Williamston vs. Grand Rapids Catholic Central – – MHSAA Division 2 Boys Basketball Final – – The Bleacher Denizen – – March 26, 2022 – – by Chuck Krafft

This evening, the final game of the Michigan High School Basketball Season will feature the championship game between two teams that have been considered among the top teams in Michigan regardless of Division. This game promises to be a Battle of the Titans!

After a couple weeks of mild weather, it looks like we have enough snow to restore basketball to its status as a winter sport. Luckily, they have good procedures to keep walruses and polar bears out of the Breslin Center parking lot. Your aging Bleacher Denizen was able to get into the game with few if any problems.

The Cougars from Grand Rapids Catholic Central have a 25-1 record; their only loss this year has been to a powerful Flint Beecher team. They have a lot of big wins this season including big wins over Division 1 Finalist Grand Blanc and top ranked Division 1 Detroit U-D Jesuit.

Kaden Brown is the leading scorer for the Cougars. He scores 21 points per game and gets 4.2 assists per game. He has hit 65 three point baskets (not counting the semifinal game) as well. Jack Karasinski averages 16.2 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.1 points per game. Durral Brooks scores 14.6 points per game; he also pulls down 6.5 rebounds and dishes out 4.5 assists per game.

The Williamston Hornets are undefeated at 26-0 and also have some star power on their side. Mason Docks is extremely quick, coordinated and creative in his approach to both offense and defense. The statistics tell us that he scores 16.2 points per game, passes out 4.8 assists and steals the ball 3.8 times. Max Burton is the big man in the middle – – he can also step out to the three point line and hit shots from there. He scores 13.4 points per game to go along with 8.4 rebounds per game.

Jacob Wallace averages 13.1 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. Spencer Feig is an excellent, persistent defender who rarely makes mistakes on offense and keeps the ball moving. When he is open, he is a dangerous shooter from the three point line and can also get to the basket for layups. Jackson Newman provides toughness in the middle as well as rebounding and inside scoring. He also hit a three point shot in the semifinal game.

It is now time to look through the events of this game through the bleary eyes of an aging Bleacher Denizen who was never able to escape church league in the ancient times when many people considered him to be “young.” Your Bleacher Denizen was a promising dunker, but when the Basketball Powers That Be decreed that the rim should be raised from five feet to ten feet, his ability to dunk was somewhat compromised. Alas – – – who knows what could have been?

Williamston wins the opening tap. The Hornets miss a fifteen foot shot from the wing. Jacob Wallace hits a putback to give the Hornets the first two points of the game. Spencer Feig blocks a Catholic layup. The loose ball goes out of bounds and Catholic retains possession. Kaden Brown gets into the lane and is fouled on a ten foot shot. Kaden Brown hits two free throws to tie the game at 2-2 with 7:20 to play in the quarter.

Jorden Brooks knocks the ball away from a Hornet dribbler; it goes out of bounds and Williamston retains possession. Mason Docks drives and hits a double pump layup to give the lead back to the Hornets. Luka Ressler drives and passes to Jack Karasinski for a Cougar layup to tie the game. Williamston misses a ten foot shot in the lane and two putbacks before Jacob Wallace hits a putback to give Williamston a 6-4 lead.

Catholic turns the ball over. Williamston misses a three point shot from the corner. Catholic misses a three pointer from the side. Williamston fouls on the rebound. Jacob Wallace steals the inbound pass and goes coast to coast for a Hornet layup. Catholic misses a jump shot; Williamston fouls on the rebound. The Cougars misfire on a threeball from the wing. Durral Brooks knocks the ball out of bounds; the Hornets retain possession. Mason Docks inbounds the ball to Max Burton, who makes a nice post move and hits a layup to give Williamston a 10-4 lead.

Jack Karasinski drives and hits a reverse layup for Catholic. Williamston misses a fourteen foot shot in the lane. Durral Brooks hits a fast break layup for the Cougars. Williamston misses an eight foot banked shot from the side. Jack Karasinski passes to Nathan Van Timmeren, who hits a layup for the Cougars to tie the game at 10-10.

Williamston is assessed with a traveling violation. Catholic misses a threeball from the wing. Williamston misses a twelve foot turnaround shot in the lane. Kaden Brown passes to Jorden Brooks, who hits a three point shot from the corner to give Catholic a 13-10 lead.

