Oakridge Vs. Spring Lake – Whitehall – 7 PM
Myles: Spring Lake
This game could not be more of a toss-up than it is. Spring Lake is coming off a shocking upset win over Whitehall, who had state title aspirations. At the same time, Oakridge pulled away late against an improved Fruitport team and has been playing with a whole lot of energy. I just don’t see how you can go against a veteran coach in Bill Core. He always seems to find a way to get his team hot right before the playoffs. With as much experience coach Core has had, coupled with Jaden Core’s playmaking ability, give me the Lakers in a tight one.
Conner: Oakridge
This might just be one of the most tightly contested games of the season. Oakridge is on an absolute tear, not having lost since Whitehall back on 2/7. And they’re not just winning—they’ve dominated their last five opponents by a combined 84 points. On the flip side, Spring Lake plays in one of the toughest conferences around and has battled some serious competition, including a Whitehall squad they just took down a couple nights ago.
Honestly, this one could go either way, but I’m giving the edge to the Eagles. They’ve proven time and time again that they’re out for blood, and the father-son duo of Tracy and Peyton Ruel has been a nightmare for opponents. That said, don’t sleep on Spring Lake. They’ve got talent, depth, and their own dangerous father-son combo in Bill and Jaden Core, which could be just as lethal. This one’s gonna be a battle.
Rockford Vs. Muskegon – Reeths-Puffer – 7 PM
Myles: Rockford
I’m taking Rockford, and here’s why. The Rams have an outlier in freshman Eli Wolfe, even if the kid is the youngest one on the court. Against Mona Shores, Wolfe had the game-high 22 points and has been picking apart defenses all season. With Big Red James Martin still inactive, there’s no way I’m picking against Rockford in this one.
Conner: Muskegon
Rockford might be one of the best teams in the state, but I’m never counting the Big Reds out. Losing their main guy, James Martin, earlier this season was a tough break, but they just keep finding ways to win—thanks to Darryl Thompkins Jr., Elija Langston, and James Young, who’ve been straight-up en fuego all year. Now, about Mr. Young—his status is still up in the air after leaving the last game against Greenville with an apparent knee injury. Even so, this team just knows how to get it done, and I’ve got a feeling Coach Guy is about to add another title to his ever expanding résumé.
Ludington Vs. Hart
Myles: Ludington
Taj Williams and Cam Gunsell have been dominating defenses all season, both averaging double figures. However, Caleb Ackley from Hart is a rebounding machine and can beat you down low. I think at the end of the day this game comes down to experience. The Orioles play in a much tougher division and constantly run into teams that can knock them off. Give me Ludington pulling away late after a tight first half.
Conner: Ludington
Got to give Hart some credit here—they’re fast, young, and athletic. But I think Ludington just has a little more firepower. Gunsell and Williams have been leading the charge all season, and I don’t see that changing tonight. I’m not expecting a blowout by any means, but more often than not, this one feels like it leans Ludington’s way. Then again, I’ve been surprised before.
Manistee Vs. LeRoy Pine River
Myles: Leroy Pine River
The two matched up against each other on December 16th, 2024, and LPR blew the hinges off the door of Manistee. The Mariners do have a big-time win under their belt against Whitehall just a few weeks ago and have shown they have progressed throughout the year. However, I still can’t ignore the fact LPR won 65-29 in the only meeting between the two, so gimme’ Leroy Pine River.
Conner: Manistee
Some might say, “Manistee got blown out the first time, so they should lose this one too.” To that, I say—should doesn’t mean will. We’ve already seen Manistee take a beating from Whitehall earlier this season, only to turn around and hand them one of the most unexpected L’s of the last two years. I love what Coach Zach Bialik is building up there, and let’s be real—that Shelby gym has some magic in it. So, can the Mariners pull it off? I think so.
Ravenna Vs. Kent City
Myles: Kent City
Ravenna offers one of the best players in the West Michigan Conference, Dylan May. May is a guy who can and most likely will determine whether or not the Bulldogs’ season will continue after tonight. May averages a near double-double with 17.4 PPG and 9.1 RPG. Ravenna is below .500 this season and has lost some games they shouldn’t have, which gives Kent City a reason to be optimistic. Kent City has a solid resume with the back-to-back wins over Morely Stanwood and a near win over Big Rapids. I’m going to take the Kent City Eagles in a true dog fight.
Conner: Kent City
Ravenna’s got one of the best players in the West Michigan Conference in Dylan May. This dude is a straight-up game-changer, and let’s be real—he’s the guy who’s gonna decide whether the Bulldogs’ season keeps rolling after tonight. He’s nearly averaging a double-double with 17.4 PPG and 9.1 RPG, making him a problem for any opponent.
But Kent City isn’t backing down. The Eagles have built a solid resume, stacking back-to-back wins over Morley Stanwood and nearly taking down Big Rapids. This one’s shaping up to be a battle, but when it comes down to it, I’m rolling with Kent City in a grind-it-out kind of game.
North Muskegon Vs. Grandville Calvin Christian
Myles: North Muskegon
The Norse have been dominating all season long, and I haven’t seen or heard a solid claim as to why I should pick against them. North Muskegon is a true title contender, and GCC is just a minor roadblock. Adam Dugener is arguably a top-three player in his conference and averages over 22 points a night. Give me the Norse tonight and look for them to have a deep regional and possibly state run.
Conner: North Muskegon
I feel pretty good about North Muskegon in this one. They’ve got depth, speed, and have flat-out dominated just about everyone they’ve faced this season. Their one loss? Feels more like an anomaly than anything. Plus, they’ve got Adam Dugener—a ticking 30-point bomb just waiting to go off. Give me North Muskegon by 10.
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