Ian Townsend

GRAND LEDGE – Coming into the year, Ian Townsend expected his young Grand Ledge swimming team to improve as the season progressed.

The Comets ended up skyrocketing past the expectations set by their coach. And, after a slow start, Grand Ledge thrived toward the season’s end and finished in a three-way tie for fourth place in the CAAC Blue and sent four swimmers to the Division 1 state meet.

“They took off at the end of the year and did things I hadn’t planned on,” Townsend, the LSJ girls swimming coach of the year, said. “Some of the girls talked about breaking school records and getting to the state meet this year. We kind of laughed about that and said it was a goal for next season or two seasons from now.”

Freshman Abigail Ford, sophomore Emma Cornell, junior Katie Thomas and senior Taylor Kehren all proved their coach wrong by qualifying for the state meet with solid performances during the regular season. Thomas broke the school record by two seconds in the 200 freestyle during the sport’s final weekend.

“I thought this season would be where we laid the foundation for next year and get people in the position to take the next step,” he said. “We did that but went beyond.

“This team really got along.”

Townsend started seeing the transition after a dual meet against DeWitt. It was then he saw the Comets’ camaraderie strengthen and lead to success in the water.

“It (the meet) showed a little glimmer of the potential,” Townsend said. “We didn’t have a dominant team by any stretch of the imagination, but we had kids that enjoyed each other and had a blast.”

The foundation has been cemented for the immediate future for Grand Ledge. And Townsend believes his team can reach new heights sooner rather than later.

“In years past, they didn’t feel like they belonged when they went up against the St. Johns’ of the world,” he said. “We didn’t beat them, but we felt like we belonged.

“The sky is the limit. They never experienced success like this, and it’s something they want to experience again.”

Contact James L. Edwards III at jledwards@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @JLEdwardsIII.

Waverly’s Shadaira McCarty (24) and East Lansing’s Evelyn Taylor reach for a rebound Friday, Dec. 4, 2015, in East Lansing, Mich. Waverly won 50-27.

EAST LANSING – When John Schweitzer took over the Waverly girls basketball team a few months back, he didn’t know what he had in 6-foot-1 forward Malin Smith.

He knows now.

On Friday night, the sophomore displayed both touch and tenacity on the offensive end as she led the Warriors to a 50-27 victory over East Lansing with a game-high 19 points.

“I saw nothing from her before the season, truthfully,” said Schweitzer, whose team is out to a 2-0 start. “She wasn’t really on the video that I had from the team last year, but I saw in practice immediately that she is a player.

“She’s got some talent. And we’re going to use it.”

Smith fills the void left by recent graduate Breanna Mobley, who is playing at Western Michigan, and is paired with 6-foot-2 junior Alisia Smith in the frontcourt. The Warriors’ size and depth up front has been a pillar for their success in recent years, and Schweitzer expects it to continue as his team pushes through the season.

“The offense that we run goes through the post,” he said. “We want to generate short shots, get rebounds and put those back in.”

Malin Smith, who went 8 of 12 from the field, generated short shots all night along with Alisa Smith (10 points) and forward Maya Bennett, and there weren’t many rebounds to get. The Warriors outscored the Trojans (1-1), 18-8 in the paint and both Smiths and Bennett combined to go 15 of 26 from the field for 37 points.

“I knew I had to work hard to fill Bre’s (Mobley) big shoes,” said Malin Smith, who went on a solo 7-0 run to start the fourth quarter. “She was a great player, and I knew it would be hard to step into her place.

“We (frontcourt) play well together. We just have to keep working hard and motivating each other.”

Despite coming off a conference-championship season, East Lansing is still a team that is smothered with youth. And, according to sophomore Jaida Hampton, it shows at times on the offensive end.

The Trojans scored in spurts Friday, and were unable to settle into a rhythm for much of the night. After getting behind, 7-0, to start the game, East Lansing closed the first quarter on a 9-2 run, which was fueled by Hampton. The Trojans only scored 18 points after the opening quarter.

“We’re still trying to figure out (our) continuity and maturity, like, running plays and knowing what to do and when to do it,” said Hampton, who had a team-high 16 points and is one of eight underclassmen on the team. “We have potential to be a really great team, but we just need to mesh and get our chemistry together.

“I feel like by the end of the season that we can be really good.”

Waverly senior forward Mariyah Moore anchored her team’s feisty interior defense and hauled in a team-high six rebounds. Point guard Shadaira McCarty added 10 points and Bennett scored eight for the Warriors.

Danni Hanson, who is one of two seniors on the Trojans’ team, scored nine points and grabbed seven rebounds. She and Hampton combined to score 25 of the team’s 27 points.

Contact James L. Edwards III at jledwards@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @JLEdwardsIII.

Quinton Armstrong of Holt dunks in the 2nd half of the Rams’ game with Waverly Tuesday.

WAVERLY – Last season, Matt Essell’s ball club experienced some growing pains.

The Holt boys basketball team finished the year with a 9-12 record and found themselves in the middle of the CAAC Blue when conference play came to a close.

Essell doesn’t expect that this year, and neither do his players.

The Rams kicked off what Essell believes could be a special season with an impressive 69-57 road victory over Waverly on Tuesday night.

“I definitely think we can contend for the league. That’s always our goal,” the 10-year coach said. “We only lost one guy … so all these guys kind of grew last year.”

All of the hoopla surrounding Holt’s program coming into the year was centered around frontcourt starters Jaron Faulds, who stands 6-foot-10, and 6-foot-6 senior Quinton Armstrong. But in the season opener, it was the play of 5-foot-11 point guard Jaylin Cooper that got the Rams going.

The Warriors started Tuesday night as the aggressors, opening the game with a 10-6 lead. Then Cooper got hot, and his teammates followed. The senior scored 12 of his game-high 20 points in the first quarter and helped Holt finish the first eight minutes on a 16-2 run, which, in the end, was the difference in the game.

“I think we have one of the best frontcourts in the state,” Essell said. “Jaron and Quinton have the potential to be as good a frontcourt as there is.

“If we can keep getting that kind of guard play, it can be a really good season.”

Defensively, Waverly did a stout job of defending the post, as Faulds and Armstrong were held to just 25 combined points. And it was the defense of the Warriors, mixed in with hot shooting from senior guards LaVell Fomby and Jaden Sutton, that allowed them to battle back from a 13-point deficit to start the second quarter.

Fomby hit a pair of 3-pointers and Sutton added one as well as Waverly started the second quarter on a 12-6 run to cut its deficit to five midway through the period.

However, the Rams answered with a 10-1 run to close the half.

“If we want to have a big year, we have to tighten up all of the little things,” said Fomby, who scored 15 points. “We can’t get down when (teams) get on a run. Basketball is a game of runs.”

The Warriors were able to make the game interesting in the fourth quarter after Sutton opened the final eight minutes with six of his team-high 16 points. The senior guard fueled a 12-5 run.

But, once again, Holt countered and finished the night on an 11-2 run.

“We have the best work ethic I’ve seen out of this program,” said Cooper, whose 3-pointer late in the fourth quarter slowed Waverly’s run. “We all work as a team and every time we go out we’re going to compete.”

Faulds scored nine points for the Rams and Armstrong scored 15 points.

Emmanuel Gildo scored 11 points for the Warriors.

Contact James L. Edwards III at jledwards@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @JLEdwardsIII.

Greater Lansing-area swimmers prepare for an event at the annual Howard Comstock Waverly Relays.

WAVERLY — Dave Jolly’s legacy is displayed on a wall at Waverly High School’s Howard Comstock Pool.

In 1983, as a senior, Jolly helped the Warriors’ boys swimming team capture their only state championship. And 20-plus years later, a banner representing the championship team still hangs as a memento — along with his varsity jacket.

However, on Wednesday night, the Waverly alum returned to his old stomping grounds looking to compete against his alma mater, and the other Greater Lansing-area swimming teams at the annual Waverly Relays, as the coach of Chelsea High School.

The Bulldogs went on to win the event with 236 points, which snapped Okemos’ five-year winning streak.

“I’ve wanted to come to this for quite a while, since it’s at my alma mater, but it’s such a unique meet that they never have anyone leave it,” said Jolly, whose squad was the only non-local team that participated. “For 28 years, we said ‘We’ll come when you have an opening.’ They called us last year and we got in.

“This is a Lansing-area meet and the last thing I want to do is come in here and turn it upside down. We just wanted to have a meet where we could be competitive, and this was a lot of fun.”

The Chiefs, who hadn’t lost the early-season meet since 2009, finished in second place with 216 points. And despite their winning streak being snapped, senior Thomas Rachman believes Okemos showed the ability to compete at a high level.

“We did a lot of things right, and comparing ourselves to the Lansing area, I think we’re exactly where we need to be right now,” he said. “I didn’t know Chelsea was going to be here, but that doesn’t really affect our season.”

Rachman along with Kevin Yan, Preston Vanalstine and Andrew Himebaugh won the 400-yard individual medley relay with a time 4:03.94. The Chiefs were also victorious in the 500-yard freestyle — with the team of Rachman, Himebaugh, Adam Schnepf and Ewan Woolcock.

Grand Ledge was the only other school to win an event, as the 200-yard breaststroke relay team of Justin Maidlow, Troy Anderson, Ryan Buffin and Arison Harris posted a time of 2:05.62. The Comets finished in eighth place.

St. Johns came in third with 171 points, while DeWitt placed fourth with 168 points. Panther senior Conor Sands was pleased with his team’s result, and believes it’s a sign of good things to come.

“This meet is a really good indicator of the rest of the season,” Sands said. “What we did here is a strong indicator that we’re going to be very, very good this year. We have a lot of guys that came back.”

Haslett, Waverly-Lansing Catholic and Holt ended the night in the middle of the pack, while East Lansing, Williamston, Mason and Everett finished in the bottom four.

Contact James L. Edwards III at jledwards@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @JLEdwardsIII.

Meet the 2015 LSJ volleyball Dream Team.

