Thumb Sportswriters Association

2009-10 All-Thumb Boys Basketball Team

2010-04-06T23:53:00.005-04:00

First Team

Player of the Year
Player: Sean Clancy
Team: N. Huron
Pos. G/F
Height: 6-4
Class: Sr.
No. 20
PPG: 21.8
Rebounds: 8.8
Assists: 2.0
Steals: 2.8
Blocks: 2.4

Player: Troy Hecht - Chris Ogryski Defensive Player of the Year
Team: Vassar
Pos. G/F
Height: 6-3
Class: Sr.
No. 15
PPG: 15.8
Rebounds: 9.3
Assists: 2.6
Steals: 1.6
Blocks: 2.73

Player: Josh Pickell
Team: Reese
Pos. Guard
Height: 5-10
Class: Sr.
No. 2
PPG: 18.8
Assists: 7.0
Rebounds: 3.0
Steals: 3.0

Player: Jacob Murawske
Team: H. Beach
Pos. G/F
Height: 6-4
Class: Sr.
No. 32
PPG: 17.2
Rebounds: 10.3
Assists: 1.4
Steals: 1.4
Blocks: 0.9

Player: Justin Braun
Team: H. Beach
Pos. Center
Height: 6-2
Class: Sr.
No. 34
PPG: 15.2
Rebounds: 10.5
Assists: 2.1
Steals: 1.2
Blocks: 0.8

Player: Ryan Kosko
Team: N. Branch
Pos. Forward
Height: 6-4
Class: Sr.
No. 31
PPG: 14.1
Rebounds: 7.5
Assists: 2.7

Second Team
Player: Nick Zaleski
Team: Owen-Gage
Pos. G/F
Height: 5-10
Class: Sr.
No. 32
PPG: 16.5
Rebounds: 5.8
Assists: 4.6
Steals: 2.7

Player: Steven Weber
Team: Ubly
Pos. Center
Height: 6-6
Class: Sr.
No. 52
PPG: 13.2
Rebounds: 7.3
Assists: 0.6
Steals: 0.8

Player: Kyle Currie
Team: Millington
Pos. Guard
Height: 6-0
Class: Jr.
No. 45
PPG: 16.3
Rebounds: 3.9
Assists: 1.3
Steals: 2.4

Player: Andrew Fetting
Team: Sandusky
Pos. Center
Height: 6-0
Class: Sr.
No. 11
PPG: 12.3
Rebounds: 4.0
Assists: 2.3
Steals: 2.57

Player: Kyle Cline
Team: North Branch
Pos. Forward
Height: 6-4
Class: Sr.
No. 41
PPG: 13.7
Rebounds: 6.1

Player: Ryan Amend
Team: Vassar
Pos. Forward
Height: 6-2
Class: Sr.
No. 25
PPG: 12.4
Rebounds: 4.1
Assists: 1.0

Honorable Mention
Josh Repkie - Akron-Fairgrove
Dylan Mason - Brown City
Pat Bishop - Caro
Calvin Amey -CPS
Justin Ketterer - Cass City
Chris Rowe - EPBP
Luke Voleker - EPBP
Shane Ginther - Harbor Beach
Kyle Hall - Marlette
Cameron Wilson -Millington
Erik Dhyse - North Huron
Ryan Francis - Owen-Gage
Kolin York - Peck
Ethan Stockmeyer - Reese
Tyler Kubacki - Ubly
Clinton Krueger - USA

Sixth Player of the Year
Marshall Leipprandt - Ubly

Past Winners
Team of the Year
2005-06: USA
2006-07: Kingston, Cros-Lex
2007-08: Reese
2008-09: North Huron
2009-10: Harbor Beach

Player of the Year
2005-06: Jordan Bitzer, USA
2006-07: Kevin Ginther, Harbor Beach
2007-08: Dustin Griesing, Millington
2008-09: A.J. Burton, Brown City
2009-10: Sean Clancy, North Huron

Coach of the Year
2005-06: Mark Gainforth, USA; Mike Rea, Kingston
2006-07: Don Roberts, Cros-Lex; Mike Rea, Kingston
2007-08: Tony Burton, Brown City
2008-09: Mark Gainforth, USA
2009-10: Chuck Fabbro, Vassar

2009-10 All-Thumb Girls Basketball Team

2010-03-31T00:00:00.007-04:00

First Team

Co-Player of the Year

Player: Kristen Greene
Team: Brown City
Pos. Guard
Height: 5-7
Class: Sr.
No. 10
PPG: 19.4
Rebounds: 7.6
Assists: 4.5
Steals: 2.7

Co-Player of the Year/Chris Ogryski Defensive Player of the Year
Player: Marissa DeMott
Team: Sandusky
Pos. Guard
Height: 5-8
Class: Sr.
No. 25
PPG: 22.3
Rebounds: 5.9
Assists: 3.2
Steals: 6.75
Blocks: 1.85

Player: Allyson Koglin
Team: Port Hope
Pos. Forward
Height: 5-10
Class: Sr.
No. 41
PPG: 14.85
Rebounds: 11.95

Player: Amber Gotham
Team: Reese
Pos. Guard
Height: 5-3
Class: Sr.
No. 12
PPG: 11.7
Rebounds: 2.4
Assists: 7.65
Steals: 3.5
Assists: 1.65

Player: Jade Ackerman
Team: Reese
Pos. Guard
Height: 5-7
Class: Sr.
No. 31
PPG: 15.35
Rebounds: 5.1
Assists: 2.05
Steals: 3.2

Player: Amara Wilson
Team: Marlette
Pos. Guard
Height: 5-6
Class: Sr.
No. 22
PPG: 17.5
Rebounds: 3.9
Assists: 2.8
Steals: 2.5

Second Team

Player: Kayla Verbeek
Team: Vassar
Pos. Center
Height: 5-11
Class: Sr.
No. 55
PPG: 10.4
Rebounds: 9.9
Assists: .85
Steals: 2.2

Player: Hilary MacKay
Team: Vassar
Pos. Forward
Height: 5-7
Class: Sr.
No. 44
PPG: 11.4
Rebounds: 2.8
Assists: .70

Player: Tori Kraft
Team: Harbor Beach
Pos. Guard
Height: 5-10
Class: Soph.
No. 21
PPG: 10.63
Rebounds: 6.54
Assists: 4.33
Steals: 1.46
Blocks: 1.25
Steals: 2.5

Player: Ashley Hatfield
Team: EPBP
Pos. Center
Height: 6-1
Class: Sr.
No. 23
PPG: 13.4
Rebounds: 10.6
Assists: 2.09
Steals: 1.77
Blocks: 3.6

Player: Sara Clancy
Team: North Huron
Pos. Center
Height: 6-0
Class: Jr.
No. 20
PPG: 15.3
Rebounds: 12.5
Blocks: 2.5

Player: Rayenne Kaiser
Team: North Branch
Pos. Guard
Height: 5-7
Class: Jr.
No. 11
PPG: 10.21
Rebounds: 4.12
Assists: NA

Honorable Mention

Sarah Crane - Akron-Fairgrove
Sarah Murray - Brown City
McKensie Parrish - Cass City
Patricia Thoms - CPS
Aleece Force - Cros-Lex
Chelsea Kritzman - Deckerville
Taylor Comment - EPBP
Bri Woycehoski - Harbor Beach
Megan James - Kingston
Chelsea Roehl - Mayville
Sam Waterman - North Branch
Megan Heffner - North Huron
Kayla Gust - Port Hope
Sarah Spiekerman - Reese
Whitney Fox -Sandusky
Lauren Krause - Sandusky

Sixth Player of the Year
Jillian Gerow - Reese

Past Winners
Team of the Year
2006: Sandusky
2007-08: Marlette
2008-09: Brown City
2000-10: Brown City

Player of the Year
2006: Rhonda Gusa, Harbor Beach
2007-08: Marissa DeMott, Sandusky
2008-09: Alicia Leipprandt, Ubly
2000-10: Marissa DeMott, Sandusky; Kristen Greene, Brown City

Coach of the Year
2006: Al DeMott, Sandusky; Todd Comment, EPBP
2007-08: Fred Mroczek, Marlette
2008-09: Cindy Burton, Brown City
2000-10: Cindy Burton, Brown City; Don Pitts, Port Hope

Again, thanks to Steve Jias for taking the photos that you see below. Please take the time to visit his website www.infocusphotobysteve.com.

Back in action

2010-03-29T04:03:00.005-04:00

Unfortunately, with all that has happened over the past two months, this blog has been put on hold. Starting this week, it will be relaunched with the announcement of the 2010 All-Thumb Girls Basketball Team, coming Wednesday.

Be sure to check here for the complete list of the first and second team, along with honorable mention. Also, the major awards - Player of the Year, Coach of the Year and Team of the Year will be announced.

We added two more awards this year. The first was one that Chris Ogryski pushed for, and is named after him - The Chris Ogryski Defensive Player of the Year Award. We will also have a Sixth Player of the Year.

The All-Thumb Boys Team will be announced on April 7

Above is a small sampling of photos from the recent shoot. A special thanks to the players for taking the time to make this possible, Bad Axe High School for allowing us to use its facility and to Steve Jias for taking the photos.

It should be noted, I can only make new posts. I can not change any of the information on the side columns. My apologies, but I will attempt to update that information in future posts so we can have an archive of it.

All-Thumb football team announced

2009-12-04T11:58:00.000-05:00

FIRST TEAM - OFFENSE
Name: Erik Dhyse
School: North Huron
Position: Quarterback
Year: Junior
Height: 6’1”
Stats: 79-of-148 passing for 1,169 yards and 17 TDs, 328 yards rushing on 57 attempts, set school records in passing yards and TDs in a season
Coach’s Comments: “Erik is one of the toughest kids I have ever seen,” coach Travis Fischer said. “He threw for 150+ yards and two TDs after breaking his thumb vs. Whittemore-Prescott.

Name: Justin Stutler
School: Millington
Position: Running Back
Year: Senior
Height: 5’9”
Weight: 170
Stats: 1,521 yards rushing on 175 carries, 16 TDs, two two-point conversions
Honors: Player of the Year

Name: Justin Cleary
School: Ubly
Position: Running Back
Year: Senior
Height: 5’8”
Weight: 180
Stats: 1,112 yards rushing, 10 touchdowns and four two-point conversions

Name: Mike Daniel
School: Caro
Position: Running Back
Year: Senior
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 175
Stats: 1,228 yards rushing and 14 TDs, 137 yards receiving and two TD catches

Name: Clint Nothrop
School: Sandusky
Position: Running Back
Year: Senior
Height: 5’9”
Weight: 205
Stats: 1,128 yards and 15 TDs on 207 carries
Coach’s Comments: “Giving the ball to Clint was like having four yards in the bank,” coach Brad Bays said. “He was not a home run threat, but was a workhorse for us.”

Name: Troy Hecht
School: Vassar
Position: End
Year: Senior
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 175
Stats: 359 yards receiving with 4 TDs, 357 yards rushing with 7 TDs, 35 yards passing

Name: Justin Heinlein
School: Reese
Position: End
Year: Senior
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 185
Stats: 430 yards receiving with 7 TDs
Coach’s Comments: “Our best receiver,” coach Bob Saylor said.

