Breslin Bound: Boys Quarterfinal Preview
March 21, 2016
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
The final week of the 2015-16 boys basketball season finds five undefeated teams among the 32 set to play Quarterfinals on Tuesday.
And they're joined by a number of others playing in this final week for the first time, or at least the first time in a long time.
See below for a glance at all 16 Quarterfinals and come back to Second Half all week for team-by-team previews of the semifinalists and coverage of all 12 games plus video highlights from the Breslin Center this weekend.
All games Tuesday tip off at 7 p.m. unless noted.
Class A
Ypsilanti Community (22-1) vs. Detroit U-D Jesuit (25-0) at University of Detroit Mercy (5 p.m.)
This might be the spotlight game statewide on this night with a pair of elite seniors facing off – recently-crowned Mr. Basketball Cassius Winston of U-D Jesuit and award finalist Corey Allen of Ypsilanti Community. Allen is averaging just above 23 points per game, while Winston leads the Cubs with 21.2 and 7.2 assists per game.
Macomb Dakota (25-0) vs. Midland (17-6) at Grand Blanc
Both programs will take significant strides just by stepping on the floor. Dakota, long seen as a Class A contender this winter, will play in its first Quarterfinal, while surprise Midland will make its first appearance since 1979. Junior Jermaine Jackson paces the Cougars at 21 points per game, while senior Payton DeWildt scores 16.7 to lead the Chemics.
North Farmington (22-2) vs. Sterling Heights Stevenson (20-3) at University of Detroit Mercy
North Farmington also is making its first Quarterfinal appearance, also led by a standout guard, senior Billy Thomas at 21 points per game. Stevenson is back in the final week for the first time since 1983, led by a trio of seniors averaging between 11-13 ppg: Mylon Weathers, Vince Ramaci and Luke Lamoreaux.
Lansing Everett (15-10) vs. Hudsonville (19-5) at Lansing Eastern
This Quarterfinal pits two of the biggest upset producers of the Regional Finals – Lansing Everett, which downed undefeated East Lansing after falling to the Trojans twice during the regular season, and Hudsonville, which upended annual power Muskegon. Both are anchored by senior guards, the Eagles by 6-foot-5 Riley Costen (17 ppg) and the Vikings by 6-3 Jamyrin Jackson (16.8 ppg).
Class B
Detroit Henry Ford (17-6) vs. New Haven (22-2) at St. Clair Shores Lake Shore
Last season’s Class B runner-up, Ford has won 12 of its last 14 games with senior guard James Towns leading the way at 23 points and 5.7 assists per game. New Haven lost to Ford 61-55 in a Quarterfinal a year ago but has a difficult trio to stop in 6-11 senior Innocent Nwoko (10.6 ppg, 10 rpg), 6-4 junior Eric Williams, Jr. (17.5 ppg), and 6-6 freshman Romeo Weems (15.5 ppg, 10.8 ppg, 4.6 apg).
Williamston (20-3) vs. River Rouge (22-3) at Charlotte
Williamston is playing with one of the state’s leading scorers in senior guard Riley Lewis (28.6 ppg) and some added inspiration after coach Jason Bauer left the team recently to undergo cancer treatments. River Rouge has one of the most storied programs in MHSAA history and is seeking to return to the Semifinals for the first time since 1999 and follow up the football team’s runner-up finish in the fall.
Essexville Garber (17-8) vs. Big Rapids (22-2) at Bay City Central
Garber has won Regional titles both seasons under second-year coach Chris Watz, who took over after two seasons as an assistant at Olivet College. Junior forward Demetri Martin (19.5 ppg, 8.8 rpg) leads a Big Rapids team that has won Regional titles three of the last four seasons.
Stevensville Lakeshore (18-7) vs. Hudsonville Unity Christian (16-8) at Vicksburg
Lakeshore is back in its first Quarterfinal since 2013 led by 6-11 senior center Braden Burke, who averages 15.9 points and 10.8 rebounds per game. Unity Christian is playing in its first Quarterfinal since 2008, also keyed by a post player, 6-4 senior forward Mitchel Takens (15.7 ppg, 5.7 rpg).
