Article - High School Sports Scene

The goal for all teams is to get a shot to compete in March at the state finals at Grand Rapids’ Delta Plex. Michigan Center should win another Division 4 title. The other three are up for grabs.

DIVISION I

Teams to watch statewide: Hartland, Rochester Hills, Southgate Anderson

Top local team: Rockford

Preview: Renee Dengler’s Rockford team nearly went to the state finals last winter. “This team is back to win,” she said. “They are working really hard to continue where we left off last year, and I am looking forward to watching this team improve every time we take the mat.”

Top local players: Katlin Castor and Kelsea Buchanan of Rockford.

State finals prediction: Rochester Hills over Hartland

DIVISION 2

Teams to watch statewide: Allen Park, Gibraltar Carlson, Divine Child, Mount Pleasant

Top local teams: DeWitt, Mount Pleasant

Preview: Divine Child’s coach Amber Genevich is confident that this will be her team’s season. “I have several key athletes this year… I have some athletes who have been on the team all four years, Emily Penny and Emily Kiefer. They are in all three rounds. We have a different mindset this year and are ready to achieve that title we’ve been striving for year after year.”

Coach Danielle Jokela has had five state title winners and one runner-up in her eight years of coaching at Gilbraltar Carlson, which took first at all regular season meets last season.

Alicia Rudoni has coached three years at Mount Pleasant, and her team was third in the state last season. She said a goal for this season is “to surpass the success that we had last year and to meet all of our team goals. The returning girls from last season are a strong foundation for our team with great leadership from our captains.”

Top players in state: Emily Kiefer and Emily Penny of Divine Child

State finals prediction: Divine Child over DeWitt

DIVISION 3

Teams to watch statewide: Richmond, Notre Dame Preparatory, Comstock Park

Top local teams: Lakewood, Ovid-Elsie

Preview: Heritage coach Christa Klosterman is looking for her team to be improved in tumbling this season. “Madeline Drake is a junior leading the team this year. She works hard at every practice and is very committed to making herself a better team member,” Klosterman said.

Top local players: Madeline Drake, Heritage

State finals prediction: Notre Dame Preparatory over Richmond

DIVISION 4

Teams to watch statewide: Hudson, Michigan Center

Top local teams: Merrill, Pewamo-Westphalia

Preview: Jessica Trefry is expected to have another state championship contender at Michigan Center. “The teams in and around Jackson are getting stronger every year, and they will produce more state contenders in the very near future,” Trefry said. “My team has been very successful, and I would love to recognize my athletes more for the successes they have. I have three seniors that are three-time state champions and now in their senior year are contending for one more. What an amazing story these girls have with the possibility of ending their career as four-time state champions. There are very few out there that get to say that. Yet that is their goal, and they are determined to achieve it.”

State finals prediction: Michigan Center dominates for another state title

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Scholar Athlete of the Month

The Logan Hessbrook File

Class: Senior

Sports: Football, basketball, baseball

Accomplishments: All State First-Team (football), All State First-Team (baseball) as a junior, All-Conference First Team (basketball) as a junior. Key contributor in Ithaca’s 41-22 Division 6 state final win over Clinton.

GPA: 4.0

College: Plans on playing college football but currently undecided on a college

The Makenna Ott File

Haslett High School

Sports: Volleyball, basketball

Class: Junior

Accomplishments: All-State Second team (Class A), All-Region, and First Team All-Conference for the second year in a row. Led Haslett to the Class A semifinals, where her team lost to eventual state champion East Grand Rapids. Haslett finished the season with a 54-4-3 record.

Other: Will be one of the top returning volleyball players in the state in 2014

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Jeff Chaney

Sports Scene

The Hudson football teams of the late 1960s and early 1970s may have had more consecutive victories.

And East Grand Rapids of late last decade and early this decade may have had more consecutive state titles.

But no team has been able to put a streak together like the one that Ithaca continued this year.

The Yellowjackets won their 56th straight game, and their fourth straight state championship, when they beat Clinton 41-22 in the Division 6 title game November 29 at Ford Field.

