Check out the area’s best swimming and diving performances.

Here are the boys swimming and diving standings and top performances in mid-Michigan so far this season.

CAAC BLUE (overall, league)

Okemos…8-4, 7-0

St. Johns…7-1, 6-1

Haslet…6-3, 4-3

East Lansing…5-4, 3-4

Jackson…4-5, 3-4

DeWitt…3-4, 3-4

Holt…3-5, 2-5

Grand Ledge…0-8, 0-7

CAAC RED

Mason…8-0, 6-0

Waverly 6-2, 5-1

Owosso…8-5, 4-2

Williamston…4-4, 3-3

Eaton Rapids…6-8-1, 2-4

Lansing Legacy…2-6, 1-5

Ionia…0-9, 0-6

NON-CAAC

Alma…7-6

Ovid-Elsie…4-6-1

Charlotte…1-7

Corunna…4-1

200 MEDLEY RELAY

1. Okemos (Andrew Himebaugh, Kevin Yan, Thomas Rachman, Ewan Woolcock) – 1:41.02

2. Haslett (Kai Jeffery, Angus Macfarlane, Mckain Williams, Ryan Abbott) – 1:42.15

3. Grand Ledge (Justin Maidlow, Arison Harris, Nathan Buchweitz, Troy Anderson) – 1:43.76

4. Waverly (Joey Lashbrook, Joe Wright, Robbie Estill, Bryson Hill) – 1:44.95

5. DeWitt (Cameron Sackett, Ryan McVicker, Myles Michalski, Jacob Skaar) – 1:45.03

6. Williamston (Seth Costello, Ethan SChrader, Jack Bellinger, Alexander Nicholson) – 1:46.95

7. Owosso (Marty Horger, Jake Lawton, Eric WIllis, Noah Slusher) – 1:46.96

8. East Lansing (Michael Kuhl, Zachary Sneathen, Charles Schertzing, Jerry Sweitzer) – 1:47.52

9. St. Johns (William Ely, Justin Woodbury, Jakob Jorda, Ben Rumney) – 1:47.70

10. Alma (Kyle Lovas, Broderick Ross, Aaron Stankewitz, Kolton Kovac) – 1:48.07

200 FREESTYLE

1. Joey Lashbrook (Waverly) – 1:47.45

2. Charles Schertzing (East Lansing) – 1:47.55

3. Ewan Woolcock (Okemos) – 1:48.41

4. Cameron Sackett (DeWitt) – 1:49.44

5. Thomas Rachman (Okemos) – 1:49.46

6. Graham Cornish (Charlotte) – 1:50.06

7. Ben Rumney (St. Johns) – 1:51.76

8. Nick Schieberl (DeWitt) – 1:52.36

9. Ryan Dechatelets (DeWitt) – 1:52.39

10. Kevin Yan (Okemos) – 1:52.65

200 INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY

1. Andrew Himebaugh (Okemos) – 2:01.24

2. Justin Maidlow (Grand Ledge) – 2:01.86

3. Joey Lashbrook (Waverly) – 2:03.07

4. Kevin Yan (Okemos) – 2:05.26

5. Zachary Sneathen (East Lansing) – 2:06.02

5. Thomas Rachman (Okemos) – 2:06.02

7. David Hefty (Holt) – 2:06.17

8. Jakob Jorda (St. Johns) – 2:06.46

9. Broderick Ross (Alma) – 2:07.24

10. Nick Schieberl (DeWitt) – 2:07.45

50 FREESTYLE

1. Ryan Armbrustmacher (DeWitt) – 22.39

2. Justin Woodbury (St. Johns) – 22.58

3. Charles Schertzing (East Lansing) – 22.60

4. Jared Bishop (Charlotte) – 22.67

5. Marty Horger (Owosso) – 22.76

5. Trever Svarc (Owosso) – 22.76

7. Burrell Jones (Holt) – 22.77

8. Michael Kuhl (East Lansing) – 22.79

9. Ewan Woolcock (Okemos) – 22.85

10. Will Kirkconnell (Holt) – 23.04

1-METER DIVING (6)

1. Riese Penn (Ionia) – 321.00

2. Cayden Petrak (St. Johns) – 290.50

3. Brock Petrak (St. Johns) – 287.45

4. James Gilroy (St. Johns) – 270.10

5. Luke Lathrop (Eaton Rapids) – 254.75

6. Hunter Whitman (Okemos) – 229.80

7. Andrew Gordon (Okemos) – 223.10

8. Alexis Hereza (Williamston) – 201.95

9. Thomas Sutphen (Owosso) – 197.30

10. Kip Grant (Mason) – 194.85

1-METER DIVING (11)

1. Riese Penn (Ionia) – 507.35

2. Cayden Petrak (St. Johns) – 474.75

3. Brock Petrak (St. Johns) – 437.50

4 James Gilroy (st. Johns) – 437.30

5. Luke Lathrop (Eaton Rapids) – 368.40

6. Hunter Whitman (Okemos) -365.90

7. Andrew Gordon (Okemos) – 353.75

8. Mason Kowalski (DeWitt) – 312.25

9. Thomas Sutphen (Owosso) – 311.20

10. Kyle Hellems (DeWitt) – 304.35

100 BUTTERFLY

1. Charles Schertzing (East Lansing) – 53.92

2. Thomas Rachman (Okemos) – 54.92

3. Arison Harris (Grand Ledge) – 55.07

4. Myles Michalski (DeWitt) – 55.84

5. Ryan Mcvicker (DeWitt) – 55.94

6. Angus Macfarlane (Haslett) – 56.04

7. Joe Wright (Waverly) – 56.07

8. Joey Lashbrook (Waverly) – 56.34

9. Ben Brittain (Haslett) – 56.93

10. Ryan Armbrustmacher (DeWitt) – 57.27

100 FREESTYLE

1. Charles Schertzing (East Lansing) – 49.21

2. Nick Schieberl (DeWitt) – 49.39

3. Ryan Armbrustmacher (DeWitt) – 49.53

4. Will Kirkconnell (Holt) – 49.75

5. Ewan Woolcock (Okemos) – 49.87

6. Marty Horger (Owosso) – 49.96

7. Joey Lashbrook (Waverly) – 50.03

7. Thomas Rachman (Okemos) – 50.03

8. Michael Kuhl (East Lansing) – 50.13

9. Burrell Jones (Holt) – 50.15

500 FREESTYLE

1. Thomas Rachman (Okemos) – 4:58.58

2. Joey Lashbrook (Waverly) – 4:59.99

3. Alexander Eddy (Okemos) – 5:00.70

4. Ewan Woolcock (Okemos) – 5:02.23

4. Broderick Ross (Alma) – 5:02.23

6. Cameron Sackett (DeWitt) – 5:05.38

7. Ben Rumney (St. Johns) – 5:06.96

8. Niels Lashbrook (Waverly) – 5:07.65

9. Noah Richards (Holt) – 5:08.36

10. Charles Schertzing (East Lansing) – 5:09.50

200 FREESTYLE RELAY

1. DeWitt (Nick Schieberl, Jacob Skaar, Ryan Mcvicker, Ryan Armbrustmacher) – 1:30.30

2. Holt (Burrell Jones, David Hefty, Noah Richards, Will Kirkconnell) – 1:31.73

3. St. Johns (William Ely, Brett Post, Ben Rumney, Justin Woodbury) – 1:32.16

4. Okemos (Kevin Yan, Adam Schnepf, Alexander Eddy, Ewan Woolcock) – 1:32.50

5. Owosso (Marty Horger, Eric Willis, Ethan Wilson, Noah Slusher) – 1:33.24

6. East Lansing (Michael Kuhl, Jerry Sweitzer, Zachary Sneathen, Charles Schertzing) – 1:33.71

7. Haslett (Ben Brittain, Ryan Abbott, Mckain Williams, Spencer Rice) – 1:34.28

8. Mason (Logan Cooper, Jacob Bui, Matthew Hofmann, Benjamin Fee) – 1:35.36

9. Waverly (Joey Lashbrook, Joe Wright, Bryson Hill, Niels Lashbrook) – 1:36.92

10. Alma (Reese Wimmer, Aaron Stankewitz, Damian Santos, Lucas Wilson) – 1:38.49

100 BACKSTROKE

1. Andrew Himebaugh (Okemos) – 54.96

2. Joey Lashbrook (Waverly) – 55.40

3. Justin Maidlow (Grand Ledge) – 55.97

4. Kai Jeffery (Haslett) – 57.02

5. Cameron Sackett (DeWitt) – 57.23

6. Ewan Woolcock (Okemos) – 58.39

7. Nick Schieberl (DeWitt) – 59.04

8. Seth Costello (Williamston) – 59.20

9. Jack Bellinger (Williamston) – 59.38

10. Charles Schertzing (East Lansing) – 59.81

100 BREASTSTROKE

1. Bradley Barningham (Eaton Rapids) – 59.07

2. Arison Harris (Grand Ledge) – 1:00.43

3. Justin Woodbury (St. Johns) – 1:02.21

4. Kevin Yan (Okemos) – 1:02.30

5. Ryan Mcvicker (DeWitt) – 1:03.80

6. Angus Macfarlane (Haslett) – 1:04.71

7. Kolton Kovac (Alma) – 1:05.04

8. Broderick Ross (Alma) – 1:05.23

9. Zachary Sneathen (East Lansing) – 1:05.69

10. Justin Maidlow (Grand Ledge) – 1:05.76

400 FREESTYLE RELAY

1. DeWitt (Cameron Sackett, Nick Schieberl, Conor Sands, Ryan Armbrustmacher) – 3:18.98

2. Holt (Burrell Jones, David Hefty, Noah Richards, Will kirkconnell) – 3:21.66

3. Okemos (Thomas Rachman, Alexander Eddy, Adam Schnepf, Andrew Himebaugh) – 3:22.48

4. William Ely, Jakob Jorda, Justin Woodbury, Ben Rumney) – 3:25.47

5. East Lansing (Michael Kuhl, John Ward, Zachary Sneathen, Charles Schertzing) – 3:26.50

6. Waverly (Bryson Hill, Joe Wright, Niels Lashbrook, Joey Lashbrook) – 3:26.81

7. Williamston (alexander Nicholson, Nicolaus Edwards, Jack Bellinger, Seth Costello) – 3:28.91

8. Grand Ledge (Troy Anderson, Nathan Buchweitz, Justin Maidlow, Arison Harris) – 3:29.24

9. Alma (Rees Wimmer, Kyle Lovas, Broderick Ross, Kolton Kovac) – 3:29.74

10. Haslett (Ben Brittain, Spencer Rice, Kai Jeffery, Angus Macfarlane

Contact James L. Edwards III at jledwards@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @JLEdwardsIII.

