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)
Breslin Bound: 2023-24 Boys Semifinals Preview
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
March 13, 2024
No reigning champs seeking to repeat as an MHSAA Finals champion, but nine hopefuls seeking a first boys basketball title. Six contenders hoping to play in a championship game for the first time, and at least one guaranteed to reach this season’s final day at Breslin Center.
Every team makes its own history, of course. But there are opportunities everywhere at Michigan State this weekend for the final 16 teams playing this season to accomplish something their schools have never achieved before – or at least, in a long time.
Among this group of 16, only three semifinalists are back from last year – Orchard Lake St. Mary’s in Division 1, Niles Brandywine in Division 3 and Wyoming Tri-unity Christian in Division 4. And in addition to those nine teams seeking a first championship, three others are seeking their first since 1985, 1975 and 1938.
DIVISION 1 - Friday
Orchard Lake St. Mary's (25-1) vs Ann Arbor Huron (22-4) - Noon
Zeeland West (20-7) vs North Farmington (23-2) - 2 p.m.
DIVISION 2 - Friday
Flint Powers Catholic (22-5) vs Warren Lincoln (22-4) - 5:30 p.m.
Grand Rapids Christian (25-2) vs Chelsea (21-6) - 7:30 p.m.
DIVISION 3 - Thursday
Niles Brandywine (24-3) vs McBain (25-2) - Noon
Detroit Old Redford (20-7) vs Riverview Gabriel Richard (23-3) - 2 p.m.
DIVISION 4 - Thursday
St. Ignace (21-6) vs Wyoming Tri-unity Christian (22-5) - 5:30 p.m.
Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart (25-2) vs Allen Park Inter-City Baptist (23-4) - 7:30 p.m.
Finals - Saturday
Division 1 - 12:15 p.m.
Division 2 - 6:45 p.m.
Division 3 - 4:30 p.m.
Division 4 - 10 a.m.
Tickets for this weekend’s games are $12 for both Semifinals and Finals and available via the Breslin Center ticket office; for information and links visit the Boys Basketball page.
All Semifinals will be broadcast and viewable with subscription on MHSAA.tv, and all four Finals will air live Saturday on Bally Sports Detroit – Divisions 4, 3 and 2 on the primary channel and Division 1 on BSD Extra – as well as on the BSD website and app. Audio broadcasts of all Semifinals and Finals will be available free of charge from the MHSAA Network.
The Boys Basketball Semifinals & Finals are sponsored by Sparrow Health System.
Here’s a look at the 16 semifinalists (with rankings by MPR and statistics through Regional Finals unless noted):
Division 1
ANN ARBOR HURON
Record/rank: 22-4, No. 15
League finish: Tied for second in Southeastern Conference Red
Coach: Mohammad Kasham, second season (45-7)
Championship history: Division 1 runner-up 2021, Class A runner-up 2010.
Best wins: 54-48 over No. 2 East Lansing in Quarterfinal, 53-50 over No. 35 Wayne Memorial in Regional Final, 54-53 over No. 10 Detroit Catholic Central in Regional Semifinal, 64-53 over No. 32 River Rouge, 59-57 over No. 33 Ann Arbor Pioneer in District Final, 72-71 over No. 19 Grand Rapids Northview, 65-52 over No. 14 Saline.
Players to watch: Macari Moore, jr. 6-3 G (23 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 3.6 apg, 2.3 spg); Justin Latham, 6-6 sr. F (7.5 ppg, 8.3 rpg); Kaleb Brown, 6-3 jr. G (6.4 ppg, 3.2 rpg).
Outlook: Huron has reached at least the Quarterfinals both seasons under Kasham, who previously served as an assistant coach for 16 years. The team’s only losses were twice to Pioneer – avenged in the District Final – and once to Saline and Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice. Huron also has wins over two teams playing at Breslin this weekend – Division 2 Chelsea 72-48 and Division 3 Detroit Old Redford 72-38. Junior 6-4 guard Jaydon Keefer (6.7 ppg, 47 3-pointers entering the week) gives the River Rats an all-junior starting backcourt.
