Southfield Christian started the final day of the winter sports season at the Breslin Center on March 24 by putting itself on the map with a 76-44 win over Climax-Scotts for its first state championship.
While Southfield Christian won it in Class D, Beecher was the undefeated champ in Class C, Lansing Sexton in Class B, and Saginaw in Class A.
Southfield Christian was an intriguing state champ, considering that two of its players were Lindsey Hunter III, a senior, and his brother Lindsey Hunter IV, a sophomore. They are the sons of former Pistons star Lindsey Hunter, who serves as an assistant coach for the Southfield Christian team.
Both Hunters had decent games. Lindsey III was 6 of 12 from the floor and 3 of 5 in 3-pointers for 15 points and eight rebounds. His brother was 2 of 4 in 3-pointers and 2 of 2 at the line for eight points.
“We don’t take anyone for granted,” said Lindsey III. “We look at film. We came out and played our hardest. That’s how we build confidence.”
But the hot hand belonged to senior guard Chris Dewberry, who was 10 of 13 from the floor and 6 of 8 in 3-pointers for 30 points and six rebounds.
Coach Josh Baker’s team was 24-2 in his first season.
“I thought the guys came out and we guarded, and we’ve said all year that when we guard we’re good,” Baker said. “We were able to get stops early and get a lead. I was proud of the guys and happy as anything. I’m pumped, I’m thrilled. We had great players and a staff very helpful and supportive.”
Southfield Christian was explosive in a 98-84 win over Michigan Lutheran Seminary in the quarterfinals.
Jason Rickey scored 37 points for Muskegon Catholic Central in a 78-74 loss to Southfield Christian in a Thursday semifinal. He was 14 of 22 from the floor.
But on Saturday, Southfield Christian “wanted to guard [Aaron Cook.] Dew was outstanding for us defensively,” Baker said. “We tried to help as much as possible on Malachi [Satterlee.] He’s too big for one guy to guard.”
Both Cook and Satterlee stand 6’7″ but only had a combined nine points and six rebounds.
“We did a little bit better than we did on [Rickey] Thursday night,” Baker said.
“They knocked down the 3-pointers,” said Climax-Scotts coach Steve Critchlow. “They were 12 of 26. That really hurt us.”
“It feels good,” Dewberry said. “The coaches and my brothers say it, I’m one of the best shooters in the state. When I got open or there was a pick to get me open, I got the ball and I capitalized on it.”
“This season has been the greatest basketball I’ve ever played,” said senior guard Gavin Toma. “SCS, as you know, hasn’t been a basketball school. We put in so much work. It’s unbelievable. I’m so happy and proud of everybody.
“A lot of the boys were hurt last year. Gavin was hurt and had started as a freshman,” said Baker. “They were 1-19 two years ago and 11-10 last year. Dewberry transferred over and the other guys got healthy. It was kind of a perfect storm. This is one of the best shooting teams I’ve ever coached. Dewberry is the best shooter I’ve ever coached. That helps a lot obviously. They put in a ton of time and a ton of work. We try to drive the ball a couple of times and get catch-and-shoot threes. Hopefully we take good shots. They’re naturally good shooters.”