Basketball with dark background on a wood gym floor

HOLT – CJ Pruitt and the Okemos boys basketball team were looking forward to the postseason.

Chaz Richardson ,left, of Okemos gets off a shot despite the defense of Konnor Iott of Jackson Northwest during their Class A district quarterfinal game Monday .

After finishing sixth in the CAAC Blue this year, the Chiefs were ready for a fresh start. And they got one Monday night.

Okemos opened the Class A district tournament with a 44-37 victory over Jackson Northwest at Holt High School.

“We had some tough losses that we need to make up for,” Pruitt said of his team’s regular-season struggles. “Some of them got away, some where we put ourselves out of it – just making mistakes.”

There were mistakes Monday night, but solid performances from a trio of upperclassmen allowed the Chiefs (8-13) to hold off the Mounties (4-16) and advance to play conference foe Jackson in the semifinals Wednesday.

Okemos lost to the Vikings twice this season by a combined nine points.

“I thought we played pretty well both times,” Chiefs coach Jeff Wonch said. “They just made enough plays to win, but maybe it’s our turn.”

Pruitt, who scored 10 points, helped Okemos capture and remain in the driver’s seat against Northwest with a strong first-quarter showing. The senior guard scored seven points within the first eight minutes, which included a 3-pointer to give his team a 10-8 lead.

The Chiefs didn’t trail again after that.

Gerald Sambaer ,right, of Okemos shoots over Greg Frederickson ,2, of Jackson Northwest during their Class A district quarterfinal game Monday.

Senior point guard Chaz Richardson, who led the team in scoring during the regular season, struggled from the field for the first 16 minutes, but scored five of his 10 points in the third quarter. Richardson said he was happy to walk away with the win, but felt his team failed to put together the performance it was looking for to start the postseason.

“We were unsatisfied with our play,” he said. “We came out kind of sluggish, played to the level of the competition. Toward the end of the game, our (game) lifted. But we have to start off good from the start.”

Luke Stagg was a big reason the Chiefs were able to fend off the Mounties late, as the junior forward hit back-to-back buckets in the final minutes. Northwest cut its deficit down to six when Stagg, who also scored 10 points, converted on his first field goal since early in the third quarter. And on the ensuing possession, he hit a jump shot to push the lead back out to eight.

“I thought, in general, we all struggled from the field tonight,” Wonch said. “We really did not shoot the ball well. We’re going to have to be much better if we’re going to beat Jackson.”

Vail Hartman added seven points for Okemos.

Contact James L. Edwards III at jledwards@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter at JLEdwardsIII.

Take a look at the top swimming and diving performances in mid-Michigan.

Here are the boys swimming and diving standings and top performances in mid-Michigan so far this season.

CAAC BLUE (overall, league)

Okemos…8-4, 7-0

St. Johns…7-1, 6-1

Haslet…6-3, 4-3

East Lansing…5-4, 3-4

Jackson…4-5, 3-4

DeWitt…3-4, 3-4

Holt…3-5, 2-5

Grand Ledge…0-8, 0-7

CAAC RED

Mason…8-0, 6-0

Waverly 6-2, 5-1

Owosso…8-5, 4-2

Williamston…4-4, 3-3

Eaton Rapids…6-8-1, 2-4

Lansing Legacy…2-6, 1-5

Ionia…0-9, 0-6

NON-CAAC

Alma…7-6

Ovid-Elsie…4-6-1

Charlotte…1-7

Corunna…4-1

200 MEDLEY RELAY

1. Okemos (Andrew Himebaugh, Kevin Yan, Thomas Rachman, Ewan Woolcock) – 1:41.02

2. Haslett (Kai Jeffery, Angus Macfarlane, Mckain Williams, Ryan Abbott) – 1:42.15

3. Grand Ledge (Justin Maidlow, Arison Harris, Nathan Buchweitz, Troy Anderson) – 1:43.76

4. Waverly (Joey Lashbrook, Joe Wright, Robbie Estill, Bryson Hill) – 1:44.95

5. DeWitt (Cameron Sackett, Ryan McVicker, Ryan Armbrustmacher, Nick Schieberl) – 1:44.96

6. East Lansing (Michael Kuhl, Charles Schertzing, Zachary Sneathen, Jerry Sweitzer) – 1:46.49

7. Williamston (Seth Costello, Ethan SChrader, Jack Bellinger, Alexander Nicholson) – 1:46.95

8. Owosso (Marty Horger, Jake Lawton, Eric WIllis, Noah Slusher) – 1:46.96

9. St. Johns (William Ely, Justin Woodbury, Jakob Jorda, Ben Rumney) – 1:47.70

10. Alma (Kyle Lovas, Broderick Ross, Aaron Stankewitz, Kolton Kovac) – 1:48.07

200 FREESTYLE

1. Joey Lashbrook (Waverly) – 1:47.45

2. Charles Schertzing (East Lansing) – 1:47.55

3. Ewan Woolcock (Okemos) – 1:48.41

4. Cameron Sackett (DeWitt) – 1:49.44

5. Thomas Rachman (Okemos) – 1:49.46

6. Graham Cornish (Charlotte) – 1:50.06

7. Nick Schieberl (DeWitt) – 1:51.49

8. Ben Rumney (St. Johns) – 1:51.76

9. Andrew Himebaugh (Okemos) – 1:51.82

10. Kevin Yan (Okemos) – 1:51.92

200 INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY

1. Andrew Himebaugh (Okemos) – 2:01.24

2. Justin Maidlow (Grand Ledge) – 2:01.86

3. Charles Schertzing (East Lansing) – 2:02.14

4. Joey Lashbrook (Waverly) – 2:03.07

5. Kevin Yan (Okemos) – 2:05.26

6. Arison Harris (Grand Ledge) – 2:05.67

7. Thomas Rachman (Okemos) – 2:05.89

8. Zachary Sneathen (East Lansing) – 2:06.02

9. David Hefty (Holt) – 2:06.17

10. Jakob Jorda (St. Johns) – 2:06.46

50 FREESTYLE

1. Ryan Armbrustmacher (DeWitt) – 22.39

2. Justin Woodbury (St. Johns) – 22.58

3. Charles Schertzing (East Lansing) – 22.60

4. Jared Bishop (Charlotte) – 22.67

5. Marty Horger (Owosso) – 22.76

5. Trever Svarc (Owosso) – 22.76

5. Joey Lashbrook (Waverly) – 22.76

8. Burrell Jones (Holt) – 22.77

9. Michael Kuhl (East Lansing) – 22.79

10. Ewan Woolcock (Okemos) – 22.85

1-METER DIVING (6)

1. Riese Penn (Ionia) – 321.00

2. Cayden Petrak (St. Johns) – 290.50

3. Brock Petrak (St. Johns) – 287.45

4. James Gilroy (St. Johns) – 270.10

5. Luke Lathrop (Eaton Rapids) – 254.75

6. Hunter Whitman (Okemos) – 229.80

7. Andrew Gordon (Okemos) – 223.10

8. Alexis Hereza (Williamston) – 201.95

9. Thomas Sutphen (Owosso) – 197.30

10. Kip Grant (Mason) – 194.85

1-METER DIVING (11)

