooks, a senior guard who has committed to the University of Michigan, has missed the past two games with a sore knee.

“He’s been banged up the last couple games, having spent a lot of time on the free-throw line from attacking the rim,” Catholic Central coach T.J. Meerman said. “So we’ve sat him in the last two games to let his body rest and recover. We’re hoping he will be back soon.”

The team also is missing sophomore Zay Larthridge, the team’s second leading scorer. He might be out the rest of the regular season. 

“We’ve also battled tough news on Izaya Larthridge, who broke his finger in a game just after our win at South Christian,” Meerman said of the 57-54 win on Jan. 5. “His timeline is uncertain, so we’re praying to get him back before March. “He’s had a great start to his sophomore year, has really improved, and is drawing attention from college coaches.” 

Brooks, who is a Mr. Basketball candidate, is averaging 24.5 points and six assists per game. Larthridge, who is a great shooter, is averaging 15 points and six rebounds.

“Phat (Brooks) has had an incredible start to his senior campaign,” Meerman said. “This time in a new role where he, Carter (Meerman), and our other seniors are expected to lead a very young and inexperienced team. He leads our team in assists and steals, and is doing all of the little things on the court we need him to do to compete with the toughest of schedules that we play every year.”

Catholic Central leads the O-K Gold Conference with a 7-0 record and is 9-3 overall. The Cougars have won their past two games against Wayland and Muskegon Heights without Brooks and Larthridge.

“Our team’s mindset is ‘no excuses and the next man up,’” Meerman said. “It’s tough to be down two of our best players. But other players such as Carter Meerman, Jack Bowen, Breiland Watkins, Collin Lott, and Jordan McCoy have all stepped up.”

UPDATE ON FEB. 4, 2024: Brooks scored 30 points in a win over South Christian on Friday, Feb. 2. But then he sat out the next day when Catholic Central played Lima Senior High School out of Ohio in the 2K24 Showcase at Aquinas College. The Cougars lost 51-41.

Durral Brooks of Grand Rapids Catholic Central has missed his last two games with a sore knee. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).