Name: Steven Gilbert
School: Ubly
Position: Offensive Line
Year: Senior
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 205
Honors: TSA Co-Linemen of the Year

Name: Brandon Lemke
School: Ubly
Position: Offensive Line
Year: Senior
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 170

Name: Matt Berlin
School: Millington
Position: Offensive Line
Year: Senior
Honors: TSA Co-Linemen of the Year

Name: Cory Barbersek
School: Millington
Position: Offensive Line
Year: Senior

Name: Alex West
School: Cros-Lex
Position: Offensive Line
Year: Senior
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 270

Name: Brent Speer
School: Marlette
Position: Kicker
Year: Junior
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 165

Name: Keif Vickers
School: Vassar
Position: At-Large
Year: Senior
Height: 5’5”
Weight: 150
Stats: Rushed for 1,145 yards and 14 TDs, while adding 21 yards receiving and 1 TD, 328 yards on kick returns

Name: Luke Voelker
School: Lakers
Position: At-Large
Year: Senior
Height: 6’1”
Stats: 854 yard s rushing with 11 TDs, 416 yards passing with 5 TDs

Name: Steven Weber
School: Ubly
Position: At-Large (O-Line & End)
Year: Senior
Height: 6’6”
Weight: 225
Stats: 82 yards receiving and 2 TDs

This team is loaded with talent

2009-04-08T09:21:00.006-04:00

Brandon Bitzer, A.J. Burton, Sean Clancy, Tyler Reinert and Jack MacPhail. Missing is Jordan Kaufman.

Here is the 2008-2009 All-Thumb Boys Basketball Team. Please support your local newspaper(s) by picking up a copy of their publication and seeing their coverage of the team announcement.
All-Thumb Player of the Year
1st 2nd 3rd Totals
A.J. Burton, Brown City 2 3 -- 19
Jordan Bitzer, USA 3 1 -- 18
Tyler Reinert, Millington -- 1 -- 3
Jordan Kaufman, Ubly -- -- 3 3
Justin McPhail, Brown City -- -- 2 2

All-Thumb Team of the Year
1st 2nd 3rd Totals
North Huron 5 -- -- 25
USA -- 3 2 11
Brown City -- 2 3 9

All-Thumb Coach of the Year
1st 2nd 3rd Totals
Mark Gainforth, USA 4 1 -- 23
Paul Empkie, North Huron 1 4 -- 17
Tony Burton, Brown City -- -- 5 5

First Team:
Brown City senior A.J. Burton
USA senior Brandon Bitzer
Brown City senior Jack McPhail
Ubly senior Jordan Kaufman
Millington senior Tyler Reinert
North Huron junior Sean Clancy

Second Team:
North Huron senior John Iseler
Kingston senior Jordan Pennington
Peck senior Zac Overstreet
Caro senior R.J. Fritz
Reese junior Josh Pickell
Cass City senior Chris Summersett

Hon. Men.:
USA sophomore Jake Holland
USA senior Ryan Zimmer
North Huron senior Anthony Irvine
Brown City junior Josh Moffit
Peck senior Bill Burns
Harbor Beach junior Jacob Murawske
Harbor Beach junior Justin Braun
Sandusky senior Tyler Loding
Elkton-Pigeon Bay Port junior Chris Rowe
Ubly junior Tyler Kubacki
Owen-Gage senior Brent Reil
Vassar junior Troy Hecht
Caro senior Andrew LaPointe
North Branch senior Deane Baker
Akron-Fairgrove junior Josh Repkie

All-Thumb girls team announced

2009-03-31T23:10:00.009-04:00

Here is the All-Thumb girls team. Check out the individual newspaper sites on the right and papers themselves today for more coverage of the team...

ALL-THUMB TEAM

POY- Alicia Leipprandt - Ubly

TOTY - Brown City

COTY - Cindy Burton - BC

FIRST TEAM

Marisssa DeMott - Sandusky

Kristen Greene - Brown City

Kayla Doshier - Millington

Alicia Leipprandt - Ubly

Amber Gotham - Reese

Jillian Williamson - USA

SECOND TEAM

Kayla Verbeek - Vassar

Dani Gremel - USA

Jade Ackerman - Reese

Stephanie Maxwell - EPBP

Amara Wilson - Marlette

Meaghan Fortsch - Caseville

HM: Whitney Fox - Kingston, Sarah Clancy - NH, Allyson Coglin - PH,Michelle Burgess - BC, Madie Hale - Sandusky, Ashley Hatfield - EPBP,Jackie VanderGraaff - Cros-Lex, Amanda Ellis - Caro, Lyndsay White -Ubly, Dawn Albrecht - CPS, Jamie Frahm - MIllington, Kaylee Lochrie -Harbor Beach, Jennica Richards - CC, Bethany Grates - Caseville, SamBreault - Bad Axe

Girls Breakdown (by class)
Freshmen 0
Sophomores 1
Juniors 9
Seniors 17

The All-Thumb Girls Basketball 1st team includes...

2009-03-27T00:19:00.003-04:00

A photo shoot was held last evening in Sandusky for members of the first team of the TSA's All-Thumb Girls Basketbal Team. It was our first venture into doing something of this magnitude and it was a huge success.

Thanks to Al DeMott for all his help in making this a reality.

While it is now obvious who the first team is, to find out who is on the second team and who received honorable mentions, as well as who won the individual awards, you'll have to check out the Wednesday edition of your local newspaper, as well as this blog, where photos that did not make the paper will be posted.

Let us know what you think

2009-02-18T10:01:00.002-05:00

Next month we will be conducting our All-Thumb meeting and voting on the boys and girls basketball teams, Players of the Year, Teams of the Year and Coaches of the Year.
SO give us your feedback. We have some nice suprises planned for this awards season, which should we think you'll like, but you tell us...
What do you like about what we've done? What things don't you like? What if anything would change or tweak? What types of things would you, the fans like to see added.
Because aside from doing this to bring recogntion to our local players, we also do this for the enjoyment of you local readers. We value your input as to how we can make this process work better for all involved.

North Branch honored

2009-02-18T09:56:00.004-05:00

Here is a picture courtesy of Chad Wingert from an awards ceremony, where Wingert presented North Branch with their various awards.

All-Thumb football team announced

2008-12-02T20:29:00.006-05:00

Team of the Year: Ubly

Player of the Year: Jordan Kaufman, Ubly

Co-Coach of the Year: Bill Sweeney, Ubly

Co-Coach of the Year: Tim Furno, Millington

FIRST TEAM OFFENSE: QB: Jordan Kaufman- Ubly; QB: Cam Barrett- Cros-Lex; RB: Marcus Kemp- Deckerville; RB: Raydar Williams- Kingston; RB: Justin Cleary- Ubly; E: John Bishop- Marlette; E: Corey Travis- Mayville; OL: Eric LaBuhn- Ubly; OL: Nate Peters- Deckerville; OL: Matt Berlin- Millington; OL: Steve Gilbert- Ubly; OL: Ryan Warden- Vassar; K: Cam Barrett- Cros-Lex; AL: Tyler Reinert- Millington; AL: Luke Voelker- Lakers

SECOND TEAM OFFENSE: QB- Nate Richardson- Mayville; RB: Blake Messing- Cass City; RB: Anthony Irvine- North Huron; RB: Kyle Hemmingway- Millington; E: Noah Lazurka- Cros-Lex; E: Kevin Dubs- Lakers; OL: Daniel Cook- Peck; OL: Jordan Pennington- Kingston; OL: John Loomis- Deckerville; OL: Jacob Bierlien- Reese; OL: Josh Inbody- Cass City; K: Jordan Kaufman- Ubly; AL: Zach Germain- Vassar; AL: Mitch Cleary- Ubly;

Honorable Mention: QB: Jordan Hayward- Marlette; RB: Billy Burns-Peck; RB: Donell Hamilton- Peck; RB: Nick Zaleski- Owen-Gage; Vince Yaroch- North Huron; RB: Kyle Diaz- Caro; RB: Dontay Crist- Vassar; RB: Deion Cimini- North Branch; OL: Mitch Brusie- North Branch; OL: Don Schember- Lakers; E: Josh Fritch- Deckerville; OL: Jimmy Nicol- Deckerville; OL: Dalton O’Connor- Ubly; E: Brett Ross- Deckerville; E: Troy Hecht- Vassar; OL: Brandon Lemke- Ubly; K: Tae Chauassard- Deckerville

FIRST TEAM DEFENSE: DL: Josh Williams- Peck; DL: Jim Nichol- Deckerville; DL: Eric LaBuhn- Ubly; DL: Brett Ross- Deckerville; LB: Charles Anderson- Sandusky; LB: Eric Booms- Ubly; LB: Ken Hoffman- Millington; LB: Nate Richardson- Mayville; LB: Dalton O’Connor- Ubly; DB: Jordan Kaufman- Ubly; DB: Tyler Reinert- Millington; DB: Mitch Cleary- Ubly; DB: Noah Lazurka- Cros-Lex; P: Jerome Sullivan- North Branch

SECOND TEAM DEFENSE: DL: Ethan Deshetsky- North Branch; DL: John Walker- Ubly; DL: Keith Perry- Sandusky; DL: Derek Saylor- Reese; DL: Armando Garcia- Cros-Lex; LB: Josh Dubois- Vassar; LB: Stephen LaFavor- North Branch; LB: Andrew Huffman- Marlette; LB: Frank Labadie- Mayville; DB: Dean Baker- North Branch; DB: Zach Germaine- Vassar; DB: Erik Dhyse- North Huron; DB: Kevin Kalbfleisch- Brown City; P: Charles Anderson- Sandusky

Honorable Mention: DL: Eric Cunningham- Akron-Fairgrove; DL: David Soflin- Cros-Lex; DL: John Iseler- North Huron; DL: Brandon Baranski- Bad Axe; LB: Stew Peterson- Brown City; LB: Tim Zacharias- Peck; LB: Nick Taylor- Deckerville; LB: Max Schlereth- Caro; LB: Todd Albrecht- CPS; LB: Evan Richardson- USA; LB: Ryan Ill- Millington; DB: Drew Bringard- Cros-Lex; DB: Shane Ginther- Harbor Beach; DB: Brandon Sorenson- Ubly; DB: Ethan Wright- Millington.

Note: 1st place votes=5 points, 2nd place=3 points, 3rd points=1 vote.

Football Player of the Year
Name 1st 2nd 3rd Totals
Jordan Kaufman, Ubly 6 0 0 30
Marcus Kemp, Deckerville 0 4 0 12
Tyler Reinert, Millington 0 2 0 6
Raydar Williams, Kingston 0 0 2 2
Cam Barret, Cros-Lex 0 0 2 2
Nate Richardson, Mayville 0 0 2 2

Football Team of the Year
Name 1st 2nd 3rd Totals
Ubly 6 0 0 30
Millington 0 6 0 18
Deckerville 0 0 4 4
EPBP 0 0 2 2

Football Coach of the Year
Name 1st 2nd 3rd Totals
Tim Furno, Millington 3 1 2 20
Bill Sweeney, Ubly 3 1 2 20
George Gardy, EPBP 0 4 2 14

Just a few notes....

2008-11-26T12:26:00.000-05:00

Great job on getting this set up and running Chris. Looks Great.

In addition to the All-Thumb Volleyball Team, it was released in Today's edition (Nov.26th) of the Tuscola County Advertiser. For more info on this elite group of girls, I posted the story online at www.tuscolatoday.com

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone and GOOD LUCK UBLY!

