Chuck Krafft | Class A Finals| March 26, 2011
Our Bleacher Denizen is getting all the basketball anyone could want today. The Class A Final is the Third Game of the Day. Kalamazoo Central is the defending state champion. They knocked our local Lansing Eastern Quakers out of the tournament in the Regional Final with a two-point victory. (The meanies!) I’ve seen one of their games this year. They play ferocious defense and everyone on the team participates.
Their best player, T.J. Buchanan has a scholarship at Rhode Island next year. This is the third year in a row that Kalamazoo Central is playing this game. They were the state runner-ups the year before that. As the game begins, apparently there is a report that Kalamazoo Central has suspended one of their starters and two reserves for this game for a curfew violation.
Wow. This coach is serious about his discipline!! You’ve got to compliment him for sticking to his guns for a game as important as this one.
Their opponent, Detroit Southeastern, has two Division I players on their team. Percy Gibson, their 6’ 9” center will attend Dayton next year along with LaDontae Henton from Eastern. 6’ 7” Brandan Kearney will play for Michigan State next year, so our Bleacher Denizen will try to pay attention to him. (However, the world is probably best served when the Bleacher Denizen writes his account for the game and does not try to do Tom Izzo’s job for him.)
Kalamazoo Central wins the tap. Kalamazoo misses their shot. Detroit has a tough time controlling the ball. Brandan Kearney fights and saves the ball for Detroit Southeastern, but they turn it over a few seconds later anyway. Landon Gray steals the ball for Southeastern and then Percy Gibson hits a layup. He’s fouled, but misses the free throw.
Kalamazoo misses a layup and two putback shots. (Kalamazoo’s players are very active, especially when they press.) Southeastern finally rebounds the ball, but they miss a layup on the other end. Kalamazoo is playing extremely intensely on defense.
T.J. Buchanan is fouled by Percy Gibson and hits two free throws. It is now 2-2 and almost three minutes have been played. The defenses are dominating so far. Brandan Kearney misses a three point shot for Detroit. Detroit gets the offensive rebound, but ultra-quick point guard Daquavian McCants-Wilson steals the ball.
Kalamazoo misses a layup, gets the offensive rebound and Brandan Kearney steals it for Detroit. Kearney gets downcourt for an easy layup and it’s 4-2 with 4:30 left. Our Bleacher Denizen is beginning to realize that no one will be setting any scoring records in this defensive battle.
Kalamazoo misses, Detroit misses and Darius Norman hits a ten foot turnaround jump shot for Kalamazoo to tie the game. T.J. Buchanan fouls Gibson and he splits a pair of free throws to give Detroit a 5-4 lead with 2:39 left in the quarter. The defenses harass each other into a serious of missed shots and turnovers (and Kearney has a fifteen footer blocked by 6’ 3” T.J. Buchanan in a brief battle of the Division I Titans) until Darryl Flemister hits a short jump shot to give Detroit a 7-4 lead with 24 seconds left.
At the end of the quarter Detroit Southeastern holds a 7-4 lead. However, 6’ 9” Percy Gibson (who scored 22 points in the Semifinal game) has already picked up two fouls, so this is not in Detroit Southeastern’s favor.
Kalamazoo Central has the ball at the start of the second quarter. Kalamazoo misses a shot, Detroit travels, William Washington steals the ball for Detroit. Brandan Kearney goes in for a fast break layup and is fouled. His free throw gives Detroit a 10-4 lead with 7:26 left in the quarter. Tyler Bell responds with a banked in hook-layup for Kalamazoo Central. Gibson’s backup, William Washington picks up his third foul with 6:31 left in the half. (If Southeastern keeps fouling at this rate, they may have to recruit the Bleacher Denizen from the stands to play in the middle for them in the fourth quarter. I’m only 5’ 9” but I have a lot of heart!! I REALLY do – put me in coach - - -)
Anyway - - - Kalamazoo turns the ball over and the Kearney misses a turnaround jump shot. With 5:42 left, Tyler Bell hits a three pointer for Kalamazoo to make it 10-9. Detroit’s Edward Brown commits a charge, but Kalamazoo misses a three pointer. Darryl Flemister fouls T.J. Buchanan who misses the front end of a one and one opportunity. Darryl Flemister picks up his second foul and Von Washington III hits two free throws to give Kalamazoo an 11-10 lead with 4:15 left. It’s odd watching the two defenses dominate like this, although Kalamazoo seems to be missing open shots while Detroit has to fight for everything it gets.