1. Riese Penn (Ionia) – 443.50

2. Cayden Petrak (St. Johns) – 416.45

3. Brock Petrak (St. Johns) – 424.05

4 James Gilroy (st. Johns) – 408.35

5. Luke Lathrop (Eaton Rapids) – 316.10

6. Hunter Whitman (Okemos) -312.25

7. Andrew Gordon (Okemos) – 317.95

8. Mason Kowalski (DeWitt) – 312.25

9. Thomas Sutphen (Owosso) – 282.50

10. Kyle Hellems (DeWitt) – 284.70

100 BUTTERFLY

1. Charles Schertzing (East Lansing) – 53.92

2. Thomas Rachman (Okemos) – 54.92

3. Arison Harris (Grand Ledge) – 55.07

4. Myles Michalski (DeWitt) – 55.84

5. Ryan Mcvicker (DeWitt) – 55.94

6. Angus Macfarlane (Haslett) – 56.04

7. Joe Wright (Waverly) – 56.07

8. Joey Lashbrook (Waverly) – 56.34

9. Ryan Armbrustmacher (DeWitt) – 56.65

10. Justin Maidlow (Grand Ledge) – 56.81

100 FREESTYLE

1. Charles Schertzing (East Lansing) – 49.21

2. Nick Schieberl (DeWitt) – 49.39

3. Joey Lashbrook (Waverly) – 49.44

4. Ryan Armbrustmacher (DeWitt) – 49.53

5. Will Kirkconnell (Holt) – 49.75

6. Ewan Woolcock (Okemos) – 49.87

7. Marty Horger (Owosso) – 49.96

8. Thomas Rachman (Okemos) – 50.03

9. Michael Kuhl (East Lansing) – 50.13

10. Burrell Jones (Holt) – 50.15

500 FREESTYLE

1. Thomas Rachman (Okemos) – 4:58.58

2. Joey Lashbrook (Waverly) – 4:59.99

3. Alexander Eddy (Okemos) – 5:00.70

4. Ewan Woolcock (Okemos) – 5:02.23

4. Broderick Ross (Alma) – 5:02.23

6. Cameron Sackett (DeWitt) – 5:05.38

7. Ben Rumney (St. Johns) – 5:06.96

8. Niels Lashbrook (Waverly) – 5:07.65

9. Noah Richards (Holt) – 5:08.36

10. Graham Cornish (Charlotte) – 5:09.39

200 FREESTYLE RELAY

1. DeWitt (Nick Schieberl, Jacob Skaar, Ryan Mcvicker, Ryan Armbrustmacher) – 1:30.30

2. Holt (Burrell Jones, David Hefty, Noah Richards, Will Kirkconnell) – 1:31.73

3. St. Johns (William Ely, Brett Post, Ben Rumney, Justin Woodbury) – 1:32.16

4. Okemos (Kevin Yan, Adam Schnepf, Alexander Eddy, Ewan Woolcock) – 1:32.50

5. Owosso (Marty Horger, Eric Willis, Ethan Wilson, Noah Slusher) – 1:33.24

6. East Lansing (Michael Kuhl, Jerry Sweitzer, Zachary Sneathen, Charles Schertzing) – 1:33.71

7. Haslett (Ben Brittain, Ryan Abbott, Mckain Williams, Spencer Rice) – 1:34.28

8. Mason (Logan Cooper, Jacob Bui, Matthew Hofmann, Benjamin Fee) – 1:35.36

9. Waverly (Bryson Hill, Robbie Estill, Joe Wright, Joey Lashbrook) – 1:36.00

10. Williamston (Alexander Nicholson, Nicolaus Edwards, Jack Bellinger, Seth Costello) – 1:36.36

100 BACKSTROKE

1. Andrew Himebaugh (Okemos) – 54.96

2. Joey Lashbrook (Waverly) – 55.40

3. Justin Maidlow (Grand Ledge) – 55.97

4. Kai Jeffery (Haslett) – 57.02

5. Cameron Sackett (DeWitt) – 57.23

6. Ewan Woolcock (Okemos) – 58.39

7. Michael Kuhl (East Lansing) – 58.63

8. Alexander Eddy (Okemos) – 58.64

9. Nick Schieberl (DeWitt) – 59.04

10. Seth Costello (Williamston) – 59.20

100 BREASTSTROKE

1. Bradley Barningham (Eaton Rapids) – 59.07

2. Arison Harris (Grand Ledge) – 1:00.43

3. Charles Schertzing (East Lansing) – 1:01.86

4. Justin Maidlow (Grand Ledge) – 1:02.01

5. Justin Woodbury (St. Johns) – 1:02.21

6. Kevin Yan (Okemos) – 1:02.30

7. Ryan McVicker (DeWitt) – 1:03.80

8. Angus Macfarlane (Haslett) – 1:04.71

9. Kolton Kovac (Alma) – 1:05.04

10. Broderick Ross (Alma) – 1:05.23

400 FREESTYLE RELAY

1. DeWitt (Cameron Sackett, Nick Schieberl, Conor Sands, Ryan Armbrustmacher) – 3:18.98

2. Holt (Burrell Jones, David Hefty, Noah Richards, Will kirkconnell) – 3:21.66

3. Okemos (Thomas Rachman, Alexander Eddy, Adam Schnepf, Andrew Himebaugh) – 3:22.48

4. St. Johns (Zeke Ely, Jakob Jorda, Justin Woodbury, Ben Rumney) – 3:25.47

5. East Lansing (Michael Kuhl, John Ward, Zachary Sneathen, Charles Schertzing) – 3:26.50

6. Waverly (Bryson Hill, Joe Wright, Niels Lashbrook, Joey Lashbrook) – 3:26.81

7. Williamston (Alexander Nicholson, Nicolaus Edwards, Jack Bellinger, Seth Costello) – 3:28.91

8. Grand Ledge (Troy Anderson, Nathan Buchweitz, Justin Maidlow, Arison Harris) – 3:29.24

9. Alma (Rees Wimmer, Kyle Lovas, Broderick Ross, Kolton Kovac) – 3:29.74

10. Haslett (Ben Brittain, Spencer Rice, Kai Jeffery, Angus Macfarlane) – 3:31.55

Contact James L. Edwards III at jledwards@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @JLEdwardsIII.

Everett Boys Basketball Head Coach Desmond Ferguson.

HOLT – With his team leading by three at halftime against Okemos in a Class A district final on Friday night, Jamyrin Jackson stepped up to lift Everett to a win.

Jackson had 23 points, all coming in the second half, in a 61-48 win. Jackson hit five three pointers in the third quarter and had 16 points in the period.

“I saw the score and saw that we were kind of struggling. My team feeds off my intensity,” Jackson said. “I knew I had to step up and lead us.”

The teams were tied at 14 after the first quarter and combined for nine points in the second quarter. Everett held a 20-17 lead after 16 minutes.

But the Vikings (13-10) started the third quarter on an 11-2 run, with nine of those points coming from Jackson triples.

Jackson’s fourth of his five threes in the quarter came while he was being fouled and though he was unable to convert the four-point play, the senior was in the midst of leading his team to a 24-point outburst in the quarter.

“That was just a hot streak. Everybody says feed the hot man and I was just feeling it and letting it go,” Jackson said.

Okemos also picked up the offense in the third quarter. The Chiefs got 15 points after scoring 17 in first half to stay within 12 heading to the final quarter.

But Everett began to work clock in the fourth, with their first possession lasting 1:32 before a basket by sophomore Marquez Gordon.

Okemos got it down to as little as eight points in the final minutes, but Everett made enough free throws to win another district title after reaching the Class A state semifinals last year.

“It means we have a program. This is not a one year fluke thing,” Everett coach Desmond Ferguson said. “We wanted to have consistency. … We got key guys back from last year’s team that went deep so I think experience has helped and like last year we’re playing our best ball at the end of the season. Regular season was up and down for us but we’re playing our best ball at this point.”

“Last year everybody said we only came so far because of Trevor Manuel. Coming back to districts, it meant a lot,” Jackson said.

Senior LeAndre Wright added 11 points for Everett, who will play in a regional against Kalamazoo Central (18-3) on Monday at Mason.

Okemos was led by senior CJ Pruitt with 15 points. Junior Luke Stagg chipped in with eight points. The Chiefs had beaten Jackson Northwest and Jackson to reach the final.

“I didn’t think we played well for most of the game. We had spurts that would go our way and we’d work through some things but in general, Everett outplayed us and (Jamyrin) Jackson was the difference,” Okemos coach Jeff Wonch said. “We knew we had a chance at (this district). Maybe we tired out a little bit at the end. It’s a lot of guys playing a lot of minutes. We thought we had a shot, but Everett earned it.”

Sydni Greenhoe of Portland lines up a forehand during her #3 singles finals match with Grace Mohr of Lansing Catholic last season. Greenhoe is one of several returning starters for the Raiders in 2016.

Note:-S–singles, D–doubles, sr.–senior, jr.–junior, so.–sophomore, fr.–freshman

CAAC BLUE

Coaches’ predictions: 1. Okemos, 2. Holt, 3. East Lansing, 4. Grand Ledge, 5. Jackson, 6. Eastern, 7. Everett, 8. Sexton

Top players: Caroline Baidoon (East Lansing), Isabella Ndlebe (East Lansing), Alisa Sabotic (Okemos), Monika Francsics (Okemos), Rylie Gilman (Holt), Kylie Kaser (Holt)

EASTERN

No information submitted.

EAST LANSING

Last year: 3rd

Coach: Cosette Buckberry (3rd season)

Top returning players: Caroline Baidoon (sr. S), Isabella Ndlebe (sr. S), Amna Ahmad (sr. D), Eliana Kaplowitz (sr. D), Stephanie Vanis (sr. D), Valery Gomez (sr. D)

Other contributors: Emily Hoban (sr.), Celeste Rubino (jr.), Celina Stevens (jr.), Hannah Jones (jr.), Cameron Simmons (jr.)

Outlook: After losing just two seniors from last year’s team, the Trojans return an experienced group of players. Baidoon, Ndlebe and Ahmad are four-year players. Buckberry believes Hoban, a senior, will add to East Lansing’s depth as well.

EVERETT

Coach: Judy Kramer (4th season)

Top returning players: Alivia Pulido (sr. S), Brianna Monroe (jr. D), Sabrina Wallace (sr. D), Arlexeia Bernard (sr. D), Jaelyn McClain (jr. S)

Other contributors: Sadie Austin (so. S), Zarla Cannon (jr. D), Vivian Ho (so. D), Kenna Yoder (so. D), Alex Williams (jr. S)

Outlook: The Vikings lost eight players to graduation, but Kramer said she returns “several seasons upperclassmen who are emerging as leaders.” Wallace is a four-year varsity player and Pulido, Monroe and Bernard are three-year performers. Kramer added that her team developed over the off-season and are “enjoying the results of these efforts.”

GRAND LEDGE

Last year: 4th

Coach: Mike Richey (11th season)

Top returning players: Kiara Berry (sr. S), Sarah Heriford (sr. S/D), Berni Garibay (sr. S/D), Abbey Feenstra, Jenna Conn (sr. S/D), Maddie Orwat (sr. S/D), Jenna Riekse (sr. S/D), Katie Ransom (jr. S/D)

Other contributors: Lauryn Moran (jr. S/D)

Outlook: The Comets have several new faces for Richey’s 11th season at the helm. He hopes Grand Ledge can continue to be competitive against some of the conference’s top programs.

HOLT

Last year: 2nd

Coach: Russ Olcheske (2nd season)

Top returning players: Abby Daman (sr. S), Olivia Martin (jr. S), Ryan Taber (sr. S), Madison David (jr. D), Kylie Kayser (sr. D), Amanda Perry (jr. D), Destinee Anderson (jr. D), Evan Taber (so. D), Sam Britting (sr. D)

Other contributors: Rylie Gilman (fr. S), Christina Abel (so. D)

Outlook: Olcheske gets eight players back from last year’s team that finished second in the conference. However, the addition of freshman Rylie Gilman, who will be the No. 1 singles for the Rams, could help Holt put up strong outings in the postseason. Olcheske said his girls “want to take their game to the next level as individuals and as a team.”

OKEMOS

Last year: 1st

Coach: Lisa Semerly (3rd season)

Top returning players: Monika Francsics (jr. S), Kylie Wilkinson (sr.), Anushka Murthy (so. S), Natasha Chinoy (jr. D)

Other contributors: Alisa Sabotic (so. S), Sema Colac (fr.)

Outlook:  The Chiefs return a handful of strong players a year after going unbeaten in the regular season. Sabotic, a sophomore, will be the team’s No. 1 singles competitor, and Francsics and Wilkinson were state finalists last year. Semerly said her team hopes to finish atop the CAAC Blue and finish in the top 5 at states.

SEXTON

No information submitted.

CAAC RED

Coaches’ predictions: 1. Mason, 2. Haslett, 3. DeWitt, 4. St. Johns, 5. Owosso, 6. Waverly

Top players: Olivia Hanover (Mason), Hannah Vogelsang (Haslett), Sam Perkins (Mason), Gigi Padalec (Mason)

DEWITT

Coach: David Richter

Top returning players: Meri Kolemainen (so. S), Kara Johnson (so. S), Cecilia Hunter (sr. S)

Other contributors: Abby Seeger (jr. S), Kaylin Gray (jr. D), Alexa Cowgil (so. D)

Outlook: The Panthers have youth, but return key pieces in Kolemainen, Johnson and Hunter. DeWitt is favored to finish in the top 3 of the CAAC Red.

