By Ty Marzean
WKTV Contributor
greer@wktv.org
After back-to-back Division 4 state championships, the Tri-unity Defenders are doing what they do best — winning.
Over the previous two seasons, the Defenders compiled an impressive 51-7 record, and the 2025–2026 campaign is starting no differently, as Tri-unity sits at 9–1 with a perfect 5–0 mark in the Alliance League.
The winning tradition has continued, but with new faces. Following the long and legendary career of Coach Mark Keeler, which concluded after last season, Brent Voorhees has taken over the reins after spending the previous six years as Keeler’s assistant. Keeler finished his four-decade career as No. 3 on the MHSAA Coach Records list with 721 wins, including seven state titles.
Cody Osbun lone returning starter
On the court, Tri-unity graduated eight players from last year’s roster, leaving junior Cody Osbun as the lone returning starter.
“Cody is the heartbeat of our team,” Voorhees said. “He is a captain, our hardest worker, and our most vocal leader on the floor. I am excited about his future as he continues to grow on and off the court.”
Osbun has made his mark on both ends of the floor, averaging 14 points, 8 rebounds and 3 steals per game.
Osbun isn’t alone in the scoring column, as multiple Defenders are finding double figures. Seniors Brayden Nelson (12 points per game, 7 rebounds per game) and Clayton Rowlader (10 ppg) are making their presence felt, while junior Caleb Hofmann also contributes 12 points per game.
The team motto for the Defenders is “Together,” and that’s exactly how they play. A different scoring leader emerges nearly every night, and the trademark of any Tri-unity squad — stifling defense — remains firmly in place.
The junior trio of Osbun, Hofmann, and Jacob VanKlompenberg forms the young core of the Defenders.
“They all buy into our defense-first mentality,” Voorhees said. “All three of them are contributing in big ways on the court. They have all had their best offensive games when they focus on their defense. It’s been fun to watch.”
Tri-unity also added senior transfer Nolan DeMots this fall.
“He is an extremely mature young man, and he has had a tremendous impact on our program from the second he joined our group,” Voorhees said.
“He is one of our best shooters and on-ball defenders, and he plays with a great amount of basketball IQ.”
The Defenders will have a challenging road ahead if they hope to repeat as Alliance League champions, with two meetings against a much-improved Lee squad as well as matchups with Potter’s House and other contenders.
“We are excited to keep growing through the back half of the season,” Voorhees said. “Our motto this year is ‘Together.’ We break every huddle and finish every practice with this phrase, and we truly live it out in the way we treat each other and play for each other. All 12 guys have had a positive impact on our team.
“They are a fun group to coach.”
