Spring sports stars: Who are the Bay City area’s top juniors? Our picks, your votes

BAY CITY, MI — We started a good discussion and now it’s time for Phase 2.

MLive is offering a hot-topic debate: Who is the area’s best spring sports athlete from each class?

We started by spotlighting some of the top seniors from MLive Bay City’s 24 area high schools and now we’re moving on to the junior class, and giving you a chance to vote on the matter. Spotlights will follow on sophomores and freshmen in the coming weeks.

Cast your vote as often as you’d like until the poll closes at 8 a.m. Monday, May 20.

CARSON ANTHES, CASS CITY

Anthes brings a strong arm and a big bat to the Cass City baseball team. He’s notched three wins on the hill with 36 strikeouts on the season. He’s also batting .411 with six doubles.

ISABELLE BECKER, BAY CITY WESTERN

Becker is crafting a sparkling running resume for the Western track and field team. Pacesetter for the cross country team, she shows her versatility in the spring while shining in everything from the 400-3200. She just captured Bay County crowns in the 800 and 1600 as well as the 4×400 relay. She was a state qualifier in the 3200 a year ago.

COLE BRADY, PINCONNING

A standout player who has helped put Pinconning golf back on the map, he is the reigning Bay County champion. He became Pinconning’s first state qualifier since 2005 a year ago and is shooting in the 70s again as a junior.

SAM BRIGGS, STANDISH-STERLING

Briggs stands at the heart of the team, both as an ace pitcher and big-hitting No. 3 batter for the No. 3-ranked Standish-Sterling baseball squad. An outfielder by trade, he is batting .451 with four home runs and 36 RBIs this season. He sports a 1.00 ERA with 42 strikeouts on the hill.

KACEE GRAY, CASS CITY

A crucial part of the nucleus that has propelled Cass City softball to great heights, she is a versatile athlete who has played third base, shortstop and center field as needed. She brings a potent bat to the plate, hitting .417 with 12 extra-base hits this season.

DELANEY HOPKINS, BAY CITY CENTRAL

Hopkins displays her splendid athleticism as a dual sport standout for Central soccer and track and field. She is the soccer team’s top offensive threat, notching five goals and five assists on the year, but also fills in at keeper as needed. In track, she has cleared 8-6 in the pole vault.

RYLEE JATCZAK, ESSEXVILLE GARBER

A dynamic athlete, she is in her third year as an impact player on defense for the Garber girls soccer team. An aggressive center defender, she uses a mixture of speed, game smarts and physicality to thrive in her position.

TESSA KELLY, CLARE

Kelly is the batter opposing teams don’t want to see dig in at the plate for the Clare softball team. A stellar athlete who shines at shortstop, she makes plenty of noise with her bat. She is hitting .426 on the year with eight home runs and 38 RBIs.

MASON KOHL, UNIONVILLE-SEBEWAING

Kohl is a leader in every manner for the USA baseball team, serving as a rock-solid catcher and a table-setting leadoff hitter. A three-year starter behind the plate, he has the skills to play anywhere on the field. He’s batting .371 with a knack for getting on base and getting around the bases for the Patriots at the top of the order.

LUKE LaCOURSE, BAY CITY WESTERN

A big, powerful pitcher for the Western baseball team, he’s a big reason why the Warriors are ranked No. 4 and on track for the Saginaw Valley League title. The Michigan State University commit has notched eight wins with 72 strikeouts on the season, his third at the varsity level.

NASH LEONARD, BAY CITY WESTERN

Leonard brings a whirlwind of talent to the Western boys golf team. A standout hockey player, he brings that competitive spunk to the course. He averaged 40.2 per nine a year ago and is tearing it up this season. He was recently medalist at the two-day Oiler 36 at The PohlCat and Bucks Run.

RYAN LOUCH, CLARE

A strong all-around athlete, he’s making some noise with the Clare baseball team. A first-team all-Jack Pine Conference performer as a sophomore, he brings a strong glove as an infielder. He is batting .369 on the season with eight extra-base hits and 17 RBIs.

BRODY SULLIVAN, STANDISH-STERLING

After stellar seasons in football and basketball, Sullivan brings his competitive spark to the Standish track and field team. The sprinter established new PRs this season in the 100 (11.59), 200 (23.80) and 400 (52.33). He’s also gone 20-2.75 in the long jump. He qualified for the state finals in three events last season.

ELLA WALLAKER, JOHN GLENN

A real go-getter on the pitch for the John Glenn girls soccer team, she presents a serious challenge for defenses to contain. She is an offensive force who has tallied 10 goals and nine assists on the season.

MLive player polls are non-scientific ventures, designed to promote fun, fandom and discussion. The winners receive no prize and the results have no bearing on postseason awards.

Use of any form of automated voting is contrary to the intent and is not allowed.

Votes are not always tabulated immediately. If you receive a “Thank you for voting” message, your vote will be counted.

THERE IS NO VOTING BY EMAIL!

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