Detroit HSSA: Mark Keeler ends historic 721-win career with second straight state title
The final buzzer sounded and the chants from the stands began.
Kee-ler! Kee-ler!
It was a fitting tribute to Mark Keeler, whose Wyoming Tri-Unity Christian team had just won a back-to-back state championship with a 49-32 win over Fowler.
Earlier in the season, Keeler had announced that this would be the final season of his 38-year career. He ends with 721 victories, 3rd most in state history.
The Detroit Free Press’ Jared Ramsey covered the title game, and said Keeler took a few moments late in the contest to enjoy the moment.
No one deserves to go out on top more than Mark Keeler. A great coach and a better man.
— Jason Hutton (@jhutt5) March 15, 2025
Catch the archived broadcast of the D4 title game here - https://t.co/6IlFuhB9bOpic.twitter.com/ZZ9lCTdFXn
"I probably was just pinching myself and realizing where I was at and what I was doing," Keeler told Ramsey. "This is the last game I will coach and to be here, be at the Breslin and look around, this is unbelievable."
It was Keeler’s 7th state championship, with his first title coming in 1996.
This year’s state championship was perhaps the most unlikely of them all, as Tri-Unity Christian graduated eight players from last year’s title team.
The amazing run to end Keeler’s career adds to what has been another amazing year of boys basketball in the Detroit area, including Trey McKenney winning the Hal Schram Mr. Basketball Award. All the area’s high school sports, including basketball, will be honored at the 2024-25 Detroit High School Sports Awards on June 16 at The Fillmore Detroit. The show is produced with the support of Gift of Life Michigan, whose generous support makes the show free for everyone. Tickets are available here.
More: 2025 college basketball recruiting rankings as March Madness tops off
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY High School Sports Wire: Keeler ends historic career with 2nd straight Michigan state title
Topics
-
Fowler boys basketball reaches state title game with win over Allen Park Inter-City Baptist
Fowler advances to face Wyoming Tri-unity Christian in the Michigan high school boys basketball Division 3 championship game Saturday.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Reidsville completes second straight perfect season with 60th straight win, state title
Reidsville (North Carolina) finished its second straight perfect season and its 60th win in a row with another state title, led by Kendre Harrison.Yahoo Sports - 4h -
Class 5A girls basketball: El Reno tops Booker T. Washington for second straight state title
The El Reno girls basketball team earned a 68-52 win over Booker T. Washington to claim its second straight Class 5A state championship.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Ohio State pistol continues dominance, wins fifth straight national title
The Ohio State pistol squad continued its dominance in the sport by winning its fifth straight national title on Saturday.Yahoo Sports - 1h -
Ramapo's bid for a 3rd straight state boys basketball title ends in a loss to Colts Neck
Ramapo's bid for a third consecutive Group 3 state boys basketball title ended with a 54-46 loss to Colts Neck in the final at Rutgers,.Yahoo Sports - 20h -
Gloucester-Hartpury beat Sarries to win third straight PWR title
Gloucester-Hartpury lay down a dominant second-half performance to beat Saracens and win their third Premiership Women's Rugby title in a row.Yahoo Sports - 4h -
Stephen Curry reaches 4,000 career 3-pointers, Warriors hold off Kings for 6th straight win
Stephen Curry became the first player in NBA history with 4,000 career 3-pointers, Draymond Green scored 23 points and the Golden State Warriors beat the Sacramento Kings 130-104 on Thursday night ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
'We deserved this': Box Elder boys take second straight Class C basketball title
The Bears finished their second straight season undefeated.Yahoo Sports - 7h -
Etiwanda wins unprecedented third straight state Open Division girls' basketball title
Arynn Finley finished with 21 points as Etiwanda defeated Archbishop Mitty 75-59 to win its third consecutive state Open Division title in girls' basketball.Yahoo Sports - 18h
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Quentin Grimes reacts to return to Dallas after Sixers beat Mavericks
Quentin Grimes gave his reaction in his return to Dallas after the Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Mavericks on Sunday afternoon.Yahoo Sports - 13m -
Quentin Grimes reacts to return to Dallas after Sixers beat Mavericks
Quentin Grimes gave his reaction in his return to Dallas after the Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Mavericks on Sunday afternoon.Yahoo Sports - 13m -
Notre Dame hockey coach Jeff Jackson brings legendary career to end
Irish hockey fans will have to get used to not seeing a legend standing behind the bench from now on.Yahoo Sports - 13m -
Notre Dame hockey coach Jeff Jackson brings legendary career to end
Irish hockey fans will have to get used to not seeing a legend standing behind the bench from now on.Yahoo Sports - 13m -
Ayden Heaven injury — Manchester United teen defender stretchered off at Leicester City
Manchester United teenage defender Ayden Heaven was stretchered off the King Power Stadium pitch following an ugly injury in a match at Leicester City on Sunday.Yahoo Sports - 1h
More in Sports
-
Source: Pulisic in talks over new AC Milan deal
United States national team star Christian Pulisic is in negotiations with AC Milan over a new contract, a source has told ESPN.ESPN - 10m -
Hanshin Tigers sweep Cubs, Dodgers in shutouts
The Hanshin Tigers capped a two-game sweep over MLB clubs with a 3-0 win over the Dodgers, following a matching victory over the Cubs the day before.ESPN - 10m -
Betts struggling with illness, could miss opener
Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts is still struggling to recover from an illness, with manager Dave Roberts pessimistic that the eight-time All-Star will be ready for Opening Day in Japan.ESPN - 10m -
Ravens adding QB Rush as Lamar's new backup
The Ravens reached agreement with former Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush on Sunday, his agency, Equity Sports, announced.ESPN - 10m -
Newcastle beat Liverpool, win first trophy since '69
Newcastle United ended a 70-year domestic trophy drought as they beat Liverpool 2-1 to win the Carabao Cup.ESPN - 10m