All-Thumb update

2008-11-25T22:20:00.004-05:00

Tonight we launched the site with the official announcement of the All-Thumb volleyball team. Find out who made the team before you read the full stories in your local papers by checking out the previous post.
As for football, the All-Thumb team will be announced on Dec. 3rd. That is the same day the Huron Dailyu Tribune will be releasing their Winter Sports Preview section.
As if that day isn't busy enough, the Huron County Press will have a "Look back..." section with stories from the finals, pictures, as well as stories on the team and individual players.
The Tribune will have a preview section coming out this Friday. Until then, check out the Tribune blog at: http://blogs.michigansthumb.net/serendipity/ and the HCP blog at: http://hcpsports.blogspot.com/ for all you Ubly fill leading up to and following the game.
The HCP will be posting pictures from the press box during half time of the finals, which take place on Saturday at 10 a.m. at Ford Field.

2008 All-Thumb Volleyball team

2008-11-25T21:31:00.004-05:00

Team of the Year: North Branch

Player of the Year: Olivia Kohler, North Branch

Coach of the Year: Jim Fish, North Branch (not pictured)

First Team
Player of the Year
Name: Olivia Kohler
School: North Branch
Position: Setter
Year: Senior
Height: 5’5”
College: Grand Valley State University
Honors: 2008 Miss Volleyball, nominee for Gatorade Player of the Year, MIVCA All-State 2008, 1st Team All-State 2007, 1st Team All-Thumb 2007, 1st Team All-TVC 2007, All-Region 2007.
Stats: 298 kills, .313 hitting percentage, 958 assists with 51% to kills, 433 digs, 192 service receptions with only 17 errors, 50 blocks (seven solo), 677-for-713 serving (95%) with 109 aces.
Coach’s Comments: “Olivia is by far the best player in the Thumb,” said North Branch coach Jim Fish, 2008 All-Thumb Coach of the Year. “There is not another player in the state who can do all the things on a volleyball court that Olivia can at such a high level.”

Name: Becky Albrecht
School: Caro
Position: Hitter
Year: Senior
College: Cornerstone University
Honors: 1st Team All-Thumb 2007, Caro Team MVP for three straight years
Stats: 482 kills, .309 kill efficiency, 89% serving percentage (57 aces), 600 digs, 59 blocks, 92% serve receiving percentage.
Coach’s Comments: “Any coach we have played against would take her in a moment including #1 ranked North Branch,” Caro coach Bob Tobey. “Becky has the ability to control a match with her offensive and defensive play.”

Name: Carly Treiber
School: USA
Position: Hitter
Year: Senior
Height: 5’10”
Honors: 2nd Team All-Thumb 2007, 1st Team All-GTW 2008
Stats: 50.1 kill percentage, 4.5 kills per game, 1.7 digs per game, 92.5% serving percentage (384-for-415).
Coach’s Comments: “Carly is a four year starter who can play any position,” USA coach Teresa Rose explained. “Carly is a co-captain and a true leader.”

Name: Taylor Miner
School: North Branch
Position: Hitter
Year: Senior
Height: 5’11”
College: Undecided where she will play volleyball in college.
Honors: Honorable Mention All-State 2007, H.M. All-Thumb 2007, 2nd Team TVC 2007, All-Region 2007,
Stats: 264 kills, .418 hitting percentage, 64 blocks (five solo), 96 digs, 94.5 serving percentage (480-for-508) with 66 aces.
Coach’s Comments: “Taylor is the glue for this team,” Fish said. “Her stats show just how efficient she is for our team.”

Name: Sandi Oligney
School: Brown City
Position: At-Large (Setter)
Year: Senior
Height: 5’3”
Honors: H.M. All-Thumb 2007, 1st Team All-GTE 2008
Stats: 88% digs average, 36% assists average, .164 kills average (225), 42 blocks, 98% serving percentage (260-for-265).
Coach’s Comments: “Sandi is the heart of our team,” coach Dennis Sidebottom said. “She makes everyone better.”

Name: Jordan Fish
School: North Branch
Position: At-Large (Setter & Hitter)
Year: Sophomore
Height: 5’7”
College: Fish is already receiving interest from numerous D-1 schools (over 20 so far).
Honors: 2nd Team All-TVC 2007, Prepvolleyball.com Top 59 freshman players in the USA in 2007.
Stats: 506-for-560 hitting with 257 kills (.380 hitting percent for the season), 611 assists (48.3 percent to kills), 89.1 serving percent (352-for-395) with 51 aces, 39 blocks (three solo), 86-for-98 service receptions (86%), 276 digs.
Coach’s Comments: “She is the complete player,” coach Fish said.

Second Team
Name: Lauren Strich
School: North Branch
Position: Hitter
Year: Senior
Height: 5’8”
College: Lauren is undecided where she will play college volleyball.
Honors: 2nd Team All-Thumb 2007, 1st Team All-TVC 2007, All-Region 2007
Stats: 802-for-876 hitting with a team-high 350 kills and a .315 hitting percentage, 90% serving percentage (385-for-428) with 50 aces, 360 digs, 24 blocks (five solo), 311-for-344 service receptions (89.4%).
Coach’s Comments: “She plays all-around on the court,” Fish explained.

Name: Sarah Furness
School: Cros-Lex
Position: Hitter
Year: Senior
Height: 5’9”
Stats: 304 kills, .486 kill percent, 84 blocks, 264 digs.
Coach’s Comments: “Sarah was an outstanding net player for us with tremendous vertical leaping ability. She is a great team leader who was outstanding both at the net and in the middle court,” Cros-Lex coach Michelle McCulloch said.

Name: Kayla Parr
School: Brown City
Position: Hitter
Year: Senior
Height: 5’9”
Honors: H.M. All-Thumb 2007, 1st Team All-GTE 2008
Stats: 675 kills (273 in league play), .304 kills average, 82% digs average, .66 blocks per game, 94% serving percent (427-for-454).
Coach’s Comments: “Kayla is one of our captains and is totally committed to volleyball. We have five sophomores on our varsity team and she helped each one of them become a better player,” Sidebottom explained.

Name: Amanda Langenburg
School: Cass City
Position: Setter
Year: Senior
Height: 5’4”
Honors: 2nd Team All-Thumb 2007, All-Region 2007, All-GTW 2008
Stats: 8.34 assists per game, 2.84 digs per game, 1.04 kills per game, 90% serving percentage (448-for-498).
Coach’s Comments: Coach Beth Howard pointed that Langenburg holds school records in assists in a season (1,043) and assists in a career (3,774).

Name: Sam Breault
School: Bad Axe
Position: Setter/Hitter
Year: Senior
Height: 5’11”
College: Saginaw Valley State University
Honors: 3rd Team All-State 2007, H.M. All-Thumb 2007, 1st Team All-GTW 2008
Stats: 357 kills, .267 kills efficiency, 2.98 kills per game, 484 assists, 96% serving percentage, 202 digs, 89.7% service receptions, 25 blocks (five solo).
Coach’s Comments: “It is unusual to see a player hit and set and Sam does both very well,” Bad Axe coach Mindy Breault said. “She is the ‘rock’ of our team.”

Name: Catherine Brusie
School: North Branch
Position: Libero
Year: Sophomore
Height: 5’5”
College: Catherine has already received interest from many D-1 schools (over 10 so far).
Honors: H.M. All-Thumb 2007, All-Region 2007
Stats: 606-for-644 serving (94.1%) with 100 aces, 671-for-711 on service receptions (94%), 563 digs, leads team in both digs and receptions.
Coach’s Comments: “Catherine is the best defensive player in the Thumb and it is not close,” Fish bragged.

Honorable Mention

Name: Jenna Thompson
School: Marlette
Position: Senior
Year: Libero
Honors: H.M. All-Thumb 2007, 1st Team All-GTE 2008

Name: Vanessa Taylor
School: Caro
Position: Setter
Year: Junior
Stats: 64 kills, .144 kill efficiency, 880 assists, 7.04 assists per game, 88% serving percentage, 39 aces, 312 digs, 28 blocks.
Coach’s Comments: “She is the key to our success as she runs the offense,” Tobey said. “She learned how to disguise her sets, which makes it very difficult for opponents to read where she is going with the ball.”

Name: Lyndsay White
School: Ubly
Position: Defensive Specialist
Year: Senior
Height: 5’6”
Honors: H.M. All-Thumb 2007, 2nd Team All-GTE 2008
Stats: 252-for-286 serving (88%), 5.74 digs per game, 1.68 assists per game.
Coach’s Comments: “Lyndsay is our inspirational leader; she gives our team confidence and leads by example,” 2007 All-Thumb Coach of the Year Andy Gusa explained. “She practices ‘all-out’ all the time and reads an attacker better than anyone I’ve coached.”

Name: Amanda Faist
School: Owen-Gage
Position: Blocker/Hitter
Year: Senior
Honors: 1st Team All-League 2008
Stats: Averaged 9.8 digs, 10.6 blocks, 2.1 assists, 17 kills in league play.
Coach’s Comments: “Amanda is a very smart, all-around player and leader,” Owen-Gage coach Karen Gaeth said.

Name: Chelsea Dubey
School: EPBP
Position: Setter/Hitter
Year: Senior
Height: 5’9”
College: Possibly Central Michigan University (for track).
Honors: H.M. All-Thumb 2007, 1st Team All-GTW 2008, 1st Team All-Region 2007
Stats: 4.9 kills per game, 4.8 assists per game, 3.9 digs per game, 1.6 blocks per game, 94% serving percentage with 126 aces.
Coach’s Comments: “Chelsea has played in every varsity volleyball game in her entire four year career,” EPBP coach Julie Gettel said. “She is very capable of going on to play college volleyball, but track is her first love.”

Name: Carly Howard
School: Cass City
Position: Hitter
Year: Senior
Height: 5’8”
College: Oakland Community College
Honors: H.M. All-State 2007, H.M. All-Thumb 2007, 1st Team All-GTW 2008, All-Region 2007
Stats: 4.55 kills per game average, 3.53 digs per game, .18 blocks per game average, 332-for-381 serving (87%) with 52 aces.
Coach’s Comments: Coach Howard pointed out Howard holds many school records including: kills in a season (569), kills in a career (1,288), most wins in a career (137), digs in a career (1,179), receptions in a season (612).

Name: Dani Gremel
School: USA
Position: Hitter
Year: Senior
Height: 5’11”
Honors: H.M. All-Thumb 2007, 1st Team All-GTW 2008
Stats: 45.7% kill average, .7 blocks per, .2 assists per game, 90.1% serving percentage (328-for-363)
Coach’s Comments: “Dani is a second year varsity player who is one of the best athletes in our area,” Rose explained.

Name: Jillian Williamson
School: USA
Position: Hitter
Year: Senior
Height: 5’10”
Honors: 2nd Team All-GTW
Stats: 50.4% kills average, 2.6 kills per game, 1.5 digs per game, 92.3% serving percentage (264-for-286)
Coach’s Comments: “Jillian is a third year varsity starter and she was a co-captain this year,” Rose said.

Name: Kayla Muxlow
School: Brown City
Position: Hitter
Year: Sophomore

Name: Lindsey Messing
School: Harbor Beach
Position: Hitter
Year: Senior
Honors: 1st Team All-GTE

Name: Jodie Pettit
School: North Huron
Position: Hitter
Year: Senior
Height: 5’7”
Honors: 1st Team All-League 2007
Stats: Averaged 2.6 kills per game, 3.4 digs per game, 87-for-92 serving (95%) in league play.
Coach’s Comments: “Jodie is a natural athlete,” North Huron coach Veronica Peterson said. “She is a pleasure to coach; always wanting to improve her skills.”

