A trio of Brandywine girls basketball players have been named all-state by the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan.

Junior Makenna Hartline was a first team BCAM All-State pick, while senior Brooke Smith and junior Michaela Hartline were both honorable mention selections.

Niles’ Elyse Zimmerman was an honorable mention pick by BCAM in Class A, while Edwardsburg’s Savannah Dixon was an honorable mention selection by both BCAM and the Detroit Free Press.

Buchanan’s Brooke Wesner earned honorable mention in the Detroit Free Press.

Makenna Hartline was honored on all four state-wide teams. She earned first team from BCAM, second team from the Detroit
Free Press, third team from the Detroit News and special mention from the Associated Press.

“We are very fortunate to have three all-state selections this season, which is very rare for any team,” Brandywine coach Josh Hood said. “It says a lot about our program and the girls from Brandywine to get that type of recognition around the state of Michigan. Our school had one all-state player in its history prior to 2009 and now we have had a first team selection for six straight seasons and an unbelievable seven different girls make all-state.

“This means across the board Makenna was considered a top 15 player in Class C throughout the entire state which is quite an accomplishment. She had a great season while leading us in scoring and rebounding with her biggest game coming in the regional final against a 6-2 all-stater, while scoring 25 points and pulling in 14 rebounds. We are very fortunate to have her back for another season.”

Smith returned to the Bobcats after missing the 2013-14 season due to a knee injury sustained during volleyball.

“Brooke Smith had a remarkable season while being named honorable mention all-state,” Hood said. “To come back from an awful knee injury and play the way she did this season is a testament to the type of kid and leader she is. She had an outstanding four-year career where she started from day one and compiled a record of 91-6 with four conference championships, three district championships and three regional championships. She will be greatly missed in our program next season.”

Michaela Hartline, the twin sister of Makenna, gave the Bobcats versatility with her ability to defend, score and slash to the basket.

“Michaela Hartline had an outstanding junior season and was rewarded by being named honorable mention all-state,” Hood said. “We are extremely excited to have her back next season.”

Hood is also proud that all three players carry a GPA of 3.7 or higher.

“This in my eyes is their biggest accomplishment as they are model representatives of not only our program, but the entire Brandywine Community.”

They would also be the first to tell everyone that making all-state is not possible without their outstanding teammates who along with them work very hard to help our program win championships and get the recognition it deserves throughout the state. “I’m very proud and fortunate to coach these outstanding student-athletes.”

The trio also received Academic All-State honors.

Zimmerman, a junior,  averaged 14.2 points per game to go along with 6.8 rebounds, 4.4 steals and 3.3 assists.

“I have not coached too many high school girls who work harder on and off the court than Elyse,” first-year Niles coach Phil D’Amico said. “She has a tireless work ethic and spends a great deal of time on her physical conditioning.

“She is such a tough kid and nothing seems to get to her on the court. No matter what the game conditions are, she never quits, gives up or ever stops believing that we are going to win. I know it is over used, but for a coach to have that player that can be a coach on the court, that is Elyse.”

Wesner, a sophomore, averaged 14.7 points, 3.2 steals and 2.2 assists per game.

“This year as a player she improved every aspect of her game, particularly cutting down turnovers, improving at the free throw line and improving her defense,” Buchanan coach Gabe Miller said. “I think this accomplishment is a testament to her desire to be the best player she can be.”

Dixon, also a sophomore, averaged 17 points per game along with 2.0 assists, 3.6 rebounds and 2.5 steals.

“Savannah had a great sophomore campaign,” Edwardsburg coach Nicole Cartwright said. “Last season she averaged 5.2 points per game and this season she averaged 17. This season she had to take the leading scoring role. Many teams figured this out and played a box and one defense on her.”

Cartwright added that Dixon had 69 made 3-pointers this season, which will tie her for 25th on the single-season list.