GR Catholic Central loses its best player for the season
Grand Rapids Catholic Central senior Zay Larthridge, center, watches a scrimmage from the bench at Hudsonville with teammates Collin Lott and Tommy Jandernoa on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025. Larthridge tore his ACL and is out for the season. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The Grand Rapids Catholic Central basketball team lost its best player before the season even started.
Senior Zay Larthridge tore his ACL in June and will not play this season.
“The doctor said I’m out for the whole season,” Larthridge said on Thursday. “Obviously, I’m disappointed. But I’m glad my guys get the chance to shine more. Hopefully they get some (college) offers and more playing time as well.”
The 6-foot-6 forward averaged 17 points and 7 rebounds last season while helping Catholic Central to a 21-8 record and a trip to the the Division 2 state semifinals at The Breslin Center.
“I tore my ACL in my left (knee),” Larthridge said. “It’s about nine months to a year for recovery.”
Catholic Central coach Chris Pearl said it’s tough to lose a player of Larthridge’s caliber.
“Any time you lose someone who averages 17 and 7, and was all-conference and helped us get to The Breslin … that hurts. But it’s also an opportunity for others to step up.”
Last week, Larthridge signed to play at Northern Michigan University.
“It’s a relief,” he said. “I don’t have to worry about where I’m going to college anymore. That was a big decision. I’m just glad I get to play basketball in college.”
He will be teammates with Connor Johnson, who is a 6-foot-7 forward from Grand Rapids Christian. They played together with the Indiana Game AAU team this summer and thought It would be fun to play in college together, too.
“Before the AAU season, neither of us really had many offers,” Larthridge said. “Then we both got Northern Michigan offers. As soon as I committed, he did too. So that was cool.”
Pearl said it will be tough without Larthridge.
“Selfishly, I want him back,” he said. “But I’d rather him get a full year of being healthy going into Northern Michigan and have a great college career.”'
Catholic Central went 3-0 during a six-team scrimmage on Thursday against Hudsonville, Unity Christian and West Ottawa. They bring back senior starters Jordan McCoy and Brieland Watkins.
“With or without me, we’re still gonna be really good,” Larthridge said. “I definitely think we can make it back to The Breslin again this year and hopefully win it all.”
Zay Larthridge of Grand Rapids Catholic Central basketball at the Division 2 state semifinals at The Breslin Center on Friday, March 14, 2025. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).