60 Years Later, Chassell Streak Stands
March 22, 2016
Sixty years ago, something happened in Michigan high school boys basketball that hadn’t happened before and hasn’t happened since – three Upper Peninsula teams won titles. Stephenson beat Detroit St. Andrew, 73-71 in overtime when “Marvelous” Mel Peterson made the first basket of sudden death; Crystal Falls (before it was called Forest Park) beat Berrien Springs, 71-69, in Class C; and Chassell won the first of three straight Class D titles, beating Portland St. Patrick, 71-68, by rallying from a 15-point deficit with less than four minutes to play.
The win was part of Chassell’s state record 65-game winning streak, which still stands. Below is an excerpt of a piece on the Chassell streak written before the teams were honored as part of the “Legends of the Games” program at the 1998 Boys Basketball Finals.
The old adage in sports states that records are made to be broken. The longer, however, the record stands, the more legendary the accomplishment becomes.
Chassell's wins were the centerpiece of Upper Peninsula success in the MHSAA Boys Basketball Tournament during the first 11 years after the format unified the two peninsulas. From 1932 to 1947, separate finals were conducted in both peninsulas. Between 1948 and 1958, Upper Peninsula schools won three Class B crowns (there were no Class A schools in the U.P. at the time), two Class C titles, and seven Class D championships – over one-third of the available first-place finishes.
Wrote the Marquette Mining Journal in 1956, the year that Stephenson in Class B, Crystal Falls in Class C and Chassell in Class D all won MHSAA titles, "All of these is a startling figure since in the period the U.P. has only 42 (schools) -- one eighth of all the lower class quarterfinalists.
"Under the law of averages, the U.P. should come up with one state champ every three years."
It looked at first that the law of averages would catch up with Chassell. After starting the 1955-56 season with 11 straight wins, the Panthers lost a close January game at Trout Creek, and then won their way downstate into the finals against Portland St. Patrick. In that final game, St. Patrick held a 15-point lead at 68-53 with less than four minutes to play.
Coach Ed Helakoski, the architect of the Chassell winning streak, called time out and told his team to apply full court pressure, a rarity at the high school level at that time.
Playing without standouts Terry Pokela and Tom Peters, who had fouled out, Chassell scored the final 18 points of the contest, the biggest game-ending rally in Finals history, and won the first crown, 71-68. Sophomore guard Don Mattson scored the winning points with only seconds to play, finished the game with a finals record 25 points, and the Panthers finished the season 25-1 with 14 consecutive victories.
During the 25-0 run to the crown in 1956-57, the only close games were regular-season wins against National Mine (71-66), L'Anse (64-63), Doelle (73-69), and a 58-50 decision over Stevensville in the championship game at Jenison Fieldhouse. Of the other 21 games, none were closer than 13 points, and the average margin of victory was 27 points.
The winning streak stood at 39 entering the 1957-58 season, and the 10-year state record of 59 consecutive victories by Mass from 1947-49 was within reach. However, Mattson was the only returning starter from the back-to-back championship teams, and perhaps Helakoski's greatest coaching job lay ahead to replace four starters in a school which had just over 30 boys enrolled in grades 9-12.
Doelle, which had given the Panthers one of its closest games the season before, was leading, 62-60, in an early-season contest. As time ran out, Bob Belhummer of Chassell was fouled at midcourt and sent to the free throw line with a one-and-one opportunity. Belhummer sank both shots to force the only overtime game of the streak, a 72-66 victory.
The new state record of 60 consecutive victories came in a 45-43 decision over Marenisco in the MHSAA District championship game. A trip over the newly-constructed Mackinaw Bridge came two weeks later and the Panthers became the first school to bring an MHSAA trophy across the structure when the 65th victory was recorded, a 66-61 decision over Owosso St. Paul. Mattson tallied 27 points in the finale to set another championship game record.
In the 40 years since Chassell's incredible feat, only twice has the winning streak been threatened. Flint Northwestern racked up 60 victories between January of 1984 and February of 1986; and Saginaw Buena Vista had a streak reach 55 games between December of 1991 and December of 1993.
In many communities, success streaks come and go, but a constant ideal of school sports then and today was captured by John Pyykkonen, a guard and forward on the 1956 and 1957 teams who summarized the events: "I remember the friendly competition amongst the members of the team and how well we worked together and how our parents, fans and the community were behind us 100 percent of the way. One of the greatest highlights in a young man's life and will never be forgotten."
Records were made to be broken. But legends, especially Legends of the Games like Chassell, endure the test of time.
GLORY DAYS ... Remembering The Streak
John Pyykkonen - 1956-57 Guard-Forward: "One thing I remember clearly, besides the games, is walking into Jenison Fieldhouse and being totally awestruck by the raised floor and the huge (in my eyes) guides who showed us around the building. I recall the game in 1956 when we were so far behind in points and we were able to overcome the point deficit by a full court press. The huge crowd gathered there were all cheering for the small-town team."
