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: Millington's Lilly Damm
April 21, 2023
Lilly Damm ♦ Millington
Sophomore ♦ Softball
Just a sophomore, Damm quickly is making a major impact for the reigning Division 3 champion Cardinals. During a doubleheader split with reigning Division 4 champion Unionville-Sebewaing, Damm went 5-for-5 with three home runs, six RBI and four runs scored in a 17-12 win. Millington lost the second game 17-16, but Damm had three more hits and another homer.
The three home runs, home runs in consecutive at bats and six RBI all qualified Damm for the MHSAA record book – the three homers in one game tied for second-most on that list. Millington entered this season ranked No. 1 in the Division 3 state coaches poll, as did USA in Division 4. Damm also plays volleyball, and her junior sister Leila is another standout on the softball diamond.
@mhsaasports 🥎POW: Lilly Damm #performanceoftheweek #softball #homerun #homeruns #record #millington #cardinals #letsgo #MHSAA #highschoolsports #tiktalk #interview #TikTok #mistudentaid #fyp @lillydamm02 ♬ Beat Automotivo Tan Tan Tan Viral - WZ Beat
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MHSAA.com's "Performance of the Week" features are powered by MI Student Aid, a part of the Office of Postsecondary Financial Planning located within the Michigan Department of Treasury. 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.
2022-23 Honorees
April 13: Larissa Huffman, Mackinaw City track & field - Report
April 6: Darius Acuff, Detroit Cass Tech basketball - Report
March 23: Regan Finkbeiner, Hemlock basketball - Report
March 16: Alaina Yaney, Grand Ledge gymnastics - Report
March 9: Braeden Davis, Dundee wrestling - Report
March 2: Gabriel Sanchez-Burks, Ann Arbor Pioneer swimming - Report
Feb. 23: Grace Sobczak, Marquette swimming - Report
Feb. 16: Kaitlynn Demers, Gibraltar Carlson competitive cheer - Report
Feb. 9: Indya Davis, West Bloomfield basketball - Report
Feb. 2: Braydon Sorenson, Onekama skiing - Report
Jan. 26: Shayna Hruska, Iron Mountain wrestling - Report
Jan. 19: Kayla Tafanelli, Warren Woods-Tower bowling - Report
Dec. 20: Brenden Paden, Riverview Gabriel Richard hockey - Report
Dec. 16: Tuff Scott, Holton bowling - Report
Dec. 9: Macey Fegan, Standish-Sterling basketball - Report
Dec. 2: Treyton Siegert, Gladwin football - Report
Nov. 24: Lily Witte, Dexter diving - Report
Nov. 17: Navea Gauthier, Shelby volleyball - Report
Nov. 10: Derek Huisman, Holland Christian soccer - Report
Nov. 3: Thomas Westphal, New Baltimore Anchor Bay cross country - Report
Oct. 27: Justin Wickey, Colon football - Report
Oct. 20: Owen DeMuth, Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood tennis - Report
Oct. 13: Mia Melendez, Ann Arbor Greenhills golf - Report
Oct. 6: Shawn Foster, Grand Ledge football - Report
Sept. 30: Hannah Smith, Temperance Bedford swimming - Report
Sept. 22: Helen Sachs, Holland West Ottawa cross country - Report
Sept. 15: Nina Horning, Lake Orion volleyball - Report
Sept 8: Arturo Romero, Muskegon Oakridge soccer - Report
Sept. 1: Austin King, Midland Dow tennis - Report
Aug. 25: Olivia Hemmila, Troy Athens golf - Report
PHOTOS courtesy of Scott Bolsby/Tuscola County Advertiser.