Paige Porter

Meredith Norris

Lexi Nordmann

Gabie Shellenbarger

Daria Richards

Lindsey Smith

Erin McDermott

Willow Martin

Charlie Smith

Volleyball

LSJ PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Meredith Norris (Corunna jr.): Class B first-team all-state, set state record for kills in a match

LSJ COACH OF THE YEAR: Tennille Whitmore (Laingsburg): Led the Wolfpack to their first Class C regional championship in school history

LSJ VOLLEYBALL DREAM TEAM

Gabie Shellenbarger (Lakewood jr.): Class B first-team all-state, first-team all-conference

Charlie Smith (Lakewood sr.): Class B second-team all-state, second-team all-conference

Lexi Nordmann (DeWitt jr.): Class A second-team all-state, first-team all-conference

Willow Martin (Mason sr.): Class A third-team all-state, first-team all-conference

Daria Richards (Okemos sr.): Class A second-team all-state, first-team all-conference

Paige Porter (Lansing Christian jr.): Class D first-team all-state, first-team all-conference

Lindsey Smith (Laingsburg sr.): Class C third-team all-state, first-team all-conference

Erin McDermott (Mason sr.): first-team all-conference

Gannett-cdn

CLASS A ALL-AREA

Rachel Thomas (Okemos sr.)

Megan Mowid (Haslett sr.)

Gabi Mundt (DeWitt sr.)

Brooke Binkley (DeWitt so.)

Hannah Whiteman (Holt jr.)

Brooke Peiffer (Holt sr.)

Kaycee Richmond (Mason sr.)

Lilly George (DeWitt sr.)

Claire Hunter (East Lansing jr.)

Lauren Seagren (Holt sr.)

Coach: Christy Drayton (DeWitt)

LSJ volleyball coach of the year: Tennille Whitmore
LSJ volleyball player of the year: Meredith Norris

CLASS A ALL-AREA HONORABLE MENTION

Ryan Castle (Okemos jr.)

Grace George (DeWitt so.)

Alena Hartsuff (East Lansing jr.)

Becca Seeger (DeWitt jr.)

Madison Lotycz (Grand Ledge so.)

Molly Cummins (Haslett sr.)

Natalie Long (Okemos sr.)

Dani Jones (Mason sr.)

Bailey Cantrell (Mason jr.)

Alyssa Elsea (St. Johns jr.)

Coach: Brittany Kevern (Waverly)

CLASS B ALL-AREA

Karly Morris (Lakewood sr.): Class B honorable mention all-state

Maddie Maloney (Lansing Catholic sr.)

Chloe Miller (Lansing Catholic sr.)

Renee Sturm (Williamston sr.)

Jessie Burge (Eaton Rapids sr.)

Amanda Pohl (Portland sr.)

Kate Senneker (Lakewood jr.)

Lisa Hewitt (Lakewood so.)

Taylor Holmes (Olivet sr.)

Hannah Trierweiler (Portland sr.)

Coach: Ryan Miller (Lansing Catholic)

CLASS B ALL-AREA HONORABLE MENTION

Hanna Woods (Stockbridge sr.)

Loren Westlake (Olivet sr.)

Mary Price (Eaton Rapids sr.)

Erin Vielbig (Fowlerville jr.)

Camryn Klein (Ionia sr.)

Becka Poljan (Lansing Catholic so.)

Olivia Poupard (Lansing Catholic jr.)

Maddie Watters (Williamston so.)

Julia Henderson (Williamston sr.)

Coach: Kellie Rowland (Lakewood)

CLASS C ALL-AREA

Maya Ferland (Laingsburg so.): Class C third-team all-state

Maddy Byrnes (Laingsburg sr.): Class C honorable mention all-state

Tessa Hosford (Bath jr.)

Maddy Gutzki (Bath jr.)

Caitlyn Kane (Laingsburg sr.)

Emily Angell (Bath jr.)

Coach: Kristen McIntyre (Bath)

CLASS C ALL-AREA HONORABLE MENTION

Sophie Strieff (Laingsburg so.)

Brittany Matsumoto (Bath jr.)

Emma Pachulski (Saranac so.)

Lily Nurenberg (Pewamo-Westphalia sr.)

Maddy Magraves (Bath sr.)

Erin Cooper (Laingsburg jr.)

Coach: Jon Thelen (Pewamo-Westphalia)

CLASS D ALL-AREA

Adair Cutler (Lansing Christian jr.): Class D second-team all-state

Grace Meunier (Lansing Christian so.): Class D honorable mention all-state

Isabelle Meunier (Lansing Christian sr.): Class D honorable mention all-state

Hannah Greenwood (Portland St. Pats jr.)

Amelia Schruaben (Portland St. Pats so.)

Coach: Dale Wethy III (Lansing Christian)

Contact James L. Edwards III at jledwards@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @JLEdwardsIII.

Tennille Whitmore

LAINGSBURG – Laingsburg volleyball coach Tennille Whitmore added a twist to her squad’s annual Team Day, which marks the first practice of the year.

After the Wolfpack outlined their season-long goals and values, both of which are norms each year, Whitmore sat her team down and watched Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central defeat Schoolcraft for the Class C state championship the previous year — something the 14-year coach had never done before.

“Ending regionals last year, I stepped back and said, ‘What do I need to do to better prepare these kids for this level, this stage?'” Whitmore said. “One of the big things that me and my husband talked about was that they really didn’t believe they should be there.

“We were trying to get the girls to agree to the fact that they could play at that level. Asking where they wanted to see their season go this year, they felt they should be able to go further than what they did last season. They landed on, minimally, they wanted to win a regional championship and then push for anything past that.”

LSJ girls volleyball Dream Team, all-area teams

Laingsburg hit what it was shooting for, and for the first time in school history. The Wolfpack defeated Delton Kellogg in the regional title game before losing to Monroe SMCC in the state quarterfinals.

“I’m proud of them for fighting through,” Whitmore said, “and believing they had the ability to get there.”

Whitmore saw the deep postseason run coming before the year started, and then was quickly reassured just a few weeks in. The Wolfpack, who finished with a record of 43-11-2, put up strong performances in early-season tournament matches against DeWitt and Lakewood, and, for Whitmore, the outings “reinforced our abilities.”

And when Laingsburg defeated Morley-Stanwood — a program that has won two Class C state titles since 2007 — toward the end of the season, she said that was a big win for the girls.

LSJ volleyball player of the year: Meredith Norris

“Those were some highly-ranked teams at the time, and they were classes above us, and we were able to compete pretty well with them,” she said. “Morley-Stanwood has always been a program that has set the bar at that (championship) level, so that was fun.”

The Wolfpack will have a chance at more fun next year with several key returning players. Players who know, now, that they belong.

Whitmore believes her team’s historic run will carry into next season as it looks to defend not only a regional championship, but district and conference titles as well.

“A couple of my sophomores on the team, and juniors, when we ended the quarterfinals match, the first thing they said when we left the locker room was, ‘We will be back here next year,'” she said. “That hasn’t been a reaction in the past.

“I think that’s a huge turning point for what they’re expecting of themselves.”

Contact James L. Edwards III at jledwards@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @JLEdwardsIII.

Meredith Norris

CORUNNA – Fifty-plus kills in a MHSAA-sanctioned volleyball match (best of five) was unheard of until last season. That’s when Meredith Norris raised the bar.

As a sophomore, the Corunna native posted 53 kills in a match against Goodrich, breaking the previous state record of 48 — which was set nearly a decade ago.

And a year after her historic performance, Norris outdid herself. Against the same opponent she punched home 56 kills.

“The first time, I didn’t really even know I broke it until afterwards, and I was pretty shocked about it,” said Norris, the LSJ girls volleyball player of the year. “With that being said, 53 is a high number especially for it being a five-set volleyball match, but anything is possible. Getting 56 another time, over that, is rare but possible.”

LSJ volleyball coach of the year: Tennille Whitmore

The most recent record-breaking performance came in a losing effort, as the Cavaliers fell in the Class B district championship to conference rival Goodrich last month. And despite the loss, Norris said her team showed it had the potential to compete at a high level.

With the match seeming to be all but finished, Corunna, which trailed Goodrich two games to one, battled back from a 24-16 deficit to even the series at two games. However, the Cavaliers went on to narrowly lose the fifth set.

LSJ girls volleyball Dream Team, all-area teams

“It was a huge shock and it just showed us we can come back from anything,” the Class B first-team all-state selection said. “We played Mt. Morris and Goodrich earlier this season and it wasn’t much of a battle, but by the end of the year, when we played them again, we put up a better fight.”

Norris, who is verbally committed to Michigan State, said she doesn’t feel pressure to continue to post eye-popping numbers in her senior season. The 6-foot-3 outside hitter believes the Cavaliers, a team that will return all but two players next year, has a chance at “a really big year,” and is focused on helping her team play deeper into November.

“If I can’t get another record in the books it’s not going to be the end of the world,” she said. “I’m very grateful for who I’ve had to help me come this far.”

Contact James L. Edwards III at jledwards@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @JLEdwardsIII.

The high school bowling season is underway in mid-Michigan.

CAAC BLUE

EATON RAPIDS

Coach: Randy Boos/Rod McCarrick (1st season)

Top returning bowlers: Jansen Stone (jr.), Chandler Zohott (jr.), Garrett Grulke (jr.)

Other contributors: Hunter Levering (so.)

Outlook: Stone, Zohott and Grulke are three-year varsity bowlers, and both Boos and McCarrick hope experience can lift the Greyhounds higher in the league standings.

EVERETT

Last season: 1-10

Coach: Jerry Ruthruff

Top returning bowlers: Austin Arnold (sr.), Joe Snider (jr.), Nic Snider (sr.), Tate Levindoski (sr.)

Other contributors: Chase Look (so.)

Outlook: With several key pieces returning, Ruthruff said he expects the Vikings to contend for a conference title, as well as make a run in the regional tournament. Levindoski is a four-year bowler, while Joe and Nic Snider are three-year bowlers.

WAVERLY

Last season: 3-11-1

Coach: Jim Nebbeling (1st season)

Top returning bowlers: Jacob Nebbeling (sr.), Nick Behrens (jr.), Christian Clemmons (sr.), Mark Dymond (sr.)

Other contributors: Caleb Woloszyn-Duffy (jr.), Ray Olsen (sr.), Justin Nebbeling (so.)

Outlook: With all of last year’s starters returning, first-year coach Jim Nebbeling expects the Warriors to compete for the conference title this year. Jacob Nebbeling is a returning four-year varsity bowler who earned honorable mention district honors last season.

CAAC RED

EAST LANSING

Last season: 8-1-1

Coach: John Walter (5th season)

Top returning bowlers: Ethan Franklin (sr.)

