The Portland girls’ basketball team would always have a goal on its back during the 2021-2022 season.
Defending the state champions in Division 2, the Red Raiders would take the best shot of everyone every night. They welcomed the challenge, taking the fourth hardest program in the state for the Michigan Power Rating formula.
Portland still did well, going 23-2 and reaching the state quarterfinals before falling to eventual state champion Detroit Edison.
Ashley Bower has been at the forefront of this program beating, leading the team to score and serve as the quarterback and toughest defender every game. For his two-way excellence and scoring prowess, he was named the Ionia Sentinel-Standard Ionia County Player of the Year.
“For him, these games aren’t about points, it’s about who he’s protecting,” said Portland coach Jason Haid. “He has retained some really good players this year. That’s probably more impressive than averaging 19 points per game against the best player.”
The offensive stats cannot be said to be unimpressive. He averaged 19.1 points and 3.2 assists per game, averaging 3.3 steals per game and 3.0 rebounds per game.
More:Portland’s Ashley Bower signs with Wayne State
While the defense had been there for years, Bower began putting in quality performances against some of the best teams in the state.
Haid talked about a special performance against Forest Hills Central’s Theryn Hallock, where she earned the Season 1 Player of the Year award at less than half the season’s average points.
“He’s always been a really good defender,” Haid said. “A lot of people don’t pay attention to defense. It may have taken a year or two for outsiders to realize what he was doing.”
Bower was really the focus of the plan for the Red Raiders, both offensively and defensively. He switched to quarterback, which he played in the AAU half, so he was the primary quarterback and scorer on offense and routinely had the most difficult task on defense.
Despite his workload, he never let it reach him in terms of energy and efficiency, he just handled everything step-by-step.
“He will have the ball in every position, he will protect the best player in every position,” Haid said. “I thought their numbers might drop. But he was consistently hanging around 20 points per game. ”
Bower is going to Wayne State next year. But since he traded the Raider basketball jersey for the Warrior jersey, he stands out as one of the most decorated players in program history at the individual level, and also led the school to a state championship.
Haid knows how rare that is.
“As a coach, I am lucky. “The best player I’ve ever coached,” he said. “There are so many great Portland basketball players. He has a lot of records, he did a lot for the program, he is not only current, but also going forward.
“He’s just a special player, a special kid, and I’ve been very lucky to have been by his side for the past four years.”
ALL DISTRICT GIRLS’ BASKETBALL TEAM
Ashley Bower
SCHOOL >> Portland
CLASS >> 12
POSITION >> G
BY NUMBERS >> 19.1 points, 3.2 points, 3.3 points, 3 points, 38 3-pointers
COACH’S COMMENT >> “Ashley was a team captain and led us to score goals against one of the toughest programs in the entire state this season. Ashley was a great field leader for us, attacking the basket, shooting from the outside or setting up his teammates. The one thing that sets Ashley apart from all the other players is her ability to turn off the opponent’s best player in every game she plays this year. ” – Portland coach Jason Haid
brook simpson
SCHOOL >> Belt
CLASS >> 10
POSITION >> PG
BY NUMBERS >> 24.4 pages, 6.6 rpm, 4.3 seconds, 0.9 bpg, 53.2% FG, 27% 3PT, 80.1% FT
COACH’S COMMENT >> “First team, second year in a row, OK Silver. It’s no secret why Brook is so good! He spends hundreds of hours perfecting his craft. He can score at any level and defend with the best.” – Belding coach Shad Breimayer
Lydia Meredith
SCHOOL >> Portland St. Patrick
CLASS >> 12
POSITION >> G
BY NUMBERS >> 19.6 pages, 6.9 pages, 5.7 pages, 3.0 pages
COACH’S COMMENT >> “First team all CMAC, over 1,000 career points, top 20 in the state with over 400 career steals, one of the best players I’ve ever coached.” – Portland St. Patrick’s coach Al Schrauben
Paigelyn Guernsey
SCHOOL >> Saranac
CLASS >> 12
POSITION >> G
BY NUMBERS >> 17.8 pages, 6 rpm, 3.8 spg, 42% FG, 75% FT
COACH’S COMMENT >> “Paigelyn’s drive and leadership set her apart from the other players. He is a student of the game, always striving to improve his game and pushing his teammates to be better. Paigelyn led our team in multiple statistical categories during her four years at university. It was a pleasure to coach such an outstanding player and such a wonderful young lady.” – Saranac coach Steve Tompkins
Brynn Reams
SCHOOL >> Ionia
CLASS >> 12
POSITION >> C
BY NUMBERS >> 15.8 pages, 9.9 pages, 1 bpg
COACH’S COMMENT >> “Brynn is a kind-hearted person who proudly represents the Ionian community. She is a great role model and works hard in everything she does. He will be successful in Aquinas and can’t wait to see what the future holds for him! ” – Ionia coach Laurie Hoppough
Ava Guilford
SCHOOL >> Portland
CLASS >> 12
POSITION >> G
BY NUMBERS >> 9.6 points, 2.6 points, 2.4 points, 3.1 points, 40 3-pointers
COACH’S COMMENT >> “Ava was instrumental in taking us to a regional championship with his determined defence, devoted play and ability to hit a big target when we needed it. Ava brought a winning attitude to our team, she was the team captain and our emotional leader on the pitch.”
Maradith O’Gorman
SCHOOL >> Lakewood
CLASS >> 12
POSITION >> C
BY NUMBERS >> 9.5 pages, 10.5 pages, 1.5 pages/minute
COACH’S COMMENT >> “Second team is totally GLAC. Maradith is just an athlete. He is a fierce competitor and works tirelessly on the field. ” – Lakewood coach Kelly Meints
Hope Kanouse
SCHOOL >> Belt
CLASS >> 10
POSITION >> G
ACCORDING TO THE NUMBERS >> Number 7.1, 8.1 dev / min, 2 spg,% 40.8 FG,% 22.7 3PT,% 57.6 FT
COACH’S COMMENT >> “First team is all right Silver. Hope is our everything! He is required to play offensively and defensively both inside and outside. It’s as consistent as they come. We know every game he will play hard and compete in. He works hard on his game in and out of the season. ”
Katelyn Russel
SCHOOL >> Portland St. Patrick
CLASS >> 12
POSITION >> F
BY NUMBERS >> 8.7 pages, 3.6 pages, 2.0 pages, 2.5 pages
COACH’S COMMENT >> “CMAC’s first team played a full game both offensively and defensively.”
