Article - High School Sports Scene

CLASS C

Top teams statewide: Reese, St. Ignace, Arbor Preparatory

Reese has turned in back-to-back perfect regular seasons. The Rockets went 23-1 last year before losing to Nouvel Catholic Central in the regionals. Junior center Reyna Frost (6’0″) is a dominating post player who averaged 15 points, 12 rebounds, and two blocks per game last year. The team also has a standout senior point guard in Paige Gotham.

St. Ignace turned in a perfect 27-0 record enroute to the Class D state title last March. This year it moves up to Class C but has plenty of talent back. Senior Kelley Wright (5’10”) is one of the top players in the state in Class C, while sophomore Abbey Ostman (5’9″) averaged 10 points and 10 rebounds a game last year.

Arbor Preparatory in Ypsilanti has a dynamic one-two combination in junior Zakiya Wells and sophomore Nastassja Chambers.

Team area teams

Beal City, Carson City-Crystal, Montabella, Hemlock, Pewamo-Westphalia, Nouvel Catholic Central

Beal City is gearing up for a big season. The Aggies welcome back a trio of all-state players, led by senior center Addie Schumacher (5’11”). Junior Jordan Schneider (5’11”) is another returning all-state player as is senior guard Melanie Schafer (5’5″). They also return senior guard Anna Reihl.

Carson City-Crystal has won back-to-back district titles, and it is looking to add another this year. Junior guard Mikayla Duflo (5’5″) is a returning all-state player. The Eagles are solid up front with returning all-conference forwards Tori Christiansen (5’9″) and Mackenzie Gesiter (5’9″).

Montabella also has a veteran team led by a pair of all-state players. Seniors Taylor Smith (5’6″) and Sarah Miller (5’5″) give the Mustangs a pair of talented players around whom to build.

Senior Karli Herrington (6’2″) leads the way for Hemlock. One of the top centers in the state, Herrington is a Miss Basketball candidate who is headed to Central Michigan University next year. She averaged 19 points and 15 rebounds per game last season.

Pewamo-Westphalia won the CMAC last year with a 15-1 record and finished 18-5 overall. The Pirates suffered heavy graduation losses but do return senior forward Marlena Klein (5’11”), who earned all-state honors last season.

Nouvel Catholic Central made it all the way to the Class C state final last year before falling to Manchester. Plenty of talent returns from that team, led by senior Rachel McInerney (6’2″). The Ferris State University commitment averaged 16 points and 10 rebounds per game last year and gives Nouvel a dominating player in the paint. Junior forward Nicole Buckingham (5’10”) added nine points and six rebounds, while sophomore guard Laurel Jacqmain added eight points per game.

Top players in the state

Micheala Dekilder, sr., Gobles; Reyna Frost, jr., Reese; Meredith Hamlet, jr., McBain; Elisa Jurmu, sr., Houghton; Zakiya Wells, jr., Arbor Preparatory

Top area players

Mikayla Duflo, jr., Carson City-Crystal; Karli Herrington, sr., Hemlock; Marlena Klein, sr., Pewamo-Westphalia; Rachel McInerney, sr., Nouvel; Sarah Miller, sr., Montabella; Melanie Schafer, sr., Beal City; Jordan Schneider, jr., Beal City; Addie Schuacher, sr., Beal City; Emily Severn, sr., New Lothrop; Taylor Smith, sr., Montabella

CLASS D

Top teams statewide: Forest Park, Gaylord St. Mary Cathedral, Our Lady of the Lakes

Crystal Falls returns all five starters from a team that reached the state quarterfinals before falling to St. Ignace. Included in the group is perhaps the premier player in the entire state in senior Lexi Gussert (6’0″). One of the most highly recruited players in the state, Gussert finally selected Michigan State University. Last year, she averaged 32.5 points per game. Forward Kendra Campbell averaged 10 points per game, while point guard Maria Stankewicz also returns.

Top area teams

Fowler, Fulton, Lansing Christian, Sacred Heart Academy, Portland St. Patrick Catholic

Fowler turned in a 13-8 record last year and is primed for another strong season. Senior center Kelsie Feldpausch (5’8″) is a two-time all-conference player. The Eagles also return junior guard Kara Schafer.