Name: Bethany Grates
School: Caseville
Position: Hitter/Blocker
Year: Senior
Height: 5’9”
Honors: 2nd Team All-League in 2007
Stats: 2.1 kills per game, .7 digs per game, 1.2 blocks per game, 94-for-104 serving (90%) with nine aces.
Coach’s Comments: “Bethany is a hard working athlete, who has matured into an exceptional hitter/blocker,” Caseville coach David Watts said.

Name: Alece Force
School: Cros-Lex

Name: Jenny Morneau
School: Bad Axe
Position: Libero
Year: Senior
Height: 5’5”
Honors: 2nd Team All-GTW
Stats: 534 digs, 89% service reception, 97% serving percentage
Coach’s Comments: “Jenny is a quick, athletic defensive specialist who is excellent at reading the opponent’s hitters,” Breault said.

All-Thumb Boys Basketball 2007-2008

2008-11-25T14:57:00.007-05:00

Team of the Year- Reese
Player of the Year- Dustin Griesing, Millington*
*First ever player to win Player of the Year in multiple sports.

Coach of the Year- Tony Burton, Brown City

Award Voting (1st=5 pts., 2nd=3, 3rd=1):

Boys’ Player of the Year
Name 1st 2nd 3rd Total Points
Dustin Griesing, Millington 4 1 1 24
Donovan Ogboh, Brown City 1 3 2 16
Brandon Dubs, Owen-Gage 1 1 3 11
Ty Graham, Reese 0 1 0 3

Boys’ Team of the Year
Name 1st 2nd 3rd Total Points
Reese 5 1 0 28
Brown City 1 4 1 18
USA 0 1 1 4
Peck 0 0 3 3
Millington 0 0 1 1

Boys’ Coach of the Year
Name 1st 2nd 3rd Total Points
Tony Burton, Brown City 3 3 0 24
Jeff Cassler, Reese 2 2 2 18
Walt Kujat, Millington 1 0 1 6
Garnett Kohler, Peck 0 1 1 4
Mark Gainforth, USA 0 0 1 1
Derek Howard, Owen-Gage 0 0 1 1

First Team

Dustin Griesing - Millington

Brandon Dubs - Owen-Gage

Donovan Ogboh - Brown City

Ty Graham - Reese

Tim Holland - USA

Zac Overstreet - Peck

Second Team

Jordan Kaufman - Ubly

Isaac Zimmer - Reese

Jack McPhail - Brown City

Colton Oedy - Caro

Brad Iskow - Bad Axe

Brandon Bitzer - USA

Honorable Mention

Jordan Knudsen - Vassar

A.J. Burton - Brown City

Derek Neumayer - Sandusky

Sean Clancy - North Huron

Tom Sorenson - Harbor Beach

Brett Beckett - Mayville

Taylor Mantey - Reese

Garret Stier - Millington

Austin Comment - Marlette

Grant Pichla - Ubly

Michael Mann - Peck

Austin Babich - Cass City

Taylor Cramer - USA

Adam Foster - Akron-Fairgrove

All-Thumb Girls Basketball 2007-2008

2008-11-25T14:56:00.002-05:00

Team of the Year- Marlette
Player of the Year- Marissa DeMott, Sandusky

Coach of the Year - Fred Mroczek - Marlette (All-State Special Mention Class C)

FIRST TEAM
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Name: Marissa DeMott
School: Sandusky
Height: 5’8”
Class: Sophomore
Honors: 1st Team All-GTE, Honorable Mention All-State Class C
Stats: Averaged 16.5 ppg, 4.7 rebounds, four steals, four assists and 1.2 blocks. Set state record with 91.5 percent from the line (118-for-129). Made 43.4 percent from three-point territory (46-for-106).

Name: Kelsey Hall
School: Marlette
Height: 6’1”
Class: Senior
Position: Forward/Center
Honors: 1st Team All-GTE, 1st Team All-State Class C
Stats: Averaged 13.5 ppg, 7.4 rebounds, 1.9 blocks and 1.3 assists. Only the fourth player in Marlette history to score over 1,000 points for her career.

Name: Jenna Lange
School: Marlette
Height: 6’0”
Class: Senior
Position: Guard/Forward
Honors: 1st Team All-GTE
Stats: Averaged 10.8 ppg, six rebounds, 4.4 assists and one block.

Name: Alicia Leipprandt
School: Ubly
Height: 5’9”
Class: Junior
Position: Guard
Honors: 1st Team All-GTE, 1st Team All-County, All-County Player of the Year, Honorable Mention All-State Class C
Stats: Averaged 15.5 ppg, 6.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.5 steals.

Name: Kayla Doshier
School: Millington
Honors: 1st Team TVE
Stats: Averaged 15.6 ppg, 4.9 rebounds, 4.3 steals and 4.1 assists.

Name: Kristen Greene
School: Brown City
Height: 5’7”
Class: Sophomore
Position: Guard
Honors: 1st Team All-GTE, Honorable Mention All-State Class C
Stats: Averaged 15.9 ppg, 8.1 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 1.5 assists.

SECOND TEAM
Name: Emily Kolacz
School: Kingston
Height: 5’10”
Class: Senior
Position: Center
Honors: 1st Team All-NCTL South, Honorable Mention All-State Class D
Stats: Averaged 11.4 ppg, 9.9 rebounds, 3.2 rebounds, 1.2 blocks and one assist.

Name: Shannon Weber
School: Ubly
Height: 5’11”
Class: Senior
Position: Center
Honors: 1st Team All-GTE, 1st Team All-County
Stats: Averaged 14.7 ppg, 8.9 rebounds and 2.5 steals. Ubly’s All-Time leading rebounder with over 700 for her career.

Name: Cassy VanConant
School: Sandusky
Height: 6’2”
Class: Senior
Position: Center
Honors: 1st Team All-GTE, 2006-2007 1st Team All-State
Stats: Averaged 11.8 ppg, five rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.5 blocks and one assist.

Name: Kaycee Damm
School: EPBP
Height: 5’9”
Class: Senior
Honors: 1st Team All-GTW, 1st Team All-County
Stats: Averaged 9.4 ppg, five assists and 4.6 rebounds.

Name: Whitney Fox
School: Kingston
Height: 5’7”
Class: Freshman
Position: Guard
Honors: 1st Team All-NCTL South
Stats: Averaged 12.4 ppg, 4.1 rebounds, 3.2 steals, 1.2 assists and one block.

Name: Dani Gremel
School: USA
Height: 5’11”
Class: Junior
Position: Guard
Honors: 1st Team All-GTW, 1st Team All-County
Stats: Averaged 13.5 ppg, 7.4 rebounds, four steals and 3.2 assists.

HONORABLE MENTION
Name: Gwen Pionk
School: Ubly
Height: 5’5”
Class: Senior
Position: Guard
Honors: 2nd Team All-GTE, 2nd Team All-County
Stats: Averaged 10.3 ppg in 16 games, 3.3 rebounds, 1.4 assists and nearly three three-pointers per game.

Name: Kayla Verbeek
School: Vassar
Height: 5’11”
Class: Sophomore
Position: Center
Honors: 2nd Team All-TVE
Stats: Averaged 7.6 ppg and 9.9 rebounds.

Name: Erin Lamb
School: Cros-Lex

Name: Amber Gotham
School: Reese
Class: Sophomore
Honors: 1st Team All-GTW
Stats: Averaged 9.9 ppg, 4.2 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 2.3 steals.

Name: Jenna Lynch
School: Reese
Class: Senior
Honors: 1st Team All-GTW
Stats: Averaged 13.1 ppg, 3.2 steals, 2.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists.

Name: Kayla Gust
School: Port Hope
Height: 5’8”
Class: Freshman
Position: Guard
Honors: 1st Team All-NCTL North
Stats: Averaged 11 ppg, four rebounds, 1.8 steals and 1.3 assists.

Name: Meaghan Fortsch
School: Caseville
Height: 5’5”
Class: Junior
Position: Guard
Honors: 1st Team All-NCTL North, 1st Team All-County
Stats: Averaged 15.5 ppg, led her team in assists and scored a season-high 25 vs. North Huron in the season opener.

Name: Becky Albrecht
School: Caro
Honors: 2nd Team All-TVE

Name: Michelle Burgess
School: Brown City
Height: 5’6”
Class: Junior
Position: Guard
Honors: 2nd Team All-GTE
Stats: Averaged 8.6 ppg, four rebounds, 3.76 assists and 2.4 steals.

Name: Stephanie Maxwell
School: EPBP
Height: 5’8”
Class: Junior
Position: Guard/Forward
Honors: 1st Team All-GTW, 2nd Team All-County
Stats: Averaged around nine ppg and beat Ubly with a jumper at the buzzer during their second regular season match-up. That play was honored as “Play of the Year” in the All-County end of the season awards.

Name: Chelsea Dubey
School: EPBP
Height: 5’10”
Class: Junior
Position: Guard/Forward
Honors: 1st Team All-GTW, 2nd Team All-County
Stats: Averaged nearly 10 ppg and had a season high 19 points vs. Reese and 17 points vs. Harbor Beach.

Name: Jillian Williamson
School: USA
Height: 5’11”
Class: Junior
Position: Forward
Honors: 2nd Team All-GTW, 2nd Team All-County
Stats: Averaged 10.8 ppg, 5.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.1 steals.

Name: Kayla O’Connor
School: Peck
Height: 5’7”
Class: Senior
Position: Center
Honors: 2nd Team All-NCTL South
Stats: Averaged 7.2 ppg, 9.8 rebounds and 2.7 steals.

Name: Amanda Faist
School: Owen-Gage
Height: 5’11”
Class: Junior
Position: Forward
Honors: 1st Team All-NCTL North, Honorable Mention All-County
Stats: Averaged 11.2 ppg, 7.6 rebounds and 3.6 steals.

Name: Bri Woycehoski
School: Harbor Beach
Class: Sophomore
Honors: 2nd Team All-GTE, Honorable Mention All-County

All-Thumb Volleyball team 2007

2008-11-25T14:51:00.003-05:00

Team of the Year- North Branch
Player of the Year- Jenna Lange, Marlette

Coach of the Year- Andy Gusa, Ubly

FIRST TEAM
PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Name: Jenna Lange
School: Marlette
Position: Middle Hitter
Year: Senior
Height: 6’0”
Honors: 1st Team All-GTE, Class C All-Region, 1st Team All-Thumb 2006-2007, All-State 2006-2007
Stats: 1,063 kills; 7.81 kills per game; .575 kill efficiency; 92 percent serving; 53 aces; 312 digs; 2.3 digs per game; 107 blocks (83 solo) and .79 blocks per game.

Name: Jessica Curtis
School: North Branch
Position: Outside Hitter
Year: Senior
Height: 5’10”
Honors: 1st Team All-TVC, Class A All-Region, nominated for Class A All-State, H.M. All-Thumb 2006-2007
Stats: 515 kills, .372 kill average, 3.6 kills per game, 423 digs, 2.95 digs per game, 30 blocks and 91 percent serving (391-for-467).