Other contributors: Jack Gagnier (so.), Jake Daniels (jr.)

Outlook: Fresh off a CAAC Red title, Walter graduated five of his six varsity players from last year. He said he’ll need sophomore and juniors to step up if his team hopes to improve. Franklin is a four-year starter and was all-conference last year.

HOLT

Last season: 5-4-1

Coach: Josh Regnier (2nd season)

Top returning bowlers: Chris Slear (sr.), Dakota Belen (sr.), Kyle Robins (sr.), Pierre Liddell (jr.)

Outlook: With Jackson and Mason posing the toughest threats, Reginer says the Rams must bring their “A game” to get to the top of the standings. Senior Dakota Belen finished in 29th place at last year’s regional.

MASON

Last season: 5-5

Coach: Jim Valentine (9th season)

Top returning bowlers: Marshall Clark (sr.), Andrew Johnson (jr.), Jayden Engle (so.)

Other contributors: Jordan McCowan (fr.), Justin Engle (fr.), Hayden Kuch (fr.)

Outlook: Valentine said the Bulldogs will be very competitive with the addition of “good, young” bowlers. Clark was a top-5 finisher in the CAAC singles tournament last year.

OTHERS

CHARLOTTE

Last season: 2nd (Interstate-8)

Coach: David Jackson (20th season)

Top returning bowlers: Connor Fox (sr.), Jonny Dzik (jr.), Kaleb Bowen (jr.), Chase Cullimor (sr.), William Kelley (sr.)

Outlook: Jackson expects the Orioles to finish in the top 3 of the Interstate-8 conference. Fox is a returning four-year varsity bowler and Dzik and Bowen are three-year bowlers.

LAKEWOOD

Last season: first year as a program

Coach: John Kutas (1st season)

Outlook: Kutas hopes to establish the Vikings’ boys bowling team as a competitive program in its first season. He believes the program will have a solid foundation in a couple seasons.

LANSING CHRISTIAN

Last season: 1-12

Coach: Tucker Riffle (2nd season)

Top returning bowlers: Brendan Smith (so.), Seth Tryon (so.), Bo Tate (jr.)

Other contributors: Nathan Gebers (fr.)

Outlook: Riffle says the Pilgrims are looking to gain more experience in the new season. Lansing Christian will have four sophomore and three freshmen on the team this year, which includes second-year varsity bowlers Smith and Tryon.

ITHACA

Last season: 14-7

Coach: Wallace Schneider (13th season)

Top returning bowlers: Blake Gulick (sr.), Jared Baublitz (sr.), Dalton Carl (so.), Dylan Macha (so.)

Other contributors: Elijiah Bongard (jr.), Matt Hoard (so.), Jared Hoard (so.)

Outlook: Schneider believes the Yellowjackets will be the favorite to win their league, as a solid core of returners and new guys that have been in the program for a while. Gulick and Baublitz both earned all-conference and all-state honors last year, and Macha was second-team all-conference.

OLIVET

Last season: 6-3

Coach: Susa Higgins (2nd season)

Top returning bowlers: Daniel Higgins (jr.), Andrew Higgins (so.)

Other contributors: Keltsy Williams (fr.)

Outlook: Daniel Higgins was first-team all-conference last year and Andrew Higgins was second-team all-conference. Coach Higgins said Olivet has newcomers that will contribute to the team.

OVID-ELSIE

Last season: 11-4

Coach: Matt Fabus (9th season)

Top returning bowlers: Matt Zedemont (sr.), Dylan Walter (sr.), Wyatt Munson (sr.)

Other contributors: Tagan Terpening (so.), Dylan Brown (sr.)

Outlook: The Marauders look to improve off last year’s second-place league finish with a cast of returning bowlers such as Zedemont, Walter and Munson.

PEWAMO-WESTPHALIA

Last season: 11-0

Coach: Todd Droste (3rd season)

Top returning bowlers: Robert Cicigoi (sr.), Matt Baker (so.), Derek Spitzley (so.)

Other contributors: Ryan Schafer (so.), Blake Hengesbach (jr.)

Outlook: The Pirates return just one senior in Cicigoi from last year’s team that won the CMAC. With all the inexperience, Droste is unsure how the season will play out.

PORTLAND ST. PATRICKS

Last season: 2nd

Coach: Terry Schrauben (20-plus seasons)

Top returning bowlers: Fischer Klein (sr.), Blake Wohlscheid (jr.), Thomas Wernet (sr.), Phillips Wernet (sr.), Alex Fedewa (sr.), Matt Jandernoa (jr.)

Other contributors: Cole Fedewa (fr.), Zak Arwood (fr.), Adam Brown (jr.), Stephen Wenet (fr.), Jake Pung (fr.)

Outlook: Schrauben expects his veteran team to finish in the top 2 of the conference standings. Jandernoa has qualified for the state tournament the past two seasons.

Here is a breakdown of the high school girls bowling teams in mid-Michigan.

CAAC BLUE

EATON RAPIDS

Coach: Ned Palmer (4th season)

Top returning bowlers: Jordyn Stone (sr.), Kelsey Dassance (sr.), Shelby Perry (sr.)

Outlook: Palmer hopes the Greyhounds’ returning bowlers can lift the team to a better finish this season. Eaton Rapids placed eighth at regionals last year. Stone and Dassance are four-year varsity bowlers, while Perry is a three-year vet. Stone finished ninth at states last season.

OWOSSO

Coach: Penny Stillwagon (19th season)

Top returning bowlers: Hailey Hagerty (sr.), Bailey Snyder (sr.), Kendra Matthies (sr.), Dominique Cook (sr.), Laken Williamson (so.)

Other contributors: Delaney Zalecki (fr.), Madison Pitt (fr.)

Outlook: The Trojans believe they can finish at the top of the league with a mix of veterans and newcomers. Matthies returns for her senior season after having hip surgery.

WAVERLY

Last season: 5-7-1

Coach: Scott Duff (1st season)

Top returning bowlers: Rose Allswede (sr.), Carissa Bracamontes (jr.), Maggie Hicks (jr.)

Other contributors: Taylor Duff (fr.)

Outlook: Duff believes the Warriors have what it takes to compete for the league title. Allswede is a four-year varsity bowler and Taylor Duff is expected to be a major contributor.

CAAC RED

EAST LANSING

Last season: 5-5

Coach: John Walter (5th season)

Top returning bowlers: Montgomery Smith (sr.), Diana Camarillo (jr.)

Other contributors: Alexis Salaazar (so.)

Outlook: Walter believes the Trojans will be chasing both Mason and Jackson for the league title, but believes his team has the ability to be in the mix for a top spot in the conference.

HOLT

Last season: 5-5

Coach: Alexis Mollitor (2nd season)

Top returning bowlers: Erin Hammond (jr.), Morgan Walters (so.), Brianna Franks (so.)

Other contributors: Gabriella VanHorn (fr.)

Outlook: Mollitor expects the Rams to make it to states for the first time in five seasons. Hammond, Walters and Franks all improved their pin average last year, and VanHorn, a freshman, is expected to contribute right away.

MASON

Last season: 10-0

Coach: Terry Doumer (10th season)

Top returning bowlers: Brittany McCowan (sr.), Rachel Spragg (sr.), Kaycee Richmond (sr.), Logan Leighty (sr.)

Other contributors: Tala Sawyer (so.)

Outlook: All-conference selections McCowan, Spragg and Richmond look to take the Bulldogs back to the top of the CAAC Red this season.

OTHERS

CHARLOTTE

Last season: 12-0

Coach: Pat Landry (3rd season)

Top returning bowlers: Malorie Kiplinger (sr.), Taylor Wendorf (sr.), Brooke Noecker (jr.), Maddy Burdick (so.), Whitney Adams (so.)

Other contributors: Mikayla Fraley (fr.), Marissa Wood (fr.)

Outlook: The reigning Interstate-8 champions will look to get their seventh regional championship this season. The Orioles lost in the semifinals of the Division 2 state tournament last year, and Landry says this year’s run will depend on his team’s “dedication.” Kiplinger and Wendorf finished in the top 10 at regionals last year and both were all-state selections.

ITHACA

Last season: 23-1

Coach: Daniel Macha (8th season)

Top returning bowlers: Arianna Woodrow (sr.), Heidi Seeley (jr.), Haylee Sigafoose (jr.), Channing Gulick (sr.)

Other contributors: Madi Pung (sr.), Shannon Whitaker (jr.), Mikayla Woodrow (so.), Bethany Slater (fr.)

Outlook: The Yellowjackets, who where the TVC West champs last season, fell 22 pins short of qualifying for the state finals. Macha believes the team has a chance to bounce back this year. Arianna Woodrow, Seeley and Sigafoose were first-team all-conference last season.

PEWAMO-WESTPHALIA

Last season: 2-5

Coach: Todd Droste (3rd season)

Top returning bowlers: Jenna Kramer (so.), Izzy Parker (so.), Harley Tratnik (jr.)

Other contributors: Jacey Miller (jr.), Jenay Bengal (so.)

Outlook: The young Pirates look to improve from last year’s 2-5 record in the CMAC.

PORTLAND ST. PATRICKS

Last season: 1st in CMAC

Coach: Jonda Schrauben (8th season)

Top returning bowlers: Abby Mason (jr.), Emma Trierweiler (jr.), Abby Pearson (so.), Kayla Shaw (so.)

Other contributors: Kara Shaw (fr.), Jerika Kihn (fr.)

Outlook: Despite having a younger team this season, Schrauben said she expects good things. The Shamrocks won the CMAC last years and placed sixth in the state tournament.

Contact James L. Edwards III at jledwards@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @JLEdwardsIII.

Williamston’s Riley Lewis, left, puts up an off-balance shot after colliding with Lansing Catholic’s Owen Rush, right, Friday. Lansing Catholic came from behind for a 72-69 overtime win.

Lansing Catholic’s Mitchell McInnis, right, and Owen Rush, left, celebrate as they help up Michael Korrey (23) and Mitchell Burnett after Korrey took a charge in overtime against Williamston.

WILLIAMSTON – The odds didn’t seem to be in favor of the Lansing Catholic boys basketball team heading into Friday night’s showdown with conference rival Williamston.

After the Cougars’ football squad reached the state semifinals last month, first-year varsity basketball coach Eric Trojanowicz didn’t get his 14-man roster, which consists of 12 football players, fully assembled until last week. On top of that, Lansing Catholic was without standout forward Tony Poljan, who’s missed the first two games healing an injury.

