Article - High School Sports Scene

New Lothrop girls basketball coach Jim Perry provides the following information on senior guard Brooke Wenzlick:

Year in school: Senior

Number of years on varsity: 4 year varsity player

Your thoughts about the athlete’s season so far: Brooke was a 4-year varsity player for me and had a tremendous senior season. She led us to a 10-3 regular season record and a district title. We fell short in the regional final but overall a nice season. Brooke led us in scoring, assists, and steals. She is a 2-time team captain and a leader on and off the court.

Points/Game – 20.7

Assists/Game – 4.1

Rebs/Game – 4.1

Stls/Game – 4.8

30% from 3 pt and 75% from FT

1,254 career points – 3rd all-time at New Lothrop

42 points in a single game last season – school record

What’s been the keys to his/her success?

I think the key to Brooke’s success is her love for the game of basketball. She has a passion for basketball and she puts a lot of time and effort into being the best player she can be. She is a hard worker on and off the court. She puts in time in the weight room, playing AAU in the offseason, and is a leader for us during the season.

How much improvement from last year?

Brooke has gotten better each season she has played here. She receives a lot of attention from the other teams defense as she was the only player back averaging more than 5 ppg from last year. This year, she shot the ball better from 3 pt range which helped open up getting to the basket and finishing or getting to the FT line. She also helped bring along 3 freshmen this year and get them comfortable at the varsity level.

In what areas has the athlete improved from last year?

She has improved her leadership skills, 3 pt shooting, and understanding of the game.

Memorable moments you recall from this year, previous years, from athlete?

Last season in an overtime win against Durand, Brooke scored 42 points, breaking the school record of 40 in a game. No one really realized she had that many points until the very end of the game and to come out with a win made it even more special. I also think her winning a district championship as a senior meant a lot to her. She won a district championship as a sophomore but her role was a lot different than now due to playing with a lot of experienced upperclassmen as a sophomore.

What more do you expect from the athlete this season?

Brooke will be attending Trine University to play college basketball next year.

How much has the athlete work during the offseason?

The offseason was limited on what we could do as a team, but Brooke worked hard on her own and came to all of our outdoor workouts when we were able to have them.

Is the athlete in any other sports?

Brooke plays AAU with the Mystics and has done track in the past but is trying out softball this year.

Any other comments about the athlete?

What is the team record and how is the team doing ?

Regular season record 10-3, overall record 13 – 4.

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ATHLETE: Cassidy Peake

Year in school: Senior

Number of years on varsity: 4 years

Hemlock girls coach Scott Neumeyer answers questions on Cassidy Peake

Your thoughts about the athlete’s season so far

Cassidy had an outstanding career and had an outstanding senior season. She was the lone senior on our team who was also one of our captains. She was a tremendous role model and leader for all of the young players on our team. Simply put, Cassidy is a winner. She finished her career with a 79-18 record, three conference championships, four district titles, a regional title, and a trip to the Final Four.

Any available pertinent stats?

Cassidy only averaged 4.4 points per game, but her value can’t be measured by offensive statistics. She was a true point guard who led, defended, and set the table for the other players. I often referred to her as the Xavier Simpson of the Hemlock girls’ basketball program. She averaged 4.4 rebound per game, 4.2 assists per game, and 4.5 steals per game. She also had a 2.5 to 1 assist/turnover ratio, which is outstanding for a point guard. She finished her career as the all-time steals leader in program history. She also finished second all-time in career assists. She broke the school’s single game assist record with 12 as well as the school’s single game steals record with 13.

What’s been the keys to his/her success?

First and foremost, Cassidy is a hard worker, not only on the athletic field, but in the classroom. She has a 4.1 GPA who is not only an outstanding student in the classroom, but she’s a student of the game. She sees the floor and reads defenders extremely well. Having Cassidy at the point guard is like having a coach on the floor.

How much improvement from last year?

