2019 MHSAA Season Preview: Breaking Down the Greater Thumb East
After looking at the highly touted Greater Thumb West Conference, we now take a look at the East side of the Greater Thumb. Yet another group of teams that are not to be messed with, as they have proven to…
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Continue ReadingAfter looking at the highly touted Greater Thumb West Conference, we now take a look at the East side of the Greater Thumb. Yet another group of teams that are not to be messed with, as they have proven to house powerhouse teams in Division 3.
With the loss of a stellar 2019 class across the conference, the Greater Thumb East will have a whole new look. Despite the change, the GTE is going to bring the heat this fall.
Top Dogs
The past six seasons have been dominated by the Brown City Green Devils. In four of the past six seasons, the Devils found themselves in the Quarter-Finals or better. Year after year coach Jenna Welke has produced top teams to compete as one of the best in Division 3. After losing a 4-year starter in OH Kendal Muxlow, Welke looks to build off of junior OH Grace Schlaud and libero Lauren Woods. The latter earned first-team All-Conference nods in 2018. There is little doubt in the resilience in the Brown City program going into 2019.
Finally bringing in the competition to test Brown City came Harbor Beach. The pirates saw themselves turning heads in top-notch tournaments last year. Conquering the Hatchet Invite among others, they brought home wins against the best in Division 3 in the Class C/D Showdown as well. They return a majority of their line up that includes All-Thumb Preseason members Amber Pleiness and Makayla Roberts. Both of which are 2018 All-GTE selections. The Pirates will look to capitalize on last seasons success and avenge the loss of what would have been their first conference championship last season.
Middle of the Pack
Marlette and Ubly matched conference records in 2018, both going 7-5. Both teams suffered losses from the top dogs while splitting with each other. Both teams lose quite a bit of their line up to graduation, each losing a first-team conference player. While both lose a chunk of their line-up, they do return some experience.
From the Raiders, they return All-GTE MB Elizabeth Rohling. Rohling had a record-breaking junior campaign on the track, breaking Marlette’s 400m record. She could be poised for an explosive 2019 volleyball season.
From the Bearcats, they too return All-GTE members in DS Josie Gusa and OPP Lindsey Guza. Gusa, a speedy defender, shows off the speed off the court, splitting her time with the cross country team. She will look to run the backcourt come August 22nd. Guza, called up as just a freshman in 2018, will seek to improve her play and lead her team at the net.
Wild Cards
Like the middle of the pack, the following two teams matched conference records. Sandusky and Capac both tied for 5th in the GTE, with 3-6 records.
Sandusky, being a league veteran struggled last season, finding solace in a single offensive weapon in Gabby Gough. Gough, unfortunately, graduates from the program to play basketball at Lawrence Tech University. The Redskins only return an All-GTE mention in Olivia Jacobson to head up a whole new team.
Capac, on the other hand, was a newbie to the conference scene. They will look to rely on fresh faces to find success as they graduate both of their conference players.
At the bottom finished a young team in Memphis. Memphis returns GTE selections in S Nicole Morgan and OH Kaylee Rothwell. Both of which will have two more years with the program and will hopefully lead the Yellowjackets to some success in this highly competitive conference.