That’s 56 straight wins and four straight state titles in the playoff era, an incredible feat.

That Hudson team won 72 straight games from September 20, 1968, through November 22, 1975, but that wasn’t in the playoff era, as the Michigan High School Athletic Association didn’t start determining its champions with a playoff until the 1975 season.

In fact, Hudson dropped its first game in 73 outings when the Tigers fell to Isphpeming 38-22 in the Class C state title game in 1975.

And East Grand Rapids did win an incredible five straight state championships, but in that five-season span, it lost three games.

So when Ithaca coach Terry Hessbrook says that his team has accomplished what no other has, he’s not lying. The Yellowjackets are currently on a streak like no other.

To not lose a game in four years, when other teams know that you are the team to beat, is a pressure that not many can handle.

It looked like this year’s team might buckle under that pressure, as Ithaca trailed in four of its five playoff games, including a 15-14 deficit to Clinton in the championship game.

But the resilient 2013 Yellowjackets fought back and won all five of those games, including the title game.

This streak hasn’t come without its share of adversity, as Ithaca lost starting quarterback Travis Smith to a shoulder injury at the start of the 2012 championship game with Constantine. The team was able to win 37-27, thanks to Hessbrook’s nephew, Logan Hessbrook, who filled in for Smith admirably.

That’s the secret to Coach Hessbrook’s success. “The secret to winning: get really good players and then get out of their way,” he said.

The philosophy hasn’t been truer than at the most important position on the field – quarterback.

Hessbrook and his staff had Alex Niznak during the first championship run, and Smith for the last three.

Niznak is currently on Central Michigan University’s roster, and next year Smith will be playing for Mid-American Conference rival University of Toledo.

“When you have two Division I quarterbacks when you are coaching Class C football, that is quite an honor,” Hessbrook said. “We try to manage them, make sure we get them in position to succeed, then get out of the way.”

Some inspirational tricks also help to keep a team focused.

“They tore the field out of Ford Field in the off-season, and when they tore it out, our maintenance guy got us a couple of pieces, and we laid that down across our track. That is what we run across to the field, and in our first game against Williamston, I said that is our first step to get back to Ford Field. That was really cool. We talked about that today, that turf led us to this turf.”

What is thce oach going to do to keep his Yellowjackets perfect and bring them back to Ford Field for a fifth straight year?

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Jeff Chaney

Sports Scene

Like most teenagers, and like just about all high school athletes, Travis Smith thought he was indestructible.

So when the Ithaca quarterback injured his throwing shoulder on the second play of last year’s Division 6 state championship game against Constantine and was unable to return to help his teammates, it was a tough life lesson to learn.

The lesson was to not take anything for granted.

But it was also a lesson that motivated the Yellowjackets signal caller to work even harder to make it back to Ford Field and finish what he started.

“I never thought I would get hurt last year, and when it happened, it really motivated me all off-season,” Smith said. “It made me put in more work. I thought about it all off-season when I got hurt, and I really wanted to get back to Ford Field and play. I just wanted to go out and play at my highest level at Ford Field my senior year.”

So Smith worked, as did his teammates, and Ithaca made it back to Ford Field November 29 for the Yellowjackets’ fourth straight state championship game, this year against Clinton.

Prior to the state final game, Smith had completed 170 of 237 passes for 3,017 yards and 38 touchdowns. He had only thrown six interceptions. Smith had also run 61 times for 414 yards and six touchdowns.

During the final, Smith did play at the highest level, throwing for 247 yards and four touchdowns. He also ran for a touchdown and intercepted a Clinton pass that he returned 30 yards for another touchdown.

The Yellowjackets scored six times, and Smith had his hand in all of them.

“He had absolutely complete motivation from last year,” Ithaca coach Terry Hessbrook said. “When he got hurt, his only goal was to get back to Ford Field.

“I was very happy Travis was able to start and finish this game,” he added. “Last year was tougher when we had to scramble when [wide receiver Logan Hessbrook] had to go in for him. I was happy he was able to finish this year.”

