Tri-Unity Christian stumbles in the D4 state title game; vows to return

Tri-Unity Christian sophomore Keaton Blanker loses control of the ball along the baseline in the Division 4 state championship game on Saturday, March 25, 2023. (Photo | Lenny Padilla.

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Owen Rosendall couldn’t hold back tears after the game.

The junior from Wyoming Tri-Unity Christian wasn’t sad. He was upset.

“I don’t know why I’m crying,” he said laughing at himself. “I’m a junior. It just sucks. I hate losing.”
Tri-Unity Christian lost to Munising 39-37 on Saturday in the Division 4 state championship game. It is the first championship in Munising history.  

“I would take these guys to war,” Tri-Unity coach Mark Keeler said. “I’m really proud of them. They gave their very best. It’s tough to watch them cry. I tell them ‘quit crying. I don’t want you to cry.’ I love them and I’m proud of the way they handled (the loss).”

Tri-Unity (22-7) was led by Jordan VanKlompenberg with 15 points, Roy Fogg 11, Akais Giplaye had 4 points, 3 blocks and 14 rebounds. Rosendall finished with 5 points and 6 assists.

Tri-Unity Christian junior Jordan VanKlompenberg shoots a 3-pointer in the Division 4 state championship game on Saturday, March 25, 2023. He led the team with 15 points. (Photo | Lenny Padilla.

“Obviously, it’s tough to go out like that in such a big game and (the score) so close,” VanKlompenberg said. “We had great season. We’re going to have another tough team next year. So hopefully, we’ll be back.”

Tri-Unity has been a great shooting team all season. But it struggled on Saturday. It Defenders were just 4-of-19 from 3-point range.

Does it hurt less for the juniors such as Rosendall and VanKlompenberg have already won a state title? The Defenders won it all last year.

“I would say so,” Rosendall said. “I really wanted to go back-to-back. But we’re spoiled with the state championship last year. So I can’t complain.”

Tri-Unity Christian junior Owen Rosendall sets up a play in the Division 4 state championship game on Saturday, March 25, 2023. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).

Tri-Unity only graduates three seniors in Hanif James, Dylan Bruinsma and Fogg.

“Next year we’ll be a tough team,” Rosendall said. “We’re only losing Roy (Fogg) and we have a 6-foot-7 kid from Unity (Christian) that transferred (sophomore Joey Mellon). He had to sit out this year. He’ll be dominant.”

Fogg spent the past three seasons playing for a home school team. So this was his only year with Tri-Unity.

“Thank you to the coaches for giving me this opportunity,” Fogg said. “Being part of this is crazy. It is like family. We all love each other. We may argue on the court, but it’s all love. It was a very special opportunity to play here for just one year. It’s been amazing.”

Rosendall said his bond with fellow junior VanKlompenberg got off to a rocky start. But they are close friends now.

“Me and Jordan … he’s one of my favorite teammates that I’ve ever played with. Him and Brady (Titus),” Rosendall said. “Basketball really brought us together. We weren’t really friends until basketball started (after his freshman year). Now we’re really good friends and I trust him with anything.”

This was the 13th time that Tri-Unity had reached the Final Four at the Breslin under Keeler. They have won the state championship five times: 1996, 2002, 2006, 2011 and 2022.

Tri-Unity Christian senior Roy Fogg looks to score in the paint in the Division 4 state championship game on Saturday, March 25, 2023. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).