Williamston misses a driving layup. Jacob Wallace snares the offensive rebound for the Hornets. Jacob Wallace passes to Max Burton, who throws in a threeball from the wing for Williamston to tie the game. Kaden Brown lobs the ball to Jack Karasinski, who slams the ball through the hoop to give Catholic a 15-13 lead.

Max Burton drives and hits a revers layup for Williamston. Catholic misses a reverse layup. Williamston misses a layup; the rebound goes out of bounds and the Hornets get the ball back. Kaden Brown nearly steals the Hornet inbound pass, but Williamston recovers. Williamston misses a three point attempt from the wing at the buzzer.

After one quarter this game is tied at 15-15.

Catholic inbounds the ball to open the second quarter. The Cougars miss a fifteen foot shot from the side and foul on the rebound. Isaac Hahnenberg passes to Mason Docks, who throws in a threeball from the wing to give Williamston the lead. Catholic misses a reverse layup; the rebound goes out of bounds and Williamston gets the ball. Isaac Hahnenberg drives from the side and hits a layup to give Williamston a 20-15 lead.

Catholic travels in the lane. Spencer Feig hits a layup for Williamston, but it is negated because a foul was called before the shot. Jacob Wallace passes to Max Burton, who hits a three point shot from the wing to give Williamston an eight point lead. Luka Ressler passes to Jack Karasinski, who hits a layup for Catholic. He is fouled on the play and hits his free throw to trim the Williamston lead to 23-18 with 5:14 to play in the second quarter.

Mason Docks hits a long three pointer from the wing for Williamston. Durral Brooks hits a ten foot shot off the dribble from the baseline for Catholic. Williamston misses a three point shot from the corner. Catholic misses a three point shot from the side. Williamston misses a driving layup. Jacob Wallace pulls down the offensive rebound for the Hornets. Williamston misses a layup. Luka Ressler goes coast to coast to hit a fast break layup for Catholic that trims the Williamston lead to 26-22.

Mason Docks hits a three point shot right over an active defender from the wing for the Hornets. Max Burton steals the ball for Williamston and passes to Mason Docks, who hits a fast break layup for Williamston. He is fouled on the play and makes his free throw to give Williamston a ten point lead. Kaden Brown is fouled on a driving layup and hits two free throws for Catholic. With 1:44 remaining in the first half, Williamston has a 32-24 lead.

Williamston misses a twelve foot shot from the side of the lane. Catholic is fouled on the rebound, but misses the first shot of a one and one free throw opportunity. Jorden Brooks gets the offensive rebound for the Cougars. Jacob Hammond knocks the ball out of bounds; Catholic retains possession. Kaden Brown drives and hits a layup for Catholic. Kaden Brown knocks a Hornet pass out of bounds; Williamston retains possession. Mason Docks is fouled and hits one of two shots in a one and one opportunity to boost the Hornet lead to 33-26 with 32.2 seconds to play in the half.

Kaden Brown is fouled on a driving layup and hits two free throws for the Cougars. Mason Docks passes to Spencer Feig, who hits a three point shot from the corner as the halftime buzzer makes its presence known.

Williamston has a 36-28 halftime lead.

Jack Karasinski has 9 points to lead Catholic’s scoring at halftime and Kaden Brown has 8 points.

Mason Docks has 15 points for Williamston and Max Burton has 10.

As we can’t hear the halftime activities as we read the blog, I’ll throw in this original song from my “Chuck Krafft” You Tube Channel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ol3R-ZL9568

Williamston has the ball to open the third quarter. Jack Karasinski draws a charging foul from the Hornets. Jack Karasinski hits a sixteen foot shot from the wing for Catholic. Mason Docks hits a three point shot from the wing for Williamston. Kaden Brown drives and hits a layup for Catholic; he is fouled on the play, but misses his free throw. With 6:33 to go in the third quarter, Williamston has a 39-32 lead.

Kaden Brown rebounds the missed free throw for Catholic. The Cougars miss a three point shot from the side. Williamston misses a jump shot from the free throw line. Jacob Wallace gets the offensive rebound for the Hornets. Williamston is fouled on a layup, but misses two free throws. Catholic misses a three point shot from the wing. Williamston misses a driving layup. Jackson Newman draws a charging foul from Catholic to negate a layup. Spencer Feig passes to Mason Docks, who hits a three point shot from the wing to push the Hornet lead to 42-32.

