The Associated Press has released its 2019-20 all-state girls basketball team for Division 4 in Michigan, honoring the best of the best among the state’s smallest schools…
1st Team All-State
Mara Rugen, Michigan Lutheran, Sr.
In leading her teams to a 22-1 record his season, Rugen averaged 16.6 points, 4.7 steals, 3.1 rebounds. She scored 25-plus points in their most important games. She is also a WSJM Sports Student Athlete of the Week winner.
Faith Guritz, Martin, Sr.
She led a 22-1 Martin team by averaging 12.5 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.8 steals, 1.6 assists and 0.7 blocks per game. She also reached the 1,000-point milestone this year and fished her career with 1,131 points.
Bree Salenbien, Adrian Lenawee Christian, Jr.
Salenbien was dominant once again this season, averaging 20.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 3.3 blocks and 3.0 steals a game. She also has 1,626 career points and 123 career 3-pointers.
Dani Salenbien, Adrian Lenawee Christian, Sr.
This season, Salenbien averaged 15.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.0 blocks. Joining her sister, Bree, on the All-State list, she was a second team selection as sophomore and first team as a junior.
Amaka Unobagha, Saginaw Arts & Sciences, Sr.
She averaged 11 points, 15 rebounds and 7.7 blocks this season. Has 631 career blocks (third in state history) and 1,107 rebounds (15th in state history).
Brooklyn Robak, Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes, Jr.
Averaged 15.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 1.9 assists for the Lakers, who were a regional finalist this year and went 16-7. She was also named All-Catholic.
Mia Riley, Fowler, So.
She averaged 15.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.0 steals. Team was 20-4 and playing for a regional title. Unanimous first team all-conference player.
Hallie Marshall, St. Ignace, Jr.
As Co-Player of the Year in the Straits Area Conference, she averaged 13.3 points, 3.3 assists and 3.7 steals in her third season as starting point guard for the Saints. Scored 34 points in a win over Ann Arbor Huron, giving them their first loss of the season.
Elise Besonen, Ewen-Trout Creek, Jr.
Player of the Year in the Copper Mountain Conference, she has made the All-U.P. team the past three years. Besonen averaged 16.6 points, 3.4 steals, 2.8 assists, 2.3 rebounds per game and shot 68 percent from 2 (112-165), 37.7 percent from 3-point range and 86.5 percent from the free-throw line.
Mercedes Simmons, Forest Park, Sr.
She averaged 19.4 points, 14.9 rebounds, 3.6 steals and 3.1 blocks per game. She was a unanimous all-conference selection in the Skyline Central along with being named the Defensive Player of the Year.
Olivia Lowe, Leland, Jr.
Also all-state in volleyball, Lowe averaged 20.5 points, 13.7 rebounds, 4.5 steals and 2.2 blocks on the basketball court. Already reached 1,000 career points as a junior.
Kelsey Richards, Fruitport Calvary Christian, Sr.
Averaged 28 points, 9.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists this season. She has 2,271 career points, ranking second in school history behind her sister (five years of varsity basketball, as Calvary Christian meets the “Class D exemption” because of its low enrollment).
Coach of the Year
Joel Leipprandt, Ubly
Last season, Ubly was 11-11. This year, Ubly was 23-1. Leipprandt has led the team to its best-ever record, winning its first league championship since 2005 and first district since 2008. Before the suspension of the season, the team was playing for a regional title. Leipprandt was voted as the All-Thumb Coach of the Year.
2nd Team All-State
Ally Schultz, St. Ignace
Sophia Vaughn, Engadine
Megan Mattson, Munising
Tessa Wagner, Carney-Nadeau
Paige Kohler, Suttons Bay
Honorable Mention All-State
Katelyn Sweeney, Ubly
Josie Gusa, Ubly
Katelyn Pnacek, Coleman
Ava Boike, Genesee Christian
Dakota Sigler, Camden-Frontier
Morgan Messenger, Bellevue
Makenna Banbury, Hillsdale Academy
Quinn Robak, Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes
Ti’Syn Callahan, Southfield Christian
Samantha Bissett, Peck
Addison Williams, Deckerville
Emma Riley, Fowler
Briana Smith, North Dickinson
Emmalee Hart, St. Ignace
Sandra Boulton, Carney-Nadeau
Kennedy Englund, Mid-Peninsula
Libby Derrer, Bellaire
Jacey Somers, Bellaire
Madison Smith, Mackinaw City
Kinzie Jeffers, Gaylord St. Mary
Colleen McCarthy, Onekama
Megan Grusczyski, Gaylord St. Mary
Shamya Reid, Redford Westfield
Madison Looby, Saginaw Nouvel
Makaiya Thomas, Saginaw Arts & Sciences
Hannah James, Kingston
Delaney Scully, Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart Academy
Madison Munley, Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart Academy
Jenna Dove, Vestaburg
Summer Smith, Breckenridge
Lydia Meredith, Portland St. Pats
Mia Judd, Lansing Christian
Katelyn Bontrager, Lansing Christian
Gracie Nowak, Morrice
Look here Thursday for the Division 3 All-State Team.
