Breslin Bound: 2021-22 Girls Report Week 6

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

January 10, 2022

Breslin Bound is returning this week just as league play is picking up serious steam across Michigan.

MI Student Aid

Whittling down to five “Can't-Miss Contests” this week started with a group of 15, including three contests featuring pairs of undefeated teams squaring off as we move toward midseason and the most local-focused part of most schedules.

“Breslin Bound” is powered by MI Student Aid and based on results and schedules posted for each school at MHSAA.com.

Week in Review

The countdown of last week’s five most intriguing results: 

1. East Lansing 49, DeWitt 44 The Lansing area is loaded again in Division 1, with this victory possibly signaling the Trojans (5-2) as the early leader; they travel to DeWitt (7-1) for the rematch Feb. 10. 

2. DeWitt 24, Haslett 22 The week was a highly-competitive one for the Panthers, and they started it by handing Haslett (7-1) its first defeat. Haslett had previously downed East Lansing. 

3. Hudsonville 79, Grass Lake 51 After doubling up Grand Haven on Friday, reigning Division 1 champ Hudsonville (5-2) made it two wins in two days with this one Saturday over last season’s Division 3 winner Grass Lake (3-3). 

4. Farmington Hills Mercy 35, Bloomfield Hills Marian 29 These two have decided the Detroit Catholic League Central the last five seasons, and Mercy (6-1) is a step ahead this time after this win over the reigning champ Mustangs (5-2).  

5. Benton Harbor 44, Niles Brandywine 42 After starting 0-2 this winter, Benton Harbor (4-3) has won four of its last five games and handed Brandywine (7-1) its first defeat. 

Watch List

With an eye toward March, here are two teams in each division making sparks:

Division 1

Traverse City Central (6-1) The Trojans opened with a loss to Grand Haven, but are undefeated since and began Big North Conference play with a 32-26 victory over reigning champion Cadillac on Friday. And this start is worth a lot more than just an impressive record: Central finished 2-15 last year and is seeking its first winning season since 2016-17. The Trojans also started last week with a 49-40 win over Traverse City St. Francis (6-2). 

West Bloomfield (8-1) The Lakers are on schedule to be in the mix at the top of Division 1, where they sit No. 8 heading into this week. That lone loss came in the season opener to No. 4 Dexter, and West Bloomfield immediately followed up by handing South Lyon East what remains the Cougars’ only defeat. The run is made even more impressive in that six of the Lakers’ seven in-state opponents are .500 or better.

Division 2

Edwardsburg (6-0) The Eddies regularly are among the best from the southwest, and that hasn’t been any different this winter coming off last season’s run to 12-4 and a Regional Final. Edwardsburg is winning by an average of 45 points per game and avenged a last-year loss to Three Rivers. Undefeated Otsego (9-0) will provide a major opportunity Tuesday.

Marine City (7-1) The Mariners are another team that got started with a loss but haven’t experienced another. After falling 42-38 to Clawson (6-1), Marine City has won seven straight including over St. Clair Shores South Lake (7-2) and most recently 60-51 in overtime over St. Clair to avenge a loss from last season. The team got in only nine games last season and has already eclipsed its six 2021 wins.

Division 3

Calumet (5-0) After reaching the Division 3 Semifinals last season, Calumet again is surging among a strong Western Peninsula Athletic Conference and particularly powerful northern tip of the Upper Peninsula. The Copper Kings have handed Hancock its only defeat and came back a week later to edge Negaunee by a point in another important win. Undefeated Ishpeming Westwood and Houghton are on the slate over the next two weeks as Calumet looks to continue building on a 31-game regular-season winning streak.    

Sandusky (7-0) Longtime coach Al DeMott is up to 774 wins, just 23 from tying the state coaching record in girls basketball, and he’s bound to finish this season much closer to doing so after another great start. Sandusky handed Deckerville one of its two losses and Bad Axe its lone defeat, 32-30 on Dec. 9. DeMott recently received a John Wooden Legacy Award – as part of the inaugural class for high school coaches – from the National High School Basketball Coaches Association.

Division 4

Athens (7-1) After also opening this season with a defeat, to Adrian Lenawee Christian, Athens has run together seven straight wins with only one by single digits. That came last week, 45-43 in overtime over Bronson, a possible contender in the Big 8 Conference. Athens is following up last season’s 17-2 finish and has won two straight Southern Central Athletic Association West titles. 

