Saturday Tourney Finals Preview

Packers attempt to corral Broncos; Devils Get rematch with Norse

Coopersville vs. Fremont 1pm
At Comstock Park

The Packers staved off a relentless Comstock Park squad and thanks to a Braiden McDonald buzzer beater advanced to the finals.
The Broncos absolutely dominated in their semi against Grant utilizing their size and strength in the paint as well as some stifling defense. They are the top seed for a reason and as Mike Gesler observed in his story on the Bronco/Tiger game,
“Coopersville left a statement for their next opponent that a District title runs through Coopersville and you better bring your A game.”

The Packers do indeed have an A game and though it starts with McDonald (Braiden), it also involves the inside play of Payton Mansfield, Jordon McDonald’s ability to get open and convert his shots, Martin Curiel's outside shooting and a long, strong cast of players that extends the length of the bench.

But the key might be the play of their floor captain Joshua Zerfas. C-ville has a wicked outside game and can rain down triples when needed. They score in bunches and create turnovers and chaos on defense. Zerfas will need to keep his team on point and find ways to get the ball into the hands of the McDonalds or available options since Braiden will more than likely see a lot of attention and the Bronco brain trust saw enough of Jordon to not let him disappear.

The teams have one common opponent on their records. Fremont lost to Ludington by 14 points.
The Broncs bested the Orioles by 26.
The Packers have a tough one here. C-ville has played a brutal schedule in the powerful OK Blue and beaten some good teams along the way. They play better when they get some early traction and an early lead and they will pressure the ball relentlessly.
Fremont is a quality team who has also competed with a rugged schedule.
Coach Zerfas said in our tourney preview that he felt the team was peaking at the right time.
The result this afternoon will depend on whether his team has continued that climb.
The winner gets a trip to South Christian next week.
Go Pack.

Holton vs. North Muskegon
At Holton 7pm

The Norse knocked out #1 seed Ravenna a team they lost to twice during the conference season. They also bested the Red Devils when they met about 3 weeks ago coming back from a 6 point deficit entering the fourth.
Brennan and Troy McManus, Belmonte, Panucci, and Gallo each provide problems for defenders and the team doesn’t stop there.

Poling and Monette have played well all year and served as the primary point producers. Fowler, Fialek and the others can also score and help provide the defense that has been a key to the Devil success this season.
This one shapes up pretty even. Coach Swanson’s team will remember the way NM grabbed that comeback win on the very court this final will be played.
So will the Norse.

The winner heads south to Fennville next week where they will face the winner of St. Louis/Ithaca.