Class C
Kalamazoo Hackett (24-0) vs. Grandville Calvin Christian (19-4) at Bangor
Hackett has rarely been tested with only two games in single digits on the way to its first Quarterfinal since 1969. Senior guard Dane Preston leads a solid group of scorers at 18.6 ppg. Calvin Christian is making its deepest run since 2010 and can top 20 wins for the fourth time in eight seasons if senior Tony DeWitte (18.2) and teammates can lock up one more.
McBain (25-0) vs. Ishpeming Westwood (12-12) at Petoskey
McBain has had a number of fantastic runs under 22-year coach Bruce Koopman, but none that’s seen the Ramblers undefeated this late. Craig Sterk, Cole Powell and Logan Eling all score between 14-15 points per game. Westwood’s surprise run has it playing its first Quarterfinal since 2003 while riding the hot hands of an all-senior lineup.
Flint Beecher (22-2) vs. Ithaca (23-2) at Troy Athens
Reigning Class C champion Flint Beecher is playing for its fourth championship in five seasons and riding a 16-game winning streak. Ithaca, meanwhile, is playing in its first Quarterfinal since 1956 – but won’t be intimidated led in part by three starters who played prominent roles on the Division 6 championship football team.
Hanover-Horton (23-2) vs. Detroit Loyola (20-5) at Tecumseh
Hanover-Horton has won 15 straight District titles and returned to the Quarterfinals last season, advancing all the way to a Semifinal against Beecher. Loyola is known much more for football as a regular finalist at Ford Field, but will make its first Quarterfinal appearance in hoops after downing 18-win Detroit Allen Academy and Riverview Gabriel Richard and 21-win Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central along the way.
Class D
Wyoming Tri-unity Christian (19-5) vs. Adrian Lenawee Christian (17-7) at Coldwater
Wyoming Tri-unity Christian has been a near-regular during the final week, but is seeking to advance to the Semifinals for the first time since 2013. Senior guard Willie Otole leads at 15.1 ppg. After finishing Class D runner-up in 2014, Lenawee Christian fell to .500 last winter, but is back in contention led by sophomore 3-point ace Trey Helinski (14 ppg).
Waterford Our Lady (20-4) vs. Marine City Cardinal Mooney (17-7) at West Bloomfield
Our Lady brings back three starters this week from the team that missed the Class D Final a year ago by a point – including senior guard Andrew Kline (18.5 ppg). Cardinal Mooney will make its second Quarterfinal appearance and first since 2010, led by sophomore guard Daniel Everhart at 17.2 ppg.
Fulton (18-6) vs. Bellaire (24-1) at Traverse City West, 6 p.m.
The Pirates will play in their second straight Quarterfinal and are led by senior guard Colton Antes, who is set the graduate as one of the top 3-point shooters in MHSAA history. Bellaire’s only loss this season was to eventual 20-win Class C East Jordan. The Eagles start four seniors and rely on three more off the bench.
Onaway (21-4) vs. Powers North Central (25-0) at Sault Ste. Marie
Onaway has put together an impressive rise, adding to its win total the last five seasons under coach Eddy Szymoniak after the team went 1-20 in 2011 in his debut. The Cardinals could add their biggest highlight yet by taking down reigning champion North Central, which hasn’t lost since 2015.
PHOTO: Ypsilanti Community takes on Macomb Dakota in one of the state's most anticipated Quarterfinals on Tuesday. (Photo by Betsy Howell.)
Mackey Leaving Court with 500+ College Hoops Wins, Many More Lessons Shared
By
Jason Juno
Special for MHSAA.com
July 24, 2026
IRONWOOD — Dennis Mackey made a big impact on generations of athletes at Gogebic Community College, so much so that college officials named the basketball court after him while he was still coaching.
Mackey retired from coaching in April after 38 years at GCC, 19 with the women and 19 with the men. Even after all of those years, and more than 500 wins, the memories and lessons from his playing days at Ewen-Trout Creek still resonate with him.
He was always doing something athletically, football in the fall, baseball in the summer, track & field in the spring. His home being basketball-centered E-TC – the tiny Upper Peninsula school with nine combined boys and girls MHSAA Finals appearances – hoops was always mixed in.
“Basketball was the winter sport, but no matter the season we always found time to get to the gym and shoot hoops,” Mackey said. “Whether it was during the lunch hour, after school, on weekends, or after practices, we seemed to gravitate to the gym for some action.”
And if they didn’t go to the gym, there were outdoor courts in Ewen, Bruce Crossing and Trout Creek to get shots up.
