What: The Grand Haven Buccaneer Varsity boys basketball team heads to West Ottawa High School in a rivalry game with a lot on the line to take on the Panthers on January 17, 2017 at 7:00 pm. Expect a loud and energetic atmosphere at this game. West Ottawa is well known for it’s loud student section. The Bucs are coming into this game at 7-2 with losses to Muskegon and East Kentwood. The Panthers come into this game leading the OK Red with a 6-1 record and their only loss so far came against Grand Rapids Christian. Last season, Grand Haven and West Ottawa split when they played each other twice and tied for the OK Red championship.  

Key Players: Casey Constant has been a fantastic new addition to the Varsity basketball team and will play a huge role in this game against the West Ottawa Panthers aggressive 3-2 zone. Ross Koella will also need to play well down low and must be able to score through traffic.

They said it: “It’s very important,” senior Zac Holman said. “It’s a game we really need to win to stay in the top of the conference.”

“It’s gonna be a key game in terms of us reaching our goals and getting where we want to go.” basketball coach Greg Immink said.

This rivalry has definitely grown over the last year with the success of both teams and tying the OK Red last year. The winner of this game will simply be, whoever wants it more.

“It’s gonna be the loose balls, It’s gonna be the rebounds, the hustle plays,” Immink said. “That’s how the game is going to be won.”

Last years game in West Ottawa was a very fast paced battle in a very tough environment, and you should expect nothing less this year.

“We know from last year, it’s gonna be a hostile environment,” Immink said. “They’ve got probably the best crowd in the OK Red right now with the excitement that they’ve generated over there.”