By John Raffel
MaxPreps.com
Wyoming Tri-Unity Christian's boys basketball team is at it again.
Coach Mark Keeler team won the state Class D title in 2006 with a 65-51 victory over Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart in the final game. Last season, his team was heavily favored to beat Cedarville in the title game, but lost 77-74. This year, Tri -Unity has rolled to an overall 9-0 record and looks to be the team to beat again in Class D.
"We lost three starters from last year," Keeler said. "We have three seniors and two juniors starting this season. We have a good group of guys who play well together and are unselfish."
Jared Mysliwiec is averaging 15.6 points per game while Dan Possehl is averaging 13 points and Tommy Millema 10 points a game. Possehl is averaging 4.5 assists per game.
The Defenders feature an imposing front line, with Possehl at 6-foot-9 and Millema's twin brother, David, at 6-4.
More Basketball
One of Tri-Unity Christian's toughest upcoming opponents will be Class A power Grand Rapids Christian, which entertains the Defenders Jan. 15.
It's the third year as varsity coach for Grand Rapids Christian skipper Mark Warners, whose team is off to an 8-0 start.
"We have contributions from a lot of guys," Warners said. "We have a lot of different guys stepping up."
Tuesday night, the Eagles beat a 7-0 Grand Rapids Central team, in what Warners labeled a "big test."
James Thomas is averaging 14.5 points per game. Spencer Schultz is averaging 13 points and 5.1 rebounds a game.
Girls Basketball
Grosse Pointe North was sitting on top of the state's Class A polls this week with an 8-1 record before losing 45-38 on Tuesday to Rochester, which is 10-0.
"We didn't shoot well at all," North coach Gary Bennett said. "But it was a great game and we had an opportunity to win."
Ariel Braker led Grosse Pointe North with 16 points. Bennett still likes his team's chances as a state championship contender.
Hockey
Marquette finished as state runner-up last season and could make a bid for a state title this year in Division I.
Among the reasons is senior forward John Aho, who scored 40 points last year. He started this season with four goals and seven assists in the team's first four games.
"Last year as a junior, he stepped his performance up," Marquette coach Joe Papin said. "He's not only a kid who can put the puck on net but he can see the ice well. He's a good physical player."
Many players in Marquette, located in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, participate in Triple A hockey as opposed to suiting up for their high school teams.
"John chose to play for his school, something we're pretty proud of," Aho said. "Being a forward, you need him to be out there to help us get that state championship ring."
Another standout player is senior forward Mark Nettell, who has seven goals and four assists this season. He played for the Marquette Electricians Triple A team last year.
"His presence on the team is absolutely huge," Papin said. "I think the kids on the Electricians wish they were playing high school hockey. Mark is a very intelligent player. He's very effective defensively and offensively. He has the ability to get open. He plays very well also way from the puck."
