District Opener Matchups To Watch
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The best month of the year is finally here as teams across the state will put their season on the line tonight as the MHSAA playoffs begin. Several matchups feature teams that have yet to play each other and a…
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Continue ReadingThe best month of the year is finally here as teams across the state will put their season on the line tonight as the MHSAA playoffs begin. Several matchups feature teams that have yet to play each other and a few openers feature grudge matches between conference rivals. Check out my picks for the best individual matchups for Monday’s opening slate of tournament games.
Division 1, District 10:
Muskegon Mona Shores (9-11) vs Kenowa Hills (13-7)
Javion Otten Javion Otten 6'4" | SG Kenowa Hills | 2023 State MI , Kenowa Hills 2023″
Parker Swartz Parker Swartz 6'7" | SF Grand Rapids Northview | 2023 State MI , Mona Shores 2023″
Two teams that have the talent to make a run in March face off with the winner receiving the prize of facing Muskegon in the district semifinals on Wednesday. Mona Shores has gotten consistent scoring from its junior, Parker Swartz Parker Swartz 6'7" | SF Grand Rapids Northview | 2023 State MI . He will most likely be guarded and face the task of guarding one of the more electric players in the area in Javion Otten Javion Otten 6'4" | SG Kenowa Hills | 2023 State MI . You won’t find a better matchup player-personnel-wise across Monday’s opening slate of games than Swartz vs Otten.
Grand Haven (17-3) vs Reeths-Puffer (13-7)
Nic Stump Nic Stump 6'5" | PF Grand Haven | 2022 State MI , Grand Haven 2022″
Travis Ambrose Travis Ambrose 6'7" | PF Muskegon Reeths-Puffer | 2024 State MI , Reeths-Puffer 2024″
One of the more surprising teams across West Michigan this season has been Reeths-Puffer, thanks in large part to a pair of talented sophomores in Jaxson Whitaker Jaxson Whitaker 6'4" | SG Muskegon Reeths-Puffer | 2024 State MI and Travis Ambrose Travis Ambrose 6'7" | PF Muskegon Reeths-Puffer | 2024 State MI . Travis is one of the most talented forwards in the 2024 class and will go up against a talented Grand Haven trio in Harrison Sorrelle Harrison Sorrelle 6'6" | CG Grand Haven | 2023 MI , Nic Stump Nic Stump 6'5" | PF Grand Haven | 2022 State MI , and Bahir Neely. Grand Haven will most likely throw a ton of different zone looks at Reeths-Puffer, but don’t be surprised to see senior forward Nic Stump Nic Stump 6'5" | PF Grand Haven | 2022 State MI take on the majority of the low-post defensive responsibilities. The Bucs will need to zero in on limiting Ambrose if they hope to dance on.
Division 1, District 11:
Zeeland West (10-10) vs Grandville (10-10)
Merritt Alderink Merritt Alderink 6'7" | PF Zeeland West | 2024 State #245 Nation MI , Zeeland West 2024″
Cameron Regnerus Cameron Regnerus 6'7" | PF Grandville | 2024 State MI , Grandville 2024″
A pair of talented forwards in the 2024 class will take center stage tonight when Zeeland West and Grandville meet up in a district opener. District 11 in Division 1 is one of the more wide-open districts in the state and the winner of this game has as good of a chance as any to win the district. I’m expecting whoever has a bigger game between Merritt Alderink Merritt Alderink 6'7" | PF Zeeland West | 2024 State #245 Nation MI and Cam Regnerus to give their team the boost needed to get the win.
Division 2, District 42:
Sparta (8-12) vs Comstock Park (6-14)
Jax Wilson, Sparta 2022″
Donovan Cummings, Comstock Park 2024″
The most hyped game of the opening round of games might be between the long-time rivals from the northside of Grand Rapids in Comstock Park and Sparta. The OK Silver foes split the season series as each team took care of business on their home court. Each team relies heavily on their leading scorers as Jax Wilson and Donovan Cummings each have the ability to go for 30 on any given night.
Division 2, District 44
Godwin Heights (9-8) vs Kelloggsville (12-8)
Jakhary Towns Jakhary Towns 6'1" | SG Godwin Heights | 2023 State MI , Godwin Heights 2023″
Corey Patton-Ivy, Kelloggsville 2022″
Another grudge match between two rivals in the Silver takes place on the south side of GR as Godwin Heights and Kelloggsville will square off with the winner moving on to face Grand Rapids Christian on Wednesday night. Jakhary Towns Jakhary Towns 6'1" | SG Godwin Heights | 2023 State MI is one of the area’s best pure scorers and he’ll need a big night to keep the Wolverines alive. Corey Patton-Ivy has been an electric playmaker for the Rockets this season and will try to match Jakhary’s production in what should be a high-scoring affair.