(EAST LANSING) - It may be a stretch to believe a lone play early in a third quarter could decide a state championship game, but that's the best explanation Niles Brandywine could offer. A steal and ensuing slam dunk ignited eight dominating minutes that earned the No. 3 Bobcats their first MHSAA Finals title with Saturday's 56-48 win over Detroit Old Redford in Division 3 at the Breslin Center. ...... {LISTEN}. A steal and subsequent dunk by senior guard Jaremiah Palmer during the third period's opening seconds were what players credited with turning around a contest which saw Brandywine actually outscore Old Redford in just that one quarter. Prior to Palmer's steal and basket, Niles Brandywine had led only 4-1 midway through the first quarter and for less than three minutes of the second quarter, entering halftime down 24-23. But Palmer's exploits kicked off a 20-5 third-quarter surge which led the Bobcats to as much as a 44-31 lead halfway through the period. Senior center Brock Dye said at halftime players talked about making a big play. Brandywine coach Nate Knapp, whose team has won 51 games over the last two seasons, said while the steal and dunk played a part, he also credited defense. The team gave up an average of just 39 points over seven tournament wins. Old Redford (21-8) shot just 38 percent from the floor while missing 16 of 18 3-point attempts. Jaremiah Palmer finished with18 points, six rebounds and three steals while Ja'Torian Smith had seven points and 10 rebounds for the Bobcats (26-3) Sophomore Jaylin Muldrow had 14 points and Ja'Quan Stennis added 10 for Old Redford. The Ravens started only one senior in forward Justin Adams, while underclassmen scored all 48 points.

OTHER STATE CHAMPIONSHIP SCORES
Division 1
No. 1 Orchard Lake St. Mary’s 63 – No. 6 North Farmington 52

Division 2
No. 3 Warren Lincoln 53 – No. 1 Grand Rapids Christian 39

Division 4
No. 3 Wyoming Tri-Unity Christian 79 – No. 4 Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart 59


IHSAA BOYS BASKETBALL SEMI-STATES
Class 3A at Logansport
S.B. St. Joseph 88 – Peru 80
Delta 54 – Fairfield 45
FINALS: S.B. St. Joseph 44 – Delta 41 (3 OT)

Class 4A at Elkhart (North Side)
No. 1 Fishers 48 – Crown Point 37
F.W. Wayne 62 – Mishawaka 47
FINALS: No. 1 Fishers 69 – F.W. Wayne 61

Class 2A at Lafayette Jefferson
No. 2 Wapahani 48 – North Judson 28
No. 6 F.W. Blackhawk 55 – Wabash 51
FINALS: No. 2 Wapahani 60 – No. 6 F.W. Blackhawk 49 (OT)

Class 1A at Michigan City
Liberty Christian 50 – Marquette Catholic 47
F.W. Canterbury 60 – Elkhart Christian 51 (OT)
FINALS: F.W. Canterbury 56 – Liberty Christian 53


(audio courtesy of the MHSAA Radio Network)