Article - High School Sports Scene

Scott Keyes

Sports Scene

Nouvel Catholic Central is a close knit family. Families help others in need, and familes pull for each on the field of play.

Family comes first.

So for Taylor Hengesbach, a freshman on the Michigan State University women’s basketball team and a member of the Nouvel team that lost to Manchester in the Class C final a year ago, watching her former team and sister Charley bring home a state championship this season was extra special. Taylor was a four-year varsity player for the Panthers.

“Being here supporting Charley and my former team was exciting,” said Taylor after Nouvel’s victory over St. Ignace in the final. “It’s kind of nice just being able to walk over here from my apartment and celebrate with the girls and the entire Nouvel community. I am so glad I was able to experience this with them.”

Tyler Jacqmain, a two-time Class C first team all-state selection for football and a member of the Nouvel’s 2012 Division 7 state championship team, watched from the stands as his younger sister Laurel score a game-high 23 points in the final.

Tyler will join older brother Mitchell at Michigan Technological University as a member of the Huskies football team. But in the meantime, cheering Laurel and the Panthers to victory made him extremely proud.

“Laurel is competitive, and she doesn’t backdown,” Tyler said. “That might be because she was brought up with two older brothers, but she is pretty tenacious out there. To see those girls put in the hard work and win a state championship was fun to watch.”

Laurel Jacqmain said her older brothers wouldn’t back down growing up. They made her tough. “I love my brothers to death, and we are all so extra competitive,” she said. “We are all pretty close, but we are also so competitive against once another. I’m so proud to be a state champion just like they are. That’s pretty cool.”

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Scott Keyes

Sports Scene

Redemption.

Call it what you want, but Nouvel Catholic Central wasn’t about to let the Class C state championship slip through its fingers for a second year in a row.

The Panthers were business-like throughout the entire tournament, especially senior Rachel McInerney. Her performance in the semifinal win against Gobles and the 62-40 final victory over St. Ignace lived up to the season’s high expectations.

Against St. Igance, McInerney scored 22 points and grabbed 23 rebounds, just two away from a tying an MHSAA state finals record.

When McInerney and the Panthers hoisted the state championship trophy, the reality set in that Nouvel was a state champion. “I said two months ago I wanted to end my career as a state champion,” McInerney said. “What everyone on this team has overcome this season is pretty remarkable, but to finally get this far and win the whole thing during my senior year is pretty incredible.”

This year’s championship win was somewhat bittersweet for McInerney, as last year’s final game left her with a bad taste in her mouth.

Two broken fingers are likely the reason that this year’s title is not the team’s “second consecutive championship.” Being a champion is definitely nice, but the memory of the loss to Manchester in last year’s final is still vivid in the back of McInerney’s mind.

McInerney played last year’s final with two broken fingers. Like the trooper she is, she played through the pain, and Manchester saw that. To make a long story short, McInerney was called for a technical foul late in the game. The momentum shifted, and Manchester got the victory.

“After that loss, we went back to work,” she said. “You hate getting that far just to lose the game. Especially the way we lost. I would love nothing more than to celebrate this year’s win with those seniors on last year’s team. We fought through a lot of things this season, but we did it. We won a state title.”

Nouvel entered this tournament ranked only No. 10 after assistant Mary Jo Skiendziel was promoted to head coach with only two games left in the regular season. Skiendziel guided the Panthers to late-season victories over Freeland, Carson-City Crystal, Powers Catholic, and Midland. Powers and Midland were the cream of the crop in the Saginaw Valley League all season, and Nouvel ‘s winning those games was a testament of how bad the it wanted to win a state title.

Skiendziel, a Nouvel graduate, coached the freshmen basketball team for six seasons in addition to helping the varsity at the start of this winter. She inherited some key leaders, including three who started in the 2013 final.

“From the beginning, we knew our team would stick together through anything,” said sophomore guard Laurel Jacqmain, one of those returning starters. “Our goal was to get back here, and we knew we could with each other. That’s what we were going to do.”

McInerney did her part as a leader, making sure her teammates soaked up the moment during the game and reminding them to have fun. “Just because I experienced it last year, I know what it’s like to let it go by. I did not have fun last year,” McInerney said.

St. Ignace coach Dorene Ingalls was impressed by the way McInerney plays the game.

