10 to Remember from 2011-12
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
July 11, 2012
Second Half's mission in this, its first school year, was to tell the best stories behind the scores and highlights of MHSAA competition.
Of course, every score and especially every championship has a story behind it. The MHSAA awarded 127 team and many more individual championships in 2011-12. Obviously we can't reflect on them all. But these 10 performances were loaded with prestige, drama and accomplishment that made them incredible stories for high school sports fans regardless of hometown or allegiance.
10. Grand Ledge gymnasts earn No. 5
The Comets had to fend off a charge by Canton, but won their fifth-straight MHSAA team title by 0.825 of a point with a final score of 149.400. The fifth-straight title tied the record set by Ludington from 1975-79 and extended Grand Ledge's first-place streak to 75 consecutive events. The next day, senior Christine Wilson and junior Sara Peltier swept the Division 1 and 2 individual titles, respectively.
9. West Bloomfield's Erin Finn joins elite
The Lakers junior said after her Division 1 cross country win that she'd dreamt of winning that title since she learned how to walk. She finished fourth as a sophomore before winning the championship by a little more than a second. After establishing herself as one of the top distance runners in the country in competitions over the winter, Finn finished the school year by winning the 3,200-meter run at the Division 1 Track and Field Final.
8. More and more Morley Stanwood
The Mohawks girls pulled off a rare feat this school year -- after winning their second MHSAA volleyball title in the fall, they added a first-ever girls basketball championship. Both efforts were keyed by seniors Alexis Huntey and Bailey Cairnduf, who had the most and second-most kills in the Class C Volleyball Final and then combined for 45 points and 25 rebounds in the basketball championship game.
That argument was made after Lansing Sexton claimed its second-straight Class B boys basketball championship in dominant fashion. The Big Reds finished 27-1, their only loss by a point to Detroit Pershing, and have won 74 games over the last three seasons -- tied for sixth-most in MHSAA history for that long of a stretch. Guards Denzel Valentine (Michigan State), Anthony Clemmons (Iowa) and Bryn Forbes (Cleveland State) all signed to play at Division I colleges this fall, with junior Jalen Hayes and freshman Trevor Manuel likely joining them in a few years.
Coyotes junior Sami Michell established herself as one of the top hurdlers in MHSAA history at the Division 3 Final by becoming the first Lower Peninsula girl to win four events at a championship meet since Mason County Eastern’s Maria Shoup in 1979. She set Division 3 records in the 100 hurdles, 300 hurdles and long jump, and her 300 time also was the best in MHSAA Finals history, regardless of division or class. She also won the 200.
Top-ranked Grand Haven's latest run at an MHSAA championship seemed all but over when Grosse Pointe South led the Class A final by 18 points with just under 10 minutes to play. But Shar'Rae Davis' fullcourt sprint and score that began with 12 seconds to play gave the Buccaneers a 54-53 win and their first title. It was the third-longest comeback in MHSAA Girls Basketball Finals history.
Livonia Ladywood had been a favorite to win its first MHSAA title all season -- with four-year pitcher Briana Combs in the circle. But when Combs couldn't finish the Semifinal because of an injury, rarely-thrown sophomore Lauren Hayes stepped in. All she did was finish that game and throw a three-hitter against Saginaw Swan Valley in the Final, while also getting three hits and driving in two of the team's four runs in the championship win.
St. Johns senior Taylor Massa finished off one of the most celebrated careers in MHSAA wrestling history with his fourth championship and not one loss during his high school career. Massa claimed the title at 171 pounds this year to go with others at 145, 152 and 160. He became the 15th in MHSAA history to win four titles, ranks 20th with 221 wins and seventh in the national record book for consecutive victories.
Grosse Pointe South's girls running teams had arguably the most dominant school year in MHSAA history, first winning the Division 1 cross country title before doing the same this spring in track and field. And the Blue Devils did it with mostly the same nucleus contributing to both -- particularly juniors Hannah and Haley Meier, sophomore Kelsie Schwartz and freshman Ersula Farrow. Those four combined to run a national record time of 8:48.29 in the 3,200 relay at the Division 1 Final this spring.
