USA semi-final photo gallery

Marissa Lemere

Mercy Martinez

Nicole Dewald

Jillian Williamson

Minda Martinez

Carly Treiber

Overthrow at home

Minda Martinez

Nicole Dewald

Play at the plate Coach Larry Houthoofd

BREAKING NEWS:USA heading to the finals

Could the Thumb have a another team win a State Title for the second straight year?

They will if the USA softball squad has anything to say about it. They adavnced to the championship game with a 4-3 win over Mason County Central.

The game was not a typical Patriot performance by any means.

Why you ask? Well for a team that has been heralded for their defense in recent weeks, they maanaged to commit at least five official errors (I say official because I thought the score keeper was generous on a play or two). Not the performance you would expect from USA, but I should add that most of the mistakes came on overthrows, which coach Larry Houthoofd attributed to nerves.

Hopefully the Patriots got that out of their system as they head into today's game (yes it is after midnight as I'm posting this) with Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central at 1 p.m.

I'll be posting a photo gallery of the event in a few minutes, but to get the whole story on the semis and championship game, check out your local publication this Wednesday.

I should be back on Sunday (yes I'll be working for at least a few hours on Father's Day) with my thoughts on the game and maybe some pictures.

I've got a wedding Saturday night after the game and after a 3 1/2 hour ride back... let's just say a Saturday night post isn't realistic.

Laker photo gallery

BREAKING NEWS: Greenhills downs Lakers in Semifinals

The Laker soccer team put in a galiant effort and actually dominated much of the first half, but allowed a late goal with around 2:59 left in the first half to Ann Arbor Greenhill's Carly Topper, which proved to be the difference at this Semifinal match-up at Troy Athens.

It was a very even game throughout and until that late score by AAH, I thought this one looked like a possible 0-0 tie that would be decided by a shootout.

EPBP coach Mark Weidman is confident this taste of playoff sucess will only serve to motivate his players to work harder. He mentoned that he knows the girls need to have some fun this summer, but joked that he just hopes they bring their soccer balls with them when they go to the beach.

Congratulations to the Lakers on an amazing season. The Thumb is proud of the effort you put in this season and how far you got.

For the complete story on the game, check out your local publication this Wednesday.

Caseville looking for coaches

Got a phone call from Caseville Athletic Director Ken Ewald this morning and he wanted me to let everyone in the area know he is looking for coaches for boys' and girls' basketball.
Those interested in applying for the position can get more information by calling Ewald at the school at (989) 856-2311 or via e-mail at kewald@caseville.k12.mi.us.

USA photo gallery