2021 Benzie County Winter Sports Preview

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2021 | Benzie County Winter Sports Preview

Benzie Central Boys Varsity Basketball In 2019, his first year leading the program, Joshua Crocker led Benzie Central to a 9-12 record, losing to Ludington in districts just

before the COVID-19 pandemic started. The following season, the Huskies finished 10-9 and were a four-point loss to the Orioles away

What you need to know The Huskies are without Seth Wilkinson in 2021, a key contributor last season, but they return tons of exceptional talent this winter.

Crocker is confident in Nate Childers and Zickert, who he called up to varsity three years prior. The two of them are in a position to capitalize on numerous opportunities as seniors. However, Jaxon Childers plays at a high level and brings a different dynamic to the squad. Now a sophomore, he started on varsity as a freshman.

"Those are our three most experienced basketball players," Crocker said. "So, situationally, I think there is a lot of things they are going to see or recognize … I think

from potentially making some noise in the postseason. Now, with a plethora of returners, Benzie Central is poised to put it all together.

their ability to anticipate and really adapt to some of the things we'll see throughout the season will be helpful."

Yet, in basketball, what remains more valuable than anything else is depth. So far, Benzie Central seems to have a quality rotation.

Nate Childers battles through contact "There's a couple of kids that for a shot attempt. (File Photo) looked great that didn't surprise me, and that's a good thing," said Crocker. "Chaz Grundy … he's looked really good through the first couple of days. That's not a surprise; he put in a tremendous amount of work in the offseason.

Then we have Ike Koscielski, who was a first-time basketball player for us last year … he's impressed us; he's giving great effort and playing tough on the defensive end."

Prediction After losing to Ludington in the final minutes last year, the Huskies are hungry and ready to take the next step. Benzie Central has the pieces with nearly everyone returning, including the Childers brothers, Zickert, Grundy, Koscielski, and Miles Pritchett. I see improvement on the Quinn Zickert led the Huskies in horizon and then some. scoring as a sophomore this year.

(File Photo) Overall record prediction: 12-8 (8-6 Northwest Conference)

Good Luck to all Benzie County Athletes.

Coach’s Corner: “I see both sides of the argument, some people want to set goals that are likely to be achieved so that you have something you can look at as an accomplishment and feel positive about when you are trying to grow and build a program, which I totally understand,” said coach Joshua Crocker. “But at the same time, I think lofty goals are worth pursuing – there’s obviously always the possibility of heartbreak, but that’s going to come with any goal, regardless of how high you set it.

“Since we are returning so many guys and we felt like we were so close last year … they are very focused on winning a conference, winning a district, and even winning a regional.”

The Numbers 2020 Record: 10-9 (8-5 Northwest Conference) Best Win: vs. Maple City Glen Lake, W 48-46 Worst Loss: vs. Ludington, L 34-66 2020 Playoffs: Lost to Ludington in districts, 45-49

Key Returners PG Nate Childers (senior) F Quinn Zickert (senior) SG Jaxon Childers (sophomore who started on varsity as a freshman)

Key Losses SG/SF Seth Wilkinson (graduated)

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Benzie Central Girls Varsity Basketball City for its third postseason win in three years.

Two days later, Benzie Central lost to Cadillac by 21-points; however,

In 2020, the Benzie Central Huskies ended the regular season 10-8 with seven conference victories before defeating Reed

Coach’s Corner: "We have a good core of girls with four

seniors this year that are coming back … the chemistry right now is solid. Gloria

the Huskies return four seniors, three of which were starters last year, putting them in a position for another playoff run.

Stepanovich and Elise Johnson are

looking good in practice," Benzie Central interim head coach Jeff Nordbeck said.

"There's a lot of talent on the roster; I'm a little concerned about where we will

get all of our scoring from. But these girls have the ability to be successful – they

work well together and always play hard."