“I knew we had a great team this year, and great players around me,” Smith said. “After I got hurt last year, I was in shock, but I knew we could come back and win this year. Now it is hard to believe it is all over.”

Smith will leave Ithaca for the University of Toledo as one of the most decorated quarterbacks in Michigan history. He was recently named Mr. Football and was also named the first-ever Michigan High School Football Player of the Year presented by Mlive.

Smith is a player Hessbrook will surely miss. “Sure I’m going to miss him; he is the all-time career leader in touchdown passes in the state of Michigan,” Hessbrook said. “And he will probably have the second most yards. A great career.”

The good thing for Hessbrook is that there is another Smith ready to fill the hole.

“I have a feeling you will see Travis’ little brother Jake step in and see a pretty talented young man himself,” Hessbrook said. “He is very smart and talented.”

More good news for Ithaca – another great quarterback.

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By BUTCH HARMON

It will be a learning experience for the Alma boys swimming team this year. With a roster loaded with freshmen and sophomores, the Panthers will be looking for growth and improvement as the season progresses.

“I think we will have some fun this year,” veteran Alma coach Jeff Huxley said. “We have a lot of kids who are early into their swimming careers, which is also where they tend to enjoy their biggest improvement. All of them have been training pretty hard.”

When it comes to experience, the Panthers are on the low end of the scale at this time. “Our average experience level is .7 years,” Huxley said. “We have two junior/senior level kids right now, and one of those kids is new. The rest of the team is freshmen and sophomores, and most of them do not have an age-group swimming background.”

Sophomore Brevan Bender leads the way for the Panthers this year. He specializes in the butterfly and backstroke. The Panthers also return junior Mason Molesky and sophomores Rees Wimmer, Kolton Kovac, and Todd Lovas.

“We have a lot of potential,” Huxley said, “but you don’t turn potential into production overnight. We are going to be a work in progress.”

Alma finished 20th at the Division 3 state meet last year.

Ionia finished 12th at last year’s D3 meet and returns a pair of state placers off that team. Senior Skyler Fish was second in the backstroke and fourth in the 100 freestyle. The Bulldogs also return senior Patrick Wood and sophomore diver Riese Penn.

Mason returns a pair of state placers in senior Corbin Shuler (50 free and 100 butterfly) and senior Brandon Stetler (breastroke/IM).

DeWitt placed third in the CAAC Blue last year and returns senior Dan Schroeder (IM/freestyle) and junior diver Arthur Hill.

Corunna will be looking for improvement this season behind senior distance swimmer Caleb Barnes and senior backstroker Christian Bitterman.

DIVISION 1

Rockford finished fourth at last year’s Division 1 state meet. While the Rams graduated a number of key swimmers, the cupboard is never bare, and plenty of talent returns this year. Senior Craig Wasberg earned all-state honors in a pair of events last year, as he took eighth place in both the 100 butterfly and the 100 backstroke. The Rams also return a pair of divers who placed in the top ten at the state meet in senior Shane Phillips (4th) and sophomore Jake Herremans (9th). Senior Jacob Davis (100 fly and relays) also returns. Juniors Timmer Hoffmeister (100 fly and backstroke) and David Newberger (200 IM and 100 breaststroke) also return as do sophomores Jacob Fase (200 free and 500 free) and Corbin Bremmyr (50 free).

Grand Ledge placed second in the CAAC Blue last year and will be challenging for the league title once again. The Comets will be paced by senior Zinghao Wang, who placed fourth in the 200 IM and sixth in the 100 breaststroke at last year’s state meet. Senior Tommy Sereseroz (200 and 500 free) is a key distance swimmer returning.

DIVISION 2

Midland Dow placed fifth as a team at the Division 2 meet last year. It returns a number of solid swimmers from that squad. Sophomores Nehemiah Mork (100 free), Zach Hoffman (200 IM), Nick Pixton (100 back), and Kevin White (500 free) will be among the team leaders this season.

