Boys basketball team faces West Ottawa tonight, conference title on the line

Tonight, the boys basketball team faces West Ottawa (2-0) with a shot at the conference title. The outcome of tonight’s game not only determines the OK Red Conference Champions, but also the seeding setting for the District tournament in March and further on in the Postseason.

“The boys are hungry, but they are aware of West Ottawa,” assistant coach Cam Hewitt said. “We have to play patient and not let the excitement get to us.”

Last time the Bucs faced the Panthers they fell 52-41. But tonight, they plan to lockdown on the Panthers best player, sophomore forward Tyler Bosma, who scored 26 points against the Bucs last time.

“No major matchup changes,  just slow down their best player on defense to win,” Hewitt said.  

Senior forward Zach Sinke is confident and more ready than ever for this game.

“We try our hardest to take the season one game at a time but it’s too hard not to think about a game as big as this one,” Sinke said. “I think everyone of us on the team knows we can beat West Ottawa, it’s just a matter of executing the gameplan.”

According to head coach Greg Immink, the boys take every game seriously, not overlooking any opponent. The team feels more prepared to face the Panthers this time around.

“We’re a little healthier now with (senior guard) Drew Hewitt back of course, with his senior leadership and playmaking ability,” Immink said. “We have to finish off possessions and not give them multiple attempts at the basket, Offensively, we just have to be more efficient, we were quite unorganized last time around.”

More fuel has been added to the fire of this rivalry- the OK Red Conference Title is on the line. West Ottawa lost two games earlier this season, if the Bucs defeat them tonight, the Panthers will be forced to make up a cancelled game from Jan. 26 against Hudsonville. If West Ottawa falls to Hudsonville, Grand Haven clinches sole ownership of the conference title.

“We’ve played in big games already this season,” Immink said. “Our guys already have some experience in those type of situations.

West Ottawa is sending five bus loads of students to tonight’s game Bucs’ Purple Pride game. Girls start at 6 p.m. and boys follow.