Rule of Thumb: Top Players to Watch in the Thumb Area

The Thumb Area has consistently produced some of the best talent in the state across divisions 2-4. Last season saw three teams march all the way to the Quarterfinals and beyond, with North Branch placing Runner-Ups in Division 2 and Reese winning in Division 3. Reese being the first Greater Thumb Conference team to win the illusive title, years after the likes of Unionville-Sebewaing and Ubly have been in constant hunts.   I would boldly go out on a limb and predict that we will see yet another title return to the Thumb area this season, if not more. Between North Branch returning their entire roster and new names emerge, this area isn't slowing down.   But who will be the big names for the coming season? Take a look below to get in the know of who to watch this season in the Thumb Area.   <figure class="wp-block-embed alignright is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/LineShotVBall/status/1522657486364459008?s=20&t=o12EePM52ilZjaQmfHcUgg </div></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='110287' first='Kaela' last='Chingwa'] - 6'2 MB - North Branch   She'll be the biggest kid you'll see all season and I think her play will be even bigger than just her size. [player_tooltip player_id='110287' first='Kaela' last='Chingwa'] showed glimpses of excellence last season in the Bronco's run to the title game. An imposing blocker, her block is terrorizing but yet looks so effortless. Offensively, i am excited to see the growth in this player's attacking range this season.   [player_tooltip player_id='222361' first='Clara' last='Gyomory'] - 5'11 OPP - North Branch   Another big attacker from the Bronco's, [player_tooltip player_id='222361' first='Clara' last='Gyomory'] is another name that caught my eye from last season's run to the championship. Gyomory has one of the more perplexing approaches, but yet boasts a heavy arm. In combination with each other, they work very well. Another year stronger and more range, I can see Gyomory being more of a power player for North Branch.   [player_tooltip player_id='110301' first='Hailey' last='Green'] - 5'1 L - North Branch   This is a name that needs no introduction, as [player_tooltip player_id='110301' first='Hailey' last='Green'] has already cemented herself as one of the top liberos in the state with her explosive sophomore year. Again, like last season, i predict Green to continue as the heartbeat of this team. Her defensive moves and strength in service reception, Green can make all of the possibilities happen with her first touch.   [player_tooltip player_id='156307' first='Shelby' last='Ignash'] - 6'1 MB - Cass City   Talk explosive, talk [player_tooltip player_id='156307' first='Shelby' last='Ignash']. I would argue no one had a bigger debut season than Ignash. A player that oozes of athleticism and can run the slide play like no one else, Ignash was an unstoppable force last season. Quickly becoming the fixture of the area, it was her very slide that led the Red Hawks to a historic, and long awaited, district title. As Ignash's offense continues to fine tune, I would curious to see how impactful her blocking becomes as the season progresses.   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/11/Shelby-Ignash-Kacee-Gray-crop-1068x702-1637002614.png" alt="" class="wp-image-165588" width="285" height="187"/><figcaption>[player_tooltip player_id='156307' first='Shelby' last='Ignash'] (R) - [player_tooltip player_id='172195' first='Kacee' last='Gray'] (L)</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='172195' first='Kacee' last='Gray'] - 5'7 OH - Cass City   Ignash wasn't the only one with an explosive debut season, right alongside her was [player_tooltip player_id='172195' first='Kacee' last='Gray'] on the left pin. While definitely falling under the radar this past season, I don't think Cass City would've saw the heights that they did without Gray. A complete six rotation player, Gray was Hawk's top defender and receiver, while taking out the trash so well out of the back court or left side. I expect Gray to have a big season along Ignash this year for an even bigger post season run.   [player_tooltip player_id='172190' first='Jerzie' last='Vanochten'] - 5'7 UT - Reese   A state title is going to be a hard feat to match but if anyone will be able to do it, it'll be the one of the few returners from last season's squad. [player_tooltip player_id='172190' first='Jerzie' last='Vanochten'] will very well become the main fixture in the Rocket's line up this year in one capacity of another. Last season saw Vanochten libero for a bit and was one of the Rocket's top servers. This season you may see her in the off-colored jersey, setting or even hitting on the pins! Really showcasing her versatility and value as a player.   Hope Schriber - 6'0 MB - Imlay City   Imlay City may very well be a sleeper pick for this season. A big reason comes from their production in the middle with Hope Schriber. Another player with a lot of upside, I wouldn't be shocked to see Schriber have a huge senior season. She boasts a lot of power in her swing and can run a variety of plays, but her slide is the money maker for this player and could be deadly in the toughest matches.   Alyssa Evans - 5'10 MB - Imlay City   Like I said, Imlay City has their production in the middle well figured out between Schriber and Alyssa Evans. Much like Schriber, Evans brings a lot of fire power to the middle. A little more pop to her jump, she gives the Spartans a different look that could cause opponents fits. I wouldn't be shocked to see her moved around the net throughout the season for different looks and spreading out the offense.   [player_tooltip player_id='172192' first='Katherine' last='Himmel'] - 6'0 MB - Bad Axe   Last season I predicted Bad Axe to be the team to watch, largely due to the presence of [player_tooltip player_id='172192' first='Katherine' last='Himmel']. Due to multiple injuries throughout the team, including Himmel, the team never materialized. But with a healthy senior year, I still wouldn't count Bad Axe out. Himmel returns and brings some much needed height in the middle and a lot of prowess in her offense and blocking.   Karlee Guza - 5'6 L - Harbor Beach   A lot of the Greater Thumb East conference is a big question mark. A lot of big names graduate and not many certainties return. That is beside Harbor Beach libero, Karlee Guza. Guza is very easily my pick for top libero in this conference, I'd go as far as argue the best in either East or West conference going into the season.

The Thumb Area has consistently produced some of the best talent in the state across divisions 2-4. Last season saw three teams march all the way to the Quarterfinals and beyond, with North Branch placing Runner-Ups in Division 2 and Reese winning in Division 3. Reese being the first Greater Thumb Conference team to win the illusive title, years after the likes of Unionville-Sebewaing and Ubly have been in constant hunts.