Brandan Kearney commits a turnover when a pass slips through his hands and bounces off his knee. Detroit gets the ball back and Percy Gibson gets a layup off an inbound play to give Detroit back the lead at 12-11 with 3:55 left. T.J. Buchanan gets his second foul. Von Washington III gets his second foul and Percy Gibson steps to the line and hits two free throws to make it 14-11 with 3:04 left. After a Kalamazoo miss, Edward Brown hits a twelve foot shot to make it 16-11 with 2:00 left.
Darius Norman is fouled on a shot and misses his free throws. Brandan Kearney follows that up with a missed three point shot. On defense, though, Kearney stops a drive and closes out on another player’s three point shot and forces a miss. There is no more scoring except for Sophomore Kenyatta Singleton’s driving layup with 27 seconds left.
Detroit Southeastern leads 18-11 at halftime. Even without the scoring, though, it’s an interesting game to watch; Kalamazoo’s defense is especially intense. This game is as much a strategic struggle as it is an athletic event.
At halftime, I take a walk. As I come back into the stands, it turns out that T.J. Buchanan’s family is all wearing T Shirts that identify them as his relatives. (There is even an older lady wearing a T-Shirt saying “T.J.’s great grandma!” Your Bleacher Denizen did not inquire about her exact age for reasons having to do with self-preservation. I talked to them a bit; they were really friendly people and of course, were really enthused about T.J. and his game!
Kalamazoo Central has the ball to start the third quarter. They miss a three point shot and Detroit’s Edward Brown gets a rebound and takes it downcourt for a short jump shot that gives Detroit a 20-11 lead. Yikes!! Percy Gibson gets his third foul with 7:22 left.
(There is a fan sitting near me who asked me who I thought would have the most points at the end of the game for a bet he had with some fans sitting near him. I suggested Gibson. I’m relieved to tell you that he’s being a good sport about this. By the way, if anyone from the MHSAA is reading, you’ll be relieved to know that the Bleacher Denizen saw no money changing hands!!)
However, this is not a good development for Detroit Southeastern. T.J. Buchanan hits one of his two free throws to make it 20-12. Landon Gray drives in for Detroit Southeastern although in the opinion of at least some Kalamazoo Central fans, the ref missed a double dribble violation. (The Bleacher Denizen pleads the Fifth Amendment as he is generally supportive of the referees and the difficult job they do.) After Kalamazoo misses a layup, Darryl Flemister drives in for a layup and is fouled by T.J. Buchanan. He hits the free throw and worse yet for Kalamazoo, their best player now has three fouls. It’s 25-12 with 6:41 left. Kalamazoo Central misses their shot, but they get the offensive rebound and pass the ball to T.J. who hits a twelve foot jumper.
Brandan Kearney responds by driving to the free throw line and hitting a jumper off the dribble. (Nice move!) Detroit leads 27-14 with 5:57 remaining as the offense is picking up in this quarter. Tyler Bell responds with a jump shot for Kalamazoo. Norman commits his third foul for Kalamazoo and Landon Gray splits a pair of free throws.
It’s 28-16 with 5:32 left.
There is a fierce struggle for the rebound of Gray’s missed free throw and the all-powerful possession arrow awards the ball to Detroit. Brandan Kearney misses a 16 foot jump shot. (Ordinarily, the Bleacher Denizen seldom names players with they miss shots, but the powers-that-be at LifeInLansing told me that local fans might be interested in more detail on a Michigan State recruit.) Detroit gets a couple offensive rebounds, but can’t put the ball in; they finally call a time out.
