Final 'Retro' Mr Basketball Class Named
April 12, 2019
Special from Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan
With the completion of the 2018-19 prep basketball season, the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan proudly wraps up its decade-long “Retro” Mr. Basketball project with the announcement of the final six honorees.
Over the course of 10 seasons, the project has examined the high school court careers of hundreds of the state’s finest. The list of 61 honorees, when combined with the winners of the current ‘Mr. Basketball’ Award, first presented following the 1980-81 prep season, totals 100. A contiguous list of Michigan’s ‘Best of the Best’ now dates back to 1920.
Noting the amazing pool of talented basketball players produced by the state over the years, past Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan Executive Director Tom Hursey and Michigan High School Athletic Association historian Ron Pesch hatched a plan to replicate the ‘Mr. Basketball’ concept, and apply it to the past. The goal was to name the top high school senior ballplayer for each of the 61 years between 1920 and 1980.
To do so, Pesch hit the archives, examined the data, gathered names and assembled biographies, then provided a ballot. BCAM assembled a committee representing all parts of Michigan to examine the information, narrow the field to the best-of-the-best, and then vote for a winner.
“All along, the idea was to focus solely on the high school playing careers of these individuals, just like the current award,” said Hursey. “The committee did its best to ignore what came later, and to name a Mr. Basketball selection for each year. Now, with the 10th and final round of selections, the project is complete.”
“Just like with the current award, there will always be debate on the selections,” said Pesch. “Dave DeBusschere or Chet Walker? L.C. Bowen or Richie Jordan? Bill Chmielewski or Pete Gent? That’s a good thing. These players should never be forgotten in the halls of their high schools and by basketball fans across the nation. Michigan has produced and continues to turn out amazing athletic talent, year in and year out. So often, folks only recall the recent past. The ‘Retro’ Mr. Basketball project focuses a spotlight on our history.”
That spotlight now shines on the award that captures the names. Following the 2013 presentation of the award, BCAM retired the original Mr. Basketball trophy. The award has since been repurposed to capture the names of the “Retro” Mr. Basketball winners. The trophy now stands on display in East Lansing as part of the Tom Izzo Hall of History at the Breslin Center.
1929 RETRO MR. BASKETBALL
LOUIS JAGNOW, JACKSON –
1929 FINALISTS
Forest Baldwin, Bridgman – Captain of the Class D champion. Although not of unusual size, Baldwin was considered as lightning fast and a deceptive dribbler with an uncanny shot. He scored 22 points in the team’s Quarterfinal victory over Grand Rapids Godwin.
Neil Ludwick, Grand Rapids Creston – Center and top player on the best Creston team to date. Despite a Quarterfinal loss in the Class A tournament, Ludwick was singled out and named to the all-tourney team in 1929. A mid-year graduate in 1930.
Lester Wamsley, Highland Park – A steady, smart cager, Wamsley was an All-City selection by both the Detroit Times and Detroit Free Press, and a United Press International All-Tournament selection. Praised as an outstanding guard, good on long shots.
1939 RETRO MR. BASKETBALL
GENE BROENE, GRAND RAPIDS CHRISTIAN
1939 FINALISTS
Chet Jurwiak, Kalamazoo St. Augustine – “The state’s standout high school basketball player under the basket. He invariably grabbed 80 percent of the balls off the back board during a game,” wrote the Detroit Times when selecting him for first-team all-state honors. “Jurwiak was all-state in football and lost none of his ability on the court.”
Earl Kelly, Flint Northern, 6-foot-3 – described by a veteran Saginaw Valley Conference official as the best player in the league. Scored 176 points in 20 games in leading Northern to its third Class A championship in the school’s 11-year history. A mid-year graduate in 1939-40.
Ed (Nowaczyk) Novak, Flint St. Mary – First team all-state according to both the Free Press and the Times. Scored 260 points as a senior and, with his twin brother Edwin, “helped St. Mary annex the Class C state crown. Through his height he controlled the ball off both backboards, besides tossing in baskets on a highly productive basis.”
Frank Sabo, Detroit Southwestern – “Sabo was considered by many coaches as the best passer in the (Detroit city) league,” said the Free Press. “An outstanding floorman,” added the Detroit Times when naming Sabo to its all-city team. “Superlative off the backboard, a good shot and, above all, a fine leader.” Later played at Wayne University.
1949 RETRO MR. BASKETBALL
KEN BURRELL, HAMTRAMCK, 6-FOOT-3, 182
1949 FINALISTS
Chuck Holloway, Detroit Northern, 5-foot-8 – “He’s an all-around star, outstanding in the clutch as exemplified in the (City League playoff) semifinal game against Central, where he led Northern in a rally to win. He topped the loop in scoring (14 point average), is fast and difficult to stop,” wrote the Times. “Despite his lack of height, was probably the most adept player in the (Detroit City) league. An uncanny shot, he led Northern into the finals of the (league) playoffs,” wrote the Free Press.