Gaylord St. Mary (5-0) The Snowbirds’ quick ascension to the top of the Ski Valley Conference, where they are tied with Johannesburg-Lewiston, has included a 54-38 win over reigning Division 4 runner-up Bellaire (avenging three losses from last season) and a one-point victory over Charlevoix. St. Mary finished 13-4 a year ago and tied for the league title before falling to the Eagles in a Regional Semifinal. The Snowbirds host Johannesburg-Lewiston on Friday. 

Can't-Miss Contests

Be on the lookout for results of these games coming up:  

Tuesday – Montague (5-1) at Hart (5-1) – Montague’s West Michigan Conference title last season came in part with seven and 17-point wins over the eventual runner-up Pirates. 

Tuesday – Holt (5-0) at East Lansing (5-2) – The Rams can show they belong in the Lansing-area elite group referenced above with this Capital Area Activities Conference Blue faceoff for first. 

Tuesday – Farmington Hills Mercy (6-1) at Dearborn Divine Child (7-0) – The Falcons also own an early win over Marian and are looking to take the next step in the Detroit Catholic League Central race after finishing third the last four seasons.

Thursday – Buchanan (7-0) at Niles Brandywine (7-1) – The only loss between them was Brandywine’s also referenced above, and Buchanan is seeking to repeat as Berrien-Cass-St. Joseph Conference Red champion after Brandywine won in 2019-20. 

Friday – Portland (6-0) at Lansing Catholic (9-0) – The reigning Division 2 champion Raiders won the CAAC White last season with 10 and 21-point wins over the Cougars, who can show how much ground they’ve made up.

Second Half’s weekly “Breslin Bound” previews and reviews are powered by MI Student Aid, a part of the Office of Postsecondary Financial Planning located within the Michigan Department of Treasury. MI Student Aid encourages students to pursue postsecondary education by providing access to student financial resources and information. MI Student Aid administers the state’s 529 college savings programs (MET/MESP), as well as scholarship and grant programs that help make college Accessible, Affordable and Attainable for you. Connect with MI Student Aid at www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid and find more information on Facebook and Twitter @mistudentaid.

PHOTO Alma and Essexville Garber, here facing off last month, are among hopefuls in the Tri-Valley Conference 8 this winter. (Click for more from High School Sports Scene.)

Longtime Friends 'Living Dream' Leading Top-Notch Brandywine Hoops Teams

By Scott Hassinger
Special for MHSAA.com

March 5, 2024

NILES – Niles Brandywine’s Josh Hood and Nathan Knapp spend countless hours in the gym shaping the lives of young people.

Southwest CorridorAnd the two long-time Bobcats basketball head coaches, along with their respective family members, wouldn't have it any other way.

Not only have Hood and Knapp, both Brandywine alumni, built a winning culture within the program, but their passion and enthusiasm have sparked pride and support from the community as well.

Hood is 318-36 over 15 seasons at Brandywine as varsity girls coach following successful stints in the boys programs at Coloma and Cassopolis.

Brandywine, which hosts a Division 3 District this week, has won 10 titles between the Berrien-Cass-St. Joseph League and Lakeland Conference, 10 Districts, seven Regionals and advanced to the MHSAA Semifinals twice (2010, 2016) under Hood.

The Bobcats, 20-1, suffered its lone loss in early February to Vicksburg, a Division 2 school, 46-38. They were No. 1 in The Associated Press state rankings for a few weeks before finishing in the No. 2 spot behind Ypsilanti Arbor Prep.

Brandywine has played a difficult schedule and owns wins over 2023 Division 3 runners-up Blissfield (45-43) at the Michigan Hardwood Classic in Romulus over holiday break and last year quarterfinalist Hart (62-52) at Brandywine on Jan. 2. Brandywine’s regular-season schedule included five conference champions and 12 Division 1 or Division 2 opponents.

"We built our schedule this year to be the toughest in the state and get us well prepared for what could be a magical run," Hood said.

Just like any other coach, Hood says a successful program just doesn't happen overnight.

All 14 of Brandywine's varsity girls players began by participating in the Kiddie 'Cats Youth Basketball Program. 

"This year we had 102 girls in K-6th grade in our youth program. Our current varsity girls are all primarily multi-sport athletes, and their success has been a body of work since they were in second grade. Our commitment in the summer and offseason since we lost to No. 1 Buchanan last year in Districts is unlike anything I've ever seen since I've been here," Hood said.

Niles Brandywine varsity girls' basketball team members and coaches pose for a photo during the Bobcats’ annual Pink Game on Cancer Awareness Night.This year before the girls basketball season began, each member of the team was required to put up 27,000 shots.