When play resumes, T.J. Buchanan blocks a shot and the play ends up with a layup by T.J. Buchanan at the other end. T.J. is on the business end of a hard foul on the play. He misses the free throw. It is now 28-18 with 4:58 remaining. Darius Norman makes a spectacular block of a Detroit shot. T.J. Buchanan is fouled on his way in for a layup and hits both free throws to make it 28-20 with 4:38 remaining. Kalamazoo’s press forces a Detroit turnover. Kalamazoo misses a three point shot, but Detroit misses a jumper on their end. T.J. Buchanan is fouled as he hits a layup for Kalamazoo and his free throw makes it 28-23 with 3:58 left.
The momentum appears to be swinging toward Kalamazoo as they are starting to hit some of their open shots now. Kearney throws a bounce pass through the 6’ 9” Percy Gibson’s legs. Darius Norman hits a three point shot on the next possession to make it 28-26 with 3:36 left, but Edward Brown slows the Kalamazoo momentum with a jump shot from a Kearney assist that makes it 30-26.
Detroit breaks up a Kalamazoo play, but a lucky bounce gets the ball to Darius Norman for a layup that makes it 30-28. Darryl Flemister hits a layup and draws T.J. Buchanan’s fourth foul in the process. Flemister makes the free throw to make it 33-28 with 2:47 left. T.J. Buchanan, Kalamazoo’s best player leaves the game.
Kalamazoo Central misses their shot and Brandan Kearney drives in, but misses his layup. Kalamazoo misses a fast break layup and Southeastern turns it over. Edward Brown fouls Daquavian McCants-Wilson who hits two free throws to make it 33-30 with 1:42 left. Southeastern misses and Daquavian McCants-Wilson goes in for a layup to make it 33-32. He seems to be far quicker than anyone else on the floor and probably senses that he needs to help score now that Buchanan is out of the game.
Brandan Kearney responds with a seventeen foot jump shot to make it 35-32 with 35 seconds left. Darryl Flemister fouls Tyler Bell who hits two free throws to make it 35-34 with 23 seconds left. Brandan Kearney misses a jumper with four seconds left and McCants-Wilson misses with one second left for Kalamazoo.
Kalamazoo Central has narrowed the Detroit Southeastern lead to 35-34 at the end of the third quarter.
Kalamazoo Central has the ball to open the fourth quarter and Darius Norman draws Percy Gibson’s fourth foul on a layup attempt. (Hindsight is 20-20, but Gibson should probably let the layup happen; he’s way too important to his team to get the fourth quarter this early. Although, the Bleacher Denizen admits that if it was this easy, maybe he would be a player instead of a Bleacher Denizen.)
Norman hits one of the two free throws to tie the game at 35. After a Detroit Southeastern miss, Darius Norman (with the 6’ 9” Gibson on the bench with four fouls) drives in for a layup that gives Kalamazoo a 37-35 lead with 6:49 left. Brandan Kearney heaves up an airball, but he dives for a loose ball at the other end and creates a turnover for Kalamazoo. Southeastern turns it over and Kalamazoo misses a three point shot.
Sophomore Kenyatta Singleton is hammered on a layup attempt and makes one of his two free throws to make it 37-36. Edward Brown steals the ball and gets a layup to put Southeastern back on top at 38-37with 4:54 left. McCants-Wilson dashes all the way up the court to put Kalamazoo Central back on top with a layup. Southeastern is having trouble handling the ball and finally turns it over just before the TV timeout. (Why do they call it that? My TV continues to work through the timeout when I’m home. The answer to this question is unfortunately above the Bleacher Denizen’s pay grade.)
When the game resumes, T.J. Buchanan has reentered the game despite his four fouls. Each team commits a traveling violation. McCants-Wilson makes a nice assist pass and Darius Norman gets a layup to make it 41-38 with 2:40 left.