Harry Lauder, Ferndale, 5-foot-11, 155 – Spectacular scorer and all-around performer and the spark of his team. “Was ‘raved over’ by virtually everyone who saw him perform,” stated the Times, when selecting him for first-team all-state honors. Called by his coach, Roy Burkhart, “one of the smoothest all-around players I’ve ever seen. The kid also is loaded with basketball sense.” Later played freshman and varsity basketball at Michigan.
Lysle Smith, Port Huron, 5-foot-11, 155 – “Known as a ‘pressure’ player who also draws the evening’s toughest defensive assignment for his team. His 193 points this season were mostly on set shots from far out on the court,” wrote the Free Press, honoring Smith with first-team all-state accolades. Later played at Michigan, where he became the first cager from Port Huron to win a varsity letter.
Carl Tschirhart, Milan, 6-foot-0, 155 – An all-around athlete and key cog in Milan’s 1948 Class C title, Tschirhart “connected on 33 percent of his 288 shots from the floor” as Milan ran its win streak to 40 games straight, spanning two seasons, before falling in the Regionals of the 1949 tournament. Later played for Michigan Normal (now Eastern Michigan University).
1959 RETRO MR. BASKETBALL
DAVID GAINES, DETROIT NORTHEASTERN, 6-FOOT-0, 180
1959 FINALISTS
John Bandy, Pontiac Central, 6-foot-3, 160 – A jump shooting specialist. “Averaged 19 points a game during the regular season to take the individual scoring title in the strong Saginaw Valley League,” said the Detroit Times, including him on its Dream Team. “Was Pontiac’s second leading rebounder,” wrote the Free Press when naming him Class A first-team all-state. “He could score from any spot on the floor.” Played college ball at Western Michigan University.
Jim Ludwig, Sault Ste. Marie, 6-foot-5½, 185 – “Rewrote virtually all of Sault Ste. Marie High’s individual scoring records,” wrote George Maskin in the Times. “A four-year veteran on the Blue Devils, he tossed in more than 1,100 points … During the recent season he collected over 450 points (373 in regular season play) and had a superlative shooting mark of 46 percent. Jim also headed the Soo in rebounds.”
Art Oliver, Muskegon Heights, 6-foot-0, 162 – Clever, sharpshooting guard. Leading scorer for the Tigers, totaling 318 points over 18 games, and 21.5 points per game over the last half of the season before the Heights fell to Grand Rapids Central in Regional play. A first-team all-state selection by both the Free Press and Times.
Art Reid, Hamtramck, 6-foot-2, 186 – “A superior rebounder and jumper, (and tireless worker), averaged 22 points a game for Hamtramck,” said Hal Schram in the Free Press. “Deadly from the corners as well as in front of the basket,” added the Times. He scored 364 points including 44 of 67 from the free throw line.
Jim Tilmon, Grand Rapids Central, 5-foot-9, 170 – “’Tilmon is the best around here since Don Eaddy,” chronicled Eugene Gailmeier of the Grand Rapids Herald. “Although basically a guard, Tilmon rotated so swiftly from one position to another it was impossible to tell at times what job he actually held,” said the Times. Led the city league in scoring. His 27 points in the Regional Final snapped Muskegon Heights’ string of 17 tournament wins and helped place Central in the Quarterfinals for only the third time in postseason history.
1969 RETRO MR. BASKETBALL
ERNIE JOHNSON, GRAND RAPIDS OTTAWA HILLS, 6-FOOT-7, 190
1969 FINALISTS
Ken Brady, Flint Central, 6-foot-9, 220 – Best big man to come out of Flint in many years. “Despite his 220 pounds, Brady gets up and down a basketball court with the agility and speed of a dashman. (Coach Clif) Turner insists he is often more valuable for his defensive play than his point production,” said Hal Schram in a midseason article. Set a new city scoring mark with 521 points in 21 games while helping Central win the Valley conference title. United Press International ‘Player of the Year’ in Michigan.
Tom Marsh, Detroit Northern, 6-foot-1, 168 – “Possibly the best player in either the Detroit Catholic or public school league” said The Associated Press, Marsh “became Northern’s first player to top 1,000 points in three varsity seasons. He averaged 27 points a game and was a fine outside shooter.”
Tim Megge, Orchard Lake St. Mary, 6-foot-2, 175 – Averaged 25.4 points a game, including a school record 56 points in one game, preceded by a 51-point game. Hit 46 percent of his field goal attempts and 72 percent of his foul shots according to UPI. In 81 games during his four-year varsity career, Megge scored 1,612 points.
Bob Rhodin, Ypsilanti – 6-foot-3½, 170 – “Led Ypsilanti to a 22-1 record and a No. 1 rating in the final AP poll. Scored 360 points during the year for a 19 point average and was the team’s top rebounder, grabbing 227,” said the AP. “Coach Dick Ouellette calls him ‘the best all-around player I’ve ever had.’ Rhodin has tremendous hustle and is a great defensive ballplayer.”
