Meet the 2023 Battle Creek Enquirer All-City Girls Basketball Team

Meet the 2023 Battle Creek Enquirer All-City Girls Basketball Team. The team is made up of members of the seven city girls basketball teams and voted on by the city coaches and the Enquirer sports staff.

MORE: St. Philip Grimm is All-City Girls Basketball Coach of the Year

Katie Belmore

Lakeview

With an expanded role, Katie Belmore had a big senior season as a key player inside for the Spartans as they went 12-8 on the regular season, finishing second in the Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference East Division. Belmore averaged 12.4 points per game with 7.1 rebounds, earning all-league consideration.

"Katie has become a legit threat to score from inside and outside. She is my most improved player," Lakeview coach Blake Shaw said.

Ella Chantrenne

Harper Creek

Part of a rebuilding project for the Harper Creek program, Ella Chantrenne is expected to be one of the cornerstones of the future as she had her second straight All-City season as a sophomore. A young Beavers team went 8-14 on the year, competing in the Interstate 8 Conference, with the shooting guard getting 11.1 points per game and 5.1 rebounds to earn all-league honors.

"Ella is a dynamic scorer with a relentless drive to expand her game. She has a smooth jumper and can attack the rim hard. Ella is driven to improve and is committed to the game. When the game is on the line, she hits big shots and snags crucial boards," Harper Creek coach Kayla Whitmyer said.

Addi Dzwik

St. Philip

Just an 8th-grader, Addi Dzwik earned a spot on the All-City team by becoming the go-to scorer for a young St. Philip team as she stepped into that role as soon as she put on a varsity uniform. Comfortable with the ball in her hands or as a shooting guard at the arc, Dzwik was a leader for a rebuilding Tigers team that looks to be ahead of schedule after climbing to 12-12 on the season. Dzwik finished with 15.5 points per game and 6.1 rebounds to earn all-league honors.

"Addi did things that 8th-graders are not supposed to do on the varsity level. Addi has the drive to get better and better at every practice. Always watching films, wants to get better and better at every game. The future is very bright for her," St. Philip coach David Grimm said.

Kaylee Glidden

Pennfield

One of the top scorers ever at the school, Kaylee Glidden finished off a productive high school career with a big senior season to reach the 1,000-point milestone. A three-year varsity player and a three-time All-City selection and all-league selection, Glidden averaged 18.5 points per game with 7.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists. As Pennfield went 8-15, the shooting guard hit a school-record 67 3-pointers and shot 90% from the free-throw line.

"A do-it-all senior captain guard that was the top concern of any opposing coaches scouting report. Great scorer that can get to the rim, but also shoot it from anywhere on the floor," Pennfield coach Todd Grennes said.

Natalie Hensel

Pennfield

Natale Hensel was a rising sophomore prospect who was an anchor in the middle offensively and defensively for a Pennfield team that went 8-15 overall, playing in the Interstate 8 Conference. Hensel averaged 10.2 points, 7.6 rebounds and 3.1 blocked shots per game.

"Natalie expanded her offensive game throughout the season. She doubled her scoring average from the previous season and could score both inside and outside from the 3-point line. She is an excellent athlete, who is just scratching the surface of her talents," Pennfield coach Todd Grennes said.

Miriam Hibbard

St. Philip

A three-year starter and captain for the Tigers, Miriam Hibbard averaged 10.1 points per game and 2.5 steals and earned all-league honors for St. Philip, leading a young team to a 12-12 record. Still only a junior, Hibbard was the most experience player on a team without a senior.

"Miriam was a vocal leader on the court, encouraging teammates at all times. Miriam was the first to practice and last to leave the gym every night. Miriam was asked to drive the basketball and also knock down 3s and showed the ability to do both," St. Philip coach David Grimm said.

A’Mya Hodges

Battle Creek Central

A rising prospect as a sophomore, A'Mya Hodges was the go-to player for a young Battle Creek Central team that went 7-13 in the competitive Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference. Hodges averaged 16 points per game to go along with 3.1 assists and 2.1 steals as she earning all-league honors.

"A'Mya is one of the most talented players in the area. She led a young Bearcats team in virtually every statistical category and she is a rising star," BCC coach Tony Warren said.

Sofia Keller

Battle Creek Academy

Sofia Keller was a leader for a young Battle Creek Academy program that was competing in its first year as a tournament-eligible MHSAA team. Only a freshman, Keller is already in her third year on the varsity and is closing in on becoming a 1,000-point scorer with 982 career points so far. At 19 points per game this year, Keller is the school's all-time leading scorer and broke the school record for points in a single game with 43. Helping BCA to the school's first 10-win season, Keller earned all-league honors.

"Sofia's play is far beyond what would be expected from a freshman. Sofia's high level of play comes from a true love for the game and individual time spent working hard outside of practice," BCA coach Shadrach Grentz said.

Aisling Rankin

Lakeview

Aisling Rankin was a senior leader for the Spartans who saw her final year with Lakeview cut short due to injury. Prior to being knocked out of the starting lineup as the team's point guard, Rankin orchestrated the Spartan offense as they went 12-8 on the regular season and advanced to the district finals once again. An all-around player, Rankin averaged 6.1 points per game, 5.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists.

"Aisling's season was cut short due to a torn ACL. But losing Aisling really hurt this team. Just a terrific leader who does everything on the floor. Hardest working girl I have ever coached," Lakeview coach Blake Shaw said.

Anya Rankin

Lakeview

A returning member of the All-City team, Anya Rankin was a leader on and off the court as a sophomore for the Spartans as they went 12-8 on the regular season, finishing second in the Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference East Division. Rankin averaged 14.6 points per game with 4.1 rebounds, 4.1 steals and 3.6 assists, earning all-conference honors.

"Anya is a terrific player. Very tough to stop offensively and she always guarded the other team's best player. An absolute elite defender," Lakeview coach Blake Shaw said.

Payton Rice

Harper Creek

A senior captain, Payton Rice brought leadership to a team that experienced its third head coach in three years. The forward helped Harper Creek go 8-14, competing in the Interstate 8 Conference, averaging 8.1 points per game, 5.1 rebounds and 2.1 steals.

"Payton is a leader on and off the court and in the classroom. She is a fierce competitor and perseveres despite the adversity thrown her way. Payton is hardworking and carries an all-go, no-quit mentality," Harper Creek coach Kayla Whitmyer said.

Jayna Schwartz

Calhoun Christian

A go-to scorer and a point guard who also guided the offense, Jayna Schwartz continued to get better throughout the season and is a key part of the future for Calhoun Christian after the Cougars finished 8-13. The sophomore led the team in scoring at 10.1 points per game with 3.1 steals and 2.2 assists.

"Her improvement as a point guard from the beginning of the season to the end  was phenomenal. Short in stature but high in spirit, the sophomore point guard led a young Calhoun Christian team," Calhoun Christian coach Mark Beckley said.

HONORABLE MENTION: Madie Belmore (Lakeview), Kyleria Guest (BCC), Myliyah Mosely (BCC), Emilee Klacking (Pennfield), Jasmine Curtis (Pennfield), Makenzee Grim (St. Philip), Jaclyn Ashley (St. Philip), Sarah Belote (Calhoun Christian), Olivia Keller (BCA)

Bill Broderick can be reached at bbroderi@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on Twitter: @billbroderick.

This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Meet the 2023 Battle Creek Enquirer All-City Girls Basketball Team