North Central Powers to D Title Game
March 26, 2015
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
EAST LANSING – Powers North Central can play too fast. That’s what happened the last time the Jets came to Breslin Center, at the end of 2012-13.
But few teams have been able to slow them down when their clicking like they did during Thursday’s final Class D Semifinal.
North Central’s high-octane offense burned from the start en route to earning the team’s first MHSAA championship game berth since 1984 with a 71-46 win over Fulton.
The top-ranked Jets, averaging nearly 72 points per game entering the weekend, nearly hit that mark after opening on a 29-4 run that stretched more than two minutes into the second quarter. They scored only 36 points total in their last trip to Breslin, a Semifinal loss to Wyoming Tri-unity Christian two seasons ago.
“Me personally, I just learned last time we played here that we played too fast, and we were kinda nervous,” said senior Rob Granquist, also a starter as a sophomore and the team’s leading scorer in that loss. “We didn’t get our shots we wanted. But tonight we just played our game that we’ve played all year, and it worked out great for us.”
North Central (26-0) will take on Morenci in the 10 a.m. Class D Final on Saturday, seeking the second MHSAA title in program history.
Coach Adam Mercier listed off Thursday a handful of lessons he learned during that 2013 trip downstate. He wanted to get more players on the floor this time – and 11 saw minutes. And he wanted his team to come out aggressively – and they fired 17 shots in the first quarter, making nine.
“Two years ago we came down here and we were a little awestruck, and we played pretty tentatively,” Mercier said. “What we talked about Thursday is being the aggressor, not coming out soft. We wanted to take some shots and see what happens.
“We felt whoever could throw the first punch early would have a slight advantage. … We were able to get that first punch, and it was a big punch.”
Shooting has been the strength of a Fulton team with more than 200 3-pointers this winter. But North Central – with three starters 6-foot-4 or taller – had a few inches on most of Fulton’s top players and pushed the Pirates to take some deeper shots than they likely wanted.
Fulton (21-5) made only 29 percent of their shots from the floor and just five of 24 tries from 3-point range. North Central’s size also played to a 45-35 rebounding advantage and a 40-18 edge in points scored in the paint.
“We started settling for shots early, and it just kinda snowballed as they hit some shots. And then it felt like we had to hit some 3s,” Fulton coach Todd Walden said. “That’s tough against a team that’s that good when they’re going to get a good look every possession, and when they happen to miss they’re going to battle on the boards.”
Junior guard Colton Antes was a bright spot for Fultonfrom the perimeter, making 5 of 11 shots and three 3-pointers for 15 points.
Granquist had 14 points and seven rebounds and junior center Morgan Cox came off the bench for 12 and six, respectively, for the Jets. But the most impressive performance of the day’s four Semifinals arguably came from sophomore guard Jason Whitens, who had 16 points, nine rebounds and nine assists in only 23 minutes.
Mercier mentioned how Whitens' dad is a fan of Magic Johnson, and how the 6-4 forward has patterned his game on a player he’s seen only on replay. Jason Whitens averaged 16.4 points, 6.7 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game entering this week.
“That’s what we expect out of him. It’s hard to say as a sophomore. (But) more importantly, that’s what he expects out of himself,” Mercier said. “He’s a very confident player, but at the same time he’s very humble. He could put up 20 shots a game and I’m sure score mid-20s if he wanted to, but he’s the type of player that makes other players around him better by his ability to pass it, defend and rebound.
“We expect the same thing out of him Saturday. No pressure.”
Click for the full box score and video from the postgame press conference.
PHOTOS: (Top) Powers North Central’s Rob Granquist breaks past a defender during Thursday’s Class D Semifinal. (Middle) Fulton’s Kaleb Brunner (33) works to drive past North Central’s Marcus Krachinski.
Breslin Bound: 2024-25 Boys Report Week 3
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
December 16, 2024
If you’re looking to spend some free times during holiday break watching high school boys basketball, does the state of Michigan have a show for you.
Beginning Friday and continuing until most schools return to class Jan. 6, there are 58 boys hoops events over 13 dates featuring teams from all over both peninsulas playing hundreds of games to keep you in game shape until we get back into the regular routine next month.
We highlight just a few of those matchups below; find the rest on the Scores page of this website. “Breslin Bound” is powered by MI Student Aid and based on results and schedules posted for each school at MHSAA.com.
Week in Review
The countdown of last week’s five most intriguing results:
1. East Lansing 69, Warren Lincoln 54 East Lansing (4-0) has championship aspirations in Division 1, and handing the reigning Division 2 champion Abes (3-1) their first loss at the Moneyball Tip Off Classic was a strong early statement.
2. Belleville 47, North Farmington 45 The Tigers (3-1) also impressed, downing the reigning Division 1 runner-up Raiders (3-2) at the Northville Showcase.
3. Grand Haven 78, Grand Rapids Christian 61 Grand Haven (3-1) is bouncing back nicely from last year’s 11-12 finish, including with this win over last season’s Division 2 runner-up Eagles (3-1) at The Invite at Calvin University.
4. Saginaw United 58, Freeland 49 After opening with a pair of losses, United (2-2) earned its first victory in program history over a Freeland team that won 20 last season.
5. Birmingham Groves 82, Wayne Memorial 78 The Falcons (5-0) already are gaining quickly on last season’s 13 wins, with this one at the KLAA/OAA Challenge arguably the most impressive so far.
