Veteran Maplewood team looks to continue Northern Lights Conference dominance
![The Maplewood Baptist Academy boys basketball team includes, front row, from left: Josh Sullivan, Dominic Bonnee, Caleb Henderson and Luke Royer; back row, from left: coach Steve May, Spencer Piippo, Isaiah May, Micah Bailey, Brayden Altoft and Judson Blount. [Rob Roos/Sault News]](/gcdn/authoring/2019/12/13/NSLT/ghows-MI-9985129d-c390-35c7-e053-0100007f6b0f-c5586b1b.jpeg?width=660&height=464&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
KINROSS — Maplewood Baptist Academy has been the dominant team in Northern Lights Conference boys basketball in recent years.
That trend is not likely to stop this season, as the Black Bears return a veteran lineup. Maplewood is coming off an 16-4 overall finish it which it won both the Northern Lights Conference regular season and tournament titles for a fourth straight year.
“This is one of the more experienced teams we’ve had,” Maplewood coach Steve May said. “In our league most teams aren’t going to have mostly seniors and juniors. You usually have to put some younger kids out there to compete right away. We’re fortunate this year to have veterans who can lead us. Those veterans are also mentors who will help the younger guys along.”
The Black Bears have three returning starters with seniors Isaiah May and Spencer Piippo and junior Micah Bailey. Two underclassmen were also contributors a year ago, and junior Dominic Bonnee and sophomore Josh Sullivan may now play bigger roles. Rounding out the 9-player roster is junior Judson Blount, and freshmen Luke Royer, Caleb Henderson and Brayden Altoft.
Isaiah May is the reigning league Player of the Year and has led Maplewood in scoring for three consecutive years. He averaged a double-double 16 points and 12.7 rebounds last year.
May, Bailey, Bonnee, Blount and Sullivan were all part of Pickford’s state championship football program, which has a co-op with Maplewood.
Two football standouts in particular — May (6-foot-1, 220) and Bailey (6-2, 205) — will give the Black Bears a physical presence in basketball that few other NLC teams will be able to match.
Last season, the NLC tournament was held in the Eastern UP for the first time, as the event was hosted at Rudyard High School. The league tourney is back at its traditional site in Hannahville this season.
Big Bay de Noc is a new team in the conference this year, which sets up ‘battle of the Black Bears’ when they play Maplewood. Outside of the conference, Maplewood also plays DeTour, Mackinaw City and Alanson.
“We always set our goals at winning the league and winning the league tournament,” May said. “Our guys also look forward to playing a few other area teams. We’re excited to get the season going.”