Cardinals Sneak Past Napoleon To Win District Championship

Adrien Putnam (#10) scored 23 points for MC. Photo by Noah Baker, JTV Sports.

By David Rice | JTV Sports

Friday, March 10th 2023

This district final between Michigan Center and Napoleon lived up to the excitement that was surrounding it headed into Friday night’s matchup at Napoleon High School. A back and forth contest all game, all the way down to the final play.

Kyran Lane started the game for Michigan Center, getting a block on defense followed by a Jayden Watson layup to make it 2-0. Holden VanPoppel answered with a 3-pointer with 5:56 left. VanPoppel scored another 2 to make it another Napoleon lead, 5-4 with 4:52 left. Back and forth continued with Brody Shannon making 6-5 with 4:28 left.

Michigan Center went on a 8-2 run in the final 4 minutes of the opening quarter. After 1, MC leads 14-7.

Napoleon didn’t shy away to begin the second quarter. Points from Trent Jester and VanPoppel made it 14-11, still down by 3 with 6:11 left. Then, MC scored 5 straight to separate them by 8, making it 19-11. 

The game of runs continued as Napoleon made it close again. Gavrik Belcourt scored 4 points followed by a block on defense. Jester added 2 more to make it 21-19 with 1:53 left.

At the half, Michigan Center still leads by 2, 21-19.

The first 2 minutes of the 3rd quarter went scoreless, then Grant Bradley tied it at 21 with 5:57 left. The 3rd quarter continued to be back and forth, with Napoleon hanging around. Napoleon made it as close as 3 during the 3rd quarter. Carter McCave hit a 3 to make it 29-24 with 2:59 left. 

After 3, the game is tied at 32-32, setting up for a exciting final 8 minutes.

The fourth quarter started with a three from Adrien Putnam to make it 35-32 with 7:07 left. Michigan Center led by 6 (40-34) at the 3:35 timeout. With 1:09 left, Holden VanPoppel made a 3 to make it 44-40. Putnam free throws made it a 6-point game.

Both teams traded free throws, with DeVonta Habern making it 46-42 with 42 seconds left. Grant Davis missed a 3 with 22 seconds left to make it (potentially) a 1-point game. With 11 seconds left, McCave made it a 4-point game, 47-43. Grant Bradley hit a 3-pointer to make it a 1-point game.

But, with just 1 second left, it wasn’t enough time for Napoleon. Michigan Center squeaks out a win to claim the District Championship 49-46. 

Adrien Putnam scored 23 for MC, Holden VanPoppel scored 13 for Napoleon. MC will face Leslie next week in the Regional Semifinal.

“Adrien did a great job for us tonight, stepped up and made big plays for us. We’ve relied on him throughout the season and he helped get us the win” said Head Coach Travis Gaddy. “Leslie is tough, but we gotta keep the ball rolling on defense and come ready to play.”