DeMott's Long-Revered Legacy Grows to Include All-Time Wins Record
By
Paul Costanzo
Special for MHSAA.com
January 11, 2023
This past Friday night felt like a home game for Al DeMott.
Family, friends and former players were packed into the stands to watch him set the MHSAA record for career wins by a girls basketball coach.
There was a postgame celebration on the court, and a congratulatory message displayed on the video board.
Of course, DeMott and the Wolves hadn’t just won a game in their home gym – they had done it at Unionville-Sebewaing.
But anywhere in the Thumb can feel like home.
“USA, they really did a lot,” DeMott said. “They put a thing up on the board, their coach came out after the game and said all kinds of nice things. USA was a very generous host. They went above and beyond.
“That’s the way it is in Thumb basketball; we all look after each other and support each other. In all sports, really. When one team goes on a run, the whole Thumb gets on the bandwagon.”
Sandusky’s win was the 798th of DeMott’s career, putting him ahead of retired Detroit Country Day coach Frank Orlando on the all-time list.
It’s a record more than 40 years in the making, as DeMott took over the program in 1979. In that time, Sandusky has won 23 league titles, 27 District titles, seven Regional titles and earned an MHSAA Finals runner-up finish (1999). The program hasn’t had a losing season since 1982.
“I’ve been doing it a long time,” DeMott said. “Our program has had a lot of success. We’ve had a pretty good run going for a lot of years. The numbers don’t really mean that much to me. It’s nice for our program that it’s been successful as it has. That it’s been steady for a long time. There are a lot of good people that have done a good job.”
DeMott’s career record stands at 799-206, as the Wolves won another game Tuesday night to push their season record to 9-2.
Before he’s done, the record will no doubt be well above 800. How far above depends on how long DeMott sticks around. Right now, there’s no immediate plan to stop.
“Every year, when you get done with the year and your season ends, you’re tired,” DeMott said. “But I’m still having a lot of fun doing it. Another thing, God’s blessed me with good health. I’ve been fortunate to keep going strong with this. I’ve been working on trying to get someone to take it over – I’ve got a granddaughter in eighth grade, and I would like to sit and watch her.”
One thing that keeps DeMott going is the support he gets from those around him in the program.
He’s had the opportunity to coach with his three daughters, Desiree, Allison and Marissa, who also played for him. His longtime assistant coach and childhood friend, Ray Lee, has been on the staff since 1982. DeMott said that during his time at Sandusky, he’s had only six or seven JV coaches.
“I have such a good support system,” DeMott said. “I have loyal assistant coaches.”
The community, both in Sandusky and throughout the Thumb, also has shown DeMott tremendous support, even as he was struggling to get the program off the ground in the early years.
“With the start I had here, if somebody got off to the start I did, they’d be gone, probably,” DeMott said. “It’s been phenomenal. I can’t believe all the texts and emails and calls I’ve got. People have gone above and beyond. There’s been a lot of support. We’ve always got really good support.”
And, of course, nothing can beat the support that DeMott gets at home, as his wife Tammy has been there since the beginning.
“My wife has been a saint,” DeMott said. “When I first started doing this coaching, she was a little iffy about it. When I first started, I was working at the bank and I only had two weeks vacation. We used to use one of the weeks of vacation to go to team camp. She stays up and does stats with me. She’s my biggest supporter I’ve ever had.”
All that support has allowed DeMott to build a consistent winner at a public school with an enrollment just over 300 students.
He started a youth program fairly early in his time at Sandusky, and it’s still going strong. He said there were 40 third and fourth graders in the gym this past Saturday starting their latest season.
As kids grow up in the program, they dream of one day playing for the varsity team and DeMott.
“This achievement couldn’t have been accomplished by a more humble and deserving person,” said Haley Nelson, a 2018 Sandusky grad who played for DeMott before playing at Saginaw Valley State. “In Sandusky, playing under Coach DeMott is something you look forward to as soon as you start playing basketball in elementary school. He’s built a standard as to what Sandusky girls basketball is, and it made you want to work hard to live up to it. The program he’s built is a testament to his hard work and dedication year-round. I think it would be tough to find another high school coach as committed to their program as Al is. He sees each of his players as people far beyond what they can contribute on the court, and for that reason, the impact he has on his players extends far beyond basketball.”
Nelson is one of many Sandusky players who have gone onto play at the next level. Many have stayed connected to the sport through coaching, as well. But in general, DeMott touts the academic success of his program, and the pride he has in the citizens his former players have grown to be.
“A lot of our former players, they’ve all done a lot of really good things,” DeMott said. “I couldn’t be prouder. There were quite a few there (at USA). It meant a lot to see them.”
One former player-turned-coach is Wayne State women’s basketball coach Carrie Lohr, who has set records of her own. She’s in her 12th season at Wayne State, and has won nearly 200 games. She became the program’s all-time winningest coach in 2019.
She counts DeMott as one of her biggest influences.
"Al is truly one of the best coaches in the state of Michigan," Lohr said. "I believe he could coach any team or sport to its highest potential. Al has an unwavering dedication and passion for the game of basketball and teaching young people. He is selfless, positive, consistent, knowledgeable and truly cares about the players he leads.