1. Short walk, championship run
Second Half was created as a place to tell great stories, Cass Tech made it easy on the first day of the Football Finals. The Technicians arrived at Ford Field after a short walk from their school. They had never played in a Final before and were unranked entering the postseason. They arrived with a strong group of seniors, but also a freshman quarterback named Jayru Campbell who ended up throwing five touchdown passes in a 49-13 win over No. 2 and perennial powerhouse Detroit Catholic Central.
PHOTO: The Morley Stanwood girls basketball team prepares to celebrate as the final seconds tick off in the Mohawks' Class C Final win. (Click to see more photos from High School Sports Scene.)
Preview: Finals Weekend at McLane Stadium Offers Historic Guarantee
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
June 11, 2025
Nearly one-third of the field at this weekend’s MHSAA Baseball Semifinals & Finals – five of 16 teams – are hoping to play in their first championship game Saturday.
Two are guaranteed to do so.
Two of Thursday’s Semifinal matchups at McLane Stadium feature faceoffs of first-time hopefuls, and either Mason or Standish-Sterling in Division 2 and Marine City or Olivet in Division 3 will earn that long-awaited debut on the final day of the 2024-25 MHSAA sports year.
There will be no repeat champions this time around. But last season’s Division 4 runner-up Norway is back for another attempt at a first title. Bay City Western also is a making a repeat trip, advancing again to the Division 1 Semifinals.
This weekend's schedule is as follows:
Division 1 – Friday
Hartland vs. Grosse Pointe South – 9 a.m.
Macomb Dakota vs. Bay City Western – 11:30 a.m.
Division 2 – Thursday
Mason vs. Standish-Sterling – 2:30 p.m.
Ada Forest Hills Eastern vs. Orchard Lake St. Mary's – 5 p.m.
Division 3 – Thursday
Traverse City St. Francis vs. Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett – 9 a.m.
Marine City vs. Olivet – 11:30 a.m.
Division 4 – Friday
Portland St. Patrick vs. Norway – 2:30 p.m.
Plymouth Christian Academy vs. Petersburg-Summerfield – 5 p.m.
FINALS – Saturday
Division 1 – 2:30 p.m.
Division 2 – 11:30 a.m.
Division 3 – 9 a.m.
Division 4 – 5 p.m.
Tickets cost $11 and may be purchased online only at GoFan. One ticket is good for all baseball, softball and girls soccer games at MSU’s Old College Field that day. All Semifinals and Finals will be broadcast and available with subscription from MHSAA.tv.
Below is a glance at all 16 teams taking the field:
Division 1
BAY CITY WESTERN
Record/rank: 36-7, No. 2
Coach: Tim McDonald, 33rd season (903-287-11)
League finish: First in Saginaw Valley League
Championship history: Division 1 champion 2014 and 2013.
Players to watch: Jack Sequin, sr. P/IF (.385, 41 RBI, 6-2 pitching, 1.20 ERA, 80 K/52 1/3 IP); Luke LaCourse, sr. P/IF (8-2, 1.19 ERA, 118 K/65 IP); Mikey Deluca, sr. IF (.411, 37 R, 15 SB).
Outlook: Western is making a second-straight trip to the Semifinals and with five starters – including both pitchers – who played at McLane last season. LaCourse made the all-state Dream Team as the only junior and Deluca was a Division 1 second-team selection last spring, and Brayden Simmon (8-1, 1.25 ERA, .327) is another returning pitcher for a staff that will bring a combined 1.34 ERA to East Lansing. The Warriors advanced by defeating No. 4 Hudsonville and have given up a combined six runs over six postseason games.
GROSSE POINTE SOUTH
Record/rank: 35-8, No. 15
Coach: Dan Griesbaum, 42nd season (952-531-4)
League finish: Tied for first in Macomb Area Conference White
Championship history: Division 1 champion 2018 and 2001, runner-up 2014.
Players to watch: Henry Domzalski, sr. OF (.388, 50 R, 15 2B, 31 SB, 19 SB); Jack Danielewicz, jr. P/OF (6-1, 0.51 ERA, 67 K/68 IP); Andrew Dilodovico, sr. C/IF/P (.398, 14 2B).