Heritage has a strong nucleus of swimmers back. Junior Logan Yearham placed sixth in the 100 breaststroke at the state meet. The Hawks also return senior Elliott Plummer (100 and 200 freestyle).

Fenton will be a factor in Division 2 this year. The Tigers return seniors Brant Cassidy (50 and 100 free) and Mike Banner (500 free).

Okemos won the CAAC Blue last year and placed eighth at the D2 state meet. The Chieftains return senior Ian Poland, who finished fifth in the state in the 100 butterfly and 15th in the 200 freestyle. Seniors Jake Seeterlin (100 fly and 200 free) and Mitch Fountain (100 backstroke) also return.

St. Johns placed 14th as a team at last year’s state meet. The Red Wings welcome back senior diver Jared Gregory, who placed eighth at state a year ago. Junior Brad Garmyn (100 breaststroke and 200 IM) is another key returnee.

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When he graduates in the spring, Ithaca’s Travis Smith will leave behind a legacy that will likely never be seen again in our lifetime .

A member of four Division 6 state championship teams. A winning streak that reached 56 games with the 41-22 state final victory over Clinton. A 41-0 record as a starting quarterback. Multiple state and school records.

The accolades keep pouring in for Smith, who was recently named Mr. Football and Michigan’s High School Football player of the Year. Now he can be also called Sports Scene’s Player of the Year for the second time. Smith is the only two-time winner of the Sports Scene honor, and it is well deserved.

Smith started at receiver in the first game of the 2011 season but took over at quarterback when David Brown was injured. He then led the team to a 13-0 record and its second state title.

Prior to the state final game against Clinton, Smith had completed 170 of 237 passes for 3,017 yards and 38 touchdowns with only six interceptions. He also had run 61 times for 414 yards and six touchdowns. In the the final, he completed 17 of 27 passes for 247 yards and four touchdowns and also ran for 123 yards and another score.

He will continue his career at the University of Toledo.

Smith is definitely deserving of the honor, but Swan Valley’s Alex Grace was a close second after he set the Michigan single-season rushing record with 2,952 yards, only 48 yards away from becoming the first player ever to hit the 3,000 yard mark in a season in the history of Michigan high school football. Grace, Sports Scene’s Offensive player of the year, averaged more than 10 yards per carry while scoring 39 touchdowns for the Vikings. Grace and Heritage’s Brian Cole will be front runners for the award heading into next year.

On defense, Rockford’s Brent Shower’s is Sports Scene’s Defensive Player of the Year. A starter for the Rams the last three seasons, Showers had 120 tackles this season, including 40 unassisted. He had 23 tackles for loss and forced three fumbles. Outside football, he has a 3.9 grade-point average and is the catcher on the baseball team.

Although Ithaca was the only local team to walk away from Ford Field with a state title, Beal City and DeWitt had solid seasons in their respective divisions. Both teams finished the year 13-1, with the Aggies losing to Muskegon Catholic in the D8 finals and the Panthers losing to Zeeland West in the D3 championship game. Both teams are well represented on Sports Scene’s Dream Team. The smallest member of the Dream Team is Ty Rollin, the 5’8″, 185 pound running back for the Aggies, while Jake Johnson (quarterback) and Chris Ruby (defensive back) lead the way for the Panthers.

Overall, this year’s team of star-studded players is highlighted by a strong senior class, including Alma’s Curtis Doyle, Ithaca’s Logan Hessbrook, Midland’s Mike Alexander, Nouvel’s Tyler Jacqmain, New Lothrop’s Amari Coleman, and two-time Dream Team punter Austin Feldpausch of Fowler. Six juniors made the team, including Grace, Cole, and Swan Valley’s Taylor Reaume.

As hard as it was to pick this team, picking the coach was just as difficult. Beal City’s Lou Rau, Carson City’s Dustin Pringle, DeWitt’s Rob Zimmerman, and the 2011 Coach of the Year Jason McIntyre of Mt. Pleasant were all worthy candidates. But the honor of leading this great team goes to Ithaca’s Terry Hessbrook, who led his team to its fourth straight Division 6 championship this year. Here is the 2013 Dream Team.

