Breslin Bound: Boys Quarterfinal Preview
March 12, 2019
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
After nearly four months, we’ll know by the end of tonight which 16 Michigan boys basketball teams will be “Breslin Bound” this weekend to play for this season’s championships.
We’re already guaranteed at least two new title winners when Saturday’s Finals are done, and there are plenty of storylines as a number of teams reached tonight’s Quarterfinals for the first time in a long time – or first time in their program’s histories.
Our final “Breslin Bound” report of 2018-19 – powered by MI Student Aid – takes a glance at all 16 Quarterfinals, which tip off at 7 p.m. unless noted. All Quarterfinals will be broadcast and viewable with subscription on MHSAA.tv. Come back Wednesday night for a more in-depth look at our 16 finalists as they head into this weekend.
DIVISION 1
Saginaw (22-3) vs. Howell (19-6) at Grand Blanc
After a rare down season a year ago, Saginaw is back at the Quarterfinals for the fourth time in eight seasons under coach Julian Taylor. Howell, coming off its first Regional title since 2014, follows talented senior guard Josh Palo (17.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists per game).
Ypsilanti Lincoln (20-4) vs. Detroit Martin Luther King (20-4) at University of Detroit Mercy, 5:30 p.m.
Lincoln freshman Emoni Bates has been perhaps even more exciting than anticipated, with game-winning shots in both of last week’s Regional wins just the latest highlights as he’s led the team to its first Regional title. King rebounded from two losses to end the regular season to win a District title for the second straight season and first Regional title since 2000.
Detroit U-D Jesuit (23-2) vs. Roseville (20-4) at University of Detroit Mercy, 7:30 p.m.
Jesuit will play in a Quarterfinal for the sixth straight season, this team with senior forward Daniel Friday (16.9) leading an attack with four scorers averaging at least 9.6 ppg. Roseville also lost its final two games of the regular season, but has won all five of its postseason matchups by at least 11 points on the way to its first Regional title since 1952.
East Kentwood (16-9) vs. Okemos (22-2) at Caledonia
Led by junior guard Ja’moni Jones (17.6 ppg), East Kentwood has bounced back from four straight losses to end the regular season and defeated a pair of league champions last week in Muskegon and Hudsonville to reach the Quarterfinals for the first time since 1998. Okemos held off DeWitt for the third time this season in their Regional Final to advance to the final week for the first time since 2012. Senior Evan Thomas (17.3 ppg) is the lead scorer.
DIVISION 2
Ludington (13-10) vs. Alma (19-3) at Mount Pleasant
Alma stunned previously-undefeated Bridgeport in a Regional Semifinal last week and will play its first Quarterfinal since 1999. Senior guard Camden Sutherland (11.1 ppg) is the high scorer for a balanced attack. Ludington, the Class B runner-up two seasons ago, lost five of its last six regular-season games but rebounded by winning a third straight District title. Senior Joshua Laman (15.8 ppg) leads in most statistical categories.
Grand Rapids South Christian (22-3) vs. Hudsonville Unity Christian (23-2) at Calvin College
The Sailors are coming off their first Regional title since winning the Class B championship in 2005, thanks to a two-point win over Grand Rapids Catholic Central on Thursday. The Sailors have their share of 3-point aces, and senior guards Luke Schrotenboer and Peyton Vis both score between 13-14 ppg. South Christian won its Dec. 21 meeting with Unity Christian 63-61, but the Crusaders are riding high after downing 2018 Class B champ Benton Harbor to win their second Regional title in four seasons. Senior TJ VanKoevering (13.8 ppg) is the leading scorer and rebounder.
Haslett (20-5) vs. River Rouge (21-2) at Chelsea
Haslett, in its first Quarterfinal since 2006, beat league champions Williamston and Parma Western on the way to the final week. Senior guard Ty Andrades (14.1 ppg, 65 3-pointers) leads four players averaging double-digit scoring. River Rouge, a Class B semifinalist last season, has wins over Ypsilanti Lincoln and Flint Beecher among others. Senior guard Nigel Colvin (13 ppg) leads three scorers averaging in double figures.
