MORENCI – During the 2024-25 season, the Lenawee Christian Cougars defeated Britton Deerfield 84-59 in the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) Division 4 District 120 finals. This was Lenawee Christian’s first true test on their way to an amazing run that took the Cougars all the way to the Division 4 state quarterfinal before falling to the eventual state champions from Wyoming Tri-unity Christian 56-43.
Fast forward to the beginning of the 2025-26 postseason and we once again see Lenawee Christian pitted against rival Britton Deerfield, this time with a chance at advancing to the district finals on the line. Once again it was Lenawee Christian ruling the day, as the Cougars rode senior Jaxon Salenbien’s superstar effort to a 73-43 victory.
Lenawee Christian's Jaxon Salenbien scored 33 points in the Cougars win over Britton Deerfield in Division 4 district semifinalsSo, What Happened?
Britton Deerfield had no answers for the defending Division 4 boys Player of the Year in Salenbien who poured in a game high 33 points, 18 of which came in a dominant first half that allowed the Cougars to build a 39-21 lead at the half, this after Lenawee Christian outscored the Patriots 20-9 in the first quarter and 19-12 in the second quarter.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementLenawee Christian wasted little time putting the win away, putting up a huge third quarter that saw Salenbien contribute 15 of the team’s 23 points, with the Cougars outscoring the Patriots 23-13 to build a 62-34 lead after three quarters.
The Cougars went to the bench in the fourth quarter while Britton Deerfield refused to show any quit despite the score. In the end Lenawee Christian took the fourth quarter 11-9 to find the final score of 73-43.
Britton Deerfield's Liem Roe led the Patriots effort with 17 points in a tough district loss to Lenawee ChristianTop Performers
Jaxon Salenbien, Lenawee Christian – Salenbien, the defending Division 4 Player of the Year, simply could not be stopped, scoring 33 points. All 33 points were scored in the first three quarters for Salenbien who mixed in eight 2-point field goals, four 3-pointers, and a 5-for-5 effort at the free-throw line.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementLiem Roe, Britton Deerfield – Roe had one of his best games of the season in a clutch moment, scoring a team high 17 points in the tough loss for the Patriots
Dan Scrupsky, Lenawee Christian – Scrupsky was on fire early, cooled down just before the half, and caught fire again in the third quarter on his way to 12 points, one of only two Cougars in double figures.
Alex Anspach, Britton Deerfield – Deerfield’s big man was remarkably busy inside the paint yet again for the Patriots as Anspach scored 11 points to go along with a bevy of rebounds.
Drew Kirkendall, Lenawee Christian – Kirkendall sprinkled in eight points throughout the four quarters to aid the Cougars winning effort.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAlso scoring for Lenawee Christian was Pierson Cousino with five points; Wes Fansler with four points; JT Reatherford with two points; Blaisen Cousino with four points; Judah Marine with two points; and Dante Mathews with three points.
Adding to the Britton Deerfield effort was Elijah Fortune with six points; Cayden Allshouse with six points.
More: Britton Deerfield overcomes slow start to eliminate Morenci
What Comes Next?
For the Britton Deerfield boys squad their 2025-26 comes to a heartbreaking end with a record of 9-14 overall and 4-8 in the league. The Patriots will now say goodbye to seniors Liem Roe, Terrance Dill, Adam Scheurer, Alex Anspach, and Julyan Day who will move on due to graduation.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAs for Lenawee Christian the Cougars improve to 16-7 overall on the season and 10-2 in the conference. The Cougars will return to action Friday night when they face Petersburg Summerfield for the Division 4 District 120 championship. Summerfield enters the championship at 16-7 overall. The two teams split their two meetings this season, with Lenawee Christian taking game one by the score of 65-57 back on Jan. 13 while it was Summerfield taking game two 54-47 back on Jan. 29.
The two teams will face off with the district championship up for grabs on Friday at 7 p.m. at Morenci High School.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Lenawee Christian scoots past Britton Deerfield thanks to Salenbien
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