2021 Experience Helps 2022 Tri-unity Earn Return to D4 Final

By Keith Dunlap
Special for MHSAA.com

March 24, 2022

EAST LANSING – Sometimes, there’s just no substitute for experience.

Such was the case in Thursday’s second Division 4 Boys Basketball Semifinal between Wyoming Tri-unity Christian and Genesee Christian at Michigan State University’s Breslin Center.

While Tri-unity Christian was in the Semifinals for a second-straight year and fourth time in the last seven years, Genesee Christian was playing on the stage for the first time.

Tri-unity Christian’s familiarity with Breslin and overall skill won out, as the Defenders reached another championship game with a 77-33 win. 

The Defenders (20-6) will attempt to win their first Finals title since 2011 at 10 a.m. Saturday when they play Ewen-Trout Creek. 

“If you haven’t been there, it can be pretty intimidating,” Tri-unity coach Mark Keeler said of playing in a final four game. “Last year, we came here. It helped us for this year.”

The big quarter for Tri-unity Christian was the second, as the Defenders went on a 12-0 run to start the quarter and take a 26-12 lead with 5:54 remaining until halftime. 

Tri-unity Christian ended up outscoring Genesee Christian in the second quarter, 25-7, to take a 39-19 lead at the break. 

The Defenders continued to grow their lead in the third quarter, going on an 8-0 run to move ahead 53-23 with 1:11 remaining in the third. 

Tri-unity Christian/Genesee Christian basketballThe game featured a matchup of two of the state’s top point guards in Division 4, Tri-unity Christian senior Brady Titus and Genesee Christian junior Trenton Boike. 

Titus entered the game averaging just under 30 points a game, while Boike was averaging over 23 points a contest.

Titus finished with a game-high 21 points on 9 of 17 shooting for the Defenders, while Boike had seven points for the Soldiers (21-5).

Now, Titus and the Defenders can try and earn some redemption after a loss to Detroit Douglass in last year’s championship game. 

“Last year was tough,” Titus said. “We came up short. But I think it will impact the want to win. That’s really what it is. Just having the drive to win the next game.”

Tri-unity Christian shot 58.3 percent from the field for the game and outrebounded Genesee Christian by a 41-19 margin. 

Junior Tyler Chapman led Genesee Christian with 10 points. 

Despite the loss, it was obviously a memorable and historic season for Genesee Christian.

“For the guys, I felt so proud of them,” Genesee Christian coach Dan Chapman said. “With COVID and everything the last couple of years, we kind of looked forward to this group. To do it with all the seniors that I’ve coached since fifth grade, it was everything you’ve dreamed of.” 

More good news for the Soldiers is that Boike and Chapman will headline a nice crop of juniors that will be back next year. 

“Just the experience part will help a lot,” Boike said. “It will help us next year when we get back here.”

Click for the full box score.

PHOTOS (Top) Tri-unity Christian’s Brady Titus (25) works to get up a shot over Genesee Christian’s Jonah Derderian (24) during Thursday’s Semifinal. (Middle) Teammates watch in anticipation as the Defenders’ Stephen Bouslog (24) attempts a 3-pointer. (Click for more from Hockey Weekly Action Photos.)

Flashback 100: Detroit Central Star Voted into Pro Football Hall of Fame

February 14, 2025

The recently-announced 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame Class includes Detroit Central’s Antonio Gates, an extraordinary athlete who never played college football.

At Central, Gates excelled in both football and basketball. He led the Trailblazers to the 1998 Class A basketball championship, delivering a standout performance with 17 points, nine rebounds, and six assists in a 63-47 victory over Belleville in the Final. (Watch it on YouTube.)

Gates (44) gets in position to receive a pass in the post.On the football field, Gates was a three-year starter at tight end and linebacker. As a senior in 1997, he helped lead Detroit Central to a 7-3 record before falling to Birmingham Groves in the Regional Semifinals.

Opting to play college basketball, Gates finished his career at Kent State, where he played a pivotal role in the Golden Flashes’ first two Mid-American Conference regular-season titles. In 2002, he led Kent State to the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament. His impact was so profound that the school retired his No. 44 jersey — the same number he wore at Detroit Central.

Despite never playing football at the collegiate level, Gates took a chance after college, working out for NFL scouts. The San Diego Chargers saw his potential, signing him as an undrafted free agent. Sixteen years later, Gates is regarded as one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history. He holds the career record for the most touchdown receptions by a tight end (116) and remains the Chargers’ all-time leader in receptions (955) and receiving yards (11,841). His accolades included eight Pro Bowl selections, three first-team All-Pro honors, a spot on the NFL 2000s All-Decade Team, and recognition on the San Diego Chargers’ 50th Anniversary Team.

Joining Gates in the 2025 Hall of Fame class are Eric Allen, Jared Allen, and Sterling Sharpe.

Previous "Flashback 100" Features

Feb. 6: Multi-Sport Star Look Becomes Super Bowl Officiating Legend - Read
Jan. 31: Johnson Family Put Magical Stamp on Michigan High School Hoops - Read
Jan. 24: Future Hall of Famers Face Off First in MHSAA Class A Final - Read
Jan. 17: First-Ever WNBA Draft Pick Rocked at Salem, Won Titles at Tennessee - Read
Jan. 10: Despite Launching Before 3-Point Line, Smith Still Tops Scoring List - Read
Jan. 3: Edison's Jackson Earns Place Among State's All-Time Elite - Read
Dec. 20: Future Olympian Piper Leads Grosse Pointe North to Historic Heights - Read
Dec. 13: 
The Other Mr. Forsythe in Michigan School Sports - Read
Dec. 6: 
Coleman's Legendary Heroics Carry Harrison Through Repeat - Read
Nov. 29: Harbaugh Brothers' Football Roots Planted in Part at Pioneer - Read
Nov. 22: 8-Player Football Finals Right at Home at Superior Dome - Read
Nov. 15: 
Leland Career Helps Set Stage for Glass' International Stardom - Read
Nov. 8: Future Baseball Pro Led Escanaba's Legendary Football Title Run - Read
Nov. 1: Michigan High School Baseball Trio Provide World Series Voices - Read
Oct. 25: Before Leading Free World, Ford Starred for Champion GR South - Read
Oct. 18: Mercy Links Legend Becomes World Golf Hall of Famer - Read
Oct. 11: Fisher Races to Finals Stardom on Way to U.S. Olympic First - Read
Oct. 4: Lalas Leaves High School Legacies on Ice & Pitch - Read
Sept. 27: Tamer's History-Making Run Starts in Dexter, Continues to Paris - Read
Sept. 20: 
Todd Martin’s Road to Greatness Starts at East Lansing - Read
Sept. 13: 
James Earl Jones, Dickson High Hoops to Hollywood Legend - Read
Sept. 6: 
Pioneers' Unstoppable Streak Stretches 9 Seasons - Read
Aug. 30: Detroit dePorres Rushes to 1995 Class CC Football Championship - Read 

PHOTOS (Top) The 1998 Detroit Central boys basketball team, including Antonio Gates (front row, fourth from left). (Middle) Gates (44) gets in position to receive a pass in the post. (MHSAA file photos.)