Baldwin coach JJ Eads draws up a play for his team in a timeout during the regular season. The Panthers ended the season at 22-2.
John Raffel/Courtesy photoBALDWIN – A memorable season came to an end for the Baldwin Panthers boys basketball team in Monday’s 79-36 loss to Wyoming Tri-unity Christian in Division 4 regional semifinal action at Fowler.
Baldwin’s season ended at 22-2. The Panthers had won 14 straight games prior to this loss and were ranked third in the state in the final Associated Press Division 4 boys basketball poll.
The previous loss had been 49-43 to Chippewa Hills when the Panthers were playing with some performers out with injuries.
Tri-Unity Christian, the defending Division 4 state champion, is 19-6 but their losses have been to the likes of Muskegon Mona Shores, Wyoming Gladwin Heights, Grand Rapids Covenant Christian, Grandville Calvin Christian and Wyoming lee.
Tri-unity was state runners-up in 2021.
On Wednesday for the regional title, Tri-Unity will play Lansing Christian which defeated Fruitport Calvary Christian 51-40 in the other regional semifinal and is 16-9 overall.
Baldwin coach JJ Eads said coming into the game his team was going to have its hands full.
“It never gets easy,” Eads said. “They’re long and fundamentally sound, as usual. They’re coming off a state championship and are pretty good.”
The Defenders turned out to be very good against the Panthers. Tri-Unity was up 26-9 after the first quarter, 45-23 at halftime and 62-35 after the third quarter. The winners had a 17-1 scoring advantage in the fourth.
“We made a run and got within 17 in the third but just couldn’t keep it going,” Eads said. “They’re long, have great shooters and are quick and deep.”
Carmelo Lindsey had 23 points while SJ Hossler had nine for Baldwin.
Baldwin, besides getting 22 wins, also won West Michigan D League and district titles.