Cal Tatum Muskegon, 6-foot-1, 170 – "For his size, I've never seen an athlete who is so proficient in so many phases of the game," said then-Muskegon coach Mike Murphy. A guard, Tatum averaged 22.4 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and four steals per game his senior year to earn first-team all-state honors. He graduated as the Big Reds' all-time leading scorer with 1,250 career points, and an average of 22.7 points per game as a senior.
1979 RETRO MR. BASKETBALL
JAY SMITH, MIO AuSABLE, 6-FOOT-5, 192
1979 FINALISTS
Tim Andree, Birmingham Brother Rice, 6-foot-10, 230 – The “best big man in the state,” wrote Hal Schram in the Free Press. Averaged 23 points and 17 rebounds per game.
James Koger, Saginaw, 6-foot-4, 190 – A 1,000-plus career scorer who averaged 19.7 points, 11 rebounds and shot 47 percent from the floor” said the AP. “He ran the Saginaw offense,” added the Free Press in its first-team all-state write-up. “When he wasn’t in the lineup, Saginaw was a very ordinary team.”
Melvin McLaughlin, Grand Rapids Creston, 6-foot-1, 170 – Considered the state’s top “pure shooter,” McLaughlin scored 1,577 points, a 25.4 average, in his three-year career at Creston. Exceeded the 35-point mark in a game on four occasions as a senior.
Evaristo Perez, Orchard Lake St. Mary, 6-foot-8, 210 – Despite being in the U.S. less than two years, the Dominican Republic native averaged 22 points and 15 rebounds while hitting 57 percent of his shots. “He’s a real competitor and a leader on the flow,” St. Mary coach Bob Shoemaker told the Free Press. “We do a lot of things on the court, and he picked them up right away.”
Derek Perry, River Rouge, 6-foot-6, 210 – Coach Lofton Greene told Hal Schram that Perry was “probably the finest offensive player he has ever coached.” Averaged more than 28 points per game and “an incredible field-goal shooting percentage of 64 percent” entering the postseason.
Erich Santifer, Ann Arbor Huron, 6-foot-5, 165. “He has been the most valuable player in the rugged South Central Conference two years in a row,” said the Lansing State Journal at tournament time. “He prefers to work inside, but can also produce from long range as well.” Santifer held a 22.3 points per game average headed into the tournament Regional Final against Lansing Eastern, then scored 36 points against the Quakers in the contest although Huron was eliminated. “He’s probably the finest player we saw all season,” said Lansing Eastern coach Paul Cook. Later excelled at Syracuse.
MICHIGAN’S MR. BASKETBALL AWARD
Players from 1981-Present were honored as part of the current BCAM/Detroit Free Press Hal Schram Mr. Basketball Award. Players from 1920-1980 were selected as part of BCAM’s decade-long “Retro” Mr. Basketball project, launched in 2010 and completed in 2019.
2019 Romeo Weems, New Haven (DePaul)
2018 Foster Loyer, Clarkston (Michigan State)
2017 Isaiah Livers, Kalamazoo Central (Michigan)
2016 Cassius Winston, University of Detroit Jesuit (Michigan State)
2015 Deyonta Davis, Muskegon (Michigan State)
2014 DeShawn Thrower, Muskegon (Stony Brook/Ferris State)
2013 Monte Morris, Flint Beecher (Iowa State)
2012 Matt Costello, Bay City Western (Michigan State)
2011 Dwaun Anderson, Suttons Bay (Wagner)
2010 Keith Appling, Detroit Pershing (Michigan State)
2009 Derrick Nix, Detroit Pershing (Michigan State)
2008 Brad Redford, Frankenmuth (Xavier)
2007 Corperryale Harris, Detroit Redford (Michigan)
2006 David Kool, Grand Rapids South Christian (Western Michigan)
2005 Wilson Chandler, Benton Harbor (DePaul)
2004 Drew Neitzel, Wyoming Park (Michigan State)
2003 Dion Harris, Detroit Redford (Michigan)
2002 Paul Davis, Rochester (Michigan State)
2001 Kelvin Torbert, Flint Northwestern (Michigan State)
2000 Marcus Taylor, Lansing Waverly (Michigan State)
1999 Jason Richardson, Saginaw Arthur Hill (Michigan State)
1998 Dane Fife, Clarkston (Indiana)
1997 Shane Battier, Detroit Country Day (Duke)
1996 Winfred Walton, Detroit Pershing (Fresno State)
1995 Robert Traylor, Detroit Murray-Wright (Michigan)
1994 Willie Mitchell, Detroit Pershing (Michigan/UAB)
1993 Jon Garavaglia, Southgate Aquinas (Michigan State)
1992 Kenyon Murray, Battle Creek Central (Iowa)
1991 Chris Webber, Detroit Country Day (Michigan)
