Jets Firing as North Central Seeks Repeat
March 21, 2016
By Dennis Grall
Special for Second Half
POWERS – A second straight Class D boys basketball championship. A third straight MHSAA title covering two sports. A 52-game winning streak.
Toss in an approaching individual scoring record for good measure.
Talk about a massive target on the back of the North Central Jets during the final week of the high school winter sports season. Or you can talk about goals they are close to attaining.
Or talk about pressure. Not, however, for the Jets (25-0), who face Onaway (21-4) on Tuesday in a Class D Quarterfinal at Sault Ste. Marie High School.
Coach Adam Mercier said his squad is just following a game-by-game approach, with the next game always the most important. As for a target on their collective backs, Mercier said, "it is not any bigger than the one they give themselves. They have high expectations, and we expect everyone's A game.
"They treat every game the same. They don't pack it in. They play as hard as they can. They follow every game plan we have."
The Jets are also busy re-writing the MHSAA record book. They already own the mark of 82 wins over three seasons, surpassing the record 79 shared by two Flint schools, Northwestern and Beecher. If the Jets win their final three games of this season, they will tie the mark of 55 wins set over two years by those two schools and would equal Saginaw Buena Vista for fourth place with 55 straight wins. (Chassell has the state mark of 65 straight).
North Central, which has not lost since falling to Cedarville 81-79 in a Quarterfinal game on March 18, 2014, is an astounding 82-1 over the past three years. Mercier is 162-79 in 10 seasons, after starting 6-37 over the first two at his alma mater.
Outstanding team chemistry, created in part through family connections in this small Upper Peninsula community, is perhaps as important for North Central's athletic success as having outstanding talent.
Junior Jason Whitens, an all-state selection on last year's championship team, is just 10 points shy of the school's career scoring record of 1,350 points owned by his uncle, Tom Granquist. Whitens took over the helm of this year's team after the graduation of his cousin, Rob Granquist. The two Granquists and Whitens also played quarterback for the Jets, with Whitens directing North Central to the 2015 8-player title in the fall.
Mercier became head coach of the boys basketball program in 2006 after Gerald Whitens left after a four-year stint.
"They're loose and they keep everything in perspective," Mercier said of his squad. "They have fun, they don't complicate things with egos or individual accolades. It is very similar to last year (basketball) and football. They are able to joke around, and they are able to critique one another. The perspective they have on each other is neat to see."
The system has worked wonderfully for the Jets, who also won the Class D title in 1983. A member of that team was Gerald Whitens, who is Jason's father and serves as an assistant coach on this squad.
Opposing coaches have a solid perspective on the Jets. Joel Schultz of neighboring Bark River-Harris said, "they combine size and athleticism you don't see in Class D. Couple that with the fact they are gym rats, it is just a perfect storm. They are above a level that is typical in Class D. They are better than a year ago."
Rock Mid Peninsula coach Mark Branstrom, who also coached against that 1983 title team, said, "they are about the most talented group of young men I've seen. It is hard to understand who will ever beat them. They are like a college team, and we are like a high school team.
"They have it all. They are so strong. I don't know where there weakness is."
Chris Nocerini of Crystal Falls Forest Park has been deeply frustrated by the Jets. The Trojans finished 22-3 this season, with all three losses provided by the Jets, including a 75-45 conquest Wednesday for their fourth straight Regional crown. Forest Park, always one of the peninsula's top quintets, is 0-10 against North Central the past four seasons.
"They are a good team, they are deep, they have a nice rotation," Nocerini said. "They have played together for a long time. What makes North Central good is their players understand their roles and when they get their chances, they take advantage of it."
Whitens is averaging 22 points but is also a tremendous distributor and rebounder. Teammates Dawson Bilski (15 ppg) and Bobby Kleiman (11) are also in double digit scoring, while Troy Ekberg and Morgan Cox provide excellent scoring and rebounding inside. Seth Polfus and Marcus Krachinski provide the prime bench support.
"The key for us is having guys off the bench who are willing to accept their roles. It is rare to find those kind of teams nowadays to find kids willing to take a lesser role," said Mercier, who helped out on the sidelines during the team's football playoff run last fall.
The Jets, with six juniors, are averaging 78 points a game while permitting just 41. They also boast a team grade-point average near 3.5.
North Central was seldom threatened this year, trailing at halftime in one game against Mid Peninsula, escaping Crystal Falls with a 61-57 victory March 1 and coming from behind late in the fourth quarter Feb. 9 at Class B Menominee to win 64-60.
Mercier said the game at Menominee, on one of the hardest floors for visiting teams to play, "gave us a good idea where and what we needed to improve. That was our biggest win. We had to respond and Jason Whitens took over. That was our signature win of the year."
