MHSAA Playoffs: Regional 3 Preview and Predictions

Forest Hills Northern’s Trinidad Chambliss

Tate Baker

March 30, 2021 @ 09:27 AM

<p>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 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.</p> <h5>East Grand Rapids (7-5) vs Zeeland East (18-0)</h5> <p><em>Game Info: Tuesday, March 30th, Reeths-Puffer High School @ 5:00 p.m.</em></p> <p>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 [player_tooltip player_id="1077676" first="Simon" last="Neuhaus"] 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 [player_tooltip player_id="611440" first="Trip" last="Riemersma"], [player_tooltip player_id="811107" first="Nate" last="Claerbaut"], and [player_tooltip player_id="811133" first="Brandon" last="Claerbaut"].</p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><em><strong>Playoff Road</strong></em></span></p> <p>East Grand Rapids: District Semi: Defeated Wyoming 54-42, District Final: Defeated Caledonia 43-40.</p> <p>Zeeland East: District Semi: Defeated Zeeland West 61-27, District Final: Defeated West Ottawa 33-20.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><em><strong>Key Players</strong></em></span></p> <h6>[player_tooltip player_id="1077676" first="Simon" last="Neuhaus"], F, East Grand Rapids 2023"</h6> <h6>[player_tooltip player_id="1076034" first="Drew" last="Caswell"], G, East Grand Rapids 2023"</h6> <h6>Arjun Taylor, G, East Grand Rapids 2023"</h6> <h6>[player_tooltip player_id="611440" first="Trip" last="Riemersma"], G, Zeeland East 2021"</h6> <h6>[player_tooltip player_id="811133" first="Brandon" last="Claerbaut"], G, Zeeland East 2021"</h6> <h6>[player_tooltip player_id="811107" first="Nate" last="Claerbaut"], F, Zeeland East 2021"</h6> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><em><strong>Prediction</strong></em></span></p> <p>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 [player_tooltip player_id="811107" first="Nate" last="Claerbaut"] early and often and try to use their size and length to wear down the Pioneers.</p> <div> </div> <div><i>Zeeland East 52, East Grand Rapids 37</i></div> <div> </div> <h5>Grand Haven (11-5) vs Forest Hills Northern (14-1)</h5> <p><em>Game Info: Tuesday, March 30th, Reeths-Puffer High School @ 7:00 p.m.</em></p> <p>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 [player_tooltip player_id="863999" first="Nic" last="Stump"] and another lanky guard/wing in sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="1077675" first="Harrison" last="Sorrelle"]. </p> <p>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 [player_tooltip player_id="814560" first="Trinidad" last="Chambliss"] and [player_tooltip player_id="811128" first="Ethan" last="Erickson"]. 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 [player_tooltip player_id="980052" first="Gavin" last="Fisher"]. 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.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><em><strong>Playoff Road</strong></em></span></p> <p>Grand Haven: District Semi: Defeated Mona Shores 67-41, District Final: Defeated Muskegon 65-51.</p> <p>Forest Hills Northern: District Semi: Defeated Lowell 73-33, District Final: Defeated Forest Hills Central 62-54.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><em><strong>Key Players</strong></em></span></p> <h6>[player_tooltip player_id="863999" first="Nic" last="Stump"], F, Grand Haven 2022"</h6> <h6>Harrison Sorrellle, G, Grand Haven 2023"</h6> <h6>[player_tooltip player_id="1068265" first="Bashir" last="Neely"], G, Grand Haven 2022"</h6> <h6>[player_tooltip player_id="814560" first="Trinidad" last="Chambliss"], G, Forest Hills Northern 2021"</h6> <h6>[player_tooltip player_id="811128" first="Ethan" last="Erickson"], G, Forest Hills Northern 2021"</h6> <h6>[player_tooltip player_id="980052" first="Gavin" last="Fisher"], F, Forest Hills Northern 2021"</h6> <h6>Cole Rynbrandt, F, Forest Hills Northern 2021"</h6> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><em><strong>Prediction</strong></em></span></p> <p>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.</p> <p><em>Forest Hills Northern 68, Grand Haven 61</em></p>