Jacob Wallace knocks the ball away from Catholic and Max Burton grabs it for Williamston. Jacob Wallace passes to Max Burton, who hits a layup for the Hornets and is fouled. He hits his free throw to give Williamston a 45-32 lead with 5:07 to play in the third quarter.

Kaden Brown drives and hits a layup for Catholic. Williamston misses a three point shot from the side. Catholic misses a layup. A foul is called on Williamston while the shot is in the air and Catholic gets another opportunity. Catholic is called for an offensive foul. This is the fourth foul on one of Catholic’s starters. Max Burton drives and hits an eight foot shot in the lane to boost the Williamston lead to 47-34.

Spencer Feig knocks a Catholic pass out of bounds; Catholic retains possession. Catholic misses a ten foot shot from the wing. The rebound is tied up. The Possession Arrow consults its legal team and decides to award the ball to Catholic. The Cougars misfire on a threeball from the corner. Catholic misses a three point shot from the corner. Kaden Brown gets the offensive rebound for the Cougars. Catholic misses a layup. Spencer Feig banks in a ten foot shot from the side to give Williamston a 49-34 lead.

Kaden Brown drives and hits a reverse layup for the Cougars. Williamston is fouled on a driving layup, but misses two free throws. Catholic misses a fast break layup. Mason Docks passes to a teammate who is fouled on a layup, but misses two free throws. Catholic misses a driving layup. Durral Brooks is fouled on a fast break layup and hits one of his two free throws to trim the Williamston lead to 51-37 with 1:48 left on the third quarter clock.

Jackson Newman passes to Jacob Wallace, who hits a layup for Williamston. Jacob Wallace nearly steals the ball for the Hornets, but his momentum makes him step on the sideline. Catholic gets the ball back. Jorden Brooks passes to Kaden Brown, who hits a threeball near the top of the key for Catholic. Luka Ressler blocks a Williamston layup. Catholic misfires on a threeball from the corner. Jorden Brooks gets the offensive rebound for the Cougars. Kaden Brown drives and hits a layup for Catholic; he is fouled on the play, but misses his free throw. With 28.3 seconds to play in the third quarter, Williamston holds a 53-42 lead.

Williamston misses an eight foot shot. Jackson Newman pulls down the offensive rebound for the Hornets. Williamston misses a layup at the buzzer.

With three quarters in the books in this State Championship Battle of the Titans, Williamston has a 53-42 lead.

Williamston has the ball to start off the fourth quarter. Jorden Brooks knocks the ball away from Williamston and Luka Ressler picks it up for Catholic. Catholic misses a three point shot from the wing. Williamston loses a pass out of bounds.

The Cougars miss a ten foot shot from the side. Luka Ressler gets the offensive rebound for Catholic. Catholic misses a threeball from the side. Jack Karasinski gets the offensive rebound for Catholic. Mason Docks steals the ball for Williamston. Luka Ressler steals the ball for Catholic. Luka Ressler passes to jack Karasinski, who hits a layup to trim the Hornet lead to 53-44.

Jack Karasinski blocks a Hornet layup. The loose ball goes out of bounds and Williamston gets it back. Williamston misses an eight foot shot from the side of the lane. Jack Karasinski passes to Kaden Brown, who throws in a three pointer from the top of the key for Catholic to chop the Williamston lead to 53-47,.

Williamston turns the ball over. Catholic misses a layup; the rebound goes out of bounds and the Cougars get another opportunity. The Cougar inbound pass receiver has a foot on the baseline and Williamston gets the ball. Mason Docks drives and hits a layup for Williamston. Kaden Brown passes to Jack Karasinski, who hits a three point shot from the wing for Catholic. Williamston misses a three point attempt from the side. Kaden Brown is fouled on a fast break layup and hits two free throws to cut the Williamston lead to 55-52 with 3:44 left on the clock.

