By Larry Arreguin | LPL News Wire| Marh 3, 2026

KALAMAZOO, MI (3-3-26)— Reigning Division 1 state champion East Lansing shook off a sluggish start Tuesday night before pulling away from host Kalamazoo Loy Norrix for an 80–57 victory in the MHSAA Region 3 semifinal.

The Trojans appeared a bit flat early, trailing at times in the opening quarter as the Knights fed off the home crowd inside the Robert Quiring Gymnasium. But once East Lansing settled into its rhythm, the defending champions showed why they remain one of the most dangerous teams still alive in the state tournament.

Senior guard KJ Torbert (#2) led the charge with a team-high 19 points, sparking an offensive surge that allowed the Trojans to seize control before halftime and never look back.

East Lansing placed four players in double figures, showcasing the balanced scoring that has defined their postseason run. Kingston Thomas (#11) added 18 points, DQ Stewart (#32) contributed 13, and Tyree Anthony (#4) chipped in 11 as the Trojans steadily built their lead throughout the second half.

With the win, East Lansing advances to the Region 3 championship game on Thursday (March 5), where they will face Kalamazoo Central (21-2), which defeated Jackson earlier in the evening, 80–50.

The winner of Thursday’s matchup will move on to Lansing’s Don Johnson Fieldhouse for the quarterfinal round on March 10 at 7 p.m., facing the winner of the Region 4 contest between Ann Arbor Pioneer and Canton.

A victory there would place the team just one step from returning to the Breslin Center, where the Division 1 semifinals are scheduled for March 13, followed by the state championship game on March 14 at 12:15 p.m.

For East Lansing, the path back to the Breslin continues — and Tuesday’s second-half surge served as a reminder that the reigning champions remain very much in the hunt.

Stay tuned to La Prensa Latina News Wire for continued coverage of the Trojans’ postseason run.