Flushing Celebrates 'Banner' Season
By
Paul Costanzo
Special for MHSAA.com
March 18, 2017
EAST LANSING – Breanna Perry was tired of looking at a lonely state championship banner in the Flushing gymnasium – especially one twice her age.
So the Flushing senior and her teammates went out and got another one.
The Raiders defeated East Kentwood 49-38 Saturday in the MHSAA Class A girls basketball championship game at the Breslin Center. It was the school’s first MHSAA Finals title in the sport, and first in any since winning a girls golf title in 1977.
“We had one banner, and it was how many years ago?” said Perry, who had 12 points and 13 rebounds in the win. “It’s nice to have another banner, and it’s nice that it’s recent. I’m going to have to come back like every day just to look at it.”
Flushing (24-3) was making its first appearance in a girls basketball championship game, and had just one run to the Semifinals (1976) in program history. It entered the postseason not only outside The Associated Press’ top 10 rankings in Class A, but also wasn’t listed in the “others receiving votes” category.
On the way to the title, the Raiders knocked off No. 4 Midland Dow – which had defeated them earlier in the season – and reigning Class A champion Warren Cousino.
“This whole tournament has been an out-of-body experience for me, and I think for all the other girls,” Flushing senior Carson Wilson said. “We’re just still trying to comprehend it all. It’s a lot to take in.”
While Flushing was a veteran team – with four seniors in the starting lineup – it was short on postseason experience, as the program had not made it out of the Regional since 2009. That didn’t seem to bother the Raiders on the biggest stage.
“It’s the greatest feeling in the world right now, to be able to be part of what these guys have accomplished at Flushing,” Raiders coach Larry Ford said. “What they did today and throughout the whole tournament, I think was nothing short of special – almost, probably, divine in some respects. They’re a team that stays true to themselves, and they showed that today. Everything for these guys starts on the defensive end, and they let the offense take care of itself.”
Lauren Newman led Flushing with 19 points, 13 of which came in the second half. Shelby Morrow added 10 points and six rebounds, while Kamryn Chappell had five assists. Perry added four steals and three blocks.
Corinne Jemison led East Kentwood (26-2) with 12 points, while Mauriya Barnes had seven. East Kentwood shot 28.1 percent from the field, and was held to six second-chance points despite grabbing 18 offensive rebounds.
“We shot very poorly from the free throw line (36.4 percent) and we shot very poorly from the floor,” East Kentwood coach Jimmy Carter said. “You’re not going to win a game like that against a good team with that type of shooting.”
Flushing held a 19-17 lead at the half after getting points from six players, led by six points from Newman.
Aggressiveness on defense and the offensive glass kept the Falcons close in the half, as they shot just 21.4 percent from the field, compared to 47.1 percent for Flushing. East Kentwood grabbed 11 offensive rebounds in the first half, and forced 14 Flushing turnovers. East Kentwood had an 11-5 advantage in points off turnovers at the half.
But in the third quarter, Flushing cleaned things up, both on the offensive glass and in the turnover department, to start to pull away from the Falcons. Perry had seven rebounds in the quarter to spark the effort.
“I think we were a little bit more focused, and effort was part of it,” Ford said. “That first half was pretty physical, so we talked about what we had to do at the half – bear down and get a little more physical without fouling. We knew we had to take care of the turnover situation, and I think we cut down our turnover situation.”
The Raiders led by as many as 15 points in the fourth quarter, and as the clock ticked down, the student section sang “We Are the Champions,” and Ford was able to give his seniors a curtain call.
“I don’t think it’s really hit me that we are state champions,” Newman said. “It kind of just feels like another game in our season. But to achieve that goal and finally get a banner to put up, it’s an unreal feeling and it’s a great accomplishment for our team.”
While East Kentwood didn’t get to finish the season with the same feeling, the Falcons were able to lift their program to a place most didn’t expect it to be four years after winning just one game.
“I’m really proud of our team,” East Kentwood senior Andraya Johnson said. “We went from being an unranked team to being second in the state. That’s a pretty big deal even though we didn’t win.”
PHOTOS: (Top) Flushing’s Breanna Perry pushes the ball upcourt during Saturday’s Class A Final. (Middle) East Kentwood’s Andraya Johnson (21) gets a shot past the outstretched hand of Flushing’s Lauren Newman.