HASLETT

Last year: 1st

Coaches: Henry Brunnschweiler and Samantha Brunnschweiler (15th season)

Top returning players: Hannah Vogelsang (sr. S), Claire Cowan (sr. S), Anuva Suresh (so. S), Sophia Vogelsang (so. D), Anjani Raja (so. D)

Other contributors: Alley Trosko (jr. S), Allie Choi (sr. D), McKenna Bartley (so. D), Lauren Hill (so. D), Mia Salvador (sr. D), Shyan Goodrich (sr. D)

Outlook: Fresh off a league and Division 3 regional title, the Vikings will look to some newcomers to help replace seven starters from last year’s team. Hannah Vogelsang leads the pack for Haslett, and underclassmen Sophia Vogelsang, Suresh and Raja are expected to help step up to fill the voids.

MASON

Last year: 2nd

Coach: Jim D’Angelo (11th season)

Top returning players: Olivia Hanover (jr. S), Samantha Perkins (sr. S), Claire LaFleur (jr. S), Mallory Matthews (so. S)

Outlook: The Bulldogs lost nine players, and eight seniors, from last year’s team, but return one of the area’s best in Hanover, who was all-state last season. Mason has nine first-year varsity players, and D’Angelo said his team will have “a ton of work” to reach its goals.

OWOSSO

Last year: 6th

Coach: Carrie Rugenstein (8th season)

Top returning players: Madison Glardon (sr. S), Hannah Marcotte (sr. S), Brooke Edington (so. S), Lily Meyer (jr. S)

Other contributors: Daniele Gregoricka (so. D), Lindsay Woodworth (so. D)

Outlook: The Trojans bring back an all-league performer in Marcotte in hopes of improving from last year’s sixth-place league finish. Glardon is a three-year varsity performer. Rugenstein believes newcomers Gregoricka and Woodworth have the ability to help reach the team goal of a top-3 finish in the league.

ST. JOHNS

Last year: 3rd

Coach: Karl Hanover (7th season)

Top returning players: Megan George (sr. D), Brooke Mazzolini (sr. D), Jessica Hafner (sr. D), Amanda Yount (sr. S), Richelle Childers (sr. D)

Other contributors: Tory Hill (so.), McKenna Thelen (so.), Dani Brewbaker (so.)

Outlook: Hanover said the Redwings will need to thrive at the bottom flights in order to compete in a tough CAAC Red conference. St. Johns will return five all-league performers from last year’s third-place team.

WAVERLY

No information submitted.

CAAC WHITE

Coaches’ predictions: 1. Lansing Catholic, 2. Portland, 3. Williamston, 4. Fowlerville, 5. Ionia, 6. Eaton Rapids

Top players: Monica Davis (Lansing Catholic), Sydni Greenhoe (Portland), Michelle Dorshimer (Portland), Sydney Ellsworth (Williamston), Maia Guenther (WIlliamston)

EATON RAPIDS

Last year: 5th

Coach: Ryan Anderson (10th season)

Top returning players: Gabby Jones (sr. S), Marissa Cole  (sr. S), Katelynn Jackson (sr. D), Amanda Hartwig (sr. D), Anita Haddad (jr. D), Melissa Copeland (jr. D)

Other contributors: Emily Newborn (so. S), Katrina Kesson (so. S), Kersten Henderson (jr. D), Maddy Campbell (jr. D)

Outlook: The Greyhounds return six multi-year varsity players including Jones, who is in her second season at No. 1 singles. Eaton Rapids will rely on a pair of sophomores in Newborn and Kesson in the singles flight as well.

FOWLERVILLE

Last year: 4th place

Coach: Jim Jonas (5th season)

Top returning players: Emily Tersigni (jr. S), Ashley Towe (sr. S), Julia Wykes (sr. D), Alyssa Bennett (jr. D), Becca Chaote (jr. D)

Other contributors: Lucy Gonzalez (so. S), Brii Haack (sr. D)

Outlook: The Gladiators graduated seven seniors from last season’s team, but return a strong crop of juniors. Fowlerville also gets back seniors singles competitor Towe, who missed last season with an injury. Jonas said his team’s goal is to finish in the top 4 of the league.

IONIA

No information submitted.

LANSING CATHOLIC

Coach: Jimmy Joyce (4th season)

Top returning players: Monica Davis (sr. S), Grace Mohr (sr. S), Jaclyn Walling (so. S)

Other contributors: Clare Werner, Emma Saxton, Meg Crowley, Alex Adamo, Lexi Bullock

Outlook: Davis and Mohr head a Lansing Catholic team that is predicted by coaches to finish near the top of the CAAC White conference. The Cougars are looking to get back to the league’s pinnacle after winning in 2014.

PORTLAND

Last year: 1st

Coach: Jim Niebling (19th season)

Top returning players: Sydni Greenhoe (sr. S), Michelle Dorshimer (jr. D), Brooke Butterfield (jr. D), Morgan Wittkopp (jr. D), Madison Brennen (sr. D), Goering Leah (sr. S), Hayley Feldpausch (sr. D), Hannah McNaughton (jr. D)

Outlook: Niebling and Portland return seven players who were regional champions in 2015. Greenhoe was a state finalist at No. 4 singles last year and, along with Wittkopp, who was a state semifinalist last season, is one of the Raiders’ captains. Niebling believes his team’s depth will allow them to potentially return to the league’s top spot.

WILLIAMSTON

Last year: 3rd

Coach: Nathaniel Schwarzbek (2nd season)

Top returning players: Sydney Ellsworth (jr. S), Maia Guenther (jr. D), Emily Pell (sr. D), Julianne Schrote (sr. S)

Other contributors: Maddie Ganton (so. D), Halle Wisbiski (jr. D), Morgan Nolan (jr. D), Christie Carson (jr. D)

Outlook: The Hornets lose seven seniors from last year’s team and two-time Division 3 state champion Sara Daavetilla, who is committed to the University of North Carolina. Schwarzbek said this season will be a “battle” due to the departures, but believes his team has the potential to compete.

OTHERS

LAKEWOOD

Coach: Martin Snoap (42nd season)

Top returning players: Ellie Haskin (sr. D), Issie Haskin (sr. D), Morgan Kenney (sr. D), Ashley Maag (sr. D), Allison Thelen (sr. D), Anna Zuver (sr. D)

Other contributors: Chloe Makley (fr. D), Megan Wakley (fr. D), Erica Potter (so. D), Kendra Stoepker (jr. S), Peyton Lowery (sr. S), Valory Altoft (jr. S), Mary Haskin (so. S)

Outlook: The Vikings return seven seniors, and nine total players, and expect to get a big boost from Lowery, who transferred from Portland. Ellie and Issie Haskin will look to lead Lakewood from the No. 1 doubles flight.

LANSING CHRISTIAN

Last year: 1st

Coach: Dick Winters (10th season)

Top returning players: Grace Haley (jr. S), Deborah Cordill (sr. S/D), Yido (Eden) Wen (sr. S/D), Claire Granger (sr. S/D), Debbie Sung (jr. S/D), Kaelin Royce (jr. S/D), Drew Schooley (jr. S/D), Jasmine Imes (jr. D), Maria Salow (so. D), Allison Woodland (jr. D)

Other contributors: Emily Partridge (jr. D), Laura Ganong (so. D), Ehmani Horton-Flowers (fr. D), Crystal James (fr. D), Melana Sharpe (so. D)

Outlook: The Pilgrims will return 10 players from last year’s team, but only seven have playing experience. Also, a handful of newcomers will look to help Lansing Christian compete once again in its conference. Hayley is the No. 1 singles competitor and is one of several returners who earned all-league honors last year.

LESLIE

Coach: Dean Baker (3rd season)

Top returning players: Danielle Hook (jr. S)

Other contributors: Jordan Hill (S), Raelyn Boylan (S), Kimberly Dricksna (S), Emily Smart (D), Lindsey Kincaid (D), Abi Tiffany (D), Jenny Davis (D)

Outlook: Hook leads a Blackhawks team that lost several seniors from last year’s team.

ITHACA

Coach: Becky Hartman (11th season)

Top returning players: Ali Brookens (sr. S)

Outlook: The Yellowjackets are an up-and-coming team, but Hartman believes Ithaca can have success at individual flights. She said this year will be a “learning season.”

Contact James L. Edwards III at jledwards@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @JLEdwardsIII.

Angela Palmer, center, of Okemos shoots past Haslett/Williamston defenders for a goal during their CAAC Championship game last season.

Notes: G–goalie, M–midfield, D–defender, A–attack. C-center

CAAC

Coaches’ predictions: 1. Okemos, 2. East Lansing, 3. Haslett/Williamston, 4. DeWitt, 5. Grand Ledge, 6. Holt, 7. Waverly/Lansing Catholic

Top players: Angela Palmers (Okemos), Abbey Turner (Grand Ledge), Danyelle Hardy (Grand Ledge), Mackenzie Maschke (East Lansing), Rachel Madar (DeWitt), Jordan Markowski (DeWitt), Lauren Sanford (Holt), Reina Torrez-Miner (East Lansing), Natalie Woodland (Waverly/Lansing Catholic) and Bianca Kinder (Haslett/Williamston)

DEWITT

Last year: 5th place

Coach: Marvin Hardy (1st season)

Top returning players: Rachel Madar (jr. M), Jordan Markowski (jr. M), Sierra Dietz (jr. A), Samantha Ferguson (sr. M), Lauren Patrick (sr. D), Adison Salisbry (jr. M)

Other contributors: Nicole Kransberger (jr. D), Brianna Mayne (jr. A), Chase True Terwilliger (so. G), Liz Gaugier (jr. D)

Outlook: The Panthers lost 10 seniors from last year’s team and will look to integrate several new faces this season. Madar and Markowski were all-conference last season and Dietz was honorable mention all-conference. Patrick and Ferguson are the only seniors on the roster and Hardy said the development of the younger players will be an important part of the team’s success. This years marks the first time DeWitt will have both a junior varsity and varsity program.

