Wyoming Tri-unity Christian takes MHSAA Division 4 title over Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart Academy
EAST LANSING, Michigan — The Wyoming Tri-unity Christian Defenders (23-5) cruised by the Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart Academy Irish (25-3) 79-59 to capture a MHSAA Division 4 boys basketball state championship on Saturday.
Senior Tri-Unity guard Owen Rosendall, a four-year varsity player, was able to score 14 points and six rebounds. Rosendall was an active defender throughout the game as well. Rosendall played in a state championship all four years of high school, and he said they had to forget the loss from last season.
“We had to let it go. That was our motivation for the whole year,” Rosendall said. “In practice we all thought about the game almost every other day. It was just living rent-free in our heads. We made a decision that we’re going to (win) it or die trying this year, and we did it, so our hard work paid off.”
The first quarter was neck-and-neck, and every Tri-Unity starter scored in the opening frame. Sacred Heart’s troubles began in the second quarter, as it went over three minutes without a bucket. By halftime, the Defenders were able to get out to a 39-25 lead.
Senior Tri-Unity guard Jordan VanKlompenberg came out of halftime scorching, scoring the first nine points of the half. VanKlompenberg was effective from behind the arc, hitting 3 of 5 three-pointers, and he also pulled down seven rebounds. VanKlompenberg finished with a team-high 19 points.
Junior Tri-Unity guard Keaton Blanker finished with a double-double, totaling 11 points and twelve assists. Blanker was one of the main catalysts for the Defender offense.
Tri-Unity head coach Mark Keeler said he has a unique relationship with his players.
“I have young men like this, who have been so coachable,” Keeler said. “It’s neat because, as a christian, I can respond to them spiritually and remind them this is about living right on this earth.”
Junior Sacred Heart guard Grady Piertt did all he could to bring his team the trophy, scoring a game-high 21 points. Sacred Heart head coach Justin Sherlock said they were simply outmatched on Saturday.
“We fought; we did the best we could,” Sherlock said. “Tri-Unity shot 60 percent from the field; that’s going to be hard to overcome. We knew we had to keep the game under 70 (or) under 60 to have a shot. We can’t score against their size inside at that level, and (it’s a) credit to them.”
Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart vs. Wyoming Tri-Unity Christian in MHSAA Division 4 championship game
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