Breslin Bound: 2023-24 Girls District Preview
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
March 4, 2024
The MHSAA will conclude this 2023-24 winter season with girls basketball, and every unforgettable run we’ll talk about during that third weekend in March begins this week as more than 700 teams across Michigan chart their course for East Lansing.
District play will tip off tonight, with 128 brackets emptying into next week’s Regionals and then, eventually, the Semifinals at Breslin Center on March 21.
We always switch up our “Breslin Bound” format just a bit once the MHSAA Tournament starts, as last week’s most intriguing results below are followed this time by glances at three District brackets of note in each division. Host sites are bolded, and teams playing in those brackets are listed in order of how they stacked up by Michigan Power Rating (MPR) when seeding was announced Feb. 25, with the top seeds listed first.
Everything you could want to know this week about tickets, brackets and more can be found on the Girls Basketball page. To watch any of several 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.
Week in Review
The countdown of last week’s five most intriguing results:
1. Grand Blanc 45, Midland Dow 37 – In a winner-take-all for the Saginaw Valley League title, Grand Blanc (17-4) clinched it for the first time by handing the Chargers (19-3) their only conference loss.
2. Frankenmuth 43, Lansing Catholic 36 – In one of the most impressive weeks for any team statewide all season, Frankenmuth (20-2) won this rematch of last year’s Division 2 championship game, before defeating Detroit Edison 63-58 two days later.
3. Kent City 43, Morley Stanwood 33 – Morley Stanwood (17-4) had finished a game ahead of Kent City (and two others) in the Central State Activities Association during the league season, but Kent City (18-4) emerged with this tournament championship win.
4. Colon 51, Mendon 47 – The Magi (20-2) finished an outright championship in the Southern Central Athletic Association West by edging the runner-up Hornets (19-3).
5. Belleville 54, Howell 46 – The Tigers (19-2) added to their perfect run through the Kensington Lakes Activities Association East with this win over West champion Howell (15-7) for the overall league title.
Districts at a Glance
These could be among our most competitive brackets. Host sites are in bold:
DIVISION 1
Rockford
No. 1 Rockford (21-1), No. 2 Cedar Springs (17-3), Muskegon (16-4), Muskegon Mona Shores (12-9), Muskegon Reeths-Puffer (9-11), Greenville (6-14).
Reigning Division 1 champion Rockford has followed up last year’s 28-1 season with similar flawlessness, its only loss to East Kentwood on Jan. 19 – and the Rams avenged it a month later on the way to winning the Ottawa-Kent Conference Red outright. O-K Green champ Muskegon certainly would provide a challenge if they were to meet again Wednesday – Rockford won their Dec. 15 game 70-39, but that was nearly three months ago. Cedar Springs on the other side of the bracket was the runner-up in the O-K Gold, with its only two losses over the last 15 games to league champion Grand Rapids Catholic Central. Mona Shores also is on Cedar Springs’ side of the bracket and can’t be overlooked.
Salem
No. 1 South Lyon East (17-5), No. 2 Salem (14-7), Canton (17-5), Plymouth (14-8), South Lyon (18-3), Northville (5-17).
This might be one of the most competitive Districts in any division, with host Salem coming off a run to the Division 1 Semifinals a year ago. The Rocks split with both Canton and Plymouth this season, with Canton finishing best of the three in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association West, tying for second place. Two losses over their final three games dissolved Canton’s league title changes, but a Feb. 9 win over Salem sticks out among the team’s February work. Those two and Plymouth are on one side of the bracket, with Lakes Valley Conference co-champion South Lyon East and third-place South Lyon joined by Northville on the other side. East won both meetings with its rival, by 12 and then six points.
Saline
No. 1 Belleville (19-2), No. 2 Saline (18-4), Wayne Memorial (14-6), Ypsilanti Lincoln (11-11), Ypsilanti Community (12-9).
Every team in this District has a .500 record or better, and KLAA East champ Belleville is No. 4 overall in Division 1 MPR after the regular season with its losses to Mason (Ohio) and Division 2 contender Detroit Edison. The Tigers have been eliminated by Saline the last five seasons and would see the Hornets in the championship game Friday. But Saline must advance past Wayne, which owns a streak of six straight District titles and no doubt would look forward to a third matchup with Belleville after losing the first two by 11 and 28 points, respectively. Saline has won 11 of its last 12 games, its only defeat during that time from KLAA West champ Howell.
