Brandywine boys' basketball team go to state championship for the first time

NILES, Mich. - ABC57’s Allison Hayes was the only local TV reporter in East Lansing to see the boys win and talk to Head Coach Nate Knapp and JT Smith, the player who made the game winning shot.

Brandywine boys' basketball team has advanced to the state championship for the first time in school history.

The Cats beat McBain 51-48 in overtime in the Division 3 State Semi-final game.

McBain led by as many as 12 points in the first half, but Brandywine battled back to cut the Ramblers lead 24-20 at halftime.

Late in the 4th Quarter, Brandywine senior Byron Linley got an offensive rebound and put up a basket to tie the game at 44-44 and sent it to overtime.

In OT, Brandywine senior JT Smith drained a 3-point basket to give the Cats the lead and they held on to win 51-48 in overtime.

Smith led all scorers with 19 points to go with 4 rebounds.

Brandywine’s Jaremiah Palmer added 12 points and 5 rebounds.

McBain’s 6’9" center Evan Haverkamp had 12 points and 17 rebounds.

Brandywine will play the winner of Gabriel Richard vs Old Redford Saturday at 4:30 p.m. in the Division 3 State Championship at MSU’s Breslin Center in East Lansing, Mich.