Name: Shannon Weber
School: Ubly
Position: Hitter
Year: Senior
Height: 5’11”
Honors: 1st Team All-GTE, Class C All-Region, 2nd Team All-Thumb 2006-2007
Stats: 384 digs, 162 blocks and 576 kills.
Note: Weber is the career leader in kills, blocks and aces at Ubly.

Name: Josie Volz
School: Marlette
Position: Setter
Year: Senior
Height: 5’8”
Honors: 1st Team All-GTE, Class C All-Region, 2nd Team All-Thumb 2006-2007
Stats: 1,187 assists; 9.13 assists per game; 69 kills; .44 kill efficiency; 39 aces; 96 percent serving; 225 digs and 28 blocks (23 solo).

Name: Olivia Kohler
School: North Branch
Position: At-Large (Setter)
Year: Junior
Height: 5’4”
Honors: 1st Team All-TVC, Class A All-Region, 1st Team All-Thumb 2006-2007 (as a hitter)
Stats: 681 assists, 4.48 assists per game, 468 digs, 3.07 digs average, 320 kills, 2.1 kills per game, 94.3 serving percent (667-for-707) and 124 aces.
Note: Honored as one of the top 120 sophomores in the US by www.prepvolleyball.com as a sophomore.

Name: Becky Albrecht
School: Caro
Position: At-Large
Year: Junior
Honors: 1st Team All-TVC, Class B All-Region, H.M. All-Thumb 2006-2007
Stats: 500 kills, 3.82 kills per game, 91.4 serve percentage, 73 aces, 120 blocks (70 solo), 510 digs and 3.89 digs per game.
Note: Albrecht led the Tigers to the most wins ever in a season for the school with 36, while also winning the school’s first volleyball district.

SECOND TEAM

Name: Carly Treiber
School: USA
Position: Outside Hitter
Year: Junior
Honors: 1st Team All-GTW, H.M. All-Thumb 2006-2007
Stats: 237 kills, 3.49 kills per game, .455 kill percent, 117 digs, 37 blocks, 89 percent serving and 37 aces.
Note: Treiber played in just 68 of her team’s 122 games, due to injury.

Name: Kaycee Damm
School: EPBP
Position: Outside Hitter
Year: Senior
Height: 5’10”
Honors: 1st Team All-GTW, Class C All-Region
Stats: 425 kills, 3.91 kills average, 3.2 assists average, 2.98 digs average, 136 blocks, 1.21 blocks average, 93 percent serving and 125 aces.

Name: Kaycee Damm
School: EPBP
Position: Outside Hitter
Year: Senior
Height: 5’10”
Honors: 1st Team All-GTW, Class C All-Region
Stats: 425 kills, 3.91 kills average, 3.2 assists average, 2.98 digs average, 136 blocks, 1.21 blocks average, 93 percent serving and 125 aces.

Name: Lauren Strich
School: North Branch
Position: Outside Hitter
Year: Senior
Height: 5’7”
Honors: 1st Team All-TVC, Class A All-Region, nominated for H.M. All-State
Stats: 425 kills, 3.91 kills average, 3.2 assists average, 2.98 digs average, 136 blocks, 1.21 blocks average, 93 percent serving and 125 aces. 326 kills, 2.18 kills per game, .277 kill average, 476 digs, 3.19 dig average, 18 blocks and 94 percent serving (637-for-667).

Name: Gwen Pionk
School: Ubly
Position: Setter
Year: Senior
Height: 5’6”
Honors: 1st Team All-GTE
Stats: 1,148 assists (school record for assists in a season); 398 digs; 93.1 serving percent and 52 aces.

Name: Amanda Langenburg
School: Cass City
Position: At-Large (Setter)
Year: Junior
Height: 5’10”
Honors: 1st Team All-GTW, Class C All-Region, H.M. All-Thumb 2006-2007
Stats: 425 kills, 3.91 kills average, 3.2 assists average, 2.98 digs average, 136 blocks, 1.21 blocks average, 93 percent serving and 125 aces.

Name: Ashley Szymanski
School: Deckerville
Position: Outside Hitter
Honors: 1st Team All-GTW, Class D All-Region
Stats: 276 kills, 386 digs, 42 blocks, 94 percent serving (331-for-354), 34 aces and 10 assists.

HONORABLE MENTION
Name: Taylor Miner
School: North Branch
Position: Middle Hitter
Year: Junior
Height: 5’11”
Honors: 2ndTeam All-TVC, Class A All-Region, nominated for H.M. All-State
Stats: 251 kills, 1.72 kills per game, .453 kill average, 89 digs, 60 blocks and 95.1 serving percent (346-for-364).

Name: Catherine Brusie
School: North Branch
Honors: Class A All-Region

Name: Chelsea Dubey
School: EPBP
Position: Outside Hitter/Setter
Year: Junior
Height: 5’11”
Honors: 1st Team All-GTW, Class C All-Region, H.M. All-Thumb 2006-2007
Stats: 313 kills, 2.64 kills average, .459 assists, 3.61 assists average, 316 digs, 2.49 digs average, 45 solo blocks, 91 percent serving and 98 aces.

Name: Samantha Breault
School: Bad Axe
Position: Outside Hitter/Setter
Year: Junior
Height: 5’11”
Honors: 1st Team All-GTW, Class C All-Region, H.M. All-Thumb 2006-2007
Stats: 451 kills, 3.64 kills per game, .282 kill efficiency, 206 assists, 1;66 assists per game, 94 percent serving (417-for-444), 60 aces, 49 blocks (five solo), 297 digs and 2.40 digs per game.

Name: Kayla Parr
School: Brown City
Position: Middle Hitter
Year: Junior
Honors: 1st Team All-GTE

Name: Sandi Oligney
School: Brown City
Position: Setter
Year: Junior
Honors: 2nd Team All-GTE

Name: Kayla Cain
School: Brown City
Position: Outside Hitter
Year: Senior
Honors: 2nd Team All-GTE

Name: Renee Repkie
School: Akron-Fairgrove
Position: Outside Hitter/Setter
Year: Senior
Height: 5’4”
Honors: 1st Team All-NCTL North
Stats: 1.2 kill average, 3.8 assist average, 3.7 dig average and 88 serve percent (211-for-239).

Name: Erin Lamb
School: Cros-Lex

Name: Carly Howard
School: Cass City
Position: Outside Hitter
Year: Junior
Height: 5’8”
Honors: 1st Team All-GTW, Class C All-Region
Stats: 3.64 kill average, 2.98 dig average, 87 percent serving (293-for-335) and .15 block average.
Note: Holds the Cass City school record for most digs in a career.

Name: Kayla Kubacki
School: Ubly
Position: Outside Hitter
Year: Junior
Height: 5’7”
Honors: 2nd Team All-GTE
Stats: 469 digs, 51 blocks, 333 kills, 97.69 serve percent and 65 aces.

Name: Lyndsay White
School: Ubly
Position: Defensive Specialist
Year: Junior
Height: 5’6”
Honors: H.M. All-GTE
Stats: 672 digs, 13 blocks, 65 kills, 49 assists, 90 serve percent and 50 aces.
Name: Alyssa Vrable
School: Caro

Name: Dani Gremel
School: USA
Position: Middle Hitter
Year: Junior
Honors: 1st Team All-GTW

Name: Sara Barteld
School: Mayville
Position: Setter
Year: Senior
Honors: 1st Team All-GTE

Name: Jenna Thompson
School: Marlette
Position: Libero
Year: Junior
Honors: 2nd Team All-GTW

All-Thumb Football 2007

2008-11-25T14:23:00.004-05:00

Team of the Year- Harbor Beach
Player of the Year- Dustin Griesing, Millington

Coach of the Year: Troy Schelke, Harbor Beach

FIRST TEAM-OFFENSE
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Name: Dustin Griesing
School: Millington
Position: Quarterback
Honors: 1st Team All-TVE Quarterback, Division 5 & 6 H.M. All-State Quarterback
Stats: Had 2,250 combined yards of offense with 1,619 passing (95-for-160) with 11 touchdowns and just five interceptions; 631 yards rushing with 12 scores.

Name: Michael Mann
School: Peck
Position: Running Back
Year: Senior
Height: 5’11
Honors: 2007 Wendy’s High School Heisman winner, 1st Team All-NCTL Running Back, Division 7 & 8 All-State Running Back
Stats: Rushed for 1,838 yards on 199 carries (9.2 yards per carry) and 26 TDs; six 200 plus yards games; set schools records for most yards in a game, yards in a season and TDs in a season.
Comment: According to Peck coach Rob Pouch, Mann is an “outstanding leader and role model.”

Name: Kurt Dhyse
School: North Huron
Position: Full Back
Year: Senior
Height: 6’1”
Honors: 1st Team All-NCTL Running Back, 2nd Team All-Thumb Running Back 2006
Stats: 1,013 yards on 120 carries (8.4 ypc) and 16 TDs; 111 yards receiving on six catches.
Best game: 159 yards on 15 carries, 41 yards receiving and three scores vs. Memphis
Comment: “He’s a very hard runner, (who) got stronger at end in close games,” North Huron coach Travis Fischer explained.

Name: Corban Stewart
School: Millington
Position: Back
Honors: 1st Team All-TVE
Stats: 992 yards rushing with 18 TDs

Name: Isaac Zimmer
School: Reese
Position: End
Year: Senior
Height: 6’1”
Honors: 1st Team All-GTW End, H.M. All-Thumb End 2006, Division 5 & 6 All-State Specialist
Stats: 413 yards receiving on 28 catches (14.75 yards per catch) and eight TDs; 476 return yards off punts and kicks including two scores
Best game: 147 yards receiving on three catches and two TDs vs. USA
Comment: “Isaac is a game breaker,” Reese coach Bob Saylor said.

Name: Derek Neumayer
School: Sandusky
Position: End
Year: Senior
Height: 6’2”
Honors: 1st Team All-GTE End, Division 5 & 6 Special Mention All-State End
Stats: 698 yards on 52 catches (13.4 ypc) and six TDs
Best game(s): 165 yards receiving and one score vs. Brown City; 159 yards and two scores vs. Bad Axe
Comment: “(Derek was) our team leader,” Sandusky coach Brad Bays said. “In some games he was our only offense.”

Name: Zac Hueter
School: North Branch
Position: Offensive Line
Height: 6’8”
Weight: 280 lbs.
Honors: 1st Team All-TVE Line

Name: Jessie Germain
School: Peck
Position: Offensive Line
Year: Senior
Height: 6’2”
Honors: 1st Team All-NCTL Guard, Division 7 & 8 H.M. All-State Line
Stats: Peck rushed for 2,693 yards and 41 TDs and averaged 329 yards per game on the ground.
Name: Chris Queen
School: Harbor Beach
Position: Offensive Line
Year: Senior
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 240 lbs.
Honors: 1st Team All-GTE Guard, 1st Team All-Thumb Line 2006

Name: Jason Volmering
School: Harbor Beach
Position: Offensive Line
Year: Senior
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 240 lbs.
Honors: 1st Team All-GTE Tackle, Division 7 & 8 All-State Line
Name: Billy Ray Howard
School: Deckerville
Position: Offensive Line
Year: Senior
Honors: 1st Team All-GTE Tackle, 1st Team All-Thumb Line 2006, Division 7 & 8 H.M. All-State Line

Name: Travis Schock
School: Harbor Beach
Position: Kicker
Year: Junior
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 180 lbs.
Honors: 1st Team All-GTE Kicker
Best game: 3-for-4 on extra point attempts vs. Mayville

Name: Austin Comment
School: Marlette
Position: Player at Large
Year: Senior
Height: 6’
Weight: 170 lbs.
Honors: 1st Team All-GTE Quarterback, Division 5 & 6 Special Mention All-State Quarterback
Stats: 1,152 yards passing with 14 TDs (school record) and four INTs; 1,020 yards rushing on 117 carries (8.7 ypc) for 15 scores; one kick return for a TD

SECOND TEAM-OFFENSE

Name: Tom Sorenson
School: Harbor Beach
Position: Quarterback
Year: Senior
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 175 lbs.
Honors: 2nd Team All-GTE Quarterback
Stats: 26-for-46 passing for 576 yards and five scores.