DIVISION 2
Ada Forest Hills Eastern
No. 1 Grand Rapids West Catholic (21-1), No. 2 Grand Rapids Catholic Central (16-6), Ada Forest Hills Eastern (1-21), Grand Rapids Christian (2-19), Grand Rapids West Michigan Aviation Academy (5-16).
A West Catholic/Catholic Central rematch Friday is one of the most anticipated rematches of the week, as West Catholic won their regular-season meeting 60-54 on Dec. 29 at Cornerstone University. West Catholic’s only loss of the season game two days earlier, to Rockford, and the Falcons lost only once during the 2022-23 season as well – to eventual Division 2 champion Lansing Catholic in a Semifinal at Breslin Center. West Catholic also defeated GRCC 67-49 in last year’s District Final, but the Cougars should be riding high coming off a 45-41 win over Williamston (17-5) last week, the latest of a 14-2 run.
Fowlerville
No. 1 Chelsea (18-4), No. 2 Williamston (17-5), Haslett (15-7), Pinckney (10-11), Fowlerville (8-14).
Chelsea’s eight-game winning streak included avenging two of its defeats, against Dexter and Tecumseh, on the way to sharing the Southeastern Conference White championship with the latter. The Bulldogs have won three straight District championships, but also have the tougher side of the bracket with Haslett the Wednesday opponent if the Vikings get past Pinckney tonight. Haslett played a loaded schedule again this winter, which included a pair of league losses to Williamston – and three straight defeats in December by five points or fewer. The Hornets similarly loaded up the slate with contenders, and their only loss since falling to Chelsea 38-35 on Jan. 3 was to Grand Rapids Catholic Central.
Portland
No. 1 Lansing Catholic (17-5), No. 2 Portland (19-2), Lake Odessa Lakewood (11-11), Hastings (5-17), Charlotte (3-17).
This is also expected to end in another high-powered matchup, with the Capital Area Activities Conference White co-champs anchoring both sides of the bracket. The reigning Division 2 champion Cougars won the first matchup with Portland, 62-34 on Jan. 9, but the Raiders rebounded to win the rematch 51-44 on Feb. 13. That one was at Portland, and this one would be too – but Lansing Catholic is plenty battle-tested with its other defeats this season to Rockford, Frankenmuth (20-2), Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard (22-0) and Detroit Renaissance (19-3). The Raiders lost their regular-season finale to Williamston, 45-39, but surely will be ready to bounce back for this week’s opportunity.
DIVISION 3
Gladstone (assigned host) or Harbor Springs, Manistique or Menominee (Non-traditional)
No. 1 Harbor Springs (20-2), No. 2 Bark River-Harris (20-2), Gladstone (14-8), Menominee (12-10), Manistique (7-13).
Because of the distance between these possible opponents, this is one of the non-traditional Districts in the tournament this season. Harbor Springs is the anticipated championship game host as it enters riding a 16-game winning streak that included avenging one of its two losses, to Elk Rapids, to share the Lake Michigan Conference title with the Elks. On the other side, Bark-River Harris is coming off a 54-51 loss to Ishpeming (21-1) last week, but that was the Broncos’ first defeat since Dec. 11 to Menominee. Bark River-Harris was stopped in its first District game a year ago by Gladstone, and they are set to meet Wednesday with Gladstone coming off a Great Northern Conference championship. Menominee was third in the GNC and has won eight of its last nine games – and Harbor Springs must be cautious if the Maroons get past Manistique tonight.
Ithaca
No. 1 Ovid-Elsie (19-2), No. 2 St. Charles (20-2), New Lothrop (15-7), Ithaca (7-15), Chesaning (7-14).
Ovid-Elsie, St. Charles and New Lothrop all finished among the top 20 statewide in Division 3 MPR, and New Lothrop even jumped ahead of St. Charles during the week after seeds were announced. Ovid-Elsie was first and New Lothrop second in the Mid-Michigan Activities Conference – the Marauders winning their matchups 53-46 and 52-37 – and they would meet again Wednesday if New Lothrop gets past the host Yellowjackets tonight. St. Charles won a Mid-State Activities Conference that included five teams with 12 or more victories, and the Bulldogs’ only losses were to Hemlock in a regular-season opener and Division 2 Midland Bullock Creek. St. Charles has 11 and 18-point wins over Division 4 contender Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart (19-3).
