Branstrom-Led Mid Pen Built to Play Big
January 10, 2018
By Dennis Grall
Special for Second Half
ESCANABA - Mark Branstrom was a prolific scorer when he played at Perkins High School more than 40 years ago.
Now, as coach of the Mid Peninsula Wolverines – the consolidated school that grew out of Perkins and Rock high schools in 1977 – defense has been the calling card for Branstrom as he tries to overcome the odds and put his players into competitive positions.
"It might look ugly. We are not as good as anybody else but we can play defense with anybody," Branstrom said about developing an approach that gives Mid Pen – with just seven players on the varsity – a good chance to hang around against better teams with deeper rosters.
Branstrom became Mid Pen's coach in 1984-85, sitting out the 2007-09 seasons for health reasons. The Wolverines are off to a tough start this winter at 0-6, still searching for their first win and with a couple of close losses. But against heavy odds, he has guided Mid Pen to a pair of Class D District titles and one Regional championship and was selected Upper Peninsula Class D Coach of the Year in 2015-16.
That happens through diligent practice sessions, made easier perhaps because Branstrom has also served as junior varsity coach the past four years.
"Everyone knows their job," said Damian Richmond, a former player now with the revived program at Bay de Noc Community College in Escanaba. "He makes sure everyone is in their spot. He runs plays over and over in practice."
Branstrom, who has coached all three of his sons during his tenure, adopts a buddy-buddy approach with some players and serves as a father-son figure as well, according to Richmond. "He took me under his wing," said Richmond, who indicated Branstrom played a vital role in his decision to play college basketball after graduating from high school in 2016.
Branstrom's youngest son, Brett, is Mid Pen's all-time scoring (1,785) and rebounding (1,328) leader, a two-time Class D all-stater and later four-year regular at Northern Michigan University. He supplanted his brother Carl (1,161 points) as scoring leader. A sister, Hunter, scored 1,019 points. A third brother, Marcus, also played for his dad.
Mark Branstrom holds the scoring record at the former Perkins school, scoring 1,451 points for the Yellowjackets, who played in one of the smallest gyms in the state – typical of that day and age.
"The basketball floor is my element," said Branstrom. "I enjoy every aspect of it, and then I have the kids who respond. I get to teach (young) people who are like a sponge.
"There is never a time since I went into coaching that I did not think we had a chance to win, even against (three-time Class D champion) North Central these last few years."
That was underlined in a recent game at Rapid River, which had halted North Central's state-record 84-game win streak Dec. 7. Mid Pen led much of the first half, using tough defense and a patient offense with Branstrom adroitly guiding everything from the sideline. That lasted until the Rockets settled in and scored the final nine points of the half en route to a 67-41 victory.
"The hardest thing is to get them to communicate on the floor defensively," said Branstrom. "It is like a musical for me to sit there and watch them when they communicate on defense."
Rick Pepin, now Rapid River athletic director but a former coaching opponent of Branstrom, knew what he was getting into against the Wolverines.
"He's always done a great job forcing tempo to fit his style. He never lets his kids play outside of their ability," said Pepin after that recent game in Rapid River.
Branstrom, who has mellowed considerably in recent years, now understands another side of coaching better. "Everything happens for a reason," he said, recalling his earlier days when he was prowling the sidelines with a hot temper.
"I get along with people a lot better (now). There is so much more to basketball than just basketball," he said with a twinkle in his eye. He said long-time basketball referee Dave St. Onge of Marquette was a factor in that change, telling him once "you've got to enjoy this."
Coaching the jayvees has also helped in that adjustment. "It is energizing to the point it has made me a better coach at the next level," he said. "This year I've literally had to collect kids just to have a jayvee team (three of the starting five are in their first year of basketball)."
That underscores why he has stayed on the sidelines. "It is for the love of it. I extremely enjoy it," Branstrom said. "I'm doing something for the kids."
His two teams will practice together, and varsity players will serve as assistant coaches.
The response of his players has kept Branstrom motivated to be in the gym and handle the extensive travel during the winter. His family also lived briefly in Coldwater and White Pine before finally settling in Perkins prior to high school, and he said a childhood friend in White Pine was a big influence.
Ward Helakoski is the son of Ed Helakoski, who directed Chassell to a then-state record 65 straight wins and three consecutive Class D basketball titles in the 1950s. Young Helakoski was a good all-around athlete and excellent student. "He helped me out considerably. My grades improved and I stayed eligible," Branstrom said, adding, "I dedicated myself to basketball when we moved to Perkins because we had no football."
