Article - High School Sports Scene

Ben Murphy

Sports Scene

Heritage capped off what first-year head coach Kyleigh Sepulveda called a perfect season at the class A state pompon finals on Feb. 8 at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.

The Hawks beat out 25 other teams that day to cap off a season that saw many invitational wins.

“I think this team is so successful because it consists of 21 brilliant, classy girls that all strive for one goal only, and that is to be the best they possibly can,” Sepulveda said. “They don’t go out to beat anyone else, we simply go there to best ourselves. We have come in fourth the last couple years, so the girls just really strived to get better… No matter if they were sick or hurt, they gave 100 percent.”

Filling out the Hawk’s championship roster are seniors Marissa Alfano, Haylee Bucholz, Shania Conley, Emma Sizelove, Kasey Kalandyk, Tabitha Frakes, Maddy Rodriguez, and Alyssa Marsh.

“Alfano is a very well-organized girl and a great performer; she was voted MVP (most valuable pommer),” Sepulveda said. “Bucholz is our squad butterfly that gets along with everyone. Conley is hilarious, but not only is she funny, she is quite the powerhouse, never gives up. Sizelove is very creative and artistic, loves pompon a lot, and is always dancing at practice. Kalandyk is one of my captains and is the epitome of pompon, this girl lives and breathes pompon 24-7.

“Frakes is one of my my captains, this girl is unstoppable, she has been injured most of the season due to her knee, but she never lets that stop her,” Sepulveda added. “Rodriguez is a great listener, loves pompon so much, and is a great worker. Marsh is such a sweetheart, and if she is told a comment, she tries to fix it immediately; she is very dedicated.”

Juniors on the team are Olivia Chapa, Alyson Feldotte, Maite Hardaway, Sydney Kubiak, Megan Lee, Allyson Leipert, Alyssa Martin, and Santana Romero.

“Chapa has a great smile and really pushes herself,” Sepulveda said. “Feldotte has a great head on her shoulders and has good leadership skills. Hardaway is a very quick learner, always strives to get better. Kubiak is a very sweet girl, works very hard, and has great showmanship.

“Lee is quite the squad clown but works hard,” Sepulveda added. “Leipert has battled a leg injury but always pushes herself through it and doesn’t let the pain get in her way. Martin truly loves pompon, has a great attitude, and works her butt off. Romero has some of the best head reflections, along with some great muscle.”

Sophomores on the team are Emma Dittmar, Paige Hammis, Jensen Kalandyk, Anna Newman, and Katarina Romero.

“Dittmar is the quietest girl I have ever met [and] was voted most improved,” Sepulveda said. “Hammis is definitely a hard-working girl, doesn’t let anything phase her, and just pushes herself 100 percent. Kalandyk, for only being a sophomore, has quite the muscle and has great power in all her jumps. Newman has to have one of the best smiles I have ever seen; she just makes you happy when you look at her performing and you can tell she loves what she does. Romero has beautiful kicks and great posture.”

Winning the state title isn’t a rare occurrence for the Hawk pompon team. It was the sixth time the squad has done so in school history, joining teams from 1989, 1997, 2002, 2003, and 2005 as state champions. If the coach has anything to say about it, Heritage will add another title sooner rather than later.

“I think we have a great pompon team because of Traci Hammis who, as my coach growing up, taught me on the foundation of working hard and staying classy while doing it,” Sepulveda said. “It also helps that we get extremely hard-working girls that are mentally and physically strong. They are taught tremendous amounts of time management to handle all the activities. Overall, it has been a joy to coach these 21 hardworking girls; they are the dream team.”

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Butch Harmon

Sports Scene

Lovers of big-time high school basketball in the state of Michigan dodged a bullet in the elimination of powerhouse basketball schools when Saginaw High School was spared closure.

Talks were held this year regarding closing Saginaw High and merging it with Saginaw Arthur Hill. While the merger would have created a Saginaw `super power’ basketball school, it would have eliminated one of the most storied and successful high school basketball programs in the state.

Because of Michigan’s population losses over the last two decades, high school basketball has sustained the loss of some of the most storied programs in the state, especially in Classes A and B.