The Numbers 2020 Record: 10-8 (7-5 Northwest Conference)

Best Win: @ Leland, W 42-32

Worst Loss: @ Cadillac, L 26-66

2020 Playoffs: Defeated Reed City (37-30)

you numerous minutes. Her floor awareness and knowing where The Huskies welcome back Gloria to be is phenomenal; nor is she Stepanovich, who earned AllState honorable mention last year, afraid to attack the basket," said Nordbeck. "Elise can give you the Elise Johnson stepped up her game nearly averaged a double-double, full game on the floor; she doesn't in 2021 to emerge as one of Benzie and will remain a key contributor Central's leaders. (File Photo) this winter. Nordbeck, entering his seem to tire out. Her scoring first season as interim head coach, improved so much last year; she has a great shot and is working is excited to see Stepanovich on her confidence to be more of a in uniform again alongside four seniors, including Elise Johnson – scorer. Defensively, she's probably my best defender on the floor; Benzie Central's point guard. she'll be asked to stop the No. 1 "Gloria is very athletic; she has great speed and is able to give on the opposite team."

What you need to know

before losing to Cadillac (25-46).

Key Returners

Prediction

G/F/C Gloria Stepanovich (junior) PG/SG Elise Johnson (senior)

Key Losses G/F Ellen Bretzke (graduated)

Gloria Stepanovich played significant minutes off the bench during Benzie Central's loss to Big Rapids in 2020. (File Photo)

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Benzie Central's program begins with being unselfish; Nordbeck wants the team to be bigger than any individual on the squad. He intends to rely on everyone, and so far, it's led to a sense of continuity, camaraderie, and success. I expect his philosophies and the Huskies' talent to shine through.

Overall record prediction: 13-7 (9-5 Northwest Conference)

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2021 | Benzie County Winter Sports Preview

Benzie-Frankfort Ski Team Last year was a solid year for the Benzie-Frankfort ski team.

The boys team captured its eighth straight Lake Michigan Ski Conference title and had two All-State skiiers on the roster.

Though the girls team did not enjoy the same success, they still had a solid season, finishing

second behind a talented Onekama team that barely missed qualifying for state at their regional. After losing the bulk of his skiers to graduation, coach Adam Putney will helping a young team find its way in what is likely to be a bit of a rebuilding year.

Coach’s Corner:

What you need to know The Benzie-Frankfort ski team’s 2020-21 campaign makes for a tough act to follow.

Losing athletes to graduation is the nature of the beast in high school sports, and the squad lost some top-tier talent in Thayer and Johnson, with Thayer finishing seventh in the giant slalom and eighth in the slalom at the state finals and Johnson earning second-team All-State after finishing

in the top 20 in both of his races.

Additionally, Kirk Beeman and William O’Dwyer, who finished fourth and sixth in the conference, also graduated.

“I lost Quincy, Seth — I lost them all,” Putney said. “I only have one boy returning: Aidan O’Dwyer, a Frankfort sophomore.”

Peck and Gaylord finished fifth and sixth in the conference, respectively, for the

Prediction The Benzie-Frankfort boys chasing down their ninth consecutive conference title seems a tall task with just one skier returning from last year’s squad. Thayer and Johnson leave behind some big boots to fill, but Aidan O’Dwyer could have a big season individually,

girls last season, and Wolfe also placed in the top 10. That trio could be poised to make some noise in the upcoming season.

“The three that are returning, they were skiing pretty decent,” Putney said. “We just have to see where they pick up and go.

(The team hasn’t) even met yet — it’s been warm weather and it’s been kind of crazy.”

after placing seventh in the conference as a freshman.

Although the girls lost some skiers to graduation, the cupboard is not bare. Peck, Gaylord and Wolfe make up a solid core of skiers, and the girls could possibly make a run at a conference title depending on what the underclassmen bring to the table.

Aidan O'Dwyer competes in the slalom.

(File photo)

“I don’t really know what I’ve got this year. I have a small team,” head coach Adam Putney said. “Last year, the boys did really well. “... I graduated most of my kids last year.

