Regional Final Preview: Zeeland East vs Forest Hills Northern

<p>We’re now into April, and one step closer to crowning this year’s state champions. Forest Hills Northern and Zeeland East enter this game as the best two teams in Division 1 from the OK Conference. Rarely do we get the best two teams remaining playing each other for a trophy, but here we are. Below I’ll get into the matchups to watch for, top players from each team, and my prediction.</p> <h5>Forest Hills Northern (15-1) vs Zeeland East (19-0)</h5> <p><em>Game Info: Thursday, April 1st, Muskegon Reeths-Puffer High School @ 7:00 p.m.</em></p> <p>Two dominant teams playing two contrasting styles typically favor the team that imposes their style of play. Zeeland East likes to make it a half-court game, using their patience on offense to get good looks, even if it means running through their sets for 30-40 seconds. Forest Hills Northern likes to get shots up off of ball-screen sets, which typically takes half the time of Zeeland East’s. How each team executes in the half-court will go a long way in determining the winner of this game.</p> <p>Defensively, Zeeland East suffocates their opponents with length. Big man [player_tooltip player_id="811107" first="Nate" last="Claerbaut"] is the best rim protector in the OK Conference. His 6’10" frame covers a ton of ground, and his quick feet allow him to react to deny high-percentage shots in the paint. On the other hand, Zeeland East has yet to face a backcourt as dynamic as Forest Hills Northern. [player_tooltip player_id="814560" first="Trinidad" last="Chambliss"] and [player_tooltip player_id="811128" first="Ethan" last="Erickson"] both have the ball on a string, can create their own shot, and are great at setting up their teammates for quality looks. How the Chix handles Erickson and Chambliss will be fascinating. I wouldn’t be surprised if they mix some zone looks in on defense.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><em><strong>Playoff Road</strong></em></span></p> <p>Zeeland East: District Semi: Defeated Zeeland West 61-27, District Final: Defeated West Ottawa 33-20, Regional Semi: Defeated East Grand Rapids 49-30.</p> <p>Forest Hills Northern: District Semi: Defeated Lowell 73-33, District Final: Defeated Forest Hills Central 62-54, Regional Semi: Defeated Grand Haven 61-57.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><em><strong>Key Players</strong></em></span></p> <h6><a class="pn-player-link" href="https://prephoops.com/player/trip-riemersma/"><span class="name-pointer">[player_tooltip player_id="611440" first="Trip" last="Riemersma"]</span></a>, G, Zeeland East 2021″</h6> <h6><a class="pn-player-link" href="https://prephoops.com/player/brandon-claerbaut/"><span class="name-pointer">[player_tooltip player_id="811133" first="Brandon" last="Claerbaut"]</span></a>, G, Zeeland East 2021″</h6> <h6><a class="pn-player-link" href="https://prephoops.com/player/nate-claerbaut/"><span class="name-pointer">[player_tooltip player_id="811107" first="Nate" last="Claerbaut"]</span></a>, F, Zeeland East 2021″</h6> <h6>Luke Gruppen, G, Zeeland East 2021"</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>I’ve gone back and forth in my head trying to figure out who will emerge as the last team standing in Division 1 from the OK Conference for a while now. Looking back on the season, it was clear that Forest Hills Northern and Zeeland East are the two best teams in the area in Division 1 and each has legitimate shots at winning a state championship. Ultimately, if Forest Hills Northern can speed up the Chix, knock down perimeter shots, and wear down Zeeland’s East’s frontcourt, then I like their chances.</p> <p>Zeeland East has a considerable size advantage in the paint and will force Forest Hills Northern to use Dan Gutierrez, [player_tooltip player_id="980052" first="Gavin" last="Fisher"], and Cole Rynbrandt to defend him at all angles. Trip Reimersma and [player_tooltip player_id="811133" first="Brandon" last="Claerbaut"] will have to step up and knock down shots if and when Nate is double-teamed. I’m expecting this game to come down to the wire, and possibly to who has the ball last.</p> <p>Forest Hills Northern 51, Zeeland East 50</p>