Young Flat Rock team wins District 5 crown Page 5-C

Section C

SPORTS
Wednesday, July 11, 2012

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All-News-Herald Softball Dream Team

Downrivers sparkling gems

I
and regional champions. Mikey Kish, Allen Park: Kish had a stellar season directing traffic from behind the plate. The junior catcher hit .516 in the regular season with 66 hits including 16 doubles, 30 RBI, 41 runs, and six homers in 128 at-bats. Kish took home all-region honors and was named to the all-state honorable mention list. Kaylee Knerr, Allen Park: The Jags ace amassed a 27-4 record on the rubber during the regular season, including 243 strikeouts, two no-hitters, all while maintaining a 1.24 ERA. The junior, and her team, went undefeated in the Downriver League putting together an 18-0 record. Knerr took home all-league and all-region honors. Desiree Kuczynski, Trenton: The junior shortstop batted .509 in the regular season with 28 RBI, 59 hits, and 48 runs. On the base path, the Trojan star stole 21 bags and took 86 total bases. Kuczynski was her teams MVP and added all-league honors to her shelf before being named on the all-district honorable mention list. Cloey Oder, Riverview: The sophomore all-league and all-district selection was a cornerstone of a dangerous Pirate offense this season and hit well over .450 for the Bucs this season. Maria Rodriguez, Cabrini: Rodriguez excelled at leadoff for Cabrini this season and hit .455 with 28 steals to earn all-state laurels. Brianna Surma, Cabrini: Surma earned all-state honors at catcher for the Monarchs after hitting .472 with 34 RBI for the regional champions.

t was a sensational season for several Downriver softball teams, including Huron League champion Flat Rock and Downriver League champ Allen Park, each of whom also won district titles. It was also another excellent season for Cabrini, which went to the Catholic League championship game and then won district and regional titles. The Rams, Jaguars and Monarchs pace this years All-News-Herald Softball Dream Team with two members each. Meet the 2012 honors squad. Kristen Damron, Anderson: Damron led the Titans from behind the dish all season long, appearing in 28 regular season contests and batting .378. The standout was responsible for 27 RBI and 31 hits 12 of which were doubles in 82 at-bats. Alex Chatterton, Woodhaven: Chatterton dominated on the mound as the Warriors ace hurler, notching six shutouts during regular season play. The all-league and district honoree maintained a 13-6 record on the rubber with a 2.48 ERA and 105 strikeouts prior to the postseason. To top it off, Chatterton was named co-MVP on her squad. RaeAnne Highers, Flat Rock: Highers provided some muscle in a talented Ram batting order and hit .409 with a team-best 57 RBI. Morgan Kaiser, Flat Rock: Kaiser was the epitome of a leadoff hitter for the Rams this season and led the team with a .530 batting average, 79 hits, 57 runs and 53 steals. The senior was also stellar at shortstop for the Huron League, district Mikey Kish and Coach Patsy Curnell helped the Allen Park softball team produce a 30-win season.

Knerr

Kuczynski

Damron

Chatterton

Highers

Kaiser

Surma

Rodriguez

Oder

High school hockey

John Brithinee new head man at Allen Park

By Brian Kalisher The News-Herald A brand new season and a fresh sheet of ice wont be the only new things Allen Park hockey players can look forward to next season. Theres also a new head man calling the shots from behind the bench. After beginning his coaching career in Allen Park in 1989 and steering a local 94 squad to success in the state tournament, John Brithinee is taking over the helm of the Jaguars. Its very exciting, Brithinee said. I moved to Allen Park in 1990 and Ive been here ever since. Ive raised four kids here. Were very excited; I know a lot of the kids and a lot of the players. Brithinee looks forward to the delicate process of meeting his team and making his coaching style known throughout the locker room. The self described work ethic coach expects his new group to adapt accordingly. Thats something the players will have to understand, Brithinee said. As a new coach coming in, Im going to have to let them know that its all about work. Youre going to come to work every day and do your job get better, stronger, faster. And if you do that youll have success in the program. Former bench boss, Barry Goudy, who was with Allen Park for four seasons, was let go during the offseason despite finding some late-season success and winning a regional title. They make the decisions, Goudy said, I dont run the program. It wasnt worth the battle. Allen Park Athletic Director, Ken Stephens, who felt the team underachieved for parts of last year causing some frustration between parents and players, preferred not to go into depth about the details surrounding the coaching change, but spoke fondly of Brithinee. until he was sure it was open. Its a difficult spot to walk into, Brithinee said. Ive known Barry Goudy for almost my whole life. When that job opened up and Allen Park needed another coach, why wouldnt I be involved? Barry Goudy did a great job for that program. The personnel change and on-ice activities aside, Brithinee has a strong belief in the term student-athlete. He intends to make sure each of his players is able to focus on grades, especially with the possibility of a future in the game. I said it the first time I was able to talk to the players after the school year, when I was able to give them their little message, Brithinee said. Theyre student-athletes, the key word being student. Some of these players would like the chance to maybe play juniors somewhere and get drafted into the NAHL or USHL. Without the GPA and strong academics, that path is going to be very short. Allen Park, I believe, backs me up on this theres a strong push for academics. With the classroom performance being monitored closely, the only thing remaining is to follow up last seasons regional accomplishment on the ice. Brithinee said he doesnt see it so much as pressure, but simply attributes it to what last years squad achieved. Graduating some key pieces to the puzzle will be tough to overcome. Last years team won a regional title and graduated some amazing seniors, Brithinee said. To replace guys like that youve got to have underclassmen in line to step up. For now, Brithinee will prepare for the season and enjoy the chance to work with high school students while coaching the game he knows well. Its a good time for me; a new challenge, the new coach said.

Its a good time for me; a new challenge,

JOHN BRITHINEE
Stephens expressed his desire to move forward with everyone players, parents, and coaching staff on the same page. I couldnt be happier, Stephens said. Meanwhile, for Brithinee, it was more about respecting the former coach and not stepping on anyones toes. It was, after all, only a few weeks ago that Brithinee was first notified of the opening and had initial contact with the school about the position. One thing he made clear, however, was that he stayed away from the opportunity