He has remained dedicated, to the sport and to his players, through all the ups and downs of his profession. "I won't leave," he said. "I think I do a pretty decent job. If I wasn't, I would leave. You have to be dedicated to the kids, and I am extremely dedicated and loyal to the kids.
"I love Class D basketball. We have one of the best Class D (basketball) conferences in the state. The competitive level is to the point where the level of play has gotten so good."
However, he has seen how declining enrollments impact the game, noting the 67 students at Mid Pen face Class D schools with enrollments just shy of the Class C level. "Getting to twice or three times the enrollment levels in the same class is not good," said Branstrom.
More than a dozen U.P. schools have enrollments below 80 students. But those are the kind of challenges that also motivate Branstrom and his athletes. Branstrom also was cross country coach for the Mid Pen boys and girls teams last fall, guiding the girls to a Division 3 runner-up finish in the Upper Peninsula.
He believes the farming, rural community is beneficial in the work ethic displayed by many U.P. athletes. "They seem to work harder," he said, noting their academic and athletic endeavors seem to confirm that observation.
Pepin recalls his battles against the Wolverines. "I have a tremendous amount of respect for Coach Branstrom," he said. "I watched him coach in the (lopsided) jayvee game (last week) and he never gave up, he never stopped coaching. He took every advantage to teach that team."
Pepin noted Branstrom was also teaching character and pride during that game. "Those are important character traits for life," he said.
"He has never given up on his community, his school, his student athletes. When Mark Branstrom is coaching our kids, they are better off. He makes your team play four quarters because he inspires his kids to play hard."
Basketball has obviously changed since Branstrom led the Upper Peninsula in scoring in 1974-75, with the inception of the 3-point shooting arc primary. "The mid-range game is not there anymore," said Branstrom, who worked that area of the floor. "In pick-up games and practices, they want to shoot those threes, and that has changed everything.
"The two-point shot is still worth so much more. The threes make it a more exciting game to come back (from a deficit), but it takes away from the scenario of the inside-out game. I like the mixture. I'm not for it, but I deal with it."
Dealing with players has also changed during his tenure, as he noted he could not coach today the way he did earlier in his career. "You've got to roll with the flow," he said, which includes adjusting to evolving basketball strategy and how a coach and player communicate. "If you don't change, you don't belong there," he said.
Branstrom has adjusted through the years and shows every night he is totally involved with the game and his players.
Denny Grall retired in 2012 after 39 years at the Escanaba Daily Press and four at the Green Bay Press-Gazette, plus 15 months for WLST radio in Escanaba; he served as the Daily Press sports editor from 1970-80 and again from 1984-2012. Grall was inducted into the Upper Peninsula Sports Hall of Fame in 2002 and serves as its executive secretary. E-mail him at [email protected] with story ideas for the Upper Peninsula.
PHOTOS: (Top) Coach Mark Branstrom of Rock Mid Peninsula talks to his varsity during a timeout at a recent game in Rapid River. Branstrom, who is also the junior varsity coach, has just seven boys on his varsity team. (Middle) Branstrom directs his team to back off on the tempo as the Wolverines bring the ball up court against the Rockets. Branstrom has been the Mid Pen coach since 1984-85 after playing at Perkins High School, which consolidated with Rock High School in 1978 to become Mid Pen. (Below) Branstrom applauds his team prior to pre-game introductions. (Photos by Dennis Grall.)
Breslin Bound: District Preview
March 5, 2018
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Beginning tonight, 128 boys basketball District titles are up for grabs across our state.
Of course, some teams are favored – and we’ve told you about many of them over the last three months. But if we learn anything from year to year, it’s that we should expect plenty of the unexpected over the next three weeks.
Over the next two, we’ll alter the format of our Breslin Bound reports – powered by MI Student Aid – still looking at some of the key results from last week but also at three of the most eye-catching brackets in each class for the upcoming week of playoffs.
This week, that means we’ll take closer looks at 12 Districts total in addition to scores from last week that saw some of the state’s best match up one more time before single elimination games begin. (Click here to navigate brackets for all 128 tournaments.)
Week in Review
The countdown of last week’s five most intriguing results:
1. Detroit U-D Jesuit 68, Detroit Edison 63 – The Operation Friendship headliner went to the Detroit Catholic League A-B champ, but Class C and Public School League champ Edison could be tough to beat this month after playing much larger opponents all season.
