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Devota landed a spot on the league's First Team while Joe Bitterman was named to the Second Team. Cal Bishop and Andrew Guzdial were accorded Honorable Mention. Devota is a junior while the other three honorees are seniors.

Devota led the Tribe in scoring with a 14 point average per contest. He also led the team in three-point shooting with 42 triples. He was consistently accurate at the free throw line where he connected at a 75% success ratio.

"Joe really turned it on during the second half of the season, averaging 19 points a game during that time," commented Indian coach Jason Danek. "He shoots extremely well, especially from the outside, and he hit several big shots for us throughout the season."

Joe Bitterman was named to the Second Team. He was the team's second highest scorer with an 11 point average per game. He led the Indians in rebounding, pulling down 10 boards per contest, and he was tops in steals with 63.

"Joe had a very solid year and he got us big rebounds and brought defensive energy to every game," said Danek. "We could always count on his leadership skills and his toughness."

Cal Bishop earned Honorable Mention in the TVC. Bishop was third in scoring with a 10.7 average and second in rebounding, hauling in 6.4 caroms per outing. He was the team's top shot-blocker, swatting away 41 shots by TVC-Central opponents.

"Cal improved throughout the season and was one of our better performers in the league in the second half of the year," Danek remarked. "I thought his biggest strength was his ability to score on baseline drives and he had some big games for us."

Point guard Andrew Guzdial was also given Honorable Mention by league coaches.

"Andrew did a nice job for us and had a lot of responsibility directing our offense,"Danek said. "He led our team in assists and he always played hard on the defensive end, harassing the opposing guards."

Danek also commented on his other seniors, citing Chuck Harris, Troy Weisenberger and Darren Schian for their contributions.

"Chuck had a solid year that was cut short by a finger injury, but before his injury, he was averaging 11 points and five rebounds a game," commented Danek. "Chuck is a solid all-around player and he gave us a spark the last few games of the year when he returned from his injury."

"Troy and Darren are also seniors who did a good job for us. They showed great teamwork and selflessness throughout the season," concluded Danek.

Three Ram gals recognized in hoops voting

Three members of Montrose's varsity girls basketball team were recognized in recent voting by the GAC-Red coaches.

Sophomore Chelsea Demura was named to the Second Team while senior Steffanie Anderson and freshman Kayla Setzke earned Honorable Mention.

Demura led her team in points scored and rebounds, scoring at a 6.7 clip per game against GAC-Red opponents and grabbing an average of 8.6 rebounds a game. She turned in four double-digit rebound performances in her 10 games against Red Division opponents and shot free throws with 61% accuracy.

"Chelsea is one of the hardest workers I have ever coached and I was glad to see that she is being recognized by other coaches for her efforts," commented Montrose coach Stephanie Miller. "She has only just begun to develop and I cannot wait to see how far she can go in the next two years."

Anderson scored 5.2 points per contest against Division foes and hauled down four boards a game. She led the tea in three-pointers, sinking 22 treys against GAC-Red rivals.

"Steffanie had a very solid year and was a tremendous role model and leader for our younger players," praised Coach Miller. "I believe her influence this year will carry over and have something to do with our success in the future."

Setzke, the team's point guard, averaged 5.1 points per game. She led the team in steals and assists, averaging 2.7 thefts and 2.6 helpers against GAC-Red opponents. Her 35.6% field goal average was tops on the team.

"The sky is the limit for Kayla and I expect her to develop into quite a player in the future," remarked Miller. "She was able to adjust very quickly and became very productive almost immediately. We depended upon her to run the offense."

GAC champ Hornets place six on All-League squad

New Lothrop's undefeated league champion season was recognized in recent voting by the GAC-Blue coaches as six Hornet gals landed berths on the All-Conference team.

Seniors Kayla Gross and Kayla Kniper were each named to the five-player First Team. Sophomore Monica Confer and Junior Ashley Root garnered Second Team accolades while Senior Kayla Krupp and Sophomore Amber Sammons were accorded Honorable Mention.

Gross led the Hornets with a sizzling 48.4% shooting average from the field, including sinking 77 treys for a 43% ratio from beyond the arc. The talented senior guard averaged 15.5 points per contest while dishing out a team-high 92 assists in the process. Gross also led the team in steals with 66 and shot a remarkable 80.6% from the free throw line. She was second on the team in rebounds.

"I think Kayla's biggest strength was that she was the most intelligent player on the floor each time we played," praised Hornet mentor Tom Kohlmann. "Kayla always knew what needed to be done in order to get a win. She was a very unselfish player."

Knieper averaged 9.4 points a game, consistently scoring from all distances. She averaged 36.7% from two-point territory and hit on 36.7% from three-point range. She was the team's second-best free throw shooter, sinking 68.2% of her charity tosses. Knieper also dished out 64 assists, grabbed 75 rebounds and recorded 49 steals.

"Kayla was the best defensive player I have coached," remarked Kohlmann. "Her communication skills were so good, it was like having another coach on the floor. She was a great leader."

