Tri-Unity Christian wins back-to-back state titles; Coach Keeler retires on top

Tri-Unity Christian’s Joey Mellon celebrates after the team beat Fowler 49-32 in the Division 4 state championship game on Saturday, March 15, 2025. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Mark Keeler couldn’t stop smiling.

The long-time Wyoming Tri-Unity Christian boys basketball coach had another state championship trophy sitting next to him during the postgame news conference on Saturday. His seventh and final one as a coach. He announced he is retiring after 38 seasons. 

Tri-Unity Christian beat Fowler 49-32 on Saturday in the Division 4 state championship game at The Beslin Center on the campus of Michigan State University. It is the second-straight year that the Defenders won the title.

“It’s more emotional because this is my last one,” Keeler said. “For me, when we got here, it was a win-win. But the competitive part of me wanted to win (the game). I knew we could. I watched these guys mature. I’ve not had a better defensive team than this year. We averaged teams scoring 39 points per game. I love defense.”

Senior Keaton Blanker led Tri-Unity Christian (27-2) with 12 points and five assists, senior Noah Silverton had 11, senior Joey Mellon had 9 points and 8 rebounds, sophomore Cody Osbun 9 and junior Clayton Rowlader 9. 

Tri-Unity Christian coach Mark Keeler announced his retirement before the season. His team beat Fowler 49-32 in the Division 4 state championship game on Saturday, March 15, 2025. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).

“It seems almost like tradition to make it to The Breslin,” Mellon said. “But it involves a lot of work. Practices are really tough. We put in the work. Coach Keeler really pushes us because he knows what it takes to get back here.”

But all Keeler wanted to talk about was his team’s defense. 

“My guys played their hearts out,” Keeler said. “Was that good defense? I think it was good defense. Fowler is a great team. I thought we didn’t quit and they came back at us. We knew they would. We took care of the ball.”

Rowlader came off the bench and drained three huge 3-pointers.

“So happy for him,” Blanker said. “He’s probably the best shooter on the team. I know he was feelin’ it. Those three 3-pointers are what sealed the game.”

Tri-Unity Christian senior Keaton Blanker pushes the ball up court during a win over Fowler 49-32 in the Division 4 state championship game on Saturday, March 15, 2025. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).

But it was Blanker who has run the show the past three years at point guard.

“Keaton’s a great point guard,” Mellon said. “He’s the best ball hander that I know. He knows how to facilitate the offense. Knowing he’s running things, you know we have a good shot at winning.”

Blanker and Mellon are the only players who were on varsity the past three years.

“Last year, we graduated eight seniors,” Blanker said. “Pretty much just me and Joey that played on that team. So 13 other guys with no varsity experience. I don’t think a lot of people thought we could do this. I’m so happy because no one thought we could be here.”

The Tri-Unity Christian team poses after winning the Division 4 state championship game on Saturday, March 15, 2025. The Defenders have been to the title game five years in a row. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).

 Keeler has won seven titles

Tri-Unity Christian reached the Division 4 state title game each of the past five seasons. Keeler has one state titles in 1996, 2002, 2006, 2011, 2022, 2024 and 2025. 

“Unreal,” Keeler said of winning a title in his final game. “I still can’t get over it. It’s amazing to me.”

He finishes his career with a record of 721-218. He will be replaced by assistant coach Brent Voorhees as head coach next season.

 Defenders play a tough schedule

Tri-Unity set the school record with 27 wins. And they did it playing a very tough schedule. The Defenders actually played Fowler in Game 2 of the season, losing 62-59.

“We purposely schedule (tough) games,” Keeler said. “This year, we played 22 games in the regular season and only five of them were against Division 4 schools. The most was against Division 2. Typically, you’ll lose a few of those. But this year, our defense was amazing.”

Tri-Unity Christian’s Keaton Blanker, left, and Joey Mellon are the lone seniors who have played for the team each of the past three seasons. They won their second Division 4 state championship titles on Saturday, March 15, 2025. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).

 Mellon is a rare big man in Division 4

There aren’t a whole lot of 6-foot-7 basketball players in Division 4. 

But Tri-Unity has been blessed to have Joey Mellon on its roster.

“It’s a treat,” Keeler said of Mellon. “He’s played awesome. In the semifinals, he ended up with four fouls. That’s the first time he did that all year. He’s never in foul trouble. He’s a great shot blocker.” 

Transfer Silverton pays off

Noah Silverton moved to the area from Kentucky without knowing any of his new teammates.

But the senior forward hit it off quickly with the Defenders.

“Noah’s been huge,” Mellon said. “When he came from Kentucky, it was like a week before school started. None of us had any idea he was coming. As a player, he’s great. He was our missing piece.”

Silverton was a key piece when Tri-Unity went on a 13-0 run in the first quarter. 

“We just penetrated and found our open people,” Silverton said. “It was very big for us. It gave us the energy that we needed to pull out the (win). It made the state championship a reality for us.” 

Tri-Unity Christian’s Noah Silverton is helped up by teammates Joey Mellon and Cody Osbun in the Division 4 state championship game on Saturday, March 15, 2025. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).