One For The Thumb

Bling, bling. The ORIGINAL & One-and-Only OC ZEN MASTER has worked his magic once again and will wear yet another state championship ring on his already crowded fingers. This one was acquired in the dessert

Yep, I'm talking about Kurt Keener, the former legendary Birmingham Detroit Country Day boys basketball coach, now on the bench down in Arizona.

Back on Saturday, Keener's Gilbert Christian squad raised an AHSAA Division 2 state-title trophy with a 55-52 overtime edging of Arcadia.

For the American prep version of Phil Jackson, that's one for the thumb – yeah, that's right, Keener has TEN state crowns to his name as of this past weekend after posting nine state-championship banners at DCD in his 35 years building the 'Jackets into a national high school hoop power.

Meanwhile, a Keener-less DCD program finished 4-16. WOW, the two years since he left feels like an eternity.

Gilbert Christian went 25-6 in 2015 and wrapped up the regular season with the No. 4 ranking in the state of Arizona.

Former Southfield Christian all-state point guard Bakari Evelyn (three state-championship rings at SCS) is at Gilbert Christian this year – he never made it onto the hardwood though due to eligibility issues.