Nate Schneider
Sports Scene
Signing Day was special at Ithaca High School this winter.
Officially signing on the dotted line to play collegiate football at Hillsdale was Joey Bentley, while Adam Culp will continue his career as a walk-on kickoff specialist at the University of Michigan. Additionally, Ethan McCormick and Zach Hessbrook committed to play their future football at nearby Alma College.
And on the hardwood, Kayla Belles officially inked her name as a Michigan State Spartan.
Overall, it was a day to remember for five Yellowjackets along with their families and respecitve coaches.
“I take a lot of pride in sending our football players on to play in college and also continue their academic career,” Ithaca head coach Terry Hessbrook said. “And the great part is, they come back to our school and develop relationships with our current players. I’ll see former players all the time in our weight room, providing advice to our kids. I love seeing how much our former players care about this community and our football program.”
Bentley was a first team All-State selection as a senior after guiding the Yellowjackets to the Division 6 state championship game. He completed 137-of-222 passes for 2,145 yards with 31 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Bentley also rushed 183 times for 1,656 yards and 27 scores.
Hillsdale was the first school that offered Bentley.
“Hillsdale wanted him and made a strong push,” Hessbrook said. “They said they wanted him to be the guy. Joey recognized what an opportunity it was. It’s kind of like the Ivy League of Michigan, so I think it was an easy decision for him.”
Culp has demonstrated a huge leg, which clearly was recognized by the coaching staff at the University of Michigan. He was asked to join the roster as a kickoff specialist, which he accepted.
“I knew or at least suspected that he was a Division I kicker but I didn’t know that Michigan would be an opportunity,” Hessbrook said about Culp. “He had visited Western Michigan and then after visiting Michigan, he loved it and made up his mind quickly.”
Culp, an All-Stater, kicked off 98 times as a senior in 2017 and boomed 71 of them for touchbacks. He punted seven times for a 34.7-yard average and placed one for a touchback. Culp was 76-of-79 on point-after attempts, while making 8-of-10 field goals with a long of 42 yards.
As for the duo headed to Alma College, Hessbrook registered a team-best 164 tackles last season while recovering two fumbles and blocking a field goal. He was a first team All-State recipient. McCormick totaled 111 tackles to go with a sack and two passes defensed.
“It’s awesome that those two will get to play linebacker together at a school in mid-Michigan,” Hessbrook added. “That is a fantastic opportunity for both of them.”
Belles was a first team All-State selection for a third year in a row after averaging 19 points, 13 rebounds and three blocked shots per game as a junior.
With offers from schools including BYU and Minnesota along with Michigan and Central Michigan, Belles eventually decided over the summer to verbally commit to Michigan State.
On Feb. 7, she made it official by signing her National Letter of Intent with the Spartans and head coach Suzy Merchant.
Belles has missed the entire 2017-18 campaign due to a torn ACL suffered at a camp at Adrian College in June, a couple months prior to her verbal commitment to Michigan State.