By: Mike DeWitt
Mike.DeWitt@wktv.org
South Christian upended number one ranked, and defending state champion, Detroit Country Day in the semifinals but couldn’t seal the deal the next day. For the second time in three years, the Sailors lost in the state finals.
Tri-Unity Christian took home a regional crown and is three wins away from hoisting another trophy. The Defenders will play in the state quarterfinals tonight.
Girls Recap
Class B – State Finals
Marshall – 51
South Christian – 42
It came down to the final game of the season, the state championship at the Breslin Center in Lansing, Michigan. The Sailors had already toppled Detroit Country Day and looked poised to bring home a championship that eluded them two years ago, and something the program hasn’t won since 1988.
South Christian couldn’t handle Marshall’s press in the first half as the Redhawks forced nine first half turnovers and extended their lead to 10 heading into halftime. That pivotal second quarter ended up being the difference as the Sailors weren’t able to weather the storm.
The Sailors led a valiant comeback behind 13 points, 9 rebound and 9 assists from senior Jennifer DeBoer and 16 points from senior Markayla Vander, but ultimately came up short as the Redhawks made their free throws down the stretch.
It was a tough end to an otherwise extremely successful season.
Boys Preview
Class D – State Quarterfinals
Tri-Unity Christian (19-5) vs. Adrian Lenawee Christian (17-7) – 7:00pm at Coldwater
Tri-Unity Christian enters the state quarterfinals coming off of a 21-point victory over Benton Harbor Countryside. The game was close at halftime but adjustments were made and the Defenders dominated the third quarter 27-6. By the time the clock hit double-zero, all five starters found themselves in double figures.
Adrian Lenawee Christian toppled Morenci by 14 in the regional final and is looking to take that all important next step to the Breslin Center.
Winner will play either Waterford Our Lady or Marine City Cardinal Mooney in the state semifinals at the Breslin Center.
Wyoming-Kentwood Area Teams and Results
Girls
Class A
East Kentwood
February 29
District First Round – W (58-39) Middleville Thornapple Kellogg
March 2
District Semifinal – W (53-51) East Grand Rapids
March 4
District Final – L (39-54) Grand Rapids Christian
Wyoming
March 2
District Semifinal – W (53-47) Jenison
March 4
District Final – L (28-50) Hudsonville
Class B
Godwin Heights
February 29
District First Round – L (38-60) South Christian
Grand River Prep
March 2
District Semifinal – L (15-67) Wayland Union
Kelloggsville
March 2
District Semifinal – L (7-79) South Christian
South Christian
February 29
District First Round – W (60-38) Godwin Heights
March 2
District Semifinal – W (79-7) Kelloggsville
March 4
District Final – W (63-42) Wayland Union
March 8
Regional Semifinal – W (59-53) Williamston
March 10
Regional Final – W (62-49) Portland
March 15
State Quarterfinals – W (67-51) Dearborn Heights Robichaud
March 18
State Semifinals – W (57-46) Detroit Country Day
March 19
State Finals – L (42-51) Marshall
Class D
Potter’s House
March 2
District Semifinal – W (62-55) West Michigan Lutheran
March 4
District Final – L (38-54) Tri-Unity Christian
Tri-Unity Christian
February 29
District First Round – W (50-40) Zion Christian
March 2
District Semifinal – W (72-36) Holland Calvary
March 4
District Final – W (54-38) Potter’s House
March 8
Regional Semifinal – W (46-44) Athens
March 10
Regional Final – W (58-46) Climax-Scotts
March 15
State Quarterfinals – L (30-71) Pittsford
West Michigan Lutheran
March 2
District Semifinal – L (55-62) Potter’s House
Boys
Class A
East Kentwood – District 5
March 7
District First Round – L (56-58) Ottawa Hills
Wyoming – District 6
March 7
District First Round – W (60-58) West Ottawa
March 9
District Semifinal – L (52-55 OT) Hudsonville
Class B
Godwin Heights – District 48
March 7
District First Round – W (65-52) Wayland Union
March 9
District Semifinal – W (64-43) South Christian
March 11
District Final – W (88-46) Kelloggsville
March 14
Regional Semifinal – L (55-57 OT) Williamston
Grand River Prep – District 48
March 7
District First Round – W (65-44) West Michigan Aviation Academy
March 9
District Semifinal – L (60-65) Kelloggsville
Kelloggsville – District 48
March 9
District Semifinal – W (65-60) Grand River Prep
March 11
District Final – L (46-88) Godwin Heights
South Christian – District 48
March 9
District Semifinal – L (43-64) Godwin Heights
West Michigan Aviation Academy – District 48
March 7
District First Round – L (44-65) Grand River Prep
Wyoming Lee – District 51
March 9
District Semifinal – L (24-70) Grand Rapids Catholic Central
Class D
Potter’s House – District 110
March 7
District First Round – W (81-6) West Michigan Lutheran
March 9
District Semifinal – L (60-65) Tri-Unity Christian
Tri-Unity Christian – District 110
March 9
District Semifinal – W (65-60) Potter’s House
March 11
District Final – W (61-47) Holland Calvary
March 14
Regional Semifinal – W (52-38) Marcellus Howardsville
March 16
Regional Final – W (73-52) Benton Harbor Countryside
March 22
State Quarterfinals – Adrian Lenawee Christian
West Michigan Lutheran – District 110
March 7
District First Round – L (6-81) Potter’s House
The defending Class B State Champions weren’t going to go down easy. In fact, it took an extra stanza to outlast the Wolverines, but Williamston pushed through thanks to a 37 point performance from Riley Lewis.
The first two meeting between these two squads ended with Godwin Heights winning in dominating fashion. The third game was much of the same. The Wolverines were led by 20 points from Lamar Norman. By the end of the game, every single Wolverines scored.