Harper Woods Chandler Park (20-0) vs. New Haven (24-1) at Ortonville Brandon
Newly-awarded Mr. Basketball Romeo Weems (27.9 ppg, 11.3 rpg, 4.1 apg, 4.2 spg) is looking to lead New Haven to its third straight Semifinal and second title in three seasons as the Rockets won Class B in 2017. Senior guard Ronald Jeffery III (21.9) also is a major contributor. Chandler Park can claim impressive wins over Detroit Edison, Macomb Dakota, Detroit Henry Ford and Ferndale as it moves from its first Regional title into the final week.
DIVISION 3
Iron Mountain (25-0) vs. Sanford Meridian (23-1) at Petoskey, 6 p.m.
Iron Mountain won a Regional title for the second straight season and is now a combined 48-2 over the last two. Junior guard Marcus Johnson and sophomore guard Foster Wonders are both scoring just above 23 points per game. Meridian is also playing in a Quarterfinal for the second straight season, entering tonight a combined 44-5 over the last two winters after handing previously-unbeaten Oscoda a 21-point defeat in the Regional Final.
Detroit Edison (18-7) vs. Flint Beecher (23-2) at St. Clair County Community College
This Quarterfinal pits the Class C champions of the last two seasons, both with similar success this season. Reigning champ Edison has wins over Benton Harbor and Canton and is led by senior forward Brian Taylor (16.6 ppg). Beecher has beaten Detroit Renaissance, Grand Blanc and Flint Carman-Ainsworth among others, keyed by junior guard Jalen Terry, and is seeking its fourth MHSAA title in five seasons.
Hanover-Horton (23-1) vs. Erie-Mason (22-2) at Tecumseh
Hanover-Horton will play in its third Quarterfinal over the last five seasons and first since 2016, with its only defeat this winter to Ohio’s Toledo St. Francis de Sales. Junior Luc Laketa scores 14 ppg to lead five averaging at least 9.3. Erie Mason won its first Regional title since 1973 and has wins over league champs Detroit Loyola and Petersburg Summerfield over the last two weeks. Junior guard Joe Liedel pours in 28 points with 5.1 assists per game.
Pewamo-Westphalia (25-0) vs. Cassopolis (23-1) at Richland Gull Lake
P-W has emerged from winning a league that produced three District champs and then defeated league champions Morley Stanwood and Carson City-Crystal during these playoffs. Senior Andre Smith has helped the Pirates reach the final week for the first time since 2014 by averaging a team-high 14.1 ppg. After going 24-1 a season ago but falling in the Regional Final, Cassopolis has broken through to make its first Quarterfinal since 1989. Senior guard Tyrese Hunt-Thompson scores 22 points per game, and sophomore forward Brayden Saxton adds 18 ppg.
DIVISION 4
Dollar Bay (20-4) vs. Pellston (23-2) at Escanaba
Dollar Bay finished second in its league but has won 13 of its last 14 games and defeated that league champion, Chassell, on the way to reaching the Quarterfinals again after making the Semifinals in 2018. Junior forward Ashton Janke (16.4) leads three scorers at 12 ppg or higher. Pellston won its first Regional title since 2012, downing previously-unbeaten Brimley in last week’s Regional Semifinal. Senior guard Tanner Byard scores 25.9 ppg and junior guard Blake Cassidy adds 23.
Southfield Christian (18-6) vs. Burton Genesee Christian (18-7) at West Bloomfield, 6 p.m.
Southfield Christian is the reigning Class D champion and has won 16 of its last 17 games. Senior guard Jon Sanders and junior guard Da’Jion Humphrey both average 16.5 points per game. Genesee Christian is coming off its first Regional title since 2005 and is 17-3 after a slow start in December.
Frankfort (19-5) vs. Big Rapids Crossroads (23-1) at Cadillac
Frankfort fell in its regular-season finale and then won its District opener by just two points in overtime, but has surged ahead to claim its first Regional title since 2015. Senior guard Will Newbold and sophomore guard Jack Stefanski both average 14 points per game. Crossroads won its first Regional title last week, with its only defeat of the season all the way back on Dec. 5 to Manistee Catholic Central. Senior guard Britton Angell leads at 26 ppg.
