Jackson Lumen Christi wins state title behind star sophomores, dominant fourth quarter

East Lansing — Jackson Lumen Christi head coach Scott Stine might be in his first season leading a new program, but the multi-time champion head coach knew it was time for his star to get a curtain call in Saturday’s Division 3 championship. Leading by double digits in the final seconds, Stine subbed out star point guard Kenna Hunt after a pair of free throws, and she embraced a line of coaches and teammates as the clock ran out and the buzzer sounded on a historic afternoon. BOX SCORE: Jackson Lumen Christi 52, Pewamo-Westphalia 36 Behind 21 points from Hunt and another 14 from sophomore guard Lucy Wrozek, Jackson Lumen Christi (24-3) won, 52-36, over Pewamo-Westphalia to claim a Division 3 girls basketball championship.

The teams entered the fourth quarter tied before Lumen Christi went on an 18-2 run over the final eight minutes to win the title. It’s the culmination of an offseason of commitment for the Lumen Christi girls, welcoming Stine from Ypsilanti Arbor Prep, where he’d won three of the past four girls state titles, and building on an appearance in the state quarterfinals a year ago. Led by the sophomore guard duo and a seasoned senior core, Stine and the Lumen Christi team set out the clear goal at the start of the season.

“Win a state championship,” senior Lily Ganton said at a victorious postgame press conference. For Jackson Lumen Christi, along with being the first title for the girls in hoops, it’s the first time a girls team from Jackson has won a state title in any division. It’s also the first time a high school basketball team from Jackson, girls or boys, has won a state title since 1955.

“Did I think it could happen? ” Stine said, reiterating the question of the possibility of a first-year title at a new stop. “It's really hard to get here.