Best

handing out postseason hoops awards

abraham smithMarch 27, 2023

0 0 6 minutes read

The Petoskey boys wasted no time in igniting the fireworks of the 2022-23 season as they conjured up a court-storming moment in the second game of the season.

Well, we’ve finally come to the end.

While our part of Michigan has been off the basketball scene for a few weeks, the boys’ basketball championships in East Lansing over the weekend officially closed things for the rest of the state.

Larissa Huffman (12), Marlie Postula (15) and Mackinaw City defeated Inland Lakes with pure celebration.

A season that spans nearly four full months from start to finish can be a grueling marathon, but it also brings plenty of excitement and big moments.

I’m often at the gym four or five nights a week and have wrapped up the end of the regular season and postseason playing 17 straight days of the week.

In the last two and a half weeks I’ve traveled more than 700 miles, from Traverse City to St. Ignace, to East Jordan and Cheboygan, to Sault Ste. Marie.

After catching my breath, giving my car a break and finally getting home dinner before 10pm, I started thinking about the players, the games and the places that stood out the most this year.

In the weeks since the end of the season I’ve released all of the conference squads (more to come) and soon all of the state and all area will follow along with the region’s player of the year.

But how about highlighting some of those other areas of the game?

Those who follow college football may be familiar with Kirk Herbstreit’s annual “Herbie Awards,” which he presents at the end of each season for best games, moments, and some unusual honors.

So, following Herbie’s lead, here’s my very first series of the ‘Drewbie Awards’ for high school tires (it’s a working title):

BEST GAME

Boys: Petoskey vs. Grand Ledge

It only took two games into the 2022-23 season to tick this off, with a 70-68 OT win for the Northmen doing the trick. It came with seven draws and 25 lead changes and a game winner in OT with 1.6 links from Shane Izzard.

Girl: Mackinaw City vs. Inland Lakes

In stark contrast to the boys, one of the last girls’ games of the season was the best. The Comets clinched their first-ever regional title with a 62-53 win that was so much closer than the final score revealed, which included a 33-33 halftime and 42-41 at the end of third place.

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COACH OF THE YEAR

Boys: John Flynn, Harbor Springs

There were a lot of young teams in the area, but Flynn’s group started with two newcomers and went into the season with many question marks. They finished the year 13-11 and won eight of their last ten games before really scaring St. Ignace in the districts.

Girl: Adam Stefanski, Boyne City

Talk about a lesson in endurance, the Boyne City girls started the year 1-10 and lost six of those games in the single digits. They finished 9-15 and won seven straight games, including a big upset win over Harbor Springs. It was certainly a lesson to keep fighting.

BEST VENUE

Petoskey

It’s really hard to beat a crowded Petoskey High School gym. From the wraparound bleachers, to the suspended center scoreboard, to the crowds surrounding the upper lane, it’s an environment you won’t find often in high school basketball. And the Norse teams have had another rocking year at this gym.

BEST ATMOSPHERE

Mackinaw City

While it may not be the largest or prettiest of venues, Mackinaw City’s historic health club has so much to offer. It has a sense of stepping back in time, and Mackinaw fans show up and show off. The student section – for a school of 48 children – is fantastic with unique singing and just a great feeling. Boyne City was a close second here and all they have to do with the Rambler Sports Network.

CLUTCH TORQUE

Boys: Jonker steal, Trudeau done

All night, including a minute left against Cadillac, the Vikings tried to hold the ball and wait for Petoskey to foul in a 53-52 game. But Jackson Jonker pulled off a steal at the top of the key and found teammate Cade Trudeau, who then surfaced for an eventual game winner with 20 seconds left and forged a 54-53 win.

Girl: Title of the PHS girls

Speaking of pressure, the Petoskey girls had a shot at a second straight Big North title but had to make their way to TC Central in the regular season finale to make it. The Trojans also wanted the BNC title, but the Northmen made it past 23 points, five steals and three blocks from Caroline Guy in a 58-47 win.

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BIGGEST SURPRISE

Young ballers

One of the biggest shockers this season, wherever I went, seemed to be the amount of young players that were not just on the pitch, but showing up. Braeden Flynn and Rider Bartel from Harbor Springs and Joe Gaffney from Charlevoix, sophomores at Jaden Alger from Boyne City and Korbyn Russell from East Jordan, and even an eighth grader from the launch point watch at Harbor Light in Landon Jakeway. The future of area hoops definitely looks bright.

Best Rivalry Game

Boyne City vs. TC St Francis

There were a few ways here, but it would be a crime not to highlight them somewhere. A 50-44 Rambler win and a 0-11 away win against the Glads from 2016-17. The game came with star power, lead changes, a rowdy crowd and clutch moments down the track.

I WILL MISS SENIOR

Boys: Cade Trudeau, Petoskey

I really only watched Cade for a year with the Petoskey boys as he grappled with an injury and seniors prior to his junior year, but it was one of the most special seasons in PHS history. He averaged a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds despite being an equally great teammate and kid to deal with off the court as well.

Girl: Madison Smith, Mackinaw City

I’ll have to make sure I’m in the right place if I show up to a Mackinaw City game next season and don’t see Madison. I’ve watched her play for this team for the past five years. She goes about her business calmly and I have always been in awe of her shot blocking ability with no fouling. She has the best hand-eye I’ve ever seen in that regard.

BEST SHOT

Boys: Joe Gaffney, Charlevoix

He’s just a freshman but Joe takes this one. The pull-up jumper seems to be dying out, but Gaffney is all about it. He could be featured in an instructional video with his form. Better yet, they go in the hoop.

Girl: Caroline Guy, Petoskey

With some shots you just know they’re going in when they leave your hand. This is how every Caroline 3-hand felt. Her form is on point and the shots are on a tightrope. I enjoyed watching them play and I’ll miss that shot from distance.

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TOUGHEST PLAYER

Boys: Alex Calcaterra, Boyne City

As one of the area’s best soccer players, Alex brings the toughness needed on the field to the pitch. He’s not shaken at all when cruising through the lanes and will cause nasty trouble for teams seemingly looking for it. He’s badass.

Girl: Grayson Guy, Petoskey

This one was a no-brainer for me. I’ve seen Grayson struggle through injuries and bad ankles, play with a black eye and taped wrists and just keep fighting. She’s not shy and I wouldn’t want to stand face to face between Grayson and a loose ball.

UNSUNG HOOPER

Boys: Mason Wilcox, Boyne City

Calcaterra drew the most attention for the Ramblers, but Mason did an incredible amount for this Boyne team. His two early attacks against St. Francis set the tone and he led the team in assists and steals this season, in addition to nearly 13 points a night.

Girl: Gracie Beauchamp, Mackinaw City

The Mackinaw Seniors have done a lot for the Comets, of course, but Gracie has made such a huge leap this season and has been huge in her own right with 10.1 points per game and 150 assists for the season. She could be up for an All-State level season next year.