Howard 10U All-Stars win state crown
Published 9:46 am Tuesday, July 16, 2019
- ABOVEt: In front from left: Brody Lace and Colin Gowen; second row: Brayden Wiemuth, Vinny Vance, Layne Roberts, Carson Gessinger, Brady Fletcher, Ryne Brown, Tanner Rachels, Preston Payne; back row: Max Rucker, coach Matt Fletcher, coach Steve Brown, coach Andy Lace, coach Casey Gowen. (Submitted photo)
NILES — For the third straight year, the Howard Township 10U All-Stars have captured a Cal Ripken Michigan state championship.
By winning the state title, the All-Stars will head to Newburgh, Indiana to compete in the Ohio Valley Regional, which begins Thursday.
The 10U All-Stars will be joining the Howard Township 8U All-Stars in Newburgh. That tournament also begins on Thursday.
The 10U All-Stars are no strangers to winning championships, according to coach Andy Lace.
“The kids really played well,” Lace said. “It couldn’t have gone much better. The boys really played unselfishly and it is all about the team.”
This particular All-Star team has been together since they were 7 years old. Lace said that besides the players putting forth a great effort, the parents have also been a huge part of the team’s success.
“You have to have a good group of parents,” he said. “It really takes a lot of effort to get them everywhere and to make sure they are always there on time.”
With both the 10U and the 8U All-Stars being in Newburgh, Lace said that could not have worked out any better either.
“We have some parents with kids on both teams, so they did not have to decide which tournament to go to and will get a chance to enjoy seeing their kids play in the same location.”
The team is currently raising money from local businesses to help offset the cost of the trip to the regionals.
Anyone wanting to contribute can do so through the Howard Township All-Stars Facebook fan page.
LEFT: In front from left: Brycen Hare, Maddux Hagen, Jackson Gessinger, Dawson Rachels, Dakoda Pockrandt, Lincoln Babcock; second row: Kayden Gordon, Johnny Jankoviak, Jordan Bowlin, Tanner Fox, Avary Zimmerman, Griffen Scanlon; back row: assistant coach Josh Hagen, head coach Chris Gessinger, assistant coach Jamie Zimmerman. (Submitted photo)
Howard 8U All-Stars
ST. JOSEPH — The All-Star team won the SJBA Tournament at Wells Field on Saturday afternoon.
Howard defeated Brandywine 19-7 to win the championship after beating Lakeshore twice (17-13 and 13-3) and North Lincoln (7-5).
Top hitters for the tournament were Tanner Fox, Johnny Jankoviak, Jackson Gessinger, Maddux Hagen, and Kayden Gordon.
Outstanding defensive plays were made in the field by Lincoln Babcock, Dawson Rachels, Dakoda Pockrandt and Avary Zimmerman.
