Berrien County Male Student Athlete of the Year – Johnny Rager
Johnny Rager of Buchanan High School is the WSJM Sports Berrien County Male Student Athlete of the Year. Johnny was a member of the Bucks’ Football, Basketball, and Track teams.
In football, he was voted BCS Conference offensive MVP & received All-Region honors. He rushed for 528 yards and seven touchdowns in a very balanced pass/run offense. He also finished with 197 receiving yards and two touchdown catches. On defense, he recorded 19 tackles and four interceptions. Johnny broke several school records over the past two years.
In Basketball, he helped lead team to two straight district finals.
On the track, he received the team’s Coaches Award and had one of the top area times in the 100 and 200 Meter Dashes. He also helped the 400 Meter Relay team qualify for the state finals.
Each of Johnny’s coaches said as great of an athlete as he is, he is an even better individual in and out of competition.
Johnny graduated with a 3.43 grade point average.
Berrien County Female Student Athlete of the Year – Maya Hunter
Maya Hunter of St. Joseph High School is the WSJM Sports Berrien County Female Student Athlete of the Year. Maya was a member of the Bears’ Golf, Basketball, and Soccer teams.
In golf, she earned All-Division, All-Conference, All-State, and Academic All-State honors. She won the Individual Regional Championship and finished in the top ten at the State Finals. Maya ended the season with a scoring average of 80 and ended up 2nd all-time in career average at St. Joe. In basketball, she earned All-Conference Honorable Mention honors along with BCAM Team First and BCAM Outstanding Senior Student-Athlete honors. She finished as the team’s leading three point shooter.
In soccer, Maya earned a third straight varsity letter.
She was also a member of the St. Joe Symphony Orchestra and The 1st Tee of Benton Harbor.
Maya graduated with a 3.88 grade point average.
Berrien County Coach of the Year – Jim Brawley
Buchanan Baseball coach Jim Brawley is the WSJM Sports Berrien County Coach of the Year. Coach Brawley guided the Bucks to the #1 ranking in the state at the end of the regular season after being ranked #9 in the preseason poll. Entering postseason play, they held a 29-2 regular season record. Through the Bucks’ State Quarterfinal win, they had recorded 20 shutout wins and had scored ten or more runs 14 times.
Van Buren/Cass Male Student Athlete of the Year – Gavin Etter
Gavin Etter of Marcellus High School is the WSJM Sports Van Buren/Cass Male Student Athlete of the Year. Gavin was a member of the Wildcats’ Football, Basketball, and Baseball teams.
In football, he threw for 1,428 yards and touchdowns. He also rushed for 292 yards and seven touchdowns. He finished the season earning All-Conference and All-Region honors.
On the basketball court, Gavin became the all-time leading scorer at Marcellus with nearly 1,200 points. This year, he averaged 23.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game. He earned 1st Team All-Conference and 1st Team All-State honors, and was named Southwest 10 Conference MVP.
In baseball, Gavin earned 1st Team All-Conference honors.
He was also recognized as a Southwest 10 Conference Scholar Athlete and an MHSAA Scholar Athlete nominee. Gavin was chosen as Marcellus High School Male Senior Athlete of the Year.
He was also a member of the National Honor Society.
He graduated with a 3.5 grade point average.
Van Buren/Cass Female Student Athlete of the Year – Jordyn Holland
Jordyn Holland of South Haven High School is the WSJM Sports Female Student Athlete of the Year. Jordyn was a member of the Rams’ Volleyball, Basketball, and Softball teams.
In volleyball, Jordyn finished the season with a 91% serving percentage, 44 aces, 214 kills, and 567 assists while earning BCS All-Conference honorable mention honors.
In basketball, she ended the season finishing second on the team in scoring with 133 points and shot 60% from the floor. She led the team in steals with 46, and assists with 33. She earned 1st Team All-Division honors and MLive Dream Team honorable mention honors.
On the softball, Jordyn earned 1st Team All-Division honors. She finished with a .448 batting average with two home runs, 22 RBIs, and 16 stolen bases. In the field, she had a .971 fielding percentage.
She graduated with a 3.4 grade point average.
Van Buren/Cass Coach of the Year – Mike Williams
Dowagiac Boys’ Soccer coach Mike Williams is the WSJM Sports Van Buren/Cass Coach of the Year.
Coach Williams led the Chieftains to a 13-3-1 record this past season. The eventually lost in Regional Finals to state runner-up Grand Rapids South Christian. Dowagiac finished with eight shutout wins on the season and scored six or more goals five times.
