GRAND HAVEN – The Grand Haven boys basketball team came into the 2021-22 season with lofty expectations after going 11-6 last season and winning a Division 1 district championship.
It may be a bit early to make any assumptions, but based on one game, the Buccaneers do look pretty good.
Behind four returning starters and two additional returning players, Grand Haven opened up its season on Friday with a 61-56 non-conference victory over a good Reeths-Puffer squad in non-league action.
“It’s a good win for us,” said Grand Haven head coach Greg Immink. “We’re fortunate to get the victory. We got some things we need to work on and get better at.”
[1]One good part of having so many experienced players is that the Bucs know they will be prepared for tight moments and be able to keep their composure. They demonstrated that on Friday when the game was on the line.
With just 1:58 remaining on Friday, Grand Haven held a 52-49 lead. Following a missed shot, Nic Stump grabbed an offensive rebound and put a shot back up while being fouled.
Stump got the basket to go and converted the free throw, extending the Grand Haven lead to 55-49 with 1:38 left.
“I said I better make my free throw,” Stump said about the key play. “I just had to find a shot to go through and get my confidence right back where it needed to be. It led me to stay calm and take my time during the free throw.”
The Buccaneers proceeded to go six-of-six from the free throw line in the final 1:09 to hold on for the close victory, which pleased Immink.
“We were clutch from the line down the stretch,” the coach said. “Those are things you need to do to win tight games.”
[2]Grand Haven started the game trailing 5-0 before outscoring the Rockets 15-5 to close out the first quarter. Jaxson Whitaker led the Rockets with six first quarter points while Harrison Sorrelle led Grand Haven with eight.
Grand Haven extended its lead to 30-20 at halftime behind four points from Stump and Will Korenstra in the second quarter.
Reeths-Puffer cut into the deficit in the third quarter, outscoring Grand Haven 14-10, making the score 40-34 in favor of the Buccaneers headed into the fourth. Sorrelle totaled seven of the 10 Grand Haven points in the quarter while Whitaker and Travis Ambrose each totaled five points for the Rockets.
The teams played even in the fourth quarter, with Reeths-Puffer having a slight 22-21 edge but falling short on the scoreboard.
Whitaker had nine fourth quarter points to finish with 22 on the night while Stump had seven to total 16 in the game.
Sorrelle led all scorers with 23 points.
[3]“It was great,” said Sorrelle about picking up the victory. “Having a great crowd and a tight game is so much fun.”
The Rockets are now 1-1 on the season after defeating Ludington in overtime earlier this week.
“We’ve had two games and we’ve battled hard in both,” said Rockets head coach Nate Aardema about what he’s learned about his team so far. “We’ve showed some toughness and resolve. At the end, Grand Haven just made foul shots. They made plays and it didn’t get us down. I’m really proud of them.”
Grand Haven will be off until next Friday when the Bucs travel to Spring Lake.
“That’s my favorite game every year,” said Sorrelle about the excitement of the neighborhood rivalry game. “It’s a big crowd every time. It’s at Spring Lake this year and it’s a smaller gym. It’s a good rivalry and both teams always play hard. It’ll be a fun game.”
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