1990 Anthony Miller, Benton Harbor (Michigan State)
1989 Michael Talley, Detroit Cooley (Michigan)
1988 Matt Steigenga, Grand Rapids South Christian (Michigan State)
1987 Mark Macon, Saginaw Buena Vista (Temple)
1986 Terry Mills, Romulus (Michigan)
1985 Glen Rice, Flint Northwestern (Michigan)
1984 Demetreus Gore, Detroit Chadsey (Pittsburgh)
1983 Antoine Joubert, Detroit Southwestern (Michigan)
1982 Robert Henderson, Lansing Eastern (Michigan)
1981 Sam Vincent, Lansing Eastern (Michigan State)
1980 Tim McCormick, Clarkston (Michigan)
1979 Jay Smith, Mio-AuSable (Bowling Green/Saginaw Valley)
1978 Trent Tucker, Flint Northwestern (Minnesota)
1977 Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Lansing Everett (Michigan State)
1976 Stuart House, Detroit Denby (Washington State)
1975 Bruce Flowers, Berkley (Notre Dame)
1974 Tony Smith, Saginaw (Nevada-Las Vegas)
1973 Tom LaGarde, Detroit Catholic Central (North Carolina)
1972 Larry Fogle, Detroit Cooley (Southern Louisiana/Canisius)
1971 Michael "Campy" Russell, Pontiac Central (Michigan)
1970 Rick Drewitz, Garden City West (Kentucky)
1969 Ernie Johnson, Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills (Michigan)
1968 Ralph Simpson, Detroit Pershing (Michigan State)
1967 Spencer Haywood, Detroit Pershing (University of Detroit)
1966 Rudy Tomjanovich, Hamtramck (Michigan)
1965 L.C. Bowen, Benton Harbor (Bradley)
1964 Willie Betts, River Rouge (Bradley)
1963 Craig Dill, Saginaw Arthur Hill (Michigan)
1962 Ernie Thompson, Saginaw (Bradley)
1961 Reggie Harding, Detroit Eastern
1960 Peter Gent, Bangor (Michigan State)
1959 David Gaines, Detroit Northeastern (LeMoyne, now LeMoyne-Owens)
1958 Chet Walker, Benton Harbor (Bradley)
1957 Ed Burton (Michigan State)
1956 Mel Peterson, Stephenson (Wheaton)
1955 M.C. Burton, Jr., Muskegon Heights (Michigan)
1954 Pete Tillotson, Ludington (Michigan)
1953 Ron Kramer, East Detroit (Michigan)
1952 Frank Tanana, Sr., Detroit St. Andrew, (Cal State-Fullerton – baseball)
1951 Webster Kirksey, Saginaw (Eastern Michigan)
1950 Charlie Primas, Detroit Miller (Wayne State)
1949 Ken Burrell, Hamtramck (Lawrence Tech)
1948 Art McColgan, Saginaw SS Peter & Paul (Villanova)
1947 Sammy Gee, Detroit Miller
1946 Jack Forestieri, Benton Harbor (Notre Dame)
1945 Bob Swanson, Lansing Sexton (Michigan)
1944 Dick Rifenburg, Saginaw Arthur Hill (Michigan)
1943 Don Boven, Kalamazoo Central (Western Michigan)
1942 Larry Savage, Saginaw (Northwestern)
1941 Don Osterman, Detroit St. Theresa (Villanova)
1940 Ralph Gibert, Flint Northern (Michigan)
1939 Gene Broene, Grand Rapids Christian (Calvin College)
1938 John Maartens, Kalamazoo Central
1937 Bob Osterman, Detroit St. Theresa (Notre Dame)
1936 Charles Pink, Detroit Northwestern (Michigan)
1935 John Zwier, Holland Christian
1934 Earl Brown, Jr., Benton Harbor (Notre Dame)
1933 Lincoln Dodson Truss, Flint Northern
1932 Lowell Matteson, Portage
1931 Edward Huttenga, Grand Haven (Western Michigan)
1930 John Tooker, Kalamazoo St. Augustine (Michigan)
1929 Louis Jagnow, Jackson (Carnegie Tech)
1928 Francis Doolittle, Detroit Northwestern
1927 Bill McCall, Muskegon (Dartmouth)
1926 Roger Grove, Sturgis (Michigan State)
1925 Joe Truskowski, Detroit Northeastern (Michigan)
1924 Bennie Oosterbaan, Muskegon (Michigan)
1923 Henry Schrumpf, Niles (Western Michigan)
1922 Royal Cherry, Grand Rapids Union (Michigan)
1921 George Haggarty, Ypsilanti (Michigan)
1920 Harry Kipke, Lansing Central (Michigan)
Preview: On Course Again for Historic Victories
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
April 7, 2021
A number of teams at Thursday’s Boys Basketball Semifinals finished last season with wins as COVID-19 abruptly ended their postseason runs during District play.
But all 16 teams this weekend have another opportunity to close with a win – and this one accompanied by an MHSAA Finals championship.
Nine are seeking their first titles, including all four teams contending in Division 1. Others are seeking their first championship since 1939, 1945, 1966 or 1975.
Below is a schedule of all Semifinals and Finals – Semifinals are Thursday at Breslin Center in East Lansing and Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, and all four championship games will be Friday at Breslin.
