27th annual Lee T Awards celebrate wondrous moments from 2025 sports scene

5 months ago

BAY CITY, MI – The champion portion astir being a sports writer isn’t nan press-box seating.

Although you’ll ne'er drawback maine complaining astir that perk.

The bird’s-eye position will ne'er apical nan spills, thrills and chills that play astir successful beforehand of me. The action – and each nan wondrous precocious schoolhouse teams and athletes who supply it – is reliable to beat. Each twelvemonth astir this time, I return a infinitesimal to admit nan magic moments I get to witnesser successful this occupation.

And while I can’t relive each and each one, I coming a fun-filled package of memories from 2025 that I telephone nan 27th yearly Lee T Awards. Enjoy!

OFFENSIVE PLAY OF THE YEAR

One play epitomized nan grit and mightiness of nan Ogemaw Heights shot team, and it was wow-inspiring. Just erstwhile it seemed Swan Valley had turned nan momentum successful nan Division 5 location final, Calvin Marshall made judge everybody remembered what sewage Ogemaw this far. What began arsenic a consecutive handoff betwixt nan hashes turned spectacular. The 215-pound wrecking shot of a backmost collapsed a tackle astatine nan statement of scrimmage, hopped done different 1 past sewage a caput of steam for a 34-yard touchdown dash. Four defenders had a ace astatine him successful nan last 10 yards, but each 4 went tumbling to nan crushed arsenic Marshall near a way of bodies connected his measurement to nan extremity zone. That people kept nan Falcons rolling for a 34-14 triumph and their first location title since 2009.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

One play proved that thing tin hap connected nan shot diamond, and Standish-Sterling would beryllium fresh for anything. Locked successful a scoreless standoff pinch No. 10-ranked Mason successful nan 5th inning of nan authorities semifinals, nan Panthers utilized a perfectly executed protect gem to extremity nan scales. With 1 connected and 1 out, Mason sewage what looked for illustration a rally-sparking single. Instead, Standish turned it into a 9-6-5-4-3 double play, getting some Mason runners retired successful a rundown situation. The momentum push carried complete astatine nan sheet arsenic nan Panthers erupted for 5 runs successful nan 5-4 triumph that sent them to their first title game. The play was a cleanable denotation of really talented, prepared and locked-in No. 2-ranked Standish was passim its tourney run. Only a 5-2 nonaccomplishment to No. 1 Forest Hills Eastern prevented nan Panthers from winning it all.

John Glenn boys hoops hosts Bay City Western

TEAM OF THE YEAR

The John Glenn boys hoops squad didn’t get it done astatine tourney time, but there’s nary denying this was a typical season. In longtime coach Dale Clyde’s last play astatine nan helm, nan Bobcats recovered immoderate magic wrong to present 1 memorable infinitesimal aft another. They landed nan program’s 500th all-time triumph and Clyde’s 200th profession triumph while rattling disconnected a program-record 16-game winning streak. They posted nan program’s highest-scoring crippled successful 27 years, group a grounds pinch 20 wins successful a play and captured nan Tri-Valley Conference Red crown pinch 1 tooth-and-nail triumph aft another. After rising to a No. 6 authorities ranking, Glenn mislaid to Frankenmuth successful nan territory last but exited pinch 1 of nan astir thrilling boys hoops seasons successful Bay County history.

UPSET OF THE YEAR

Entering Week 4 of nan shot season, Cass City was reeling astatine 1-2 and now had to look No. 1-ranked and reigning authorities champion Millington. But thing typical was brewing. The Red Hawks sewage touchdown runs from Ryker Wallace and Will Perry to nonstop nan crippled into overtime, past sewage a touchdown-saving tackle connected 4th down from Blake Mackowiak to springiness themselves 1 possession for nan win. When nan discourtesy couldn’t punch it in, seasoned coach Scott Cuthrell – connected his 60th day – sent retired kicker Brody Schefka. His 23-yard footwear – Cass City’s first section extremity since 2005 – gave nan Red Hawks nan 17-14 stunner, their first triumph ever complete Millington, which saw a 17-game winning streak snapped. The truth that I correctly called nan upset successful my prediction file only added to nan flavor.

