MHSAA Playoffs: Regional 3 Preview and Predictions
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Early in the season, many looked ahead to the potential Division 1 Regional Championship and envisioned Zeeland East and Forest Hills Northern squaring off as the best two teams in the area. While that still may happen, each will have…
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Continue ReadingEarly in the season, many looked ahead to the potential Division 1 Regional Championship and envisioned Zeeland East and Forest Hills Northern squaring off as the best two teams in the area. While that still may happen, each will have to get through highly talented opponents in the regional semifinals. The four teams left standing in Divison 1 from the OK Conference will meet on Tuesday night at Reeths-Puffer high school to try to get one step closer to a state championship. Below I’ll get into the matchups of each game, key players for each team, and my predictions.
East Grand Rapids (7-5) vs Zeeland East (18-0)
Game Info: Tuesday, March 30th, Reeths-Puffer High School @ 5:00 p.m.
East Grand Rapids got through its district winning two games by a combined five points. The Pioneers are a young group that plays with great poise and a pace that can make any game close. East Grand Rapids’ sophomore Simon Neuhaus Simon Neuhaus 6'5" | SF East Grand Rapids | 2023 State MI is a dynamic athlete and scorer who can make a big impression on those watching if he plays well against Zeeland East’s highly touted defense. Meanwhile, Zeeland East has the tendency to suffocate opposing offense’s with their exceptional length. Offensively, the Chix like to slow things down and get quality looks for their big three in Trip Riemersma Trip Riemersma 6'4" | SG Zeeland East | 2021 State MI , Nate Claerbaut Nate Claerbaut 6'10" | C Zeeland East | 2021 State MI , and Brandon Claerbaut Brandon Claerbaut 6'5" | SF Zeeland East | 2021 State MI .
Playoff Road
East Grand Rapids: District Semi: Defeated Wyoming 54-42, District Final: Defeated Caledonia 43-40.
Zeeland East: District Semi: Defeated Zeeland West 61-27, District Final: Defeated West Ottawa 33-20.
Key Players
Simon Neuhaus Simon Neuhaus 6'5" | SF East Grand Rapids | 2023 State MI , F, East Grand Rapids 2023″
Drew Caswell Drew Caswell 5'11" | PG East Grand Rapids | 2023 State MI , G, East Grand Rapids 2023″
Arjun Taylor, G, East Grand Rapids 2023″
Trip Riemersma Trip Riemersma 6'4" | SG Zeeland East | 2021 State MI , G, Zeeland East 2021″
Brandon Claerbaut Brandon Claerbaut 6'5" | SF Zeeland East | 2021 State MI , G, Zeeland East 2021″
Nate Claerbaut Nate Claerbaut 6'10" | C Zeeland East | 2021 State MI , F, Zeeland East 2021″
Prediction
Zeeland East has a drastic size advantage at just about every position. The Chix will make things very difficult for East Grand Rapids’ offense and try to exploit matchup advantages when they have the ball. If the Pioneers can get out in transition and make a few runs, I think they can keep this one close. However, the Chix are undefeated for a reason, and quite frankly, their defense is playing better than any group in the state. Expect Zeeland East to go to Nate Claerbaut Nate Claerbaut 6'10" | C Zeeland East | 2021 State MI early and often and try to use their size and length to wear down the Pioneers.
Grand Haven (11-5) vs Forest Hills Northern (14-1)
Game Info: Tuesday, March 30th, Reeths-Puffer High School @ 7:00 p.m.
Grand Haven contended for the OK Red for the majority of the shortened season until they hit a roadblock during the final week and a half of play. Since then, they impressively ran through its district, blasting both Mona Shores and a Muskegon team that many had penciled into the regional semifinals. The Bucs are led by a younger group, featuring a dynamic wing/ forward in Nic Stump Nic Stump 6'5" | PF Grand Haven | 2022 State MI and another lanky guard/wing in sophomore Harrison Sorrelle.
Forest Hills Northern’s district showing went as expected, beating an under-matched Lowell team and rival Forest Hills Central for the third time this season. The Huskies have one of the most talented backcourt in the state in Trinidad Chambliss Trinidad Chambliss 6'2" | PG Forest Hills Northern | 2021 State MI and Ethan Erickson Ethan Erickson 6'1" | SG Forest Hills Northern | 2021 State MI . Both are great shooters, can produce off the dribble, and have high IQs, and make excellent reads. Northern also has the luxury of another scoring threat in 6’7″ F Gavin Fisher Gavin Fisher 6'6" | SF Forest Hills Northern | 2021 State MI . Gavin gives this team another weapon as a prospect who can knock down big shots and play great on-ball defense. If handling those three wasn’t a tall enough task, the Huskies also have veteran forwards Dan Guitierrez and Cole Rynbrandt, who are both scoring threats.
Playoff Road
Grand Haven: District Semi: Defeated Mona Shores 67-41, District Final: Defeated Muskegon 65-51.
Forest Hills Northern: District Semi: Defeated Lowell 73-33, District Final: Defeated Forest Hills Central 62-54.
Key Players
Nic Stump Nic Stump 6'5" | PF Grand Haven | 2022 State MI , F, Grand Haven 2022″
Harrison Sorrellle, G, Grand Haven 2023″
Bashir Neely Bashir Neely 6'3" | PG Grand Haven | 2022 State MI , G, Grand Haven 2022″
Trinidad Chambliss Trinidad Chambliss 6'2" | PG Forest Hills Northern | 2021 State MI , G, Forest Hills Northern 2021″
Ethan Erickson Ethan Erickson 6'1" | SG Forest Hills Northern | 2021 State MI , G, Forest Hills Northern 2021″
Gavin Fisher Gavin Fisher 6'6" | SF Forest Hills Northern | 2021 State MI , F, Forest Hills Northern 2021″
Cole Rynbrandt, F, Forest Hills Northern 2021″
Prediction
This should be a high-scoring, highly entertaining game between two teams that feature several bucket getters. Not many people expected Grand Haven to be here and to get here in such a dominant fashion. The Bucs appear to be playing with a chip on their shoulders and executing at the highest level. Ultimately, Forest Hills Northern has been a step above its competition this season, led by a senior backcourt. I like the Huskies to advance in what should be a very close and highly competitive game.
Forest Hills Northern 68, Grand Haven 61