We’ll just see what happens. … I only have one boy returning. … I have three or four juniors (on the girls team) this year. We’ll see what happens.”

The Numbers Conference standings: First and

second place for the boys and girls teams, respectively

Boys regional placing: Fifth

Ella Gaylord makes a turn in the giant slalom.

(File photo)

All-State skiers: Two in then-

Frankfort seniors Quincy Thayer and Seth Johnson

Key Returners Aidan O’Dwyer (sophomore) Savannah Peck (junior) Anna Wolfe (junior)

Ella Gaylord (junior)

Key Losses Quincy Thayer (graduated) Seth Johnson (graduated) Reeve Katt (graduated)

Savannah Peck races in the giant slalom.

(File photo)

Hannah Kistler (graduated)

Benzie County Winter Sports Preview | 2021

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Frankfort Girls Varsity Basketball

Entering his 20th season leading the Panthers, Tim Reznich has done it all.

The coaching veteran helped Frankfort win back-to-back state championships from 2005-06 and is the last program What you need to know Coach’s Corner: “There’s no question they had to grow up faster than we generally like (last year),” said Frankfort coach Tim Reznich.

“But they always responded really well. I think the growth from that is going to translate into some very good basketball this year. They’ve seen a lot; we had a good summer, and because of that, my sophomores are playing more like upperclassmen this time around. Overall, that’s going to help us a ton this season.”

Frankfort is without Reagan Thorr, who graduated and plays college basketball at Alma, but the Panthers boast four seniors this year. Reznich expects Tara Townsend, Grace Wolfe, and an abundance of sophomores and juniors to have a productive year.

“We’re going to miss her Grace Wolfe emerged as a starter and key player for the Panthers as a (Thorr); she was our leader,” freshman. (File Photo)

Reznich said. “This year, I have an incredible mix as far as my grade levels go, but last year we only had 13 or 14 kids in the entire program, which isn’t a lot. Fortunately, the MHSAA came out with the five-quarter rule so I could have kids play twoquarters of JV and three of varsity; it was designed for us to break it down depending on what we needed.

Eventually, we had it down to

More than enough talent is back for Frankfort this winter, and after falling short in the regional final against

2020 Record: 13-5 (8-4 conference)

a science.

“I had several kids that played the max of those five quarters, mostly freshmen, but we needed it for the numbers. But those freshmen from last year that had all the varsity experience, well, they aren’t freshmen anymore, and they are going to be expected to contribute every night … I think it really helped them last year to get that exposure to a higher level.”

Bellaire, the Panthers expect to compete at a high level in 2021.

Overall record prediction: 15-5 (11-3 Northwest Conference)

Prediction

The Numbers

to raise such a banner. The Panthers went 13-5 in 2020, at one point, winning eight games in a row, including a district finals victory, before losing to Bellaire.

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Best Win: @ Leland, W 52-49

Worst Loss: @ Kingsley, L 38-44

2020 Playoffs: Beat Mesick to win

the district before losing to Bellaire in the regional final.

Key Returners G/F Tara Townsend (senior)

G/F Grace Wolfe (sophomore)

Key Losses G/F Reagan Thorr (graduated, led the team in points and rebounds)

Tara Townsend emerged as a player who could play elite defense and attack the basket last year.

(File Photo)

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2021 | Benzie County Winter Sports Preview

Frankfort Boys Varsity Basketball Since Dan Loney took over for Reggie Manville in 2018, Frankfort basketball has appeared in a state title game and won 13 postseason contests. Last year, the Panthers ripped off 11 consecutive victories beginning with a 20-point

blowout against Gaylord St. Mary High before eventually losing to Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart in the quarterfinals. It’s a program that hasn’t posted a losing record in a decade, and another successful season appears inevitable.

Coach’s Corner:

What you need to know The Panthers lost a valuable piece to their rotation when Adam Mills suffered an injury during the football team’s playoff game against Iron Mountain. To top it off, Frankfort needs to replace Jack Stefanski, who is playing college basketball at Western Michigan, and its point guard in Daniel Newbold.