“She just intimidates,” Ingalls said. “She had maybe struggled a little bit, didn’t score like she usually does in the semi (three points). But we knew what she was capable of, and she showed it today.”

McInerney had only four of her points during the 24-7 third-quarter run, but she did grab six rebounds and block four shots during that 8-minute span. Jacqmain did most of the offensive damage during the run, scoring 13 of her game-high 23 points.

“To get this far and to win the whole thing the way these kids did just shows you the true character of the team,” Skiendziel said. “They left everything they had out there on that floor, and I couldn’t be prouder.”

McInerney had a big week, as she scored her 1,000th career point during the 47-40 quarterfinal victory over St. Louis. She scored 19 points, grabbed 13 rebounds, and blocked eight shots in the win. He final point of the night gave her the milestone.

“When I found out she needed one point, I made sure the other players knew about it so they’d get her the ball,” Skiendziel said.

Needless to say, it was an emotional week for the 6-foot-2-inch McInerney. Scoring her 1,000th point and a state championship all in the same week. What more could a girl ask for?

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Scott Keyes

Sports Scene

When Kevin Gamble, Sr. decided to take the assistant coaching position at Central Michigan University two springs ago, the former NBA swingman for the Boston Celtics and Iowa Hawkeyes looked no further than Sacred Heart Academy as a school for his children, Kevin Jr. and Averi.

“Ever since my children were young, my wife Alesha and I always sent our kids to Catholic schools,” Gamble said after watching Averi help lead the Irish to a 56-53 Class D championship over Forest Park.

“Sacred Heart is big family, and when we got here, they welcomed us with open arms.”

This season, the Gamble siblings have made huge strides on the court for the Irish. Six-foot-3-inch Averi outscored Miss Basketball, Lexi Gussert, in the title game by scoring 25 points. She shot 10 of 12 from the floor and grabbed 11 rebounds in the win.

“Even though I played at the highest level possible, I never pressured my kids into playing,” Gamble said. “They wanted to play. Kevin and Averi have improved so much over the past few seasons, and to share in their success, I couldn’t be prouder.”

Sacred Heart coach Damon Brown described Averi as unstoppable after her performance in the title game

“She remembers what I told her after last season, that she had to pick her game up,” Brown said. “She busted her tail in the off-season and came back a dominant force. You can’t stop her in the paint. She has great footwork and presence. I’m sure her dad rubs off on her a little bit.”

Meanwhile, Kevin Jr. was also a force for the Irish this season, scoring near 15 points a contest and earning Class D all-state first team honors. He helped lead Sacred Heart to the quarterfinal round before losing to Frankfort.

With Averi returning for the next two seasons, there is no telling how good the girls’ team can be. Only time will tell, but the genes are definitely in her favor.

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Scott Keyes

Sports Scene

Sacred Heart Academy’s Sara Hansen walked off the Breslin Center court in tears.

Seeing her friends and peers high-fiving and cheering is something that she will remember for the rest of her life.

The cause of the celebration was that Hansen and her Irish teammates had just shocked the girls’ basketball community in Michigan by pulling off one of the biggest upsets in recent memory. Sacred Heart was victorious over Forest Park in the Class D Championship game, 56-53.

The Irish defeated the previously unbeaten Trojans, a team that featured two-time Class D Player of the Year, and this year’s Miss Basketball, Lexi Gussert.

So the celebration, cheers, and tears were understandable, even for Hansen, who is very mild-mannered off the field of play. On it, however, she is as tenacious as they come, and her winning spirit is infectious and rubs off on the rest of her teammates.

She has had tremendous success during her high school career, having been named to many AP Class D all-state teams in volleyball, basketball, and softball. She has guided previous teams to regional championships, and she will head into this softball season with a 90-plus game hitting streak.

But finally getting over the hump and winning a state championship in any sport is extra special for the 5-foot-7 Hansen.

“All of the individual honors are nice, but being a part of a team is something you will always remember for the rest of your life,” she said after the victory. “We just defeated a great team. We are a great team. When you win a state championship, your team wins that championship. It’s no longer about individuals, it’s about a team. To be able to win this state championship is as exciting as it gets.”

What makes this victory even more exciting is that Hansen is the lone senior on the team. She has been the heart and soul of the Irish program each of the last four years. Her leadership and tenacity will be missed, but with the likes of Averi Gamble, Riley Terwilliger, and Lexie Methner returning next season, her loss won’t sting as much.

