Schoolcraft boys claimed the Division 3 Region 20 basketball championship and advanced to state semifinals. The Division 3 Regional 20 Championship tipped off at 7 p.m. March 5 at Bangor High School, featuring a matchup between the Schoolcraft Eagles and the Brandywine Bobcats. Brandywine had earned its place in the regional final with a 44-35 victory over Gobles. Schoolcraft advanced by defeating Bronson in convincing fashion, 84-43.
The highlight of the Eagles semifinal was a standout performance by Schoolcraft junior Kodee Bienz, who scored 42 points, including an impressive 10 three-pointers.
On March 10, both Schoolcraft and Pewamo-Westphalia teams were eyeing a trip to the state semifinals. The championship game opened with Schoolcraft setting the tempo early. The Eagles jumped out to a 23-11 lead by the end of the first period and continued to control the game heading into halftime with a 40-20 advantage.
At the break, Schoolcraft was led by Ty Goddard and Jimmy Miller, each with 12 points. Brandywine’s top scorer at that point was Nylen Goins, who paced the Bobcats with eight points.
Brandywine came out of the locker room energized in the third period, putting together a strong run. The Bobcats outscored the Eagles 14-6 in the period, cutting the deficit to 46-34 heading into the final period and giving themselves a chance to climb back into the contest.
Despite the surge, Schoolcraft regrouped in the fourth period and maintained control down the stretch. The Eagles held off the Bobcats’ comeback attempt to secure a 62-50 victory. Top scorers for the night were Ty Goddard with 21 and Jimmy Miller with 20 for the Eagles. Goins had 19 and Ryder Richard 11 for the Bobcats.
With the win, Schoolcraft captures the Division 3 Regional 20 Championship and advanced to the MHSAA Division 3 state semifinals on March 10th at Loy Norrix high school against Pewamo-Westphalia, the team that ended the Eagles’ run last season.
Like the previous season, the depth of the Pewamo-Westphalia Pirates team was just too much for the Eagles to overcome. By the time the final buzzer sounded the Pirates were advancing onto the Breslin Center for the Division 3 semifinal, defeating the Eagles 70-47.