Pinconning
No. 1 Hemlock (17-5), No. 2 Sanford Meridian (20-1), Saginaw Valley Lutheran (12-10), Beaverton (11-11), Saginaw Arts & Sciences Academy (8-12), Pinconning (3-18).
The reigning Division 3 champion Huskies have readied themselves for another run at the title. They are coming off two losses last week, but those were to Division 1 Saginaw Heritage (12-10) and Division 2 Freeland (19-3), and Hemlock’s other defeats were to Division 1 Midland Dow (19-3) and Division 2 Frankenmuth (20-2) and Goodrich (22-0). On the other side of the bracket, Meridian certainly has circled this week after losing to Hemlock 54-45 in last year’s District to finish 20-2. The Mustangs defeated Heritage by a bucket Feb. 17, and similar to Hemlock lost to Freeland this season by only six points. Beaverton and Valley Lutheran are potential challengers that must win tonight to meet the top seeds.
DIVISION 4
Auburn Hills Oakland Christian
No. 1 Clarkston Everest Collegiate (14-4), No. 2 Dryden (15-7), Genesee Christian (13-9), Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes (10-6), Auburn Hills Oakland Christian (10-11).
Everest enters this week off a pair of notable wins, defeating Bloomfield Hills Roeper (18-2) last week after winning the Catholic High School League’s St. Anne Tournament against Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood (15-4) – which had defeated the Mountaineers twice in league play. Everest this week will start with either Our Lady or Genesee Christian – Everest defeated Genesee Christian 43-42 on Jan. 4. The Soldiers actually moved up to second in this District in MPR during the week after seeds were announced, with all of their losses to opponents that have won at least 13 games. Dryden lines up similarly after tying for second in the North Central Thumb League Stars – all of its losses came to teams that have won at least 12 games. the Cardinals have made a big jump from winning four games only two seasons ago.
Baraga (assigned host) or Felch North Dickinson, L’Anse or Ishpeming (Non-traditional)
No. 1 Ishpeming (21-1), No. 2 Baraga (18-4), L’Anse (10-12), Crystal Falls Forest Park (8-14), Felch North Dickinson (8-14).
This is another District with some distance between opponents – about half the Upper Peninsula – but that will be reduced to 59 miles Friday if seeds play out and Ishpeming travels to Baraga. The Hematites finished 5-10 only three seasons ago but have been building toward this with 12 and 16 wins the last two seasons and their only loss this winter to Division 2 Negaunee (21-1) – after Ishpeming had defeated the Miners a month earlier. Ishpeming also has a 70-43 win Feb. 13 over Baraga, the reigning Division 4 runner-up. But that’s the only blemish on the Vikings’ schedule over their last 13 games, a run that’s seen them avenge an earlier loss in handing Lake Linden-Hubbell (21-1) its only defeat.
Morenci
No. 1 Morenci (17-3), No. 2 Pittsford (17-5), Waldron (15-7), Jackson Christian (9-13), North Adams-Jerome (3-16).
The host Bulldogs are Tri-County Conference champions, and like Ishpeming (above) have been building up to this winning three games only three seasons ago. Morenci this winter swept Adrian Lenawee Christian and Petersburg Summerfield, the teams that eliminated the Bulldogs in the District the last two years. They may have to contend Wednesday with Waldron, which finished third in the Southern Central Athletic Association East won by Pittsford. Pittsford defeated the Spartans 34-26 on Thursday to finish that league title run, and in doing so avenged a defeat to Waldron from Feb. 13. The Wildcats will try to capitalize on that momentum as they seek their first District title since the Class D championship run of 2016.
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PHOTOS (Top) Bark River-Harris's Marissa Ives (1) drives to the basket while being defended by Ishpeming's Mya Hemmer (14) and Jenna Maki (1) during the Hematites 54-51 win last week. (Middle) Detroit Cass Tech's Ari Parker steps up to launch a 3-pointer during her team's Detroit Public School League final against Renaissance on Feb. 18. (Top photo by Cara Kamps; middle photo by Olivia B. Photography.)