Name: Cody David
School: Ubly
Position: Full Back
Year: Senior
Honors: 1st Team All-GTE Running Back, Division 7 & 8 H.M. All-State Running Back
Stats: 1,217 yards on 129 carries (9.4 ypc) and 17 TDs
Best game: 355 yards and three TDs vs. Bad Axe

Name: Lance VanHoost
School: USA
Position: Running Back
Year: Senior
Height: 6’0”
Honors: 1st Team All-GTW Running Back
Stats: 1,143 yards rushing and 10 scores; 178 yards receiving and one touchdown.
Best game: 224 yards and two TDs vs. Ubly (week one)

Name: Brett Buchholz
School: Harbor Beach
Position: Running Back
Year: Senior
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 215 lbs.
Honors: 1st Team All-GTE Running Back
Stats: 652 yards rushing and 12 TDs
Best game: 112 yards rushing and three TDs vs. Ubly

Name: Travis Schock
School: Harbor Beach
Position: End
Year: Junior
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 180 lbs.
Honors: 1st Team All-GTE EndBest game: 138 yards receiving on five catches vs. Marlette

Name: Tyler Reinert
School: Millington
Position: End

Name: Brad Neumayer
School: North Huron
Position: Offensive Line
Year: Senior
Height: 6’4”
Honors: 1st Team All-NCTL Guard, 1st Team All-Thumb Line 2006, Division 7 & 8 All-State Linemen

Name: Andrew Kiley
School: Peck
Position: Offensive Line
Year: Senior
Height: 6’
Honors: 2nd Team All-NCTL Guard
Stats: Leader of O-line for a team that rushed for 2,693 yards and 41 TDs and averaged 329 yards per game on the ground.
Comment: “(He’s an) outstanding pulling guard with great speed,” Pouch said.

Name: Spencer Summersett
School: Millington
Position: Offensive Line

Name: Travis Wolschleger
School: Ubly
Position: Offensive Line
Year: Senior
Honors: 1st Team All-GTE Center

Name: David Reif
School: Reese
Position: Offensive Line
Year: Senior
Height: 6’2”
Honors: 2nd Team All-NCTL Guard
Comment: “David was a huge force on our offensive line,” Saylor explained. “He is one of the hardest working kids I have ever coached, (as he) came back from a torn ACL as a sophomore.”

Name: Jason Meyers
School: Cros-Lex
Position: Kicker

Name: Jordan Kaufman
School: Ubly
Position: Player at Large
Year: Junior
Honors: 2nd Team All-GTE Quarterback
Stats: 445 yards on 42 carries (10.5 ypc) and five scores, 246 yards passing and three TDs
Note: Kaufman played in just five regular season games due to injury.

HONORABLE MENTION-OFFENSE

Name: Josh Bierlein
School: Reese
Position: Quarterback
Year: Senior
Height: 6’
Honors: 1st Team All-GTW Quarterback
Stats: 43-for-99 passing (43.4 completion percentage) for 888 yards and 12 TDs, 394 yards rushing and four scores
Best game: 9-for-11 passing for 278 yards and three TDs vs. USA
Comment: “Josh did a great job for us this season,” Saylor said. “He showed great leadership throughout the season.”
Name: Jordan Katt
School: Sandusky
Position: Quarterback
Year: Sophomore
Height: 6’2”
Honors: 2nd Team All-GTE Quarterback
Stats: 98-for-207 passing (47.4 completion percentage) for 1,330 yards and 13 TDs with four INTs
Best game: 307 yards passing (22-for-34) and four TDs vs. Bad Axe

Name: Ray Williams
School: Kingston
Position: Running Back
Year: Junior
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 170 lbs.
Honors: 1st Team All-NCTL Running Back
Stats: 1,106 yards on 119 carries for 17 TDs, 110 yards receiving on seven catches (15.7 ypc) and one score
Best game(s): 227 yards and six TDs vs. Akron-Fairgrove, 222 yards and three TDs in a half against Dryden

Name: Anthony Irvine
School: North Huron
Position: Running Back
Year: Junior
Height: 6’
Stats: 854 yards on 127 carries with 12 TDs, 127 yards receiving on six catches and two scores
Best game: 178 yards and three scores vs. CPS

Name: Marcus Kemp
School: Deckerville
Position: Running Back
Year: Junior
Honors: 2nd Team All-GTE Running Back

Name: Brion Gornowich
School: Harbor Beach
Position: Back
Year: Senior
Height: 5’8”
Weight: 170 lbs.
Honors: 1st Team All-GTE Running Back
Stats: 597 yards rushing and six touchdowns in just six games.
Best game: 145 yards and two TDs vs. Marlette

Name: John Bishop
School: Marlette
Position: End
Year: Senior
Honors: 2nd Team All-GTE End

Name: Garrett Stier
School: Millington
Position: End

Name: Jake O’Mara
School: Deckerville
Position: End
Honors: 2nd Team All-GTE Running Back

Name: Steven Dixon
School: North Huron
Position: Offensive Line
Year: Senior
Honors: 1st Team All-NCTL Tackle

Name: Carl Bednarski
School: USA
Position: Offensive Line
Year: Senior
Honors: 1st Team All-GTW Guard

Name: Doug Kennedy
School: Brown City
Position: Offensive Line
Year: Senior
Honors: 2nd Team All-GTE Tackle

Name: Brian Jozlin
School: Peck
Position: Offensive Line
Year: Senior
Honors: 1st Team All-NCTL Tackle

Name: Ben Ward
School: Vassar
Position: Offensive Line

Name: Adam Foster
School: Akron-Fairgrove
Position: Player at Large
Honors: 1st Team All-NCTL Quarterback

ALL-THUMB FIRST TEAM-DEFENSE
Name: Jason Volmering
School: Harbor Beach
Position: Defensive Line
Year: Senior
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 240 lbs.
Honors: 1st Team All-GTE Line, H.M. All-Thumb Line 2006, Division 7 & 8 All-State Line

Name: Chris Queen
School: Harbor Beach
Position: Defensive Line
Year: Senior
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 240 lbs.
Honors: 1st Team All-GTE Line

Name: Jessie Germain
School: Peck
Position: Defensive Line
Year: Senior
Height: 6’2”
Stats: 92 tackles (23 solo), two sacks, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries
Honors: 1st Team All-NCTL Line, 1st Team All-Thumb Line 2006, Division 7 & 8 H.M. All-State Line

Name: Corey Robinson
School: Caro
Position: Defensive Line
Year: Senior
Height: 5’10”
Stats: 95 tackles, 2.5 sacks, six tackles for loss, four kicks blocked
Best game: 17 tackles, 1/2 sack, three tackles for loss, one forced fumble vs. Vassar
Honors: 1st Team All-TVE Line

Name: Richard Osborn
School: Millington
Position: Defensive Line
Honors: 1st Team All-TVE Linebacker, 1st Team All-Thumb Linebacker 2006
Stats: 118 tackles, second straight season of over 100 tackles.

Name: Charles Anderson
School: Sandusky
Position: Linebacker
Year: Junior
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 160 lbs.
Honors: 1st Team All-GTE Linebacker
Stats: 136 tackles (77 solo), two sacks and three forced fumbles.

Name: Will Tack
School: Reese
Position: Linebacker
Year: Junior
Honors: 1st Team All-GTW Linebacker
Stats: 71 tackles and one sack.

Name: Brion Gornowich
School: Harbor Beach
Position: Linebacker
Year: Senior
Height: 5’8”
Weight: 170 lbs.
Honors: 1st Team All-GTE Linebacker

Name: Isaac Zimmer
School: Reese
Position: Defensive Back
Year: Senior
Height: 6’1”
Honors: 1st Team All-GTW Defensive Back, Division 5 & 6 All-State Specialist
Stats: 202 yards on interception returns including two scores, 50 tackles and five interceptions.

Name: Dustin Griesing
School: Millington
Position: Defensive Back
Honors: 1st Team All-TVE Defensive Back
Stats: Four interceptions and third on his team in tackles.

Name: Travis Schock
School: Harbor Beach
Position: Defensive Back
Year: Junior
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 180 lbs.
Honors: 1st Team All-GTE Defensive Back
Name: Gabe Callender
School: Harbor Beach
Position: Punter
Year: Senior
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 185
Honors: 1st Team All-GTE Punter

SECOND TEAM-DEFENSE
Name: Billy Ray Howard
School: Deckerville
Position: Defensive Line
Year: Senior
Honors: 1st Team All-GTE Line, 2nd Team All-Thumb Line 2006, Division 7 & 8 H.M. All-State Line

Name: Brett Buchholz
School: Harbor Beach
Position: Defensive Line
Year: Senior
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 215 lbs.
Honors: 1st Team All-GTE Line, 2nd Team All-Thumb Line 2006, Division 7 & 8 All-State Linebacker

Name: Brad Neumayer
School: North Huron
Position: Defensive Line
Year: Senior
Height: 6’4”
Honors: 1st Team All-NCTL Line
Stats: 58 tackles, 12 sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
Best game: five tackles and four sacks vs. Akron-Fairgrove
Note: Neumayer had three straight games with two sacks.

Name: Zac Hueter
School: North Branch
Position: Defensive Line
Height: 6’8”
Weight: 280 lbs.
Honors: 1st Team All-TVE Line

Name: Michael Mann
School: Peck
Position: Linebacker
Year: Senior
Height: 5’11
Honors: 1st Team All-NCTL Linebacker

Name: Tony Santana
School: Deckerville
Position: Linebacker
Year: Senior
Honors: H.M. Team All-GTE Linebacker

Name: Lance VanHoost
School: USA
Position: Linebacker
Year: Senior
Height: 6’0”
Honors: 1st Team All-GTW Linebacker, 1st Team All-Thumb Linebacker 2006, Division 7 & 8 H.M. All-State Defensive Back
Stats: 85 tackles and two interceptions.

