History was made Saturday at the Breslin Center, as the Concord boys’ basketball team won its first-ever state championship. But for each of them, this moment was about much more than just a trophy: it was about honoring a legacy. The team dedicated the victory to former coach Fred Garland, who passed away during last season but remained an inspiration to each of them.
Their motivation was driven by playing for Fred, along with pure dedication and hard work, which helped them capture the 60-47 win over Detroit Douglass.
After a tough first half, the Yellow Jackets were trailing behind, with Douglass ahead by four points. They utilized halftime to the fullest, using it as a reset for the game. Coach Gill stressed to the boys that they needed to take a breath and to play together because that is what wins championships.
They dominated in the second half, taking Gill’s advice seriously. They came out playing as a team, outscoring Douglass 19-6 in the fourth quarter. With about a minute left in the game, the win was sealed, as Jett Smith ran out the clock by dribbling around the court.
Connor Stevens led Concord with 15 points, 19 rebounds, and two blocks. Beside him was Darrell Dean with 15 points and Jett Smith following with 14. Along with contributions from all over the roster, the energy and effort from each athlete made the difference.
For seniors Brady Garrett and Jett Smith, this game completed their high school career. This type of atmosphere was nothing like either of them had ever played in before, and the intensity was what kept their confidence. Smith recalls, “The support from the stands is everything; we have so many people rooting for us.”
There were countless crucial moments in the game, but Garrett explains that “moving the ball, finding open looks, and the great drives to the basket” were the ones that stuck with him the most. For both, the championship was about much more than winning. They soaked in the final game with a team that has become a family for them. Garrett says, “I’m gonna miss playing with the groups of guys who accepted me being a transfer and welcomed me like a family.”
Darrell Dean was a key player in the game, dominating both offensively and defensively. Despite the rough parts of the season, his team has helped him through it all: “My teammates motivated me the most. They made sure to stay by my side and made sure I stuck with it. I love them for that.” For Dean, that is one of the reasons why the championship means so much to him. The fact that they all stuck together this season, even though there were ups and downs, made this feel much more victorious.
Winning a state championship is such an accomplishment, but getting to do it with a brother is something special. The Stevens brothers had the chance to play with each other for one great season. Zack Stevens shares how much this has meant to him, “Playing with Connor has been the greatest time of my life. I look up to him so much and strive to be like him one day.”
For Connor Stevens, the win was just as meaningful, not only because he got to play with his brother, but because of the journey they went through to get there. He explains, “It was definitely special because we did it for Fred. Fred wanted it more than anyone and knew we could get here.”
This win goes down in history at Concord. Following Fred’s advice to take nothing for granted, the boys earned every moment of it!
