ESCANABA---Their dream season was hanging by a thread.
The North Central Jets, with a 23-0 record and a lofty #2 ranking in the Michigan Class D state poll, were in a war that they knew they would be in against the Munising Mustangs.
The Jets were behind, 43-40, and time was running out. But the youngest member of the Jets made a big play and kept the dream alive.
NCA Freshman Jason Whitens drained a three-point basket with a man in his face with 3.8 seconds left to tie the game at 43-43.
Then Whitens made a defensive play at the other end on Munising's Austin Kelto to send the game into overtime. North Central outscored Munising, 11-3, in the extra session, to post a 54-46 win that sent the Jets into Wednesday's regional final against Crystal Falls.
"There's not a lot going through your mind except that 'I've got to make this'," Whitens said, after being hugged by dozens of people on the Escanaba High School court. "It just went in. When I go to the gym, I work with a guy on me at all times. I just got the shot up.
"It was the most difficult shot of my life," Whitens continued. "We work with (in practice) getting the broom out, and work on tough shots like that."
North Central Coach Adam Mercier was impressed with the execution of that play.
"We had two options off that play," Mercier said. "Jason's 6-4. We told him to 'rise up and hit it if you're open'. We were crashing on the rebound, so if he missed, I think we were there for an offensive rebound and maybe a tip-back. But Jason did a nice job of moving his body and elevating. So, a great offensive performance by Jason tonight."
To the Jet seniors on the bench, with their careers in the balance, the shot was sweet.
"You don't want to give up hope, but it almost seemed like it was slipping away," NCA senior Eric Prestay said. "We came back. It all that matters. I had a feeling that it would happen. I mean, he (Whitens) is a damn good player!"
"It was scary," NCA senior Tyler Polfus said. "I'm not gonna lie. I was about to break into tears there. And then Jason hit that shot there, and it was just, destinty, it feels like. The team went wild. I went wild. Everybody was up off the bench. It was just amazing."
Munising Head Coach Dan Waterman was literally heartbroken.
"Jason Whitens, that kid is phenominal for a freshman," Waterman said. "He hit a pressure-packed shot. If he misses that shot, their season is over. But he stepped up and he nailed it. At some point, you have to take your hats off to the winning team."
That Whitens triple did not win the game for the Jets. It merely tied the game, and then, North Central had to hang on, as the Mustangs used their final 3.8 seconds to their advantage.
The Mustangs ran a perfect play that saw Austin Kelto drive all the way to the basket. There was contact with Whitens under the basket, but no fouls were called.
In the overtime session, the Jets used their depth and experience to take control.
North Central outscored Munising, 11-3, in overtime.
Rob and Josh Granquist each hit a couple of free throws, as did Trevor Ekberg and Whitens. Ekberg also had a baseline lay-up, and Josh Granquist scored a layup from underneath, and NCA fans breathed a sigh of relief.
"I thought we put on a good show tonight," Mercier said. "It was just a dogfight. We were able to come out with a victory in overtime. Munising is the best defensive team in the U.P. for Class D. We played them nose-to-nose. We missed some bunnies, but I think we panicked a bit inside because you're used to being hit."
North Central also played some defense.
That was led by Polfus, who doesn't often get many minutes, but makes the most of what he gets. He made several key defensive plays, including one on the last play of the second quarter, when Polfius got a steal and a driving layup in the other direction.
That gave NCA a 20-18 lead at halftime.
"This year, my offense hasn't really been coming, so I've tried to keep it up on the defensive side of the ball," Polfus said. "He just put the ball in front of my face, and I just happened to pick it out of his hands, and score the ball."
Mercier says that Polfus has been an unsung hero for the Jets team.
"Big minutes off the bench," Mercier said. "That play before halftime, I said in the locker room that that might have been the biggest play of the game. Just to get us that two-point cushion heading into halftime. Just as a mental breather. Tyler Polfus has done a good job for us all year, just giving us that energy, playing hard-nosed defense."
Whitens scored 22 points and Ekberg had 11 to lead the Jets (24-0).
Ben Stansewich had 18 points to lead the Mustangs (19-4).
"I am so incredibly proud to be those kids' coach," Waterman said. "All year long, we prepared for an eye toward this game. We're disapppointed with the result, obviously.
"But you can't fault the kids' effort. I mean, they hustled, they scraped, they gave everything that they had. I'm really proud to be the Munising boys basketball coach."
North Central faces Crystal Falls Forest Park in the regional final. The Trojans beat Lake Linden-Hubbell in the other semifinal, 75-60. CFFP got 20 points each from Austin Carlson and Dan Nocerini. Lee Graff added 15 points for the CFFP Trojans.