Kearney airballs a three, Southeastern gets the ball back, but Percy Gibson is stripped of the ball. Edward Brown fouls T.J. Buchanan who misses both free throws.
Kearney lobs an alley-oop pass intended for Gibson but Kalamazoo swats it away. Darryl Flemister steals the ball back for Southeastern. Brandan Kearney drives in and hits a 10 foot jump shot to make it 41-40 with 1:27 left. T.J. Buchanan spins in for a short jumper to make it 43-40 with 1:04 left. Darius McCants Wilson steals the ball, but turns it right back over to Southeastern.
Brandan Kearney hits an eight foot hook shot from the right side to make it 43-42 with 38 seconds left. Detroit’s press forces a turnover to give them the ball back with 29 seconds. They shoot a layup with a chance to take the lead, but it misses. Tyler Bell is fouled by Brandan Kearney and hits two free throws to make it 45-42 with 22 seconds left.
Southeastern misses two three point chances and T.J. Buchanan secures the rebound for Kalamazoo. He is fouled and hits the first free throw to give Kalamazoo a four point lead with four seconds left. He appears to miss the last free throw deliberately and Detroit does not have a chance to shoot another shot.
Kalamazoo Central wins 46-42 to claim their second state title in a row!!
This was a defensive struggle for sure. I’m sure glad I did not have to try to handle the ball against these great defenses.
T. J. Buchanan led Kalamazoo Central with 15 points, Darius Norman had twelve points and Tyler Bell had 11. Daquavian McCants-Wilson added six points and Von Washington III added the other two Kalamazoo points.
For Detroit Southeastern, Brandan Kearney led with 13 points although he shot only 6 for 17 with five missed three pointers including at least a couple airballs. He also had seven rebounds two assists and only two turnovers despite the intense defense from Kalamazoo Central. Darryl Flemister and Edward Brown each had eight points, Percy Gibson had seven and Landon Gray and Kenyatta Singleton each scored three points.
Our Bleacher Denizen is getting all the basketball anyone could want today. The Class A Final is the Third Game of the Day. Kalamazoo Central is the defending state champion. They knocked our local Lansing Eastern Quakers out of the tournament in the Regional Final with a two-point victory. (The meanies!) I’ve seen one of their games this year. They play ferocious defense and everyone on the team participates.
Their best player, T.J. Buchanan has a scholarship at Rhode Island next year. This is the third year in a row that Kalamazoo Central is playing this game. They were the state runner-ups the year before that. As the game begins, apparently there is a report that Kalamazoo Central has suspended one of their starters and two reserves for this game for a curfew violation.
Wow. This coach is serious about his discipline!! You’ve got to compliment him for sticking to his guns for a game as important as this one.
Their opponent, Detroit Southeastern, has two Division I players on their team. Percy Gibson, their 6’ 9” center will attend Dayton next year along with LaDontae Henton from Eastern. 6’ 7” Brandan Kearney will play for Michigan State next year, so our Bleacher Denizen will try to pay attention to him. (However, the world is probably best served when the Bleacher Denizen writes his account for the game and does not try to do Tom Izzo’s job for him.)
Kalamazoo Central wins the tap. Kalamazoo misses their shot. Detroit has a tough time controlling the ball. Brandan Kearney fights and saves the ball for Detroit Southeastern, but they turn it over a few seconds later anyway. Landon Gray steals the ball for Southeastern and then Percy Gibson hits a layup. He’s fouled, but misses the free throw.
Kalamazoo misses a layup and two putback shots. (Kalamazoo’s players are very active, especially when they press.) Southeastern finally rebounds the ball, but they miss a layup on the other end. Kalamazoo is playing extremely intensely on defense.
T.J. Buchanan is fouled by Percy Gibson and hits two free throws. It is now 2-2 and almost three minutes have been played. The defenses are dominating so far. Brandan Kearney misses a three point shot for Detroit. Detroit gets the offensive rebound, but ultra-quick point guard Daquavian McCants-Wilson steals the ball.