But the Cougars found a way to get it done, however, it took some extra time. With the game tied, 60-all, at the end of regulation, Lansing Catholic outscored their CAAC White rival, on the road, in overtime to pick up a 72-69 victory.

“We haven’t played (Williamston) this early in the season in … I can’t remember the last time,” said Trojanowicz, the Cougars’ former junior varsity coach. “To come into an atmosphere like this, and the way my kids played, I’m so proud of them.”

The Cougars (2-0, 1-0) were led to victory by the sharp shooting of senior Mitchell Burnett. With the game tied at 36 to start the second half, Burnett, who scored a team-high 15 points, hit back-to-back 3-pointers just minutes into the third quarter to give his team an eight-point lead. Lansing Catholic outscored the Hornets (1-1, 0-1) 19-11 in the third.

“Our whole team has been in the gym all summer, shooting and getting ready for games like this,” Burnett said. “It’s a rivalry game, so it’s always big. You have to step up in the big moment.”

Williamston was able to force overtime in the fourth quarter after holding the Cougars to just five points. Riley Lewis, who scored a game-high 31 points, cut the Hornets’ deficit to one with about five minutes remaining. And with under a minute left, the senior guard nailed a 3-pointer to force overtime.

Lewis and forward Kurtis Kodet are the only two returning starters from last year’s team, as three underclassmen have filled the open positions. Lewis said Williamston’s youth showed at times in the loss.

“It was the first big stage for a lot of those guys,” Lewis said. “I think our team can be really good, but we just have to get on the same page. We looked really young tonight. We blew some assignments.

“We’re going to learn. It takes time.”

Trojanowicz didn’t provide a timetable for when Poljan, a former University of Minnesota football verbal commit as a quarterback, might return, but said “we don’t need to be really good right now. We need to be good in March, and that’s when I need him, in March.”

Kodet scored 19 points and sophomore Cole Kleiver added seven points for the Hornets.

Senior guard Owen Rush scored 11 for Lansing Catholic and junior Evan Gadola scored 14. Senior forward Michael Korrey added 12 points.

Contact James L. Edwards III at jledwards@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @JLEdwardsIII. 

Take a look at the high school swimming and diving team in mid-Michigan for the 2015-16 season.

KEY: back–backstroke, breast–breaststroke, dist.–distance or 200 and 500 freestyle, fly–butterfly, free–freestyle, IM–individual medley, sprints–50 or 100 freestyle, dive-diving

CAAC BLUE

DEWITT

Last season: 5-2

Coach: Brock Delaney (8th season)

Top returning swimmers: Ryan Armbrustmacher (jr.-sprints/fly), Ryan DeChatelets (sr.-fly), Ryan McVicker (so.-breast/free), Cameron Sackett (sr.-back/dist.), Conor Sands (sr.-dist.), Nick Schieberl (jr. IM/back)

Other contributors: Myles Michalski (fr.-fly), Josh Rick (jr.-free), Drew Stiffler (jr.-free), Luke Swadley (so.-free/back)

Outlook: Four state qualifiers (Armbrustmacher, McVicker, Sackett and Schieberl) return for the Panthers, and Delaney says there is “a definite level of excitement surrounding the team this season.”  Delaney believes the league will be competitive, but says teams will be chasing St. Johns and Okemos for the top spots.

EAST LANSING

Coach: Brian Post (10th season)

Top returning swimmers: Mike Kuhl (sr.-back/sprints), Charles Schertzing (sr.-IM/free), Zach Sneathen (so.-breast/IM), Jerry Sweitzer (jr.-IM/breast)

Other contributors: Jack Sparrow (so.-dist./free), Matt Eriksen (so.-breast/IM), John Ward (so.-fly/IM), Cam Spicer (so.-back/free)

Outlook: The Trojans lose 11 seniors from last year’s team and only three athletes have more than one year of high school experience. Kuhl was state qualifier last season in the backstroke and 50 freestyle. Schertzing, too, was a state qualifier and won the league championship in the 200 free.

GRAND LEDGE

Last season: 8th

Coach: Ian Townsend (11th season)

Top returning swimmers: Arison Harris (jr.-breast), Justin Maidlow (sr.-back), Nathan Buchweitz (jr.-dist.), Troy Anderson (sr.-dist.)

Other contributors: Kevin Anderson (so.-free), Ryan Buffin (jr.-breast)

Outlook: The Comets are a smaller team this season, but return MISCA Zone 7 first-team swimmers Maidlow and Harris. Townsend expects Buchweitz and Troy Anderson to contribute heavily.

HASLETT

Last season: 6-4

Coach: Robert Oliver (14th season)

Top returning swimmers: Spencer Rice (sr.-free), McKain Williams (sr.-free/fly), Will Miklavcic (sr.-IM/breast), Ryan Abbott (sr.-free), Angus MacFarlane (sr.-IM/fly), Perry Fiero (sr.-back), Kai Jeffery (jr.-back/fly), Nathan Glaza (jr.-fly/free), Ben VanGorder (so.-dive), Danten McFate (so.-dive)

Other contributors: Ben Brittain (fr.-IM/fly), Mitch Marrs (jr.-free), Brandon Cook (jr.-breast), Bruno Takahashi (so.-fly/breast)

Outlook: Oliver says the Vikings are rebuilding after losing eight seniors from last year’s team. Rice, Williams, Miklavcic, Abbott and MacFarlane were all Division 3 state qualifiers.

HOLT

Last season: 1-6

Coach: Marty Pohl (8th season)

Top returning swimmers: David Hefty (sr.-breast/IM), William Kirkconnell (jr.-free), Burrell Jones (so.-free/fly), Noah Richards (jr.-breast/free), Jordan McDuffey (sr.-breast/free)

Outlook: The Rams return an all-CAAC selection in Hefty. Pohl says his team has a good mix of new and returning players, and he hopes they can improve from last year’s finish.

OKEMOS 

Last season: 1st

Coach: Patrick Saucedo (7th season)

Top returning swimmers: Thomas Rachman (sr.-free/IM), Andrew Himebaugh (jr.-IM/back), Ewan Woolcock (so.-free), Adam Schnepf (so.-free), Kevin Yan (so.-breast/IM), Jin Kang (sr.-breast/fly), Andrew Gordon (sr.-dive), Hunter Whitman (sr.-dive)

Other contributors: Alexander Eddy (fr.-free/IM), Jarran Fountain (fr.-free/breast), Jonny Fata (jr.-free), Preston VanAlstine (jr.-IM/breast)

Outlook: The Chiefs are looking to capture their ninth consecutive conference title this year. Rachman, Himebaugh and Woolcock were all Division 2 state qualifiers last year. Yan, Kang, Gordon and Whitman all placed in the top eight at the CAAC Blue meet. Saucedo says Okemos is looking to make a scoring appearance at the state meet this season.

ST. JOHNS

Last season:2nd

Coach: Kim Brewbaker (15th season)

Top returning swimmers: Ben Rumney (jr.-all swimming events), Justin Brown (sr.-fly/back), Zeke Ely (so.-all swimming events), Justin Woodbury (jr.-free/breast), Cole Sarvis (sr.-fly/back), Brock Petrak (jr.-dive), JD Gilroy (sr.-dive), Vince Jandernoa (sr.-free/back), Caleb Trayer (sr.-breast/IM)

Other contributors: Brett Post (jr.-sprint/free), Tommy Sovereign (sr.-back), Jakob Jorda (sr.-dist./fly), Nate Rossow (sr.-dist.)

Outlook: The Redwings return a veteran group that is sprinkled in with talented newcomers, according to Brewbaker. He believes if his team stays healthy that they can compete for one of the league’s top spots.

CAAC RED

EATON RAPIDS

No information submitted.

IONIA

Last season: 4-10

Coach: Andy Keson (2nd season)

Top returning swimmers: Riese Penn (sr.-dive), Jake Van Ess (sr.-back)

Other contributors: Ryan Reisbig (sr.), Thomas Snarski (fr.)

Outlook: Keson says the Bulldogs will be working on their personal best times this season. Penn was an all-state selection as a diver last year.

LANSING LEGACY

Last season: 8th

Coach: Nate Burchfield (7th season)

Top returning swimmers: Josh Cole (sr.-fly/IM) Owen Kilpatrick (so.-IM/breast), Da’money Trivino (jr.-free/back), Andrew Paulino (jr.-free)

Other contributors: Even Rapin (jr.-breast), Luca Ajdic (sr.-free)

MASON 

No information submitted.

OWOSSO

Last season: 1st

Coach: Eric Murray (3rd season)

Top returning swimmers: Trever Svarc (sr.-free/fly), Eric Willis (sr.-IM/breast/fly), Noah Slusher (sr.-dist.), Marty Horger (sr.-free/back), Ethan Wilson (sr.-back), Max LeDuc (sr.-IM/breast), Mitchell Sowash (sr.-free), Daniel Hood (so.-free), Jake Lawson (sr.-breast)

Other contributors: Garrett Hoag (fr.-free), Thomas Sutphen (sr.-dive), Tyler Manning (fr.-free), Ross Ratz (fr.-dive)

Outlook: Murray hopes the Trojans are able to repeat as league champions, but says his team will have to “work harder and become stronger” in order to do so. Owosso has more than a handful of swimmers with four years of varsity experience.

WAVERLY/LANSING CATHOLIC

Last season: 5-5

Coach: Dave Hill (8th season)

Top returning swimmers: Joey Lashbrook (sr.-IM/back), Joe Wright (jr.-IM/fly), Niels Lashbrook (so.-dist./free), Bryson Hill (so.-free)

Other contributors: Robbie Estill (fr.-fly), Sean Fisher (sr.-breast)

Outlook: The combined team of Waverly and Lansing Catholic has just four upperclassmen and 13 underclassmen. Hill believes his team will be in good shape if the newcomers are able to get up to speed quickly. He believes Owosso will be the team to beat in the conference.

WILLIAMSTON/LANSING CHRISTIAN

No information submitted.

Brandon Showers ,11, of Mason takes the ball to the basket for 2 points during the 3rd quarter of the Bulldogs’ game with Eastern Tuesday December 15, 2015 in Mason.

MASON – Harping on the past isn’t something Mason boys basketball coach Lee Chaney does too often.