2. Holland West Ottawa 59, Grand Rapids Catholic Central 49 – These two are expected to be among contenders this month in Class A and B, respectively; they finished the regular season a combined 35-4.
3. Clarkston 48, Hazel Park 38 – The Wolves played without injured star guard Foster Loyer and still won the Oakland Activities Association Red title outright by finishing a sweep of the second-place Vikings.
4. New Haven 81, Flint Beecher 70 – The reigning Class B champ downing the reigning Class C champ didn’t shock, but Beecher giving New Haven its second-closest game this season could be a sign the Buccaneers are rising as the tournament approaches.
5. Manton 75, Buckley 62 – These two are hoping to make return to trips to the Breslin Center in Class C and D, respectively, and got a nice tune-up with this late February rematch after Manton won the first meeting 62-60 on Jan. 20.
Districts at a Glance
These could be among our most competitive brackets. Host sites are in bold:
CLASS A
Ann Arbor Skyline
Ann Arbor Huron (15-5), Ann Arbor Pioneer (11-9), Ann Arbor Skyline (19-0), Dexter (13-6), Pinckney (7-13), Romulus (12-7).
Skyline won the Southeastern Conference Red title for the second straight season but took another step into the elite with nonleague wins over Belleville, Detroit Pershing and Wayne Memorial among others. Huron is an intriguing District Final opponent; the River Rats lost to Skyline twice but cut the margin in half from the first meeting in losing 58-49 on Feb. 12. Romulus, which finished second to Belleville in the Western Wayne Athletic Conference Blue, always seems to shine at tournament time and shouldn’t be forgotten despite closing the regular season with five straight defeats including a big one to the Eagles.
Detroit Renaissance
Berkley (10-10), Detroit Renaissance (13-7), Detroit U- D Jesuit (17-3), Hazel Park (18-2), Oak Park (18-2), Warren Fitzgerald (12-5).
Six teams from six leagues make up this District, with U-D Jesuit the champion of the Detroit Catholic League Central and Oak Park the champ of the Oakland Activities Association White. Hazel Park finished second in the OAA Red with both losses to reigning Class A champion Clarkston, while Renaissance and Fitzgerald also were contenders in their leagues and Berkley started this season 10-1 before a difficult second half set in. Jesuit has won eight straight, but Hazel Park took a win from the Cubs 74-63 on Dec. 15.
Gaylord
Alpena (9-10), Gaylord (11-9), Marquette (14-5), Petoskey (18-2), Traverse City Central (12-8), Traverse City West (12-7).
This District also features multiple league champions – Marquette from the Great Northern Conference and Petoskey from the Big North Conference. Those two met in the first game of this season, with Petoskey winning 55-38, but we could find out how much has changed over three months if they meet Friday. The Northmen have statewide aspirations, and their only losses were at Grand Haven 56-39 on Dec. 29 and 43-38 to league runner-up Cadillac (13-7) on Feb. 6. West advanced to the Regional Final last season.
CLASS B
Pontiac Notre Dame Prep
Algonac (1-18), Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood (18-2), Macomb Lutheran North (6-14), New Haven (20-0), Pontiac (5-14), Pontiac Notre Dame Prep (11-9).
Reigning Class B champion New Haven would be a District favorite regardless of bracket, riding a 46-game winning streak and with only one opponent coming closer than 11 points this winter. But Cranbrook is an intriguing possible opponent in the District Final. The Cranes are coming off one of their two defeats, to Macomb Area Conference Bronze champion Madison Heights Madison, but won both the Catholic League Intersectional #1 and the C-D tournament title to highlight their best season this decade.
Remus Chippewa Hills
Alma (15-5), Big Rapids (15-5), Clare (17-3), Remus Chippewa Hills (6-14), Shepherd (6-14), Stanton Central Montcalm (7-13).
A pair of league champions meet in an opener tonight – Alma shared the Tri-Valley Conference Central, and Big Rapids shared the Central State Activities Association Gold title. The Cardinals fell in their opener a year ago, to eventual Class B runner-up Ludington, but are only two years removed from a Semifinal run. Awaiting on the other side of this bracket Friday could be Clare, which finished second in the Jack Pine Conference but is riding an eight-game winning streak and won a District title last year.
Wyoming Kelloggsville
Grand Rapids South Christian (13-7), Grand Rapids West Michigan Aviation Academy (13-7), Kentwood Grand River Prep (9-9), Wyoming Godwin Heights (19-1), Wyoming Kelloggsville (17-3), Wyoming Lee (4-16).