Kalamazoo misses a layup, gets the offensive rebound and Brandan Kearney steals it for Detroit. Kearney gets downcourt for an easy layup and it’s 4-2 with 4:30 left. Our Bleacher Denizen is beginning to realize that no one will be setting any scoring records in this defensive battle.
Kalamazoo misses, Detroit misses and Darius Norman hits a ten foot turnaround jump shot for Kalamazoo to tie the game. T.J. Buchanan fouls Gibson and he splits a pair of free throws to give Detroit a 5-4 lead with 2:39 left in the quarter. The defenses harass each other into a serious of missed shots and turnovers (and Kearney has a fifteen footer blocked by 6’ 3” T.J. Buchanan in a brief battle of the Division I Titans) until Darryl Flemister hits a short jump shot to give Detroit a 7-4 lead with 24 seconds left.
At the end of the quarter Detroit Southeastern holds a 7-4 lead. However, 6’ 9” Percy Gibson (who scored 22 points in the Semifinal game) has already picked up two fouls, so this is not in Detroit Southeastern’s favor.
Kalamazoo Central has the ball at the start of the second quarter. Kalamazoo misses a shot, Detroit travels, William Washington steals the ball for Detroit. Brandan Kearney goes in for a fast break layup and is fouled. His free throw gives Detroit a 10-4 lead with 7:26 left in the quarter. Tyler Bell responds with a banked in hook-layup for Kalamazoo Central. Gibson’s backup, William Washington picks up his third foul with 6:31 left in the half. (If Southeastern keeps fouling at this rate, they may have to recruit the Bleacher Denizen from the stands to play in the middle for them in the fourth quarter. I’m only 5’ 9” but I have a lot of heart!! I REALLY do – put me in coach - - -)
Anyway - - - Kalamazoo turns the ball over and the Kearney misses a turnaround jump shot. With 5:42 left, Tyler Bell hits a three pointer for Kalamazoo to make it 10-9. Detroit’s Edward Brown commits a charge, but Kalamazoo misses a three pointer. Darryl Flemister fouls T.J. Buchanan who misses the front end of a one and one opportunity. Darryl Flemister picks up his second foul and Von Washington III hits two free throws to give Kalamazoo an 11-10 lead with 4:15 left. It’s odd watching the two defenses dominate like this, although Kalamazoo seems to be missing open shots while Detroit has to fight for everything it gets.
Brandan Kearney commits a turnover when a pass slips through his hands and bounces off his knee. Detroit gets the ball back and Percy Gibson gets a layup off an inbound play to give Detroit back the lead at 12-11 with 3:55 left. T.J. Buchanan gets his second foul. Von Washington III gets his second foul and Percy Gibson steps to the line and hits two free throws to make it 14-11 with 3:04 left. After a Kalamazoo miss, Edward Brown hits a twelve foot shot to make it 16-11 with 2:00 left.
Darius Norman is fouled on a shot and misses his free throws. Brandan Kearney follows that up with a missed three point shot. On defense, though, Kearney stops a drive and closes out on another player’s three point shot and forces a miss. There is no more scoring except for Sophomore Kenyatta Singleton’s driving layup with 27 seconds left.
Detroit Southeastern leads 18-11 at halftime. Even without the scoring, though, it’s an interesting game to watch; Kalamazoo’s defense is especially intense. This game is as much a strategic struggle as it is an athletic event.
At halftime, I take a walk. As I come back into the stands, it turns out that T.J. Buchanan’s family is all wearing T Shirts that identify them as his relatives. (There is even an older lady wearing a T-Shirt saying “T.J.’s great grandma!” Your Bleacher Denizen did not inquire about her exact age for reasons having to do with self-preservation. I talked to them a bit; they were really friendly people and of course, were really enthused about T.J. and his game!
