MIDLAND – Detroit Country Day sophomore Samuel Kole-James didn’t know what was on the line as he navigated a three-set match to complete Saturday’s No. 2 singles bracket at Midland Tennis Center. 

But he knew what he had to do to get the job done – and his repeat championship at that flight did a whole lot more for the Yellowjackets. 

Kole-James claimed a second-straight title at No. 2 singles – coming back after losing the first set 6-2 to take the next two 7-5 and 7-6(4) – and in doing so scored the clinching point as Country Day pushed past rival Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood 34-33 at the top of the standings to retake the Lower Peninsula Division 3 Finals championship. 

A year ago, Cranbrook unseated then-reigning co-champion Country Day by the same score.

“I was telling myself to stay positive and just keep in the match,” Kole-James said of his comeback. “But really, I was just hanging in there, just a few more points. 

“Nothing (was working) in the first set, and everything after 6-2, 5-2, was working. I’m not going to lie. I could feel the ball. I could feel my game.”

With the exception of Ann Arbor Greenhills entering the mix the last several seasons by sharing the Division 3 title in 2024 and winning it outright in 2022 and 2019, Country Day and Cranbrook have otherwise finished first or second in some order every other season over the last 13.

The Yellowjackets this weekend also secured flight championships from freshman Nicholas Nadjarian at No. 4 singles and sophomore Sasha Kebl and junior Sebastian Shah at No. 4 doubles. Cranbrook won three flights as well. 

“I know every time with them it’s a battle, it’s a war, it’s a 50-50,” Country Day coach Nicholas Fiaschetti said. “I feel like our minds today were just on it, and I think that’s the difference for us – our minds were able to focus up when we needed it the most.”

Cranbrook’s flight championships came at No. 1 singles from freshman Jacob Yang, No. 3 singles from junior Eli Rosen, and No. 1 doubles from seniors Ryan VanDyke and Josh Day. 

Yang’s clincher admittedly was a stunner, as he held on to defeat 2025 No. 1 singles champ Ricky Jeong 7-6, 3-6, 6-1. The Yellowjackets’ junior had defeated Yang “badly” the first three times they’d faced each other.

“I can’t believe it. I didn’t think I’d get to this position,” Yang said. “It’s just my team – thank you to my teammates over there. They really supported me through everything. They cheered for every point I won. It’s super helpful. … I’m super grateful for them.”

Ann Arbor Greenhills senior Deven Pimputkar and junior Evan Chung won No. 2 doubles, and Holland Christian seniors Jonathan Haig and Carter Leep emerged as fourth seeds to win No. 3 doubles.

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PHOTOS (Top) Detroit Country Day’s tennis team celebrates clinching the Division 3 championship Saturday at Midland Tennis Center. (Middle) Cranbrook’s Jacob Yang sends a forehand at No. 1 singles. (Click for more from High School Sports Scene.)