Big second half runs have become a thing for the Grand Rapids Catholic Central boys basketball team this week.
The Cougars did it Saturday for the third time in as many games, this time to beat Pennfield 77-54 to win the division 4 state championship.
After the game was tied at the half, the Panthers took the lead 34-33 on a three from junior guard Luke Davis two minutes into the third quarter.
That's when CC started turning defense into offense to fuel a 15-2 run and take a 12-point lead.
"One thing about this team, if we get down we don't ever hang our heads, our coaches don't let us do that," Cougars sophomore Kaden Brown said. "We keep our heads up and talk to each other, talk to our coaches, make adjustments and make it happen."
Brown led all scorers with 28 points, junior Jack Karasinski scored 18.
Davis led the Panthers with 17, senior Ryne Petersen added 11.
"It is insane," Petersen said about his team's run to the finals. "Many people don't get this opportunity so I am thankful for where we are and how far we got."
Catholic Central finishes off a perfect season at 20-0 and wins the first state championship in program history.
"Just the support from our families, we had a sendoff with a few hundred people outside of our gym before we came here and they were signing the fight song and dressed in our colors," CC head coach TJ Meerman said. "It is a little emotional talking about it because they just care about all their programs at Catholic and we are proud to bring back a trophy for boys basketball."