Robert Belhumer - 1956-1957-1958 Guard: "We had a great camaraderie among the members of our team. Also Chassell is a small town in the Upper Peninsula and the fans were there rooting for us during our seasonal games and were there for us at the championship games in Lansing."
Donald Jaakkola - 1956 Guard (On the championship game): "We ran out onto the court to a crowd of 12,000 people, most of whom were cheering for Portland St. Patrick. Needless to say, we felt a bit in awe as we came from Chassell, a small town in the Upper Peninsula.
"We were down 15 points with four minutes to go and two of our tallest players had fouled out earlier. Coach Ed Helakoski called a timeout and the basketball gods were with us. We threw a full court press defense and scored 18 points while holding St. Patrick scoreless. It gave us a screaming 71 to 68 victory. The crowd of 12,000 was now cheering for us."
Mike Wisti - 1956 Guard (On Coach Ed Helakoski): “I am quite sure there are many who will remember Ed Helakoski as a good coach. I'm sure he was a good coach; he had a knack for demanding discipline and teamwork, while not stifling the creativity of his players. However, I believe he should also be remembered as a great classroom teacher. He taught Government one year and Sociology the next and was the best classroom teacher that I had in high school. His ability to make Government interesting and explain how everything was designed to work is probably one of the biggest reasons for my lifelong interest in government and politics."
Kenneth Tormala - 1956-1957-1958 Forward: "The first year we surprised a lot of teams and people by winning the state championship. The second year we were picked to win when the year started and it would have been a real disappointment not to have done so. The third year was a real challenge since we lost so many players, but we had the backbone of the team, Don Mattson, who was an all-stater. This team was the most closely knit of all. We had a lot of very close games and had to dig down to everything we had learned to win many of them. A very satisfying year and we kept the winning streak going, to the surprise of many, including the previous teams.
"These memories will be fondly remembered until we die. Thank you to the late Mr. Helakoski."
James Komula, 1958 Guard (On what stands out from that season): "Being from a small town and playing in small gyms, the spaciousness and large crowd in Jenison Fieldhouse proved very exciting. Also, the reception and festivities upon our triumphant return to Chassell will forever be a highlight of personal memories. People were waiting in their vehicles nearly 30 miles from town to accompany our motorcade home.
"Although I didn't give it much thought, the experience and influence of playing on that team would set the direction for my career. Upon graduation from Michigan Tech, I was given an interim position to teach and coach at L'Anse High School. In 1966, I was assistant coach when L'Anse won the Class C state championship. After that I moved to Livonia, where in later years I was head coach at Bentley High School. Although I never intended, my high school basketball did influence my career to work with youngsters, and help them share in the rewards of the commitment and lifelong learning of athletics."
Terry Pokela, 1956-1957 Center: "We truly had a team. Coach Helakoski did not allow us to think of individual statistics or anything like that. He constantly emphasized the team concept. It certainly paid off.
"Also, we were one of the first teams to fast break after every missed shot by opponents. Our three-lane break broke many team's backs, as they couldn't keep up with us. Coach Helakoski emphasized rebounding position to enable the fast break to get started. We could also shoot field goals from any part of the court. Don Mattson would have scored 40 points a game if the three-point field goal would have been in effect."
Breslin Bound: 2025-26 Boys Quarterfinal Preview
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
March 10, 2026
One. More. Win.
That’s all that’s needed as 32 boys basketball teams take the floor tonight for Quarterfinals across the state and with a trip to East Lansing and Breslin Center on the line.
Below are quick glances at all 16 matchups. Games tip off at 7 p.m. unless noted. Details on tickets, brackets and more can be found on the Boys Basketball page. To watch all 16 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. (Abbreviations below denote ppg - points per game, rpg - rebounds per game and apg - assists per game.)
Week in Review
The countdown of last week’s five most intriguing results:
1. Grand Rapids Northview 52, East Kentwood 50 Cam Ryans drilled a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to send Grand Rapids Northview (22-4) past East Kentwood (22-3) in a Division 1 Regional Final.
2. Harbor Beach 64, International Academy of Flint 62 (2 OT) Harbor Beach (23-3) won its first Regional title, edging IAF (19-5) in Division 4.
3. Colon 49, Battle Creek St. Philip 40 The Magi (22-4) also clinched their first Regional title, in Division 4, by adding to two regular-season wins over St. Philip (16-9).
4. Onsted 42, Ecorse 40 Onsted (24-2) clinched its first Regional title since 1983, advancing in Division 3 with a close win over Ecorse (19-6).