“Basketball was the main sport in those communities and probably is still to this day,” Mackey said. “Looking back now, I must say the experiences growing up playing basketball at E-TC was awesome.”
Mackey, a 1981 graduate, played on the varsity team all four years of high school. The Panthers lost in the Regional Final at Northern Michigan University’s Hedgcock Fieldhouse both his junior and senior seasons.
“We had deep and talented teams but fell short of our goal of reaching the state finals both years,” Mackey said.
He won the Ed Helakoski Award as the most valuable senior in the Porcupine Mountain Conference. Even though he was a 1,000-point scorer, he took pride in other aspects of the game.
“I played the forward position, oftentimes guarding the opposing team’s best inside player,” Mackey said. “I prided myself on being a hardworking and unselfish player. I really enjoyed passing the ball to teammates for their scoring opportunities.”
Mackey went on to play basketball at Gogebic. After graduating from Northern Michigan University, he eventually got a call about an opening for a part-time business instructor and women’s basketball coach at Ironwood’s college.
He was excited to take over the team heading into the 1988-89 season. Six years into his tenure, he led a balanced Samsons team to the program’s first national tournament. They won another Region 13 title three years later.
Another E-TC graduate, Deke Routheaux, retired as men’s coach after the 2005-06 season. Mackey didn’t make the switch, instead opting to coach his daughter Caitlin in her first season at Gogebic. The job opened up again a year later, and he debuted as men’s coach in for 2007-08. They men won Region 13 championships in both 2011 and 2013, just missing trips to the national tournament both years.
He said the goal was to win more games and Region titles, but his teams usually left it all on the court.
Mackey finished his tenure with the women with a record of 256-227 and a 277-263 record with the men. “It’s often said that teams tend to take on the identity of their coach,” Mackey said. “As I walk out the door, I’ll leave knowing my teams, like their coach, were known as fierce competitors.”
His signature saying is printed on the Lindquist Center court, “Coach Mackey Court,” — ”Once a Samson, Always a Samson.”
He wants the entire college to succeed, beyond just the basketball program. He took a lot of pride in giving local players a chance to play college basketball. He still supports them after they graduate.
Players came back yearly to play in their main fundraiser, the Spring Thaw Classic.
When GCC named the court after him, many of those he left an impact on filled the Lindquist Center gym on a random Tuesday game night in November.
Many appreciate the impact he had on their lives. He knows the importance of sports, whether it’s at the college level that he’s been at the last nearly 40 years, or at E-TC, where he got his start.
“Participation allows many to express themselves in ways that open doors to other life opportunities,” Mackey said. “High school athletics provide opportunities for youth to develop individual skills while learning life lessons at the same time. No matter the sport, learning to be a great teammate is challenging for most young people. Dedicating one’s time and efforts to improving oneself while also helping the team be better can be difficult. We all strive to be the best and win games, but are we willing to do the work to achieve the desired results? Everyone enjoys receiving the accolades, but many are unwilling to sacrifice the time and energy required to improve and develop individual skills, which enables this to happen.”
All three of wife Andrea (who was a big help to the GCC program as well) and his kids, Caitlin, Jesse and Adam, played high school basketball and then for Gogebic as well. Dennis said Adam was a similar player to him but a better scorer — he’s Ironwood’s all-time leader — who also wanted to get his teammates involved. They all teach at Ironwood now; Adam is the boys varsity basketball coach and Jesse the varsity girls coach.
The Mackeys continue to pass on many life lessons via high school sports.
“The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat not only applies to the games we play but to life in general,” Dennis said. “Success in high school is often measured with wins versus losses, but in the game of life the valuable lessons learned from the sports we play provide a platform for future growth. There are many folks employed in a variety of vocations who often credit their youthful days of playing sports as the impetus for their success later in life. The bonds created with teammates and opponents often last a lifetime. These bonds are immeasurable and help many advance in all facets of life.”
2026 Made In Michigan
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PHOTOS (Top) At left, Dennis Mackey (45) gets up a shot for Ewen-Trout Creek against Wakefield as a senior during the 1980-81 season. At right, Mackey coaches up his Gogebic Community College men’s basketball team this past summer. (Middle) Mackey huddles with his players during a break. (GCC photos by Jason Juno. Ewen-Trout Creek photo courtesy of the Ironwood Daily Globe.)