NORTH FARMINGTON
Record/rank: 23-2, No. 3
League finish: Tied for first in Oakland Activities Association Red
Coach: Todd Negoshian, 13th season (209-73)
Championship history: Class A runner-up 2016.
Best wins: 62-51 over No. 32 River Rouge in Quarterfinal, 54-53 over No. 7 Warren De La Salle Collegiate in Regional Final, 47-28 over No. 27 Muskegon Reeths-Puffer, 61-46 over No. 11 West Bloomfield, 66-57 over No. 42 Zeeland West, 58-46 over No. 37 Detroit Martin Luther King, 67-62 (OT) and 54-51 over Division 2 No. 8 Ferndale.
Players to watch: Tyler Spratt, 6-5 G/F sr. (16 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 4.0 spg); Landon Williams, 6-4 sr. G (14.0 ppg, 5.0 apg, 4.0 spg); Dylan Smith, 6-9 sr. C (14.9 ppg, 9.0 rpg).
Outlook: North Farmington won its third-straight District title and second-straight league championship on the way to this first trip to Breslin since its 2016 runner-up finish. The Raiders navigated their annually tough schedule with the only losses to West Bloomfield and Grand Rapids Northview, both over the course of nine days midseason. Guard Will MacShara gives North Farmington a fourth senior in the starting lineup, and junior guard Rob Smith (12.4 ppg) gives the Raiders a fourth starter averaging double-digit scoring.
ORCHARD LAKE ST. MARY’S
Record/rank: 25-1, No. 1
League finish: First in Catholic High School League Central
Coach: Todd Covert, ninth season (151-54)
Championship history: Four MHSAA titles (most recent 2000), two runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 52-43 (Quarterfinal), 58-55, 59-41 and 66-47 over No. 6 Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice; 68-46 over No. 11 West Bloomfield in District Final, 73-41 over No. 9 Detroit Cass Tech, 56-37 over No. 2 East Lansing, 65-46, 68-55 and 54-40 over No. 7 Warren De La Salle Collegiate; 64-52 and 70-56 over No. 10 Detroit Catholic Central, 76-68 over No. 12 Detroit U-D Jesuit, 65-58 over Division 2 No. 2 Warren Lincoln.
Players to watch: Trey McKenney, 6-5 jr. G (22.6 ppg, 10.1 rpg); Sharod Barnes, 6-2 jr. G (12.5 ppg, 4.4 apg); Jayden Savoury, 6-6 jr. F (12.7 ppg, 6.8 rpg).
Outlook: St. Mary’s got on a roll at the end of the 2022-23 regular season and reached its first Semifinal since 2006, and the Eaglets haven’t slowed down this winter. The lone defeat came 60-55 on Dec. 18 to U-D Jesuit and was avenged a month later, and only five wins have been by single digits. McKenney was The Associated Press’ Division 1 Player of the Year last season as a sophomore and is sure to be the Mr. Basketball Award favorite next winter. Senior guard Daniel Smythe (7.7 ppg) is another top contributor, with three more players averaging at least five points per game.
ZEELAND WEST
Record/rank: 20-7, No. 42
League finish: Third in Ottawa-Kent Conference Green
Coach: David Klyn, eighth season (102-73)
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 53-52 over No. 17 Muskegon in Quarterfinal, 44-41 over No. 19 Grand Rapids Northview in Regional Semifinal, 61-42 over No. 9 Detroit Cass Tech, 58-44 over Division 2 No. 11 Hudsonville Unity Christian.
Players to watch: Lukas Bakker, 6-5 sr. F (13.2 ppg, 58 3-pointers); Myles Steffen, 6-3 sr. G (7.6 ppg, 3.5 apg); Merritt Alderink, 6-7 sr. F (13.1 ppg, 6.9 rpg).