5. Onekama 46, Traverse City Christian 40 Onekama (17-10) handed Traverse City Christian (25-1) its only loss in a Division 4 Regional Final.
Quarterfinals at a Glance
DIVISION 1
Rockford (22-3) vs. Grand Rapids Northview (22-4) at Hudsonville
These two met Jan. 31 at the 2K26 Showcase, with Rockford winning 48-45. Senior 6-foot-6 forward Jake Bascom is a tough matchup averaging 17.7 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. But so is Northview senior guard Cam Ryans, a Mr. Basketball Award finalist averaging 24.2 points, 7.6 rebounds and 3.3 assists per contest.
Auburn Hills Avondale (25-1) vs. Roseville (19-6) at Detroit Mercy
Avondale is coming off its first Regional title since 2002 with senior forward Jakobe Liford (15.2 ppg, 7.5 rpg) leading three players averaging double-digit scoring. Roseville last won a Regional in 2019 and returns to the season’s final week with junior guard Terrell Owens (17.3 ppg, 3.5 apg, 3.9 spg) setting the pace.
East Lansing (25-1) vs. Ann Arbor Pioneer (21-4) at Lansing Eastern’s Don Johnson Fieldhouse
Reigning Division 1 champion East Lansing celebrated senior guard KJ Torbert winning the Mr. Basketball Award on Monday, and he’s an especially impressive shooter making 52 percent of his shots from the floor – including 39 percent of his 3-point tries – on the way to averaging 25 points per game. Pioneer is back at the Quarterfinals for the first time since 2007, with senior guard Jordan Harrison a potent scorer (18.1 ppg) and distributor (3.9 apg).
Wayne Memorial (23-3) vs. Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice (21-5) at Detroit Mercy, 5:30 p.m.
The Zebras are also playing for a return trip to Breslin after finishing Division 1 runner-up a year ago, and they’re also led by a Mr. Basketball Award finalist in senior guard Jaylohn Allen (23.3 ppg, 6.0 apg). Brother Rice won its second Regional title over the last three seasons, keyed by a high-powered backcourt of senior Greg Grays (14.9 ppg) and freshman Jordan McDaniel (19.3 ppg).
DIVISION 2
Ludington (24-2) vs. Freeland (23-3) at Mount Pleasant
Junior guard Taj Williams (18.8 ppg) and senior forward Cameron Gunsell (18.2 ppg) have led Ludington to the Quarterfinals for the first time since 2017, as the Orioles advanced with a Regional Final win over 2025 semifinalist Kingsford. Freeland has won nine straight games to reach the Quarterfinals for the second consecutive year. Senior guard Wilson Huckeby is making almost 39 percent of his 3-pointers, drilling 81 this season while averaging 18.9 points per game.
Chelsea (20-5) vs. Romulus Summit Academy North (25-1) at Ypsilanti Lincoln, 5:30 p.m.
Summit is one win away from returning to Breslin after finishing Division 2 runner-up a year ago, its only loss to an Ohio opponent and with three players averaging double-digit points per game led by senior guard Jordan Fuller at 15.4. Chelsea has won nine of its last 10 games, with a big one over Lansing Sexton (23-3) in a Regional Final. Freshman Drew Cabana is averaging 21.8 points per game and senior Buck Allen adds 17.4 – and both have made at least 50 3-pointers.
Detroit University Prep (16-9) vs. Detroit Country Day (19-7) at Detroit Renaissance
University Prep has won nine of its last 10 games and edged reigning champion Warren Lincoln by two points in their Regional Final to reach this week. Senior guards Chris Byrd and Maurice Jackson are a 6-5 tandem averaging 19.6 and 14.6 ppg, respectively. Country Day has made a jump from 11-12 a year ago, winning nine of its last 10 games with junior guard Christian Cast (20.9 ppg) and 6-6 junior forward Isaiah Moreno (16.5) setting the pace.
Grand Rapids Catholic Central (20-6) vs. Hudsonville Unity Christian (23-3) at Hamilton
Grand Rapids Catholic Central is playing in its third-straight Quarterfinal and reached the Semifinals a year ago, and can turn to senior guards BB Watkins (14.4 ppg) and Jordan McCoy (15.5 ppg) for scoring punch. Unity Christian has won 19 of its last 20 games, its only defeat during that time against Freeland, and has five players averaging between 7-12 ppg topped by senior guard Brogan Sherd (12.2), who also has made 61 3-pointers.
