Undefeated Williamston Reaches Final Game with 1 More to Win
By
Tom Kendra
Special for MHSAA.com
March 25, 2022
EAST LANSING – It’s been 82 years since Williamston won a boys basketball state championship.
Now the Hornets are one win away from ending that drought and seemingly the entire town, located only about 10 miles away from East Lansing, packed the Breslin Center on Friday to watch its own version of “Hoosiers” take another step.
Williamston (26-0) used its variety of weapons to jump ahead of Freeland early in a battle of unbeatens, then gradually pulled away for a 65-45 victory in the night’s second Division 2 Semifinal.
“It feels like we have the whole city with us, pushing us,” said 6-foot-4 Williamston senior Jacob Wallace, who scored 12 points. “I’m playing not only for my coaches and teammates, but the whole community.”
The Hornets will need all hands on deck in Saturday’s highly-anticipated showdown with reigning Division 2 champion Grand Rapids Catholic Central, an explosive team which downed Ferndale, 82-71, in Friday’s first Division 2 Semifinal.
Williamston, an experienced team with 10 seniors, had to avoid looking past a pesky Freeland team.
The Hornets took control early behind the play of senior point guard Mason Docks and 6-10 senior post player Max Burton.
Docks was a thorn in Freeland’s side all night long, leading Williamston with 19 points, five steals and four assists. Burton set the tone early inside and finished with nine points, six rebounds and three assists.
Williamston, which won the Capital Area Activities Conference White title, has played its best basketball in the postseason – winning its six tournament games by an average of 26 points.
“I would say the main feeling I have right now is excitement,” said Docks. “We’ve been preparing all season for this moment. Now it’s time to go out and have some fun and play our game.”
Tight defense and good execution on offense were the formula once again, as the Hornets built a 14-7 lead after one quarter and then extended it to 31-18 by halftime.
After Williamston built the lead to 19 points, Freeland showed why it came into Friday’s Semifinal undefeated as well, using an 8-2 run to end the third quarter trailing by just 12 points.
However, a 12-4 Hornets spurt to open the fourth quarter built the lead back to 20 points, 60-40, and they cruised from there.
Jackson Newman played a strong all-around game for Williamston with nine points, five rebounds and two steals. The Hornets finished with a commanding 42-20 advantage in points in the paint.
Freeland (25-1), which won its first Regional championship since 1971 and made its first-ever trip to the Semifinals, was paced by senior Bryson Huckeby’s 19 points and seven rebounds.
“Coach (John Fattal) has been telling us all year, like when we were 10-0 and kept winning, that we hadn’t arrived yet,” said Huckeby. “Well, when I stepped out on this court and saw all of those people there to support us, I knew we had arrived. That atmosphere tonight is something that I will never forget.”
Jacob Kundinger scored 10 points for the Falcons, and center Alex Duley contributed five points, four assists and three steals.
The stage is now set for an epic Division 2 Final game which will be a contrast in styles. Williamston likes to play a more controlled game and has won all 26 with precision half-court execution, while GRCC never stops running.
“We’ve prided ourselves on defense all year, but tomorrow night will be our greatest challenge by far in that department,” said sixth-year Williamston coach Tom Lewis. “We have to get back in transition because they just go, go, go. We have to limit their runs.”
PHOTOS (Top) Williamston's Max Burton extends his reach as Freeland's Alex Duley (24) attempts to direct a shot around him. (Middle) The Hornets' Mason Docks gets to the basket Friday. (Click for more from Hockey Weekly Action Photos.)
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.)