South Christian football players focus on winning basketball title, too

South Christian players goof around during the basketball media day. Seven South Christian football players, who recently won the state title, are also on the varsity basketball team. The players in a three-point stance, from left, Tanner Raak, Cam Post and Sam Weiss. Players standing, from left, Carson Vis, Nate Brinks, Jake DeHaan and Jake Vermaas. (Photo | Eric Walstra).

BYRON CENTER - South Christian basketball coach Taylor Johnson dropped a box of old warm-up jerseys on the gym floor and told his players to find something that fit.

The players laughed as they tried on tear-away pants for the first time. The reaction went from “What are these old things?” to “These are legit!”

“I think those are the same warmups we wore when we won the state title in 2005,” said David Kool, South Christian’s athletic director. “They were in storage on the third floor. Taylor’s goal was to unite the alums and stuff. It was fun to have that incorporated into the (2022 team) photo and they might wear them in a game or two this year.”

As a player, Kool helped the Sailors win state titles in 2003 and 2005. 

The South Christian basketball team tries on the old-school basketball warmups, that were from the 2005 season. (Photo | Lenny Padilla)

Does the current South Christian team have the same goal?

“Oh for sure,” junior guard Jake Vermaas said. “After winning in football, being a competitive athlete, it makes you want to go win another title. Now that football is done, we’re focused on basketball.”

Of the 11-man varsity basketball players, seven guys were part of a football team that was 14-0 and capped with the Division 4 state championship.

“It feels great,” Vermaas said of being a state champ. “Credit to the players and coaches. We just really came together. It was even more special that I got to do it with my best friends.”

If there is a downside to winning a state title, is that the players are a little banged up still and they missed the first week of practice.

Jake DeHaan, who was the quarterback on the title team, took a beating all season.

“I’m doing pretty good right now,” the senior guard said. “I’m taking it day-by-day to see how I feel. I’ll be fine.”

Said Vermaas: “My body is a little banged up. Everyone really is. I’m just focused on staying in shape on the basketball court. Knowing that we have a basketball game next week, it’s going to be difficult. But i’m excited for it.”

South Christian’s Jake Vermaas, left, and Jake DeHaan, goof around during the team’s media day on Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).

Vermaas missed seven games during the regular season with a broken collar bone. But returned for the playoffs and had a huge game in the state championship. He had seven catches for 157 yards and had pick-6 for a touchdown.

Nate Brinks, the team’s running back and kicker, might be the most banged up. He said he played the entire season with an injury.

“I had a torn labrum in my (right) hip all year,” Brinks said. “But I fought through it for the team.”

Brinks, a senior guard, planned to have surgery on his labrum and miss the basketball season. But he showed up to practice this week to the surprise of his coach.

“No one thought he’d be here,” Johnson said. “But he showed up. He’s a tough kid and a good basketball player. He doesn’t get the recognition he deserves.”

Vermaas said he loves having Brinks on his team.

South Christian sophomore Carson Vis during a recent practice. He was the top receiver on the football team with 16 touchdowns, including one in the state title game. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).

“Nate is a really hard-working kid,” Vermaas said. “He wasn’t sure if he was going to play (basketball) because of an injury, but I’m so glad he changed his mind and joined the team. It makes a difference on and off the court.” 

Brinks said he hopes to be a kicker in college. 

DeHaan said most of the football/basketball players got some shots up in the mornings, even during the football season. Football coach Danny Brown gave his blessing.

“It was good for us,” DeHaan said. “We’d just come in the gym and get some shots up before school. Our football coaches let us do it and Coach Johnson did a good job organizing it and not pushing us too hard.”

Johnson, in his first year with the team after being an assistant coach at Grand Valley for six years, drove to Ford Field to see his guys in the state title game.

“I was just a fan,” he said. “It was fun. It was more nerve-wracking as a fan because you can’t control anything. I just wanted to be there to support the boys. I wanted to see the effort that they gave. If we get (in basketball) what they had in football, we can have a special season. We have winners in this school.”

South Christian was 16-5 last season under coach Jeff Meengs. Their season ended in the district title game to Grand Rapids Christian. Now the Sailors begin the season against Christian on Tuesday. The Sailors travel to Holland Christian on Thursday. Then take on Northview, the top team in the area, on Saturday, Dec. 10 in “The Invite” at Calvin University.

The seven football players who are now on the basketball team are: Brinks, Vermaas, DeHaan, Cam Post, Sam Weiss, Tanner Raak and Carson Vis. The rest of the basketball roster includes Sam Medendorp, Caleb Pleune, Davis Kemper and Jaxson Rynbrant. 

Kool had to laugh when thinking about the current players never seeing tear-away warmup pants.

“It makes you look cool when you rip them off,” Kool said. “We used to wear things that were so baggy. Those were in (fashion) back then.” 

The South Christian varsity basketball team poses for a group photo during media day on Nov. 30, 2022. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).