Pewamo-Westphalia secured the Division 3 boys basketball championship on Saturday, overcoming an exceptional individual performance from Arts & Technology Academy of Pontiac's sophomore Lewis Lovejoy. The Pirates clinched the title with a 61-57 victory at the Breslin Center, marking their second program championship and first since 2019.
The contest was a hard-fought battle, as Lovejoy delivered a record-approaching 41 points for the Arts & Technology Academy of Pontiac (ATAP). However, Pewamo-Westphalia's balanced team effort and timely defensive adjustments proved decisive in the final moments.
Key Takeaways
- Pewamo-Westphalia won the Division 3 boys basketball title 61-57.
- ATAP's Lewis Lovejoy scored 41 points, ranking seventh in MHSAA Finals history.
- P-W relied on a balanced attack, with Grady Eklund leading with 26 points.
- Defensive adjustments in the fourth quarter helped contain Lovejoy.
- This is P-W's second state title, the first since 2019.
A Clash of Styles: Team vs. Individual Brilliance
The championship game showcased a clear contrast in team strategies. Pewamo-Westphalia, known for its collective strength, faced an ATAP squad heavily reliant on the scoring prowess of Lewis Lovejoy. P-W coach Dominic Schneider praised the competitive nature of the game.
“That game was exactly as we expected, just a great game between two great basketball teams,” P-W coach Dominic Schneider said. “What can you say about Mr. Lovejoy? I mean, that guy, he’s a stud at all three levels. But, I will say our guys did the job and became state champions because they believed in each other and believed in what we do as a program. That was a perfect example of team ball out there. I am so proud of our guys.”
Lovejoy's 41 points were a highlight, placing him seventh in MHSAA Finals history for individual scoring. He shot 50 percent from the field, converting 14 of 28 attempts, and made six 3-pointers, just one shy of the Finals record. Despite this remarkable effort, Lovejoy expressed disappointment after the loss, stating, “It don’t mean nothing; we lost.”
Scoring Breakdown
- Lewis Lovejoy (ATAP): 41 points (7th most in MHSAA Finals history)
- Grady Eklund (P-W): 26 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists
- Logan Farmer (P-W): 14 points
- Trent Piggott (P-W): 11 points, 12 rebounds
P-W's Senior Leadership and Balanced Attack
Pewamo-Westphalia’s victory was built on the foundation of its experienced senior class. Four starters—Nolan George, Tyler Spitzley, Trent Piggott, and Grady Eklund—along with sixth man Ty Thelen, led the team. Coach Schneider highlighted their unwavering commitment and leadership.
The seniors played a crucial role in mentoring younger players. “They never once wavered and never once batted an eye,” Schneider noted. “They took the sophomores under their wing, and obviously they helped us today. The senior class stayed together.” This unity proved essential in the high-pressure championship environment.
Grady Eklund delivered a standout performance in his final game, scoring 26 points, grabbing nine rebounds, and dishing out four assists. Trent Piggott recorded a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds. Sophomore Logan Farmer also contributed significantly with 14 points, demonstrating the team's depth.
Crucial Defensive Adjustments
Lovejoy's scoring was nearly unstoppable through the first three quarters, as he amassed 35 points, giving ATAP a one-point lead heading into the fourth. However, Pewamo-Westphalia made a strategic defensive change, assigning sophomore Logan Farmer to guard Lovejoy.
This adjustment, combined with help from Ty Thelen and Nolan George, proved effective. Coach Schneider explained that Farmer's length and a fresh defensive look helped disrupt Lovejoy's rhythm. Farmer himself was ready for the challenge.
“I saw he had 35, and I tried to keep him at 35,” Farmer said. “It didn’t work. He stops so quick and he has that back-up game, so he’s always keeping you on your toes. So it’s hard to stay with him. But when he raised up, I just tried to contest the best I could.”
Farmer's defensive effort was complemented by his offensive contribution, as he hit the game-sealing free throws with nine seconds left. He was also positioned to contest ATAP’s final 3-point attempt, which missed.
Game Flow Highlights
- Lovejoy scored 18 points in the first half, including 14 of ATAP's 16 points in the second quarter.
- P-W started hot, hitting 10 of their first 18 shots and dominating points in the paint (18-4 advantage).
- ATAP struggled from beyond the arc in the first half, shooting just 4-of-13.
- P-W forced 6 turnovers compared to ATAP's 2 in the first half.
Freeland Claims Division 2 Title with Senior Dominance
In another significant championship game, Freeland’s boys basketball team, led by 12 seniors, secured their first-ever Boys Basketball Finals title. They defeated Hudsonville Unity Christian 42-32 in the Division 2 championship at the Breslin Center.
The Falcons’ victory was a culmination of years of effort, with every player who saw the floor in the final game set to graduate. Senior guard Wilson Huckeby emphasized the team effort. “To go back home with this big thing (trophy) and do something that no Freeland boys team has ever done, win a state championship, is pretty special,” Huckeby said.
A Slow Start, Strong Finish for Freeland
The Division 2 final began slowly, with Unity Christian leading 6-4 after the first quarter. Both teams struggled offensively, combining for just 4-of-19 shooting from the field. Unity Christian held a narrow 17-15 lead at halftime.
Freeland found its rhythm late in the third quarter and carried that momentum into the fourth, building a 13-point lead with under three minutes remaining. Coach John Fattal highlighted the team's composure during the break.
“In the locker room, you walked in and it was just poised and composed,” Freeland coach John Fattal said. “Everyone knew in that locker room what the second half was going to look like. Everyone knew in our locker room what the belief looked like. Everyone understood that these guys were going to handle pressure, were going to make free throws, they were going to handle everything that Unity Christian threw at them, everything the environment threw at them, and they were just poised and composed the whole second half.”
Key 3-pointers from Tristan Comer and Connor Lasceski on consecutive possessions stretched Freeland's lead from three to nine points, providing a crucial boost.
Individual Performances for Freeland
Tristan Comer, a 6-foot-6 center who will play offensive line at Michigan State, contributed 12 points and 10 rebounds. Wilson Huckeby matched Comer with 12 points, adding six rebounds and four steals. Cooper Wagner, another senior, had five points and six assists, while Lasceski finished with six points.
Unity Christian coach Scott Soodsma acknowledged Freeland's strong defense. “If you would have told me that Huckeby and Comer had 24 total, one of those could score 24 on their own. So, yeah, it was just one of those nights where I thought our defense didn’t let us down and it was right there.”
Unity Christian's Challenges
Unity Christian faced significant challenges, including injuries to key players. Senior guard Brogan Sherd left the game early in the third quarter with a leg injury and returned on crutches. Owen VanderWaal was also limited due to injury. Jack Kamminga led Unity Christian with 14 points and five rebounds.
Soodsma reflected on the impact of the injuries. “We were down a little horsepower and we had a hard time scoring, that was the issue,” he said. “If you would have told me we were going to hold them to 42 points, I’m thinking we win that ball game by 10. I thought we’d get to 55, probably. But, tonight, it just wasn’t meant to be.”
Ultimately, both championship games highlighted the intense competition and memorable performances that define high school basketball finals.
