Key Players Returning to Shape the OK Black Race

With so much talent from last season having graduated, the OK Black enters the new year with plenty of uncertainty — and opportunity. Holland Christian claimed the league crown at 10-2, while Zeeland West (9-3) and Zeeland East (7-5) weren't far behind, but this year's standings could look completely different. With several key contributors returning across the conference, the door is wide open for new stars to emerge and for multiple teams to make a serious push for the title.    Brooklyn was the only non-senior to earn a spot on last year's All-OK Black First Team, underscoring just how valuable she was to Holland Christian's success. A composed and versatile point guard, she routinely creates scoring opportunities with her sharp vision and precise passing. Brooklyn attacks the basket with confidence, finishing through contact, and she can stretch the floor with her reliable perimeter shooting. Defensively, her instincts and activity allow her to generate steals and disrupt opposing offenses. Heading into her senior season, she stands out as one of the conference's top returning guards and a player college programs should be watching closely.     Elin, a standout forward for Tri-Unity Christian, brings steady production in the paint and a strong presence on the boards. Her ability to rebound in traffic and finish around the rim made her an Honorable Mention All-Conference selection as a sophomore, and she's only continued to grow her game. With her toughness and improving offensive confidence, she's poised for a breakout junior season.     Alexandra, a senior leader for Spring Lake and an Albion College commit, brings a strong interior presence on both ends of the floor. She uses her length effectively to alter shots, contest drives, and make life difficult for opposing offenses. Around the rim, she finishes with touch and control, often turning second-chance opportunities into easy points. With her defensive impact and continued growth as a scorer, she's positioned to make her final high school season her most dominant yet.     Baylee is poised to take on an even larger role for Spring Lake this season, bringing speed, toughness, and versatility to the backcourt. Her quick first step and strong court awareness make her a natural playmaker who can break pressure, push tempo, and create scoring opportunities. She has the explosiveness to get downhill and finish through traffic, along with the footwork to beat defenders with creative moves. Defensively, her athleticism allows her to challenge shots and make impactful plays around the rim. As a junior ready for a breakout year, Baylee has all the tools to be a major difference-maker for the Lakers.     Kloe enters her sophomore season at Spring Lake looking every bit like a rising star, showing a complete and polished game that translates to multiple positions on the floor. She shoots the three with confidence, rebounds with toughness, and creates shots for herself using smooth ball-handling and sharp footwork. Her passing instincts help keep the offense flowing, and she finishes inside with composure and touch. With her skill, feel for the game, and competitive edge, Kloe is positioned for a standout year and is quickly emerging as one of the conference's most promising young guards.     Elizabeth enters her junior season at Zeeland East with the kind of athleticism and physical tools that make her a matchup problem on both ends of the floor. Her mobility, length, and springy frame allow her to cover ground quickly, elevate for rebounds, and defend multiple positions. Offensively, she has the ability to score at all levels—knocking down mid-range jumpers, creating off the dribble, and finding teammates when defenses collapse. She's strong enough to battle inside yet skilled enough to play on the perimeter, giving Zeeland East a versatile playmaker who can impact the game in countless ways. Her athletic upside and competitive motor should make her one of the most intriguing players to watch in the OK Black this season.     Sadie returns for her junior season at Zeeland West as a high-energy guard capable of impacting the game on both sides of the floor. She brings a strong, sturdy frame and sharp ball-handling that allow her to navigate defenses and get downhill with purpose. Her quick changes of direction and burst make her tough to stay in front of, and she has the ability to earn trips to the free-throw line by attacking gaps aggressively. From the perimeter, she can knock down shots with confidence, keeping defenses honest. Defensively, her fast feet and active hands make her a disruptive presence who can generate turnovers and spark transition offense. Sadie's toughness and competitive edge position her to take an even bigger leap this season.     Leah is set to return for her junior season after missing last year with an ACL injury, and her comeback is one to watch. A long, athletic guard, she has the ability to make an impact on both ends of the court. Leah can push the pace, finish in transition, and create opportunities for her teammates, while her length and quickness allow her to contest shots, generate steals, and disrupt opposing offenses. Her return adds a dynamic presence that could change the rhythm of games for her team this season.     Emma, a junior guard for Hamilton, is poised for a standout season this year. She brings relentless energy on defense, using quick hands and smart positioning to create turnovers and pressure opponents. On offense, Emma's strong ball-handling allows her to navigate through traffic, set up teammates, and knock down shots from all over the floor, making her a versatile and impactful player.

With so much talent from last season having graduated, the OK Black enters the new year with plenty of uncertainty — and opportunity. Holland Christian claimed the league crown at 10-2, while Zeeland West (9-3) and Zeeland East (7-5) weren't far behind, but this year's standings could look completely different. With several key contributors returning across the conference, the door is wide open for new stars to emerge and for multiple teams to make a serious push for the title.