"This is a talented group, but make no mistake it's because these girls have put in the hard work to get themselves to this point. We've ran into a buzzsaw the last few years. Fortunately, we get to host Districts and this team wants to get their name on a banner. We know it's not going to be easy though," Hood said.

Brandywine is averaging 58.2 points per game while allowing just 29.6 at the defensive end.

"Our top 10 girls on this team have been on varsity since they were freshmen. Practices are a real brawl and very competitive,” Hood said. “We have former players who are successful women on our staff that our kids can look up to. Not many coaching staffs can say that.”

Mackenzie Cass, Hood's younger sister, coached the Brandywine junior varsity to a record of 18-0 this season. Hood's varsity staff also consists of former Brandywine playing standouts Tammy Lee, Kalie Wieger and Nicole Price, along with Frelen Gowen, Mike Troup and Dave Roeder.

Senior point guard Ellie Knapp, Nathan's daughter, leads the Bobcats at 14.2 points, 4.7 assists and 4.1 steals per game. She has verbally committed to play basketball at Holy Cross College, an NAIA school, in South Bend, Ind.

"Freshmen year was difficult because Brandywine had lost its entire starting lineup. Right away I had to be a leader and learn the offense and defense. That wasn't easy," Ellie Knapp said. "As a sophomore we were still young, but we matured a lot as juniors. Buchanan ended our season in Districts the last couple years. This year we're more experienced and everyone has bought in and worked hard for the success we've had. The last three years were tough, but I feel like you must lose first before you can learn how to win. It takes a lot of heart too."

Senior Kadence Brumitt, a Valparaiso University volleyball commit, averages 8.7 points and eight rebounds at the post position.

"I wasn't really a basketball player when I came in as a freshman. I stuck with it and I progressed,” said Brumitt, who plans to study nursing. “We struggled early on. This group of girls have played together for a real long time so there are no issues with chemistry."

While only two seniors in Ellie Knapp and Brummit, Hood says their contributions to the program the last four years have been immeasurable.

"Ellie and Kadence are both fierce competitors who come from great families and do things the right way. We've been very blessed to have such great role models in our program for future players," Hood said.

Another key player for Brandywine is junior Miley Young, who averages 8.8 points and 3.1 assists per game.

"It's great to have people like Miley who get even better going up against players like Ellie and Kadence every day in practice," Hood said.

Niles Brandywine senior Byron Linley (11) drives between Buchanan defenders during last week's District game at White Pigeon. Hood, who is Brandywine's Middle/High School assistant principal, didn't work in the same building his first six years in the school district.

"It's nice to be able to be here in the building now everyday and building those relationships with the students. Now I can also read the pulses of my players better. If one of them is having a bad day, I can pull them in and find out what's going on," Hood said. "Just being here now and being able to build the community support, it's like no other place. We call our gym the 'Bobcat Den.' It's a special place and is packed every Tuesday and Friday night. That's a tribute to the community. There's no city of Brandywine; the epicenter is Brandywine High School. This community does a great job of supporting our kids, and we're very grateful for that. It's a family here, and we support all the sports and the kids see that."

Hood and his Bobcats make a point to give back to the community each season.

"One of the things we talk about in our program is the opportunity to give back. We talk to the girls about servant leadership. Our kids have embraced that and like to thank the community for supporting us. We ring a bell at Christmas time for the Salvation Army and held a food drive at a local church this year," Hood said.

Brandywine held its annual Pink Game and Cancer Awareness Night at its final regular-season game against St. Joseph. The event raised money donated to the Brian Parker Cancer Foundation benefiting the local community.

Hood works well with his counterpart Knapp, Brandywine's boys' coach.

"How many coaches in the state can say that one of your peers was one of your best friends growing up and that you played high school basketball with them. There's nothing else, outside of our families, that we take more pride in than Brandywine," Hood said. "It's unbelievable. We can share the gym, build our schedules and between our two programs we have over 200 kids in our youth programs. I've learned so much from Nate. He's a phenomenal person. We're living out the dream."

Brandywine's boys team (21-3) is looking to return to the Breslin Center later this month after winning Friday's District final against White Pigeon. The Bobcats harbor hopes of duplicating last year's historic run.

Brandywine faces Union City in a Regional opener tonight in Watervliet. The winner takes on either No. 8 Schoolcraft or Watervliet at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Regional Final.

Brandywine lost to Traverse City St. Francis 46-36 last year in its first Semifinal appearance.

