Welcome to this season’s Player of the Year poll voting! This is your chance to have a voice in recognizing the best of the best. All winter long, these athletes have put in the work, delivered standout performances, and represented their teams with pride. Now, as the season comes to a close, the community has the opportunity to help decide who rises above the rest.
The polls open today, March 17, 2026, and will remain open for 7 days of voting. Winners will be announced on March 24, 2026.
A special thank-you to our sponsor for making this possible: CatchMark Technologies.
We also want to thank our SportsNuts, whose support helped us provide coverage on each of these athletes throughout the season. Thank you to: Mia Milner, Molli Schultz, Jeff, Brent and Kara Raeth, Owen Raeth, Noah Raeth, Melissa King, Sarah Evans, Hart Public Schools Media Class, Jay Courtland, Bill O’Connell and Jim Thommen.
How the Player of the Year winners are determined
The 2025–26 Player of the Year – Winter Edition poll will determine winners based on:
- Team success
- Statistics
- Leadership qualities
- Overall performance
Three finalists in each sport were selected through a panel evaluation.
How voting works
Winners will be decided using a combination of panel voting and public voting:
Panel Voting and Ranking
Panelists rank the finalists:
- 1st place = 3 points
- 2nd place = 2 points
- 3rd place = 1 point
Public Voting
For every 1,000 public votes, an athlete earns 1 point.
Final scoring
The total points from both methods will determine the winners. In the event of a tie, the panel will make the final decision.
- Formula:
- (Panel Rank) + (Popular Vote Total / 1000) = Final Score
Now that you know how it works, check out the nominees and dive into the polls below to cast your vote!
Boys Basketball
Adam Dugener – North Muskegon
Adam Dugener put together an outstanding season for North Muskegon, averaging 20.2 points, 5.1 assists, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.2 steals per game. A true all-around contributor, Dugener made his impact felt on both ends of the floor while leading his team throughout the season. He also surpassed 1,000 career points, adding another major accomplishment to what was a special year. Dugener was clearly one of the top players in the Muskegon area this season and turned in a campaign worthy of serious all-area recognition.
James Martin – Muskegon
James Martin delivered a dominant season for Muskegon, averaging 23.6 points, 9.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 2.8 steals per game. Facing top-notch competition all season long, Martin consistently proved himself as one of the elite players in the area. He also surpassed 1,000 career points this season and earned recognition as a Mr. Basketball finalist, further cementing his place among the area’s best. With the level of competition he excelled against and the production he delivered, Martin stands out as one of the strongest candidates in the field.
Taj Williams – Ludington
Taj Williams turned in a tremendous junior season for Ludington, averaging 18.9 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 2.7 steals per game. He shot 52% from the field, 34% from three-point range, and 75% from the free-throw line, showcasing both efficiency and versatility. A phenomenal finisher with elite ability around the rim, Williams also ran the point for a 24-3 Ludington team that captured conference, district, and regional championships while reaching the Elite Eight. He led the team in scoring and established himself as one of the most dynamic guards in the area, earning consideration for both first-team all-area and all-state recognition.
Girls Basketball
Jayna Burmeister – Shelby
Jayna Burmeister put together a tremendous season for Shelby, averaging 18.6 points and 13.3 rebounds per game while consistently controlling the paint on both ends of the floor. She also contributed 3.6 steals, 2.2 assists, and 1.1 blocks per contest, showing just how complete her game was. Burmeister’s ability to dominate the glass, score consistently, and make plays defensively made her one of the most impactful players in the area this season.
Mariah Sain – Muskegon
Mariah Sain has been the clear standout among this group, turning in an exceptional season for Muskegon against top-notch competition. The University of Charlotte commit is averaging 20.2 points, 4 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 2 steals per game, continuing what has been a tremendous career for the Lady Reds. Earlier this season, in a game against Hudsonville, Sain scored her 1,000th career point, and she has not slowed down since. She also finished second in the voting, further highlighting the respect she has earned for her outstanding play. With her production, consistency, and ability to shine against elite opponents, Sain stands out as one of the top girls basketball players in the area.
Madie Folkema – Western Michigan Christian
Madie Folkema delivered a standout season for Western Michigan Christian, averaging 21 points per game and establishing herself as one of the area’s top scorers. Her offensive production made her a major force throughout the season, and she also reached the milestone of 1,000 career points this year. Folkema’s scoring ability and season-long impact made her a strong candidate among the area’s top performers.
