Zichterman brothers lead a youth movement at South Christian

Brothers Crew Zichterman, left, and Max Zichterman will play together for the first time on the South Christian varsity team. Crew is a freshman and Max is a junior. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - South Christian basketball coach Taylor Johnson smiles when he talks about the Zichterman boys.

Max Zichterman, a junior guard, and his little brother Crew Zichterman, a freshman, have a youthful enthusiasm as they run through a recent practice.

“For Max to be the big brother on the same team as his little brother, Crew, that’s an interesting dynamic that I’ve never had before (as a coach),” Johnson said. “But I think it’s going to be a lot of fun. They feed off of each other really well and they both want each other to be successful. They’re really close and they cheer for each other. We need both of them to have a really big year for us.”

That’s a big ask for two players who have never played in a varsity basketball game. 

“I think they’re both hungry,” Johnson said. “They’re both excited. I think Max has been eager for his turn. He’s used that as motivation and now it’s here. He’s a dynamic player and I think he’ll have a big year for us.” 

The South Christian coach enters the basketball season with a young and mostly inexperienced roster.

“We’ve got so many new guys,” Johnson said. “We lost eight seniors, so it’s important to get to know the new guys.”

South Christian coach Taylor Johnson talks to his team during a practice on Nov. 25, 2025. The roster has just five returning players. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).

South Christian had another dominant season a year ago with a 20-5 record. 

But they no longer have star Carson Vis, who had started on varsity for the past four years. But he graduated and is playing at Western Michigan University now.

“Any time you lose a guy like Carson Vis, there’s going to be a void,” Johnson said. “More than anything, we miss his leadership. You can’t replace him. But with our style, we aren’t trying to replace him. We’re trying to play a little different, play more guys and share the ball a little more. Our guys just need to buy into the system.”

Crew Zichterman isn’t the only freshman on the roster. Dax Blackport, a 6-foot-2 power forward, also made the team.

“Crew Zichterman and Dax Blackport are established guys,” Johnson said. “They’ve played basketball for a long time (on an elite Northcoast Premier AAU team). They aren’t afraid of the big moments. Dax played varsity football (this fall). They both look great so far. They should just enjoy the journey and get better as the season goes.”

South Christian brings back senior guards Austin Burgess and Owen Burgess (who are not related), senior forward Josh Fles and 6-foot-6 senior center JJ Modderman. They’ll also have sophomore Brody Shilts get a lot of playing time. But seven players on the 13-man roster have never played on varsity.

South Christian freshman Dax Blackport, left, and senior Josh Fles workout during a practice on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).

Zichterman brothers are close

Max Zichterman was excited about this team before they even took the court. South Christian went on a team bonding trip to Pere Marquette Beach near Muskegon.

“We had a lot of good bonding,” Max said. “We love our team. I’m excited to be with them this year. We were in Pere Marquette … we learned to be with our guys a little better.”

But he was most excited to find out his little brother made the varsity roster.

“He definitely earned it,” Max said. “He’s played really good and I’m excited to play with him this year.” 

Crew wasn’t expecting it, but was happy nonetheless.

“It was cool,” Crew said. “It’s great that I get two years to play with Max.”

South Christian freshman Crew Zichterman goes through a drill with coach Taylor Johnson on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).

Max, a talented player and elite shooter, enters his junior season without ever playing a game on varsity. He averaged 17 points per game on JV and started on a talented Northcoast Premier team. 

But there just wasn’t space on the South Christian roster a year ago.

“We had eight seniors so we didn’t have a spot for him,” Johnson said. “It’s not that he wasn’t talented enough, we just felt like it was better for him to have another year of JV. He’s grown a lot since then. He’s three or four inches taller since last year and that has a lot to do with it. He’s maturing into his body and that helps him be a better player.”

Max has sprouted to 6-foot-4, 180 pounds and Crew is 6-1, 160 pounds. Both are shooting guards.

The brothers come from a basketball family. Their parents Mark Zichterman and Sarah (Haney) Zichterman met in college, where they both played basketball at Cornerstone University.  

“It’s a pretty big advantage,” Max said. "Both of our parents played so they are our mentors and can really help us elevate our game. They taught us to not play for ourselves, but to play as a team and play for our teammates.”

The boys like to play 6-foot-7 Mark 1-on-1, but they shy away of playing mom.

When’s the last time they played against her?

"Not for awhile, honestly. She’d probably beat us though,” Max said with a laugh.

It also helps that the Zichtermans have their own indoor basketball court at home. So the boys can work on the game anytime the need to. 

“We’re so blessed to have that,” Crew said.

So who will be the tallest of the boys?

“I bet Max will be taller,” Crew said.  

Said Max “The littlest one will be the tallest,” he said of Asher Zichterman, who is in 7th grade. “Ash will be the tallest and be a powerhouse in the post.”

South Christian players, from left, JJ Modderman, Brody Shilts, Caleb Krosschell, Peyton Kool and Charlie Vermaas during a practice on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).

 Football players got in basketball shape

In the past several years, South Christian wasn’t able to have a full basketball team during the preseason since the football team was always playing deep into the playoffs. And many of the basketball players also play football.

But South Christian’s football team lost in the playoff opener on Oct. 31 to Portland. 

“It’s not something that I wish for,” Johnson said. “People always say ‘aren’t you glad you are starting early?’ No. I want our football team to do well. I wish we had beaten Portland. But it did happen and it is what it is. We were able to spend some time at a retreat up at Pere Marquette. We got a chance to get to know the boys better.”

This year’s basketball team had eight guys who also played football.

South Christian begins the basketball season on Tuesday, Dec. 2 at Grand Rapids Christian and then at home on Dec. 5 against Holland Christian.