Observations and Top Performers From Regional Semifinals

<p>Regional semifinals took place last night across the state as teams took one step closer to a state championship. I made the trip to Muskegon Reeths-Puffer to see the lone remaining Division 1 teams from the OK Conference. Check out my notes below on those two games as well as the top performers from around the area. Be sure to check back in tomorrow for my previews on the Forest Hills Northern-Zeeland East and Grand Rapids Catholic Central-Coopersville regional championships.</p> <h5>Zeeland East 49, East Grand Rapids 30</h5> <p><strong><em>Chix Success Predicated on Size and Pace.</em></strong></p> <p>Tuesday night’s action started as planned as Zeeland East’s defense stole the show once again in a dominating 19-point victory over an East Grand Rapids team that won its first district championship since 2011. The length of [player_tooltip player_id="811133" first="Brandon" last="Claerbaut"], [player_tooltip player_id="811107" first="Nate" last="Claerbaut"], [player_tooltip player_id="611440" first="Trip" last="Riemersma"], Luke Gruppen, and others wears down opponents and forces bad shots. East kept things relatively close in the first half, but ultimately the methodical pace at which the Chix play, combined with their size was too much for the Pioneers to overcome.</p> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id="811107" first="Nate" last="Claerbaut"] Shines</em></strong></p> <p>The senior big took advantage of East Grand Rapids’ lack of size and dominated in the paint in tune to a game-high 24 point, 13 rebound performance. I was most impressed with the way Nate ran the floor in transition. He ran fluidly, caught the ball in stride, and took it in for several easy buckets. When Nate’s catching the ball with a clear path, there’s not many who can stop him. Nate also showcased his passing ability out of the post. His awareness to find cutters or spot-up shooters out of high-post touches kept the Chix offense humming.</p> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id="1077676" first="Simon" last="Neuhaus"] Is a Budding Star</em></strong></p> <p>The sophomore forward held his own against the length of Zeeland East, leading the Pioneers with 17 points. Simon scored off several isolation sets by either driving the lane and getting to the rim or pulling up in the midrange for a clean look. Simon also showed off his shooting stroke from three, as he kept the Pioneers above water for most of the night. His motor on the glass also stood out, showing he already has the strength and athleticism to grab boards and 50/50 balls against one of the best frontcourts in the state.</p> <h5>Forest Hills Northern 61, Grand Haven 57</h5> <p><em><strong>Cole Rynbrandt Carries The Load For FHN</strong></em></p> <p>Grand Haven presented several matchup problems that Forest Hills Northern has rarely seen this year. The Bucs size and athleticism allowed Grand Haven to be assertive and force the Huskies to play in a back-and-forth game. If not for the efforts of Cole Rynbrandt, Forest Hills Northern’s season would most likely be over. Cole was a beast on the boards, corralling almost every 50/50 ball that he came in contact with and finishing in the paint through contact. Cole also picked up the slack in the shooting department for Northern, hitting several big shots from the perimeter.</p> <p><em><strong>Grand Haven Ready To Run Things Back</strong></em></p> <p>I couldn’t help but look ahead to next season and think about how good this Grand Haven team will be. They return key pieces in juniors [player_tooltip player_id="1068265" first="Bashir" last="Neely"] and [player_tooltip player_id="863999" first="Nic" last="Stump"], and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="1077675" first="Harrison" last="Sorrelle"]. All three have a unique skill set that compliments each other. Bashir is a high flyer with a quick step, Harrison is a lanky swingman with an already impressive dribble package that’s going to continue to develop, and Nic is one of the best scorers in the area who has the intangibles that brings this team together. Keep an eye out for Grand Haven next season as they should be one of the best teams in the area.</p> <h5>Top Performers</h5> <h6>[player_tooltip player_id="811106" first="Colin" last="Weber"], F, Hopkins 2021"</h6> <p>Colin scored 37 points in Hopkins’ 51-45 win over Parchment. The Vikings will face Benton Harbor in a Division 2 regional final at Benton Harbor high school on Thursday, April 1st.</p> <h6>[player_tooltip player_id="811107" first="Nate" last="Claerbaut"], F, Zeeland East 2021"</h6> <p>Nate had a game-high 24 point, 13 rebound performance in the Chix’s win over East Grand Rapids. Zeeland East will face Forest Hills Northern in a Division 1 regional final at Muskegon Reeths-Puffer high school on Thursday, April 1st.</p> <h6>[player_tooltip player_id="987270" first="Kaden" last="Brown"], G, Grand Rapids Catholic Central 2023"</h6> <p>Kaden scored a game-high 21 points in the Cougars’ 68-50 win over South Christian. Catholic Central will face Coopersville in a Division 2 regional final at Grand Rapids South Christian high school on Thursday, April 1st.</p> <h6>[player_tooltip player_id="814560" first="Trinidad" last="Chambliss"], G, Forest Hills Northern 2021"</h6> <p>Trinidad led the Huskies with 18 points in Northern’s win. Up next for the Huskies is undefeated Zeeland East on Thursday.</p> <h6>Cole Rynbrandt, F, Forest Hills Northern 2021"</h6> <p>Cole scored 18 points in Forest Hills Northern’s win over Grand Haven.</p> <h6>[player_tooltip player_id="1077676" first="Simon" last="Neuhaus"], F, East Grand Rapids 2023"</h6> <p>Simon led the Pioneers with 17 points in the loss to Zeeland East. East Grand Rapids finishes the season with a 7-6 record.</p> <h6>Elliott Grashuis, G, South Christian 2021"</h6> <p>Elliott led the Sailors with 16 points in the loss to Grand Rapids Catholic Central. South Christian ends the season with a 17-3 record.</p> <h6>[player_tooltip player_id="1112374" first="Durral" last="Brooks"], G, Grand Rapids Catholic Central 2024"</h6> <p>Durral scored 15 points in the Cougars win over South Christian.</p> <h6>Landon Vanbeek, F, Grand Haven 2021"</h6> <p>Landon led the Bucs with 13 points in the loss to Forest Hills Northern. Grand Haven ends the season with an 11-6 record.</p>