Outlook: West this season has defeated both teams that played in last year’s Division 1 title game, reigning champion Cass Tech and runner-up Muskegon on Tuesday, with the latter victory landing the Dux in their first Semifinal after they won their first Regional title last week. The Muskegon win also avenged a pair of league losses, and all of West’s defeats came to opponents that won at least 16 games this season. The Dux start five seniors, with guard Trenten Bolhouse (6.9 ppg, 4.6 rpg) and 6-5 forward Orion Yant (7.7 ppg, 5.5 rpg) filling out the lineup with experience and additional scoring.
Division 2
CHELSEA
Record/rank: 21-6, No. 9
League finish: First in Southeastern Conference White
Coach: Andrea Cabana, second season (42-12)
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 68-53 over No. 22 Detroit University Prep in Quarterfinal, 75-53 over No. 10 Onsted in Regional Final, 70-62 and 97-87 over No. 12 Adrian, 59-57 over Division 1 No. 14 Saline.
Players to watch: Jake Stephens, 6-4 sr. G (25.3 ppg, 59 3-pointers, 11 rpg, 4.0 apg, 3.0 spg); Joey Cabana, 6-2 sr. G (21.3 ppg, 64 3-pointers, 4.0 apg); Drew Blanton, 6-2 jr. G (10.5 ppg, 5.0 apg).
Outlook: Chelsea is enjoying a school-record run after also making the Quarterfinals last season but reaching the Semifinals this week for the first time. Andrea Cabana led the Grass Lake girls to the Division 3 title in 2021 and is believed to be the second woman to coach a boys team to the Semifinals, after Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart’s Keisha Brown in 2006. Joey Cabana and Stephens both made the all-state first team last season and supply the bulk of the scoring for a contender that’s reached 70 points 10 times this winter. Chelsea has won 16 of its last 17 games, the lone loss during that time to Division 1 River Rouge by three points.
FLINT POWERS CATHOLIC
Record/rank: 22-5, No. 23
League finish: Tied for fifth in the Saginaw Valley League.
Coach: Zach Collins, third season (43-30)
Championship history: Class B champion 2009, Class B runner-up 2008.
Best wins: 81-77 over No. 4 Kingsford in Quarterfinal, 59-51 (Regional Final) and 72-67 over No. 25 Saginaw Arthur Hill, 62-58 (OT) over Division 1 No. 49 Grand Blanc, 81-78 (OT) over Division 1 No. 34 Hamtramck, 61-48 over Division 3 No. 3 Schoolcraft.
Players to watch: Jesse Cull, 6-5 jr. F (12.2 ppg, 4.0 rpg); Javontae Ross, 5-11 jr. G (16.4 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 5.4 apg, 3.1 spg); Connor Kelly, 6-3 sr. F (12.1 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 3.0 apg).
Outlook: Powers is returning to the Finals for the first time since its championship season after winning its first Regional title since 2013, and Collins has led a quick ascension as the team was 5-17 in his first season before jumping to 16-8 a year ago. The Chargers won 10 of their first 11 games this winter and navigated the mostly-Division 1 SVL before rumbling through a playoff run that’s seen all five opponents with winning records. Junior 6-6 center Demsey Cull adds 8.7 ppg and is the team’s second-leading 3-point shooter.
GRAND RAPIDS CHRISTIAN
Record/rank: 25-2, No. 3
League finish: First in O-K White
Coach: Eric Taylor, sixth season (108-24)
Championship history: Lower Peninsula Class B champion 1938, two runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 57-52 (Quarterfinal) and 69-50 over No. 22 Grand Rapids Catholic Central, 61-51 over No. 1 Benton Harbor in Regional Final, 52-49 (District Final) and 58-48 over No. 18 Grand Rapids South Christian, 46-42 and 54-43 over Division 1 No. 19 Grand Rapids Northview, 60-51 over Division 1 No. 17 Muskegon.
Players to watch: Nate Johnson, 6-6 sr. G (12.2 ppg, 5.0 rpg); Jaylan Ouwinga, 6-8 sr. F (11.7 ppg, 6.7 rpg); Malachi Hooser, 5-11 sr. G (8.9 ppg).
