March 10, 2010
Each week, West Michigan Allstar takes our blogging circus over hill and dale to a high school gymnasium around West Michigan. Although the WMA Game of the Week might not be getting primetime media coverage, it’s traditionally one of the biggest games in the area (we like to watch that stuff, too).
And even though it is the district playoffs, 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.
Tonight is a special district semifinal edition of the Game of the Week, in which one of the most athletically gifted teams in West Michigan, Muskegon Reeths-Puffer, hosts the O-K Red co-champions, Grand Haven.
REETHS-PUFFER ROCKETS (11-8) at GRAND HAVEN BUCS (16-4)
Ordinarily, the smart money would go on the Buccaneers in this district semifinal matchup. They have more roster-wide talent, and the better record to prove it. And a few weeks ago, that would have absolutely been the case. But now, after Grand Haven lost to a Forest Hills Northern team who had no business beating them, and Reeths-Puffer is riding the high of two consecutive wins over top-tier competition, the outcome of this matchup is far from certain. Grand Haven is one of the elite teams in West Michigan, but Reeths-Puffer certainly has what it takes to pull off the upset.
Reeths-Puffer in a nutshell
Reeths-Puffer has had a tumultuous season. They have proven themselves equally capable of playing with the top teams in the area, and losing to the bottom teams in the area. It’s really all just a matter of which team shows up. However, since their remarkable come-from behind victory over then-undefeated Grand Rapids Union, the Rockets have been playing with tremendous confidence. They’ll have to continue that trend to beat Grand Haven.
It all starts inside, where Toledo-bound Chris Anderson is a tough matchup for anyone in West Michigan. He’s strong, athletic, and an angry dunker. A double-double machine, he is also the emotional leader of the Rockets. The Robin to Anderson’s Batman, guard Dontraeal McKinley is as quick as they come. He is expert at getting to the basket off the dribble, and can finish when he gets there. Joe Melton and Jhamonte Melton will also play key roles for the Rockets.
Grand Haven in a nutshell
In 2010, Grand Haven is spelled “D-E-F-E-N-S-E.” Examples of the Bucs’ defensive prowess exist in the low-scoring games all over their record, the latest being a 32-22 victory over Mona Shores in the district semifinal (how about that third quarter). Grand Haven doesn’t have all the scoring power on offense, but then again nobody ever said “scoring wins championships.” The Bucs have competed at an extremely high level all season, and could compete well into the tournament. But they’ll have to blast Puffer first.
The Bucs are anchored inside by 6-11 Nate VanArendonk, who clogs the lane better than anyone in West Michigan. He is a load to handle on the offensive end, but his real value is as a safety valve on defense, allowing the Grand Haven guards to pressure their man on the outside. Smallish big-man Noah Veach is one of the top one-on-one defenders in West Michigan — think Ron Artest without the ‘tude. And while the duo go to work on the inside, guard Isiah Law bombs three-balls from the perimeter.
X-Factor
As alluded to earlier, the aspect of the game to watch will be the body language of Reeths-Puffer. The Rockets have the tools needed to win this game, but only if they play their best brand of basketball. If the Bucs can take them out of their game early, frustrate the Rockets, then the Bucs have a great shot to advance. Or on the other hand, the Rockets might come back from down 23-points like they did at Union.
Matchup to watch
It’s all but a foregone conclusion that Anderson will get his. Even against VanArendonk and Veach, he’s just too good to be shut down. But the Bucs don’t need to shut him down to win this game. What will decide this contest is the surrounding Rockets. If one or more Rockets not named Anderson scores 15+, the Bucs may have something to worry about.
Overall prognosis
The Bucs force a slow pace to the game, developing an early lead with defense. The Rockets make a run in the second half, but it isn’t enough. Grand Haven advances, 52-44.
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.
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