Greenville Boys Basketball Defeats Forest Hills Central 71-56

The Greenville boys basketball team secured a significant victory over Forest Hills Central, winning 71-56 at the Cornerstone Holiday Tournament on December 5, 2023. This win marked the first time Greenville has defeated Forest Hills Central since February 14, 2012, ending a long-standing losing streak against a well-respected rival.

A strong team performance propelled the Yellow Jackets to victory, with four players achieving double-digit point totals. Senior Braden Latimer led the team with an impressive 27 points and contributed significantly on the boards with double-digit rebounds. Following the game, Latimer expressed his excitement, stating, “It feels good. I’ve never beaten Forest Hills Central before… so it feels good to finally beat them.”

Greenville took an early lead in the first quarter, establishing a 5-0 advantage thanks to contributions from Latimer and senior Lucas Lisagor. The Yellow Jackets maintained control throughout the game, never allowing the Rangers to reclaim the lead. Despite returning from halftime with only a four-point advantage, Greenville remained composed and executed their game plan effectively.

Head coach Joel Visser noted the importance of maintaining momentum, especially after a recent close loss to Forest Hills Northern. He emphasized the need for his players to stay aggressive on both offense and defense. “We made some adjustments and it’s good to see the kids execute them,” he commented.

In addition to Latimer’s performance, Lisagor and senior Kyle Graber each added 13 points, while senior Michael Lindquist contributed 12 points. With their record now standing at 6-1, the Yellow Jackets are preparing for an upcoming nonconference matchup against Ottawa Hills, which currently has a record of 2-3.

This victory serves as a motivational boost for the team as they head into the remainder of the season. Latimer remarked, “It really shows us that we can play with anyone.” The Yellow Jackets have demonstrated their capability to compete against strong opponents, igniting hopes for a successful season ahead.

As Greenville gears up for more challenging games against top conference teams like Coopersville and Allendale, Visser acknowledges that the win is a positive step. “We got a tough Cedar Springs win and then we’re back into the conference… This enjoyment will be somewhat short-lived because we got to get back after it, but because they’re in a good position, you have to imagine we should feel good moving forward,” he stated.

The Yellow Jackets are set to continue their season with renewed confidence, ready to face their next challenges while building on their recent success.