West Ottawa basketball surges to district title with another upset

Posted by author March 1, 2025 Basketball

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The young West Ottawa boys basketball team has shown flashes of brilliance at times this season, but it is all coming together at the right time in the postseason.

The Panthers came back with a second-half surge to beat Grand Haven 66-58 and claim the Division 1 district championship on Friday at Holland’s Dutch Dome.

“I knew that we were good enough to win this year, but they had to believe it,” West Ottawa coach Jared Redell said. “Wednesday’s game coming back the way we did, we kind of slayed the dragons from earlier in the year. They believed all day and I am super happy for all the boys – especially the seniors. I am so proud of them.”

West Ottawa will play at Hudsonville on Tuesday in the Division 1 regional semifinals.

The Panthers rallied to tie the game at 47 at the end of the third quarter, then outscored the Buccaneers 19-11 in the fourth quarter.

“The second half, we really stepped up defensively,” Redell said. “Early in the game we had some nerves and we really picked our pressure up and were physical. Down the stretch, we had great poise. We have been in those situations and not closed the deal in the past, but we had transition and we made our free throws down the stretch.”

Makai Campos scored 18 points to lead the Panthers, including nine in the fourth quarter.

Jonah Watson scored 15 points and Ben Beetham scored 12.

Will Korenstra led Grand Haven with 14 points.

The Panthers earned another rematch with another OK Red powerhouse in Hudsonville.

“The second time we played them; it was a two-point game with 4 minutes to go. I think we have improved, and our guys believe,” Redell said.

Contact sports editor Dan D’Addona at Dan.D’Addona@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @DanDAddona or Facebook @HollandSentinelSports.