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Sports Scene 2013 Football Dream Team

Player of the Year:

Travis Smith, Ithaca

Offensive Player of the Year:

Alex Grace, Swan Valley

Defensive Player of the Year:
Brent Showers, Rockford

First Team

QUARTERBACK

Travis Smith, Ithaca, 6-3, 200, Sr.

Jacob Johnson, DeWitt, 6-2, 185, Jr.

RUNNING BACKS

Alex Grace, Swan Valley, 6-1, 205, Jr.

Avonte Bell, Lansing Sexton, 6-1, 215, Jr.

Andre Houston, Bay City Central, 5-10, 194, Sr.

Ty Rollin, Beal City, 5-8, 185, Sr.

FULLBACK

Ben Finzel, Swan Valley, 6-0, 200, Sr.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Ben Bigham, Lowell, 6-3, 180, Sr.

Logan Hessbrook, Ithaca, 6-3, 200, Sr.

Malik Taylor, Montrose, 6-2, 210, Sr.

LINEMEN

Alex Neering, Garber, 6-5, 240, Sr.

Curtis Doyle, Alma, 6-6, 295, Sr.

Erik Belco, Mt. Pleasant, 6-2, 280, Sr.

Dakota Jelinek, Montrose, 6-2, 260, Sr.

Brad Osterman, Carson City-Crystal, 6-2, 225, Sr.

ALL-PURPOSE

Amari Coleman, New Lothrop, 5-11, 185, Sr.

Eli Villalobos, Ithaca, 5-9, 165, Sr.

KICKER

Josh Flamme, Mason, 5-10, 160, Jr.

DEFENSE

LINEBACKERS

Michael Alexander, Midland, 6-0, 215, Sr.

Taylor Reaume, Swan Valley, 6-1, 195, Jr.

Tyler Jacqmain, Nouvel Catholic Central, 6-1, 200, Sr.

Tyler Doyle, Montrose, 6-1, 215, Sr.

DEENSIVE BACKS

Brian Cole, Heritage, 6-2, 205, Jr.

Chris Ruby, DeWitt, 5-10, 175, Sr.

Brian Stearns, Frankenmuth, 6-0, 180, Sr.

Taylor Krupp, New Lothrop, 6-0, 190, Sr.

PUNTER

Austin Feldpausch, Fowler, 5-11, 240, Sr.