DIVISION 1 - Breslin Center
Ann Arbor Huron (19-0) vs. Warren De La Salle Collegiate (14-3), 3 p.m.
Forest Hills Northern (17-1) vs. Grand Blanc (13-2), 5:30 p.m.
DIVISION 2 - Van Andel Arena
Ferndale (14-4) vs. Grand Rapids Catholic Central (18-0), 3 p.m.
Bridgeport (17-2) vs. Battle Creek Pennfield (20-2), 5:30 p.m.
DIVISION 3 - Breslin Center
Hanover-Horton (20-1) vs. Flint Beecher (14-1), 10 a.m.
Schoolcraft (19-1) vs. Iron Mountain (18-0), 12:30 p.m.
DIVISION 4 - Van Andel Arena
Rudyard (18-2) vs Wyoming Tri-unity Christian (13-2), 10 a.m.
Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart (20-1) vs Detroit Douglass (15-5), 12:30 p.m.
Finals – Friday
Division 1 - 12:30 p.m.
Division 2 - 5:30 p.m.
Division 3 - 3 p.m.
Division 4 - 10 a.m.
Spectator limits remain in effect, but all Semifinals will be streamed live on MHSAA.tv and viewable with subscription, with free audio broadcasts via the MHSAA Radio Network. All four Finals will be broadcast by Bally Sports Detroit (formerly FOX Sports Detroit), the first three on the primary channel and the Division 2 Final on delay at 1:30 a.m. All four also will be available live on the FOX Sports Detroit Website and the FOX Sports Go! app.
Below is a glance at all 12 teams contending this weekend. Click for the full program. (Statistics below are through Regional Finals. Rankings are based on the Michigan Power Ratings generated to seed teams at the District level.)
Division 1
ANN ARBOR HURON
Record/rank: 19-0, No. 9
League finish: First in Southeastern Conference Red
Coach: Waleed Samaha, 17th season (282-94)
Championship history: Class A runner-up 2010.
Best wins: 44-34 over No. 28 River Rouge in Quarterfinal, 77-45 and 70-36 over No. 29 Ypsilanti Lincoln, 56-33 over No. 24 Dexter in Regional Semifinal.
Players to watch: Julian Lewis, 6-6 sr. G (12.1 ppg, 7.6 rpg); Devin Womack, 6-2 sr. G (12.6 ppg, 35 3-pointers, 3.6 apg); Kingsley Perkins, 6-7 sr. F (9.8 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 4.1 bpg).
Outlook: Huron has booked its first trip to the Semifinals since that runner-up season of 2010, and its second trip in program history – although last year’s team had high hopes entering its District Final with a 21-1 record. Lewis earned an all-state honorable mention as a junior and is part of a balanced, experienced and sizable attack – he’s one of nine seniors and one of five players standing 6-5 or taller. Senior 6-5 guard Tyson Edmondson also is part of all three groups averaging nine points per game with 35 3-pointers entering this week.
GRAND RAPIDS FOREST HILLS NORTHERN
Record/rank: 17-1, No. 11
League finish: First in Ottawa-Kent Conference White
Coach: Joe Soules, 10th season (153-68)
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 66-56 over No. 10 East Lansing in Quarterfinal, 53-49 over No. 16 Zeeland East in Regional Final, 62-54 (District Final), 62-42 and 82-71 over No. 30 Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central, 67-46 over Division 2 No. 14 Grand Rapids Christian.
Players to watch: Trinidad Chambliss, 6-1 sr. G; Ethan Erickson, 6-1 sr. G. (Individual statistics not submitted.)
Outlook: Forest Hills Northern has won 15 straight games to reach the Semifinals for the second time and first since 2008. The only loss was early to Williamston, by just two points, and a tough tournament path has included dealing Zeeland East its only defeat. Erickson and Chambliss both earned all-state honorable mentions last season.
GRAND BLANC
Record/rank: 13-2, No. 5
League finish: Second in Saginaw Valley League
Coach: Mike Thomas, fourth season (66-17)
Championship history: Class B runner-up 1952.
Best wins: 58-53 over No. 1 Orchard Lake St. Mary’s in Quarterfinal, 77-61 over No. 28 River Rouge, 85-58 over No. 19 Marquette in Regional Final, 91-52 (District Final) and 82-44 over No. 14 Davison.
Players to watch: Ty Rodgers, 6-6 jr. F (17.6 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 3.6 apg); RJ Taylor, 5-11 soph. G (16.8 ppg, 29 3-pointers, 7.2 apg); Timonte Boyd, 6-3 soph. G (9.7 ppg).
Outlook: Grand Blanc is back at the Semifinals for the first time since 1953 and after last season’s team was forced to end at 18-3. Rodgers earned an all-state honorable mention last season and has been considered among the top players in his class throughout high school. He’s got lots of help, with Taylor another big scorer and 6-2 senior guard Jacob Carlson (8.1 ppg) and 6-0 sophomore guard Amont’e Allen-Johnson (8.0 ppg) also adding to the balanced attack. The Quarterfinal win over St. Mary’s avenged a 65-52 loss from Feb. 16. Thomas formerly led Kalamazoo Central to Class A titles in 2010 and 2011.