Watch List
With an eye toward March, here are two teams in each division making sparks:
DIVISION 1
Dearborn (5-0) The Pioneers are a combined 64-17 over the last three seasons plus the start of this one and finished 23-1 a season ago. They handed Grand Haven (see above) their only loss this winter, 60-59 on Dec. 6, and last week outlasted Chelsea for a 70-67 triple-overtime victory. Wayne Memorial on Thursday to kick off the Kensington Lakes Activities Association East schedule should tell us more; Wayne was third in the league last winter.
Rockford (4-0) The Rams also are off to quite a start, with Saturday’s 57-49 win over Grand Rapids Northview at The Invite their only single-digit win during these first few weeks. Rockford was 18-5 a season ago, winning the Ottawa-Kent Conference Red but losing its District opener. This impressive start should make that quick end a distant memory – Northview won 18 games last winter – and the Rams also closed the first week with a 27-pointer over Grand Rapids Catholic Central, a 20-win team in 2023-24.
DIVISION 2
Hudsonville Unity Christian (5-0) Back-to-back overtime victories on back-to-back days has Unity still undefeated, as the Crusaders downed Grand Rapids South Christian 62-56 on Friday and came back Saturday with a 53-49 win over Grand Rapids Catholic Central at Calvin. Unity is seeking to build on last season’s 18-5 run and has to be excited already – two of those 2023-24 losses, including the season-ender in a District opener, came to South Christian.
South Haven (5-0) The Rams have busted through the gates winning their first five games by an average of 19.6 points. The most notable victory had to be 70-56 over Watervliet on Dec. 6, as Watervliet swept South Haven last season and they finished first and second, respectively, in the Southwestern Athletic Conference Lakeshore. Up next is Kalamazoo Christian on Tuesday and another chance to avenge a 2023-24 defeat, as the Rams fell by nine to the Comets a year ago.
DIVISION 3
Harbor Springs (5-0) A pair of close wins last week has these Rams also undefeated, as Harbor Springs came off three big victories during the first two weeks to edge Boyne City 59-53 and Charlevoix 50-47. The latter was especially notable, as the Rams split with the Rayders last season as they tied for second in the former Lake Michigan Conference. They’ve both moved to the Northern Shores Conference this season, as has last season’s LMC champion Elk Rapids.
Springport (5-0) The Spartans quickly have pushed to the top of the Big 8 Conference standings as the only team undefeated in league play after three games. They edged new league member Stockbridge 49-47 on Friday after earlier in the week getting past Union City 58-53; Springport and Union City split last season. Last week’s win is Union City’s only loss this winter, and the Spartans also have handed Hillsdale its only defeat.
DIVISION 4
Burr Oak (4-0) The Bobcats have created some momentum early, most notably with Thursday’s 63-45 win over Colon after falling to the Magi by five and 10 points last season. All four of Burr Oak’s wins have come by at least 15 points as they look to build on last winter’s jump that saw the Bobcats finish 14-10 after going 8-14 in 2022-23. Coming up this Thursday is Bellevue, which defeated Burr Oak by 24 and 17 points during 2023-24.
Peterburg Summerfield (6-0) There are only six 6-0 teams in the state so far, and Summerfield has been on an absolute tear winning its games by 34 points on average. Among those victories in a 67-54 turn back of Erie Mason after those two split last season on the way to Summerfield finishing 19-5 overall. Circle Jan. 17, when the Bulldogs meet Adrian Lenawee Christian for the first time after losing three times to the Cougars last winter.
Can’t-Miss Contests
Be on the lookout for results of these games coming up:
Tuesday – Birmingham Groves (5-0) at North Farmington (3-2) – Although both play major showcase games over break, this could be part of deciding the Oakland Activities Association Red title in a few months.
Saturday – Detroit U-D Jesuit (4-0) at Clarkston (4-0) – The host Wolves play one of the premier games with this 1:45 p.m. tip at the D Zone Invitational.
Saturday – East Lansing (4-0) vs. Muskegon (2-0) at Clarkston – This is the 7 p.m. game at the D Zone Invitational and features another pair of Division 1 contenders.
Saturday – Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (2-1) vs. Rockford (4-0) at Clarkston – This D Zone Invitational finale tips off at 8:45 p.m. and showcases two more of the best in Division 1 including the reigning champion Eaglets.
Jan. 4 – Wyoming Tri-unity Christian (3-1) vs. Adrian Lenawee Christian (5-0) at Schoolcraft – These appear to be two of the best in Division 4 again, and they’ll match up in the Schoolcraft Champions Classic; Tri-unity is the reigning D4 champion and Lenawee a 20-game winner a year ago.
MHSAA.com's weekly “Breslin Bound” previews and reviews are powered by MI Student Aid, a division within the Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP). MI Student Aid encourages students to pursue postsecondary education by providing access to student financial resources and information. MI Student Aid administers the state’s scholarship and grant programs that help make college Accessible, Affordable and Attainable for you. Connect with MI Student Aid at www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid and find more information on Facebook and Twitter @mistudentaid.
PHOTOS (Top) Mason’s Cason Carswell (5) considers his options during a 65-63 win over Haslett on Friday, as the Vikings’ Wardrell Wicker (5) and Rishon Karikalan (21) defend. (Middle) Flint Powers Catholic’s Jesse Cull (13) gets up a shot during his team’s 69-59 win over Flushing on Tuesday. (Mason/Haslett photo by John Johnson. Powers/Flushing photo by Terry Lyons.)