Cassidy does whatever it takes to make the team successful, which is why her offensive numbers don’t stand out. She knows that she has other talented teammates who can shoot the ball, so her sole focus is on getting them the ball in positions where they can be successful. Her ability to slow the game down in her head and read what is happening is outstanding. We run a pretty sophisticated defensive system, and she is the leader of it. Her ability to pressure the ballhandler and her knack for baiting them into turnovers is uncanny. She also has the ability to read passing lanes, which one of the reasons she is our program’s all-time steals leader. Her basketball IQ is off the charts.

Memorable moments you recall from this year, previous years, from athlete?

First and foremost, the steady leadership that she has brought to our team. She is everything you want in a point guard, and she will be sorely missed. As for this season, the memory that stands out to me was near the end of our quarterfinal game against Bishop Foley. Cassidy was fouled near the end of the game with the game still in doubt. She stepped to the line for a one-and-one and hit a couple of big free throws for us to help seal the win. That moment stands out because free throws are something that Cassidy’s struggled with at times throughout her career, and to see her step up in such a crucial moment and hit those free throws says a lot about her and what she’s made of. I was so proud of her.

How much as the athlete work during the offseason?

Cassidy’s work ethic is tremendous. She gives her best in everything she does. I don’t think she ever missed an offseason workout or event. She’s one of the best leaders that I’ve coached. Her maturity and poise are extremely rare for someone her age.

Is the athlete in any other sports?

She was a setter on the volleyball team. She also plays on the tennis team.

What is the team record and how is the team doing?

The team finished 14-9 (5-4 in conference). We opened the season 0-4 and then battled injuries and COVID issues for much of the season. We were able to get healthy the last week of the season and go on a nice post-season run. The team won a district and regional title, won their quarterfinal, and was set to play Grass Lake in a Division 3 semifinal at the Breslin Center before being forced to withdraw due to the COVID protocols that were in place.

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On Tuesday night, the Montabella Mustangs Varsity Baseball team travelled to St. Charles and lost their first game 6-1, and won the nightcap 6-5.

In the first game, McKeegan Ferguson, Gavin Kent, and Brady Carlson had a hit a piece, including a Kent double. Roman Nickerson batted in the only Mustang run. Ferguson also had 3 steals during the game.

In nightcap, the Caleb Theisen led the team with 2 hits and an RBI, while Kyle Russell and Ferguson each drove in 2 runs. Xavier Wood had a hit and scored 2 runs. Nickerson picked up his second win of the early season going 6 innings giving up 1 walk and striking out 4.

The Mustangs are 3-1 overall and 1-1 in MSAC action. Thursday, they travel to McBain for a doubleheader with the first pitch at 4:15.

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Montabella Varsity Softball dropped the first game to Lakeview 14-8. The Mustang bats were a little slow to wake up and allowed an early lead by Lakeview that they couldn’t come back from. Going into the bottom of the 5th inning it was 7-2 Lakeview leading. Bralynn Clark got an intentional walk for the Mustangs which loaded the bases with 2 outs. Sara Courser then came up hitting a bases clearing triple to cut the lead to 1. The Mustangs then gave up 7 in the top of the 7th. They still didn’t go down without a fight as Julie Spohn hit her first homerun of the year over the left field fence to score two. But, went on to lose the game 14-8.

In Game 1 Trista Perkins, J. Spohn, and Courser all had 2 hits, including a triple for Courser. Kylie Pifer also recorded a triple in the game.

Game 2 was a different story for the Mustangs beating the Wildcats due to the run rule in the third inning 19-4. This time the Mustangs came out swinging scoring 18 runs in the bottom of the first inning. Katie Spohn got the win for the Mustangs on the mound. Giving up zero walks and striking out 3 in just 3 short innings of work.

In game 2 Perkins led the hitting clinic with 3 hits, 3 RBIs and 3 runs scored. Courser and Kaydenn Aggas also had 2 hits in the game.

The Mustangs are now 3-1 on the season and play again Tuesday away at St. Charles for a conference match-up.

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The Hemlock girls’ basketball team defeated Madison Heights Bishop Foley in the quarterfinals of the state tournament tonight by a score of 53-46. Chloe Watson led Hemlock with 22 points and 5 steals while Regan Finkbeiner added 15 points and 3 steals. Breanna Turner scored 10 points to go along with 3 rebounds and 2 steals. Bishop Foley was led by Melanie Moore with 22 points and Ryah Moorer with 16 points.