Boys Wrestling
Noah Walker – Hesperia
Noah Walker turned in an exceptional senior season for Hesperia. Wrestling at 285 pounds, Walker finished the year with an outstanding 48-4 record and was the only state finalist among these nominees. He placed runner-up at the state finals, narrowly missing a title after a tough break on a call in overtime of the championship match. Even so, Walker’s season was nothing short of remarkable, and his résumé stands out among the area’s top wrestlers.
Fletcher Thommen – Montague
Fletcher Thommen put together a tremendous season for Montague at 150 pounds, finishing with a stellar 46-2 record. He also reached the milestone of 150 career wins, further cementing an already impressive high school career. Thommen claimed an Individual District Championship and went on to qualify for the state finals, proving himself as one of the area’s most accomplished and consistent wrestlers this season.
Landon Learn – Reeths-Puffer
Landon Learn had a standout season for Reeths-Puffer at 113 pounds, finishing with an impressive 52-2 record. He captured both District and Regional championships and went on to place third in Division 1, an outstanding accomplishment at the highest level of competition. With his dominance throughout the season and strong postseason run, Learn established himself as one of the top wrestlers in the area.
Girls Wrestling
Sidney Shackelford – Reeths-Puffer
Sidney Shackelford put together a strong sophomore season for Reeths-Puffer and deserves to be included among the top wrestlers in the area. Competing at 145 pounds, Shackelford finished the season with a 32-12 record and placed fifth at the girls state finals, making her one of the top finishers in the Muskegon area. Aside from Kassie Sapp’s state title, Shackelford was the next-highest area finisher at the state meet, showing just how impressive her postseason run was.
Kassie Sapp – Whitehall
Kassie Sapp delivered a dominant season for Whitehall at 130 pounds, finishing with an outstanding 39-1 record. She swept through the postseason by winning District, Regional, and ultimately the state championship, establishing herself as the top girls wrestler in the area this season. Sapp’s consistency, dominance, and championship finish made her one of the most accomplished athletes on the board.
Ava Pike – Manistee
Ava Pike turned in an excellent season for Manistee at 100 pounds, finishing with a 23-7 record and earning a state runner-up finish. Her ability to battle through the postseason and reach the state finals highlighted both her toughness and talent. Pike’s strong finish to the year placed her among the top girls wrestlers in the area.
Boys Bowling
Liam Copenhaver – Reeths-Puffer
Liam Copenhaver put together an outstanding season for Reeths-Puffer, finishing with a 191 average and capturing the title of GMAA Individual Champion. He carried that strong play into the postseason and earned an impressive 8th-place finish at the state finals, proving himself as one of the top bowlers in the area. Copenhaver’s consistency and ability to deliver on big stages made him a standout this season.
Mason Slaughter – Whitehall
Mason Slaughter turned in a strong season for Whitehall, posting a 197 average and showing the ability to compete at a high level throughout the year. He placed 5th at Regionals and followed that up with a 12th-place finish at the state finals. Slaughter also recorded a 235 high game, highlighting the scoring ability that made him one of the area’s top performers this season.
Skyler Bosch – Mona Shores
Skyler Bosch had an exceptional season for Mona Shores, finishing with an impressive 210 average, the highest among this group. He placed 6th at Regionals and went on to finish 15th at the state finals, capping off a strong postseason run. Bosch also rolled a remarkable 278 high game, showing the kind of explosive potential that made him one of the most dangerous bowlers in the area all season long.
Girls Bowling
Gabby Nutt – Ravenna
Gabby Nutt turned in an outstanding season for Ravenna, finishing with a 179 average and proving herself as one of the area’s top bowlers. She placed second at Regionals and followed that with a runner-up finish at the state finals, showcasing her ability to perform at a high level in the biggest moments. Nutt’s consistency and postseason success made her one of the strongest girls bowling candidates in the area this season.
Taylor Nutt – Ravenna
Taylor Nutt had an exceptional season for Ravenna, posting a 183 average and standing out as one of the top bowlers in the area. She captured a Regional Championship and went on to finish second at the state finals, capping off an impressive postseason run. With her strong scoring average and championship-level performance, Nutt established herself as one of the premier girls bowlers in the region.
Arianna Kubanek – Orchard View
Arianna Kubanek put together a solid season for Orchard View, finishing with a 154 average and earning an 11th-place finish at Regionals. Her steady play throughout the year helped her stand out as one of the area’s notable performers. Kubanek’s season showed both consistency and competitiveness, making her worthy of recognition among this year’s nominees.
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