SOUTH CHRISTIAN, TESTED, PREVAILS FOR A CHANCE AT STATE TITLE

SOUTH CHRISTIAN, TESTED, PREVAILS FOR A CHANCE AT STATE TITLE

By Josh Longstreth

Things have seemed to come easy for the South Christian Sailors. But that isn’t always the case.
The Sailors had to replace leading scorer Sophomore Carson Vis. Any time you have to replace a
top notch scorer, that’s not easy to replace. South Christian has found a way, though, as they
have cruised through most of the teams they’ve met since losing Vis.

Friday wouldn’t come as easy for the Sailors, as they were tested for the first time in the State
Playoffs. Every great team will be tested at some point, especially to this stage of the season and
South Christian did nothing but show their resolve in a 40-35 overtime win over Romulus
Summit Academy.

South Christian came in winners of fifteen straight in which every one of those games they
dominated throughout. Summit gave South Christian all they could handle in a defensive
struggle but the Sailors still found themselves with a 19-13 lead at the half. A big fourth quarter
from the Dragons helped take the game into overtime before South Christian pulled away in the
overtime period.

Summit gave a solid performance in their first ever Semifinal but would have trouble putting
points on the board as the Sailors held them to just 35% shooting. South Christian shot 49%
themselves. The Dragons will finish the year at 25-3.

Jake DeHaan led the Sailors with 14 points and 5 rebounds on the day. Jake Vermaas finished
with 12 points and 5 rebounds. Sam Medendorp added 8 points, 7 rebounds and 4 blocks. Nate
Brinks buried a three-pointer in overtime that propelled the Sailors.

James Wright led Summit with 13 points, 7 rebounds and 2 steals. Dominic Krzeowiak added 6
points and 6 rebounds. Amir Perryman finished with 6 points.

The Sailors will now move on to play Ferndale in Saturday’s Division 2 Final. South Christian is
looking to add another state title as they took home the Division 4 Football Title in November. A
win on Saturday at the Breslin would give the basketball program their first title since 2005.