The Cedarville Trojans 2009 Class D state runners-up include (front, from left) cheerleaders Audrey Koster, Casey Hakola, Stephanie Leach, team members Michael Kinney, Trent Pitko, Andrew Jaroche, Matt Schlosser, Taylor Smith, Alex McMaken; (standing) Assistant Coach Scott Barr, Manager Mckenzie Barr, Tyler Kanitz, Jordan Baker, Connor McLeod, C.J. Paquin, Scott McGreevy, Luke Murray, James Mitchell, Zach McFarlane, Student Assistant Adam Dingman, Assistant Coach Kurt Duncan, and Head Coach David Duncan. Missing from the photograph is manager Joey Duncan. Cedarville's fourth consecutive basketball trip to the Class D final four ended in a heartbreaking 62-61 defeat as the Trojans fell to reigning champion Muskegon West Michigan Christian Warriors in the championship game at the Breslin Center on the campus of Michigan State University Saturday, March 28.

Down one to the Warriors (24- 4), with seconds to go, the Trojans (25-2) had to go the full length of the court for a shot at a game-winning basket. Trojans senior guard C.J. Paquin took the last shot from the top of the key with three seconds showing, but the ball hit the front of the rim and bounced away as the horn sounded.

Coach David Duncan with (from left) C.J. Paquin, Taylor Smith, and James Mitchell during the press conference after the Class D championship game. "This was a tough defeat for everyone from the players, to students, parents, and fans. There were tears in the locker room," said Trojans Coach David Duncan, who has taken a Trojans team to the state finals two out of the last three years, winning the title two years ago, and advancing to the state semifinals four consecutive years. "Sometimes it doesn't go your way, and today it wasn't meant to be. This season, and especially today, is a tribute to the players."

Paquin, who led the Trojans in scoring with 25 points, had connected on his fourth triple of the game to close the Warriors' lead to 62-61 with 16 seconds on the clock.

The Warriors missed their second one-and one-free throw and unintentionally knocked the ball out of bounds in a failed rebound attempt with 11.6 seconds left, giving Cedarville the final possession.

The scoreboard displays the final score with 11.6 seconds remaining in the Class D State Finals. "C.J. wanted the ball and had a good look, but it didn't fall," said Coach Duncan. "I told him not to let this beat him up. He is my nephew and like a son. There are not many high school players that have been part of four consecutive final four teams. It has been a great run for C.J. and the entire team."

The Warriors held a 49-47 lead after three quarters before Cedarville seniors Luke Murray and Paquin opened the final eight minutes with three-pointers for a 53-49 lead at the 6:21 mark.

The Warriors seemed to take control after scoring nine unanswered points as DeMario Harris scored all of his seven points during the run to give them a 58-53 lead with 2:26 left in the game.

The Trojans lived up to their never-say-die attitude and ended their scoring slump with Andrew Jaroche's driving lay-up. After the Warriors matched buckets, Jaroche hit a three-pointer at 1:39 to slice the Warriors' lead to 60-58.

Evan Bruinsma, the Warriors' leading scorer with 18 points, made two free throws at 1:07 for a 62-58 lead, but on the Warriors' next possession, the junior missed the front end of a one and one free throw opportunity, setting up a heartpounding ending to a well-fought game from both sides of the bench.

Paquin opened the game for the Trojans with a triple. After scoring eight points, he led Cedarville to an 11-10 scoring edge after the first eight minutes of the game.

Luke Murray scored five points during the first two minutes of the second quarter for a 18-13 Cedarville lead before the Warriors went on a 16-3 scoring run to take a 29-21 lead with 2:09 remaining in the first half.

Andrew Jaroche got Cedarville's offense back on track, scoring six points, and crowd favorite James "Peach" Mitchell came off the bench to convert a three-point play for a 9- 0 Trojans' run and a 30-29 halftime lead.

"James played tough and left nothing on the floor," added Duncan. "This is a typical 'Peach' game. He plays his guts out and when we go team camp, all the coaches say they wish their players played the way James does."

Paquin scored nine points during the first four minutes of the third quarter and, after Mitchell scored consecutive field goals, the Warriors completed the quarter with a 5-0 run, for a two-point lead going into the final eight minutes.

Cedarville outscored West Michigan Christian 51-45 from the field, connecting on 21 field goals with nine three-pointers. The Warriors made 20 field goals and five triples. The Warriors held a 17- 10 scoring advantage from the free throw line, shooting 17-of-25 to the Trojans' 10-of-15 shooting.

Trojans statistics: C.J. Paquin, 25 points, 18 rebounds, four assists, three steals; Andrew Jaroche, 11 points; Luke Murray, eight points, nine rebounds, two assists, two steals; Taylor Smith, James Mitchell, seven points; Scott McGreevy, three points, eight rebounds, two blocks.

Warriors statistics: Evan Bruinsma, 18 points, 11 rebounds; Darien Burse, 14 points; Jeff Burris, 12 points; DeMario Harris, seven points; London Burris, four points; Eliot Vanderlaan, three points; Tyler Ray, Omari Lewis, two points.

Seniors Say Farewell in State

Title Fashion

Cedarville seniors playing in their final game included James Mitchell, C.J. Paquin, Luke Murray, Scott McGreevy, Taylor Smith, and Alex McMaken.

Coach Duncan talked about several of the seniors.

"Scott played against much bigger players from the regional final with Big Bay de Noc, quarterfinals against Bark River-Harris, Lawrence in the semifinals, and West Michigan Christian in the state finals," said Coach Duncan. "He didn't back down from anyone and played hard throughout.

"Luke hit big baskets for us all season and played tough defense," he continued. "Taylor played huge on offense and defense. He was instrumental in our success. James showed in the championship game what he can do on defense with his hard work and also helped on the offensive end. Alex didn't play a lot, but he helped the starters get better with hard work during practice. Along with C.J., this is a very strong core of seniors that will be missed."

Warriors Head Coach Jim Goorman praised his opponents.

"Cedarville is a good team," he said, "and C.J. is a great player. Any other time, he will make that shot, but today it didn't fall."

Warriors Defense "Two-steps"

to Eighth Title

Coach Goorman came into the state finals ready for the Trojans, having studied how successful they were with the long inbounding passes after an opponent's shot, a move that worked well for the Trojans in the semifinal win over Lawrence.

"We told our team that the player that was back on offense would take two steps back on defense after the shot was put up to cover the long pass," he said. "I felt we did a good job with that situation."

Déja Vu All Over Again

This year's title is West Michigan Christian's eighth title, a tie for third most in state history. Last year, the Warriors won the title by the same margin as this year, by one point.