Kalamazoo Central has the ball to start the third quarter. They miss a three point shot and Detroit’s Edward Brown gets a rebound and takes it downcourt for a short jump shot that gives Detroit a 20-11 lead. Yikes!! Percy Gibson gets his third foul with 7:22 left.
(There is a fan sitting near me who asked me who I thought would have the most points at the end of the game for a bet he had with some fans sitting near him. I suggested Gibson. I’m relieved to tell you that he’s being a good sport about this. By the way, if anyone from the MHSAA is reading, you’ll be relieved to know that the Bleacher Denizen saw no money changing hands!!)
However, this is not a good development for Detroit Southeastern. T.J. Buchanan hits one of his two free throws to make it 20-12. Landon Gray drives in for Detroit Southeastern although in the opinion of at least some Kalamazoo Central fans, the ref missed a double dribble violation. (The Bleacher Denizen pleads the Fifth Amendment as he is generally supportive of the referees and the difficult job they do.) After Kalamazoo misses a layup, Darryl Flemister drives in for a layup and is fouled by T.J. Buchanan. He hits the free throw and worse yet for Kalamazoo, their best player now has three fouls. It’s 25-12 with 6:41 left. Kalamazoo Central misses their shot, but they get the offensive rebound and pass the ball to T.J. who hits a twelve foot jumper.
Brandan Kearney responds by driving to the free throw line and hitting a jumper off the dribble. (Nice move!) Detroit leads 27-14 with 5:57 remaining as the offense is picking up in this quarter. Tyler Bell responds with a jump shot for Kalamazoo. Norman commits his third foul for Kalamazoo and Landon Gray splits a pair of free throws.
It’s 28-16 with 5:32 left.
There is a fierce struggle for the rebound of Gray’s missed free throw and the all-powerful possession arrow awards the ball to Detroit. Brandan Kearney misses a 16 foot jump shot. (Ordinarily, the Bleacher Denizen seldom names players with they miss shots, but the powers-that-be at LifeInLansing told me that local fans might be interested in more detail on a Michigan State recruit.) Detroit gets a couple offensive rebounds, but can’t put the ball in; they finally call a time out.
When play resumes, T.J. Buchanan blocks a shot and the play ends up with a layup by T.J. Buchanan at the other end. T.J. is on the business end of a hard foul on the play. He misses the free throw. It is now 28-18 with 4:58 remaining. Darius Norman makes a spectacular block of a Detroit shot. T.J. Buchanan is fouled on his way in for a layup and hits both free throws to make it 28-20 with 4:38 remaining. Kalamazoo’s press forces a Detroit turnover. Kalamazoo misses a three point shot, but Detroit misses a jumper on their end. T.J. Buchanan is fouled as he hits a layup for Kalamazoo and his free throw makes it 28-23 with 3:58 left.
The momentum appears to be swinging toward Kalamazoo as they are starting to hit some of their open shots now. Kearney throws a bounce pass through the 6’ 9” Percy Gibson’s legs. Darius Norman hits a three point shot on the next possession to make it 28-26 with 3:36 left, but Edward Brown slows the Kalamazoo momentum with a jump shot from a Kearney assist that makes it 30-26.
Detroit breaks up a Kalamazoo play, but a lucky bounce gets the ball to Darius Norman for a layup that makes it 30-28. Darryl Flemister hits a layup and draws T.J. Buchanan’s fourth foul in the process. Flemister makes the free throw to make it 33-28 with 2:47 left. T.J. Buchanan, Kalamazoo’s best player leaves the game.
Kalamazoo Central misses their shot and Brandan Kearney drives in, but misses his layup. Kalamazoo misses a fast break layup and Southeastern turns it over. Edward Brown fouls Daquavian McCants-Wilson who hits two free throws to make it 33-30 with 1:42 left. Southeastern misses and Daquavian McCants-Wilson goes in for a layup to make it 33-32. He seems to be far quicker than anyone else on the floor and probably senses that he needs to help score now that Buchanan is out of the game.