Knapp, the Bobcats boys head mentor for 19 seasons, graduated four off a 25-2 team, but returned eight including seniors Byron Linley and Jaremiah Palmer, along with sophomore Nylen Goins.

Linley leads the Bobcats in scoring at 13.7 points per game, followed by Palmer (13.1) and Goins (11.5).

"Byron is our shooter. He does a lot of the intangibles like scoring and plays great defense. He's always going 100 percent and is the last one to leave the gym," Knapp said. "Nylen is very athletic and brings great energy to the floor. He's quick and can get up and down the court. When he does, we're amazing. He's still raw defensively, but he's getting there and can really shoot."

Senior Jamier Palmer, Jaremiah's twin brother, along with classmates Robert Whiting and Ja'Torian Smith play key roles as well, along with senior Brock Dye.

The Brandywine boys basketball team poses with the trophy after defeating White Pigeon."Jaremiah and Jamier are our spark. They do anything we ask of them. They are two of the most unselfish and athletic players I've ever coached. They can score and are lock-down defenders," Knapp said.

Brandywine’s boys, co-champs in the Lakeland Conference with perennial state power Benton Harbor, beefed up their nonleague schedule as well.

The Bobcats' losses this season came to Riverview Gabriel Richard (57-55) in the Motor City Roundball Classic in Ferndale on Dec. 27, Benton Harbor (72-59) and Portage Central (71-67).

Brandywine avenged the earlier-season loss to Division 2 No. 3-ranked Benton Harbor with a 63-57 victory at the “Bobcat Den.” The Bobcats were ranked No. 3 in the final Division 3 AP poll, but were rated No. 1 at one point this season as well.

"Last year we won our first Regional. The glass slipper just really fit. This season we've had a target on our back from day one,” Knapp said. “We put a brutal schedule together for these guys. Our mindset was to play the better competition. We felt like St. Francis was a little long, and they kept getting a piece of the ball. This season we wanted to face teams like that before the tournament begins so we're ready for it. These kids have rose to the occasion every night and are warriors.”

Linley, a guard, feels the Semifinal loss to St. Francis served as big motivation this season.

"Since losing in last year's Semifinals I think that has just made us want to get back there (Breslin) even more. We just have to keep pushing one another in practice," Linley said. "Our coaches do a nice job daily of letting us know how good we can be and what we need to work on."

Jaremiah Palmer, a starting guard, feels his biggest assets on the court are his athleticism and quickness.

"I'm able to finish and get to my spots quick before opponents can stop me,” Jaremiah Palmer said. “Most of us have been playing together since middle school or longer. We have to translate what we learn in practice over to the game and play like it's our last one. Any team can beat you this time of year. No one on this team is selfish. We all work together."

Knapp (1991-1994) and Hood played their high school basketball at Brandywine for Al Westendorp. 

"My senior year in high school we got upset in Districts by Marcellus. I tell our kids you have to be ready to play anyone every night," said Knapp, who runs Brandywine's CTE Program.

Knapp served as Hood's JV coach at Coloma before returning to Brandywine to become the varsity boys coach.

"We have great and amazing people around us here at Brandywine. It's a family atmosphere. My sons Austin and Carson are two of my assistant coaches, along with Brandon Glover, Casey Udell, Zach Livovich and Gabe Gouin. I'm older so when the kids don't get a point I'm trying to get across, the younger coaches help them understand what I'm trying to say," Nathan Knapp said.

The second game against Benton Harbor was a wake-up call and will serve as a big inspiration.

"We were down by 20 in the third quarter," Knapp said, "and the kids just stuck together, believed in themselves, played good defense and came back to win."

Scott HassingerScott Hassinger is a contributing sportswriter for Leader Publications and previously served as the sports editor for the Three Rivers Commercial-News from 1994-2022. He can be reached at [email protected] with story ideas for Berrien, Cass, St. Joseph and Branch counties.

PHOTOS (Top) Kadence Brumitt (32) scores inside for Niles Brandywine against St. Joseph. (2) Niles Brandywine varsity girls' basketball team members and coaches pose for a photo during the Bobcats’ annual Pink Game on Cancer Awareness Night. (3) Niles Brandywine senior Byron Linley (11) drives between Buchanan defenders during last week's District game at White Pigeon. (4) The Brandywine boys basketball team poses with the trophy after defeating White Pigeon. (Linley photo by Kelly Sweeney/Leader Publications; all other photos by Scott Hassinger.)