Outlook: The Eagles have been in the conversation of Division 2 favorites all season with their only losses 49-47 to Warren Lincoln and 49-43 to Division 1 Byron Center. They’ve won 11 straight games heading into their first trip to Breslin since finishing Class A runner-up in 2017. Guard Quintin Willis (6.0 ppg) and forward Carter Goodyke (6.3 ppg) fill out an all-senior starting lineup for a team that’s been especially impressive defensively, holding all opponents under 60 points with 18 games giving up fewer than 50.
WARREN LINCOLN
Record/rank: 22-4, No. 2
League finish: First in Macomb Area Conference White
Coach: Wydell Henry, sixth season (87-29)
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 61-42 over No. 28 Goodrich in Quarterfinal, 55-44 over No. 8 Ferndale in District Final, 49-47 over No. 3 Grand Rapids Christian, 62-54 over Division 1 No. 2 East Lansing, 56-51 over Division 1 No. 11 West Bloomfield, 49-46 over Division 1 No. 16 Grosse Pointe South.
Players to watch: Markus Blackwell, 6-2 jr. G (17 ppg, 4.0 apg, 3.0 spg); Da’Marion Bozeman, 6-5 jr. G (12.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg); Timarion Minor, 6-5 sr. F (11.2 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 3.5 apg).
Outlook: Warren Lincoln also is making its first trip to Breslin Center after upping its wins the last four seasons from eight to 17 to 19 to this winter’s 22 and counting. The Abes prepped for this run against another of the strongest schedules in the state, with a victory as well over Detroit Old Redford and the losses to Division 1 Orchard Lake St. Mary’s, Grosse Pointe South, Port Huron Northern and East Kentwood. Six players are scoring at least 7.4 points per game, and junior Moses Blackwell – Markus’ twin – had 68 3-pointers entering the week to lead three with at least 45 this season.
Division 3
DETROIT OLD REDFORD
Record/rank: 20-7, No. 18
League finish: Fourth in Charter School Conference Gold
Coach: Ray Reeves, third season (46-18)
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 45-44 over Flint Beecher in Quarterfinal, 52-51 over Division 2 No. 6 Romulus Summit Academy North, 61-59 over Division 2 No. 24 Detroit University Prep, 56-55 over Clarkston.
Players to watch: Arkell Boyd, 6-3 jr. G; Kason Mayes, 6-2 jr. G. (Statistics not submitted.)
Outlook: Old Redford clinched its first trip to the Semifinals by ending reigning champion Beecher’s repeat aspirations Tuesday. The Ravens have built steadily the last three seasons from 10 to 16 to 22 wins this winter and have won 12 straight games avenging losses to University Prep and Summit along the way. Three more defeats came to teams playing this weekend – Orchard Lake St. Mary’s, Ann Arbor Huron and Warren Lincoln.
MCBAIN
Record/rank: 25-2, No. 6
League finish: First in Highland Conference
Coach: Bruce Koopman, 30th season (549-158)
Championship history: Class C champion 2002, Class C runner-up 2011.
Best wins: 51-49 over No. 2 Menominee in Quarterfinal, 62-51 over No. 17 Sanford Meridian in Regional Final, 50-33 over No. 12 Benzie Central in District Final, 72-48 and 60-43 over No. 25 Beal City, 71-50 over Division 2 No. 15 Reed City.
Players to watch: Evan Haverkamp, 6-9 sr. C (16.8 ppg, 11.3 rpg, 1.5 bpg); Benjamin Rodenbaugh, 6-3 jr. G (7.4 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 5.2 apg); Nathan Koetje, 5-7 sr. G (6.9 ppg, 2.4 apg).
Outlook: McBain won its first Regional title since 2021 and will play in its first Semifinal since 2016 with its only losses this season to Division 1 Cadillac and Hamtramck. The Ramblers have had loads of success under longtime coach Koopman – who also has a 263-102 record as girls varsity coach over four stints – and the last four seasons have also seen two league and four District titles to go with the two Regional championships. Freshman 6-4 forward Clayton Heuker comes off the bench but is the team’s second-leading scorer at 8.1 ppg with 4.9 rebounds per game.
