Tiger Pride Returns at Muskegon Heights
February 3, 2016
By Tom Kendra
Special for Second Half
It’s hard to overstate the importance of basketball to a community like Muskegon Heights.
On one hand, a bunch of kids playing a game in a gym seems like a low priority, almost trivial in a town whose violent crime rates and percentage of residents living in poverty are among the highest in Michigan.
But on the other hand, the “Tiger Pride” that is on display each time Heights alumnus Dell Stewart and his team of 13 players take the court – and the returning crowd of community members who are getting back on the bandwagon as the wins continue to pile up – could provide the spark to create real change in this beleaguered West Michigan town.
“Basketball has always been a source of pride in this community,” said Stewart, a 1989 Muskegon Heights graduate, who is in his fourth year as the Tigers’ head coach.
“Basketball and all sports almost ended here completely four years ago, but we weathered the storm. We’re back. And we want to be a source of hope and pride.”
The school is now known as the Muskegon Heights Academy, a public charter school which replaced the debt-ridden Heights district in 2012, but the basketball standards are as high as they have ever been in a community which boasts six MHSAA championships – 1954, 1956, 1957, 1974, 1978 and 1979.
Heights has its sights set on another banner after taking its high-energy show on the road Saturday night and improving to 10-1 with a convincing 55-45 victory over perennial power and longtime rival Benton Harbor, which was ranked No. 10 in the state in Class B.
The Tigers beat the “downstate Tigers” on Saturday with their trademark full-court pressure defense and multiple offensive weapons – and now should finally get a spot in the Top 10 of this week’s Class C Associated Press state poll.
Underclassmen led the way in Heights’ big win, with junior point guard Antoine Jones scoring 18 points and junior Serinus Daniels and sophomore DeCarri Brown each grabbing 10 rebounds.
The energy of the team starts with the backcourt trio of Jones and his twin brother, Anthony, and senior captain Anthony Gordon. The starters inside are 6-foot-3 sophomore center Kieshon Watson and senior forward Deondre Wilson, but Daniels (a 6-6 junior) and Brown also see plenty of minutes.
“The thing I like about this team is that every game it seems like we have a different leading scorer,” said Stewart, who is assisted on the Tigers’ bench by his younger brother, Terry, a sharpshooter on the 1993 Heights team that lost to Saginaw Buena Vista in the Class B championship game. “We don’t have a lot of size, but we make up for that in different ways. We have the pieces of the puzzle to make a run.”
The win at Benton Harbor was just the latest impressive road victory for the Tigers, who turned some heads with big tournament wins in December over Southfield at Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills and Lansing Sexton at Battle Creek Central. Heights also handed host Kalamazoo Phoenix its first loss on Jan. 22.
Fans at home are starting to take notice – and come back.
When “the storm” Stewart referred to made landfall in 2012, a state-appointed emergency manager had taken over and there was uncertainty about whether the district would exist for the upcoming school year, let alone have a sports program.
That uncertainty led coach Keith Guy and high-profile players such as DeShaun Thrower (the state’s Mr. Basketball in 2014) and Joeviair Kennedy (now playing at Western Michigan University) to go to neighboring Muskegon High School – and many longtime Heights fans went with them. Soon, the traditional football school was now the place to be for basketball as well, as Thrower and Kennedy were joined by 6-9 Deyonta Davis (now at Michigan State) for an undefeated season and Class A championship in 2014.
Almost forgotten was the county’s traditional basketball power, Muskegon Heights.
Amidst all the new-found Big Reds’ basketball hoopla, Heights basketball picked up the pieces. With longtime administrators Glen Metcalf (athletic director) and Jerry Harris (faculty manager) leading the way, Heights was able to lure Stewart away from his job as head coach at Reeths-Puffer and back home to be head basketball coach and dean of students. His first order of business was to convince kids that they did not need to transfer to find basketball success.
Stewart’s words were backed up by results in 2014, when the Tigers made a run all the way to the Class C Semifinals at Michigan State’s Breslin Center, where they lost to Pewamo-Westphalia.
“I looked up in the stands and saw some of the old fans coming back and even people I hadn’t seen in 15 years, people who were starving to be part of something positive in Muskegon Heights,” said Stewart.
The problem has been that for every step up, there have been two steps back in terms of the Heights’ image.
One month after the Tigers made it to the Breslin in 2014, starting center Marquis Gresham was murdered in a drive-by shooting. Last fall, Heights was back in the news for the wrong reasons, when a home football game against Muskegon Catholic Central was cancelled after a shooting earlier that day.
Those incidents weigh heavy on all of the town’s residents, but they seem 1,000 miles away, at least briefly, when the Tigers work their magic on the basketball court.
One of those Tigers having plenty of fun is junior forward Keshawn Gresham, Marquis’s little brother, who is one of 10 underclassmen on the Tigers’ 13-player varsity roster.
As he laughs and jokes with his teammates, as a big throng of community residents cheer on in support, one fact is apparent:
Basketball is more than just a game in Muskegon Heights.
