Wyoming Tri-Unity Christian had a run in the late 90's and early part of this century that made them the cream of the Class D crop. They made the final weekend of the season each of the last two years as well, but had not won a title since the 2001-02 season. The Defenders regained their place atop Class D on Saturday, however, pulling out a 65-51 win over Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart.

There were a lot of storylines heading into the game. Besides Tri-Unity's search for another title, Sacred Heart head coach Keisha Brown became the first woman to coach a boys team in the state finals. At 25-1, the Fighting Irish did not need to prove anything to anyone, especially their coach.

"You will not find a more proud coach in the state today," said Brown following the game. "The true heart of a champion is team and these guys have the true heart of a champion."

After jumping out to a 24-19 halftime lead, a championship was in sight for Sacred Heart. Senior guard Nate Whitford and Junior center Caleb Simons each scored eight points in the first half of play while Tri-Unity struggled to hit their shots. The Irish finished the half on a 10-1 run to take the lead into the break.

It took a quarter for him to get warmed up, but 6-7 Tri-Unity senior center Andy Venema showed early in the second half why he would eventually be the biggest story of the game. With three-point range in his repertoire as well as solid post moves and plenty of strength, Venema was nearly unstoppable once his shot started falling.

Venema's seven points in the final 2:30 of the third quarter erased a two-point deficit and gave his team a three-point lead they would not relinquish. Tri-Unity would hit 17 of 23 foul shots in the final stanza to secure their third state title.

"I'm proud of my guys and how they stepped it up, especially in the third quarter," said Tri-Unity head coach Mark Keller. "I thought in the first half they didn't listen to m real good, but they did in the second half. We have guys who love the game and play hard."

Venema's 26 points and ten rebounds paced the Defenders. On the college scene, he said he is undecided where he will go to school, but is considering Hope, Calvin and Cornerstone.

Three other players posted double digits for Tri-Unity, including point guard Jonathan Visser who went for 12 and added six assists.

Sacred Heart struggled hitting from beyond the three-point arc, which eventually doomed them down the stretch when they had no answer for Venema. They finished the game 2-14 from distance. Whitford led the Irish with 14 points. Simons finished with 11 and posted eight rebounds while Pat Thiesen finished the game with 12 points.