TOM MARTER AWARD

Presented successful grant of my late, awesome workfellow who refused to fto adversity get him down, nan grant is successful nan fitting hands of Colin Palm. The Bay City Western elder was connected his measurement to becoming an effect subordinate for nan lacrosse squad 3 years agone erstwhile an egg-sized tumor was discovered successful his brain. He took connected nan conflict pinch crab pinch gusto and had nan full Western LAX organization successful his corner, cheering him connected arsenic he relearned really to walk, talk and – yet – really to clasp a lacrosse stick. When he returned to nan section and scored his first varsity extremity – successful a 12-1 nonaccomplishment to Saginaw Heritage – nan squad stormed nan section while tears and hugs swept done nan stands successful ceremony of a typical benignant of triumph.

Bay City Central lacrosse hosts Bay City Western

BEST WIN

Since it launched successful 2006, Bay City Central lacrosse had stood arsenic nan slightest successful programme successful Bay County history, posting a .134 winning percentage. But everything changed successful 2025 arsenic nan Wolves went 10-6, winning much games than successful nan erstwhile 9 seasons combined. Still, nan breakthrough wouldn’t person been complete without a triumph complete Bay City Western. The Wolves had not only mislaid 26 consecutive meetings pinch their archrival but had been blown retired successful astir each of them. Playing connected nan hallowed grounds of Engel Stadium, nan Wolves put that history down them pinch a gutsy 9-6 triumph that gave 19 years’ worthy of players their infinitesimal of jubilation.

BEST LOSS

An epic play came to an ultra-epic conclusion for nan Standish-Sterling boys shot team. After winning nan first convention and territory titles successful programme history, nan Panthers took connected Manistee successful nan location semifinal – and it turned into a marathon of strength and thrills. Standish dramatically rallied from a 2-0 deficit, getting a extremity from Ben Briggs successful nan last infinitesimal of regularisation to unit overtime. After trading OT goals, nan crippled went to punishment kicks, wherever nan Panthers sewage a must-make extremity from Ian Emans and a must-stop prevention from Branton Bartlett to bring connected sudden-death PKs. Amazingly, that would agelong connected for 7 breath-taking rounds earlier Manistee prevailed for nan 4-3 win. It showed that nan Panthers were consenting to spell nan region – and beyond.

MOST RESILIENT TEAM

When nan Bay City Western softball squad rallied for a seven-run seventh inning to stun Saginaw Heritage 9-8, fewer could person guessed that effort would soon beryllium overshadowed. Just 4 days later, nan Warriors out-did themselves successful nan never-say-die department. Trailing Midland Dow 12-3 aft showing small to nary spunk done six innings, Western someway recovered nan occurrence for a head-spinning 10-run outburst and a astir improbable 13-12 victory. The Warriors sent 13 batters to nan plate, pinch 7 consecutive reaching guidelines pinch 2 outs. Zoe Ziehmer clubbed a two-run triple to dramatically necktie it and Kyra Smith followed pinch a walk-off azygous for nan astir heroic last framework of nan year.

MOST RESILIENT PLAYERS

*Bay City Western goalkeeper Logan Courier splits his caput unfastened making a diving prevention against Midland. With bandages wrapped astir his caput – he later receives six stitches – he returns to nan nett and completes a spectacular 1-0 shutout that gives nan Warriors their first boys shot triumph complete nan Chemics since 2018.

*Sidelined for nan first 13 games of nan play pinch a surgery foot, Sean Wesolek ne'er wavers successful his committedness to nan John Glenn boys hoops team. The elder returns successful clip to thief nan Bobcats to nan convention title, becoming nan 2nd subordinate successful programme history to scope 1,000 profession points successful nan process. The Hope College-bound elder throws down a slam dunk for his last handbasket connected his location court.

IMPROBABLE HERO AWARD

*Needing a triumph for its first squad wrestling location title successful 27 years, Ogemaw Heights sends 76-pound freshman Liam Nicholson onto nan mat for nan 106 clash. After trailing overmuch of nan match, Nicholson scores a melodramatic pin, propelling nan Falcons to nan authorities quarterfinals.

*Bay City Western and John Glenn conflict to a standoff done regularisation and 8 rounds of punishment kicks successful nan Bay County Boys Soccer Championship final. Western freshman Tyler Wells volunteers for nan Round 9 footwear and delivers nan title-winner, giving nan Warriors their first title since 2018.

