Warren Lincoln boys basketball tops Grand Rapids Christian in Division 2 title game

The Abes grab their first state title in school history

EAST LANSING, Michigan — The final game on Saturday, March 16, consisted of a highly anticipated rematch between Warren Lincoln and Grand Rapids Christian for a chance to hoist the Division 2 state championship trophy.

Both squads were in search for its first-ever state championship title in school history, and Warren Lincoln was able to hold on and defeat Grand Rapids Christian, 53-39.

The two sides met earlier in the season, and that game went down to the wire with Warren Lincoln hitting a game-winning buzzer beater to give the Abes a 49-47 win.

“I knew coming in tonight it was going to be a great game,” head coach Wydell Henry said. “We came in with a lot of emotions because we knew they wanted to play us again.”

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The Eagles built a 10-14 lead, but as time expired on the clock, Markus Blackwell drilled a 3-pointer to cut the deficit, 14-13, to enter the second quarter.

Warren Lincoln challenged Grand Rapids Christian to begin things in the second quarter as they claimed the lead, 18-16, with 3:51 left in the first half.

The Abes continued the efforts as they entered halftime with a 25-21 advantage over the Eagles.

Warren Lincoln forced eight Grand Rapids Christian turnovers throughout the first half, five of those coming in the second quarter which helped them on the offensive end.

Markus Blackwell finished with 56 percent of Warren Lincoln’s first half points as he entered the break with 14.

The Abes came out firing in the third quarter as two consecutive three-pointers from Moses Blackwell extended their lead, 31-24, with 4:36 left in the third quarter.

After trading buckets, Grand Rapids Christian went on a 7-0 run highlighted by a Nate Johnson slam dunk. Warren Lincoln’s Moses Blackwell would answer with his fourth three-pointer of the night to give the Abes a 37-33 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

As momentum swung between both sides in the fourth quarter, Warren Lincoln stayed in front as they led the Eagles, 42-35, with 5:15 left to play.

Moments later the Abes would produce a quick 5-0 run highlighted by a Markus Blackwel three-pointer to extend their lead, 49-39, with 2:26 left in the final quarter.

Warren Lincoln would hold the Eagles scoreless for the remainder of the game as they captured the first-ever state championship.

The Abes lit it up from downtown as they shot the ball 10-for-19 (52.6%) from three-point range.

“My pregame speech in the locker room was that we haven’t played our best game yet all season,” Henry said. “When we’re at our best, can’t nobody beat us.”

The Blackwell brothers were certainly something for the Abes as Markus Blackwell led the scoring with 24 points on 8-for-15 shooting followed by Moses Blackwell’s 12 points.

“Me and my brother, we’ve been working at this since we was five years old,” Moses Blackwell said. “It feels good to finally achieve it.” 

Grand Rapids Christian vs. Warren Lincoln in the MHSAA Division 2 championship

Photos by Scott Hasse

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- Jack Butler | butler@scorebooklive.com | @Butler917