Wyoming Tri-unity Christian (21-3) vs. Bellevue (24-1) at Charlotte
In its third straight season with at least 22 wins, Bellevue has reached the final week for the first time after claiming its first Regional title. Senior guard Wyatt Waterbury scored 16.4 ppg to lead the way. Tri-unity is a regular at this stage but also back after missing out on the Quarterfinals last season after three straight appearances. Senior forward Bennett Sinner and freshman guard Brady Titus both score 12 ppg to lead a balanced effort.
Second Half’s weekly “Breslin Bound” reports are powered by MI Student Aid, a part of the Student Financial Services Bureau located within the Michigan Department of Treasury. MI Student Aid encourages students to pursue postsecondary education by providing access to student financial resources and information, including various student financial assistance programs to help make college more affordable for Michigan students. MI Student Aid administers the state’s 529 savings programs (MET/MESP) and eight additional aid programs within its Student Scholarships and Grants division. Click for more information and connect with MI Student Aid on Facebook and Twitter @mistudentaid.
PHOTO: Okemos junior Noah Pruitt gets to the basket during the Chiefs’ Regional Final win over DeWitt last week at Holt. (Photo by Terry Lyons.)
Gorham Twins Setting Scoring Pace as Mendon Climbs Into League, District Contention
By
Scott Hassinger
Special for MHSAA.com
February 10, 2026
MENDON – After another stellar football season, Mendon is making some big waves on the basketball court as well this winter.
As the 2025-26 regular season winds down, and coming off a run to the 8-Player Football Regional Finals with some of the same players leading the way, the Hornets are enjoying their finest season on the hardwood in many years. Under second-year head coach Matt Gorham, they are 16-1 overall, with a 10-0 record in the Southern Central Athletic Association West following an 84-40 win Monday in a divisional contest at Bellevue.
Mendon, which hosts its Division 4 District later this month, is looking to win its first league title in boys hoops since 2014 and raise its first District trophy in the sport since 2015.
Two of the biggest catalysts in Mendon's pursuit of those two goals are senior guards and twin brothers Ryder Gorham and Owen Gorham. Both four-year varsity letterwinners went over the 1,000-point mark for their respective careers this winter and are the sons of the Hornets' head coach.
Ryder and Owen have experienced both the good and lean times during their careers. During their freshman season, Mendon finished with an 11-14 record before attaining back-to-back winning seasons as sophomores (12-11) and juniors (14-9).
"Mendon has always had good athletes. When I got here, I wanted to bring a professional look to the program in terms of preparing for teams, practicing hard and teaching life skills so that when they get out of here they are better people with a competitive nature," said Matt Gorham, who is employed as an agent for State Farm Insurance in Battle Creek and brought more than 25 years of coaching experience from Vicksburg, Portage Central, Portage Northern, Mattawan, Schoolcraft and Kalamazoo Valley Community College.
Gorham, who previously owned a business training athletes, got involved last spring as an assistant track & field coach at Mendon. That helped him build a better rapport with his current players.
"The kids have gotten to know me, and having two kids myself in the school helps,” he said. “I give last year's seniors that we had on the team a great deal of credit. They helped set the tone for the kids we had coming back. This year it was a matter of rinse and repeat, let's get a bit more focused and prepare better.”
Team speed and unselfishness are two of Mendon's biggest weapons.
Ryder Gorham, the Hornets' point guard, is averaging 24.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, 7.1 assists and 4.6 steals per game.
"Having been on varsity four years really helps. The pace of the game is much faster. I've always played against older and bigger guys, so it just helps the game come to me more naturally,' Ryder Gorham said.
Mendon is averaging 69.6 points per game and owns a pair of overtime wins over divisional rival Colon (80-75 and 80-73). The Hornets' lone loss came 78-65 in another overtime thriller against Hillsdale Academy. Those two schools could meet again in the Division 4 Quarterfinals.
"Our defense generates most of our offense most of the time. We like to just get out and run,” Ryder Gorham said. “This team can set up plays, but we prefer to score a majority of our points in transition because most of the teams we play are bigger than us."
Ryder Gorham poured in a game-high 36 points in Monday's win at Bellevue. That effort pushed his career total to 1,344 points, surpassing the school record of David Schrock, who previously held the mark with 1,320. Ryder also owns school records for career 3-point field goals made at 141 and steals with 236. Owen Gorham is second in career steals at Mendon with 226.