Outlook: This will be South’s first Semifinals trip since that most recent championship season of 2018, and both titles came under Griesbaum, who ranks fifth all-time in MHSAA history for baseball coaching victories. Dilodovico made the all-state second team last season and catches a deep staff that also includes sophomore Charlie Michelotti (7-0, 1.58 ERA), senior Griffen Szatkiewski (8-0, 2.50) and junior Dane Lezotte (5-0, 2.09). Lezotte also is the leading hitter at .402 for an offense that’s batting .345 as a whole this spring.
HARTLAND
Record/rank: 26-15-1, unranked
Coach: Brad Guenther, sixth season (119-58-4)
League finish: First in KLAA West
Championship history: Division 1 champion 2015.
Players to watch: Michael Zielinski, sr. OF/P (.371, 36 R, 15 SB, 8-1 pitching, 1.31 ERA, 85 K/53 1/3 IP); Roman Forcia, sr. IF/P (.404, 19 R, 1.33 ERA); Bobby Griffon, sr. SS/P (.346, 24 R, 25 RBI, 13 SB).
Outlook: Hartland emerged from a KLAA West that also included No. 8 Howell, No. 12 Novi and No. 14 Brighton, plus 2024 Division 1 champion Northville, and the Eagles also downed No. 18 Livonia Franklin during the league playoffs. Novi won Division 1 in 2023, and Hartland will attempt to give the league a third-straight title winner by finishing a tournament run that’s included four-straight one-run wins. Senior Ty Kraut (8-2, 1.97 ERA) and junior Michael Bernardi (4-3, 2.21) are two more reliable throwers who have seen significant action this spring.
MACOMB DAKOTA
Record/rank: 35-6-1, No. 1
Coach: Angelo Plouffe, third season (92-29-2)
League finish: First in Macomb Area Conference Red
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Luke DeMasse, sr. IF/P (.351, 12 SB, 7-0 pitching, 0.36 ERA, 75 K/57 2/3 IP); Evan Morrison, sr. C/IF (.420, 13 2B, 32 RBI); Braylon Ryan, sr. IF/OF (.415, 37 R, 11 2B, 3-0 pitching, 1.72 ERA).
Outlook: Dakota has won District titles all three years under Plouffe and will make its second Semifinals trip over those three seasons after also advancing in 2023. There are plenty of standouts to feature, with Ryan Petrovich (8-0, 0.85 ERA, 78 K/49 1/3 IP) and James Nuechterlein (8-0, 0.32 ERA) also heavy contributors to a staff with a combined 1.57 ERA. Catcher Evan Kavalick (.314) made the all-state second team last season, and senior Jadon Ford (.384, 34 R, 18 SB) is among several more big bats. Brother Rice has outscored its five tournament opponents by a combined 34-3 with wins over No. 6 Warren De La Salle Collegiate and No. 10 Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice along the way.
Division 2
ADA FOREST HILLS EASTERN
Record/rank: 40-1, No. 1
Coach: Ian Hearn, 10th season (272-86)
League finish: First in Ottawa-Kent Conference White
Championship history: Division 2 champion 2022
Players to watch: James Dempsey, sr. C (.456, 14 2B, 43 RBI, 10 SB); Brendan Thompson, sr. SS (.391, 39 R, 12 2B, 37 RBI, 12 SB); Ben Fausey, jr. 2B (.372, 45 R, 12 2B, 35 RBI, 16 SB).
Outlook: Forest Hills Eastern also is returning to the Semifinals for the second time in three years, with its only loss this spring during a season-opening split with Sparta. The Hawks have defeated No. 13 East Grand Rapids and No. 15 Coopersville during this run. Thompson and senior Max Ferrick (7-0, 1.89 ERA, .306, 10 2B) made the all-state second team last season, and juniors Kenric Penkevich (.385, 15 SB) and Collin Ybarra (.373) and senior Manel Conners (.350, 33 R, 21 SB, 7-0 pitching, 1.56 ERA) also are top contributors to a lineup hitting .340 with 10 players with double-digit steals. Junior Colton Brinks (8-0, 0.52 ERA), senor Landen Lindley (10-1, 1.59) and junior Cam Pallo (2.18) also give the team plenty of options on the mound.