The list of teams that have fallen by the wayside in the past ten years is staggering. A prime example of the loss of great basketball programs is in Flint. Once considered the greatest high school basketball city in the nation on a per-person basis, Flint saw the loss of flagship program Flint Central in 2009 and Flint Northern just this past year. Over the years, those programs provided the state with legendary stars like Mateen Cleaves, Eric Turner, Mark Harris, Marty Embury, Terrance Greene, Robaire Smith, and many others. Together, Central and Northern combined to win 52 district titles, 20 regional titles, and seven state titles. District basketball time in Flint was the greatest time of the year for a high school basketball junkie, and showcase games played in front of standing-room only crowds were the norm five or six days a week during districts.

Saginaw, too, has been hit by the closure of a school. The closure of long-time Class B and C powerhouse Buena Vista brought to an end one of the greatest Flint-Saginaw rivalries, as Beecher and Buena Vista will play no more. Buena Vista had a basketball tradition second to none, with the likes of Mark Macon, Terrance Roberson, Anthony `Peeper’ Roberson, and Torey Jackson. Buena Vista closed its doors with a trophy case that held 31 district titles, 17 regional titles, and six state titles.

Nowhere has the decimation of great basketball schools been as prolific as in the Motor City. At one time, Detroit was the premier hotbed in the nation for big time high school basketball. The elimination of Detroit high schools has hit both public and private schools. It began in earnest in 2005, when both Detroit East Catholic and Detroit DePorres closed. Those two Catholic schools had combined for 48 district, 34 regional, and 16 state championships. The Detroit Public School League (PSL) has also been ravaged. Gone are legendary programs like Southwestern, Northern, Cooley, Redford, Mackenzie, Murray-Wright ,and Chadsey. Few schools had a tradition like Southwestern. The Prospectors produced superstars like Jalen Rose and Antoine `the Judge’ Joubert and legendary coach Perry Watson. Southwestern won 28 district, 15 regional, and three state titles. Northern, led by the great Derrick Coleman, won 19 district, 11 regional, and two state titles. The Cooley Cardinals, home to Larry Fogle and Michael Talley, won 14 district titles, nine regional, and three state titles.

Other areas of the state have been hit as well. Pontiac is without Pontiac Central High School. Willow Run High School, winner of 33 district, nine regional, and two state titles has closed its doors, as has Albion High School in southern Michigan.

School closings and mergers have gone on for years. Ask people in small towns across mid Michigan who have seen the Barryton Bulldogs, Blanchard Trojans, Crystal Hawks, Dimondale Bearcats, Edmore Panthers, Howard City Bulldogs, Lyons-Muir Lions, Ovid Romans, Stanton Rams, Sheridan Redskins, and Weidman Wildcats pass on into the dusty record books of time.

Time marches on, but the memories last forever, however faded and old they get. And now, new schools have a chance to come to the forefront and establish their own winning histories.

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Jeff Chaney

Sports Scene

AUBURN HILLS, MI – To say that New Lothrop senior Cody Symons has a busy schedule would be a bit of an understatement.

Not only does Symons work on his family’s 1,000-acre farm, waking early to do chores, but he also is a two-sport athlete, participating in football and wrestling.

Besides that, he is his class valedictorian, carrying a GPA of 4.0.

He fits chores, practices, games, and meets into his busy schedule, and he also studies, which makes him a true student/athlete.

How does he do it?

“One thing I always do is pay attention,” Symons said. “I am constantly paying attention. Listening to teachers, listening to coaches, doing everything they tell you to do. Doing all the little things, study, do the homework, get everything done. Do things right, and make sure you know what you are doing, or ask questions. Sometimes you don’t get the best response out of your teacher or coach, but you learn.”

He learned those attributes at home. “I’m really busy, but I have a good work ethic,” Symons said. “I got that from my parents.”

According to New Lothrop wrestling coach Jeff Campbell, that is why New Lothrop High School has produced great student/athletes over the years – family.

“This says a lot about his family,” Campbell said of Symons. “He has a family that is involved in all levels of our youth sports and varsity sports. He has a younger brother on the team, and two more younger brothers coming up, and his parents have done a good job with those four boys.”