NILES BRANDYWINE
Record/rank: 24-3, No. 1
League finish: Tied for first in Lakeland Conference
Coach: Nate Knapp, 19th season (235-174)
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 58-34 over No. 21 Grand Rapids Covenant Christian in Quarterfinal, 41-32 over No. 3 Schoolcraft in Regional Final, 56-47 over No. 48 White Pigeon in District Final, 52-50 over No. 7 Jackson Lumen Christi, 74-34 over No. 36 Bronson, 64-53 over No. 13 Watervliet, 63-57 over Division 2 No. 1 Benton Harbor, 59-48 over Division 2 No. 19 Berrien Springs, 56-43 over Division 2 No. 27 Niles.
Players to watch: Jaremiah Palmer, 6-1 sr. F (13.8 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 3.4 apg); Nylen Goins, 6-0 soph. G (11 ppg); Byron Linley, 6-1 sr. G (13.4 ppg).
Outlook: Brandywine is back at the Semifinals for the second-straight season and with four starters back from a year ago, with senior guard Jamier Palmer (9.4 ppg, 4.6 apg, 3.5 spg) joining the three listed above. The Bobcats’ only losses were to Portage Central, Benton Harbor and Riverview Gabriel Richard – all league champions – and Brandywine split its Benton Harbor series to share their league title. Linley and Goins have both made more than 40 3-pointers to give the team some perimeter power.
RIVERVIEW GABRIEL RICHARD
Record/rank: 23-3, No. 5
League finish: Tied for first in CHSL AA
Coach: Kris Daiek, 13th season (204-73)
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 58-44 (Quarterfinal) and 54-48 over No. 7 Jackson Lumen Christi, 57-55 over No. 1 Niles Brandywine, 58-55 over Division 2 No. 6 Romulus Summit Academy North, 73-55 over Division 4 No. 5 Taylor Trillium Academy.
Players to watch: Nick Sobush, 5-10 jr. G (17.5 ppg, 3.8 apg, 2.9 spg); Luke Westerdale, 6-0 jr. G (16 ppg, 5.1 apg, 3.5 rpg); Charles Kage, 6-8 jr. F (10.6 ppg, 6.4 rpg).
Outlook: Richard is coming off its first Regional title since making the Semifinals as well in 1989, and by defeating Lumen Christi for a second time after sharing the CHSL AA title with the Titans this winter. The Pioneers have been on the verge after winning their District a year ago and going 19-1 in 2021-22. Junior forward Drew Everingham adds another eight points and 4.3 rebounds per game, and senior forward EJ Bennett at 3.1 assists is one of five players averaging at least two per game in that category.
Division 4
ALLEN PARK INTER-CITY BAPTIST
Record/rank: 23-4, No. 21
League finish: Second in Michigan Independent Athletic Conference Blue
Coach: Mark Kraatz, 35th season (560-288)
Championship history: Class D champion 1985.
Best wins: 68-48 over No. 15 Britton Deerfield in Regional Semifinal, 60-49 over No. 5 Taylor Trillium Academy in District Final, 55-44 and 66-54 over No. 29 Auburn Hills Oakland Christian, 37-35 over No. 35 Detroit Douglass in Regional Final, 52-38 over Division 3 No. 29 Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest.
Players to watch: Carlos Jackson, 6-3 soph. F (8.5 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 3.0 apg); Ethan Esse, 5-10 soph. G (20.2 ppg, 74 3-pointers, 3.4 apg); Andrew Frank, 6-3 sr. F (10.7 ppg, 7.0 rpg).
Outlook: Inter-City Baptist has posted winning seasons 31 of Kraatz’s 35 and won 24 Districts during that time, and reached this week after its first Regional title since 2012. He played on the 1985 Class D championship team and also coached the school’s girls varsity for a pair of seasons. The Chargers avenged two of their losses this winter and navigated a postseason run that’s included an overtime win and another by two points. Esse is the long-distance ace, but five more teammates had at least 10 3-pointers entering the week.