WARREN DE LA SALLE COLLEGIATE
Record/rank: 13-3, No. 13
League finish: Third in Detroit Catholic League Central
Coach: Gjon Djokaj, first season (16-3)
Championship history: Class B runner-up 1982.
Best wins: 64-59 over No. 2 Detroit U-D Jesuit in Regional Final, 53-51 over No. 6 Detroit Martin Luther King in Regional Semifinal, 59-42 over No. 7 Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice, 56-18 over No. 24 Dexter.
Players to watch: Linden Holder, 6-1 sr. G (17.7 ppg, 28 3-pointers, 3.6 apg); Triston Nichols, 6-4 soph. G (9.5 ppg, 5.0 rpg); Caleb Reese, 5-10 jr. G (12.5 ppg, 3.5 apg).
Outlook: De La Salle is back at the Semifinals for the second time in four seasons, thanks in part to avenging a two-point overtime loss to Jesuit from March 11. Five players average at least eight points per game – 6-0 sophomore Nino Smith (8.6 ppg) and 6-7 sophomore Michael Sulaka (8.2) bolster the scoring and also are part of a starting lineup that will graduate only one player. Djokaj formerly led Walled Lake Northern and Livonia Franklin’s programs and has a 73-35 record overall.
Division 2
BATTLE CREEK PENNFIELD
Record/rank: 20-2, No. 16
League finish: First in Interstate 8 Athletic Conference
Coach: Nate Burns, fourth season (60-30)
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 54-49 over No. 12 Romulus Summit Academy in Quarterfinal, 56-53 over No. 2 Williamston in Regional Final, 57-45 and 44-41 over Division 1 No. 41 Coldwater.
Players to watch: Ryne Petersen, 6-1 sr. G (15.6 ppg, 32 3-pointers, 5.9 rpg, 6.3 apg, 3.1 spg); Luke Davis, 6-1 jr. G (11.2 ppg, 25 3-pointers, 3.6 apg); Gavin Burns, 5-11 sr. G (12 ppg, 51 3-pointers).
Outlook: Pennfield has been one of the stories of the tournament, first winning a Regional title for the first time since 1972 and now making the Semifinals for the first time ever. The team’s only league loss this winter came against Marshall, and the Panthers avenged in the District Final. Petersen earned an all-state honorable mention last season.
BRIDGEPORT
Record/rank: 17-2, No. 36
League finish: Second in Tri-Valley Conference 8
Coach: Kevin Marshall Sr., fourth season (85-6)
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 52-41 over Escanaba in the Quarterfinal, 54-53 (Regional Final) and 55-54 over Carrollton, 53-33 over Frankenmuth in District Final.
Players to watch: Jaylen Hodges, 6-4 sr. G (16.3 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 3.4 apg, 3.1 spg, 1.5 bpg); AJ Pipkins, 5-8 sr. G (9.6 ppg, 57 3-pointers, 3.3 apg, 3.6 spg); Omarion Wilkins 6-4 sr. F (9.1 ppg, 7.0 rpg).
Outlook: After opening the season 1-2, Bridgeport avenged both of those losses and has won 16 straight games on the way to its first Semifinal since 2009 and third in program history. Hodges made the all-state second team last season and is one of eight seniors total and four who start. Senior 5-7 guard Ramaureon Arthur is another offensive key averaging 8.2 points and 4.3 assists per game.
FERNDALE
Record/rank: 14-4, No. 5
League finish: First in Oakland Activities Association Red
Coach: Juan Rickman, third season (43-19)
Championship history: Class A champion 1963 and 1966.
Best wins: 73-68 (2OT) over No. 4 Croswell-Lexington in Quarterfinal, 56-49 and 51-43 over Division 1 No. 17 Clarkston, 60-55 over Division 1 No. 15 North Farmington, 94-74 over Division 4 No. 17 Detroit Douglass.
Players to watch: Jason Drake, 6-2 jr. G (16.5 ppg, 25 3-pointers); Christopher Williams, 6-3 soph. G (7.5 ppg, 6.3 rpg); Treyvon Lewis, 6-5 jr. G (19.3 ppg, 37 3-pointers, 7.0 rpg).
Outlook: Ferndale won its first league and second District titles under Rickman, who formerly led Detroit East English Village/Detroit Crockett, and have reached the Semifinals for the first time since 1985. The Eagles lost only once in their league, in their rematch with North Farmington, and three of their four defeats this season were by five points or fewer. Lewis earned an all-state honorable mention last season and is part of a starting lineup made up of all juniors and sophomores.
GRAND RAPIDS CATHOLIC CENTRAL
Record/rank: 18-0, No. 8
League finish: First in O-K Gold
Coach: T.J. Meerman, eighth season (116-63)
Championship history: Class B runner-up 2018.