DIVISION 3
Arts & Technology Academy of Pontiac (17-3) vs. Harbor Beach (23-3) at St. Clair County Community College
ATAP is a game away from a Breslin return as well after finishing Division 3 runner-up last season, and the Lions will take on a first-time Regional champ in Harbor Beach. Sophomore point guard Lewis Lovejoy paced last year’s ATAP run and leads again at 26.5 points and 7.6 assists per game. Senior guard Benson Harper leads three Harbor Beach players scoring in double digits at 17.3 ppg, and he and senior forward Skiler Krus (13.2 ppg) were also among stars on the Pirates’ Division 8 football championship team.
Menominee (22-4) vs. Beal City (24-2) at Boyne City
After a year away, Menominee is playing in its second Quarterfinal in three seasons and third over the last five – in part thanks to avenging a regular-season loss to 2025 semifinalist Ishpeming Westwood in their Regional Semifinal. Senior forward Tanner Theuerkauf quarterbacked the Division 7 football championship team and leads at 17.8 ppg, with senior guard Darren Butler at 15.2. Beal City is playing in its first Quarterfinal since 2013 and has reached 20 wins three straight seasons. Junior guard Cuyler Smith (15 ppg) leads three players averaging at least 11 points per game.
Flint New Standard Academy (20-4) vs. Onsted (24-2) at Ypsilanti Lincoln
New Standard is playing in its second-straight Quarterfinal and with its only losses this season to teams that all reached Regional Finals. Sophomore guard AJ Smith (12.4 ppg) and senior guard Jeffery Turner (12.0) lead four players averaging at least 10 ppg. As noted above, Onsted is back in the season’s final week for the first time in more than four decades, and after just missing with some very strong teams over the last 10 years. Mason Chesser (13.9 ppg) leads four averaging at least nine points per game who have helped the Wildcats push through.
Pewamo-Westphalia (24-2) vs. Schoolcraft (16-10) at Kalamazoo Loy Norrix
These two have met two other times in Quarterfinals this decade, with P-W advancing last season with a 50-45 victory. The Pirates have been regulars at this stage with this their fourth Quarterfinal over the last five seasons. Grady Eklund sets the pace for P-W at 20.7 points and 3.5 assists per game. Senior 6-10 forward Jimmy Miller leads three Schoolcraft players scoring at least 15 ppg with 19.3, plus nine rebounds per contest, and junior guard Kodee Bienz (15.1 ppg) has drilled 68 3-pointers.
DIVISION 4
Dollar Bay (23-2) vs. Pickford (25-0) at Gladstone
These two guarantee at least one Upper Peninsula team will be heading downstate, with Pickford making the attempt after losing a Quarterfinal last year by two points and Dollar Bay seeking its first Breslin trip since 2018. Gunner Bennin averages 19.1 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.7 steals and 3.5 assists per game for the Panthers. Senior forward Liam Tourtillott (20.2 ppg, 73 3-pointers) and junior guard Baron Colbert (16.9 ppg) are strong perimeter options for Dollar Bay.
Detroit Douglass (19-7) vs. Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes (19-6) at West Bloomfield, 6 p.m.
Douglass has made its run after tying for second in a Detroit Public School League Blue filled at the top with Division 1 teams, and defeated 2025 semifinalist Allen Park Inter-City Baptist in a Regional Semifinal last week. Freshman guard Damani Oliver averages 22.5 ppg and senior guard Jeremiah Thurman adds 16.1. Our Lady started this season 2-4 but has surged since the start of January, with senior center Jack Miller (12.4 ppg, 7.2 rpg) and senior forward Latane Ware (11.3 ppg) pacing a balanced attack.
Colon (22-4) vs. Concord (22-4) at Portage Northern
As noted above, Colon is coming off its first Regional title, and the Magi also defeated league rival Mendon (22-2) in a District Final. Seniors forwards Dalton Williams (22.1 ppg) and Quincy Blair (17.7) lead four players averaging double-digit scoring. Concord is coming off its first Regional title since 1990 and has celebrated senior guard Jett Smith and senior forward Connor Stevens both reaching 1,000 career points this winter.
Onekama (17-10) vs. Wyoming Tri-unity Christian (24-1) at Big Rapids
Onekama stunned previously-undefeated Traverse City Christian with a 46-40 Regional Final win to advance to the season’s final week for the first time since 1997, and the Portagers now get to take on the reigning Division 4 champion Defenders. Center Luke Bradford sets the pace at 15 ppg and is one of three senior starters. Tri-unity has replaced four starters from last season’s title winner, with the lone returner junior center Cody Osbun leading at 12.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game.
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PHOTOS (Top) Roseville’s Terrell Owens (4) blocks a shot during his team’s 71-68 overtime win over Clinton Township Chippewa Valley in last week’s Regional Semifinal. (Middle) Freeland’s Tristan Comer (13) scoops a shot during the Falcons’ Regional Final win over Flint Hamady. (Roseville/Chippewa Valley photo by Adam Sheehan. Freeland/Hamady photo by Terry Lyons.)