WBKB Team of the Year: 2022-23
The 2022-23 High School sports season has come to a close. WBKB will be awarding one team, based on a public vote for our 2022-23 team of the year. Here are the nominees.
Hillman Boys Basketball: After falling in the regional semifinals in 2022, the Tigers returned and conquered in 2023. Winning the programs fourth regional title in the last nine years. The Tigers went unbeaten in North Star League play and defeated NSL Big Dipper champion Mio in the district final. The Tigers went on to defeat Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart in the regional final before falling 59-57 to Frankfort in the quarterfinals. Junior guard Trenton Taratuta was selected to the Division Four all state team for the second season in a row as he averaged 27 points per game and eclipsed the 1,000 point mark. The other four Hillman starters, Seniors AJ Jones, Braylon Firman, Brody Applegren and Caleb Hiveley were all league selections. Despite losing four starters the Tigers return their X-Factor in Taratuta. With Taratuta leading the way the Tigers will contend for a 5th regional title in the last 10 years.
Johannesburg-Lewiston Softball: It was a dream season for the Cardinals who returned to the state semifinals for the first time in 42 years. The Cardinals won their third straight Ski Valley Conference crown before finally dethroning Hillman in the district final. A win over Rudyard gave the Cardinals a regional crown. A 7-1 win over Hancock sent the Cardinals to East Lansing. The run came to an end with a 4-2 loss to Mendon in the semifinals. Junior Jayden Marlatt did it all for the Cardinals. She hit .670 with 12 home runs at the plate. She struck out 235 batters in 117 innings on the mound. Chloe Ferguson will return as the #2 pitcher as the team is only set to graduate two players. This group is not going anywhere. After 30 wins and a semi final appearance in 2023, it would surprise nobody if the Cardinals find themselves right back in East Lansing in 2024.
Alpena Hockey:  The sports story of the year in Northeast Michigan. The Wildcats filled arenas everywhere they went and steamrolled just about everyone in their path. Alpena won the Big North Conference going 10-0 in league play for the first time in team history. They won their third straight regional championship and were ranked in the top five of the state for the last two months of the season. The signature wins included a 4-0 win over eventual Division 3 state champion Flint Powers Catholic and the regional final win over Marquette. In front of 2,500 fans in Northern Lights Arena the Wildcats staged a comeback for the ages as they rallied from 3-1 down with five minutes to go. Two goals by Cam Young tied the game and with 30 seconds left Captain Anden Marceau gave the Wildcats the game winner. The season would end in the quarterfinals with a 4-1 loss to Saginaw Heritage. The team finished with a school record 24 wins. A season to remember for Alpena.
Cast your vote for WBKB team of the year. Voting ends at 12 PM on Friday June 23.