Tom Kendra worked 23 years at The Muskegon Chronicle, including five as assistant sports editor and the final six as sports editor through 2011. E-mail him at [email protected] with story ideas for Muskegon, Oceana, Mason, Lake, Oceola, Mecosta and Newaygo counties.
PHOTOS: (Top) Muskegon Heights junior point guard Antoine Jones drives up the court during a 70-47 win at Muskegon Catholic Central on Jan. 26. (Middle) Muskegon Heights coach Dell Stewart congratulates junior forward Serinus Daniels after a block on one end and a bucket on the other during the win over MCC. (Below) Muskegon Heights' Joe Moore (right) and Serinus Daniels (left) defend Muskegon Catholic's Christian Martinez. (Photos by Tim Reilly.)
Breslin Bound: 2024-25 Boys Quarterfinal Preview
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
March 11, 2025
Championship week has begun as this MHSAA boys basketball season rolls toward its conclusion, and 32 teams are seeking to add to their season-long stories with tonight’s Quarterfinals.
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. Wayne Memorial 72, Detroit U-D Jesuit 70 Wayne (23-3) clinched its first Regional title since 1997, downing another popular Division 1 championship pick in ending the Cubs’ season at 22-4.
2. Warren Lincoln 59, Detroit Old Redford 44 Reigning Division 2 champion Lincoln (20-4) won this Regional Final matchup of teams that played at Breslin Center last season, as Old Redford (19-3) was the reigning Division 3 runner-up.
3. Flint Carman-Ainsworth 64, Rockford 60 (OT) Carman-Ainsworth (21-5) would go on to defeat Marquette two days later for a Division 1 Regional title, but this was an eye-opener among Regional Semifinals as Rockford (22-3) was considered a Finals contender.
4. Lansing Sexton 73, Chelsea 71 Sexton (19-5) claimed its first Regional title since 2012 on a buzzer beater in Division 2 that ended Chelsea’s run at 17-9.
5. Flint New Standard Academy 64, Harbor Beach 56 In Division 3, the Warriors (16-8) claimed their first Regional title by handing the Pirates (23-2) just their second defeat.
Quarterfinals at a Glance
DIVISION 1
East Lansing (25-1) vs. Ann Arbor Huron (21-4) at Mason
This is a rematch of a 2024 Quarterfinal won by Huron, 54-48. Senior guard Macari Moore remains a dominant force for the River Rats, averaging 19 points per game while making 59 percent of his shots from the floor. East Lansing is paced by a pair of standouts, junior guard KJ Torbert (20.3 ppg) and senior guard Cameron Hutson (18.5 ppg, 7.4 rebounds per game).
Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (19-6) vs. Macomb L’Anse Creuse North (19-8) at University of Detroit Mercy, 5:30 p.m.
The reigning Division 1 champion Eaglets continued to build through a stretch without senior wing Trey McKenney (22.9 ppg, 10.1 rpg) during the regular season but are back at full strength – and McKenney received the Mr. Basketball Award on Monday. Junior guard Julius Wilson paces a balanced LCN team scoring 16 points per game.
Detroit Martin Luther King (21-5) vs. Wayne Memorial (23-3) at University of Detroit Mercy
Wayne edged Detroit U-D Jesuit 72-70 in their Regional Final last week and can turn to multiple scoring options led by junior guard Carlos Medlock Jr. (24.9 ppg, 4.8 assists per game) among three starters averaging double-digit scoring. Three King starters also average at least 10 points per game, led by Steven Jones (15.6 ppg).
Flint Carman-Ainsworth (21-5) vs. Byron Center (20-6) at DeWitt
Carman-Ainsworth also defeated a much-anticipated contender last week, defeating Rockford 64-60 in overtime in their Regional Semifinal. Seniors Donovan Hamlin (14.8 ppg) and MarQuinn Weston II (14.5) give the Cavaliers multiple go-to options. Senior guard Keane Hinkle is Byron Center’s leading scorer at 16 points per game, with 76 3-pointers while making more than 45 percent of his tries beyond the arc.
DIVISION 2
Kingsford (21-3) vs. Freeland (22-3) at Gaylord
Kingsford is playing in a Quarterfinal for the second-straight season and can turn to Gavin Grondin, who averages 24.3 ppg and has made 79 3-pointers. Freeland also has a long-range shooting standout in junior guard Wilson Huckeby, who is averaging a team-high 20.2 ppg and has connected on 87 shots from 3-point range.
Lansing Sexton (19-5) vs. Romulus Summit Academy North (22-3) at Jackson
Sexton junior guard Keyshawn Summerville sent his team to this week with a longer-than-halfcourt buzzer-beater to get past Chelsea 73-71 in their Regional Final, and he’s averaging a team-best 19.6 ppg. Summit has four players scoring between 10-14 points per game – led by junior wing Chance Houser (14.3 ppg) – as it seeks a second trip to Breslin over the last three seasons.