So when his team hosted Eastern Tuesday night, having not won a home game since the 2013-14 season, all the focus was on the task at hand. He wanted the Bulldogs to win and move onto the next.

And that’s what they did.

After trailing, 28-26, to start the fourth quarter, Mason outscored the Quakers, 16-7, in the final eight minutes to grab a 42-35 victory.

“We had a lot of new kids last year. It was a learning experience, and I didn’t want to keep talking about last year,” Chaney said. “This is a new year, so we’re talking about our goals for this year. We’re just trying to get better, and we are. We’re a better team today than we were a year ago.”

Senior Jesse Hamilton led the way for the Bulldogs (1-2), as he scored all of his team-high 11 points in the second half. The guard gave his squad the lead for good at the start of the fourth quarter with a 3-pointer. He followed that with an and-1 reverse layup to put Mason up 32-29.

“I needed to get going, especially as a senior captain and a leader on this team,” said Hamilton, whose team went 11 of 13 from the free-throw line in the fourth quarter.

The Quakers (0-3) entered Mason High School having not won a road game in two seasons. And at the start of the second half, it looked as if Eastern was going to put that streak behind them.

A bucket by senior guard Aurelius Christian in the early moments of the third quarter fueled a 12-6 run for the Quakers, who forced several turnovers in their fullcourt press during that span. Bukhari Sheikh-Omar’s basket a few possessions later handed Eastern its first lead since the first quarter.

But the Quakers went on to only score five field goals the rest of the contest.

“If you watch the game, a lot of it’s confidence,” Eastern coach Julius Edwards said. “We were making really good plays, but then we’d have lapses in concentration. …Making plays in the third and fourth quarter, that’s all about confidence.”

Edwards liked the intensity his team displayed in spurts but said they lacked “smart intensity” at critical moments.

“From an intensity standpoint, there is another notch we can get to – maybe two or three,” he said. “For us to be successful we have to get two or three notches higher.”

Mason senior forward Holden Dippel, who scored nine points, said the early-season victory was something the Bulldogs were searching for to potentially gain momentum heading into conference play.

“We won earlier this year than we did last year, so we’ve definitely improved from last season,” Dippel said. “We just have to keep getting better and build the program.

“It’s like what they say about shooters ‘Once you see it go in it keeps falling,’ so it feels good to finally get a win. We worked hard in the offseason so hopefully we can get on this run a little bit.”

Eastern senior guard Isaac Ries scored a game-high 12 points.

Mason junior Brandon Showers tied for the team high with 11 points.

Contact James L. Edwards III at jledwards@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @JLEdwardsIII.

Eaton Rapids looks to repeat as Division 2 regional champs in the 2015-16 season.

CAAC BLUE

Coaches’ predictions: 1. Grand Ledge, 2. Holt, 3. Jackson, 4. Eastern, 5. Okemos, 6. Everett, 7. Sexton, 8. East Lansing

League’s top wrestlers: Dylan Steward (GL), Matt Lloyd (GL), Kolin Leyrer (H), Isiah Williams (EV)

EAST LANSING

Last season: 2-17

Coach: Greg Rinehart (4th season)

Top returning wrestlers: Malcym Carroll (sr. 152), Noah Inglesby (jr. 160)

EASTERN

Last season: 12-8 (3rd in CAAC Blue)

Coaches: Adam Fedewa (11th season), Tom Kostrzewski (2nd season)

Top returning wrestlers: Cory Mayhew (sr. 112), Bu Reh (so. 119), Armando Arroyo (sr. 125), Ayinde Pulliam (sr. 130), Rolando Figueroa (so. 135), Luciano Sanchez (sr. 145), Jeremiah Diaz (sr. 152), Andwele Pulliam (jr. 171), Elijah Diaz (so. 189), Patrick Stouffer (sr. 285)

Outlook: The Quakers will be led by six seniors, which includes conference champion Ayinde Pulliam. Eastern’s coaches says the key for their team will be filling in the other weight classes around the seniors. The team is eyeing a district title this season and hopes to qualify some wrestlers to the state tournament.

EVERETT

Last season: 10-21 (t-5th in CAAC Blue)

Coach: Chad Foster (6th season)

Top returning wrestlers: Isiah Williams (sr. 160), Tim Houser (so. 125), Andre Ndayishimyie (jr. 119), Camreon Dunn (jr. 135), Deontae Wilson (jr. 140), Jashuan Hill (sr. 215), Damerius Doyle (so. 189)

Other contributors: A.J. Rickney (so. 130), Djamal Adam (sr. 171), Dennis Parker (sr. 152)

Outlook: Williams, who posted a 38-7 record last season, will lead a young Vikings team that will “be battle tested” at the lower weights, according to Foster.

GRAND LEDGE

Last season: 24-3 (1st in CAAC Blue)

Coach: Steve Delaney (9th season)

Top returning wrestlers: Dylan Steward (sr. 140), Matt Lloyd (sr. 285), Cole Janes (jr. 119), Jack Snauko (jr. 130), Spencer Britian (sr. 130), Brendan Barry (sr. 160), Wesley Barnes (jr. 171), Mitchell Krahulik (jr. 215), Chad Stuecken (sr. 152), Tommy Cox (sr. 160)

Other contributors: Nic Lloyd (jr. 285), Karson Kost (fr. 135), Alex Kingsley (fr. 112), Ba Blamo (sr. 189), Ryan Legal (so. 112)

Outlook: The Comets are led this season by four returning state qualifiers in Steward, Matt Lloyd, Snauko and Janes. Steward was a Division 1 state champion last year, while Matt Lloyd placed fourth at states. Delaney believes Grand Ledge has a chance at postseason action with a mix of veterans and potential emerging underclassmen.

HOLT

Last season: 15-5, 6-1 (2nd in CAAC Blue)

Coach: Rocky Shaft (36th season)

Top returning wrestlers: Jacob Bechtol  (sr. 125), Mike Shaw (sr. 145), Kolin Leyrer (jr. 152), Aries McFadden (jr. 103), Adam Hall (jr. 140), Mike Thackthay (jr. 112), Jaylen DeBerry (jr. 171), Ian Scruggs (sr. 189), Zane Woods (jr. 140), Austin Snyder (jr. 125)

Outlook: The Rams return Division 1 state qualifiers in Bechtol, Shaw and Leyrer, while McFadden and Hall were regional qualifiers. Shaft says this season will depend on “how individuals have grown and the mental toughness.”

OKEMOS

Last season: 12-15 (t-4th in CAAC Blue)

Coach: C.J. Guess (1st season)

Top returning wrestlers: Emiliano Canales (jr. 112), Lutfi Ahkmedov (jr. 140), Blake Dean (jr. 145), Zaid Khan (jr. 130)

Other contributors: Atam Shuguyev (jr. 285)

Outlook: First-year coach C.J. Guess will lead a young Chiefs team has just one senior starter. Canales is a three-year varsity wrestler that qualified for regionals last season. Ahkmedov, Dean and Khan also have three years of varsity experience. Guess expects several wrestlers to reach regionals.

SEXTON

Last season: t-6th

Coach: Chris Henderson (19th season)

Top returning wrestlers: Chaz Castillo (sr. 135), Chase Hill (sr. 130), Ihbriam Mkumbukwa (jr. 140), Ishia Duncan (jr. 160), Diego Ixcotoyac (sr. 140), Anthony Page (so. 112), Kedrick Tegue (so. 140), Hamadi Lugendo (so. 119), Kyle Duncan (sr. 189), Demario Crenshaw (sr. 130)

Other contributors: Josh Henderson (fr. 125), Jason Lieu (fr. 103), Gavin Anspach (fr. 119), Issac Dent (so. 152), Stephan Bonham (so. 285), Michael Le (so. 160)

Outlook: Henderson says the Big Reds are “excited and highly motivated” this season. Sexton is a young team with some senior leadership sprinkled in. The team’s number of participants have increased and Henderson believes it will help with depth in different weight classes.

CAAC RED

Coaches’ predictions: 1. St. Johns, 2. DeWitt, 3. Mason, 4. Owosso, 5. Waverly, 6. Haslett

League’s top wrestlers: Ian Parker (SJ), Austin Melton (D)

DEWITT

Last season: 2nd in CAAC Red

Coach: Brian Byars (16th season)

Top returning wrestlers: Austin Melton (sr. 145), Sam York (so. 140), Killian Southworth (so. 130), Jackson Sevrens (so. 112), Tyler Albarez (sr. 135), Josh Cloft (sr. 125), Gabe Larner (jr. 171), Nick Brandt (jr. 189)

Other contributors: Quenten Hall (fr. 119), Ronnie Slater (fr. 103)

Outlook: Melton is a returning two-time state finalist for the Panthers, who have seven other wrestlers than qualified for regionals last season. Byars expects another good season from his team, which returns several core wrestlers.

HASLETT

No information submitted.

MASON

Last season: 28-9 (3rd in CAAC Red)

Coach: Brian Martel (13th season)

Top returning wrestlers: Seth Bunting (jr. 112), Tyler Pressley (jr. 125), Cameron Swanson (so. 130), Tristan Miller (sr. 140), Jeromy Price (sr. 145), Brad Wilton (jr. 189), Kris Kristofferson (sr. 215), Sam Benson (sr. 285)

Other contributors: Heh Say (fr. 103), Zach Haynes (fr. 119/125), Will Muenzenmaier (so. 135), JD Greathouse (jr. 135), Jared Surato (so. 145), Jake Komm (jr. 152), Jacob Spencer (sr. 160)

Outlook: The Bulldogs return top-10 state placers in Wilton and Benson. Bunting was a state qualifier last year as well. Martel’s team expects to be in the hunt for one of the conference’s top spots.

OWOSSO

Last season: 12-12

Coach: Ryan Clevenger (18th season)

Top returning wrestlers: Jacob Fisher (jr. 130), Joe Vondrasek (jr. 152), Louden Newbury (sr. 189)

Outlook: The Trojans return a few key pieces in Fisher, Vondrasek and Newbury in hopes of improving from last year’s 12-12 finish. Clevenger doesn’t know what to expect from his team this season, but said his wrestlers worked hard in the offseason.