"It all starts with Ryder. He makes us go and is a special player when the ball is in his hands,” Matt Gorham said. “He's an extremely great passer and establishes the tempo for us. Our biggest trick was to get Ryder's outside shot going so he could get more 3s up. He can drive, finish well and get to the free-throw line too."
Ryder loves the chemistry he and his brother Owen have developed by playing together throughout their high school careers.
"It's awesome being on the same court with my brother. We've been playing together our entire lives. We have that chemistry and know when each of us is hitting their shots. Our dad sometimes jumps on us a little more, but that's the way it's supposed to be," Ryder Gorham said.
Owen Gorham, a shooting guard, is averaging 18 points, 8.4 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 4.2 steals per game.
"My job is just to try and score any way I can. I feel like I've improved my rebounding the most over last season, and outworking people," Owen Gorham said.
"Owen moves very well without the basketball and does a nice job getting rebounds for a 5-10 kid. He almost always averages a double-double," Matt Gorham said.
Also playing a vital role in Mendon's starting lineup is senior forward Carter Huston with norms of 11 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.8 steals per game.
"I'm usually a forward but they put me everywhere. I can reach around other people and get a lot of boards and get to my spots quickly," said Hutson, who hopes to continue his golf or baseball career in college and major in sports entertainment and marketing.
"We have more leadership, and the guys are more focused in practice this season. This group really works together well. That's why whenever we come out of a huddle we say, 'As a team.’ My position challenges me. I'm average size, but yet I'm tall enough that I can jump and get more rebounds. I'm trying to be more of a leader and communicate better on the floor. We have better team chemistry this season too."
Hustle points, rebounding and getting tip passes are Huston's forte.
"Carter has developed into a pretty good third scoring threat for us. He takes the ball to the bucket and is a pretty good free-throw shooter," Matt Gorham said.
Other key players for Mendon are junior forward Tristan Wood (4.1 points, 5.3 rebounds) and 6-foot-5 junior center Dante Goto (7.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 4.6 blocks).
"Dante is just a sponge. He soaks stuff in and has real good timing on rebounds and blocked shots. He's working on his mid-range shooting," Matt Gorham said. "Tristan is just an insane hard worker who does a lot of the dirty work for us by playing defense, getting loose balls, steals, rebounds and boxing out well. His hustle translates to points for us. You need those kind of guys."
Junior Kyron Truckey has been a sparkplug off the bench at a guard spot averaging 3.3 points, 2.3 rebounds and one steal per game.
"From last year to this season Ky might be our most improved player as far as not just his play, but his basketball mind and maturity. He works extremely hard, plays good defense, takes good care of the basketball and knows his role," Matt Gorham said.
Senior post player Jayden Haigh is a two-year varsity contributor making an impact.
"Jayden is a very physical player and a real good passer. He gets pumped up when he makes a great pass, and that just shows the unselfishness of this team," Matt Gorham said.
Mendon's loss to Hillsdale Academy also should make the Hornets stronger in the postseason.
"We watched film for over two hours straight after that loss. I know we are going to learn a great deal from the mistakes we made in that game,” Owen Gorham said. “We are hoping we see (Hillsdale Academy) again somewhere down the line after Districts.
“It’s great to see us building a legacy here that no has seen before. We just want to help put basketball on the map at Mendon.”
Scott Hassinger is a contributing sportswriter for Leader Publications and previously served as the sports editor for the Three Rivers Commercial-News from 1994-2022. He can be reached at [email protected] with story ideas for Berrien, Cass, St. Joseph and Branch counties.
PHOTOS (Top) At left, Owen Gorham shows off a banner earlier this season identifying him as a 1,000-point scorer. At right, Ryder Gorham holds up a banner commemorating him as Mendon's all-time leading scorer with 1,344 points following Monday's 84-40 win at Bellevue. (Middle) Second-year Mendon varsity boys basketball coach Matt Gorham addresses his team during a recent home game against Athens. (Below) Mendon junior guard Kyron Truckey (2) drives inside for a layup and scores against Athens. (Top photos provided by Matt Gorham. Game photos by Scott Hassinger.)