Brandan Kearney responds with a seventeen foot jump shot to make it 35-32 with 35 seconds left. Darryl Flemister fouls Tyler Bell who hits two free throws to make it 35-34 with 23 seconds left. Brandan Kearney misses a jumper with four seconds left and McCants-Wilson misses with one second left for Kalamazoo.
Kalamazoo Central has narrowed the Detroit Southeastern lead to 35-34 at the end of the third quarter.
Kalamazoo Central has the ball to open the fourth quarter and Darius Norman draws Percy Gibson’s fourth foul on a layup attempt. (Hindsight is 20-20, but Gibson should probably let the layup happen; he’s way too important to his team to get the fourth quarter this early. Although, the Bleacher Denizen admits that if it was this easy, maybe he would be a player instead of a Bleacher Denizen.)
Norman hits one of the two free throws to tie the game at 35. After a Detroit Southeastern miss, Darius Norman (with the 6’ 9” Gibson on the bench with four fouls) drives in for a layup that gives Kalamazoo a 37-35 lead with 6:49 left. Brandan Kearney heaves up an airball, but he dives for a loose ball at the other end and creates a turnover for Kalamazoo. Southeastern turns it over and Kalamazoo misses a three point shot.
Sophomore Kenyatta Singleton is hammered on a layup attempt and makes one of his two free throws to make it 37-36. Edward Brown steals the ball and gets a layup to put Southeastern back on top at 38-37with 4:54 left. McCants-Wilson dashes all the way up the court to put Kalamazoo Central back on top with a layup. Southeastern is having trouble handling the ball and finally turns it over just before the TV timeout. (Why do they call it that? My TV continues to work through the timeout when I’m home. The answer to this question is unfortunately above the Bleacher Denizen’s pay grade.)
When the game resumes, T.J. Buchanan has reentered the game despite his four fouls. Each team commits a traveling violation. McCants-Wilson makes a nice assist pass and Darius Norman gets a layup to make it 41-38 with 2:40 left.
Kearney airballs a three, Southeastern gets the ball back, but Percy Gibson is stripped of the ball. Edward Brown fouls T.J. Buchanan who misses both free throws.
Kearney lobs an alley-oop pass intended for Gibson but Kalamazoo swats it away. Darryl Flemister steals the ball back for Southeastern. Brandan Kearney drives in and hits a 10 foot jump shot to make it 41-40 with 1:27 left. T.J. Buchanan spins in for a short jumper to make it 43-40 with 1:04 left. Darius McCants Wilson steals the ball, but turns it right back over to Southeastern.
Brandan Kearney hits an eight foot hook shot from the right side to make it 43-42 with 38 seconds left. Detroit’s press forces a turnover to give them the ball back with 29 seconds. They shoot a layup with a chance to take the lead, but it misses. Tyler Bell is fouled by Brandan Kearney and hits two free throws to make it 45-42 with 22 seconds left.
Southeastern misses two three point chances and T.J. Buchanan secures the rebound for Kalamazoo. He is fouled and hits the first free throw to give Kalamazoo a four point lead with four seconds left. He appears to miss the last free throw deliberately and Detroit does not have a chance to shoot another shot.
Kalamazoo Central wins 46-42 to claim their second state title in a row!!
This was a defensive struggle for sure. I’m sure glad I did not have to try to handle the ball against these great defenses.
T. J. Buchanan led Kalamazoo Central with 15 points, Darius Norman had twelve points and Tyler Bell had 11. Daquavian McCants-Wilson added six points and Von Washington III added the other two Kalamazoo points.
For Detroit Southeastern, Brandan Kearney led with 13 points although he shot only 6 for 17 with five missed three pointers including at least a couple airballs. He also had seven rebounds two assists and only two turnovers despite the intense defense from Kalamazoo Central. Darryl Flemister and Edward Brown each had eight points, Percy Gibson had seven and Landon Gray and Kenyatta Singleton each scored three points.