March is made on games like this Class D state semifinal at Michigan State's Breslin Center. Only so much can fit in a newspaper story, so come inside for the extended coverage from the Pirates' historic win.
In a nutshell: Fulton started off fast, got behind for the second and third quarters, and then finished on a 20-2 run that continues to defy logic hours later -- but might go down as the most memorable moment in Fulton basketball history. Saturday's final will be the Pirates' first.
Game ball: A rec league teammate and former Okemos gunner told me once that if a shooter makes two straight shots, he shoots a third time because he's hot. If he misses two straight, he shoots the third because it's bound to go in. Fulton junior Tyler Walden sounds like he subscribes to a similar theory. He made two NBA-length 3-pointers in the first quarter to remind us why he's all-state this season. Then he missed six straight shots before hitting his 79th and 80th 3-pointers this season among his nine points over the final six minutes of the game. He finished with 19 points total.
Unsung heroes: Juniors Corey Hungerford and Cody Johnson and senior Garrett Slavik. The Pirates' trio of 6-foot-3 post players went up against 6-9, 6-8 and 6-6 from Westside -- and outscored them 28-20 and tied them rebounding 15-15.
Magic Moment: Of course there were plenty during the 20-2 run. Walden and I agree on the same: With two minutes and change to play, and Fulton down seven, Pirates guard Brandon Trefil got a steal, drove the length of the court and finished with a layup, and was fouled. He missed the free throw, got the rebound and missed again, but the momentum was swung. It was the fourth of seven straight Westside turnovers, and it energized his teammates to finish the comeback.
What's next: No. 2 Wyoming Tri-unity Christian is back on the other side of the bracket to little surprise -- the Defenders have played in six of the last 15 D finals, winning three times. They are a strong defensive bunch led by all-state guard Durant Vega, who Friday held Class D co-Player of the Year Jordan Chartier of Eben Junction Superior Central to 15 points, but on 5 of 16 shooting. EJSC shot just 28 percent from the floor as a team. Tri-unity sophomore Joey Blauwkamp earned an all-state honorable mention this season and had 21 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks in that semifinal. But the Defenders get offense from a variety of sources, and will provide Fulton with a championship-caliber challenge.
High school sports editor 