While Whitens is the team leader, BR-H coach Schultz said, "Bilski is their best ball player. Cox may be one of the top players in the U.P. on any other team. He is a real unique piece of the team. He is a beast, strong and explosive." While Whitens is the primary focus for opponents, Schultz said if you can slow him down "you get killed by someone else."
Branstrom said of Whitens: "His first step is so quick. He has all the tools. He can hit shots from anywhere. He can do about anything he wants to do (including dunks and triples). He is long and tall and looks like a greyhound on a fast break."
Branstrom says Kleiman "is the glue of that team" and that Bilski "has all the tools. He is a natural. Cox inside is an animal and Ekberg is long and tall and can shoot from anywhere."
It is also tough to defend the Jets because Branstrom said "their passing skills are spectacular. Not just good; spectacular."
The North Central-Onaway winner advances to East Lansing and will meet the winner of Fulton (18-6) and Bellaire (24-1) in Thursday's semifinal at 7:50 p.m.
Denny Grall retired in 2012 after 39 years at the Escanaba Daily Press and four at the Green Bay Press-Gazette, plus 15 months for WLST radio in Escanaba; he served as the Daily Press sports editor from 1970-80 and again from 1984-2012. Grall was inducted into the Upper Peninsula Sports Hall of Fame in 2002 and serves as its executive secretary. E-mail him at [email protected] with story ideas for the Upper Peninsula.
PHOTOS: (Top) Powers North Central celebrates its Class D Regional title win over Crystal Falls Forest Park on Wednesday. (Middle) The Jets downed the Trojans 75-45 in front of a packed crowd. (Photos by Paul Gerard.)
Breslin Bound: 2023-24 Boys Quarterfinal Preview
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
March 12, 2024
One more win.
It’s a lot at this time of year, but also all that 32 boys basketball teams need to reach our final destination this season – Breslin Center for Thursday and Friday’s MHSAA Semifinals.
We glance at all 16 of tonight’s Quarterfinals across four divisions below. Games tip off at 7 p.m. unless noted. Details on tickets, brackets and more can be found on the Boys Basketball page. To watch all 16 games online, visit the NFHS Network.
“Breslin Bound” is powered by MI Student Aid and based on results and schedules posted for each school at MHSAA.com. (Abbreviations below denote ppg - points per game, rpg - rebounds per game, apg - assists per game, spg - steals per game, and bpg - blocks per game.)
Week in Review
The countdown of last week’s five most intriguing results:
1. Grand Rapids Christian 61, Benton Harbor 51 The Tigers (24-2) entered the postseason No. 1 in Division 2 MPR, and Grand Rapids Christian (24-2) was No. 3 bringing even more prestige to this Regional Final.
2. Jackson Lumen Christi 53, Laingsburg 47 The Titans (22-4) continued to establish themselves among the elite, perhaps most loudly in this Regional Final against previously-undefeated Laingsburg (25-1).
3. St. Ignace 58, Munising 42 St. Ignace (20-6) repeated as a Regional champion in ending the season for last year’s Division 4 Finals winner Munising (20-5).
4. Crystal Falls Forest Park 66, Lake Linden-Hubbell 52 The Trojans (22-4) had fallen 66-54 to LL-H (22-4) just three weeks earlier but avenged to claim a Division 4 Regional championship.
5. Flint Becher 46, Cass City 35 Beecher (10-16) continued its postseason surge by ending Cass City’s run in the Regional for the second-straight year, this time with the Red Hawks closing at 24-2.
Quarterfinals at a Glance
DIVISION 1
Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (24-1) vs. Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice (20-6) at University of Detroit Mercy, 5:30 p.m. - WATCH
After reaching the Division 1 Semifinals last season, and returning junior guard Trey McKenney (22.6 ppg, 10.1 rpg), St. Mary’s has been many people’s Division 1 favorite all winter long. The Eaglets defeated Catholic High School League Central rival Brother Rice three times during the regular season – 66-47, 59-41 and most recently 58-55 on Feb. 17, and the Warriors would love to reverse what happened last year when they defeated OLSM twice during the regular season but fell to the Eaglets in a District Final. Sophomore forward Elijah Williams leads Rice at 15.7 ppg.
East Lansing (24-2) vs. Ann Arbor Huron (21-4) at Holt - WATCH
East Lansing was able to get through three of its league opponents and another league champion in Portage Central on the way to a third Regional title over the last four seasons. Sophomore guard Kelvin Torbert Jr. (17 ppg) and junior guard Cameron Hutson (17.1 ppg) set the pace. Huron navigated a tough Regional last week defeating Detroit Catholic Central by a point and Wayne Memorial by three, and can turn to junior point guard Macari Moore (23 ppg, 3.6 apg) at crunch time.