“Playing for Coach Al DeMott is still some of my best basketball memories ever. He has truly made a positive impact on my life as he has done for so many who have worn the Sandusky jersey. I wouldn't be where I am today without his mentorship. I am forever grateful to him and his support of me long after I left the court."
With the record behind him, DeMott now hopes the focus can return to this year’s team, which is 9-2 with its losses coming by a combined five points.
It’s clear he’s excited about this group, as the energy in his voice ratcheted up when asked about his players.
“I’ve got an awesome group to coach,” DeMott said. “They’re really good, smart, hard workers. They want to be successful, and they really like to play together. They love playing together. They’re a special group.”
Paul Costanzo served as a sportswriter at The Port Huron Times Herald from 2006-15, including three years as lead sportswriter, and prior to that as sports editor at the Hillsdale Daily News from 2005-06. He can be reached at [email protected] with story ideas for Genesee, Lapeer, St. Clair, Sanilac, Huron, Tuscola, Saginaw, Bay, Arenac, Midland and Gladwin counties.
PHOTOS (Top) Sandusky girls basketball coach Al DeMott stands alongside his current team after they helped him break the MHSAA record for girls basketball victories Friday at Unionville-Sebewaing. (Middle) The USA scoreboard celebrated DeMott’s accomplishment. (Below) Players line up to congratulate DeMott on his milestone win. (Photos courtesy of Sandusky High School.)
Breslin Bound: 2024-25 Girls Report Week 10
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
February 10, 2025
We’re just three weeks away from the start of Girls Basketball Districts and two weeks from announcing this season’s brackets, and every day we get closer becomes a better one to start studying the Michigan Power Ratings (MPR) used to determine those pairings.
The MPR tables are searchable by Division, team and District number and update as results are entered. This season, for the first time, entire District brackets will be seeded – making every matchup, including those referred to below – important in deciding who will face who first when we get to March.
“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. Grand Rapids South Christian 58, Grand Rapids West Catholic 51 The Sailors (15-2) picked up a half-game lead in the Ottawa-Kent Conference Gold standings by avenging a 62-49 loss from Jan. 10 to West Catholic (14-2), which made the Division 2 Semifinals a year ago.
2. Pewamo-Westphalia 59, Fowler 53 The Pirates (16-0) are undefeated and took a two-game lead in the Central Michigan Athletic Conference, and they also remain the only team to defeat Fowler (13-2) this winter.
3. Ovid-Elsie 41, New Lothrop 39 (OT) The Marauders (15-2) also edged ahead by half a game in the Mid-Michigan Activities Conference by avenging a 46-37 loss to New Lothrop (14-2) from Dec. 20.
4. Grass Lake 58, Michigan Center 45 Grass Lake (14-3) needs one more win to clinch at least a share of the Cascades Conference East after finishing a regular-season sweep of the Cardinals (14-2), who are tied for second.
5. Niles Brandywine 45, Vicksburg 28 The reigning Division 3 runner-up Bobcats (16-0) continue to look ready for another tournament run after adding an impressive win over the Division 2 Bulldogs (14-2).
Watch List
With an eye toward March, here are two teams in each division making sparks:
DIVISION 1
Saginaw Heritage (14-3) The Hawks have climbed to No. 4 overall in Division 1 MPR with their combination of a tough schedule and plenty of success navigating it. They are tied for second and one game back of Midland in the Saginaw Valley League because of a Jan. 28 loss to the Chemics (14-1), and the other defeats came to Howell (12-5) and Frankenmuth (14-3) to go with wins over Sanford Meridian (12-2), Detroit Cass Tech (13-6), Freeland (12-3), Hemlock (14-3), Berkley (12-6) and last week Mount Pleasant (10-5). Wins over two more opponents could give Heritage especially sizable boosts – Flint Powers Catholic (12-3) on Friday and Kingston (12-1) in the regular-season finale Feb. 25.
Utica Eisenhower (16-1) After finishing 10-13 just a season ago, Eisenhower is potentially closing in on a Macomb Area Conference Red title with its only defeat this winter to reigning Division 2 champion Detroit Edison (12-3) on Jan. 4. Eisenhower handed rival Utica Ford (15-1) its only defeat, 64-49 on Jan. 28, and that result has the Eagles a game ahead in the Red with the rematch finishing the league schedule Feb. 21. Eisenhower also has nice wins over Fraser (11-6), New Baltimore Anchor Bay (14-3) and Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest (11-4) and takes on Armada (13-1) three days before facing Ford again.
DIVISION 2
Parma Western (15-1) A District title to finish off last season’s 15-10 run may have provided momentum as Western has rolled this season. The Panthers opened with a 61-51 win over West Catholic, which as noted above made the Division 2 Semifinals last season, and on Jan. 23 dealt reigning Division 2 champion Edison a 53-48 defeat. Western leads in the Interstate 8 Athletic Conference by half a game with a rematch against second-place Coldwater (11-6) coming up Feb. 18, and the Panthers also have wins over Battle Creek Lakeview (11-5), Dexter (12-5), Marshall (11-4) and Williamston (10-6). That lone loss to Division 1 contender Belleville (16-1) gave Western another look at elite competition.