EAST LANSING

Last year: 3rd

Coach: George Foster (11th season)

Top returning players: Mackenzie Maschke (sr. M), Reina Torrez-Miner (sr. M/A), Lauren Shepherd (jr. M), Jenna Merony (jr. D), Zosha Korzecke (jr. D), Makayla Merony (jr. A), Natalie Houlehen (jr. A), Anna Barr (jr. D), Alex Akerly (jr. A), Sadie Jay (jr. A)

Other contributors: Yasmine Al-Sadi (sr. D), Rachel Samat (jr. D), Kady Waits (so. M)

Outlook: The Trojans return numerous multiple-year players, which includes Maschke and Torrez-Miner, who were all-conference last season. Waits, a sophomore, is starting for the second consecutive season.

GRAND LEDGE

Last year: 5th

Coach: Jeff Turner (3rd season)

Top returning players: Abbey Turner (sr. M/A), Taylor Tripp (jr. D), Dayelle Hardy (so. A), Katy Cowall (so. M/D)

Other contributors: Danika Fenska (jr. A), Olivia Guerra (so. G), Karlee Peacock (so. A)

Outlook: Turner, a second team all-state selection last season, and Hardy, an honorable mention all-state performer, will look to lead a Grand Ledge team that lost several contributors to graduation. Turner will look to the upperclassmen to provide leadership as the Comets look to climb up the conference standings.

HASLETT/WILLIAMSTON

Last year: 2nd

Coach: Bronti Belanger (1st season)

Top returning players: Kaili Gozalka (sr. A), Bianca Kinder (jr. C), Raegan Russell (so. M), Chloe Alverson (so. M), Paige Rosenbrook (jr. D), Savanna Bain (sr. D)

Other contributors: Claire Wozniewski (jr. D), Maddi Hernandez (so. M), Emily Kurdzeil (fr. A)

Outlook: Belanger is in his first season as the Haslett/Williamston girls lacrosse coach and is welcomed by a four-year veteran in Gozalka. The joint team hopes to finish in the top half of the league once again.

HOLT

Last season: 4th

Coach: Thomas Bennett (3rd season)

Top returning players: Lauren Sanford (sr. M), Beth Rosenbaum (sr. M/A), Brooke Grabow (sr. D/M), Cate Boomer (sr. D)

Other contributors: Savannah Traub (fr.), Grace Ottinger (fr.), Caitlin Crittenden (fr.)

Outlook: Holt is looking for its first league title under Bennett, and senior Sanford, who scored 63 goals last year, will help lead the way. The Rams have a young team, which holds several underclassmen, and Bennett said he’ll lean on his five seniors for “a lot” this year.

OKEMOS

Last season: 1st

Coach: Brandon Schwind (1st season)

Top returning players: Angela Palmer (sr. A/M), Mallory Keenoy (so. G), Grace Bielby (so. A/M), Janie Groetsch (sr. M), Alyssa Kiminski (sr. A), Alyssa Karber (jr. A), Sabrina Tran (sr. D), Melaina Grewal (so. M)

Other contributors: Emily Renfrow (so. M/A), Lauren Foltz (so. M)

Outlook: The Chiefs finished the season as the No. 5 team in Division 2 last year, and they’ll return a core group from that team. Palmer was second team all-state and Bielby and Groetsch were honorable mention all-state. Schwind looks to get Okemos back to the conference’s top spot and the state tournament in his first year as coach.

WAVERLY/LANSING CATHOLIC

Last season: 7th

Coach: Brittany Hayes (1st season)

Top returning players: Sienna Jack (so. A/M), Alexa Alcantara (so. M/A), Claire Jansen (so. A), Chloe Hutcherson (so. D), Annalise Shaw (so. G), Mariah Smith (jr. D), Mindy Hodges (so. G), Isabel Garza (so. D)

Other contributors: Natalie Woodland (fr. M), Marcedes Hernandez (fr. C), Shannon Sampson (fr. D), Mackenna Sager (fr. D), Morgan Fekete (fr. A), Elaine Gregory (fr. A), Fredericka Laurich (fr. D), Jaiden Schmidt (fr. A), Mary Sanders (fr. D)

Outlook: With only one upperclassmen on the roster, the joint Waverly/Lansing Catholic team will look to “grow and get better with every game,” according to first-year coach Hayes.

Contact James L. Edwards III at jledwards@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @JLEdwardsIII.

Okemos senior goalie Caroline Serkaian signed to play at Division I University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee earlier this year.

Here’s a look at the girls soccer leaders in the Lansing area. This list reflects stats submitted by coaches. Stats should be submitted to jledwards@lsj.com by noon Friday each week.

GOALS

Player, school – goals

Kasey Jamieson, Lansing Christian – 18

Mallory Durham, Lakewood – 16

Olivia Trombley, St. Johns – 16

Juliana Figuieredo, Lansing Christian – 11

Ally Melvin, Lansing Christian – 11

Mckalyn Zigler, Portland – 10

Chelsie Smith, St. Johns – 9

Taylor Bishop, DeWitt – 8

Tait Hosford, Bath – 8

Eliza Lewis, Lansing Christian – 7

Isabelle Poupard, Lansing Catholic – 7

Kate McElhone, Mason – 6

Sydni Metzmaker, Bath – 6

Taylor Porter, Owosso – 6

Rilyn Ross, Lansing Christian – 6

ASSISTS

Mackenzie Dawes, DeWitt – 14

Ally Melvin, Lansing Christian – 9

Eliza Lewis, Lansing Christian – 8

Kasey Jamieson, Lansing Christian – 8

Juliana Figueiredo, Lansing Christian – 7

Tait Hosford, Bath – 7

Danielle Stephan, DeWitt – 6

Sydni Metzmaker, Bath – 6

Kali Thompson, Mason – 5

Kai Dotson, East Lansing – 5

Abigail Gilmore, Lansing Catholic – 5

Olivia Tromble, St. Johns – 5

Chelsie Smith, St. Johns – 5

SAVES

Autumn Aiken, Stockbridge – 122

Erin Vielbig, Fowlerville – 111

Madeline Chom, East Lansing – 59

Larisa Herdus, Lansing Catholic – 45

Brooklyn Holly, DeWitt – 38

Alexandra Swackhamer, Haslett – 36

Claudia Spence, Lansing Catholic – 21

SHUTOUTS

Caroline Serkaian, Okemos – 3

Alexandra Swackhamer, Haslett – 2

Larisa Herdu, Lansing Catholic – 2

Madeline Chom, East Lansing – 1.5

Claudia Spence, Lansing Catholic – 1

Jordyn Spitzley, Portland – 1

Contact James L. Edwards III at jledwards@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @JLEdwardsIII.

Leah Davis (right) has 11 assists for Division 3 No. 4-ranked Williamston this season.

Here’s a look at the girls soccer leaders in the Lansing area. This list reflects stats submitted by coaches. Stats should be submitted to jledwards@lsj.com by noon Friday each week.

GOALS

Kasey Jamieson, Lansing Christian – 25

Olivia Trombley, St. Johns – 18

Renee Sturm, Williamston – 18

Ally Melvin, Lansing Christian – 16

Paige Lonier, Williamston – 14

Juliana Figueiredo, Lansing Christian – 14

Chelsie Smith, St. Johns – 12

Sara Lee, Okemos – 9

Shannon Crilley, Lansing Catholic – 9

Tait Hosford, Bath – 9

Alex Eibler, Stockbridge – 9

Alexis Lindig, Fowlerville – 8

Isabelle Poupard, Lansing Catholic – 8

Sophie Wilsey, Laingsburg – 8

Taylor Bishop, DeWitt – 8

Eliza Lewis, Lansing Christian – 8

Rilyn Ross, Lansing Christian – 8

ASSISTS

Mackenzie Dawes, DeWitt – 17

Kasey Jamieson, Lansing Christian – 12

Abigail Gilmore, Lansing Catholic – 12

Eliza Lewis, Lansing Christian – 12

Leah Davis, Williamston – 11

Ally Melvin, Lansing Christian – 11

Tait Hosford, Bath – 9

Danielle Stephan, DeWitt – 9

Juliana Figueiredo, Lansing Christian – 9

Ollie Updike, Fowlerville – 8

Hannah Hughes, Okemos – 7

Kloe Hitchcock, Williamston – 7

Lexi Russell, Williamston – 6

Lexi McPherson, St. Johns – 6

Sydni Metzmaker, Bath – 6

Olivia Trombley, St. Johns – 6

Kali Thompson, Mason – 5

Chelsie Smith, St. Johns – 5

Whitney Luks, Mason – 5

SAVE PERCENTAGE

Alex Hanks, Lansing Christian – 94%

Erin Vielbig, Fowlerville – 91%

Caroline Serkaian, Okemos – 90.5%

Larisa Herdus, Lansing Catholic – 89%

Brooklyn Holley, DeWitt – 84.6%

Grace Kraft, Williamston – 84%

Kylie Steingreaber, St. Johns – 81.8%

SHUTOUTS

Alex Hanks, Lansing Christian – 13

Caroline Serkaian, Okemos – 5

Brooklyn Holley, DeWitt – 5

Autumn Aiken, Stockbridge – 4

Contact James L. Edwards III at jledwards@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @JLEdwardsIII.

Kristen Rasmussen

The basketball journey for Kristen Rasmussen the last 15 years has taken her from Okemos to all around the United States, and even internationally.

And now that journey in the sport is bringing the former Michigan State and WNBA player back to her roots.

Rasmussen was named the new girls basketball coach at Okemos on Monday, landing an opportunity to lead the program she played for two decades ago.

“I’m really looking forward to it,” Rasmussen said Monday evening. “It’s really quite exciting to come back home. I haven’t been home for a while. Now that I’ve got a 2-and-a-half-year old daughter and am eight months pregnant and due next month, it just seems like the right fit for us to be close to home and be in a community that is as wonderful as Okemos is. I’m super excited about the opportunity that has presented itself.”

The 37-year old Rasmussen never imagined being back home coaching her alma mater. But the former Chief all-state forward and all-Big Ten performer is looking forward to bringing her knowledge to her new position.

Since completing her playing career in 2011, Rasmussen has spent the last five seasons coaching at Simmons College, a Division III school in Boston. She also had a stint as an assistant at Division II Western State Colorado during her playing career.

“It’s been very interesting,” Rasmussen said. “As everybody knows, college is more time consuming. Now with baby number two, I really wanted to be home with the family and be around my kids a little bit more than I have been the past two years.

“It will be a very welcomed change of pace for me.”

Okemos’ Kristen Rasmussen (52) puts up a shot against Ann Arbor Huron during a game in 1995. She was hired as Okemos girls basketball coach Monday.

