The last game of this winter season ended with a celebration 50 years in the making. Sexton is the Class B state champion, putting the finishing touches on the run only a few miles from its home court. Fulton didn't fare as well in the Class D final, but has much to celebrate from this month. Here's the final "Final Buzzer" of 2010-11 with the extended details from Saturday's local state finals.
In a nutshell: SEXTON defeated Muskegon Heights 75-60 in the Class B final to earn its first state title since 1960. The Big Reds got off to a slow start, but turned on a 17-0 run that left the game out of reach for the Tigers. FULTON experienced almost the opposite of the big run that lifted it to a semifinal victory Thursday. The Pirates went from two down with five minutes to play to losing 67-50 to Wyoming Tri-unity Christian.
Game balls: SEXTON senior forward Tyrin Wade capped an all-state career with 18 points, seven rebounds and four assists and even played the end through a slight ankle twist. He made 8 of 12 shots from the floor in a team-high 30 minutes. FULTON had its best highlights in the first quarter, when junior forward Cody Johnson scored nine of his 12 points. He's the often-overlooked third-leading scorer on the team, but a solid player who should be even better next season.
Unsung heroes: The last three weeks have seen SEXTON sophomore Jalen Hayes go from 6-foot-7 contributor to 6-7 standout-in-making. He capped the run with eight points and a game-high 11 rebounds, and really grabbed hold of his role this season as the team's tallest post presence. Eric Litwiller and Zach Baker were two of only four FULTON seniors and big parts even if the stats didn't always show it. Litwiller had seven rebounds and three assists in his final high school game, and Baker had four points and three assists.
Magic Moments: The biggest WOW moment for SEXTON came in the closing seconds of the third quarter. The Big Reds had also played for the final shot the first two quarters, and this time Michigan State recruit Denzel Valentine started a drive from outside the top of the 3-point arc, past at least three Muskegon Heights defenders and finished with a two-handed jam. Stomping the same lane after the game he hollered "This is my house!" as he began his championship celebration. FULTON no doubt wishes it could've ended the game after a 14-4 start, but that excitement is something to build on for what should be another title-contending team in 2011-12.
What's next: Both teams are junior-dominated -- FULTON will return its top three scorers, and SEXTON its next four after leader Wade. Of course, expectations will be high. But both groups will have plenty of experience handling them. Of the 16 semifinalists at Breslin this weekend, they arguably are the most set up to return next year.
High school sports editor 