Grand Rapids Catholic Central (20-7) vs. Marshall (20-6) at Hamilton
Catholic Central graduated last season’s Mr. Basketball but is another returning quarterfinalist with junior forward Izaya Larthridge (15.5 ppg, 61 3-pointers) leading the way. Marshall has emerged from a three-way title share in the Interstate 8 Athletic Conference paced by senior forward Austin Miller (15.4 ppg, 54 3-pointers).
Warren Lincoln (20-4) vs. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep (14-10) at St. Clair County Community College
Reigning Division 2 champion Warren Lincoln has won 15 straight games and brings a starting lineup of all seniors into championship week. Notre Dame Prep will play in its second Quarterfinal over the last four seasons, led by stars from the Division 5 champion football team including senior guard Joey DeCasas (19 ppg).
DIVISION 3
Ishpeming Westwood (21-5) vs. McBain (23-2) at Boyne City
McBain is on another run after reaching the Semifinals last year and falling to eventual champion Niles Brandywine in overtime at Breslin. Sophomore Clayton Heuker has taken on a starring role at 19.7 ppg and can play all over the lineup. Westwood defeated teams last week that finished with a combined 44-6 record and is led by junior guard Ethan Marta (27 ppg, 50 3-pointers).
Arts & Technology Academy of Pontiac (19-1) vs. Flint New Standard Academy (16-8) at St. Clair County Community College, 5:30 p.m.
ATAP has jumped from 8-7 last season to the Quarterfinals, with the lone loss to Division 1 Hamtramck and freshman guard Lewis Lovejoy (17.9 ppg) leading four players scoring at least 12 points per game. New standard has followed previously-longtime Saginaw Arthur Hill coach Greg McMath to this week, with junior guard Jeffrey Turner (15.8 ppg) and senior forward Jhirnea Harris (13.6) leading a lineup that includes two freshmen.
Jackson Lumen Christi (23-3) vs. Riverview Gabriel Richard (22-2) at Ypsilanti Lincoln
This is another Quarterfinal rematch from last season, and will even be played on the same floor. Gabriel Richard won last year’s meeting 58-44 and then its two with Lumen this winter 88-65 and 82-48 on the way to claiming Catholic High School League AA and Cardinal Tournament championships.
Pewamo-Westphalia (23-3) vs. Schoolcraft (20-6) at Kalamazoo Loy Norrix
After missing out on the Quarterfinals with a one-point Regional Final loss last season, P-W has advanced to championship week for the third time over the last four seasons. Junior guard Grady Eklund leads at 17.5 ppg. Schoolcraft is making its third Quarterfinal trip in five seasons with senior guard Tucker Walther (16 ppg, 5.0 apg) guiding a balanced attack.
DIVISION 4
Crystal Falls Forest Park (24-2) vs. Pickford (23-2) at Gladstone
Forest Park will play in a Quarterfinal for the second-straight season and is led by the Giuliani brothers – senior forward Kevin (14.6 ppg) and sophomore forward Vic (22 ppg) – among standouts from the 8-player Division 2 football champion in the fall. Pickford was the 8-player Division 1 football runner-up and several of those playmakers are driving this run as well with senior forward Eli MacDonald the lead scorer at 16.6 ppg.
Wyoming Tri-unity Christian (24-2) vs. Adrian Lenawee Christian (22-4) at Richland Gull Lake
The reigning Division 4 champion Tri-unity will attempt to send out retiring coach Mark Keeler with one more title this week. Senior 6-foot-7 center Joey Mellon leads another balanced lineup at 13 ppg. Junior forward Jaxon Salenbien is the latest high-scoring talent from his school and family, averaging 24.3 ppg with 52 3-pointers as he attempts to follow his two older sisters’ previous paths to Finals weekend.
Bellaire (22-4) vs. Fowler (23-3) at Houghton Lake
A pair of senior standouts has Bellaire playing in its first Quarterfinal since 2016, as Drake Koepke (16.8 ppg) and Jayden Hanson (16.1) are setting the pace. Fowler is making its first trip to this round since 2017 with two of its losses this season to Pewamo-Westphalia, playing tonight in Division 3.
Allen Park Inter-City Baptist (23-3) vs. Kingston (18-6) at West Bloomfield, 6 p.m.
This is one more rematch from last year’s Quarterfinals, which Inter-City Baptist won 58-46. Junior guard Ethan Esse is starring again for Inter-City, averaging 22.3 ppg with 64 3-pointers, and senior center Austin DeRoseau also is back among Kingston’s leaders with a team-high 18.6 ppg and three blocked shots as well per contest.
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) Pewamo-Westphalia’s Reece Thelen (3) launches a 3-pointer this season. (Middle) Macomb L'Anse Creuse North's Julius Wilson (1) drives during his team's 68-65 Regional Final win over Warren De La Salle Collegiate. (Below) Carman-Ainsworth’s Anthony Mull (20) drives during last week’s win over Rockford. (P-W photo by Jim Pivarnik. LCN/De La Salle photo by Adam Sheehan. Carman-Ainsworth/Rockford photo by Terry Lyons.)