MASON
Record/rank: 31-6, No. 10
Coach: Kohl Tyrrell, seventh season (128-65-2)
League finish: Tied for first in Capital Area Activities Conference Red
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Colton McCaleb, jr. IF/P (.396, 35 R, 10 2B, 40 RBI, 8-1 pitching, 0.91 ERA, 92 K/61 2/3 IP); Ryan Myers, jr. IF/P (.342, 30 SB, 4-0 pitching, 1.12 ERA); Maddox Armour, sr. IF/OF/P (.341, 37 R, 29 SB, 4-3 pitching).
Outlook: This will be Mason’s first trip to the Semifinals, coming off its first Regional title in this sport. The Bulldogs advanced in part with a 6-1 Regional Final win over No. 7 Williamston, the other co-champ from the CAAC Red, and got past Chelsea in 10 innings in the Quarterfinal. While Myers is expected to get the start in the Semifinal, five pitchers total have at least three wins this season including also junior Alex Engel (8-0, 1.27 ERA). Five regulars are hitting at least .340 including as well juniors Joey Schild (.365, 34 R, 28 RBI, 18 SB) and Travis Davis (.346).
ORCHARD LAKE ST. MARY’S
Record/rank: 26-12, No. 6
Coach: Nick Di Ponio, eighth season (176-115)
League finish: Second in Catholic High School League Central
Championship history: Six MHSAA titles (most recent 2022), three runner-up finishes.
Players to watch: Luke Crighton, jr. SS/3B/P (.415, 44 R, 13 SB, 5-3 pitching, 1.54 ERA, 69 K/45 1/3 IP); Paul Toovalian, sr. P (5-2, 1.36 ERA, 85 K/51 2/3 IP); Hudson Brzustewicz, jr. SS/P (.400, 12 2B, 50 RBI).
Outlook: Di Ponio returned as head coach last season after previously leading St. Mary’s to Division 2 runner-up finishes in 2007 and 2009, and the Eaglets are back in Division 2 this season after playing in Division 1 the last three. They too emerged from a powerful league that included De La Salle and Brother Rice, both ranked in Division 1, and among postseason wins were a 3-0 victory over No. 8 Pontiac Notre Dame Prep and 6-1 downing of No. 11 Dearborn Divine Child. Juniors Drew Tribul (.339, 10 2B, 41 RBI) and Nate Bauman (.361) and senior Wyatt Borbi (.352, 11 2B) also bolster the top of the lineup.
STANDISH-STERLING
Record/rank: 36-5-2, No. 2
Coach: Ryan Raymond, ninth season (241-74-5)
League finish: First in Jack Pine Conference
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Ben Briggs, jr. OF (.395, 57 R, 37 SB); Preston Kann, jr. P/SS (.365, 35 R, 32 RBI, 11-0 pitching, 0.36 ERA, 98 K/57 2/3 IP); Sam Briggs, sr. P/OF (.477, 38 R, 12 2B, 45 RBI, 21 SB, 9-2 pitching, 1.36 ERA, 82 K/56 1/3 IP).
Outlook: Raymond is bringing Standish-Sterling to the Semifinals for the third time in four seasons, this time after getting past No. 9 Petoskey and No. 12 Fruitport on Saturday. The Panthers are averaging more than eight runs per game and hitting a combined .348, with seniors Trace Collins (.366, 47 R, 30 RBI, 17 SB) and Brock Bartlett (.363, 30 R, 31 RBI, 24 SB) and juniors Rylee Blanchard (.351) and Carson Koin (.346, 31 RBI) among others also putting up big numbers. Sam Briggs made the all-state first team as an outfielder last season. Bartlett and Koin also are a combined 5-0 in the mound.
Division 3
GROSSE POINTE WOODS UNIVERSITY LIGGETT
Record/rank: 23-12-2, No. 6
Coach: Jay Ricci, second season (40-29-2)
League finish: Tied for third in CHSL AA
Championship history: Six MHSAA titles (most recent 2021), four runner-up finishes.
Players to watch: Andrew Johnson, sr. C (.366, 28 RBI); Deagan Barr, jr. 2B (.317, 28 R, 15 SB); Jackson Fetter, sr. 1B/P (4-3, 2.33 ERA, 58 K/36 IP, 10 2B).