But Campbell sees this all over New Lothrop, starting with his team.

“Our team GPA is 3.89, so we have a lot of kids like Cody,” Campbell said. “That is a testament to our community as much as anything. Our test scores are high in our town, and grades and test scores are important. Community, church, and family is very important in New Lothrop.”

All of the hard work is paying off for Symons.

Last fall, playing offensive tackle and defensive end, he helped his football team to the state semifinals.

In wrestling, he helped lead the Hornets to the Division 4 state championship, knocking off five-time champion Hudson in the process. He also finished his individual career with his third medal and all-state performance, taking third for the second straight year.

“After last week I was pretty proud,” Symons said. “My senior year has been awesome. In football we made it to the semifinals there. And then going to wrestling and winning a team title there. It’s been a great senior year.”

But now, he is thinking of his future and deciding where to continue his studies.

“Right now I am thinking about the University of Michigan,” Symons said. “I just got accepted a couple of weeks ago, and I’m really proud of that. Right now I’m thinking I want to study engineering, but I’m not 100 percent sure.”

Another successful Hornet in the making. “The kid has his priorities in order,” Campbell said. “Sports are a privilege, and he has the right to do them if he does it the right way and can manage his time and keep his grades high. And he’s done that.”

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Ben Murphy

Sports Scene

With a roster of 26 girls, the John Glenn pompon team focused on a simple mentality to win the class B state championship at the Breslin Center on Feb. 8.

“One team, one heart, one love,” third-year head coach Shelby Anderson said of her team’s success. “I love these 26 as if they were my own daughters. They are all kind, beautiful, and intelligent young women. We truly are a family, as our season runs nine months out of the year… No matter what has happened outside of practice, these 26 enter the floor as one unit.”

On top of their on-court success, the Bobcats have also combined for one of the highest team GPAs at the school, are volunteers at the Dow Bay Area Family YMCA, and won numerous other awards at invitationals throughout the year.

“This team has been so successful because of their drive, dedication, and perseverance,” Anderson said. “This team wants to be pushed the extra mile. They want to do the work, and they wanted there to be no regrets.”

Not only did they want to be better than the competition, but the Bobcats also wanted to be better than themselves.

“Our team motto is ‘Beat John Glenn,’ ” Anderson said . “Many heard this and thought it was a dare or an arrogant statement, but it was actually about being our personal best each time. We decided that worrying about everyone else would not help us win. We needed to respect our competitors and their strengths and work on our own weaknesses and focus if we wanted to show the world what these 26 athletes were made of and capable of.”

Seniors on the championship team were Kelly Carmien, Miranda Johnson, Kelsey Kukla, Emily Landry, Bailley Lowell, and Nicole Reich.

“Carmien is an amazing leader, listener ,and peacekeeper in our family,” Anderson said. “Johnson has as much dedication and heart as the day is long. Kukla has great jumps and a kind heart. Landry has sharp form and the ability to relate to anyone. Lowell has the motivational speaking skills of a pro, and Reich is creative and always thinking outside the box.”

Juniors on the team are Caitlyn Doran, Samantha Gerken, Stacie Kussro, Lexi Rau, Courtney Rezmer, and Allison Vlk.

“Doran is willing to help anyone and always has a random fact of the day to keep the team smiling,” Anderson said. “Gerken is a sweetheart and is like a big sister to all members. Kussro has strong athletic ability and has extreme dedication and leadership. Rau is a perfectionist and also our class clown; she can break any tense moment with her wit. Rezmer has great showmanship and the ability to cut any tension with a quick random story and a giggle, and Vlk can learn extremely fast and has great form and a huge heart.”

Sophomores on the team are Katelynn Barber, Molly Carmien, Brittney Frost, Briana Krayscir, Sydney Kukla, Alisha Lodewyk, Miranda Powell, Haleigh Reed, and Alex Steff.

“Barber has been out due to an injury but has supported her team and is always there to listen and console,” Anderson said. “Carmien has a huge smile and a whole lot of power. Frost is a friend to to all and always puts the team first. Krayscir has battled injuries but has stayed positive and supported the team the whole way.

