Michigan HS Basketball: D4 Breslin contenders might look a little familiar

Division 4 schools in Michigan high school basketball don’t always get the attention they deserve.

Although that might be the case, some of the most dramatic moments during the Breslin Center weekend - hosting the state semifinals and finals for all four divisions - have come from the smaller schools.

There’s always been a quiet - and sometimes not so quiet - rivalry in Michigan between private and public schools. With some even asking for separate tournaments.

That disparity is felt even a little more between the D4 schools, who greatly benefit from being able to “recruit” talent.

Last year, Wyoming Tri-Unity - a Breslin staple - Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart, Inter-City Baptist and St. Ignace reached the final four. Three of them might return.

Sacred Heart is ranked No. 1 in the state after losing the state final last year to Tri-Unity. They returned four starters from that squad.

Grady Pieratt (5-10) is a superb scoring point guard and leads their punishing press defense. Brody Cherry (5-11) is a great 3-point shooter who can also create his own shot. Jason Boge (6-2) adds some power in the post, and Noah Zeien (5-10) is another creative guard who can get to the basket.

Sacred Heart will have a tough regional matchup, potentially against Fowler, who has a great win against D2 Marshall. Regardless, three explosive guards is a great formula in the postseason.

Defending state champion Tri-Unity celebrated head coach Mark Keeler’s 700th career win earlier this season. Keeler has already announced this will be his final year coaching the Defenders.

Tri-Unity returns splendid point guard Keaton Blanker (5-10), who has signed with Grace Christian University. Blanker is a fierce competitor who can get to the basket and knock down 3-pointers. He’s great in the half court and against the press.

The Defenders also feature some size with senior Joey Mellon (6-7) proving to be a rising senior prospect at the NAIA and D3 levels. Cody Osbun (6-2) is an undersized power forward who knows how to rebound in space and finish around the basket. Versatile guards Joseph Peters (6-3) and Markus Lokiden (6-1) can shoot and are formidable on defense.

Tri-Unity also has the luxury of playing two knock-down shooters off the bench in Clayton Rowlader (5-10) and Tyler Laansma (5-10).

Inter-City Baptist also reached the Breslin last year and are currently ranked in the top five. Juniors point guard Ethan Esse (5-11) struggled in the state semifinal last year, but he’s a great shooter and scorer hungry to get redemption in East Lansing. Fellow junior Carlos Jackson (6-4) is a load in the paint and has improved offensively. That one-two punch will once again be tough to eliminate.

If you are tired of seeing the same D1 and D2 teams play week in and week out, maybe catch a D4 game, where there are tons of good teams in every area. They may not have as many dunks, but you will still see some excellent and exciting basketball.