*JV kicker Eli Bebow, who is only eligible to play 1 4th of nan varsity crippled nether nan fifth-quarter rule, trots onto nan famed section of Atwood Stadium and boots a game-winning 21-yard section extremity successful Essexville Garber’s 24-23 triumph complete Flint Powers.

IT HAPPENED, I SAW IT

*Bay City Western teammates Drew Goik and Logan Gehoski waged a sudden-death playoff for nan Bay County Boys Golf Championship individual crown, pinch Goik draining an 8-foot birdie putt to triumph it. He became nan first playoff victor successful nan tradition-rich tourney since his father, Brent Goik, successful 1992. The teammates powered nan Warriors to nan squad title pinch a grounds people of 292.

*With nan Tri-Valley Conference Red boys hoops title successful nan balance, John Glenn drills 3 consecutive 3-pointers – from nan nonstop aforesaid spot connected nan level – to seal a 66-55 triumph complete Freeland. Jimmy McCrum deed 2 triples and Sean Wesolek 1 from nan area correct successful beforehand of nan Glenn chair to clinch Glenn’s first crown since 2014.

STUFF OF LEGENDS

*John Glenn shot wizard Asher Clark sets Bay County records pinch 68 goals connected nan play and 164 for his career.

*Basketball player/wrestler is simply a uncommon combination, but Mio’s Angellaya Burden makes it work. The dual-sport standout becomes nan area’s 2nd authorities champion successful girls wrestling.

*John Glenn wrestler Jonny Ford feels correct astatine location astatine Ford Field, winning an individual wrestling authorities championship.

*Essexville Garber’s Audrey Ball delivers a 25-point, 25-rebound crippled successful a triumph complete archrival John Glenn, highlighting a play successful which she became a 1,000-point scorer.

*John Glenn swimmer Henry Schanbeck earns All-State successful 2 events and leads nan Bay City area successful six events successful a dominating inferior season.

*Bay City Central’s Taylee Nadolski breaks each programme grounds while competing for nan cooperative gymnastics squad astatine Vassar and closes retired her profession arsenic authorities runner-up connected bars.

*Standish-Sterling’s Keeley Peace and Jaylynn Yenna harvester for 7 location runs and 12 RBIs arsenic nan 1-2 hitters successful nan lineup successful a doubleheader softball expanse of Harrison.

*Pinconning keeper Ainesley Sylvester shatters nan authorities grounds pinch 829 saves successful her girls shot career.

*John Glenn’s Izaak Kukulski becomes nan 13th wrestler successful history to seizure 4 Bay County Wrestling Championship titles.

*Jack Wetters of Bay City All Saints becomes nan 3rd subordinate to gain 3 Golden Helmet Player of nan Year honors successful nan 61-year history of nan award.

*Three Laurens and Coco present a wondrous girls swimming play for Bay City Central. Lauren Bontekoe, Lauren Boon, Lauren Klawon and Coco Salazar mixed to springiness nan Wolves six entries astatine nan authorities finals. They adjacent retired nan twelvemonth by shattering nan schoolhouse grounds successful nan 400 freestyle relay, which had stood since 1990.

*Mio’s Mia McGregor is connected gait to go nan state’s all-time starring scorer, sitting astatine a school-record 1,607 points done her sophomore year.

Bay City Central shot hosts Bay City Western

ITEMS FROM THE BIZARRE

*Just 90 points awkward of becoming Bay County’s starring boys hoops scorer, first-team All-Stater Arnell Somlar chooses not to play his elder play for All Saints.

*Derrek Clyde and Dale Clyde move seats connected nan John Glenn bench, pinch boy Derrek supplanting begetter Dale arsenic caput boys hoops coach past hiring Dad arsenic his assistant.

*Due to deficiency of numbers, Hale plays conscionable 1 varsity shot crippled each twelvemonth – and wins – scoring a 26-6 triumph complete Forest Area for an undefeated season.

*With a 41-16 triumph complete Flint Carman-Ainsworth, nan Bay City Central shot squad scores much points successful Week 1 than successful each of nan 2024 play (39).

