Lions on the prowl on the diamond again in 2022
It’s like Dancing With The Stars in the Jungle these days: The defending state champs are moving and grooving again on the softball diamond.
South Lyon came out of virtually nowhere to claim a Division 1 state crown last spring. This season, the Lions (21-2) are at the front of the pack and flashing their fangs for everyone in the MHSAA to see. They’ve been the No. 1 team in the state for most of the season — right now they are ranked No. 2 — and in first place in the LVC, looking to knockoff last year’s title holder Walled Lake Northern, which the Lions have beaten twice already.
When it comes to repeat discussions, however, South Lyon keeps it hush.
“We don’t talk repeat,” head coach David Langlois said. “I don’t even think that’s in the forefront of our minds right now. These girls are so focused, so dialed-in, game-to-game, we are living in the here and now. We’ll start worrying about the state tournament when it’s state tournament time. Doing the little things, day-in, day-out leads to big things down the road. That’s our mentality. We’re playing hungry and we control what we can control. That’s really all that matters.”
First-team all-state picks Grace Walters and Ava Bradshaw are anchoring the ship in 2022 with more of the excellence delivered in last season’s run to the state championship. Walters, a junior third baseman, is hitting .543 from the lead-off spot, slugging 1.000 and having driven in 22 runs. Bradshaw, a sophomore and one of the state’s top ace pitchers, sports a stingy ERA of 0.81 and swings a bat at a.360 clip.
Langlois’ calls junior outfielder Emily Johnson the glue to the lineup. She’s hitting .400. Junior second baseman Julia Duncan carries a .420 batting average and senior catcher Madison McKenzie has logged a team-best 28 RBI. Newcomer Izzy Nooe, only a freshman and better known for her play on the basketball floor, is playing her first year of organized softball and
proving to be a budding star in leftfield, showing speed and a quick stick.
“Every single one of these young ladies is a fighter, a gamer through and through,” Langlois said,
Oxford strong, Midtown-bound
Oxford senior basketball star Bryce Esman recently committed to Wayne State. The 6-foot-8 Esman was one of the most underrated big guys in the OAA this past winter. He began attracting GLIAC interest following the season.
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“Great effort springs from great attitude” — Oakland Christian basketball coach Dennis Hopkins