Godwin Heights would be considered a New Haven-level slam dunk in just about any District as well, with its only loss Dec. 29 to Class A Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central (18-2). But there are some dangerous games here. On the other side of the bracket, Kelloggsville was the runner-up to Godwin Heights in the Ottawa-Kent Conference Silver, but cut the margin from 29 to 12 when the teams met a second time Feb. 6. Kelloggsville must be careful tonight with the Sailors, who played mostly Class A teams in their league. Also notable, Aviation Academy finished third in the Alliance League and has improved three wins this season.
CLASS C
Montrose
Burton Atherton (13-6), Burton Bendle (11-9), Burton Bentley (15-5), Flint Beecher (12-8), Flint Hamady (13-5), Montrose (10-10).
Beecher has won three straight Class C championships and five of the last six, and the Buccaneers’ record this season again requires context because five of those losses came to Class A contenders and two came to Class B powers including New Haven. The other loss, however, came to Hamady 77-71 on Feb. 2, and the rivals shared the Genesee Area Conference Red title. Likewise, Atherton and Bendle shared the GAC White title, and Bentley shared the GAC Blue championship – its first league title in 41 years. Hamady would have to beat Bendle and Bentley to reach Friday’s District Final, while Beecher takes on Montrose tonight and then would see Atherton.
Ravenna
Holton (6-14), Kent City (20-0), Muskegon Western Michigan Christian (12-8), North Muskegon (17-3), Ravenna (11-9).
A pair of league champions could face each other for this District title as well – Kent City won the CSAA Silver, and on the other side of the bracket is West Michigan Conference champ North Muskegon. But both should be cautious of Lake Michigan Conference runner-up Western Michigan Christian. The Warriors finished second in that league to reigning Class B runner-up Ludington and face Kent City on Wednesday. They also own a 46-40 win over North Muskegon from Dec. 22.
Maple City Glen Lake
Grand Traverse Academy (12-7), Manton (17-3), Maple City Glen Lake (18-2), Traverse City St. Francis (15-5).
Manton shared the Highland Conference title, Glen Lake shared the championship in the Northwest Conference and St. Francis won the Lake Michigan Conference outright. Grand Traverse also was in a title mix before finishing runner-up in the Cherryland Conference. There is some familiarity despite the different leagues, of course. Glen Lake beat St. Francis 49-40 on Jan. 20, and Manton – which went on to make the Class C Semifinals – beat Glen Lake in the Regional last year after Glen Lake beat St. Francis for the District title.
CLASS D
Bellevue
Athens (16-4), Battle Creek Calhoun Christian (12-8), Battle Creek St. Philip (10-9), Bellevue (19-1), Marshall Academy (16-2).
Bellevue and Athens finished first and second in the Southern Central Athletic Association West, respectively, and are on opposite sides of the bracket. Bellevue has won five straight District titles and posted two big wins on Athens during the regular season. The Indians will be part of an intriguing District Semifinal on Wednesday regardless of which team wins tonight’s opener. St. Philip finished third in the SCAA West and beat Athens 52-51 on Feb. 16, while Marshall Academy won the Mid-South Conference title.
Buckley
Bear Lake (17-3), Brethren (8-12), Buckley (15-5), Fife Lake Forest Area (10-10), Mesick (3-17)
Buckley features three 1,000-point career scorers who experienced last season’s Class D runner-up finish, and the Bears have won 12 of their last 14 to keep a share of the Northwest Conference title against some of the best Class C/D competition in the state this winter. But they could meet a Bear Lake team in the District Semifinal that won its first league title since 2008 and also includes a 1,000-point scorer in Kaiden Hejl.
Carney-Nadeau
Bark River-Harris (12-7), Carney-Nadeau (13-7), Felch North Dickinson (2-18), Powers North Central (16-4), Stephenson (6-14).
This season saw three-time reigning Class D champ North Central’s record 84-game winning streak end. It also saw the rebuilt Jets win the Skyline Central Conference small-school division title, and they head into this week on a seven-game winning streak that has included victories over large-school champion Munising (17-3) and runner-up Bark River-Harris. North Central and Bark River-Harris could meet again Wednesday; Carney-Nadeau finished third to the Jets in league play and could await on the other side.
PHOTO: Baldwin and Beal City players work to gain possession during the Aggies’ 55-54 win Jan. 16. (Click for more from HighSchoolSportsScene.com.)