Best wins: 83-72 over No. 1 Benton Harbor in Quarterfinal, 68-50 (Regional Semifinal), 58-56 and 49-46 over No. 23 Grand Rapids South Christian, 71-52 over No. 10 Hudsonville Unity Christian in District Final, 59-44 over No. 14 Grand Rapids Christian.
Players to watch: Jack Karasinski, 6-6 jr. G (19.5 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 3.0 apg); Kaden Brown, 6-0 soph. G (19 ppg, 4.5 apg); Durral Brooks, 6-1 fr. G (10 ppg, 5.0 apg, 7.0 rpg, 3.5 spg).
Outlook: GRCC has advanced to its first Semifinal since 2018 and is seeking its first championship after falling by a point in overtime in that year’s Class B Final. Karasinski made the all-state second team last winter and is part of a lineup with a variety of contributors – junior 6-2 guard Jordan Brooks (9.5) and senior 6-9 forward Gabe Quillan (8.5) also score nearly in double digits per game. GRCC had only three single-digit games this season – two against South Christian.
Division 3
FLINT BEECHER
Record/rank: 14-1, No. 1
League finish: First in Genesee Area Conference Red
Coach: Mike Williams, 17th season (336-93)
Championship history: Eight MHSAA titles (most recent 2017), four runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 89-58 over No. 3 Reese in Regional Final, 84-54 over Division 2 No. 20 Goodrich, 73-68 (2OT) over Division 2 No. 5 Ferndale, 65-63 over Division 1 No. 4 Flint Carman-Ainsworth.
Players to watch: Keyon Menifield Jr., 6-1 sr. G; Carmelo Harris, 5-11 jr. G; James Cummings II, 6-2 jr. F. (Statistics not submitted.)
Outlook: Beecher is making its first Semifinals appearance since its last championship season of 2017, although the Bucs were 20-2 last season when it was halted. Menifield earned an all-state honorable mention last season and leads a team that lost only to Division 1 top-ranked Orchard Lake St. Mary’s in the second game of the regular season. Carman-Ainsworth and Ferndale were the only other opponents to get within single digits.
HANOVER-HORTON
Record/rank: 20-1, No. 20
League finish: First in Cascades Conference
Coach: Chad Mortimer, 23rd season (453-97).
Championship history: Hanover was Lower Peninsula Class D runner-up in 1941; Horton was LP Class D runner-up in 1936 and 1937.
Best wins: 41-29 over No. 9 Ypsilanti Arbor Prep in Quarterfinal, 50-45 over No. 8 Leslie in Regional Final, 69-38 (Regional Semifinal), 66-52 and 45-44 over No. 28 Michigan Center, 70-45 over No. 23 Homer in District Final.
Players to watch: Carson Sanders, jr. G (18.5 ppg, 33 3-pointers); Brogan Brockie, sr. G (13 ppg); Conner Mortimer, sr. G (13.2 ppg, 3.8 apg). (Heights not submitted.)
Outlook: The Comets saw last year’s run end as they stood 20-1 when COVID struck. But this time they’ve reached the Semifinals for the first time since 2015 and fourth time in program history. Hanover-Horton graduated three players who earned all-state honorable mentions last season, but the next set of standouts has filled right in. Four of the team’s eight seniors join Sanders in the starting lineup.
IRON MOUNTAIN
Record/rank: 18-0, No. 14
League finishes: First in Western Peninsula Athletic Conference and Mid-Peninsula Conference.
Coach: Harvey Johnson, 21st season (315-155)
Championship history: Three MHSAA titles (most recent 1939), one runner-up finish.
Best wins: 53-50 over No. 2 McBain in Quarterfinal, 63-52 over No. 6 Oscoda in Regional Final, 71-50 over No. 7 Painesdale-Jeffers in Regional Semifinal, 79-48 over No. 15 Menominee in District Final, 58-52 over Division 2 No. 3 Escanaba.
Players to watch: Foster Wonders, 6-5 sr. G; Ricky Brown, 6-0 sr. G; Jurgen Kleiman, 6-4 sr. F. (Statistics not provided.)
Outlook: Iron Mountain was the Division 3 runner-up in 2019 and 21-1 last season when it was forced to end. But Wonders has led the charge back into the Semifinals with incredible scoring numbers in going over 2,000 points for his career. The Mountaineers have downed previously-unbeaten teams their last two games, and Jeffers had only one defeat when they met. Only McBain and Escanaba got within single digits.
SCHOOLCRAFT
Record/rank: 19-1, No. 17
League finish: First in Southwestern Athletic Conference Valley
Coach: Randy Small, 16th season (306-64)
Championship history: Class C champion 2011, runner-up 2009.
Best wins: 59-47 (Quarterfinal) and 60-55 over No. 10 Grand Rapids Covenant Christian, 56-38 over No. 4 Niles Brandywine in District Final, 55-49 over No. 5 Pewamo-Westphalia.