For coach Damon Brown, the idea of winning the Class D championship really hasn’t sunk in yet. “Wow – that’s all I can say is wow. We’ve been in battles like this all season, so we never worried. We had faith in ourselves and faith in our program. We never cracked, and we got it done.”

Terwilliger, a junior, made sure the fans kept cheering late in the fourth quarter when she gave the Irish the lead on a corner three-pointer with 25 seconds left. The play was set up after a timeout.

“The shot was there and I took it,” Terwilliger said. “I just decided to either take the jumper or look for Averi [Gamble], and I was wide open, so I just took the jumper. I was kind of shocked, because I thought it was going to be short and I would airball it. When my shot’s not falling, I don’t stop shooting, because that’s not going to help at all. You don’t stop shooting or believing in yourself, you keep shooting.”

Sacred Heart secured its victory moments later, sparking a massive celebration among the players and coaches along with the entire Sacred Heart community in attendance as well as those who could not attend around the state and country.

Hansen and Graham provided a potent 1-2 punch in the win. Gamble finished the game with 25 points, and Hansen added 14. Terwilliger came alive in the fourth quarter and scored 11.

With Hansen directing traffic and leading by example, her teammates followed her to the ultimate prize.

Coming from a very athletic family, Hansen shined on the state’s biggest stage. Her mom, Kelly Epple-Hansen, was humbled by her daughter’s and the team’s performance.

“I couldn’t be happier for my daughter and all of the things she has been able to accomplish over the last four years,” Epple-Hansen said. “This is extra special, as she did it with her team. All of the individual recognitions are nice, but to lift that trophy with your team is extra special.”

Indeed it is.

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By BUTCH HARMON

The storybook season came to an end for the Pewamo-Westphalia boys basketball team, but not until it reached the Class C state final, and then it took the premier sophomore in the nation to do in the Pirates.

Detroit Consortium, led by super-sophomore Josh Jackson, defeated Pewamo-Westphalia 61-44 to win the Class C title. Jackson, listed by most recruiting publications as the No. 1 sophomore in the country, showed why that is, as he poured in 22 points, pulled down 13 rebounds, added three assists, and blocked two shots.

Pewamo-Westphalia, however, gave Consortium all it could handle. Trailing 21-10 at the end of the first quarter, the Pirates battled back to cut the margin to 27-25 at halftime. Consortium took control of the game in the third quarter and led 48-37 going into the fourth quarter.

Senior Lane Simon led the way for Pewamo-Westphalia with 23 points and seven rebounds, while senior guard Nick Spitzley added 10 points and three assists for the Pirates, who finished the season with a 23-3 record.

CLASS A

Muskegon won its first basketball state title since 1937 by defeating Bloomfields Hills, 91-67. In doing so, it became one of four teams in Class A history to finish with a 28-0 season record.

Mr. Basketball, Deshaun Thrower, scored 21 points for the Big Reds. Junior center Deyonta Davis began his campaign for the 2015 Mr. Basketball award by scoring 26 points. He shot 12 of 14 and added 13 rebounds and three blocked shots.

CLASS B

Before this year, Milan’s last state basketball title had come in 1948, when it won the Class C title. This year, it captured the Class B state title when it defeated Benton Harbor, 78-59.

Milan’s junior tandem of point guard Latin Davis and center Nick Perkins dominated the game. Davis was a perfect seven of seven from three-point range and finished the game with 34 points. Perkins added 24 points and 10 rebounds.

CLASS D

Southfield Christian defeated Lenawee Christian 63-61 to win the Class D state title for the third consecutive season.

Lenawee Christian took the game down to the buzzer, but a last-second three-point shot came up short. Junior guard Bakari Evelyn led Southfield Christian with 28 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and four steals.

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Scott Keyes

Sports Scene

St. Louis coach Walter Berry took off a year from coaching to spend more time with his wife and newborn child.

Not a day went by, though, that he didn’t think about the x’s and o’s and the team that was returning to the court.

As a coach, you are always thinking about the next play, but when other things consume your time, sometimes it”s hard to shut down your mind and move in another direction. But Berry did that, and it wasn’t easy.