“Kukla has great skills and a kind heart; she is very polite and a hard worker,” Anderson added. “Lodewyk captivates the audience with her spirit and her performance skills. Powell has a lot of flair and personality on the floor, with great showmanship and skill. Reed has kicks that are out of this world; her height makes her easy to spot, but her skill is what makes her stand out, and Steff is one of the hardest workers; she does not quit until it is right and is always listening.”

Freshmen on the team are Kimmie Cnudde, Brooke Gillespie, Carlie McCarthy, Lauren Rivet, and Alexis Zimmerman.

“Cnudde always had words of wisdom for the team, she takes every critique to heart and dedicates herself to be the best she can be for her team,” Anderson said. “Gillespie has a spitfire personality and drive. McCarthy has dedication and poise; she is always ready to go and is prepared. Rivet may be tiny, but she has a lot of heart, she is always working when she has a moment to spare to ensure she has everything right. Zimmerman is shy and sweet; that being said, it all falls away when she hits the floor and she performs with no qualms.”

The Bobcats hope that this year’s success continues into the future, and with a roster that will boast plenty of familiar faces next season, the coach doesn’t see any reason why it can’t.

“The Glenn pompon program has been around for decades, and it stays strong because of the dedication and love these young women have for each other and the respect they have for this sport,” Anderson said. “The team knows what is expected of them, and they work hard to keep the proud tradition alive. With the support from their families, friends, and mine as well, we have kept alive the spirit that has fueled the Bobcat athletics for years.”

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Bay City Central’s boys basketball season ended at 11-10 with a 51-48 loss to Midland in the Class A district semifinals last seek. Central was up 9-8 after the first quarter and 19-18 at halftime but Midland was up 34-27 after the third quarter. Addyson Tomczk had 17 points and Leah Humes had 11 points.

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Leah Humes scored 20 points last week to lead Bay City Central to 50-39 district first-round win over Mount Pleasant.

Central was up 12-8 after the first quarter, 23-17 at halftime and 38-24 after the third quarter.

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Mount Pleasant’s season ended at 2-18 for girls basketball last week with a 50-39 loss to Bay City Central. Central was up 12-8 after the first quarter, 23-17 at halftime and 38-24 after the third quarter. Katlyn Hartman score nine points for Mount Pleasant while Whitney Taylor had eight points.

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Shepherd ended its regular season at 6-13 with a 67-35 loss Friday to Mount Pleasant. Mount Pleasant fired out to a 30-12 lead after the first quarter and was up 47-21 at halftime and 55-31 after the third quarter. Mount Pleasant had a 12-4 scoring advantage in the fourth. Jesse Holmes and Torren Sanchez led Shepherd with 10 points apiece.

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Mount Pleasant ended its regular season at 16-4 with a 67-35 win over Shepherd on Friday. Mount Pleasant fired out to a 30-12 lead after the first quarter and was up 47-21 at halftime and 55-31 after the third quarter. Mount Pleasant had a 12-4 scoring advantage in the fourth. T,J. Johnson led Mount Pleasant with 15 points, followed by Colin MacGregor with 10 points, Anton Cotton with nine and Jonny Clark with eight.

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Tri County was making its first appearance in the Division 3 competitive cheer state finals. The Vikings were actually fifth after Round 1 but fell to seventh after Round 2 and eighth in the eight-team field after Round 3.

Pontiac Notre Dame Prep was first with 764.04 while Comstock Park was second at 759.68, Grosse Ile third at 749.68, Richmond fourth at 735.46, Armada fifth at 728.02, Otsego sixth at 718.62 and Paw Paw seventh at 717.90.

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Saginaw Heritage tops in class ‘A’

It’s a shame what’s happening to inner city hoops programs

New Lothrop’s Cody Symons has huge wrestling IQ

John Glenn wins class ‘B’ title

Bay City Central falls to 11-10

Humes leads Bay City Central girls

Mount Pleasant girls end season

Shepherd ends regular season at 6-13

Mount Pleasant boys end regular season at 16-4

Tri County competes at cheer fnals