Players to watch: Bryce VanderWiere, 6-7 sr. C (15.7 ppg, 9.1 rpg); Shane Rykse, 6-1 fr. G (11.6 ppg, 43 3-pointers); Tyler DeGroote, 6-6 jr. F (13.8 ppg, 8.2 rpg).
Outlook: Schoolcraft is returning to the Semifinals for the first time since 2012 and was 21-0 when last season came to a close. The only loss this winter was to Division 2 top-ranked Benton Harbor. VanderWiere earned an all-state honorable mention last season and is part of a sizable frontcourt that also starts 6-6 junior forward Ty Riske and brings 6-6 senior center Harmon DeVries off the bench.
Division 4
DETROIT DOUGLASS
Record/rank: 15-5, No. 17
League finish: Second in Detroit Public School League East
Coach: Pierre Brooks Sr., seventh season (103-50)
Championship history: Has never appeared in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 68-56 over No. 1 Southfield Christian in Quarterfinal, 55-51 (2OT) over No. 29 Plymouth Christian Academy in District Final, 60-53 over Division 2 No. 1 Benton Harbor.
Players to watch: Pierre Brooks II, 6-6 sr. G (33.1 ppg, 50 3-pointers, 9.3 rpg); Javantae Randle, 6-10 sr. F (18 ppg, 11.1 rpg, 2.9 bpg); Damonn Tiggs, 6-0 sr. G (8.5 ppg, 31 3-pointers, 3.8 apg).
Outlook: Brooks II made the Division 2 all-state team last season and has signed with Michigan State, and Randle gives Douglass a second Division I college prospect in the frontcourt. The Hurricanes were 17-5 last season when it ended and will be playing in their second Semifinal and first since 2014. Brooks Sr. has guided the program to three District titles over the last six seasons and formerly coached Detroit Martin Luther King.
MOUNT PLEASANT SACRED HEART
Record/rank: 20-1, No. 9
League finish: First in Mid-State Activities Conference
Coach: Justin Sherlock, first season (20-1)
Championship history: Two MHSAA titles (most recent 1975), one runner-up finish.
Best wins: 59-53 over No. 13 Frankfort in Quarterfinal, 61-49 over No. 15 Hale in Regional Semifinal, 70-56 over Division 3 No. 29 St. Charles.
Players to watch: Zach Wentworth, sr. G (16.7 ppg, 37 3-pointers, 6.7 rpg, 3.4 apg); Luke Predum, sr. G (21.2 ppg, 47 3-pointers, 3.5 apg); Aidan Halliday, fr. F (7.8 ppg). (Heights not submitted.)
Outlook: Sacred Heart is a three-point loss to Division 3 St. Charles from being undefeated and is headed back to the Semifinals for first time since finishing Class D runner-up in 2006. Predum and Wentworth both earned all-state honorable mentions last season and provide 63 percent of the team’s scoring, although five players total average at least five points per game.
RUDYARD
Record/rank: 18-2, No. 7
League finishes: First in Straits Area Conference and Eastern Upper Peninsula Conference
Coach: Jim Suggitt, third season (44-19)
Championship history: Upper Peninsula Class D runner-up 1945.
Best wins: 78-55 over No. 34 Mackinaw City in Regional Semifinal, 74-32 and 49-31 over Division 2 No. 48 Cheboygan.
Players to watch: EJ Suggitt, jr. G (20.3 ppg, 53 3-pointers); Cam Peterson, fr. G (7.7 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 3.7 apg); Tate Besteman, jr. C (15.3 ppg, 9.0 rpg).
Outlook: Rudyard has improved from 11 to 15 to now 18 wins over the last three seasons and is making the trip to the Semifinals for the first time since 1963. The only losses this season came to No. 8 Munising, which finished 15-2, and Division 3 Roscommon. The Bulldogs have won their first five tournament games by an average of 33 points.
WYOMING TRI-UNITY CHRISTIAN
Record/rank: 13-2, No. 5
League finish: First in Alliance League
Coach: Mark Keeler, 34th season (627-197)
Championship history: Four MHSAA titles (most recent 2011), four runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 56-44 over No. 20 Webberville in Quarterfinal, 60-32 over No. 28 Marcellus Howardsville Christian in Regional Final, 57-50 over Division 3 No. 10 Grand Rapids Covenant Christian.
Players to watch: Brady Titus, 5-9 jr. G (22 ppg, 30 3-pointers, 4.2 apg); Austin Treece, 6-7 sr. C (11.9 ppg, 6.5 rpg); Jaden Ophoff, 6-3 sr. G/F (6.5 ppg).
Outlook: Tri-unity will be making its second Semifinals appearance in three seasons and third in six years, and finished Class D runner-up most recently in 2013. Titus made the all-state second team last year and drives a team that starts three seniors but has only four total. The team’s only losses were to Division 2 Wyoming Godwin Heights and Muskegon Orchard View, which had one regular-season loss between them.
PHOTO: Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern, here against Grand Haven, is among nine teams playing this weekend hoping to win a championship for the first time. (Photo by Tim Reilly.)