Lake Linden got 21 points fro0m Tyler Roose and 17 from Brett Poissant.
North Central and Crystal Falls will play in the regional final Wednesday night at 6:00 CT in Escanaba. In the other Class D Regional, Cedarville faces Hillman in St. Ignace.
Click the thumbnails in the ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS box to see photos and videos, and to listen to post-game interviews.
The North Central Jets, with a 23-0 record and a lofty #2 ranking in the Michigan Class D state poll, were in a war that they knew they would be in against the Munising Mustangs.
NCA Freshman Jason Whitens drained a three-point basket with a man in his face with 3.8 seconds left to tie the game at 43-43.
Then Whitens made a defensive play at the other end on Munising's Austin Kelto to send the game into overtime. North Central outscored Munising, 11-3, in the extra session, to post a 54-46 win that sent the Jets into Wednesday's regional final against Crystal Falls.
"There's not a lot going through your mind except that 'I've got to make this'," Whitens said, after being hugged by dozens of people on the Escanaba High School court. "It just went in. When I go to the gym, I work with a guy on me at all times. I just got the shot up.
NCA's Jason Whitens scores the season-saving three.
North Central Coach Adam Mercier was impressed with the execution of that play.
"We had two options off that play," Mercier said. "Jason's 6-4. We told him to 'rise up and hit it if you're open'. We were crashing on the rebound, so if he missed, I think we were there for an offensive rebound and maybe a tip-back. But Jason did a nice job of moving his body and elevating. So, a great offensive performance by Jason tonight."
Eric Prestay signs a kid's autograph.
"You don't want to give up hope, but it almost seemed like it was slipping away," NCA senior Eric Prestay said. "We came back. It all that matters. I had a feeling that it would happen. I mean, he (Whitens) is a damn good player!"
"It was scary," NCA senior Tyler Polfus said. "I'm not gonna lie. I was about to break into tears there. And then Jason hit that shot there, and it was just, destinty, it feels like. The team went wild. I went wild. Everybody was up off the bench. It was just amazing."
Munising Head Coach Dan Waterman was literally heartbroken.
"Jason Whitens, that kid is phenominal for a freshman," Waterman said. "He hit a pressure-packed shot. If he misses that shot, their season is over. But he stepped up and he nailed it. At some point, you have to take your hats off to the winning team."
Munising tries to win at end, but no foul is called
The Mustangs ran a perfect play that saw Austin Kelto drive all the way to the basket. There was contact with Whitens under the basket, but no fouls were called.
In the overtime session, the Jets used their depth and experience to take control.
North Central outscored Munising, 11-3, in overtime.
NCA's Trevor Ekberg drains the foul shot
"I thought we put on a good show tonight," Mercier said. "It was just a dogfight. We were able to come out with a victory in overtime. Munising is the best defensive team in the U.P. for Class D. We played them nose-to-nose. We missed some bunnies, but I think we panicked a bit inside because you're used to being hit."
North Central also played some defense.
That was led by Polfus, who doesn't often get many minutes, but makes the most of what he gets. He made several key defensive plays, including one on the last play of the second quarter, when Polfius got a steal and a driving layup in the other direction.
That gave NCA a 20-18 lead at halftime.
NCA's Tyler Polfus gets steal and hoop
Mercier says that Polfus has been an unsung hero for the Jets team.
"Big minutes off the bench," Mercier said. "That play before halftime, I said in the locker room that that might have been the biggest play of the game. Just to get us that two-point cushion heading into halftime. Just as a mental breather. Tyler Polfus has done a good job for us all year, just giving us that energy, playing hard-nosed defense."
Ben Stansewich had 18 points to lead the Mustangs (19-4).
"I am so incredibly proud to be those kids' coach," Waterman said. "All year long, we prepared for an eye toward this game. We're disapppointed with the result, obviously.
"But you can't fault the kids' effort. I mean, they hustled, they scraped, they gave everything that they had. I'm really proud to be the Munising boys basketball coach."
North Central faces Crystal Falls Forest Park in the regional final. The Trojans beat Lake Linden-Hubbell in the other semifinal, 75-60. CFFP got 20 points each from Austin Carlson and Dan Nocerini. Lee Graff added 15 points for the CFFP Trojans.
Lake Linden got 21 points fro0m Tyler Roose and 17 from Brett Poissant.
North Central and Crystal Falls will play in the regional final Wednesday night at 6:00 CT in Escanaba. In the other Class D Regional, Cedarville faces Hillman in St. Ignace.
Click the thumbnails in the ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS box to see photos and videos, and to listen to post-game interviews.