Fulton enjoyed success last year. It won a district title and advanced to the regional final while going 13-10. Senior forward Gabi Seida (5’9″) leads the returnees along with senior guard Amanda Madden.

Lansing Christian went 22-2 last year and reached the regional final. While the Pilgrims graduated a number of key players, they do return senior Mikayla Terry (5’10”), who gives the team a strong presence in the post.

Sacred Heart Academy captured a regional championship last year and has plenty of talent on hand for a similar run this year. Junior point guard Sara Hansen (5’8″) is a returning all-state player who averaged 13 points per game. Junior guard Riley Terwilliger (5’6″) is another all-around athlete returning in the backcourt. The Irish also have plenty of size up front. Junior Lexie Methner (6’0″) is a strong rebounder and defender, while sophomore Averi Gamble (6’3″) has outstanding size and is a potential impact player.

Portland St. Patrick went 15-1 in the CMAC last year and 20-2 overall. The Shamrocks graduated a number of talented players but do return senior Danielle Simon (5’8″), who is one of the top players in the area.

Top players in the state

Cassidy Boensch, so., AuGres-Sims; Kari Borowiak, sr., Gaylord St. Mary Cathedral; Emiliegh Ferguson, sr., Bear Lake; Vanessa Freberg, sr., Superior Central; Emily Gerulis, sr., Plymouth Christian Academy; Charity Godbold, sr., Southfield Christian; Alexis Gussert, sr., Forest Park; Koryann Hincka, sr., Posen; Brooke Howard, sr., Mendon; Kristen Massey, sr., Franklin Road Christian; Taylor Richards, jr., Calvary Christian

Top area players

Malory Carlson, sr., Crossroads Charter Academy; Kelsie Feldpausch, sr., Fowler; Sara Hansen, sr., Sacred Heart Academy; Gabi Seida, sr., Fulton; Danielle Simon, sr., Portland St. Patrick Catholic; Mikayla Terry, sr., Lansing Christian; Courtney Wolf, jr., Morrice

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CLASS A

Top teams statewide: Detroit King, Marian, Muskegon, Grosse Pointe South

King has one of the tallest teams in the state and plenty of players coming back from a squad that went 22-1 last year.

Marian has been one of the most consistent teams in the state the past several years and has an athletic squad led by Laura Burton (6’1″), who can score inside or out.

Grosse Pointe South has been the Class A runner-up the last two years and will make another run at the state title, led by junior point guard Cierra Rice.

Top area teams

DeWitt, Grand Ledge, Greenville, Midland, Rockford

DeWitt went 17-4 last year and also has a deep and talented squad. Senior Hannah Stoll (6’0″) is headed to Michigan Technological University next year and is an excellent shooter. Senior Natalie Knauf (5’6″) is an athletic guard, while junior Claudia Reid is another excellent shooter. Lexi Banaszak (5’11”) and junior Abby Nakfoor (5’10”) offer size and rebounding up front.

Grand Ledge reached the state quarterfinals last season and finished the year with a 21-5 record. The Comets return a host of talent this season. Senior twins Lindsay and Hannah Orwat averaged a combined 31 points per game last year and are dangerous either shooting from the perimeter or driving to the bucket. Junior Cori Crocker (6’3″) is an outstanding athlete who nearly averaged a double-double in points and rebounds last year. Cori Drake (6’1″) adds more size up front, while Lauren Bachert and Sophia Guzman are skilled point guards.

Greenville returns a load of talent from a team that turned in an 18-5 record last year and captured the OK Bronze title. Senior post Leah Somerfield (6’1″) is a four-year starter who averaged 15 points and 11 rebounds per game a year ago. Senior Nikota Howe (5’10”) is another veteran back for a team with good size and quickness.

Midland is led by senior Jessica Walter (5’11”), who is one of the best players in the state and a Miss Basketball candidate. She is a versatile talent who averaged 22 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals per game last year. Lily Hami (5’10”) is another offensive threat who averaged 15 points per game a year ago, while Emily Reser (5’9″) returns in the post.