COACH OF THE YEAR

Terry Hessbrook, Ithaca

HONORABLE MENTION

Brennan Miller, Midland Dow; Kyler Shurlow, Lowell; Ty Glover, Holt; Leondre Terry, Lansing Everett, E.J. Jackson, Lansing Eastern; Josh Colegrove, Lowell; Jevonte Alexander, Carman-Ainsworth; Ecka Henderson, Saginaw Arthur Hill; James Claborn, Fenton; Tre’von Avery, Grand Blanc; Lucas Barner, Lansing Everett; Joe Reverman, Grand Ledge; Brandon Scott, Grand Blanc; Darryl Johnson, Carman-Ainsworth; Dakota Lawhon, Holt; Patrik Moriarty, East Lansing; Randy Garvin, Rockford; Johvi Reynolds, Fenton; Alex Brackett, Grand Blanc; Mac Hamilton, Fenton; Demarion Allen, Carman-Ainsworth; Romeel Dozier, Holt; Caleb Richard, Midland Dow; Quinn Nordin, Rockford; Alex Schwartz, Lake Fenton; Kyle Rachwal, Lapeer East.; Ja’Von Wray, Lansing Sexton; Mikhail Myles, Corunna; Erik Belco, Mount Pleasant; Tim Symons, Lake Fenton; Neil Allor, Lake Fenton; Robert Backus, Mount Pleasant; Bryce Dickman, Haslett; Austin Gregory, Ionia; Noah Bargouthy, Garber; Colin Prominski, Ionia; Javon Cooney, Lansing Sexton; Christopher Bukoski, DeWitt; Shain Shannon, Lansing Sexton; Bryce Wilker, Belding; Marcus Merrill, Chippewa Hills; Evan Huber, Mount Pleasant; Jacob Kimmel, Portland; Cody Peyok, Reese; Brian Burton, Bridgeport; Jaylian Henderson, Bullock Creek; JaWuan Taylor, Beecher; Mustafa Hopkins, Beecher; Charlie Ferens, Freeland; Caleb Sommerville, Bullock Creek; Mike Pratt, Vassar; Christian Petre, Meridian; Tony Poljan, Lansing Catholic; Jordan Gross, Clare; Jake Wenzlick, Meridian; Trent Grimes, Powers Catholic; Bryan Shaw, Ithaca;, Ricky King, Ithaca; Devon Kelley, Ovid-Elsie; Josh Hafner, Ithaca; Kevin Scheibert, Sanford-Meridian; Eli Villalobos, Ithaca; Tony Bentley, Reese; Joe McGuire, Clare; Ryan Watters, Williamston; Adam Stremlow, Coleman; Ryan Tilmann, Beal City; Tom Merlo, New Lothrop; Matthew Warner, Coleman; Kyle Nurenberg, Pewamo-Westphalia; Dylan Moffitt, Bath; Dustin Neyer, Sacred Heart Academy; Austin Cook, Fowler; Nathanael Schroeder, Michigan Lutheran Seminary; Hunter Gross, Coleman; Nick Ward, Beal City; Christian Benavidez, Vestaburg; Lane Simon, Pewamo-Westphalia; Keigan Ryckman, Vestaburg; Grant Steinborn, New Lothrop; Jake Jankoska, Freeland; Darrion Robinson, Arthur Hill; Jamar Hardy, Arthur Hill

COACHES

Dustin Pringle, Carson City; Nate Williams, Carman-Ainsworth, Jason McIntyre, Mount Pleasant

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2013 Sports Scene Volleyball Dream Team

Player of the Year

Addie Schumacher, Beal City

First Team

Addie Schumacher, Beal City, Sr., Middle Hitter, 5’11”

Kayla Rosman, Morley Stanwood, Jr., Outside Hitter, 5′ 10″

Bri Alspaugh, St. Louis, Sr., Middle Hitter, 6’0″

Brooke Tubbs, St. Louis, Sr., Outside Hitter, 5’8″

Sara Hansen, Sacred Heart Academy, Sr., Setter, 5’6″

Shannon Winicki, Rockford, Sr., Outside Hitter, 6’1″

Courtney Reinhold, Swan Valley, Sr., Middle Hitter, 5’10”

Makenna Ott, Haslett, Jr. Middle Hitter, 5′ 10″

Coach:

Kelly David, Beal City

Second Team

Karli Herrington, Hemlock, Sr., Outside Hitter, 6’2″

Laura Wilson, North Branch, Jr., Outside Hitter, 6’1″

Kelsey Baarck, Frankenmuth, Sr., Outside Hitter, 5’10”

Ashley Youngstrom, Freeland, Sr., Middle Hitter, 5’10”

Michaela Austin, St. Louis, Sr., Setter, 5’4″

Alexa Methner, Sacred Heart Academy, Jr., Middle Hitter, 5’11”

Cori Crocker, Grand Ledge, Jr., Outside Hitter, 6’3″

Mekayla Carey, Morley Stanwood, Jr., Middle Hitter, 5′ 11″

Abigael Brenke, Perry, Jr. Outside Hitter, 5’10”

Coach:

