Jets' Streak Withstands Mightiest Challenge
March 23, 2017
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
EAST LANSING – Seth Polfus might still be giggling and shaking his head. He couldn’t believe it either.
Southfield Christian was going to be the greatest threat so far to Powers North Central’s nation-leading 81-game winning streak. Anyone closely following the Jets’ record-setting run knew it.
But no one would’ve guessed Polfus – a 5-foot-9 senior guard, the team’s fifth-leading scorer, coming off three missed jumpers – would be the one to finish victory 82.
With four seconds to play in Thursday’s first Class D Semifinal, the team’s Mr. Basketball finalist double covered, and history seemingly hanging in the Breslin Center air, North Central’s Dawson Bilski sent a halfcourt pass deep to Polfus, who bobbled the ball at the baseline. Recovering, he somehow got up a shot around outstretched arms with one tenth of a second on the clock – and it dropped to give the Jets an 84-83 double overtime victory that could well be remembered as the game of this Finals weekend, even though no title was awarded for winning it.
Regardless, it surely will be remembered as the defining game of North Central’s winning streak, however long it lasts. Southfield Christian won three straight Class D titles from 2012-14, and then played in Class C the last two seasons while the Jets built their legacy. After last season’s Finals, this school year’s classifications were released showing the Eagles headed back to Class D.
“We knew if we made it to this point, they’d be there,” said Jets senior Jason Whitens, that Mr. Basketball finalist. “So everything from that point was getting better each day, preparing for that but not overlooking any opponent because you never know when something’s going to slip up, and teams are after you. We’ve got a big target on our back, and we got the job done.”
North Central (27-0) will next face Buckley in Saturday’s 10 a.m. Class D Final.
Polfus will have a busy weekend. A 4.0 student, he’ll later that afternoon accept one of 32 MHSAA/Farm Bureau Insurance Scholar-Athlete Awards for his achievements as an all-around athlete and student.
But he wrote his legend with that most improbable shot, the basket of a lifetime for a player who tore a knee ligament two seasons ago and spent last year’s Breslin run mostly holding down the bench.
“I didn’t know how much time was on the clock. I didn’t even know I shot it,” Polfus said. “We set up that play and Dawson was going to be coming down the court, and I knew I was going to be in that position because they were going to go double (Whitens down the sideline), and the ball was coming and I was ‘Oh man, it’s actually coming at me right now.’ And then I lost (the ball) … and I didn’t really know where I was. And then I saw the 6-4 kid coming at me, pump-faked him like I always do when I’m really scared. And then just launched it, and I saw it hit off the rim, thought it was an air ball, and then I just didn’t know what happened.”
“I saw him go wide open,” Bilski added, “and I have enough trust in Seth – I grew up with him – I knew he was going to get the job done.”
Needless to say, none of what happened past halfcourt was coach Adam Mercier’s plan.
“I think one thing that summarizes these guys, and they’ve always been this way, is that they’re good at adapting,” Mercier said. “You run sets and plays, and sometimes you get in the way coaching. (But) sometimes you let kids make mistakes, and you let kids make plays.”
The Jets had to make a few. Southfield Christian led by 10 with two minutes to go in the third quarter, only to see the Jets tie it back up with a 14-4 run to end the period.
The two teams went back and fourth during the fourth, with the Eagles pushing the game to overtime on sophomore Harlond Beverly’s free throw with six seconds to go in regulation.
“We had a couple chances, they had a couple chances to put it away,” Southfield Christian coach Josh Baker said. “That’s kinda what we’re used to with these guys and the work ethic they put in.”
Southfield Christian got up by three at the end of the first overtime, but Whitens drained a 3-pointer with 17 seconds left to push the game to a second extra period. As that one wound down, the Jets led 82-80 with 20 seconds to go after a Bilski blocked shot and free throw.
But Eagles senior Brock Washington fearlessly drilled a 3-pointer with 10 seconds to play, pushing his team ahead by one and setting up Polfus’ dramatic moment.
“That’s what you want in the playoffs, what you want in the final four – a great game, a great matchup,” Washington said. “We’ll all look back one day and we’ll all be proud of what we did, but we all wanted to get that win.
“Everybody was prepared. Everybody was ready for the challenge. We’ve just gotta make the extra play.”
All five starters scored in double figures for the Eagles (21-6). Junior Bryce Washington had 23 points and Beverly had 22, seven assists and six steals, while Brock Washington added 12 points and 10 rebounds. Senior forward Trenton Temple had 10 points and 10 rebounds, and sophomore guard Caleb Hunter had 11 points and also seven assists.
Four other Jets average at least 10 points a game, and Polfus finished fifth in the points column again with seven (just above his 5.5 ppg average). Whitens had 31 points and 10 rebounds, Bilski added 23 points and 12 boards, and senior Bobby Kleiman had 14 points and eight rebounds. Polfus was the only starter who didn’t play the full 40 minutes, sitting for a mere three.
“I think win or lose tonight, they guys have already built their legacy. They didn’t need to win this game to prove anything,” Mercier said. “I’m just so happy for our guys to overcome. I know a lot of people have doubts about us, and deservedly so. We’re a small Class D school with 115 kids, so a lot of people discredit our 81-game winning streak up to this point, because who have you beat?
“That was a question mark coming in. So these kids played the underdog role. At the same time, we’re the two-time defending state champs, we’ve won that many games in a row and we deserve to be here as well. I was just so elated at pushback by our kids tonight … just that pushback, because how many games did we have single digits (during this streak)? So how are our kids going to respond? Those were the questions coming in. And these kids answered them tonight.”
PHOTOS: (Top) North Central teammates carry Seth Polfus down the court after his game-winning shot Thursday. (Middle) The Jets’ Jason Whitens works for an opening while the Eagles’ Brock Washington (left) and Harlond Beverly defend.
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.)