Rockford finished second to state champion Grand Haven in the OK Red last season. The Rams have seven veterans back from a team that went 15-6. Junior Logan McCane (5’9″) is an outstanding guard, while Megan Datema (5’10”) makes big plays on both ends of the floor. Senior Lauren Imhoff (5’11”) is a force in the post.

Top players in the state:

Ariel Bethea, jr., Ann Arbor Huron; Erika Davenport, jr., Clarkston; Candice Leatherwood, sr., Mercy; Sade’ Lemons, jr., Sterling Heights; Kerri McMahan, sr., Novi; Cierra Rice, jr., Grosse Pointe South; Asia Robeson, sr., Kalamazoo Central

Top area players

Cori Crocker, jr., Grand Ledge; Tara Lierman, jr., Holt; Logan McCane, jr., Rockford; Hannah Orwat, sr., Grand Ledge; Lindsay Orwat, sr., Grand Ledge; Kamrin Reed, so., Holt; Claudia Reid, jr., DeWitt; Leah Somerfield, sr., Greenville; Hannah Stoll, sr., DeWitt; Jessica Walter, sr., Midland

CLASS B

Top teams statewide: Benton Harbor, Grand Rapids South Christian, Three Rivers, Wayland Union

Benton Harbor has one of the top one-two scoring punches in the state in the Gondrezick sisters. Junior Kalabrya averaged over 17 points per game last year, while sophomore Kysre averaged over 29 points per game as a freshman. It adds another talented freshman this year in Kaniya Washington (6’3″).

South Christian has an athletic squad that reached the final four last year. Senior Cassie Vredevoogd (6’0″) is an athletic post player. Senior Rene Broekhuizen (5’11”) is a versatile forward who can do a number of things.

Three Rivers center Teagan Reeves (6’2″) is another Miss Basketball candidate. The Western Michigan University recruit averaged 21 points and 11 boards last year. Wayland Union junior Presley Hudson (5’5″) is a talented point guard with unlimited range on her shot. She has already committed to Central Michigan University.

Team area teams:

John Glenn, Clare, Corunna, Eaton Rapids, Powers Catholic, Goodrich, Haslett, Ionia, Bullock Creek, Portland

John Glenn has one of the most talented young teams in the area. The Bobcats reached the district finals last year, where they fell to Bullock Creek. Sophomore Jenai LaPorte is one of the top sophomores in the state and is joined by fellow sophomore Jamie Brisson.

Clare suffered heavy graduation losses last year, but with all-everything guard Lindsay Winter (5’7″) back for her senior year, the Pioneers will still be a force. Last year, Winter averaged 22 points, five rebounds, and four assists per game. Senior center Corinne Wezensky (5’11”) and senior forward Alex Stark (5’8″) also return.

Corunna turned in a 14-7 record last year and finished second in the CAAC White. Senior center/forward Payton Birchmeier (6’1″) is a multi-dimensional player and a force in the paint. The Cavaliers have plenty of experience returning. Senior guard Lauren Ruess (5’7″) heads up the backcourt along with talented sophomore guard Skylar Napier (5’5″).

With nine seniors back from a team that turned in an 18-3 mark last year, Eaton Rapids has big aspirations heading into the season. Senior post Allie Dittmer (6’1″) is a dominating center who averaged 18 points and 11 rebounds last year will play at Hillsdale College. The Greyhounds have plenty of size with Bailey Baker (5’10”) back up front along with point guard Emily Reinecke (5’11”) and Kathryn Mills (5’11”) on a wing.

Powers Catholic returns a trio of starters from a team that went on a sizzling tournament run and reached the Class B state final. Senior point guard Sarah Ruhstorfer (5’5″) is a talented floor general who can also drain the three-point shot. Ally Haran is an athletic player who can play any of the five positions on the court. Michela Coury (6’1″) gives the Chargers a low-post threat. She averaged 10 points and 14 rebounds per game last year.