Russ Kela, Hemlock

Honorable Mention

Abby Carlson, Rockford; Maria Kronner, Haslett; Sarah Hayataka, Rockford; Ashley Bearden, Fenton; Kelli Combs, Grand Ledge; Mady Ruhlman, North Branch; Jamie Barrows, North Branch; Sarah Tabit, Mt. Morris; Monica Skrabut, Garber; Melissa Schoenow, Frankenmuth; Sara Kamen, Mt. Morris; Anna Reihl, Beal City; Lindsey Veersma, Morley Stanwood; Nicole Gross, Beal City; Melanie Schafer, Beal City; Jordan Schneider, Beal City; Candace Martin, Pewamo-Westphalia; Morgan Rombach, New Lothrop; Paige Gotham, Reese; Brooke Williams, Montrose; Bainbridge Scully, Sacred Heart Academy; Maggie Voisin, Sacred Heart Academy; Kelsey Smith, Ashley; Meggan Andrews, Ashley

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By BUTCH HARMON

While many teams usually need a few games at the beginning of a new season to get into the flow, the DeWitt girls basketball team hit the floor running.

Playing two of their biggest rivals in the first three games of the new season, the Panthers sent the message that they can play with anyone.

After an opening-game win against Lansing Everett, DeWitt faced non-league rival Grand Ledge, the No.-1 ranked team in the state in Class A and a team that defeated the Panthers last season. DeWitt came ready to play and not only defeated the Comets but also claimed a double-digit, 62-51, win.

“For us, we put all the rankings aside,” DeWitt coach Bill McCullen said. “This was a game we lost last year, and they beat us pretty handily. The kids were pretty motivated during the off-season to want to get back at a couple of people who thumped us last year.”

The Panthers utilized a balanced attack to defeat Grand Ledge, with senior Hannah Stoll leading the way with 19 points and 10 rebounds, while junior guard Claudia Reid added 13 points, and senior point guard Natalie Knauf added 12 points.

“We hit the boards hard and out-rebounded them” McCullen said. “We also shot the ball well and made our free throws down the stretch.”

DeWitt followed up the Grand Ledge win by defeating East Lansing, a team that has been a thorn in DeWitt’s side the past several years, 73-39.

“That was another big win,” McCullen said. “They have had our number for a while. The last time we beat them was 2005, so it was a nice win for us. Last year, they beat us by 20 points at our place, so it was a nice road win for us.”

Junior Abby Nakfoor led the Panthers with 15 points.

In the opening win against Everett, senior Lexi Banaszak led the team in scoring and finished with a double-double in points and rebounds.

“We have a lot of kids who can step up on any given night,” McCullen said. “A lot of it depends on the matchups and situations of the team we are playing.”

The tough games continue to come for the Panthers, who have games against Eaton Rapids, one of the higher-ranked teams in Class B, and league rival Ionia coming up.

“We have our work cut out for us this year,” McCullen said. “Not just in our non-league games, but our league is real competitive, too. Haslett has everyone back and is one of the top teams in the area, and St. Johns and Ionia are very competitive as well. You can’t afford to have a letdown in our league on any night.”

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Rylan Appold scored 25 points to lead Saginaw Valley Lutheran to a 69-60 victory over Bridgeport in boys basketball action on Wednesday to open the season for both teams. Appold was 9-of-14 from the floor and 1-of-2 in 3-pointers for the night. Josh Appold added 13 points with 5-of-14 from the floor. Logan Gatza had seven points.

Valley Lutheran was up 18-11 after the first quarter but trailed 33-19 at halftime. Valley Lutheran led 51-47 after the third quarter and outscored Bridgeport 18-13 in the fourth. Josh Appold also had 11 rebounds while Rylan Appold had eight rebounds, four steals and Gatza had seven rebounds and five assists. Mike Weiss had four assists. Valley Lutheran is at Michigan Lutheran Seminary on Tuesday.

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Competitive cheer teams set for another championship season

Scholar Athletes of the Month (December)

Streakin’

Humbled

Boys swimming state preview

Meet the 2013 Sports Scene Dream Team

2013 Sports Scene Football Dream Team

2013 Sports Scene Volleyball Team

DeWitt girls basketball opens season with pair of big wins

Rylan Appold leads Saginaw Valley Lutheran over Bridgeport