Name: Pat Buiting
School: CPS
Position: Linebacker
Year: Senior
Honors: 1st Team All-NCTL Linebacker

Name: Shane Ginther
School: Harbor Beach
Position: Defensive Back
Year: Sophomore
Honors: 1st Team All-GTE Back

Name: Josh Campbell
School: Kingston
Position: Defensive Back
Year: Senior
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 170 lbs.
Honors: 1st Team All-NCTL Back
Stats: 63 tackles (48 solo), 15 passes defended, two interceptions
Best game(s): 11 tackles vs. Peck (nine solo, two assisted) and North Huron (six solos and five assisted)

Name: Josh Bierlein
School: Reese
Position: Defensive Back
Year: Senior
Height: 6’
Honors: 1st Team All-GTW Defensive Back

Name: Frank Labadie
School: Mayville
Position: Punter
Year: Junior
Honors: 1st Team All-GTE Punter
Stats: 40.1 yards per punt average

HONORABLE MENTION-DEFENSE
Name: Chad Kern
School: Reese
Position: Defensive Line
Year: Senior
Honors: 1st Team All-GTW Line
Stats: 73 tackles, four sacks, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
Best game: 12 tackles and two sacks vs. BCAS
Name: Bryan Carrier
School: Peck
Position: Defensive Line
Year: Senior
Honors: 1st Team All-NCTL Line

Name: Jesse Walitalo
School: Cass City
Position: Defensive Line
Year: Senior
Honors: 1st Team All-GTW Line

Name: Brett Ross
School: Deckerville
Position: Defensive Line
Year: Junior
Honors: 2nd Team All-GTE Line, Division 7 & 8 H.M. All-State Line

Name: Eric Booms
School: Ubly
Position: Linebacker
Year: Freshman
Honors: 2nd Team All-GTE Linebacker
Stats: 64 tackles (second on the team)

Name: Dalton O’Connor
School: Ubly
Position: Linebacker
Year: Sophomore
Honors: 2nd Team All-GTE Linebacker
Stats: 55 tackles (fourth on team), two interceptions

Name: Kyle Lemke
School: Vassar
Position: Linebacker

Name: Mitch Houghteling
School: Reese
Position: Linebacker
Year: Senior
Honors: 1st Team All-GTW Linebacker

Name: Brian Jozlin
School: Peck
Position: Linebacker
Year: Senior
Honors: 1st Team All-NCTL Linebacker

Name: Tommy Parrish
School: Cass City
Position: Linebacker
Year: Senior
Honors: 2nd Team All-GTW Linebacker
Name: Kevin Dubs
School: EPBP
Position: Defensive Back
Year: Junior
Honors: 1st Team All-GTW Defensive Back

Name: Mitch Cleary
School: Ubly
Position: Defensive Back
Year: Junior
Honors: 1st Team All-GTE Defensive Back
Stats: 52 tackles, one interception

Name: Gabe Callender
School: Harbor Beach
Position: Defensive Back
Year: Senior
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 185
Honors: H.M. All-GTE Defensive Back

Name: Donell Hamilton
School: Peck
Position: Defensive Back
Year: Sophomore
Honors: 2nd Team All-NCTL Defensive Back

Name: Nick Jex
School: Cros-Lex
Position: Punter

Name: Jerome Sullivan
School: North Branch
Position: Punter

All-Thumb Volleyball team 2006-2007

2008-11-25T14:05:00.000-05:00

Team of the Year - North Branch

Coach of the Year - Jim Fish, North Branch

Player of the Year - Sam Fish , North Branch

First Team

Sam Fish, Setter - North Branch

Carisa Seltz, Libero - Harbor Beach

Rachel Hebberd, Middle Hitter - North Branch

Olivia Kohler, Outside Hitter - North Branch

Jade Kaufman, Outside Hitter - Ubly

Jenna Lange, Player at Large - Marlette

Second Team

Josie Volz, Setter - Marlette

Maegan Stewart, Libero - Cros-Lex

Denna Welch, Middle Hitter - Brown City

Kayla Thompson, Outside Hitter - Marlette

Shannon Weber, Outside Hitter - Ubly

Amanda Dubey, Player at Large - Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port

Honorable Mention

Amanda Langenburg - Cass City

Heather Miller - North Huron

Katie Rayl - USA

Sara Meeker - Cass City

Jessica Fett - Cros-Lex

Samantha Breault - Bad Axe

Jessica Curtis - North Branch

Becky Albrecht - Caro

Chelsea Dubey - EPBP

Alicia Grigg - Sandusky

Malorie Machart - Deckerville

Shelby LaBuhn - Ubly

Carly Trieber - USA

Erica Christy - CPS

All-Thumb Boys Basketball 2006-2007

2008-11-25T13:50:00.003-05:00

Co-Team of the Year- Croswell-Lexington
Co-Team of the Year: Kingston

Player of the Year: Kevin Ginther, Harbor Beach

Co-Coach of the Year: Mike Rea, Kingston Co-Coach of the Year: Don Roberts, Cros-Lex

All-Thumb hoops team announced
By Chris Ogryski
sports editor

FIRST TEAM
PLAYER OF THE YEAR-Kevin Ginther, Harbor Beach: Ginther, a 1st team All-GTE selection and the Harbor Beach Times Player of the Year, was the area’s most consistent scorer, averaging 19.7 ppg during the regular season. He scored 20 or more points in half of his games, including three games where he scored 30 or more (30 against Cros-Lex and Mayville; 31 vs. Marlette). Kevin distinguished himself against other area athletes by leading the Huron County Press/Newsweekly/Harbor Beach Times Power 10 every week of the season (the Power 10 ranks players against other players in the categories of scoring average, free throw percentage, three-pointers per game, and best game (points scored). Aside from being multi-talented on offense, Ginther was a “tenacious defender” according to Pirate’s coach Ron Wruble.

Brad Iskow, Bad Axe: Known as “the Man Child,” Iskow averaged 15.6 ppg in 19 games and 12.8 rebounds per game while recording seven double-doubles. Iskow’s best games of the season included 31 against USA, 29 vs. BCAS, and 26 points and 13 boards against Deckerville. Brad was a 1st team All-GTW pick this season and the County Press Player of the Year.

Matt Loding, Sandusky: Loding, a 1st team All-GTE selection, averaged 16.8 ppg this season including a season-high 30 vs. Deckerville. He was equally as capable on the boards, as he grabbed 130 rebounds this season (6.5 pg), including 11 in a non-conference game against Yale. Other key stats for Loding, include 4.9 assists per game and three steals per game on average. Matt carries a 3.5 GPA at Sandusky High.

Garret Grundman, Cros-Lex: Grundman, who was 2006-2007 Blue Water Area Conference MVP, scored 263 points and averaged 13.2 ppg for the Pioneers. His best scoring effort came against Marine City, where he scored a season-high 25 points. Garrett was also a force on the boards grabbing 145 rebounds and averaging 7.3 per game, while also averaging 1.4 assists per game and 1.4 blocks per game. Grundman was a Tri-Captain for Cros-Lex this season.

Tristin Pennington, Kingston: Pennington, who earned 1st All-NCTL South honors, showed off his diverse skills this season averaging 11,8 ppg (236 points), 3.6 assists per game, and 3.3 steals per game for the Cardinals who finished 20-0 in the regular season for the second straight time.

Dustin Griesing, Millington: The second junior on the All-Thumb team, Griesing averaged 16.3 ppg (325 points), which included a 29 point effort against Frankenmuth. He also averaged seven boards per game (high of 11 against Bridgeport), 3.6 assists per game, and three steals per game. Not only does Griesing excel on the court, but in the classroom as well; he currently has a 3.9 GPA.

SECOND TEAM

Karl Kaufman, Cros-Lex: Along with Grundman was a potent one-two punch on offense for the 20-0 Pioneers. Kaufman scored 266 points during the regular season for an average of 13.3 ppg, while averaging 3.75 steals per game, 2.7 assists per game, and 2.2 rebounds per game. Grundman, who scored a season-high 19 points against both Imlay City and Capac, was an All-Blue Water Area Conference pick.

Brandon Jones, Kingston: Jones, an Honorable Mention All-State pick in Class D and a 1st team All-NCTL South selection, helped lead the Cardinals to a 20-0 regular season with his 14.6 ppg (292 points) and his 5.8 rebounds per game (115 boards). Perhaps his most impressive stat was his .607 field goal percentage (122-for-201).

Chris Cove, Bad Axe: Cove, who earned first team All-GTW honors and was a member of the All-County Press Team, was one of the area’s best three-point shooters this season… especially for a 6’7” guard. He made 40 triples this season in 19 games for an average of 2.1 threes per game as part of his 14.7 ppg scoring average. His best games of the season include 31 points against BCAS and 22 points and 10 rebounds against Cass City. Cove also averaged 6.2 rebounds per game.

Ty Graham, Reese: Graham, a 1st team All-GTW pick, averaged 14.9 ppg during the regular season scoring just shy of 300 points (he finished with 299). But scoring wasn’t his only strength as he also averaged 5.2 assists per game (104 assists), as well as 5.8 boards per game and 2.8 steals per game for the GTW champion Rockets.

Chad Schmidt, Sandusky: The Redskins were considered one of the hottest teams at the end of the season, knocking off GTW champion Reese and GTE co-champion Brown City on back-to-back Fridays. Schmidt was a big part of that late season success, averaging 12.1 ppg including a season-high 29 against the Rockets. Chad, a second All-GTE selection, also averaged 7.4 rebounds per game, 2.1 assists per game, 2.1 steals per game, and 1.6 blocks per game.

Zac Hueter, North Branch: Hueter picked up 1st team All-Tri Valley East honors this season as he averaged 15.3 ppg (306 points) and 8.1 rebounds (162 boards) per game. He was also amongst the elite in field goal shooting this season, converting on over 60 percent of his attempts.

Justin McPhail, Brown City: McPhail, a second team All-GTE selection, averaged 15.9 ppg including a season-high 28 against North Branch. He also averaged 4.7 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 2.5 steals per game. Justin is the career scoring leader at Brown City.

HONORABLE MENTION
Seth McVittie
School: Deckerville
Class: Senior
Height: 6’2”
Position: Center/Forward
Key stats: Averaged 13.8 ppg and 11.8 rebounds per game, scored a season-high 24 points against Marlette, grabbed 21 boards against Cass City
Honors: 2nd team All-GTE
Quote: “Probably the hardest working player I have ever coached,” Deckerville coach Dave Bitzer said of McVittie.

Grant Pichla
School: Ubly
Class: Junior
Height: 5’8”
Position: Guard
Key stats: Averaged 14.3 ppg including a season-high 29 against Bad Axe, made 39 three-pointers this season (1.95 per game)
Honors: 1st team All-GTE, All-County Press Team

Darren Essenmacher
School: Harbor Beach
Class: Senior
Height: 6’3”
Position: Center
Key stats: Averaged 12.2 ppg and 7.15 rebounds per game in the regular season
Honors: 1st team All-GTE, All-Times Team

Brandon Dubs
School: Owen-Gage
Class: Junior
Height: N/A
Position: Forward
Key stats: Averaged 12.7 ppg, 6.9 rebounds per game, 2.9 assists per game, 4.3 steals per game, and 1.7 blocks per game; scored a season 23 points against Peck
Honors: 1st team All-NCTL North, Newsweekly Player of the Year
Quote: Coach Arnie Howard said, “By far the best player in the NCTL North. He might be the best junior in the entire league.”