Bay City Western hosts Bay City Central for girls precocious schoolhouse volleyball

ALL ABOUT THE TEAM

*The first-year Tri-Valley Thunder, a 13-school cooperative lucky team, defeats nan Bay City Wolves, wins nan Mid-Michigan Hockey Conference title, wins its postseason debut and finishes pinch a stunning 19-win inaugural season.

*Bay City Western splits pinch Pinconning and loses to John Glenn successful excavation play astatine nan Bay County Volleyball Championship. But nan Warriors excavation heavy successful bracket play, stunning five-time reigning champion Essexville Garber successful nan semifinal past avenging its nonaccomplishment to Glenn successful nan last for nan team’s first crown since 2018.

*The Bay City Central girls shot squad rallies past Bay City Western 3-2, ending a 23-game winless streak against its archrival and earning nan its first travel to nan territory last successful programme history.

*The Standish-Sterling boys bowling squad captures nan first squad authorities title successful programme history connected nan aforesaid play that Paige Vallad wins nan first singles authorities title for nan girls bowling program.

*The Pinconning shot squad shows an unthinkable will to win, delivering a bid of late-game dramatics – positive big-game pitching from Zach Laures and person Blake Kareus – to triumph its 2nd consecutive location title. The Spartans ain 13 location championships, astir all-time among Bay City area schools.

*The Essexville Garber volleyball squad starts nan play slow but finishes pinch a flurry. The Dukes not only repetition arsenic territory champions but seizure their first Tri-Valley Conference crown successful 30 years.

Michigan Lutheran Seminary battles Unionville-Sebewaing during a softball Division 4 authorities semifinal

CAN’T WIN ‘EM ALL

Unionville-Sebewaing Area’s softball dynasty ended aft 5 consecutive authorities championships, falling to Mendon successful nan Division 4 final. But nan Patriots did not output quietly. Despite going .500 successful nan regular play and finishing 3rd successful nan Big Thumb Conference, nan Patriots won their 21st consecutive territory and location titles. In nan location final, Brown City batted doubly pinch a chance to win, moreover loading nan bases successful nan bottommost of nan eighth, only to spot USA propulsion it out. Only nan eventual crown eluded nan Patriots arsenic they suffered their first postseason nonaccomplishment since June 15, 2018.

ONE FOR ME

Bay City Central’s Jake Thompson, nan youngest of my 4 boys, qualifies for nan swimming authorities finals successful nan 100 backstroke arsenic a elder contempt seldom competing successful that event. He shaves astir 2 seconds disconnected his individual record, leaping from a No. 34 seed to an 18th-place tie. At nan conclusion of nan meet, he’s called backmost to nan excavation for a melodramatic 1-on-1 swim-off for nan alternate spot. In beforehand of nan full authorities finals crowd – and a hyperventilating begetter -- he wins pinch different PR of 56.36 to adjacent retired his profession successful spectacular fashion.

BEST FOR LAST

Luke LaCourse and nan Bay City Western shot team. The Warriors present a play steeped successful excellence and excitement, winning a hotly contested Saginaw Valley League crown, presenting coach Tim McDonald pinch his 900th triumph while claiming nan territory title, past repeating arsenic location champions and returning to nan state’s last four. Jack Sequin, Preston Giorgis, Brayden Simmon, Mikey DeLuca and Co. return turns delivering heroics passim nan season. But LaCourse is nan generational talent astatine nan bosom of it all. The hard-throwing right-hander goes 31-7 pinch 340 strikeouts successful his dazzling profession and becomes nan first Mr. Baseball victor ever from nan Bay City area. LaCourse originates his adjacent shot travel by being drafted successful nan sixth information by nan Los Angeles Angels. For 2025, it’s a communicative that was simply nan best.

THE LEE T AWARDS

26th yearly Lee T Awards (2024)

25th yearly Lee T Awards (2023)

24th yearly Lee T Awards (2022)

23rd yearly Lee T Awards (2021)

22nd yearly Lee T Awards (2020)

21st yearly Lee T Awards (2019)

20th yearly Lee T Awards (2018)

19th yearly Lee T Awards (2017)

18th yearly Lee T Awards (2016)

17th yearly Lee T Awards (2015)

16th yearly Lee T Awards (2014)