Outlook: Liggett has won Regional titles both seasons under Ricci, last year in Division 2 before moving back into Division 3 this spring. The Knights have navigated a playoff path that’s included wins over No. 3 Jackson Lumen Christi and No. 4 Detroit Edison, and the regular-season schedule was filled primarily with Division 1 and 2 opponents. Fetter is expected to start the Semifinal, but five pitchers total have won games including also seniors Edwin Narva (6-0, 2.10 ERA) and Mack Phillips (4-3, 2.16, 64 K/45 1/3 IP).
MARINE CITY
Record/rank: 25-10, unranked
Coach: Ryan Felax, third season (66-27)
League finish: First in MAC Gold
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Paul Muscat, sr. SS/P (.393, 30 R, 36 RBI, 25 SB); Daniel VandeVyver, sr. OF/P (.365, 36 R, 10 SB, 7-4 pitching, 2.59 ERA, 63 K/70 1/3 IP); Cooper Letson, sr. C/P (.455, 10 2B, 39 R, 43 RBI, 6-1 pitching, 0.49 ERA, 52 K/43 1/3 IP).
Outlook: Marine City also has advanced after claiming its first Regional title, reaching MSU in part thanks to tournament wins over No. 11 Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest, No. 8 Lansing Catholic and No. 16 Algonac. Total, the Mariners have won 16 of their last 19 games. Freshman Tucker Volkman (4-0, 1.58 ERA) also has been among key arms for a team that otherwise is senior-heavy with 10 total.
OLIVET
Record/rank: 22-6, No. 17
Coach: Mike Whitely, first season (12-1)
League finish: Third in CAAC White
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Players to watch: Trip Burkett, jr. IF/P; Lalo Aguirre, sr. IF/P; Jack Masters, jr. IF/OF/P. (Statistics not submitted.)
Outlook: Olivet is making its first trip to the Semifinals after winning its second Regional title over the last three seasons. The Eagles did so by upending the last two Division 3 champions over their last two games, No. 10-ranked and reigning champion Watervliet in the Quarterfinal and 2023 title winner Bridgman in the Regional Final. Aguirre made the all-state first team last season as an infielder, and Burkett made the second team as a pitcher.
TRAVERSE CITY ST. FRANCIS
Record/rank: 29-8-1, No. 14
Coach: Tom Passinault, 11th season (292-91)
League finish: Does not play in a conference.
Championship history: Class D champion 1990, Division 3 runners-up in 2017 and 2021.
Players to watch: Sam Wildfong, jr. P/C (.366, 31 RBI, 17 SB, 6-3 pitching, 1.06 ERA, 88 K/59 2/3 IP); Matthew Kane, jr. 1B (.417, 29 R, 36 RBI, 13 SB); Charlie Olivier, sr. OF/P (.350, 27 RBI).
Outlook: St. Francis is back at the Semifinals for the second time in five seasons, this time on a seven-game winning streak after losing four straight over a tough three-day stretch in mid-May. Along the way, the Gladiators downed No. 13 Negaunee for a Regional title. Kane is a returning all-state first-team selection. Wildfong will start the Semifinal but the pitching staff is augmented by junior Tyler Endres (8-1, 1.17 ERA, 65 K/48 IP) and sophomore Lanse Vos (4-2, 1.19, 51 K/47 IP). Passinault formerly served as head football coach at Grand Rapids Catholic Central from 1993-2006 and Traverse City Central from 2007-15.
Division 4
NORWAY
Record/rank: 28-4-1, No. 9
Coach: Tony Adams, 11th season (200-86-4)
League finish: First in Skyline Central Conference
Championship history: Division 4 runner-up 2024.
Players to watch: Cameron Varda, jr. OF/P (.568, 52 R, 32 RBI, 40 SB); Cole Baij, sr. IF/P (12-2, 1.11 ERA, 130 K/63 IP, .307, 15 SB); Landon Amundson, sr. IF/P (.505, 41 R, 42 RBI, 23 SB); Owen Baij, jr. IF/P (.524, 38 R, 15 2B, 48 RBI, 39 SB, 6-1 pitching, 0.53 ERA, 73 K/40 IP).