Rasmussen hopes her extensive basketball background can help the Okemos program on and off the court. The Chiefs, who return all-state guard Laya Hartman, are coming off a 7-14 season and fourth-place finish in the CAAC Blue.

“There is a lot in my background,” Rasmussen said. “It’s been so fun to be able to play professionally and play college. The knowledge and the experience that I have from all different types of coaches that I’ve had in the past, I’ve kind of been able to create my own philosophies both offensively and defensively. It will be a little tricky to start out with just because I have the mentality of what I want out of my college players.

“The passion and love that I have for the game will definitely be able to help me out in any situation that may arise with working with the high school players. I think this is the perfect opportunity to come in and coach and help them both on and off the court.”

Contact Brian Calloway at bcalloway@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @brian_calloway.

Angela Palmer, 8, of Okemos is looking to help the Chiefs capture their first state title in six seasons.

OKEMOS – For Angela Palmer and the Okemos girls lacrosse team, the last three seasons were successful, yet, frustrating.

A tease, if you will.

Palmer, a four-year varsity standout, has helped the Division 2 Chiefs make multiple deep postseason runs – reaching the semifinals twice (2013 and 2015) and the state finals once (2014) – throughout her high school career.

However, that feeling of supremacy, the one every competitor seeks, has eluded the program since the start of the new decade, and East Grand Rapids will gladly take the blame, as the four-time defending state champions have eliminated Okemos the past three years.

But, before she leaves, Palmer is keen on getting the Division 2 No. 4-ranked Chiefs (11-4) on the right side of the hump and end her career on the highest of notes.

LSJ high school girls lacrosse preview

“It makes you want to work harder and harder every year because you want to get to that one goal,” said Palmer, who will continue her playing career at Central Michigan next season. “As a sophomore, I was able to play in the state championship. Talking about it, and that experience, makes everyone else want to get there as well.

“The adrenaline … It’s a life changer making it there.”

Palmer has kicked off her final year doing what she’s done most of her career: scoring goals. The senior has 29 goals and 12 assists through 15 games and has been a big reason Okemos is ranked No. 8 overall in the state.

But there was some uncertainty coming into the season, as the program ushered in several new underclassmen, which she labeled as “very good,” and named its fourth different head coach in as many years.

“It’s a lot to adapt to their type of style, new plays, conditioning…,” she said of having a new coach every season.

Palmer has responded nicely, however, to the demands of first-year coach Brandon Schwind. Schwind said he didn’t know much about the players he was inheriting, but he was familiar with the program’s success because of lacrosse magazines he read while living in Ohio.

• 
  Olivet College hires Okemos lacrosse coach
  

“I knew it was a great program, great tradition, that was putting out good players,” said Schwind, who moved to Michigan in 2010, the last time the Chiefs won the state title.

And when he saw Palmer for the first time, he was able to confirm all the hearsay.

“Angela is one of those athletes that’s just a step above the rest,” Schwind added. “The way she runs, the way she moves, it’s at a different level – a collegiate level here in high school. It’s a noticeable difference on the field. Her explosiveness, her reactions, she’s got a great passion for the game and you can tell.”

Both Palmer and Schwind believe Okemos is on the right path to reaching the ultimate goal, but said it will take continuous improvement from the underclassmen. Palmer said Schwind’s “competitive” nature has been good for this young team.

“He wants to win so bad, which makes us work so hard,” she added.

With the postseason less than two weeks away, the Chiefs are gearing up for what’s to come. And so is East Grand Rapids, which sits atop the Division 2 rankings.

Palmer is looking forward to one more meeting.

“Playing all three years and ending the season to them, it would feel a lot better beating them,” Palmer said. “Even if we made it there and beat them, that would be awesome.”

Contact James L. Edwards III at jledwards@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @JLEdwardsIII.

Haslett’s Charley Campbell is one of mid-Michigan’s top goal scorers this season.

Here’s a look at the girls soccer leaders in the Lansing area. This list reflects stats submitted by coaches. Stats should be submitted to jledwards@lsj.com by noon Friday each week.

GOALS

Tia Everdeen, Alma – 20

Olivia Trombley, St. Johns – 19

Chelsie Smith, St. Johns – 17

Sara Lee, Okemos – 14

Charley Campbell, Haslett – 14

Mariah Fedewa, Portland – 13

Danielle Stephan, DeWitt – 12

Mckayln Zigler, Portland – 11

Bailey Malthaner, Dansville – 11

Kennedy Davis, Alma – 11

Taylor Bishop, DeWitt – 10

Sydney Hanson, Alma – 10

Tait Hosford, Bath – 10

Emma Licina, Alma – 10

Alex Eibler, Stockbridge – 9

Sara Faverman, East Lansing – 8

Abbey Schuelke, St. Johns – 8

Whitney Luks, Mason – 8

Olivia Serafini, Dansville – 8

Sydne Everts, Dansville – 7

Kate McElhone, Mason – 7

Allison Sims, DeWitt – 7

Sydni Metzmaker, Bath – 7

Olivia Jubb, Bath – 7

ASSISTS

Mackenzie Dawes, DeWitt – 26

Sydney Hanson, Alma – 16

Tait Hosford, Bath – 11

Hannah Hughes, Okemos – 9

Lexi McPherson, St. Johns – 8

Chelsie Smith, St. Johns – 8

Kali Thompson, Mason – 8

Bailey Malthaner, Dansville – 8

Myranda May, Dansville – 8

Kennedy Davis, Alma – 8

Emma Licina, Alma – 7

Kailey Peterson, Okemos – 7

Olivia Trombley, St. Johns – 7

Cami Harp, Haslett – 6

Whitney Luks, Mason – 6

Sydni Metzmaker, Bath – 6

Alex Halstead, Mason – 5

Kai Dotson, East Lansing – 5

Abbey Schuelke, St. Johns – 5

Sydney Padgett, St. Johns – 5

Angela Dallas, Okemos – 5

Lauren Southworth, Okemos – 5

SAVE PERCENTAGE

Caroline Serkaian, Okemos – 93%

Marrina Schmidt, Dansville – 88%

Brooklyn Holley, DeWitt – 86%

Abby Schmieder, Alma – 85%

Alexandra Swackhamer, Haslett – 84%

Kylie Steingreaber, St. Johns – 81%

Madeline Chom, East Lansing – 79%

SHUTOUTS

Abby Schmieder, Alma – 9

Kylie Steingreaber, St. Johns – 7

Brooklyn Holley, DeWitt – 7

Caroline Serkaian, Okemos – 5

Alexandra Swackhamer, Haslett – 4

Autumn Aiken, Stockbridge – 4

Madeline Chom, East Lansing – 3

Contact James L. Edwards III at jledwards@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @JLEdwardsIII.

East Lansing’s Kentre Patterson runs in the 4×400 meter relay Friday, May 20, 2016, in Holt, Mich.

HOLT – East Lansing’s Kentre Patterson was in the process of proving he was more than a one-sport standout before his battle with mononucleosis.

Patterson, a junior, who is a receiver on the school’s football team, qualified for the state track meet as a freshman, but was unable to put together a proper follow-up performance after the illness sidelined him toward the tail end of his sophomore campaign.

He came into Friday’s Division 1 regional at Holt High School looking to make up for lost time, and he did so by placing first in the 110 and 300 hurdles and helping the Trojan boys capture a second-place finish with 72 points.

“I knew I was capable of doing this,” said Patterson, who was a part of East Lansing’s second-place 1600 relay team. “(The state title) is at the top of the list. That’s a priority.”

Okemos grabbed the most points (89) out of any Lansing-area team at the event and finished in second place. Daria Richards placed first in the high jump, Miah Nash won the shot put and the 1600 relay team of Kendall Bubolz, Ally Burba, Laya Hartman and Bria Telemaque also left victorious. Junior Sophia Franklin led the way for the Chiefs by winning the 100 and 300 hurdles events – her first regional victories – and placing second in the pole vault.

“It’s something I worked really hard toward,” said Franklin, who was seeded second in both races. “I wanted it so bad, so I went out and got it.”

The Okemos boys finished fifth with 57 points and got a second-place performance from Saano Murembya in the 800.

The Trojans’ girls team finished third with 74 points. Taylor Manson won both the 200 and 400 dash events and Re’Anna Blair finished behind Manson in the 400. The East Lansing girls were also victorious in the 800 relay.

Everett’s Marice Allen accomplished something that hasn’t been done at his school in at least 30 years, according to coach Chad Foster, by winning both the 100 and 200 dash events. The Viking boys finished in ninth place with 20 points.

Grand Ledge distance runner Jenna Magness helped the girls capture a 10th-place finish by winning the 1600 and placing fourth in the 3200. Magness broke her own school record in the 1600, which she set at the state meet last year, with a time of 4:58.77.

“I was shooting for under five minutes,” she said. “I was very surprised. I didn’t feel like I was going that fast.”

Rockford won both the boys and girls regional title.

The Holt boys team finished in 11th place, while the girls placed 13th. The Comet boys came in 12th place, and Everett’s girls team finished 14th.

Contact James L. Edwards III at jledwards@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @JLEdwardsIII.

Dewitt’s Mackenzie Dawes, right, and Lansing Catholic’s Caroline Keusch vie for the ball Tuesday, May 17, 2016, in DeWitt, Mich. DeWitt won 2-0. Dawes leads the Lansing-area with 29 assists.

Here’s a look at the girls soccer leaders in the Lansing area. This list reflects stats submitted by coaches. Stats should be submitted to jledwards@lsj.com by noon Friday each week.