MOUNT PLEASANT SACRED HEART
Record/rank: 25-2, No. 2
League finish: First in Mid-State Activities Conference
Coach: Justin Sherlock, fourth season (73-19)
Championship history: Two MHSAA titles (most recent 1975), Class D runner-up 2006.
Best wins: 63-51 over No. 8 Maple City Glen Lake in Quarterfinal, 66-51 over No. 4 Saginaw Nouvel in Regional Semifinal, 46-43 and 59-39 over No. 20 Fulton, 64-51 over Division 3 No. 25 Beal City.
Players to watch: Noah Zeien, soph. G; Grady Pieratt, jr. G. (Statistics not submitted.)
Outlook: Sacred Heart also reached the Semifinals in Sherlock’s first season as coach, 2021, and has won its five postseason games this winter by nearly 21 points on average. The only losses came to Division 1 Cadillac and Dec. 5 to possible Saturday opponent Wyoming Tri-unity Christian, 71-41. Center Aidan Halliday is the team’s lone senior starter.
ST. IGNACE
Record/rank: 21-6, No. 6
League finish: Second in Straits Area Conference
Coach: Doug Ingalls, 25th season (375-181)
Championship history: Two MHSAA runner-up finishes (most recent 1983).
Best wins: 68-51 over No. 12 Crystal Falls Forest Park in Quarterfinal, 58-42 over No. 10 Munising in Regional Final, 79-74 over No. 19 Onaway in Regional Semifinal, 65-60 over No. 28 Rudyard, 54-45 and 69-51 over No. 30 Pickford, 76-66 over Division 3 No. 26 Harbor Springs.
Players to watch: Jonny Ingalls, 6-0 sr. G (30 ppg, 59 3-pointers, 9.2 rpg, 5.3 apg, 4.0 spg, 2.5 bpg); Nick Halberg, 6-3 sr. F (10.3 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 1.5 bpg); Ethan McLean, 6-3 sr. G/F (11.6 ppg, 5.0 rpg).
Outlook: Ingalls originally took over the program in 1992-93 fresh off setting Northern Michigan University’s career assists record, and he returned for a third tenure in 2020-21 and has brought the Saints back to the Semifinals for the first time since the Class D runner-up season of 1983. This will be his final season as boys basketball coach; he’s also partnered with wife Dorene to lead the St. Ignace girls to 516 wins and five Finals titles. Jonny is their son and a stat sheet machine, and he has plenty of help including also senior forward Kordell KillsCrow (8.2 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 2.4 spg).
WYOMING TRI-UNITY CHRISTIAN
Record/rank: 22-5, No. 7
League finish: Second in Alliance League
Coach: Mark Keeler, 37th season (692-216)
Championship history: Five MHSAA titles (most recent 2022), six runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 65-29 over No. 34 St. Joseph Our Lady of the Lake Catholic in Quarterfinal, 46-39 over No. 23 Fowler in Regional Semifinal, 71-41 over No. 2 Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart, 52-41 over Wyoming Godwin Heights.
Players to watch: Jordan VanKlompenberg, 6-2 sr. G (12.8 ppg, 55 3-pointers, 5.0 rpg, 3.6 apg); Keaton Blanker, 5-10 jr. G (7.8 ppg, 4.6 apg); Wesley Kaman, 6-1 sr. G/F (10.5 ppg).
Outlook: Tri-unity Christian fell just a basket shy of a sixth championship a year ago, falling to Munising 39-37 in the Final, but is back at the Semifinals for the fifth-straight season (not counting COVID-canceled 2020). All of the team’s losses were to opponents from Divisions 1, 2 or 3, and the Defenders have won 12 of their last 13 games. Keeler is up to fourth on the list of winningest boys basketball coaches in state history. Seven players average at least five points per game, with 6-6 junior center Joey Mellon (7.0) providing a nice boost off the bench.
PHOTOS (Top) Warren Lincoln's Markus Blackwell (2) blocks a shot during the Abes' 61-42 Quarterfinal win over Goodrich on Tuesday. (Middle) Flint Powers Catholic's Baylor Cicalo (5) gets up a shot during a regular-season game against Davison. (Photos by Terry Lyons.)