WMA Game of the Week: South Haven at Otsego

Each week, West Michigan Allstar takes our blogging circus over hill and dale to a high school gymnasium around West Michigan.  It’s traditionally one of the biggest games in the area, with the top players and teams duking it out against one another (we like to watch that stuff, too), and this week is no exception.  Of course, we do this to save the liberated fans of the world the trouble of deciding which game to go to that week.

We also live tweet updates from the game (which you can get sent to your phone), to make sure that the hardcore fans can keep up with the latest action and analysis, even if they can’t make it to the game.

Today is the Friday night, West Michigan Allstar Game of the Week, in which we will see a South Haven team riding an eight-game winning streak travel to Otsego to take on the 11-1 Bulldogs in what should be a dramatic showdown of the top-tier teams in Southwest Michigan.

SOUTH HAVEN RAMS (9-3) @ OTSEGO BULLDOGS (11-1)

In South Haven at Otsego, you’re looking at a matchup of two of the top teams in Southwest Michigan, bar none.  Neither Class-B team has any trouble scoring, so no matter who ends out on top we should see an entertaining matchup.

South Haven

After losing two of their first three contests, South Haven has found their groove to the tune of eight consecutive victories.  They’re riding a wave of momentum into their headline matchup with the Bulldogs, which should take them far.  Lead by the one-two combination of Michael Walker and Isaiah Magett, who combined to put up 42 of the Rams’ total 59-points in this week’s narrow victory over Coloma, South Haven is entering tonight’s game with a chance to prove something.

And after giving up a lead to lose to Otsego in their previous matchup, they certainly have something to prove.

Otsego

Apart from a significant defeat to a very talented Richmond Gull Lake team, Otsego has been rolling all year.  And not only have the Bulldogs been winning, but as often as not they’ve been blowing their opposition out by 20-points.  Lead by what is far and away the most dynamic Klein combination in the state – Jared Klein and Derek Klein – the Bulldogs have been putting up 70+ points on a regular basis, and will look to run, jump and shoot their way to a high-scoring victory over South Haven.

Everything’s puppies and sunshine in Otsego.  They’ll do everything they can to keep it that way.

Overall prognosis

The last matchup between these two teams saw Jared Klein lift Otsego to a comeback victory over South Haven.  In the rematch between the Class-B powerhouses this season (at least until a potential tournament matchup?), Otsego, playing at home, has to be considered the favorite to make the season series 2-0.

Prediction: It’s a tight game until late, when Otsego pulls ahead to win at home, 72-65.

Keep up with the latest action and analysis by becoming a WMA fan on Facebook, or join the conversation and receive live in-game updates by following WMA on Twitter.  Heck, even start your own topic over at Allstars Among Us.