“When you coach in a smaller town, you have to wear many different hats as a coach,” Berry said. “I’ve known and coached the seniors on this team since they were in the fifth grade. To be able to return this year and see the girls’ success they had on the court is pretty cool to see.”

A year ago the Sharks hovered around the .500 mark, but with a solid group of seniors returning this year, they flourished. St. Louis won the Tri Valley West Division with a 12-2 record, then went on to win district and regional championships before losing in the Class C semifinal round to Nouvel Catholic Central, 47-40. Nouvel would go on to defeat St. Igance 62-40 in the Class C final.

It was a season that brought back respectability to the St. Louis program.

“When you put together a season like this, where everything just comes together on the court, it makes it pretty special,” Berry said. “These girls played with a lot of heart against Nouvel, and we hung tough. They have nothing to hang their heads about. They fought hard, but we came up a little short in the end.”

Against Nouvel, the pesky Sharks held their own and were only down 19-14 at the half. Nouvel held St. Louis without a field goal in the third, but it still only led 28-19.

St. Louis switched to a smaller lineup and began pressing Nouvel in the fourth quarter. The Panthers struggled against the press, giving St. Louis a chance to get back into the game.

“We’ve faced presses all season and haven’t had a problem … I don’t know why we had a problem tonight,” Nouvel coach Mary Jo Skiendziel said. “Once we got the ball in, we were okay. For some reason, we had a hard time inbounding the ball. It’s something we will work on before Thursday.”

St. Louis scored 21 points in the fourth quarter. The smaller lineup forced Berry to sit post player Bri Alspaugh most of the fourth.

“But the press worked at the end. A lot of that might have just been the situation. Teams that are leading and just trying to close out the game have a tendency to struggle against presses,” Berry said.

Alspaugh understood the philosophy Berry implemented late in the game, but it was hard watching her final game on the bench.

“Knowing this was my final high school game, it was hard watching from the bench, but I know why coach did it,” she said. “Even though we lost the game, we showed a lot of fight out there. We played with a lot of heart.”

Nouvel senior Rachel McInerney paced her team with 19 points and 13 rebounds and blocked eight shots in the win. Sophomore Laurel Jacqmain added with 16 points for Nouvel.

Ryan Fagins scored 16 points for the Sharks, who finished the season with a 20-5 record.

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Detroit Consortium thwarted Pewamo-Westphalia’s plans to be Class C state champs on Saturday with a 61-44 win in the title game. P-W was down 21-10 after the first quarter but trailed only 27-25 at halftime. Consortium had a 21-12 and 13-7 scoring advantage in the final two quarters. Joshua Jackson had 22 points and 13 rebounds for Consortium which took the title at 25-2.

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Pewamo-Westphalia’s bid for a state title fell short in a 61-44 loss to Pewamo-Westphalia Saturday at the Breslin Center in the Class B state title game. P-W was down 21-10 after the first quarter but trailed only 27-25 at halftime. Consortium had a 21-12 and 13-7 scoring advantage in the final two quarters. Lane Simon had 23 points and seven rebounds for P-W. Nick Spitzley had an off day with 4-of-13 shooting and 10 points.

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Muskegon was a virtual one-man show in demolishing Bloomfield Hills on Saturday 91-67 in the Class A boys basketball title game. Davis was 12-of-14 from the floor for 26 points and had 13 rebounds. Deshaun Thrower had 21 points while W. Robertson Jr.. added 17 points.

Muskegon ended the season at 28-0 while Bloomfield Hills was at 24-4.

Muskegon shot 31-of-46 from the floor for 67.4 percent.

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Latin Davis had 34 points and five rebounds while Nick Perkins added 24 points and 10 boards in leading Milan to a 78-59 victory over Benton Harbor Saturday in the Class B state title game. Milan ended the season at 25-3 while Benton Harbor is 18-9. Milan led 22-15 after the first quarter, 43-35 at halftime and 65-46 after the third quarter.

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Family support

Nouvel wins Class C title

Family Ties

Sacred Heart tops in Class D

Boys basketball state finals recap

St. Louis’s tremendous season ends with quarterfinals loss to Saginaw Nouvel

Detroit Consortium beats P-W for state title

Pewamo-Westphalia falls shy of Class C title

Muskegon is Class A state champs

Milan takes Class B boys state title