Brady Rupprecht
School: Vassar
Stats: Averaged 13.8 ppg and 11 rebounds per game
Class: Senior
Height: 6’2”
Position: Center
Stats: Averaged 14.6 ppg and 11 rebounds per game (209 boards for the season)

Gabe Lazurka
School: Cros-Lex

Nathan Harneck
School: Kingston
Class: Senior
Height: 6’5”
Position: Center
Stats: 8.4 ppg and 5.5 rebounds per game (72 defensive rebounds)

Donovan Ogboh
School: Brown City
Class: Junior
Height: 6’1”
Position: Wing
Stats: Averaged 11.7 ppg and 7.1 rebounds per game, scored a season high 23 points against both Almont and Mayville
Honors: 1st team All-GTE

Brad Hartel
School: Cass City
Class: Senior
Height: 5’11”
Position: Guard
Stats: Averaged 13.1 ppg and over two three pointers per game
Honors: 1st team All-GTW

Kevin Mrozek
School: Marlette
Class: Senior
Height: 6’1”
Position: Guard
Stats: Averaged 11.1 ppg and 5.3 assists per game, scored a season-high 23 points against Deckerville
Honors: 1st team All-GTE

Tim Holland
School: USA
Class: Junior
Height: 6’2”
Position: Center
Stats: Averaged 13 ppg in 15 regular season games
Honors: 2nd team All-GTW, All-Newsweekly Team

All-Thumb Football 2006

2008-11-24T22:53:00.028-05:00

Team of the Year - North Branch
Coach of the Year - Mark Manenti, North Huron
Player of the Year - Duncan Bone, QB North Branch

FIRST TEAM OFFENSE
QB - Duncan Bone, North Branch (Player of the Year)

RB - Bobby Cech, Cros-Lex

RB - Jimmy Hess, Millington

E - Brandin Friske, North Branch

E - Kevin Bacon, Vassar

OL - Billy Ray Howard, Deckerville

OL - Chris Queen, Harbor Beach

OL - Brad Neumayer, North Huron

OL - Adam Smith-Urbany, Reese

OL - Alex Keinath, Millington

K - Erik Kuhl, USA

Player at Large - Seth McVittie, Deckerville

Second Team Offense

QB - Corbin Oldenburg, Reese

RB - Micah Randall, Cass City

RB - Kurt Dhyse, North Huron

RB - Andrew Adkins, Vassar

E - Brandon Jones, Kingston

E - Derek Neumayer, Sandusky

OL - Ben Cook, Peck

OL - Bryan Shagena, Deckerville

OL - Lucas Priemer, Ubly

OL - Brad Severance, Cass City

OL - Tristin Pennington, Kingston

K - Jonathon Essenmacher, Harbor Beach

Player at Large - Kevin Ginther, Harbor Beach

Honorable Mention

QB - Wes Messing, Deckerville

QB - Garrett Grundman, Cros-Lex

RB - Cory Bolsby, Sandusky

RB - Grant Pichla, Ubly

E - Nathan Harnek, Kingston

E - Andy Dronsella, Owen-Gage

E - Issac Zimmer, Reese

OL - Mike Meissner, Harbor Beach

OL - Kyle Gorkowski, North Huron

OL - Sean Bender, Cros-Lex

Player at Large - Matt Loding, Sandusky

FIRST TEAM DEFENSE

DL - Jesse Germain, Peck

DL - Jay Morse, Millington

DL - Dave Navock, North Huron

DL - Nick Leipprandt, Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port (not pictured)

LB - Mike Nagy, Kingston
LB - Richard Osborn, Millington
LB - Lance VanHoost, USA
LB - Kevin Maro, Cros-Lex
B - Chais Fleming, CPS
B - Brandin Friske, North Branch
B - Corbin Oldenburg, Reese
P - Seth McVittie, Deckerville

Second Team Defense

DL - Billy Ray Howard, Deckerville

DL - Adam Smith-Urbany, Reese

DL - Brett Buchholz, Harbor Beach

DL - Andy Opperman, Vassar

LB - Brian Stine, Kingston

LB - Dereck Halasz, Cass City

LB - Dereck Stolicker, Deckerville

LB - John Hunt, North Branch

B - Kevin Ginther, Harbor Beach

B - Gabe Lazurka, Cros-Lex

B - Seth McVittie, Deckerville

P - Andrew LaPointe, Caro

Honorable Mention

DL - Jacob Soper, Ubly

DL - Jason Volmering, Harbor Beach

DL - Zack Huetel, North Branch

DL - Brandon Adams, Cros-Lex

LB - Tony Reece, Mayville

LB - Nathan Janik, Bad Axe

LB - Brandon Juracek, Caro

LB - Michael Pries, Peck

LB - Eric Zaleski, Owen-Gage

LB - Jeremy Burgess, Brown City

B - Wes Messing, Deckerville

B - Adam Foster, Akron-Fairgrove

B - Austin Comment, Marlette

All-Thumb Girls Basketball 2006

2008-11-24T22:44:00.001-05:00

Team of the Year-Sandusky
Player of the Year- Rhonda Gusa, Harbor Beach

Co-Coach of the Year- Al DeMott, Sandusky

Co-Coach of the Year- Todd Comment, Lakers

First Team
Rhonda Gusa (Player of the Year), Harbor Beach
Emily Schinnerer, Cass City
Leigha Wilmot, Kingston
Kelsey Hall, Marlette
Marisa DeMott, Sandusky
Cassy VanConant, Sandusky

Second Team
Rachel Hebberd, North Branch
Sam Krueger, EPBP
Jenna Lange, Marlette
Kristen Greene, Brown City
Bobbie May, Sandusky
Alicia Leipprandt, Ubly

Honorable Mention
Kayla Doshier, Millington
Allyson Crousore, Kingston
Erica Christy, CPS
Liz Bartle, Brown City
Krystyna Rickett, Sandusky
Dani Gremel, USA
Becky Albrect, Caro
Shannon Weber, Ubly
Katie Rayl, USA

All-Thumb Boys Basketball 2005-06

2008-11-24T19:56:00.007-05:00

Player of the Year: Jordan Bitzer, USA
Team of the Year: USA

Co-Coaches of the Year: Mark Gainforth, USA (above) and Mike Rea, Kingston (not pictured)

Members of the Thumb Sportswriter Association (TSA) met during the week of the basketball Districts to choose an All-Thumb Basketball team comprised of the best players from the following area schools: Akron-Fairgrove, Bad Axe, Brown City, Caro, Carsonville-Port Sanilac, Caseville, Cass City, Croswell-Lexington, Deckerville Harbor Beach, Kingston, Lakers, Marlette Mayville, Millington, North Branch Wesleyan, North Huron, Owendale-Gagetown, Peck, Port Hope, Reese , Sandusky, Ubly, Unionville-Sebewaing and Vassar.
Six players were selected to the All-Thumb First Team, six players to the All-Thumb Second Team, and 10 players earned All-Thumb Honorable Mention status.
All-Thumb First Team
Jordan Bitzer-senior, USA: Bitzer, who will be attending CMU after graduation on a basketball scholarship, helped lead the Patriots to a 19-0 regular season record by averaging 22.5 ppg, 9.7 rebounds per game, 6.1 assists per game, and 5.3 steals per game. He shot 82 percent from the free throw line and 54 percent from the field this season. Bitzer set a school record with 45 points against BCAS this season. He was an All-State basketball selection last year.
Justin McPhail-junior, Brown City: McPhail, a three-year starter for the Green Devils, went over 1,000 points for his career during this season. He averaged 20.3 ppg in 19 games this season, including a season high 34 against Sandusky. In that same game, he grabbed a season high 13 boards. For the season, he averaged 6.3 rpg, 3.4 apg, and 2.5 spg. McPhail shot 73 percent from the charity stripe and 45 percent from the field.
Brandon Jones-junior, Kingston: Jones averaged 14 ppg and 6.8 rpg for a deep Cardinals team that went 20-0 overall. He scored a season-high 20 points against North Huron (he also had a season-high 13 boards and six blocks against the Warriors) and Memphis. Jones shot 60 percent from the field and 69 percent from the free throw line. “He has gotten much stronger… and his 10-15 foot jumper has improved immensely,” Kingston coach Mike Rea said.
Justin Glaza-senior, Cass City: Glaza, who played three years on varsity, averaged 15 ppg while shooting 47 percent from the field and 83 percent from the line. Glaza scored a season-high 28 points three-times (against Bad Axe, BCAS, and Valley Lutheran). He leads the school in three-pointers made and tied a school record for most steals in a game (8) against the Hatchets this season.
Garrett Lange-senior, Marlette: Lange, a three year starter for the Red Raiders, averaged 13.6 ppg and 4.5 rpg this season. He shot 57 percent from the field this season and scored in double figures in 15 of 20 games during the regular season. “He is our most consistent player on the team,” Marlette coach Darrin Weber said. “He works hard everyday in practice and is a very coachable player.”
Steve Koch, USA: Koch has been described as the “second best player on the area’s best team.” He overcame both an ankle injury and mono this season and still averaged 11.7 ppg and 4.5 rpg.
All-Thumb Second Team
Kevin Ginther-junior, Harbor Beach: Ginther led his team in scoring averaging 14 ppg this season, as well as 3.9 rpg, 3.7 apg and 3.2 spg, while shooting 40 percent from the field and 51 percent from the charity stripe. Ginther recorded season-highs in points (24) against Sandusky, rebounds (seven) against both EPBP and Mayville, and in both assists (eight) and blocks (one) against Brown City. “He is an excellent defender and a hard worker,” Harbor Beach coach Ron Wruble said.
Brad Iskow-sophomore, Bad Axe: The only underclassmen to make it on the first or second team, Iskow averaged a double-double this season (13.9 ppg and 10.1 rpg), “Despite being the focus of every team we played against,” according to Bad Axe coach Bob Breault. Iskow recorded a season-high 22 points twice (against USA and Valley Lutheran) and had 20 rebounds against BCAS.
Corey McPherson-senior, Sandusky: “Corey has been our leader all year on and off the floor,” Sandusky coach Kurt Long said. “He is one of the best defenders in our league.” McPherson, who scored a season-high 22 points against Marlette and a season-high seven steals against Bad Axe, averaged 13.4 ppg, as well as three rpg, three apg, and three spg during the regular season. He shot 42 percent from the field and 59 percent from the free throw line.
Keegan Rinn-senior, Marlette: Rinn, who scored a season-high 35 vs. Capac, averaged 15 ppg, four rpg, and 2.7 apg during the regular season. He converted 40 percent of his three-point attempts, while shooting 50 percent from the field and 64 percent from the charity stripe. “He is a great shooter,” Weber said. “He would always draw the other team’s top defender.”
Tristin Pennington-junior, Kingston: Pennington averaged 12.3 ppg and 6.6 rpg, while shooting 58 percent from the floor and 81 percent from the line. He had a season-high 23 points against CPS, a season-high 13 rebounds against Ubly, and season highs in steals (seven) and assists (seven) against Dryden. “He is an excellent all-around player,” Rea said.
Grant Nagelkirk-senior, CPS: Nagelkirk averaged 18.5 ppg and 8.5 rpg this season, while shooting 44 percent from beyond the arc and 46 percent from the field overall. He had a season-high 31 points against Owen-Gage and 14 boards against Caseville. “He’s an all-around player, not just a scorer,” CPS coach Bob Kolakovich said. “He does a lot of the little things and he plays good defense.”
All-Thumb Honorable Mention
Mitch Cain, North Branch Wesleyan
Tyler Hines, Marlette
Justin Johnson, USA
Dan Weber, Ubly
Garrett Grundman, Croswell-Lexington
Brandon Weiler, Sandusky
Blaise Zimmer, Reese
Nate Harneck, Kingston
Scott Delpiere, Harbor Beach
Aaron Thygesen, Millington

Under construction

2008-11-12T21:56:00.000-05:00

This blog is currently under construction. Check back over the coming weeks as the expected launch date is Wednesday, Nov. 26.