Battle of the Fans X: Vote Now
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
February 15, 2022
We have seen Battle of the Fans reborn across Michigan over the last two months, and after visiting our three BOTF X finalists over the last two weeks, we're just days from awarding this year's champion.
We want your help to determine which should be crowned as the state's best student section for 2021-22.
Vote today through 4 p.m. Thursday on your favorite of these three (enrollments in parentheses) – Buchanan (435), Midland Dow (1,270) and Traverse City West (1,629) – by liking, sharing and re-tweeting on the MHSAA’s Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok sites.
But before you do, take a few minutes to watch all three videos from our visits and read the stories behind the sections by clicking the links below.
The contest is sponsored by the MHSAA Student Advisory Council, which will have the final vote on the champion. SAC members will use all resources available to make their decision – including giving weight to the public social media vote. Votes will be valued proportionately to the size of the school receiving them (for example, one vote for Class B Buchanan will be worth more than one vote for Class A Midland Dow or Traverse City West).
The champion will be announced Friday on Second Half. All three finalists will be invited to Michigan State University's Breslin Center on March 25 for the Division 2 Boys Basketball Semifinals, and the winner will be presented with a championship banner at center court.
And now, the finalists, in alphabetical order:
Buchanan
Read all about it: Buchanan's 'Herd' Begins New Era with Same Bucks Energy
Midland Dow
Read all about it: Dow Aims to Give Teams Advantage with Charger Spirit
Traverse City West
Read all about it: West's Creatures Filling Bleachers with Support for Titans Teams
Performance of the Week: Essexville Garber's Ella Kokaly
November 22, 2024
Ella Kokaly ♦ Essexville Garber
Junior ♦ Volleyball
Garber is enjoying its best season, and Kokaly directs a powerful attack that has the Dukes playing in a Division 2 Semifinal this weekend. Garber won its first Regional title in four sets over Kingsley (25-20, 25-21, 18-25, 29-27) and Kokaly set an MHSAA single-match record with 75 assists, bringing her season total to 1,233 heading into this week.
Kokaly also had 91 aces and 326 digs this season after the Regional, and added another 36 assists and 16 digs in Garber’s Tuesday Quarterfinal sweep of Fruitport. Garber is 43-12-2 and will play Tecumseh in a Division 2 Semifinal on Friday at Battle Creek’s Kellogg Arena. Also a softball standout, Kokaly also hit .421 with 50 runs scored and 44 stolen bases this spring.
@mhsaasports 🏐POW: Ella Kokaly #volleyball #essexville #garber #Regional #champion #record #part1 #highschoolsports #tiktalk #interview #performanceoftheweek #mistudentaid #fyp #MHSAA ♬ original sound - MHSAA
@mhsaasports 🏐POW: Ella Kokaly #tiktalk #questiontime #tacobell #night #emoji #prettylittleliars #TikTok #part2 #performanceoftheweek #mistudentaid #fyp #MHSAA ♬ Monkeys Spinning Monkeys - Kevin MacLeod & Kevin The Monkey
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MHSAA.com's "Performance of the Week" features are powered by MI Student Aid, a division within the Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP). MI Student Aid encourages students to pursue postsecondary education by providing access to student financial resources and information. MI Student Aid administers the state’s 529 college savings programs (MET/MESP), as well as scholarship and grant programs that help make college Accessible, Affordable and Attainable for you. Connect with MI Student Aid at www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid and find more information on Facebook and Twitter @mistudentaid.
Previous 2024-25 honorees
Nov. 15: Caroline Bryan, Grosse Pointe South swimming - Report
Nov. 8: Kaylie Livingston, Whitmore Lake cross country - Report
Oct. 25: Oliver Caldwell, Grand Rapids West Catholic tennis - Report
Oct. 18: Alex Graham, Detroit Cass Tech football - Report
Oct. 11: Victoria Garces, Midland Dow cross country - Report
Oct. 4: Asher Clark, Bay City John Glenn soccer - Report
Sept. 26: Campbell Flynn, Farmington Hills Mercy volleyball - Report
Sept. 19: TJ Hansen, Freeland cross country - Report
Sept. 12: Jordan Peters, Grayling soccer - Report
Sept. 6: Gabe Litzner, Sault Ste. Marie cross country - Report
Aug. 30: Grace Slocum, Traverse City St. Francis golf - Report
(Photos courtesy of the Essexville Garber volleyball program.)