MHSAA Finals Notebook

My lasting memory of the 2021-2022 MHSAA championship weekend is quite simple. It was completed. After the cancellation of the 2020 version. Followed by the six week season of 2021. It was refreshing to enjoy a “normal” season. Teams played 20 regular season games and four champions were crowned at the same site. Beyond that—below are my final thoughts from the thrilling weekend. [player_tooltip player_id="1349419" first="Mason" last="Docks"] belongs in the conversation The state of Michigan is absolutely loaded with good point guard play. It’s also recently had an inordinate number of players transferring out of state. These factors have combined to keep the Williamston point guard somewhat out of the conversation for the top players in the state. After Docks’ play this weekend better late than never. Docks spent his junior year in Texas and played well enough to earn a commitment to the giant killing program UMBC. But his senior campaign was nothing short of perfect. Leading the Hornets to a perfect 25-0 record coming into the finals weekend was just the opening act. He was outstanding in the semifinal victory over an equally undefeated Freeland squad. But Saturday was the statement making legacy game. Let’s get the line out of the way first. 27 points and six rebounds while hitting six threes. He did it against the defending Division 2 champions featuring one the better perimeter defenders in recent memory in [player_tooltip player_id="1112374" first="Durral" last="Brooks"]. The ball was in his hands frequently late in the overtime contest. He also set up [player_tooltip player_id="863935" first="Max" last="Burton"] well in the post. Allowing him to notch 23 points and some important late baskets. While he took a circuitous route he finishes up a champion with a performance that will be remembered for a long time. Warren De La Salle has the look of a long term juggernaut Yes they finished in fourth place and below .500 in their own conference. And yes that conference is only going to be tougher in the next few years. But Saturday’s Division 1 victory did not feel like a one off. Or the case of a team catching lightning in a bottle for a few weeks. This was a true team victory absent one singular standout. [player_tooltip player_id="1349420" first="Caleb" last="Reese"] provided senior leadership at the point. [player_tooltip player_id="986883" first="Nino" last="Smith"], [player_tooltip player_id="986245" first="Triston" last="Nichols"] (pictured), and Ferris St commit [player_tooltip player_id="983510" first="Tamario" last="Adley"] were dynamic on the wing. [player_tooltip player_id="986902" first="Michael" last="Sulaka"] was an imposing figure down low. No stats needed as this was truly a complete team effort. Everyone except Reese and Adley will return next year. But plenty of state champions have had multiple returnees. I’m pegging them for a return because of how they play. Efficient and explosive but also unselfish. It’s a perfect equation for sustained success. The Pilots had a 40 year gap between hardwood championship trophies. The talent and team culture are present for them to develop like their gridiron brethren. Grand Blanc’s run should be celebrated While Warren De La Salle earned the Division 1 hardware. A equally impressive “program” accomplishment was performed by the Bobcats. When a top 50 national recruit transfers near the beginning of the season. That’s a body blow to any program. When said program begins the season at 2-4 you might expect a level of doubt to creep in. That did not happen. Grand Blanc lost only one more regular season game against a difficult schedule. They finished their season in the same place as last year. The Division 1 final. If you were to create a template for team to overcome these obstacles. You might say say they need solid senior leadership. Grand Blanc only has one senior on its roster. It might also help if there was a lot size to fall back on. Grand Blanc tallest starter was 6-4 sophomore Anthony Perdue. So what was their secret sauce? A strong defensive culture and one of the best backcourts in state. If anyone still had any doubts about [player_tooltip player_id="985658" first="RJ" last="Taylor"] after his EYBL run this summer. Those questions were answered completely. Finished with 28 points against the Pilots deep and talented unit. While Taylor’s play should not come as a surprise. [player_tooltip player_id="986250" first="Amonte" last="Allen"]-Johnson’s play was a revelation. Despite not being very tall. Is one of the more physically imposing guards you will see. Plays with great balance and is a powerful driver. It won’t be a surprise next year if the Bobcats make it three finals appearances in row. [player_tooltip player_id="863922" first="Brady" last="Titus"]’ historic run is for the record books As if he had not accomplished enough already. [player_tooltip player_id="863922" first="Brady" last="Titus"] put his team on his back to earn an elusive state title. But it sure wasn’t easy. The only thing missing from Titus’ game is elite size. That’s normally not a problem at the Division 4 level. But Tri-Unity’s opponent Ewen-Trout Creek was one the biggest teams in East Lansing regardless of class. The Panthers featured four starters 6-4 or taller. Their only “small” starter point guard Jonah Nordine hounded Lake Leelanau St Mary’s star [player_tooltip player_id="986885" first="Dylan" last="Barnowski"] holding him to 10 points on Thursday night. So Titus had his work cut out for him Saturday morning. He was ready to go from the jump and played nearly every minute with the ball almost always in his hands. He missed a few minutes of action after getting poked in the eye midway through the second half. He played nearly flawless in a overtime game with little margin for error. Finished with 33 points and was an excellent kick out passer when his drives were stopped by the Panthers size. It was a fitting end to one of the more accomplished careers you will see. Lost in the semis as a freshman. As a junior lost in the final to Detroit Douglass. But he wasn’t going to be denied as a senior.