2017 Player of the Year

Vanessa Schook

Hillman

*Class D all-state second team

*Three-time All-Alpena News first team selection

*North Star League first team

*Led the area in scoring with 19 points per game and averaged 2.4 rebounds per game

*Became Hillman’s all-time girls basketball scorer with 1,260 career points

*Led the Tigers to a second regional appearance in three seasons

*Helped Hillman win a third straight North Star League Big Dipper division title and a district championship

Taylor Fleming

Rogers City

*North Star League first team

*Averaged 12.7 points, 9.4 rebounds, and two blocks per game

*Helped the Hurons finish second in the North Star League’s Big Dipper Division and led the team to a 15-5 regular season which included an 8-0 start

*All-Alpena News second team pick as a freshman

Lyndsey Ryba

Hillman

*North Star League first team

*Averaged 12.2 points and 3.6 rebounds per game

*Provided a constant scoring presence and back court leadership on a team that won 21 straight games

Taylor Livingston

Alcona

*North Star League first team

*Averaged 14.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game, finishing second in the area in both categories.

*Helped the Tigers win a district title for the first time since 2014

Brittany Decker

Alcona

*North Star League second team

*Averaged 12.7 points and 9.8 rebounds per game

*Key contributor on a team that finished 14-9 and finished among the top teams in the North Star League

Coach of the Year

John Kuzewski

With team depth and plenty of talent, expectations were high for the Hillman girls basketball team. With Kuzewski at the helm, the Tigers delivered on that potential and finished with a 21-2 record. Along the way, Hillman won 21 straight games and established itself as the top team in the North Star League. The Tigers won their third straight league title and easily won their second district title in three seasons. The Tigers’ quest for a regional title fell short, but Hillman never stopped playing and nearly earned a spot in the regional final. Under Kuzewski, the Tigers have become one of the area’s most consistent programs and look to have brighter days ahead on the hardwood.

Second Team

Alyson Winton, Fairview

Shelby Seaver, Alpena

Brooke Ciarkowski, Posen

Kayla Rabeau, Rogers City

Cami LaTulip, Posen

Honorable Mention

Jessica Marwede, Alpena; Jasmyn Schultz, Alpena; Emma Jore, Alpena; Kendra LaFave, Alcona; Tiffany Juergens, Atlanta; Andrea Ford, Fairview; Jenna DeJarlis, Fairview; Morgan Armon, Hillman; Andrea Taratuta, Hillman; Emily Mangutz, Mio; Lauren Kuffel, Mio; Taylor Ehrke, Onaway; Zebany Box, Onaway; Katelyn Etherton, Oscoda; Justyce Orso, Oscoda; Jayna Hance, Rogers City; Hannah Fleming, Rogers City; Riley Krajnak, Posen