P-W Overcomes Record-Breaking Lovejoy, Rockford Wins First Title Since 2003

Two thrilling Division Finals showcase the power of teamwork and coaching in high school basketball

Apr. 10, 2026 at 4:41am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the dynamic movements and competing forces of a high school basketball game, with the players' forms broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color.A cubist interpretation of the intense action and strategic chess match that unfolded on the high school basketball court during the Division Finals.East Lansing Today

In a pair of dramatic Division Finals matchups, Pewamo-Westphalia (P-W) defeated Arts & Technology Academy of Pontiac (ATAP) despite a record-breaking 41-point performance by ATAP's Lewis Lovejoy, while Rockford claimed its first boys basketball state title since 2003 by defeating East Lansing.

Why it matters

These games highlighted the importance of teamwork, coaching, and belief in high school sports. P-W's victory over an individual scoring record demonstrated the power of a cohesive team philosophy, while Rockford's title win after a long drought showcased the impact of visionary leadership and preparation.

The details

In the Division 3 final, Lovejoy's 41 points were the seventh-most in MHSAA Finals history, but P-W's balanced scoring led by Grady Eklund's 26 points and Trent Piggott's double-double allowed them to overcome the individual heroics. In Division 1, Rockford's Kyle Clough had long sought to bring a state championship back to the program, and his team's resilience and game plan to deny East Lansing's KJ Torbert paid off with a narrow victory capped by a game-winning layup.

  • The Division 3 and Division 1 Finals took place on March 14, 2026.
  • Lovejoy's 41-point performance was the seventh-highest in MHSAA Finals history.

The players

Lewis Lovejoy

A standout player for Arts & Technology Academy of Pontiac (ATAP) who scored 41 points in the Division 3 Finals, the seventh-most in MHSAA history.

Grady Eklund

A senior leader for Pewamo-Westphalia (P-W) who scored 26 points in the Division 3 Finals victory.

Trent Piggott

A senior for P-W who recorded a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds in the Division 3 Finals.

Kyle Clough

The head coach of the Rockford boys basketball team, who led the program to its first state title since 2003 in the Division 1 Finals.

KJ Torbert

A standout player for East Lansing who faced off against Rockford in the Division 1 Finals.

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The takeaway

These games showcase the power of teamwork, coaching, and belief in high school sports. P-W's victory over an individual scoring record and Rockford's long-awaited title win demonstrate that success is not solely about individual talent, but the ability to unite a team towards a common goal.