ST. JOHNS

Last season: 1st in CAAC Red

Coach: Derek Phillips (4th season)

Top returning wrestlers: Brendan Zelenka (so. 103), Emilio Sanchez (jr. 112), Ian Parker (sr. 135), Trent Lashuay (jr. 140), Derek Droste (sr. 152), Lucas McFarland (jr. 160), Bret Fedewa (jr. 171), Jake Gnegy (sr. 285)

Other contributors: Kaleob Whitford (fr. 112), Braxton Parks (fr. 145), Cross Gonzalez (so. 130), Blake Thelen (sr. 189), Derek Selden (jr. 125)

Outlook: The Redwings return Division 2 state qualifiers in Zelenka, Sanchez, McFarland and Fedewa. Parker was a state champion last year, and Lashuay, Droste and Gnegy were all-state selections. St. Johns looks to capture another conference championship.

WAVERLY

No information submitted.

CAAC WHITE

Coaches’ predictions: 1. Eaton Rapids, 2. Portland, 3. Fowlerville, 4. Williamston, 5. Ionia

League’s top wrestlers: Dominic Gardner (P), Cameron Mahlich (I), Clayton Higelmire (ER)

EATON RAPIDS

Last season: 1st in CAAC White

Coach: Joe Ray Barry (5th season)

Top returning wrestlers: Hunter George (jr. 145), Clayton Higelmire (sr. 215), Lane McVicker (sr. 152)

Other contributors: Tristen Schultz (jr. 171), Austin O’Hearon (so. 125), Austen Hutchinson (sr. 160), Josh Days (sr. 189)

Outlook: The Greyhounds are coming off a second-place finish at the Division 2 state finals. Higelmire was a runner-up at the state tournament last year. Eaton Rapids lost Jaedin Skplasky, who won the state championship at 135 pounds, but is favored to repeat as the CAAC White champions this season.

FOWLERVILLE

Last season: 4th in CAAC White

Coach: Dan Coon (30th season)

Top returning wrestlers: Kyle Roberts (sr. 130), Kyle Briggs (sr. 119), Garrett Prochnow (sr. 215), Jacob Dixon (jr. 145), Mitchell Hubert (jr. 171)

Other contributors: Wyatt Daniel (fr. 119), Ashton Philburn (fr. 112)

Outlook: Roberts, a three-time state qualifier, returns for the Gladiators. Fowlerville is looking to improve from last season’s fourth-place finish in the league.

IONIA

Coach: Bill Rodgers (6th season)

Top returning wrestlers: Cameron Mahlich (jr. 112), Jordan Richardson (sr. 112), Trevor Piggott (jr. 215), Steven Pettit (sr. 160)

Other contributors: Cole Cudney (fr. 103), Eli Garcia (fr. 112)

Outlook: Mahlich was a Division 2 state champion last year at 103 pounds. Richardson is a two-time state qualifier and Piggott qualified for the state finals for the first time last season. Rodgers wants to see his team improve this year while working toward the future.

PORTLAND

Last season: 17-6 (2nd in CAAC White)

Coach: Scott Sandborn (12th season)

Top returning wrestlers: Dominic Gardner (sr. 135), Eli Espinoza (sr. 285), Tyler Zimmerman (sr. 189), Cade Wittenbach (sr. 171), Brandon Clark (sr. 171), Hayden Maus (jr. 152), Logan Lefke (jr. 160)

Other contributors: Desmond Gardner (so. 119), Devin Miller (so. 145)

Outlook: The Raiders are stacked with underclassmen, but Sandborn believes they can be competitive “once they can cover the weights with experienced wrestlers.” Dominic Gardner is a two-time state qualifier that placed fourth at the Division 3 state tournament last year. Espinoza was a state qualifier last season, while Zimmerman, Maus, Lefke, Desmond Gardner and Miller were all regional qualifiers.

WILLIAMSTON

Last season: 19-12

Coach: Pat Weber (10th season)

Top returning wrestlers: Maddox Maki (sr. 285), Colton Hanysak (sr. 130), Quintin Lopez (jr. 130), Brandon Poland (jr. 160), Chase McManaman (jr. 171), Eli Palmer (jr. 140), Garrett Smith (sr. 125)

Other contributors: RJ Page (sr. 215), Matt Diamond (sr. 215), Tom Dutcher (jr. 189), Justin Bloom (jr. 189), Jake Yanez (so. 215)

Outlook: Weber believes the Hornets are positioned to challenge for the CAAC White title after a strong postseason and summer. Williamston hasn’t won a league title since 2002. Maki was a state, regional, district and league champion last year, and Poland was a state qualifier.

OTHERS

CORUNNA

Last season: 22-6 (3rd in GAC Red)

Coach: Chad Briggs (5th season)

Top returning wrestlers: Tristan Serbus (sr. 119), Dylan Briggs (jr. 152), Jerry Yelinek (jr. 145), David Dumond (jr. 160), Luke Cortez (jr. 215), Brandon Blair (jr. 285), Taylor Jackson (jr. 171), Cole Conklin (jr. 125), Jack Thayer (so. 189)

Other contributors: Trevor Briggs (fr. 125), Devon Anderson (fr. 103)

Outlook: The Cavaliers welcome back several key pieces from last year’s team that finished 22-6. Serbus was a runner-up at the state tournament and is a two-time league champion. Dyland Briggs and Yelinek are two-time state qualifiers, while Dumond and Cortez qualified for the first time last season. Coach Briggs said he expects his team to be “more seasoned” by the end of the year and ready to make a push for a district and regional championship.

DANSVILLE

Last season: 25-5 (t-1st in CMAC)

Coach: Mike Farrier (18th season)

Top returning wrestlers: Anthony Mack (so. 112), Chaz Kehres (sr. 119), Clay Ragon (sr. 135), Dresden Simon (sr. 140), Gordon Bushard (jr. 152), Johnny Stid (jr. 160), Ethan Korb (sr. 171), Niko Rincon (jr. 145)

Other contributors: Mike Post (so. 103), Noah Simon (so. 152)

Outlook: Farrier expects the Aggies to be very competitive this year, but says the team’s success in the tournament will depend on how well they fill the weight classes. He also expects several wrestlers to compete into the March. Mack and Ragon were state runners-up last season and Simon was a state champion.

LAKEWOOD

Last season: 33-5 (1st in GLAC)

Coach: Bob Veitch (36th season)

Top returning wrestlers: Cash Thompson (jr. 189), Jon Maas (so. 130)

Other contributors: Lane Allen (so. 152), Luke Tromp (jr. 285)

Outlook: Thompson was a state qualifier last season and Maas placed eighth at the state tournament. Veitch, who could potentially earn his 700th career win this year, believes Lakewood is a solid team with youth. The 36-year coach says his team hopes to make it to the state tournament.

LESLIE

Last season: 18-14 (2nd in GLAC)

Coach: Todd Stern

Top returning wrestlers: Kanen Storr (sr. 140/145), Allan Pranshka (sr. 125/130)

Other contributors: David Mays (sr. 140/145), Matt Dolbee (jr. 215), Cordell Sweezy (sr. 160/171)

Outlook: The Blackhawks return one of the area’s top wrestlers in Storr. The Leslie senior, who is committed to Iowa State, is a three-time state finalist and two-time state champion. He won the 135-pound title in Division 3 last year. Stern says Leslie is “all bunched up” at certain weight classes and believes the team will need to spread out to use its depth.

OLIVET

Last season: 7-19

Coach: Brandon Peters (2nd season)

Top returning wrestlers: Wyatt Autrey (sr. 112), Carson Hartman (jr. 103), Shane McKeown (so. 152)

Outlook: The Eagles are a young team that is looking to improve as the season progresses. Peters believes Lakewood and Leslie will be the teams to beat in the GLAC. Autrey is a four-year varsity starter, and McKeown was 25 matches as a freshman last season.

OVID-ELSIE

Coach: Frank Barretta (6th season)

Top returning wrestlers: Zach Morris (so. 189/215), Dillan McGinnis (jr. 112), BJ Knickerbocker (jr. 285), Forrest Nash (sr. 152/160)

Other contributors: Filip Davidovich (sr. 215), Dirk Taylor (fr. 160/171), Isaac Zimmerman (fr. 135)

Outlook: Barretta says the Marauders will get their first taste of team success “if we are able to stay healthy and hungry.” Morris finished last season with 30-plus wins and a district championship. He was also second-team all-TVC Central. McGinnis has 50-plus career wins as a junior. Davidovich is a foreign exchange student with a background in judo.

Former Michigan State forward and Eaton Rapids grad Alex Gauna is an assistant coach for the Lansing Catholic boys basketball team.

Alex Gauna, the player, has been at peace with the trajectory of his basketball career since he decided to sacrifice his final season at Michigan State in 2014 to begin his fatherhood journey.

Gauna, the coach, is just getting started.

That guy, now a first-year assistant on the Lansing Catholic boys basketball coaching staff, is pursuing an interest in helping others for the first time and maybe on the edge of rediscovering the fire for the sport that once consumed him.

Couch: Gauna chose fatherhood but cherishes MSU reunion

“To be honest, I never really pictured myself as a coach, at all, at any level,” Gauna said.  “Me not being far removed from the sport, I wanted to be able to offer young athletes a different perspective and a different voice, and maybe I can word things a little differently than just hearing it from a coach. That’s what I was more interested in. I enjoy helping young people and I enjoy helping young athletes.

“One of the things I struggled with in my career is maybe not having enough passion as a player, and maybe this will be a different perspective. And reinvent the passion (for the game) as a coach because you do have different perspectives and you do care about young athletes.”

Gauna, who works for Ingham County’s purchasing department, stumbled into his inaugural coaching gig. A co-worker, who is friends with first-year Cougar coach Eric Trojanowicz, told Gauna that Lansing Catholic was looking for assistant coaches. He gave his 6-foot-9 co-worker Trojanowicz’s contact information.

“He told me that I should think about it,” Gauna said.

Gauna said he had never considered being a coach until that moment. But in between the time he left MSU’s program and learned about the coaching job, he said, he was realizing more and more that he missed being part of a team.

“It came at a perfect time. It really did,” he said.

Trojanowicz thought so, too.

“I was kind of excited because he’s not too far removed from these kids, and I thought they could relate to him really well,” the Lansing Catholic coach said. “I think he has a lot to offer this program. I know a lot of these kids want to play at the college level, and they need to know how hard they need to work to get to that level. His talks to these kids, and the stuff he says to them, I think motivates them to want to get to that level.”