Wixom St. Catherine (14-2) The Stars have won 11 straight since finishing December with a pair of losses to Division 1 South Lyon (15-1) and Plymouth (12-6). St. Catherine has clinched the Catholic High School League AA title and is coming off a one-point win over Birmingham Seaholm (11-6). A pair of wins over Allen Park Cabrini (10-4) helped secure the league title, with others over Clarkston Everest Collegiate (12-2) and White Lake Lakeland (11-5) also highlighting the run. Two more opportunities to rise are coming up against Clawson (15-1) tonight and Dearborn Heights Crestwood (14-2) on Feb. 27.
DIVISION 3
Hart (9-0) A 41-32 win over second-place Shelby (14-3) last week has Hart one win away from clinching a share of the West Michigan Conference Rivers championship and ran the Pirates’ league winning streak to 52 over the last five seasons. The only defeat this winter was 53-52 on Dec. 13 to Fremont (15-2), and that came just three days after a 37-34 win over Shelby in their first meeting. Hart bounced back from the defeat with a 46-42 win over Spring Lake (10-6), and the Pirates also have a win over Ravenna (10-6) with that rematch coming up Feb. 19. Hart also will travel to Muskegon Western Michigan Christian (8-2) on Saturday and host Morley Stanwood (11-4) on Feb. 25.
Kalamazoo Hackett Catholic Prep (14-2) A 2-2 start to this season has Hackett second in the Southwestern Athletic Conference Valley and needing help to catch leader Kalamazoo Christian for a share of the title. But Hackett has won 12 games straight, including rematches with Christian (13-3) and Schoolcraft to avenge those two defeats, and the Irish on Friday finished a regular-season sweep of Lawton (12-3). Hackett also has downed Onekama (12-4) and Galesburg-Augusta (10-6) during this run and can continue to build momentum for the postseason with nice matchups on the way against Centreville (10-3), South Haven (12-2) and Gobles (11-5).
DIVISION 4
Genesee Christian (12-2) The Soldiers have won 14 games both of the last two seasons and have a great path to surpass that total over the next few weeks after opening this impressive run with wins over Fenton (10-6) and Ovid-Elsie (15-2). Genesee Christian – playing as an independent this season – also owns victories over Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary (12-3) and Pontiac Notre Dame Prep (11-4), with the losses to Flint Hamady (12-1) and Adrian Lenawee Christian (11-6). Matchups with Division 2 Corunna (10-6) and Linden (10-4) should provide more prep for the District, where the Soldiers could run into Everest again after falling to the Mountaineers to close the last two winters.
L'Anse (13-2) Despite a tough 52-49 overtime loss to Baraga on Jan. 30, L’Anse still controls some of its destiny in the Copper Mountain Conference with Lake Linden-Hubbell (12-4) and league leader Ewen-Trout Creek (15-1) coming up this week. It’s a great spot to be in as the Purple Hornets are coming off back-to-back sub-.500 seasons but have 12 wins this season by at least 15 points to go with a one-point victory over Calumet (10-5). L’Anse also has downed Baraga (12-4) in nonleague play and Felch North Dickinson (10-5), with the other loss to Division 2 Houghton (12-4). A second matchup with Lake Linden-Hubbell and meeting with Hancock (10-4) highlight the final weeks of the regular season.
Can’t-Miss Contests
Be on the lookout for results of these games coming up:
Monday – St. Charles (12-3) at Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart (12-0) – Sacred Heart is undefeated in Mid-State Activities Conference play and St. Charles has one loss, from their Jan. 24 meeting won by the Irish 49-40.
Monday – Yale (15-1) at Sandusky (14-0) – Yale leads the Blue Water Area Conference and Sandusky tops the Big Thumb Conference Black.
Tuesday – Flint Powers Catholic (12-3) at Midland (14-1) – The Chemics lead the Saginaw Valley League by a game ahead of Powers and Heritage, with four league games remaining for all three and Powers at Heritage on Friday.
Friday – Wayne Memorial (12-5) at Belleville (16-1) – Wayne’s 57-52 win over Belleville on Feb. 1 had statewide impact, and the rematch will get plenty of attention as well as likely determine the champion(s) of the Kensington Lakes Activities Association East.
Sunday – Detroit Public School League Tournament Final at Wayne State – Four teams remain in pursuit: Renaissance (17-1), Martin Luther King (9-8), Cass Tech (13-6) and Mumford (8-4).
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PHOTOS (Top) Lansing Christian’s Sophia Carrillo reaches to collect a loose ball during her team’s 43-37 double overtime over Bath on Feb. 5. (Middle) Ishpeming's Mya Hemmer attempts to put up a shot while surrounded by Gladstone defenders during Gladstone’s 53-46 win on Feb. 4. (Lansing Christian/Bath photo by Click by Christine McCallister. Ishpeming/Gladstone photo by Cara Kamps.)