Williamston misses a three point shot from the wing. The rebound goes out of bounds and Williamston gets another possession. Williamston is fouled, but misses two free throws. Kaden Brown hits a jump shot off the dribble from the free throw line to trim the Williamston lead to one point. Durral Brooks plays tough defense and forces Williamston into an over and back violation. Kaden Brown is fouled on a driving layup and hits one of his two free throws to tie the game at 55-55 with 2:18 remaining in the contest.

Brendan McPharlin passes to Max Burton, who hits a layup to give the lead back to Williamston. Catholic misses a three point shot from the wing. Jorden Brooks gets the offensive rebound for the Cougars. Catholic is fouled on a layup, but misses two free throws. Williamston misses a five foot shot from the side. Max Burton hits a putback for Williamston and is fouled, but misses his free throw. With 1:29 to play in the game, Williamston has a 59-55 lead. One Catholic’s starters picked up his fifth foul on the play and has to leave the game.

Catholic misses a six foot shot in the lane. Durral Brooks gets the offensive rebound for Catholic. Catholic misses a layup. Williamston is fouled, but misses two free throws. Kaden Brown is fouled on a driving layup and hits one of his two free throws to shave the Hornet lead to 59-56 with 49.5 seconds left in the game.

Durral Brooks gets the offensive rebound of the missed free throw and passes to Kaden Brown, who puts in a three point shot from the side to tie the game at 59-59 with 47 seconds left.

After a timeout, Mason Docks handles the ball and runs the clock down. Williamston misses an eight foot shot from the side and Catholic rebounds the ball with 4.7 seconds to go. Catholic is forced to shoot a forty foot shot that misses at the buzzer.

The Battle of the Titans is going into OVERTIME!!!

Williamston wins the opening tap in overtime. Kaden Brown knocks the ball out of bounds; Williamston retains possession. Max Burton is fouled and hits two free throws to give the Hornets a 61-59 lead with 3:18 seconds to play in overtime.

Durral Brown is fouled and hits two free throws to tie the game. Kaden Brown steals the ball for Catholic and is fouled. Kaden Brown is fouled and hits one of his two free throws to give Catholic a 62-61 lead with 2:55 to go.

Williamston misses a three pointer from the wing. The rebound goes out of bounds and Catholic takes possession. Max Burton blocks a Cougar layup. Spencer Feig is fouled and hits one of his two free throws to tie the game at 62-62 with 2:05 left on the overtime clock.

Spencer Feig gets the offensive rebound from the missed free throw. He passes to Mason Docks, who hits a three point shot from the side to give Williamston a 65-62 lead.

Durral Brooks drives and hits a layup for the Cougars to trim the Hornet lead to one point. Williamston runs a delay offense for awhile; Max Burton spies an opening and hits a layup to open the Hornet lead back to three points. Kaden Brown is fouled on a driving layup; this is the fifth foul for one of the Williamston starters. Kaden Brown hits one of his two free throws to cut the Williamston lead to 67-65 with 16.8 seconds left.

Mason Docks is fouled with 14.3 seconds left and hits one of his two free throws to extend the Williamston lead to three points. Catholic misses a three point shot from the wing. Nathan Van Timmeren grabs a crucial long offensive rebound for the Cougars. Catholic calls time out with 1.9 seconds to play. Catholic inbounds the ball and misses a three point shot as time expires.

Williamston wins this exciting Battle of the Titans in overtime by a 68-65 score to give Williamston its first basketball state championship since 1940. Both teams played really well; this was an amazing game!!

Kaden Brown had 33 points to lead Catholic Central’s scoring. Jack Karasinski supported his teammate with 16 points. Durral Brooks had 9 point and 9 rebounds. Jorden Brooks scored 3 points. Luka Ressler and Nathan Van Timmeren each had 2 points.

Mason Docks had 27 points on 9 of 17 shooting that included a red hot 6 of 8 performance from the three point line to lead Williamston’s scoring. Max Burton had 23 points and 7 rebounds. Jacob Wallace had 10 points and 8 rebounds. Spencer Feig scored 6 points. Isaac Hahnenberg added 2 points.

For those of you who missed it, here is a blog of Williamston’s semifinal game!
https://thebleacherdenizen.com/2022/03/26/williamston-vs-freeland-mhsaa-division-2-boys-basketball-semifinal-the-bleacher-denizen-march-25-2022-by-chuck-krafft/