However, Loney

returns multiple contributors, including Blake Miller, Nick Stevenson, Zander Saucer, Ethan Evans, and Emmerson Farmer, who has been a pleasant surprise before the season officially tips off.

“I come in every day and try to be the best coach I can be and control what I can control,” Loney

said. “As far as the players go, just come to practice and listen to the coaching staff, while we listen to them as well – it’s a twoway street. They come in and play as hard as they can, be quality teammates, and play all of our roles, which usually leads to a successful season and puts us where we want to be.”

Blake Miller squares to fire a jumper from the corner during Frankfort's state quarterfinal loss on April 6.

(File Photo)

in the postseason. There’s work to be done, but another deep playoff run is within reach despite the injury to Mills.

Overall record prediction: 16-4 (12-2 Northwest Conference)

The Numbers 2020 Record: 17-6 (10-3 Northwest Conference) Best Win: vs. Gaylord St. Mary, W 46-26 Worst Loss: vs. Kingsley, L 45-47 2020 Playoffs: Won three games in the postseason before losing to Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart in the quarterfinals.

Key Returners SG Blake Miller (senior) C Ethan Evans (senior) SF/PF Nick Stevenson (junior) PG/SG Zander Saucer (junior)

Prediction Entering his fourth season leading the program, Loney is 55-17 with numerous playoff victories and was one win away from a state title. It’s clear he and the coach before him helped build a tradition of going far

“The thing I say to the guys a lot is, ‘What is your story going to be?’ Every year, each team has its chance to write its own story and what that looks like,” said Frankfort coach Dan Loney. Are you going to lose in districts? Are you going to be a .500 team? Are you going to go undefeated? Are you going to win a state championship? That’s something each team decides throughout the year, and no, they don’t control every possible outcome, but they do control a lot of what happens.”

Key Losses G/F/C Adam Mills (out for the year with injury) SF Jack Stefanski (graduated) PG Daniel Newbold (graduated)

Ethan Evans hauls in a defensive board for the Panthers. (File Photo)

Benzie County Winter Sports Preview | 2021

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2021 | Benzie County Winter Sports Preview

Frankfort Wrestling Coach’s Corner

Frankfort's Jared Coxe works to pin a Mancelona wrestler during a home tri-match. (File photo)

Tucker Hubbard battles to victory to clinch all-conference honors. (File photo)

Frankfort wrestling’s 2020-21 campaign was an uphill battle. With low numbers, a season shorted

by COVID-19 delays and injuries, the Panthers are

ready to turn the page and take a big step forward with the wrestling program.

What you need to know The Panthers competed with just four wrestlers on the team last year, which is not a recipe for team success. What Frankfort lacked in quantity, it made up for in quality, but injuries and COVID-19-induced quarantines derailed any shots for individual success.

“Two of those kids would have been state qualifiers. They were ranked in the state, but we had one that was quarantined and one that tore a labrum,” Smith said. “Our season was short to begin with, and then got cut short based on uncontrollable circumstances. … We had a lot of

quarantines. Even with four kids I felt like every time we wrestled we were getting that phone call.

It was like, ‘I only have four weight classes out of 14 — it can’t be my kid.’”

Four Panthers are returning to wrestling after taking last year off. Smith said those who took a gap year should be able to catch up on the rest of the field, as the shortened season meant they only missed out on six weeks of wrestling. Even the newcomers to the team have experience from Frankfort’s youth program.

“It’s exciting to have kids who are new to varsity — and we’re

still working on a lot of stuff — but they really do have the basics and some foundational knowledge,” Smith said.

Jared Coxe should have a big season as a senior, having been a regional qualifier in each of the past three years wrestling at 135 pounds.