Muskegon (23-2) vs. Zeeland West (19-7) at Grand Haven - WATCH
Last season’s Division 1 runner-up Muskegon has won 12 straight and 18 of its last 19 games, including 52-35 and 53-44 over Zeeland West as they finished tied for first and third, respectively, in the Ottawa-Kent Conference Green. Five Big Reds average between 7-9.5 ppg, with 6-foot-6 senior center Terrance Davis (9.3 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 1.5 bpg) manning the middle. The Dux counter with 6-7 senior Merritt Alderink (13.1 ppg, 6.9 rpg).
River Rouge (16-10) vs. North Farmington (21-2) at University of Detroit Mercy - WATCH
River Rouge reached the season’s final week thanks in part to a 66-60 Regional Semifinal win over 2023 Division 1 champion Detroit Cass Tech. Senior forward Ke’Shawn Fisher (23.6 ppg, 51 3-pointers) keys the offense. North Farmington has been on the verge of this run the last few seasons and won its first Regional title since finishing Division 1 runner-up in 2016. Senior guard/forward Tyler Spratt leads four players averaging at least 13 points per game at 16 ppg with eight rebounds, four steals and three assists per contest as well.
DIVISION 2
Kingsford (21-4) vs. Flint Powers Catholic (21-5) at Gaylord - WATCH
Kingsford won its first Regional title since 1992 and has reached 21 wins for the second straight season. Junior guard Gavin Grondin leads at 21.4 ppg with 60 3-pointers, and three others add between 8-9 ppg. Powers is back in a Quarterfinal for the first time since 2013, continuing an impressive rise after finishing just 5-17 two seasons ago. Junior guard Javontae Ross (16.4 ppg, 5.4 apg) leads three Chargers scoring at least 12 ppg.
Warren Lincoln (21-4) vs. Goodrich (21-5) at Lake Orion - WATCH
Lincoln is seeking to take another step after upping its win total for the third-straight season and winning its first Regional championship. Junior guard Markus Blackwell leads four scoring at least 9.5 ppg at 17, and twin brother Moses Blackwell has 68 3-pointers. Goodrich has won 12 straight and all but one of those by double digits. The LePla brothers – junior center Parker and freshman guard Jenson – pace the scoring at 18.4 and 15.6 ppg, respectively.
Grand Rapids Catholic Central (20-5) vs. Grand Rapids Christian (24-2) at Hamilton - WATCH
This is a rematch for Grand Rapids Christian’s 69-50 win Dec. 18 at the Cornerstone University Holiday Classic. That was the middle of three December losses for the Cougars, but they’re 19-2 this calendar year – and senior Durral Brooks (27 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 5.0 apg) was named this season’s Mr. Basketball Award winner Monday. Senior guard Nate Johnson (12.2 ppg) and senior forward Jaylan Ouwinga (11.7) lead a balanced Eagles effort as two of five senior starters.
Chelsea (20-6) vs. Detroit University Prep (17-8) at Ypsilanti Lincoln - WATCH
Chelsea has won 16 of its last 17 games – the only loss during that time by three to River Rouge – and can rely on senior guards Jake Stephens (25.3 ppg) and Joey Cabana (21.3) when in need of a big bucket. University Prep has won 10 of its last 12, and after finishing second to Romulus Summit Academy North in the Charter School Conference Gold avenged an 85-58 loss to Summit with a 60-54 Regional Semifinal win. Junior guard Dimaunye Smith-Powe sets the pace at 14 points and six assists per game.
DIVISION 3
Grand Rapids Covenant Christian (18-8) vs. Niles Brandywine (23-3) at Kalamazoo Loy Norrix - WATCH
Covenant Christian is playing in its fourth Quarterfinal over the last eight years and first since 2021, and the Chargers are coming off their best win of the season – 46-45 over Pewamo-Westphalia (23-3) in the Regional Final. Junior center Ben Elzinga (13.2 ppg) and senior guard Carter Scholten (12.1 ppg) pace a balanced lineup. Brandywine has won 14 of its last 15 games as it pursues a second-straight trip to Breslin Center after making the Semifinals a year ago. Senior forward Jaremiah Palmer (13.8 ppg) and senior guard Byron Linley (13.4 ppg) lead four players averaging at least nine points per game.
Menominee (20-6) vs. McBain (24-2) at Gaylord, 5 p.m. - WATCH
The Maroons won their second Regional title in three seasons with wins over Iron Mountain (22-2) and Painesdale Jeffers (23-2) along the way and led in part by a handful of players who saw the floor briefly when the team finished Division 3 runner-up in 2022. Senior guard Trevor Theuerkauf (14.3 ppg) and sophomore forward Tanner Theuerkauf (15.7) are siblings and the team’s leading scorers. McBain is making its second Quarterfinal appearance in four seasons, paced by 6-9 senior center Evan Haverkamp (16.8 ppg, 11.3 rpg, 1.5 bpg) and a balanced cast around him.
