West Ottawa prepares to take on Grand Haven in an effort to raise money for cancer. Although the Pink Out festivities are very important, the boys varsity basketball game is not to be overlooked. Wopanthers.com took a look at some of the most popular questions coming into the game tonight:
Will the fact that West Ottawa has only two conference wins affect their chances against Grand Haven?
Wopanthers.com: “No. It seems like Pink Out is almost a separate part of the season. The records of both teams coming in will have no effect on the style or level of play because the atmosphere will be different than that of any other game thus far.”
What impact will the sell-out crowd have on the game?
Wopanthers.com: “Pink Out is the only game of the year that completely fills the gym. There is no way in the world that an unparalleled fan turnout won’t have an impact on the game itself. The players will have come out with a very high energy because of the crowd, and if the crowd’s energy stays high, the players will never lose their energy either.”
What kind of problems will the Panthers’ defense create for the Buccaneers?
Wopanthers.com: “If the last meeting between these two teams gives any indication, then none. A few weeks ago at Grand Haven, the Buccaneers shot West Ottawa out of the gym. The same fate may befall the Panthers on Pink Out, but there is an equal likelihood that the West Ottawa defense will show a never-before-seen level of intensity.”
How critical will the Panthers rebounding be in this competition?
Wopanthers.com: “Rebounding will be critical for the Panthers in this particular match-up because stopping second chance opportunities by the Buccaneers will put West Ottawa in a position to win.”
What do you predict will be the outcome of the game?
Wopanthers.com: “In their last meeting, Grand Haven hit pretty much every outside shot. The Buccaneers did this without their leading scorer, Alex Eidson. I think the Pink Out environment will spur the Panthers on and will give them a chance to knock off a conference rival, but in the end Eidson will lead Grand Haven to a thrilling 56-55 win over West Ottawa.”