Confer led the way for the Hornets on the inside. She led the team in rebounds, hauling down 185 caroms. She scored 6.5 points per contest and her overall ability was reflected in her 66 assists and 56 steals. Confer shot at 44.3% accuracy from the field and connected on 64.6% of her free throws.

"Monica is very good at every aspect of the game," Kohlmann said. "She is an outstanding defender and just a great athlete."

Root averaged nearly seven points per contest and posed a threat from all angles. She sank 33 treys at a 34.4% ratio and was good on 34% of her two-point attempts. Root dished out 76 assists and sank 62% of her free throws.

"Ashley has great length and foot speed," commented Kohlmann. "She is always a double threat on offense, because she can hurt you from beyond the arc or by going to the basket."

Krupp scored at a rate of 5.6 points a contest, shooting a solid 45% from the floor. She pulled in 103 rebounds and had 40 steals.

"Kayla gave us great post presence on defense," said Kohlmann. "She normally gave up a lot of inches, but she more than made it up with her athletic ability. She always played with great confidence."

Sammons turned in some big games for the Hornets in 2008 and averaged better than nine points per game. She grabbed 91 rebounds and hit on 62.5% of her free throws. She was an accurate shooter, averaging 40.6% from the field.

"Amber was instant offense off the bench for us this season," praised Kohlmann. "She made her biggest improvements this year on the defensive side of the ball."

The six Hornet honorees not only led New Lothrop to an undefeated league championship and a 27-1 overall record. They carried the Hornets to a Class D state title as well.

Hunter Safety Class set for April 15-19

ST. CHARLES -- The St. Charles Wolverine Sportsmen Club and the Department of Natural Resources will be conducting a hunter safety class for all first-time hunters born on or after Jan. 1, 1960, who have not previously taken a hunter safety class on April 17-19. Anyone who is not 10 years of age will be enrolled on a space-available basis and by how close to 10 years of age they are on the class starting date.

The class schedule is as follows: Tuesday, April 15, 6-8 p.m. registration; Thursday, April 17, 5-9 p.m. class; Friday, April 18, 5-9 p.m. class; Saturday, April 19, noon to 5 p.m. class.

Refreshments will be served on Thursday and Friday, and a lunch will be served on Saturday. A $5 fee is being asked to help offset the food and refreshments that will be served, and the cost of the ammunition for the live firing that will be done on Saturday.

Attendance is required on all three days to be eligible to receive hunter safety certificates. Students are graded in three areas before any certificate is awarded. The three graded areas are test score, classroom attitude and ability to handle firearms safely and responsibly on the firing range.

Girls and foreign exchange students are encouraged to take the hunter safety class. Adults who have no previoulsy taken a hunter safety class are invited to take the class along with their son or daughter. Many states now require a hunter safety certificate regardless of age or previous experience.

Anyone with special needs is requested to contact the club 10 days prior to the calss so that necessary arrangements can be made The class will be held at the St. Charles Wolverine Sportsmen Club, located at 14690 Ithaca Road.

For more information, contact Lavern Spolarich at (989) 865-6257 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.

Chesaning Youth League registration going on now

CHESANING -- The Chesaning Parks and Recreation Commission announces that registration forms for T-Ball (5 and 6 year old boys and girls, games on Tuesdays and Thursdays), Coaches Pitch (7 and 8 year old boys and girls, games on Monday and Wednesdays), Minor League girls softball (9, 10 and 11 year olds, games on Tuesdays and Thursdays), boys Minor League baseball (9 and 10 year olds, games on Mondays and Wednesdays), Major League girls softball (12, 13 and 14 year olds, games on Mondays and Wednesdays), boys Major League baseball (10 and 11 year olds, games on Tuesdays and Thursdays) and Pony League boys baseball (13 and 14 year olds, dates and sites TBA) are available at Chesaning area public and parochial schools and on line at www.chesaningp-r.org.

Registration fees are $25 for T-Ball and Coaches Pitch, $30 for boys and girls baseball and softball. Each player must complete an individual registration form.

Teams will be selected in mid-April. Players will be notified by their coach regarding practice times and game schedules. Players in both major and minor (girls and boys) only are expected to provide their own black baseball pants Schedules and rules will be available at www.chesaningp-r.org when the teams and leagues are finalized.

An appeal goes out to mothers, fathers and other interested adults to volunteer to coach or to assist in coaching. Individuals interested in coaching should indicate so on space provided on the registration form.

Umpires are paid $15 per game. Interested parties should contact Dave Richardson at (989) 845-8099 ext. 1377. Any other general questions should be directed to Richardson at the same phone number.

Big Rock Rockers try-outs set

CHESANING -- Try-outs for the Big Rock Rockers AAU 18-under team will be held at the Chesaning Union High School gym on Sunday, April 6, from 1 to 3 p.m. Try-outs will be open to all high school girls interested in playing AAU this spring within the senior division.

The try-out fee is $10. Checks should be made payable to Big Rock Rockers and brought to try-outs on Sunday, April 6.

Contact Jori Pacek at (989) 737-6499 for more information.