GOALS

Kasey Jamieson, Lansing Christian – 30

Olivia Trombley, St. Johns – 22

Tia Everdeen, Alma – 22

Chelsie Smith, St. Johns – 20

Ally Melvin, Lansing Christian – 20

Juliana Figueiredo, Lansing Christian – 17

Mariah Fedewa, Portland – 16

Mckayln Zigler, Portland – 16

Kennedy Davis, Alma – 15

Charley Campbell, Haslett – 15

Alex Eibler, Stockbridge – 15

Danielle Stephan, DeWitt – 13

Eliza Lewis, Lansing Christian – 13

Bailey Malthaner, Dansville – 12

Sydney Hanson, Alma – 12

Emma Licina, Alma – 12

Tait Hosford, Bath – 11

Taylor Bishop, DeWitt – 10

Alexis Lindig, Fowlerville – 10

ASSISTS

Mackenzie Dawes, DeWitt – 29

Sydney Hanson, Alma – 18

Eliza Lewis, Lansing Christian – 15

Danielle Stephan, DeWitt – 14

Kasey Jamieson, Lansing Christian – 13

Juliana Figueiredo, Lansing Christian – 12

Ally Melvin, Lansing Christian – 12

Myranda May, Dansville – 11

Tait Hosford, Bath – 11

Emma Licina, Alma – 10

Bailey Malthaner, Dansville – 9

Kennedy Davis, Alma – 9

Lexi McPherson, St. Johns – 9

Olivia Trombley, St. Johns – 9

Chelsie Smith, St. Johns – 9

Ollie Updike, Fowlerville – 8

SAVE PERCENTAGE

Alex Hanks, Lansing Christian – 94%

Brooklyn Holley, DeWitt – 91%

Marrina Schmidt, Dansville – 88%

Alexandra Swackhamer, Haslett – 85%

Abby Schmieder, Alma – 83%

Erin Vielbig, Fowlerville – 82%

Kylie Steingreaber, St. Johns – 82%

Jordyn Spitzley, Portland – 80%

SHUTOUTS

Abby Schmieder, Alma – 9

Kylie Steingreaber, St. Johns – 8

Brooklyn Holley, DeWitt – 7

Autumn Aiken, Stockbridge – 4

Alexandra Swackhamer, Haslett – 4

Marrina Schmidt, Dansville – 4

Jordyn Spitzley, Portland – 4

Contact James L. Edwards III at jledwards@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @JLEdwardsIII.

Take a look at mid-Michigan’s top high school boys golfers through this point in the season.

Here’s a look at the high school boys golf leaders in the Lansing area. This list reflects stats submitted by coaches. Stats should be submitted to jledwards@lsj.com by 2 p.m. Monday each week.

9-HOLE AVERAGES

Rhet Schrauben. Portland – 35.6

Ian Carroll, East Lansing – 36.2

Scott Campbell, East Lansing – 36.5

Tony Feuntes, East Lansing – 36.7

Eric Nunn, St. Johns – 37.0

Zach Rosendale, St. Johns – 37.7

Viani Magaswaran, Lansing Catholic – 38.8

Owen Rush, Lansing Catholic – 39.0

Cam Carroll, East Lansing – 39.7

Miles Crutcher, East Lansing – 40

Ethan O’Farrell, Lansing Catholic – 40.1

Jack Bouck, East Lansing – 40.2

Holden Kuhnert, Lansing Catholic – 41.2

Peter Kramer, Lansing Catholic – 42.3

Fritz Hittner, East Lansing – 43.0

18-HOLE AVERAGES

Zach Rosendale, St. Johns – 72.6

Owen Rush, Lansing Catholic – 73.5

Tony Fuentes, East Lansing – 74.0

Rhet Schrauben, Portland – 74.3

Ian Carroll, East Lansing – 74.6

Eric Nunn, St. Johns – 76.0

Scott Campbell, East Lansing – 78.6

Miles Crutcher, East Lansing – 79.4

Holden Kuhnert, Lansing Catholic – 80.0

Cam Carroll, East Lansing – 80.0

Viani Magaswaran, Lansing Catholic – 81.1

Ethan O’Farrell, Lansing Catholic – 82.6

Peter Kramer, Lansing Catholic – 83.5

Jack Bouck, St. Johns – 83.6

Contact James L. Edwards III at jledwards@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @JLEdwardsIII.

Dewitt’s Danielle Stephan, left, and Lansing Catholic’s Shannon Crilley battle for the ball Tuesday, May 17, 2016, in DeWitt, Mich. DeWitt won 2-0.

Dewitt’s Danielle Stephan, left, and Lansing Catholic’s Shannon Crilley battle for the ball Tuesday, May 17, 2016, in DeWitt, Mich. DeWitt won 2-0.

Here’s the final look at the girls soccer leaders in the Lansing area. This list reflects stats submitted by coaches.

GOALS

Kasey Jamieson, Lansing Christian – 33

Renee Sturm, Williamston – 23

Olivia Trombley, St. Johns – 22

Ally Melvin, Lansing Christian – 21

Chelsie Smith, St. Johns – 21

Mckayln Zigler, Portland – 20

Juliana Figueiredo, Lansing Christian – 17

Mariah Fedewa, Portland – 17

Paige Lonier, Williamston – 14

Bailey Malthaner, Dansville – 14

Danielle Stephan, DeWitt – 13

Alex Lindig, Fowlerville – 13

Eliza Lewis, Lansing Christian – 13

Shannon Crilley, Lansing Catholic – 12

Olivia Serafini, Dansville – 12

Isabelle Poupard, Lansing Catholic – 12

Rilyn Ross, Lansing Christian – 11

Taylor Bishop, DeWitt – 10

Whitney Luks, Mason – 10

Sydne Everts, Dansville – 10

ASSISTS

Mackenzie Dawes, DeWitt – 31

Abigail Gilmore, Lansing Catholic – 16

Leah Davis, Williamston – 16

Eliza Lewis, Lansing Christian – 15

Danielle Stephan, DeWitt – 14

Juliana Figueiredo, Lansing Christian – 13

Kasey Jamieson, Lansing Christian – 13

Myranda May, Dansville – 12

Ally Melvin, Lansing Christian – 12

Bailey Malthaner, Dansville – 12

Kali Thompson, Mason – 11

Lexi McPherson, St. Johns – 9

Khloe Hitchcock, Williamston – 9

Chelsie Smith, St. Johns – 9

SAVE PERCENTAGE

Alex Hanks, Lansing Christian – 92%

Brooklyn Holley, DeWitt – 91%

Marrina Schmidt, Dansville – 89%

Grace Kraft, Williamston – 88%

Larisa Herdus, Lansing Catholic – 85%

Jordyn Spitzley, Portland – 82%

Erin Vielbig, Fowlerville – 81%

Kylie Steingreaber, St. Johns – 80%

SHUTOUTS

Alex Hanks, Lansing Christian – 16

Grace Kraft, Williamston – 11

Brooklyn Holley, DeWitt – 10

Kylie Steingreaber, St. Johns – 8

Marrina Schmidt, Dansville – 6.5

Jordyn Spitzley, Portland – 6

Contact James L. Edwards III at jledwards@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @JLEdwardsIII.

Okemos’ Joseph Ciuk looks to pass against Vicksburg Tuesday, May 31, 2016, at DeWitt High School. Okemos won 19-10.

DEWITT – For a program that’s been nothing short of consistent during the 15-year tenure of coach Shawn Grady, the Okemos boys lacrosse team still has something to prove.

A year removed from their first Division 2 regional championship and trip to the state finals, the Chiefs set out Tuesday night to continue to be mentioned among the state’s top powers.

And they did so by moving one step closer to defending their precious title.

No. 6-ranked Okemos opened the regional tournament at DeWitt High School with a 19-10 victory over Vicksburg in the semifinals.

“We want to do it again. It was a good feeling,” said Mario Gonzalez, who scored five goals in the contest. “We obviously had a really good team last year, and we lost a lot of really good guys, but I think our main goal is to come in here confident.”

The junior helped the Chiefs (16-2) settle any early nerves when his Anders Staky-assisted goal handed them a 1-0 lead less than three minutes into the game. But the No. 17-ranked Bulldogs (15-2) immediately answered. Okemos went on to grab a 5-2 lead at the end the first quarter when Gonzalez scored his third goal of the first 12 minutes.

After goals from Bennett Sherman and Harrison Ramsey gave the Chiefs a 7-3 lead midway through the second quarter, Vicksburg put home two goals in less than two minutes. Senior Charlie Ciuk stopped the 2-0 run while starting a 3-0 spurt for Okemos, but the Bulldogs closed the half with two more goals in the final 1:39.

Freshman goalie Joseph Ciuk was able to combat any threatening surge from Vicksburg by recording nine of his 17 saves in the game’s first 24 minutes.

“We came into the season thinking we were going to need to fill Cam Stelljes’ spot in goal, since he was a senior,” said Charlie Ciuk, who is Joseph’s older brother. “We had this freshman kid come in and he just played really well. He’s really grown and you can see how confident he is.”

After a staggering first half and a halftime speech from Charlie Ciuk that focused on playing “ordinary lacrosse,” the Chiefs put the game away with three goals from Sherman within the first three minutes of the second half.

The Bulldogs’ Gavin Leach stopped the bleeding with a goal at the 5:41 mark of the third quarter, but a goal from junior Evan Jamieson, who finished with three, and another from Charlie Ciuk gave Okemos a 15-8 lead going into the fourth.

“A lot of our scoring is a team effort,” said Sherman, who scored a team-high six goals. “We’re pretty confident attacking when we know where each other are. We like to get the whole offense involved.”

The Chiefs will face the winner between Haslett/Williamston and Notre Dame Prep for the regional championship Friday.

Jack LaPres and Tommy Nordberg each added a goal for Okemos.

Contact James L. Edwards III at jledwards@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @JLEdwardsIII.

Okemos goalie Joseph Ciuk, center, jumps with joy as time expires in the Chiefs’ Division 2 Regional Final win over Notre Dame Prep Friday June 3, 2016 in DeWitt.

DEWITT – Charlie Ciuk’s recollection of Okemos boys lacrosse history differs from the rest of his upperclassmen peers.

Tommy Nordberg, top, of Okemos and his teammate Josph Ciuk celebrate after their Division 2 Regional Final win over Notre Dame Prep Friday June 3, 2016 in DeWitt.

Last season, the senior, who started attending Okemos High School two years ago, helped the Chiefs to the state tournament and capture their first Division 2 regional title in program history.

He’s always viewed it as the norm. And his teammates are starting to, as well.

Ciuk scored three goals and notched two assists Friday night as Okemos held off Notre Dame Prep, 9-8, at DeWitt High School to hoist its second consecutive regional championship trophy.

“All I know of Okemos lacrosse is winning,” Ciuk said. “That definitely helps instill a culture of striving for greatness.

“You don’t let something like this be your last game. You don’t even think about that.”

Okemos coach Shawn Grady said he envisioned this type of success when he started the program 15 years ago. Coaching a public school team — in a sport mainly dominated by private schools — has kept his expectations in check over the years. But it’s also the reason this two-year run has been special.

“I didn’t dream it this well. But, yeah, this is good. This is really good,” Grady said. “You love to build a program like (Michigan State basketball) coach Tom Izzo says, ‘to be elite.’ I don’t know that we’re there, but it’s definitely been a nice ride so far.

