Here's the 2023-24 Sturgis Journal hoops Dream Teams
STURGIS — Apologies for being away for a handful of days. Typically our family does not take a spring break trip but somehow I was coerced into doing one. You'll have to forgive me for being late on the basketball all-area teams, but I do have good news in they are listed here in this story.
For the longest time, in the 17 years I have worked for the Journal, we have called these the "Dream Team." We can still do that, if you're so inclined to call them that. Many other publications have labeled theirs as "All-Area" teams, so I think either one fits to be honest.
In either case, these student-athletes have earned their way onto the list for their basketball seasons. NEW to the list this year are the player and coach of the year, something we never really got into in previous years.
Corky, Tom and I would always have banter and arguments about who were the best player and coach in the area, but we never officially made an announcement based on what we thought. That changes this year as I'm just going to go ahead and name them.
Why not?
In total, there are 32 student-athletes named to this year's team. It was decided that 16 boys and girls would make the team and instead of running them separate, we're going to go ahead and just do one story on them. I won't tell you the process on how the student-athletes were selected, but know that coaches thoughts/views in addition to other factors were included.
Problems with anybody that made the list/didn't make the list? You can email me at bwatson@gannett.com, where I always respond to emails. Most of you know that I have no issues discussing things with readers and I'm always open to dialogue because I believe it's important in the world of high school sports.
So, here we go.
The Sturgis Journal Basketball Player of the Year
Reese Williams, senior combo guard, Colon
I am a multi-year voter on the annual Associated Press All-State teams for football and basketball. This year, Williams nearly won the vote for Division 4 player of the year on the ladies' side. Williams led Colon to its second consecutive district championship and appearance in the regional round. Unfortunately for the Magi, their season came up short of the regional finals for the second straight season.
Williams finished her senior campaign as a four-year starter. The Lady Magi were ranked inside the Top 5 all season. She averaged 24.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game this season. Additionally, she swiped nearly five steals while handing out five assists per game. This was the second consecutive year she was named First Team All-State.
Oh yeah, she owns the career scoring record at Colon High School. She'll also be continuing her academic and basketball careers next year and will be signing next week. No spoilers from me!
The Sturgis Journal Basketball Coach of the Year
Brooke McClure, White Pigeon
There were several deserving coaches this year for this. I won't call it an "award" necessarily, because we did not order plaques like we do for the Corky and Tom memorial scholarship winners. Maybe we will fix that in the future.
Anyway, McClure and the White Pigeon ladies had a really strong season. It ended in the district round, but the early exit does not discredit what the Lady Chiefs did this season. McClure led White Pigeon to an 18-4 record on the year, including the program's first conference title since the 2009-10 season.
White Pigeon finished with a 17-1 record in the SouthWest10 this year. They also had two separate nine-game winning streaks on the season.
The Sturgis Journal Basketball Boy's Dream Team
Kam Brackett, Bronson
Saylor Wotta, Bronson
Matt Swanwick, Centreville
Kobe Carpenter, Centreville
Josh Davidson, White Pigeon
Jordan Pisco, White Pigeon
Dalton Williams, Colon
Dom Mock, Colon
Owen Gorham, Mendon
Quincy Blair, Mendon
Jace Gray, Three Rivers
Isaac Moore, Constantine
Austin Cole, Burr Oak
Braxton Boyles, Burr Oak
Carson Eicher, Sturgis
Grady Miller, Sturgis
The Sturgis Journal Basketball Girl's Dream Team
Sadie McDaniel, White Pigeon
Leigha Shudell, White Pigeon
Allie McGlothlen, Three Rivers
Jennaya Decker, Three Rivers
Sophia Affriseo, Marcellus
Angela Cary, Sturgis
Keyanna O'Tey, Sturgis
Brealyn Lasky, Bronson
Aubree Calloway, Bronson
Reese Williams, Colon
Megann Mullins, Colon
Braylyn Hernandez, Burr Oak
Jadyn Samson, Mendon
Makennah Mullin, Mendon
Jaedyn Herlein, Constantine
Bella Cullifer, Constantine
Contact Sports Editor Brandon Watson at watson@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as twitter, @BwatsonSJ.
This article originally appeared on Sturgis Journal: Boys, girls Dream Teams announced for the Sturgis Journal
