Muskegon rallies late to defeat Detroit Renaissance in Division 1 girls basketball title game

Renaissance falls short in bid for first-ever state championship in highest classification

Mar. 21, 2026 at 6:48pm

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The Detroit Renaissance girls basketball team jumped out to an early 15-2 lead, but couldn't hold off a late rally from Muskegon High School, who won their first state championship with a 34-29 victory in the Division 1 title game at Michigan State University's Breslin Center.

Why it matters

Renaissance was seeking its first ever state championship in the highest classification, having previously won the Class B title in 2005. The loss is a tough one for a young Renaissance team that features four regular sophomore starters, but it shows the program is on the rise and will likely be a contender for years to come.

The details

In a tight defensive struggle, Renaissance led 27-21 with under 5 minutes remaining, but Muskegon ended the game on a 13-2 run. Muskegon senior Mariah Sain sparked the comeback with a short jumper and two free throws, while junior Dy'nasti Bell hit the go-ahead layup with under a minute left. Muskegon sealed the win at the free throw line in the final seconds.

  • The Division 1 girls basketball state championship game was played on March 21, 2026 at the Breslin Center in East Lansing, Michigan.
  • Renaissance led 27-21 with 4:59 remaining in the game before Muskegon's late 13-2 run.

The players

Mariah Sain

A senior guard for Muskegon High School and Miss Basketball runner-up who scored 14 points to lead Muskegon to their first state championship.

Dy'nasti Bell

A junior center for Muskegon High School who hit the go-ahead layup in the final minute to give Muskegon the lead for good.

Jaebri'an Autry

The best senior for Detroit Renaissance, leading all scorers with 17 points in the championship game loss.

DaShaun Wood

The head coach of the Detroit Renaissance girls basketball team.

Bernard Loudermill

The head coach of the Muskegon High School girls basketball team.

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What they’re saying

“We never stopped playing and believing in each other and playing hard-nosed defense. We had to get some stops and get some conversions on the offensive end. It was still one possession at a time. We kind of switched defenses, showed a different look, and I think that paid off at the end of the day.”

— Bernard Loudermill, Muskegon High School Head Coach

“We just left our legacy at Muskegon High School. It's truly a big moment for us.”

— Mariah Sain

“I love these girls. This is the best time I've ever been on at this school. I'm just proud of how far we came.”

— Jaebri'an Autry, Detroit Renaissance Senior

What’s next

The Muskegon High School girls basketball team will look to defend their Division 1 state championship next season, while Detroit Renaissance will aim to build on this year's runner-up finish and make another title run with their young core.

The takeaway

This game showcased the bright future of the Detroit Renaissance girls basketball program, which fell just short of its first-ever Division 1 state championship. Despite the loss, Renaissance proved it can compete with the state's elite teams and will likely be a force to be reckoned with in the coming years.