Outlook: Six starters are back from the team that made its first Semifinals run and made last season’s final day. Cole Baij, Varda and Amundson all made the all-state first team, and Owen Baij made the second team. The Knights’ only losses this season were a pair to Division 2 Escanaba and one apiece to No. 4 Plymouth Christian Academy and Bonduel of Wisconsin. Four of the team’s six postseason wins ended early because of run differential, and for the entire spring Norway is averaging 10 runs per game. The team’s 183 stolen bases (in 195 attempts) ranks 11th in MHSAA history.
PETERSBURG SUMMERFIELD
Record/rank: 21-10, unranked
Coach: Reid Olmstead, fourth season (49-57-2)
League finish: Third in Tri-County Conference
Championship history: Division 4 champion 2019.
Players to watch: Jude Flowers, soph. P/IF (5-2, 1.59 ERA, 59 K/48 1/3 IP, .270, 41 R, 39 SB); Reece Kalb, jr. P/IF (8-5, 1.36 ERA, 88 K/67 IP, .286, 30 RBI, 13 SB); Tyler Dafoe, sr. IF (.347, 27 R, 29 SB).
Outlook: Summerfield is returning to the Semifinals after winning all of its postseason games by at least five runs, the closest a 5-0 Quarterfinal victory over No. 10 Decatur. The 10-2 District Final win over Britton Deerfield avenged a regular-season sweep. Summerfield finished only 12-17 a year ago but has won 11 straight games to get to championship weekend. Dafoe at shortstop and Brendan Myshock (.302) at first base are the team’s only seniors, and junior Russell LaRocca has been another top hitter at .333 with 26 runs scored and 27 stolen bases.
PLYMOUTH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
Record/rank: 28-7, No. 4
Coach: Eero Perkola, second season (50-19)
League finish: First in Michigan Independent Athletic Conference
Championship history: Division 4 runner-up 2023.
Players to watch: Cooper Weaver, sr. 3B (.379, 32 R, 28 RBI, 12 SB); Dylan Beasley, jr. UTY (.374, 39 R, 15 2B, 34 RBI, 16 SB); Michael Fernandez, jr. SS/P (.353, 11 2B, 34 RBI, 9-1 pitching, 0.78 ERA, 85 K/53 2/3 IP).
Outlook: Perkola took over following Plymouth Christian’s run to the Finals in 2023 and has the Eagles back two seasons later with a group that should return several contributors next spring. PCA downed No. 8 Royal Oak Shrine in the Regional Final and No. 15 Marine City Cardinal Mooney in the Quarterfinal, and has won 20 of its last 21 games. Senior Micah Lavigne (.344, 34 R, 32 RBI, 11 SB, 5-0 pitching) made the all-state second team last season and is among several more contributors; others include sophomores Carter Dattilio (.419, 33 R, 23 RBI) and Justin Shollack (.370, 14 SB) and junior Luke Janigan (.360, 41 R, 24 SB, 5-2 pitching).
PORTLAND ST. PATRICK
Record/rank: 32-1, No. 1
Coach: Bryan Scheurer, 20th season (475-150)
League finish: First in Central Michigan Athletic Conference
Championship history: Division 4 champion 2017, four runner-up finishes.
Players to watch: Jerryd Scheurer, soph. SS/P (7-0, 0.22 ERA); Brady Leonard, jr. P/CF (11-0, 0.89 ERA, 90 K/55 1/3 IP); Charlie Thelen, jr. C/IF. (Hitting statistics not submitted.)
Outlook: The Shamrocks’ lone defeat this season came to No. 2 Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart – and St. Patrick avenged it with a 5-4, 12-inning Regional Final victory. The Shamrocks also have defeated No. 11 Fowler, No. 6 Fulton, Dansville and No. 18 Maple City Glen Lake during the postseason. Jerryd Scheurer made the all-state first team, and Thelen made the second team last season. Senior Brayden Simon (6-0, 0.48 ERA, 70 K/44 IP) and sophomore Sean Fedewa (4-0, 0.00 ERA) give St. Patrick two more high-performing arms. Simon is one of only four seniors on the roster.
PHOTO Macomb Dakota’s Braylon Ryan (2) drives a pitch during his team’s 4-0 Division 1 Quarterfinal win over Lake Orion. (Photo by Terry Lyons.)