Introducing the 2022-23 The Daily Reporter Girls Basketball Dream Team
(Editor's Note: Several student/athletes were inadvertently omitted from the Dream Team story. It is with great regret that this mistake happened and these players were not properly celebrated along with the rest of the Dream Team. Our sincere apologies to Union City's Mackenzie Hale, Quincy's Raigan Horsfall and Grace Lindsley, and Tekonsha's Alisha Shedd, all of whom earned Honorable Mention this season.)
The 2022-23 Girls Basketball season is officially in our rearview mirror and there was much to celebrate during the year. Branch County had two conference champions, as the Coldwater Lady Cardinals took home a co-championship in the Interstate 8 while the Bronson Lady Vikings secured an outright Big 8 conference title after finishing the season unbeaten in the Big 8.
Both teams went on to win District championships before falling in their respective regional semifinals, ending what ended up being supreme seasons.
Coldwater entered the year flush full of young talent, boasting only one senior and only a handful of returning players with big varsity minutes. The Cardinals eventually started two sophomores and three freshmen, a lineup that took Coldwater to a 21-1 regular season record and 13-1 in the I-8. Coldwater went on to defeat Lakeview in the district finals, securing their first district title since 2019. The Cardinals fell to the eventual regional champions from Holt by the score of 45-28 in the regional semifinals, ending an amazing year under head coach Ken Smoker. The Bronson Lady Vikings also had a tremendous year in Division Three, finishing the regular season at 18-3 overall and 14-0 in the Big 8 conference. The Vikings boasted a very deep and talented team in 2022-23, a roster made up of all difference ages, including the eventual Big 8 conference MVP in sophomore Aubree Calloway and 1000 career point scorer Haylie Wilson in addition to three other All Conference honorees. Bronson defeated White Pigeon to secure the Division Three District title and suffered a heartbreaking loss to the top team in Division Three in Buchanan in the regional semifinals, a game they led for most of the contest. Bronson will say goodbye to a handful of solid players but still have the necessary tools to continue making big runs in the postseason.
The Union City Chargers, Quincy Orioles, and Tekonsha Indians continue to work through youth movements and rebuilds, but each team has shown the ability to win the big game and make big plays when necessary. Each roster boasts a wealth of talent all looking to take that next step on the hardwood.
In short, the 2022-23 Girls Basketball season was full of intrigue, excitement, and intense basketball so it is indeed sad to see it end. But with the end of the season comes the inevitable postseason honors and we are here to announce the 2022-23 The Daily Reporter Girls Basketball Dream Team.
Each prep season, The Daily Reporter sports staff selects its Dream Team members, those area players that we believe have shown great ability, leadership and drive. Those athletes chosen are athletes who finished out the season in good standing with their respective teams and showed integrity and hard work all season long, both on and off the court. Coaches were consulted in the choosing of these teams, both First Team and Honorable Mention.
So, without further ado, Ladies and Gentleman, may I introduce the 2022-23 The Daily Reporter Girls basketball Dream Team.
The Daily Reporter Girls Basketball Dream Team
Elli Foley, G/F, Coldwater, Sophomore
Rylie VanAken, G, Coldwater, Freshman
Mya Porter, G/F, Coldwater, Freshman
Elli Anderson, F, Coldwater, Sophomore
Aubree Calloway, G/F, Bronson, Sophomore
Haylie Wilson, G/F, Bronson, Senior
Brealyn Lasky, G, Bronson, Junior
Deziray Skirka, G/F, Quincy, Sophomore
Alyssa McCavit, F, Quincy, Junior
Jordan Chard, G/F, Union City, Junior
Aaelya Asher, G/F, Union City, Senior
Reagan Henry, F, Tekonsha, Sophomore
Honorable Mention
Coldwater- Coley Burkhardt
Bronson- Helena Eley, Payton Springstead, Ava Hathaway
Union City- Carley Gordon, Gracie Phelps, Mackenzie Hale
Quincy- Neha Jain, Danika Skirka , Raigan Horsfall, Grace Lindsley
Tekonsha- Alisha Shedd
The Daily Reporter Dream Team was decided on by a combination of coach's suggestions, season long success, suggestions from opposing coaches, and the opinion of The Daily Reporter sports staff. If you have any questions or comments, please contact Sports Editor Troy Tennyson via email at ttennyson@thedailyreporter.com.
This article originally appeared on Coldwater Daily Reporter: Introducing the 2022-23 The Daily Reporter Girls Basketball Dream Team