Detroit Old Redford (19-7) vs. Flint Beecher (10-16) at St. Clair County Community College, 5:30 p.m. - WATCH
Old Redford gives the CSC Gold another team playing this week as it makes its first Quarterfinal appearance. The Ravens are on an 11-game winning streak and have only one senior starter – forward Justin Austin – and two on the roster total. Beecher is the reigning Division 3 champion and as much a regular this week as any team, back after winning its 15th Regional title over the last 17 years. The Bucs forfeited eight wins during the regular season, but have rallied with senior guard Damarcus Burke Jr. (13.6 ppg, 3.3 apg) playing a lead role.
Jackson Lumen Christi (22-4) vs. Riverview Gabriel Richard (22-3) at Ypsilanti Lincoln, 5:30 p.m. - WATCH
These two couldn’t be more familiar with each other at this point, as they shared the CHSL AA championship and played a second time in the Cardinal Tournament championship game, with Richard winning that matchup 54-48 to even the season series. Lumen has jumped from 14-10 a year ago and handed Laingsburg its lone loss this season in the Regional Final, 53-47. Aside from falling to the Titans in their first meeting 62-49 on Jan. 26, Gabriel Richard’s only other defeats were to Division 1 Detroit Catholic Central and Cass Tech.
DIVISION 4
Crystal Falls Forest Park (22-4) vs. St. Ignace (20-6) at Gladstone - WATCH
Forest Park is coming off its first Regional title since 2007 and also has enjoyed a quick rise after finishing 9-12 just two seasons ago. The Trojans have won 16 of their last 18 games and avenged both of those losses during the postseason. Freshman forward Vic and junior forward Kevin Giuliani, another pair of brothers playing this week, are scoring a team-leading 15.5 and 14.5 ppg, respectively. St. Ignace is playing in its second-straight Quarterfinal after ending the repeat bid for 2023 Division 4 champ Munising in the Regional Final. Senior guard Jonny Ingalls (30 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 5.3 apg, 4.0 spg, 2.5 bpg) fills the stat sheet and is one of three Saints averaging double-digit scoring.
Wyoming Tri-unity Christian (21-5) vs. St. Joseph Our Lake of the Lake Catholic (19-5) at Portage Northern - WATCH
Last season’s Division 4 runner-up Tri-unity has won 11 of its last 12 games and three of four during the playoffs by at least 29 points. Senior guard Jordan VanKlompenberg (12.8 ppg) and senior forward Wesley Kaman (10.5 ppg) are the lead scorers of another balanced attack. Our Lady has jumped from last season’s 7-15 finish to reach the Quarterfinals for the first time since 2003. Owen McLoughlin is a big reason why averaging 27.9 points and 10.2 rebounds per game with 68 3-pointers.
Maple City Glen Lake (22-4) vs. Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart (24-2) at Houghton Lake - WATCH
Jason Bradford took over Glen Lake’s boys program this season after 15 with the girls varsity and after ending that tenure with last year’s run to the Division 4 title. Glen Lake’s boys have continued to build on their recent success with their first Regional title since finishing Class C runner-up in 2018. Sophomore center Jacob Plamondon averages 19.3 points 6.7 rebounds per game. Sacred Heart is seeking a second Semifinals berth in four seasons and has lost only to Tri-unity in December and Division 1 Cadillac in mid-February. Center Aidan Halliday is the lone senior starter for the Irish.
Allen Park Inter-City Baptist (22-4) vs. Kingston (18-8) at St. Clair County Community College - WATCH
Inter-City Baptist has won several District championships under longtime coach Mark Kraatz, and broke through last week for its first Regional title since 2012. The Chargers have won nine straight games to reach this point, with sophomore guard Ethan Esse leading with 20.2 ppg and 74 3-pointers this winter. Kingston also is coming off its first Regional title since 2007, with eight wins over its last nine games. Senior guard Owen Corlis sets the pace at 18.6 ppg, with junior center Austin DeRoseau adding 14.1 and nine rebounds per contest.
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PHOTOS (Top) Crystal Falls Forest Park's Vic Giuliani (32) dunks the ball against Lake Linden-Hubbell during last week’s 66-52 Regional Final win. (Middle) Isaiah Hines (11) applies defensive pressure during Orchard Lake St. Mary’s 61-39 Regional Semifinal win over Milford. (Top photo by Cara Kamps; middle photo by Terry Lyons.)