“It’s so much harder when you’re a public school — we get who’s in the zip code. You really try and do the best with who lives here.”

Division 2 regional champs @okemosboyslax https://t.co/rF5afCxzZ6

—
James Edwards III (@JLEdwardsIII) June 03, 2016

In the early moments of Friday’s matchup, Grady was especially thankful Ciuk moved into Okemos territory. With his team facing a 1-0 deficit just 10 seconds into the game, Ciuk scored back-to-back goals and assisted on a Bennett Sherman goal to give the No. 6-ranked Chiefs (17-2) a 3-1 lead.

Okemos didn’t trail again after Ciuk’s retaliation score.

The No. 8-ranked Fighting Irish were able to even the contest with 7:42 remaining in the third quarter when William Ballew’s goal made it 5-all. However, after his game-tying goal, the Chiefs outscored Notre Dame Prep, 4-2, the rest of the quarter. Sherman scored two of his three goals in the first 12 minutes of the second half.

“We’re no longer just that good mid-Michigan team,” said Sherman, a senior. “People know who we are now.”

In the fourth quarter, holding a 9-7 lead, Okemos conceded a goal less than two minutes in. And with his team’s back against the wall, senior defender Cameron Usiak said all his team could think about is the message Grady provided before the opening face off.

“Coach gave us three pointers going into this game: minimize mistakes, own ground balls and never give up,” said Usiak, whose team held the Fighting Irish scoreless following the early-quarter goal. “We just wanted to take that to heart.”

Anders Staky, Evan Jamieson and Jack LaPres each scored for the Chiefs. Freshman goalie Joseph Ciuk recorded 10 saves.

Okemos will face East Grand Rapids in the state semifinals Wednesday.

Contact James L. Edward III at jledwards@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @JLEdwardsIII.

The Okemos boys lacrosse team fell in the Division 2 state semifinals, 16-15, to East Grand Rapids.

GRANDVILLE – Wednesday night brought back a distinct memory for senior Charlie Ciuk.

It was around this time last season that the Okemos boys lacrosse team rallied back in the fourth quarter of the Division 2 state championship, only to lose in the final seconds to Cranbrook-Kingswood.

But it wasn’t the fear of defeat that maneuvered to the front of Ciuk’s noggin on this night, as his team once again battled back – this time by erasing a three-goal deficit against East Grand Rapids in the late stages of the state semifinals. It was the program’s foundation.

“I thought about the character of the guys on this team,” he said. “The guys that aren’t going to give up if their backs are against the wall.

“They’re not going to quit.”

In the fourth quarter of Wednesday’s semifinal matchup, No. 6-ranked Okemos scored three goals within the first three minutes to even the contest with the No. 5-ranked Pioneers. But the Chiefs would go on to eventually lose, 16-15, in a double-overtime thriller at Grandville High School.

“East Grand Rapids is a good team,” said senior Bennett Sherman, who scored seven goals on the night. “They just beat us.”

With 7:45 remaining in the game, it was Ciuk that gave the Chiefs (17-3) the lead, 13-12, for the first time since the midway point of the second quarter. A goal nearly two minutes later from Evan Jamieson made it 14-12 in favor of Okemos, but East Grand Rapids retaliated with a 3-0 run to take a one-goal lead with less than 40 seconds to play.

However, Sherman, the State Journal boys lacrosse player of the year, gave his team an extra life when his final goal made it 15-all with 18.8 seconds remaining in regulation.

And after neither team could put home the game-winning goal in the first overtime, it was the Pioneers’ Connor Davis that lifted his team to Saturday’s state title game with a score early in the second.

“The seniors took this team further than anyone would have dreamed,” said fifteen-year coach Shawn Grady, who patrolled the Chiefs sideline for the last time Wednesday night. “Their leadership was awesome.”

Both Jamieson and Ciuk scored three goals for Okemos. Junior Mario Gonzalez and senior Jack LaPres each added a score.

Freshman goalie Joseph Ciuk recorded 13 saves.

Contact James L. Edwards III at jledwards@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @JLEdwardsIII.

Travis Bader is among eight individuals and three teams that are part of the latest Okemos Athletic Hall of Fame class.

Travis Bader followed a standout basketball career at Okemos by making NCAA history.

And his success on the court has landed him a spot in the second Okemos Athletic Hall of Fame class.

Bader, who set the NCAA career record for made 3-pointers while at Oakland University, is among 11 individuals and three teams that will be inducted into the hall of fame Sept. 22.

Joining Bader in the class are Allison (Ianni) Cironi, Paul Cryderman, Lauren Dudley, Dree Look, Amelia Marsh, Dan Putnam, Nichole Schiro, Aaron Smith and coaches Larry Cockroft and John Picone. The state championship 1981 girls basketball team and the championship 1981 and 1982 boys basketball teams will also be inducted.

“Every year it’s a tough task with so many deserving nominees, but we’re very excited to celebrate the newest members of the Okemos Athletic Hall of Fame,” Okemos Athletic Director Ira Childress said.

Cironi is a two-time all-state volleyball player who went on to play at the University of Pacific and Michigan State. Cryderman was an all-state basketball player who earned All-American honors at Albion College.

Dudley was a two-time water polo player of the year in Michigan before continuing her career at the University of Michigan. Look was part of the state runner-up 1977 girls basketball team and played at Michigan State and Northern Colorado.

Marsh was a two-time All-American swimmer who set the state record in the 500 freestyle before continuing her career at Minnesota. Putnam was an all-state football performer and played at Bowling Green.

Schiro and Smith were both soccer standouts. Schiro led the Chiefs to the 2006 state title and went on to play at Loyola (Md.) University. Smith was a two-time all-state selection who was the Michigan player of the year in 1984.

Cockroft was a longtime baseball coach and administrator at Okemos and has been the director of the Diamond Classic the last 10 years. Picone led the Okemos boys soccer program from 1982-2001 and guided the Chiefs to their first state title in 1984.

Tickets for the induction ceremony will be sold starting Aug. 8 through the Okemos athletic office. The inductees will be recognized at Okemos’ homecoming parade and football game Sept. 23.

Contact Brian Calloway at bcalloway@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @brian_calloway.

Kate Buckland and the Okemos softball team have overcome adversity this spring to capture a district title.

Okemos pitcher Sally Patterson and catcher Kate Buckland hug after the Chiefs beat St. Johns 3-1 to win the Division 1 softball final in East Lansing.

The script wasn’t quite what Kate Buckland had in mind for her senior season.

The same thing was the case for the Okemos softball team.

But both managed to get through adversity.

And that’s why Okemos (18-14) captured its first district title since 2012 last week and will compete in Saturday’s Division 1 regional at Holt.

“I knew we could do this from day one,” Okemos coach Chrissy Schoonover said. “It just wasn’t the way that I scripted up.

“The day after we created our team we met in my classroom and talked about goals for the season and it was unanimous that we want to win a district title. The way that they played and the mindset that they had from that morning, it was just so awesome to see it come together. They did what they needed to do playing whatever role the team needed to finally get it together. It was so exciting.”

Finding its footing amid adversity with two big pieces to their team out was vital for the Chiefs.

Buckland was hindered by a rib injury that impacted her performance early in the season. There were times when the Mercer-bound catcher couldn’t play her normal position and also missed games and left others early.

That was part of a rash of injuries for Okemos, which also lost starting shortstop Emily Weiss and had to shuffle players around during what was a 4-10 start to the season.

“It was this ‘Oh crap’ moment and what are we going to do?” Schoonover said. “That was two huge pieces of our puzzle.”

But things eventually came together for the Chiefs. And it was the positive example set by Buckland gutting through her injury to contribute on the field and other areas that helped Okemos as it found its footing.

“It’s hard, especially your senior year when you get an injury like that,” Buckland said. “During your senior year you really want to show your teammates how hard you can work and how you can push yourself. Especially with that injury, there were a couple of innings where I couldn’t play and I had to sit out and be kind of a cheerleader.

“It was a blessing and a curse. It was a curse because I couldn’t catch, but at the same time I got to cheer my teammates on and kind of just support them from a different area on the field.”

Schoonover said Buckland doing whatever she could despite dealing with the injury a majority of the season spoke volumes about her leadership. And Okemos took its lead from Buckland while putting things together and winning 14 of its last 18 games entering Saturday’s regional semifinal against Mattawan.

Buckland picked things up at the plate as the spring progressed to aid the late season surge for Okemos.

And she knows no matter how things go Saturday, this season will be a success story because of what the Chiefs overcame to win a district title.

“(It was) team togetherness and unity, because we couldn’t have bounced back from the season and how it started to how it has been ending without it,” Buckland said. “We kind of grew together. At the beginning of the season we said this is what our record is and how can we change it and how can we work together to fix where we’re at right now? We kind of worked it out as a team. It ended up working out for us.”

Contact Brian Calloway at bcalloway@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @brian_calloway.

SATURDAY’S REGIONALS

BASEBALL
DIVISION 1 AT HOLT
Howell vs. Holt, 10 a.m.
Okemos vs. Portage Northern, noon
Championship, 2 p.m.

DIVISION 2 AT HOPE COLLEGE
Lakewood vs. Ada Forest Hills Eastern, 11 a.m.
Championship, 4 p.m.

DIVISION 2 AT FOWLERVILLE
Eaton Rapids vs. DeWitt, 10 a.m.
Fowlerville vs. Portland, noon
Championship, 2 p.m.

DIVISION 3 AT LESLIE
Ovid-Elsie vs. Bronson, 10 a.m.
Jackson Lumen Christi vs. Parchment, 12:30 p.m.
Championship, 3 p.m.

DIVISION 4 AT MERRILL
Portland St. Patrick vs. Saginaw Michigan Lutheran, 10 a.m.
Potterville vs. Bay City All Saints, noon
Championship, 2:30 p.m.

SOFTBALL
DIVISION 1 AT HOLT
Okemos vs. Mattawan, 10 a.m.
Howell vs. Holt, noon
Championship, 2 p.m.

DIVISION 2 AT FOWLERVILLE
Fowlerville vs. Alma, 10 a.m.
Eaton Rapids vs. Lansing Catholic, noon
Championship, 2 p.m.

DIVISION 3 AT LESLIE
Webberville vs. Parchment, 10 a.m.
Laingsburg vs. Bronson, noon
Championship, 2 p.m.

DIVISION 4 AT MERRILL
Fulton vs. Saginaw MLS, noon
Championship, 2 p.m.