Grand Haven Tournament Preview
Prep Dig Staff
Many of the top teams in the state enjoyed a weekend of "knocking off the rust" and playing for the first time, Mattawan sat back and enjoyed a weekend off. Led by three outstanding Juniors, Middle Natalie Foster, Libero Alli Wiese, and Outside Taylor Rutgers, all three look to team up and carry Mattawan to their first trip to Battle Creek in school history in late November. Coach Michelle DeGroote will head to Grand Haven this Tuesday to start the journey to Battle Creek. Coming in with the #3 rank in the state, Mattawan will have a lot of teams looking to knock off a top ten team.
Players to watch in the tournament - Natalie Foster (Mattawan), Allie Wiese (Mattawan), Taylor Rutgers (Mattawan), Natalie Dunn (West Ottawa), Hannah Bergman (Forest Hills Central), Tatum Otelski (Forest Hills Central), Olivia Vance (Saline), Makayla Smith (Portage Northern),
Tournament Favorites:
Mattawan (#3 in Division 1) - Mattawan can beat anyone in the state with their size and ball control. This tournament will not test them until probably the finals when they will likely run into Grand Haven.
Grand Haven (#13 in Division 1) - Grand Haven hosted a tournament last weekend where they lost to future top 10 Lowell. If Grand Haven can get healthy, they will be a dangerous team all season.
Other Teams to Watch - Forest Hills Central and Saline (Honorable Mention in Division 1)
Predictions
Pool A - Look For Grand Haven and Saline to come out in that order.
Pool B - Mattawan will coast to top seed with Forest Hills Central coming out second.
Playoffs Bracket
Semi's - Grand Haven beats Forest Hills Central in 3 and Mattawan easily gets past Saline in 2.
Finals - In a battle of the top two teams in the gym, look for Mattawan to get past Grand Haven in 2. The match stays fairly close until 18 and then Mattawan pulls away.