“He was ranked in the state last year, so big expectations for him. If we would have had a standard year last year, he would be on track to easily get his 100 wins,” Smith said. “I’m expecting him to step up as a leader on the mat and off. He’s a great teammate and he’s one of our

“I think the biggest thing is, especially when you have these seniors that come back, is embracing and being grateful for the opportunity to compete and to be with friends and teammates,” said head coach Jaime Smith. “I think another big thing is to resurge the program and make sure we set a standard that future wrestlers can look up to. ... I think this year and these kids can make a huge difference in the future of the program — especially with some young ladies wrestling.

“This year to me is kind of exciting. It’s a little bit of a rebirth, rebuild,” she continued.

“I think it can set a foundation for us being successful for the next three or four years.”

The Numbers Wrestlers on the team: Twelve, a massive jump from last year’s four-point Girls on the team: Three

Key Returners Jared Coxe (senior) Tucker Hubbard (senior) EZ Thompson (senior) Aiden Sweeney (sophomore)

Key Losses Jeff Lane (graduated)

Benzie County Winter Sports Preview | 2021 smallest weight classes in regards to the last couple of years, but at the same time, he’ll tango with our heavyweights. He’s a little bit fearless, so he’ll be a leader for us.“ Aiden Sweeney, a sophomore, improved dramatically throughout a shortened freshman campaign. Smith is excited to see how much he can progress with a full season.

“He’s a natural. He picked up stuff really quick. I’m actually really excited to see his progression come February where he actually gets a season underneath his belt,” she said. “… Most sophomores come in and they’ve already had 30 matches under their belt. He’s sitting at 12. It’ll be exciting to see him, and then to also see some of our

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younger guys in a room of experience.”

Smith is pleased to welcome Tucker Hubbard back into the fold after Hubbard sat out last year in what Smith anticipated to be a big season for him.

“The summer before last year, he showed up to every summer workout and was putting in the work. When the decision was made for him not to wrestle last year, I respected it, but that one hurt,” Smith said. “I thought last year was going to be his breakout year. We’re really excited to have him back because I think he’s going to make a comeback. I don’t think you’re going to be able to tell that he’s skipped a year.”

With the Michigan High School Athletic Association sanctioning girls wrestling

this year, Smith hopes to see more and more girls enter the world of wrestling. The Panthers will have three girls on the squad this year, the most Smith has seen during her tenure as head coach. Paige Willman, Abigail Farkas and Emily Alaimo, all freshmen, will take to the mat for Frankfort this season.

“It takes away a little bit of the intimidation.

When you have three, and they can work out together, they have some confidence with each other,” Smith said. “They’re still a little concerned because I’m trying to mix them in (with the boys) because I want to make sure we respect them as females, but they’re also respected as wrestlers in our room and on our full team. We still compete as a team together.”

Prediction Frankfort is poised to take a big leap forward this year. A limiting factor for the Panthers’ success will be the fact that most of the wrestlers are in the heavier weight classes, meaning opposing teams could end up receiving free points in the lighter classes.

It appears as though Frankfort wrestling could begin to build towards success in the coming years. Nolan Clouse, a freshman, is entering

Good Luck Panthers & Huskies!

varsity wrestling after a promising junior high career, and sophomore Fletcher Anderson has shown himself to have natural talent in this his first year of wrestling.

While the lack of wrestlers in the lighter weight classes could hinder team success, the Panthers should have multiple individuals qualify for regionals, and maybe a state qualifier or two, as well.

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2021 | Benzie County Winter Sports Preview

Anna Wolfe completes her second giant slalom run on.

(File Photo) Tara Townsend hounds St. Francis guard Gwyneth Bramer in the back court. (File Photo)

Aiden Sweeney begins his first match of the day.(File Photo) Nick Stevenson flies to the basket in transition during the Panthers win over Mesick.

(File Photo)

Kaylee Novogradac shoots a jumper against Manistee. (File Photo)

Jaxon Childers drives to the basket during districts against Ludington.

(File Photo)

Benzie County Winter Sports Preview | 2021

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