Defending Class B state champion Goodrich suffered heavy graduation losses but still has plenty of talent. Junior guard Tania Davis (5’5″) is one of the top juniors in the state and averaged 17 points per game last year. Junior Isabella O’Brien (6’1″) gives the Martians good size in the post, while sophomore Lexi Sevillian is an outstanding all-around player.

Haslett has a wealth of talent returning from a team that went 19-4 last season before fallng to eventual state champion Goodrich in the regional semifinal. All five starters return, led by athletic junior post Makenna Ott (5’10”). Sophomore Karson Tripp (6’0″) adds more size up front. Junior point guard Kenzie DeCook runs the offense, while junior Adrianna Stolicker (5’8″) is an outstanding three-point shooter.

Ionia turned in a 15-9 record last year and returns a talented senior core. Senior guards Taylor Bovee (5’8″) and Sarah Swartz (5’9″) both earned all-state honors last season. Up front, junior post Anna Riccius (5’11”) earned all-league honors and gives the Bulldogs a potent inside-outside game.

There may not be a more talented young team in the area than Bullock Creek. Last year, it turned in a 23-4 record and reached the state semifinals. Four starters return from that team, and this year’s starting lineup will have three juniors and two sophomores. Junior guard Ellie Juengel (5’8″) is the top returning scorer at 14 points per game. Fellow junior guard Hannah Heldt added 10 points per game. Up front, junior forward Halee Nieman (5’10”) averaged 13 points and six rebounds. Sophomores Alyssa Mudd at forward and Madison Hill at guard add even more talent.

Portland captured the CAAC White with a perfect 10-0 record last year and finished 17-4 overall. The Raiders return a pair of all-conference players in senior forward Allison Russell (5’9″) and senior guard Madison Adams. Senior forward Allie Grys (5’9″) is another returning veteran.

Top players in the state:

Kalabrya Gondrezick, jr., Benton Harbor; Kysre Gondrezick, so., Benton Harbor; Teagan Reeves, sr., Three Rivers; Madison Valko, sr., Marysville; Hayley Walkowski, sr., Olivet

Top area players

Payton Birchmeier, sr., Corunna; Taylor Bovee, sr., Ionia; Michela Coury, sr., Powers; Tania Davis, jr., Goodrich; Allie Dittmer, sr., Eaton Rapids; Allison Haran, sr., Powers; Hannah Heldt, jr., Bullock Creek; Ellie Juengel, jr., Bullock Creek; Jenai LaPorte, so., John Glenn; Halee Nieman, jr., Bullock Creek; Makenna Ott, jr., Haslett; Adrianna Stolicker, jr., Haslett; Sarah Swartz, sr., Ionia; Lindsay Winter, sr., Clare

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Amanda Madden scored 22 points to lead Fulton-Middleton over Ithaca 49-43 on Friday. Fulton is 1-0. Ithaca was up 13-5 after the first quarter and 22-18 at halftime. But Fulton had a 10-5 scoring edge in the third quarter and 21-16 in the fourth. Madden had seven field goals for Fulton including four 3-pointers and hit four free throws. Gabi Seida had three field goals and four free throws for 10 points. Connor Proctor had two field goals, plus a 3-pointer and two free throws for seven points.

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Ithaca girls basketball team fell to 0-2 with a 49-43 loss to Fulton-Middleton on Friday. Ithaca was up 13-5 after the first quarter and 22-18 at halftime. But Fulton had a 10-5 scoring edge in the third quarter and 21-16 in the fourth. Ithaca was led by Kylee Chaffn with 10 points, followed by Lacie Mates with in points, Courtney Cooley with eight points and Colby Cramer and Mikayla Borrows with four points apiece.

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Birch Run defeated Chippewa Hills 42-22 on Saturday in the finals of the Birch Run Wrestling Invitational. Birch Run also had wins over Escanaba 51-17, Roscommon 62-12, Alma and New Boston Huron 51-17. Jerry Fenner had a big day for Birch Run. He was 5-0 at 125 pounds and pinned all five of his opponents. Also going 5-0 for Birch Run were Justin Elliot at 135, Mitch Franklin at 152 and George Lahar at 215. Joe Damm was 4-0 at 130.