Score by Quarters:

Hemlock: 12, 8, 21, 12

Bishop Foley: 14, 13, 10, 9

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Frankenmuth Boys Bowling team sent a lone representative to JAX 60 Lanes in Jackson Michigan this past Saturday. Cameron Severs who earned the trip by qualifying 7th in the Regional a week prior, made his first appearance in a state final. Cameron would be facing a field of the top 60 bowlers in the state, Top 10 Qualifiers from 6 different Regions in Division 3.
Severs had a great season leading the Eagles in average with a 197 effort for 2021. The format for the state finals is to bowl 6 individual regular bowling games. The total pins of the 6 games added together makes up your final score. The field is then cut to the top 16 highest score for head to head matches.

Cameron started out struggling to find a playable line as the (Allen) oil pattern found to be very challenging, 134 & 147 for his first 2 games. But after a ball change and a completely different line change Severs found the shot he needed firing a 214.

After the first 3 games everyone switches lanes for the final 3 games. Severs again struggled to find the line game one firing a 160, but came on in the end with a 182 and 203 effort to finish the qualifying round. Severs totaled 1040 pins for the 6 game effort and falling short of the cut line by 94 pins. Cameron ended up in 37th place overall out of the 60 competitors that started the day.

Coaches Comments:
It was an absolute pleasure to coach Cameron this season and into this tournament. His knowledge for the game is excellent, he understands whats happening out there with the lane transitions and never ever !!! gives up. He is a junior this season and gained a lot of experience heading into his senior season.
His family roots run deep in competitive bowling from his Dad Justin Severs , Grandma Barb Severs and Aunt Jane Severs all with a long history of area bowling. Cameron will be our anchorman / captain and leader on the lanes next season.
Im really looking forward to see what next season brings Cameron and the rest of the Eagles.

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Frankenmuth 73, Bridgeport 49

The Lady Eagles raced out to a quick first quarter lead and never looked back in Friday’s district title game. Combination of unselfishness and strong defense propelled them to victory, 73-49. Muth was led by Lexi Boyke with 21 points! Emma Kerkau chipped in with 19 points of her own. Zoey Persails finished the game with 13 points for the Lady Eagles.
Frankenmuth advances to Monday’s Regional Semi-Final, at Corunna HS, against Lake Fenton. Game will start at 5pm

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Merrill 39, Breckenridge 25

Location: Merrill District Final

Q1. Q2. Q3. Q4. F

Breckenridge 5 2 10 8 25

Merrill 13 8 9 9 39

Breckenridge Leaders

Summer Smith 10 pts 7 Rebounds 2 Assist

Alivia Cross 8 pts 9 Rebounds 3 Assist

Kara Whiting 12 Rebounds 3 steals

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Hemlock defeated St. Charles in the district final Friday night by a score of 52-33. Chloe Watson led Hemlock with 28 points to go along with 3 assists and 4 steals. Regan Finkbeiner added 9 points and 4 rebounds. Kylee Miller scored 5 points and Cassidy Peake added 2 points to go along with 7 assists, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals. Hope Kushion led St. Charles with 15 points. Lindsay Pumford added 10 points.

Score by Quarter:

Hemlock: 15, 14, 12, 11

St. Charles: 6, 16, 11, 6

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Portland Boys bowling team competed in the State Finals today in Jackson at JAX60 Lanes.

Division 3 Top 12 regional winners from last week competed Friday.

Top 8 teams advance to match play.
We were seeded 7th and went up against Home team Grass Lake.
Match play consists of 2 Baker games and one team game.
In Match play we split baker games and were down 4 pins total.
In team play we came up short due to missed spares and lost total by 21 pins.

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Wenzlick closes strong career at New Lothrop

Cassidy Peake caps off amazing career at Hemlock

Montabella splits baseball doubleheader with St. Charles

Montabella softball team defeats Lakeview

Hemlock girls win quarterfinal game

Frankenmuth bowlers compete

Frankenmuth girls win district title

Merrill wins district over Breckenridge

Hemlock tops St. Charles for the district title

Portland boys compete at state bowling finals