Gauna earned a scholarship to MSU after posting all-state numbers at Eaton Rapids High School — the same school he’ll walk into Friday night, laced in a suit and tie, as an assistant coach of the conference rival.

“It’s been a while since I’ve been back honestly,” he said. “I joke around with Eric and say ‘Yeah, I’m not going to be able to make that one.’

“I am looking forward to it. …I’m kind of nervous of how people are going to react when they see me on the other side, the opposing side.”

Gauna said he doesn’t yet know if coaching is his long-term calling. It’s too fresh. But he’s enjoying it right now.

“I’ve been getting a lot of people tell me to be a cop, too,” said Gauna, who graduated MSU with a degree in sociology. “That’s been in the back of my mind.”

Gauna hasn’t talked to his former college coach, Tom Izzo, about his new adventure. Izzo’s been busy coaching the No. 1 team in the country.

But he hopes Izzo knows. He hopes the whole program knows.

“I hope they know that I still care and that I’m trying to find a different avenue to go with it,” Gauna said. “The lessons he taught me when I was there, I want to try and help these kids do the same thing. And pass on the knowledge I gained from him.

“He’s a great coach, not just basketball-wise but he knows his stuff about life, too, and he tries to help you in that way. …I want to bring that to the guys that are here.”

From the Cougars’ opening practice, when the players first learned Gauna would take them under his wing, there’s been excitement. In the offseason, Trojanowicz said the players were in awe at times working with Gauna on a day-to-day basis.

However, the honeymoon for both the players and the new coaching staff is over, and Lansing Catholic has opened the season with a 3-0 start.

Lansing Catholic boys hold off Williamston in OT

Senior forward Michael Korrey said Gauna’s presence has been a major contribution to the team’s early-season success and added that his age, 24, and experience allows him to bring a different perspective to the bench.

But, in reality, he’s still a big kid.

“He drop-stepped in the lane and dunked on us,” Korrey said laughingly of a recent practice. “He tried to make all of us do it, and, if we couldn’t do it, then we sucked.”

Contact James L. Edwards III at jledwards@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @JLEdwardsIII.

The St. Johns boys basketball junior varsity team won the LSJ prep video of the week contest with a comeback victory over Waverly.

Cole Cornwell didn’t say much when his St. Johns junior varsity boys basketball team trailed Waverly by 12 points with five minutes left in last week’s matchup.

But when the first-year coach did say something, it was heard loud and clear.

“I just kept preaching ‘One play at a time. One play at a time and we can come back,’ over and over again,” he said. “And, man, they listened. They truly listened to that.”

The Redwings stormed back and tied the contest with about 15 seconds remaining. And after the Warriors came up empty on what ended up being their final possession, St. Johns’ Austin Jakus kissed a jumper off the glass as time expired to give his team a 69-67 victory.

The final 45 seconds of the game were captured on video, which begins with Waverly leading 67-65.  The sequence was voted the LSJ prep video of the week.

100 0217

Prior to the win, Cornwell, who led the freshman boys team the past six seasons, never experienced the thrill of winning from a buzzer beater during his coaching career. He also said he hasn’t had a team battle back from that big of a deficit in that short of time before.

“It was nothing like any other post-game locker room that I’ve been a part of,” Cornwell said. “Nobody had any words to say to put (the win) in perspective.”

Contact James L. Edwards III at jledwards@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @JLEdwardsIII.

Meet the 2015 LSJ volleyball Dream Team.

Paige Porter

Meredith Norris

Lexi Nordmann

Gabie Shellenbarger

Daria Richards

Lindsey Smith

Erin McDermott

Willow Martin

Charlie Smith

Volleyball

LSJ PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Meredith Norris (Corunna jr.): Class B first-team all-state, set state record for kills in a match

LSJ COACH OF THE YEAR: Tennille Whitmore (Laingsburg): Led the Wolfpack to their first Class C regional championship in school history

LSJ VOLLEYBALL DREAM TEAM

Gabie Shellenbarger (Lakewood jr.): Class B first-team all-state, first-team all-conference

Charlie Smith (Lakewood sr.): Class B second-team all-state, second-team all-conference

Lexi Nordmann (DeWitt jr.): Class A second-team all-state, first-team all-conference

Willow Martin (Mason sr.): Class A third-team all-state, first-team all-conference

Daria Richards (Okemos sr.): Class A second-team all-state, first-team all-conference

Paige Porter (Lansing Christian jr.): Class D first-team all-state, first-team all-conference

Lindsey Smith (Laingsburg sr.): Class C third-team all-state, first-team all-conference

Erin McDermott (Mason sr.): first-team all-conference

Gannett-cdn

CLASS A ALL-AREA

Rachel Thomas (Okemos sr.)

Megan Mowid (Haslett sr.)

Gabi Mundt (DeWitt sr.)

Brooke Binkley (DeWitt so.)

Hannah Whiteman (Holt jr.)

Brooke Peiffer (Holt sr.)

Kaycee Richmond (Mason sr.)

Lilly George (DeWitt sr.)

Claire Hunter (East Lansing jr.)

Lauren Seagren (Holt sr.)

Coach: Christy Drayton (DeWitt)

LSJ volleyball coach of the year: Tennille Whitmore
LSJ volleyball player of the year: Meredith Norris

CLASS A ALL-AREA HONORABLE MENTION

Ryan Castle (Okemos jr.)

Grace George (DeWitt so.)

Alena Hartsuff (East Lansing jr.)

Becca Seeger (DeWitt jr.)

Madison Lotycz (Grand Ledge so.)

Molly Cummins (Haslett sr.)

Natalie Long (Okemos sr.)

Dani Jones (Mason sr.)

Bailey Cantrell (Mason jr.)

Alyssa Elsea (St. Johns jr.)

Coach: Brittany Kevern (Waverly)

CLASS B ALL-AREA

Karly Morris (Lakewood sr.): Class B honorable mention all-state

Maddie Maloney (Lansing Catholic sr.)

Chloe Miller (Lansing Catholic sr.)

Renee Sturm (Williamston sr.)

Jessie Burge (Eaton Rapids sr.)

Amanda Pohl (Portland sr.)

Kate Senneker (Lakewood jr.)

Lisa Hewitt (Lakewood so.)

Taylor Holmes (Olivet sr.)

Hannah Trierweiler (Portland sr.)

Coach: Ryan Miller (Lansing Catholic)

CLASS B ALL-AREA HONORABLE MENTION

Hanna Woods (Stockbridge sr.)

Loren Westlake (Olivet sr.)

Mary Price (Eaton Rapids sr.)

Erin Vielbig (Fowlerville jr.)

Camryn Klein (Ionia sr.)

Becka Poljan (Lansing Catholic so.)

Olivia Poupard (Lansing Catholic jr.)

Maddie Watters (Williamston so.)

Julia Henderson (Williamston sr.)

Coach: Kellie Rowland (Lakewood)

CLASS C ALL-AREA

Maya Ferland (Laingsburg so.): Class C third-team all-state

Maddy Byrnes (Laingsburg sr.): Class C honorable mention all-state

Tessa Hosford (Bath jr.)

Maddy Gutzki (Bath jr.)

Caitlyn Kane (Laingsburg sr.)

Emily Angell (Bath jr.)

Coach: Kristen McIntyre (Bath)

CLASS C ALL-AREA HONORABLE MENTION

Sophie Strieff (Laingsburg so.)

Brittany Matsumoto (Bath jr.)

Emma Pachulski (Saranac so.)

Lily Nurenberg (Pewamo-Westphalia sr.)

Maddy Magraves (Bath sr.)

Erin Cooper (Laingsburg jr.)

Coach: Jon Thelen (Pewamo-Westphalia)

CLASS D ALL-AREA

Adair Cutler (Lansing Christian jr.): Class D second-team all-state

Grace Meunier (Lansing Christian so.): Class D honorable mention all-state

Isabelle Meunier (Lansing Christian sr.): Class D honorable mention all-state

Hannah Greenwood (Portland St. Pats jr.)

Amelia Schruaben (Portland St. Pats so.)

Coach: Dale Wethy III (Lansing Christian)

Contact James L. Edwards III at jledwards@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @JLEdwardsIII.

DEWITT – The process hasn’t gone as smooth, but the results have been the same for the DeWitt girls basketball team.

DeWitt’s Lilly George (44) shoots against St. Johns’ Jamie Carroll on Friday in DeWitt. DeWitt won 45-32.

A season removed from their first Class A state championship appearance in school history, the new-look Panthers, who have replaced four of their five starters, will enter the holiday break with a squeaky-clean record after defeating CAAC Red foe St. Johns, 45-32, on Friday night.

“It’s been natural growing pains,” DeWitt coach Bill McCullen said. “Those were some quality kids that we lost, and very experienced players — one four-year player and four three-year players.

“I feel like the little bit of experience our kids got off the bench (last year) helped season them a little bit. I don’t think they’re intimated when they get in there.”

Lilly George, who is the only returning starter for the Panthers (6-0, 2-0), led her team in scoring with a game-high 18 points. The senior forward has transitioned into the go-to scoring threat for DeWitt with the loss of guard Claudia Reid (Princeton) and forward Abby Nakfoor (Ferris State) to graduation.

George said it’s taken her some time to adjust to her new role.

“It’s a different role completely,” she said. “It comes with pressure, but I like playing with that type of pressure.”

The Panthers busted the game open in the second quarter by holding the Redwings (4-2, 1-1) to two field goals while outscoring them, 15-4. George scored nine of her 18 points during the period and spearheaded a 10-0 run with a layup to start the quarter.

Up until the fourth quarter, which DeWitt started with a 12-point lead, St. Johns stumbled on the offensive end. After scoring seven points in the first quarter, the Redwings scored nine combined points in the second and third quarter.

“We tried to work the ball around and get the open shot,” said sophomore Maddie Maloney, who scored a team-high 12 points for the Redwings. “We came into it with a game plan, and obviously, DeWitt is a really good team — well coached and good players.”

Even with the loss of several key pieces, the Panthers still have aspirations of making it to the Breslin Center.

The team’s slogan this year is “It’s our turn,” and with a perfect record three weeks into the season and the team still not “clicking offensively,” according to McCullen, DeWitt feels it hasn’t come anywhere close to its ceiling.

“We haven’t really put together a complete game yet,” George said. “We came out and played great defense, and we (got closer) to playing a complete game.”

Grace George and Summer Ward scored seven points each for the Panthers.

