Scott Keyes
Sport Scene
Nearly four years ago Sports Scene became a reality.
About that same time, a very young Tori Jankoska burst onto the hoops scene with excellence in her gut and determination in her heart.
Even before she made it to Freeland High School, there were rumblings about her skills at such an early age and how her talent was way beyond that of most of the seniors and college athletes she was playing.
Even as an incoming freshman she didn’t disappoint. She might have scored in the low 20s that first game I saw her play, but it wasn’t her point total that kept me watching with anticipation, but the way she got her teammates involved.
The dazzling pass behind the back. The spin move to the basket. The pull-up floater in the lane. Those types of things led you to believe that she was going to be something special.
With hard work, a tremendous work ethic, and a love for the game, Tori evolved over her career and became one of the most prolific scorers ever in Saginaw County.
She finished her career with 2,333 points, the most for a girl in Saginaw County history and third-most for any Saginaw County basketball player, behind only Tory Jackson and Mark Macon, both from Buena Vista.
And now she is Miss Basketball. She was also named Michigan’s Gatorade Girls Basketball Player of the Year and was recently named Sports Scene Player of the Year for the second consecutive season.
The 5’8″ guard averaged 30.9 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 4.8 steals this season.
“Winning Miss Basketball is a tremendous honor,” she said. “I wouldn’t be in the position that I am in and accepting this award if it wasn’t for my teammates, coaches, and a tremedous supporting cast that allowed me to be the best player that I could be. I am truly blessed.”
The Miss Basketball vote may have come down to the Goodrich-Freeland game this season. Freeland beat Goodrich, 56-52, behind Jankoska’s 34 points.
Goodrich’s Taylor Gleason came in second in the voting.
“That was a big game for my team and for myself,” Jankoska said. “We were both proving ourselves. There were people who thought we were overrated, and we didn’t deserve being ranked that high.
“And I had to prove myself to people who doubted me. Goodrich was a big game for us. I think after that game, people started to believe in us.”
Goodrich went on to win the Class B state championship for the second consecutive season by defeating Powers Catholic, the same team Freeland lost to in the regional semifinals. Freeland finished the season 22-2, losing in the regional to Powers. Jankoska was battling the flu and finished with 22 points.
“I couldn’t be prouder of this team. We came up a little short in the end, but overall it was a tremendous season. Winning Miss Basketball is something that I will remember for the rest of my life. It’s truly an an honor to recognized by the entire state. I did my best and I want to take this time and thank everyone that stood by me and helped make this happen. I am truly blessed.”
Jankoska will continue her playing career at Michigan State University in the fall.
Abby Cole of Grand Haven finished third with 1,784 points, with Antania Hayes of Detroit King fourth with 965, and Allie Havers of Mattawan fifth with 931 points.
Other members of the Sports Scene Dream Team
Taylor Gleason, Goodrich, Sr.
This season Gleason averaged 21.6 points and 7.1 rebounds per game, while leading Goodrich to its second consecutive Class B title. Hampered by a slew of injuries this season, the Martians pushed through with Gleason and sophomore Tania Davis leading the way.
Gleason will continue her playing career at the University of Illinois in the fall.
Victoria Milton, Waverly, Sr.
The 10th best girls high school player as ranked by the Girls Basketball Report website, Milton is currently uncommitted. She had another solid season for Waverly. As a junior she led her team to a 21-2 record and set a school record for assists in a season.
Taylor Hengesbach, Nouvel Catholic Central, Sr.
The 5’9″ senior forward averaged 15 points and eight rebounds and led the Panthers to the Class C state final, where they lost to Manchester. Hengesbach played on varsity all four seasons.
Jessie Walter, Midland, Jr.
The only non-senior on the Dream Team, Walter, who has verbally committed to Indiana, is a 5’11” point guard. She averaged 22.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 3.2 steals for the Chemics.
Coaches: Jason Gray, Goodrich; Dick McLachlan, Davison
Gray, in his 14th year as coach, guided Goodrich to its second straight Class B state championship despite losing three players to injuries. Goodrich finished 25-3 this season and is 77-5 the last three years.
MacLachlan, who formerly coached the boys’ basketball team at Davison, took over as the interim head coach of the girls’ program this season. Davison won another district title this year before finishing the season 21-3. The Cardinals won 21 straight games this season before losing to Heritage in the regional final.