Inter-City Baptist went on an incredible run over the last four years in basketball, and that success was due in large part to a big three that formed at the school: seniors Ethan Esse, Mason Kowalski, and Carlos Jackson. Together, the trio helped lead Inter-City to an 81-23 record, two league titles, and back-to-back state semifinal appearances.
That trio has been together for a long time, and they weren’t only teammates on the hardwood. They also played soccer together for the school.
“Coach Mark always told us to play every sport and practice only one,” Kowalski said when talking about each of them playing multiple sports at Inter-City.
With a small school like Inter-City, whose enrollment sits under 100 students, that commitment was needed. The three athletes helped carry the load wherever the school needed them.
Playing multiple sports together and growing up in the program helped create a bond that went beyond basketball. They became more than teammates; they became brothers.
“We each know our strengths and weaknesses,” Jackson said when talking about that brotherly bond on the court. “We are always there for each other, especially on the court.”
Jackson added that the trio always recognized who needed the ball in key moments and who had the hot hand.
“I think having that bond is really important,” Jackson said.
It’s that chemistry and trust that helped lead Inter-City Baptist to one of the best runs in school history. Over four seasons, the trio helped the program reach back-to-back state semifinals and capture two league championships.
“As years went on, we got more and more accolades, and it was a fun journey,” Jackson said.
Having a big three isn’t a new idea in basketball, and the three that Inter-City had rivaled any in the state of Michigan at the high school level. What made this trio special, however, wasn’t just the success they had on the court, but the relationship they built through years of playing together.
“We have a cool bond,” Kowalski said. “Building up through the years, we know to trust each other and that we’ll be there for each other.”
“We have a great bond, and it was fun to have that through our high school years,” Esse added.
Each of the three players brought something different to the floor.
Kowalski was the all-around player who could catch fire from anywhere on the court while also battling for rebounds. Jackson became a force in the paint, finishing his career as a 1,000-point and 1,000-rebound player. Esse became Inter-City Baptist’s all-time leading scorer with 1,988 points and a school-record 271 career three-pointers.
Because of those different strengths, the trio always knew when someone had the hot hand and when to lean on one another.
“The more you play, the more you learn those things, and you have to be aware of those things,” Esse said.
While off nights happened from time to time, Kowalski said there weren’t many games where all three struggled.
“A game like Country Day, Ethan really wasn’t missing, so we knew to get him the ball,” Kowalski said. “It’s trusting each other and knowing that we are all good scorers, playmakers and passers.”
Jackson echoed Esse’s thoughts, saying it becomes easier to recognize those moments when you’ve played the game your whole life, especially when someone simply can’t miss.
While Inter-City has been great for the last four years, the school is very small and has an almost community feel. “Everyone knows each other, and we are really good friends,” Kowalski said of his time at the school. “It’s cool building relationships in the different sports that we play; it’s not just in basketball,” he added. “I think this is what God had planned for every single one of us to end up here,” Jackson said. Jackson also added that he’s happy they were able to help put Inter-City back on the rise in basketball and put Downriver basketball back on the map. “I think I had a lot of blessings and I’m grateful for it,” Esse added on being at Inter-City.
While they were all great, it was a team effort to help put their school back on the map following some down years in between the Kraatz’s brothers and the trio. However, while they came in during a time when the school was seeing some lean years, they made it an exciting four years for the school, with two trips to the Breslin Center for semifinal appearances, two league titles, two regional titles, and three district titles. “It’s a blessing to be a part of something like this,” Esse said. “You don’t want to take it for granted, and I’m grateful for the opportunities that came from it,” he added. “I’m really grateful for it,” Kowalski said. “It’s probably the last time I ever step on a basketball court as a team,” he would go on to add. Kowalski also added that he is thankful for the school they have and for the people who would come out and support the team, saying, “We’re a small school but every game we had a lot of people there.”
“I’m glad we were able to do what we did for the school,” Jackson said on being able to put the school back on the map.
Now that the final whistle has been blown on their time at Inter-City, they will be going in different directions. They said they will all stay close. “Even though we’re all going different places, that bond isn’t going away,” Jackson said. “We’ll still hang out,” Kowalski said. “We told Ethan that we will come down to some of his games,” he added. “We all have different paths,” Esse said before adding that it’s sad, but he wishes his friends nothing but the best moving forward.
Esse is heading off to Athletes in Action, a prep school in Ohio, to further his game. Jackson will be heading to play for the Dearborn Community Christian College Broncos, and Kowalski will be hanging up the basketball shoes and will focus on playing soccer at the next level.
With all of them now off doing their own things, what will they take away from this brotherhood and community they’ve built? All three of them were pretty similar in their answers about what they will take away from their experience at Inter-City: the people and relationships they built in their small school community.
What a group of special kids. These boys are great young leaders and a model of how and what a teammate should look like.