2009-10 All-Thumb Boys Basketball Team

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

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

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

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

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