Brooke Mazzolini and Alexis Sillman both scored six points for St. Johns.

Contact James L. Edwards III at jledwards@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @JLEdwardsIII.

DeWitt native and former U.S. Olympic gymnast Jordyn Wieber (right) heads the 2016 Greater Lansing Area Sports Hall of Class.

Another year, another crop of former Lansing and Greater Lansing-area athletes, teams and media members heading to the Greater Lansing Area Sports Hall of Fame.

The Hall of Fame recently announced its 2016 class, and it includes 10 individuals and two teams. All of the honorees will be inducted on July 28 at the award ceremony dinner at the Lansing Center.

Below is a list of the soon-to-be inductees (name/high school) and a breakdown of their accomplishments:

ATHLETES

Jim Brandstatter (East Lansing): After graduating from East Lansing High School, Brandstatter went on to play offensive tackle for the University Michigan during Bo Schembechler’s first three seasons as coach (1969-71). He made the all-Big Ten team in 1971 and played in the Rose Bowl in 1970 and 1972. He is currently in the midst of a successful broadcasting career as the play-by-play voice of U of M football and the color analyst of the Detroit Lions.

Jeff Callard (Sexton/East Lansing): In 1970, as a junior at Sexton High School, Callard won the Class A state wrestling championship at 137 pounds. A year later, after transferring to East Lansing, he won the state title at 145 pounds. Callard, who also played football at both schools, continued his wrestling career at the University of Oklahoma where he was a member of the Sooners’ national championship team in 1974. He was a three-time All-American.

Mike Creaser (Eastern): The former swimming standout captured a total of four state championships before graduating from Eastern High School in 1984. Creaser went on to swim at U of M and was a Big Ten champion and four-time All-American. He was also a finalist at the 1988 U.S. Olympic Trials.

Cliff Foster (Sexton): As a multi-sport competitor at Sexton High School, Foster was an all-state football and baseball selection in the mid-1960s. After playing baseball at Lansing Community College, Foster was a secondary draft pick of the MLB draft. He had a four-year stint with the Minnesota Twins’ minor league system.

Alan Haller (Sexton): Haller excelled in football and track at Sexton High School in the mid-1980s. He attended Michigan State University and was a four-year letterman for football coach George Perles from 1988-91. As a cornerback, he twice earned all-Big Ten honors and was drafted in the fifth round of the 1992 NFL draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Haller played three seasons in the NFL with the Steelers, Cleveland Browns and Carolina Panthers.

Kristin Haynie (Mason): The four-year varsity basketball starter was named Michigan’s Gatorade Player of the Year and was runner-up for Miss Basketball as a senior at Mason High School in 2001. Haynie, who was also all-state in soccer as well as hoops, played college basketball at Michigan State and was a part of the 2005 team that lost in the national championship game to Baylor. She was drafted by the WNBA’s Sacramento Monarchs and won a championship title her rookie season.

Mary Mauro (DeWitt): After graduating from DeWitt High School in 1998, where she was a two-sport athletes, Mauro played softball at St. Joseph’s College (Ind.) for one season before transferring to Lansing Community College. She became an All-American and was a member of the Stars’ team that won the 2002 NJCAA national title. Mauro left the LCC program for Cornerstone University where she was named the WHAC Pitcher of the Year in 2004.

Craig Teft (East Lansing): Teft was an all-state running back at East Lansing High School and, in 1964, led the state in rushing yards (1,254) while helping the Trojans to an undefeated, state-championship season. Teft played football at Central Michigan University for five seasons (1965-69) and was an all-conference selection in 1967-68 (led the conference in rushing both years).

Jordyn Wieber (DeWitt): Wieber was a part of the U.S. Olympic gymnastics team that won the gold medal at the 2012 Olympics in London. She was a finalist for the 2011 James E. Sullivan Award, which is given annually to the most outstanding amateur athlete in the U.S. That same year, Wieber, who won numerous titles as a junior competitor, became a World Champion as a member of the U.S. team, as well as individually in the all-around and floor exercise.

TEAMS

DeWitt boys cross country (1977): The Panthers’ 1977 boys cross country team breezed through the competition on its way to a Class C state title. That year, DeWitt went undefeated in the Capital Circuit Conference, won every invitational it entered and had three runners grab a top-five finish at the state meet, which included co-champs Dave Wilson and Ron Hensley.

Waverly boys basketball (2000): With a 25-2 record, the Warriors’ boys basketball team ended the 2000 season hoisting the class A state championship. Coached by Phil Odlum, Waverly defeated Detroit Pershing in the title game, 75-63. Former MSU guard Marcus Taylor along with Courtney Scott (Iowa/Oakland) and Melvin White (LCC/Grand Valley State) were a part of the championship squad.

MEDIA

Bob Gross: Longtime sportswriter for the Lansing State Journal.

DICK LETTS COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD WINNER: Carl Wagner

Want to go

What: 2016 Greater Lansing Area Sports Hall of Fame ceremony

When: July 28 (Time TBD)

Where: Lansing Center

Price: $35 (Reserved seating only, no ticket sales at door)

For more information visit the Hall of Fame’s website. 

Contact James L. Edwards III at jledwards@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @JLEdwardsIII.

Sarah Miller of Waverly celebrates as time expires in the Warriors’ 39-37 win over Ottawa Hills in their Holiday Hoops Invitational game Tuesday December 29, 2015 at Lansing Community College. KEVIN W. FOWLER PHOTO

Maya Bennett ,right, of Waverly passes while being defended by Brooklyn Bowman ,3, of Ottawa Hills during their Holiday Hoops Invitational game Tuesday December 29, 2015 at Lansing Community College. KEVIN W. FOWLER PHOTO

LANSING – The Waverly girls basketball team walked into Gannon Gymnasium on the campus of Lansing Community College Tuesday afternoon looking to build on their strong start under first-year coach John Schweitzer.

The Warriors left campus with a piece of history.

Behind 19 points from junior forward Alisia Smith, Waverly pulled out a 39-37 victory over Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills in the 17th annual Holiday Hoops Invitational.

Waverly’s game was the first-ever girls contest played in the showcase.

“I had no idea,” said Schweitzer on his team playing in the first girls game of the invitational. “We saw nothing (on Ottawa Hills), but we played some scrimmages on the west side of the state and there was a lot of pressure. We knew they were going to be aggressive on the ball.”

The Warriors (6-1) were missing primary ball-handler and 3-point threat Shadaira McCarty, who is out indefinitely, against a guard-driven Bengals team that forced several Waverly turnovers throughout the game.

However, in her absence, Schweitzer relied heavily on his standout frontcourt duo of Alisia Smith and Malin Smith, as he has most of the season. And with their team trailing 33-32 at the end of the third quarter, the tandem outscored Ottawa Hills, 6-4, in the fourth quarter to help pull out the victory.

Malin Smith finished the game with 13 points and three blocks.

“We lost a big component in what we do in (McCarty),” Schweitzer said, “and what I was so proud of today was how our girls played out of position and covered for her.”

The matchup was a battle of styles, as the Warriors’ interior-driven offense squared up against the jump shooting of the Bengals. The Smith duo along with senior forward Mariyah Moore combined to score 21 of the team’s 22 first-half points from inside the paint or at the free throw line.

Waverly went the entire game without converting a jumper shot.

“Shadaira is a big help, and we knew that we needed to step up and get the ball inside so that we could execute,” said 6-foot-2 Alisia Smith, who also recorded three blocks and three steals in the game.

Ottawa Hills was carried by junior guard Heavenly Abneyp, who scored a team-high 12 points. Midway through the second quarter, with the Bengals down by eight, Abneyp hit back-to-back 3-pointers and sparked a 9-0 run that gave her team its first lead, 19-18, since the game’s opening basket.

The junior also helped ignite another 9-0 run late in the third quarter which handed her team the lead heading into the game’s final eight minutes.

“We knew it was going to be sloppy, but we just knew we had to fight through it,” said Moore, who had a big defensive tip early in the fourth quarter and hit the free throw that gave her team a 39-37 lead with seconds remaining. “With Shadaira being gone I think we had more motivation to go out there and play like a team, step up and do what we can do.”

Contact James L. Edwards III at jledwards@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @JLEdwardsIII.

Sy Barnett of Charlotte lays the ball in for the first points of the Orioles’ game with Eaton Rapids Tuesday in Charlotte.

CHARLOTTE – Coming into his junior season, Sy Barnett anticipated he would have to develop into a vocal leader in order for the Charlotte Orioles to build off last year’s Class B regional final finish.

And while the transition is still a work in progress, the guard is letting his play do all the talking in the meantime.

Barnett tallied 18 points for the Orioles Tuesday night as they outlasted longtime rival Eaton Rapids, 66-53, in the team’s first game since Dec. 18.

“We had a point guard last year, Matt Donley, and he was a great player and leader for us,” said Barnett, whose team snapped a four-game losing streak to the Greyhounds. “I knew I would have to step up (to his role) and communicate better.

“Today was a big step for us.”

Barnett led by example after subbing back into the game with 4:17 left in the third quarter. With his team up just one, the junior guard scored 10 straight points – including a fall-away jumper and a backdoor lob – and ignited a 14-6 run for his team to close the quarter. His steal and assist to fellow classmate Kyle Peterson, who scored a team-high 20 points, right before the fourth quarter handed the Orioles (3-2) their first double-digit lead of the night.

“Sy needs to be a better leader, and he knows that,” Charlotte coach Steve Ernst said. “We’re working on it every day. We don’t want him to be an athlete, we want him to be a basketball player. But I think he’s trying.”

The Greyhounds (0-7) were able to keep the matchup in striking distance thanks to juniors Zack Kemp and Drew Shafer.

After Charlotte opened the contest with a 9-1 lead, Kemp scored nine of his 18 points in the final five minutes of the first quarter. His six second-quarter points helped Eaton Rapids outscore the Orioles, 15-7, before the half and take a one-point lead into the locker room.

Shafer netted 16 of his game-high 21 points in the second half.

“I was surprised that we couldn’t keep it rolling (into the second half),” Kemp said. “We came out in the second half and turned the ball over and gave them basket after basket and layups.

“We’re young, and we just need to continue to build as a team.”

Charlotte senior Tanner Johns added 11 points for the Orioles.

Contact James L. Edwards III at jledwards@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @JLEdwardsIII.