Ottawa Hills optimistic despite tough early schedule
Ottawa Hills junior Craig Hureskin Jr., left, drives past Union’s Tayshaun Allen on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022. Hureskin had 17 points in a 60-44 win. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).
GRAND RAPIDS - Keymarion Gibson was so excited after Ottawa Hills’ first win, that he did a backflip on the court.
Pretty impressive for the biggest kid on the team at 6-foot-2, 265 pounds.
The Ottawa Hills basketball team has reason for optimism. They beat Union 60-44 on Saturday and are 1-2 this season. But those loses are to two of the best teams in the state: Flint Beecher and Rockford.
“Our guys matched their intensity and their energy,” Ottawa Hills coach Derrick King said of losing to Beecher 59-54 in overtime. “When they play up to the level of our competition, good things can happen. Losing to Beecher in overtime was tough, but I was so proud of them. It gave us a good way to measure ourselves against really good competition.”
The Bengals’ next game won’t be until Dec. 27 when they play Ypsilanti Lincoln at the Benton Harbor holiday tournament.
They also have to play in a tough O-K Gold Conference when they play each of these teams twice: Grand Rapids Catholic Central, South Christian and Forest Hills Eastern.
“I like to play good teams early,” King said. “Because I want to set ourselves up for districts and regionals.”
King has some talent on the team. It starts with his leading scorer, junior guard Craig Hureskin Jr., who had 17 points against Union.
“Craig is one of the best shooters we’ve had since I’ve been at Ottawa Hills,” King said. “Maybe since Michael Hawkins a few years ago. He can really shoot the ball. It’s hard to stay in front of him. He’s a good scorer for us.”
Ottawa Hills guard Arian McDaniels drives to the basket on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022. He had 12 points in a 60-44 win. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).
One of the most dynamic players is junior guard Arian McDaniels, who looks a little bit like Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook.
“He goes by A-Mac,” King said. “He has really stellar defense, keeps good pressure on the ball. Staying in front of him is really hard (for defenses) because he’s kind of deceptive. He gets by guys and does a good job avoiding contact when he’s finishing layups. He’s one of my top players.”
The biggest player on the team is Gibson, who looks like he could crush a bowling ball with his biceps.
“He’s actually the running back for the Ottawa Hills football team,” King said. “He wanted to shed some pounds. He’s got some offers for football. We figured we could use his size. He’s big and physical and takes up space in the paint. And he’s just athletic.”
Gibson has football offers from Army, Central Michigan, Bowling Green, Ferris State and Grand Valley State.
“I’ve been coaching him since Rocket football,” King said of Gibson. “He plays hard. Great personality and we want to keep that energy around us.”
One of the more talented guards in Grand Rapids is Quadir Hatchett, who transferred from Wyoming. But the senior is still trying to find his footing with his new team.
“He’s still trying to work his way into our system and our how our rotations work,” King said. He just needs to get comfortable with our team and my coaching style. I know Quadir is one of the best guards in the area. Come January, he’ll be fine.”
Another talented guard is King’s son, Derrick King Jr. But he won’t be joining the team until next month.
“Derrick Jr., he’ll be back sometime in late January,” Coach King said. “Just some personal things going on, but he’ll be back.”
Ottawa Hills senior Keymarion Gibson drives to the basket on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022. Hureskin had 17 points in a 60-44 win. Gibson has five offers to play college football. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).