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Belding opened the wrestling season Saturday at the Kent City Kickoff tourney.

Coach Travis Meyer’s squad beat an unnamed opponent 64-7, Kenowa Hills 42-36 and Wyoming Godfrey-Lee 78-6 to win its pool.

The Redskins defeated Godwin Heights 56-17, and lost to Kent City 36-34. There was a three-way tie at 4-1 but the Redskins took the tiebreaker for the most points during the day.

Going undefeated for Belding were Maison Krieger at 119, Nate Cooley at 125, Jesse Scheidel at 130, Brady Phelps at 140 and Michael Walker at 171. Sustaining only one loss were Michael Hunter at 112, Aleks Silva at 145, Neil McCully at 189 and JayCee Frisbie at heavyweight.

“It was a great way to start our season,” Meyer said. “We got a lot of matches and a lot of quality mat time.”

Belding wrestles next at Rockford on Wednesday and will face Greenville and Fruitport.

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Tri-Valley Conference East Division had several excellent players on defense who made the recent all-conference team. Second team honorees were: Eric Allen of Bridgeport, Tristin Gaval of Millington, Tyler Childs of Birch Run and Tristin McGaha of Lakeville on the line, Laland Watt of Birch Run, Levi Deshetsky and Logan Woidan of North Branch and Noah Hargouthy of Garber at linebacker, Alex Mawer of Frankenmuth and Collin Meacham of Millington at defensive ends and Jack Veitengruber of Frankenmuth, Curtis Garza and Gabe Wells of North Branch and Chad Bennett of Caro at defensive back.

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Tri-Valley Conference East Division had a high amount of excellent players on defense who made the recent all-conference team. First team honorees were: Tony Schurr of Frankenmuth, JR Schriber of Millington, Devon Pingel of North Branch and Joe Foret of Garber as linemen, Nick Szczepanski of Frankenmuth, Jeremy Johnson and Jacob Hager of Millington and Kody Borrows of Lakeville at linebackers, Brian Sterns of Frankenmuth and Alex Neering of Garber at defensive end and Aaron Kraft of Frankenmuth, Jordon Hudson of Millington, Jared Burke of Birch Run and Simeon Berry of Garber at defensive backs.

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Tri-Valley Conference East Division was highlighted with several top notch players on offense who made the recent all-league team. Second team honorees were Ethan Maruer and Michael Frahm of Frankenmuth, Derek Kern of Birch Run and Kaleb Boner and Coddy Hawk of North Branch as offensive linemen, Joe Okonen of Birch Run and C.J. Glaza of Garber as wide receivers, Trevor Mindelli of North Branch at fullback, Willy Periard of Birch Run, Doug Stikeleather and Aaron Freeland of North Branch and Chad Bennett of Caro at running back, Logan Martin of Garber at quarterback, Brandon Tomlinson of Caro at punter and Jacob Pasek of North Branch at kicker.

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Tri-Valley Conference East Division was blessed with several excellent players on offense who made the recent all-league team. First team honorees were Jeff Knoll and Alex Mawer of Frankenmuth, Colin Macham and Jason Keinath of Millington and Alex Neering of Garber as offensive linemen, Aquavis Brooks of Bridgeport, Wyant Munson of Millington and Simeon Berry of Garber at wide receiver, Josh Lopez of North Branch at tight end, Brian Sterns, Brian Burton of Bridgeport and Noah Bargouthy of Garber at running back, Nick Volk of Frankenmuth at quarterback, Anthony Reinig of Birch Run and and Harley Lang of Lakeville at punter and Aaron Kraft of Frankenmuth at kicker.

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Girls basketball Class C and D preview

girls basketball preview class A and B

Fulton-Middleton girls defeat Ithaca

Ithaca girls basketball team falls to 0-2

Birch Run defeats Chippewa Hills for wrestling title

Belding wrestling team first at Kent City

Tri-Valley East defensive players have strong season

Tri Valley East recognizes best defensive players

Tri-Valley East Players shine on offense

Tri-Valley East honors top players on offense