Simonsen makes Division 2 All-State First Team
HOUGHTON — Houghton senior Brad Simonsen was named to the Associated Press Division 2 All-State First Team on Wednesday.
Simonsen, a Michigan Tech basketball commit, was also named to the U.P. Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association Dream Team last week.
Simonsen, a 6-foot-6 guard, set the all-time Houghton High School scoring mark during a 68-60 win against Lake Linden-Hubbell on Feb. 25. Simonsen battled and grabbed a rebound on a missed shot and fought through two defenders to put up the milestone putback. His career total after the game was 1,588 points.
Simonsen finished his career with 1,694 points, the most in Houghton High School history.
Simonsen made headlines early in February when he scored 63 points in an 88-83 loss to Ishpeming on Feb. 4. Simonsen’s 63 points replaced Gary Lange’s 60 points in a 1970 win as the most points by a Gremlin in one game. The 63 points is also tied for 14th in state history for most points in one game.
Houghton lost in the Division 2 District 33 opener to Menominee by a 69-53 margin on March 9. Simonsen scored 30 points in the game.
Simonsen was also named to the West PAC Dream Team in March.
Other U.P. Players to get All-State recognition were honorable mentions for Escanaba’s Carter Hudson and Peyton Fedell, along with Gladstone’s Cam Ballard.
The Division 2 All-State Selections:
Player of the Year
Carlos ‘Scooby’ Johnson, Benton Harbor, Sr.
First-Team All-State
Carlos ‘Scooby’ Johnson, Benton Harbor, Sr.
Pierre Brooks, Detroit Douglass, Jr.
Kobe Bufkin, Grand Rapids Christian, Jr.
Brad Simonsen, Houghton, Sr.
Quindarius Davis, Benton Harbor, Sr.
Ke’Ontae Barnes, Muskegon Orchard View, Jr.
Mason Docks, Williamston, So.
Colin Golson, Ferndale, Sr.
Tyson Davis, Goodrich, Jr.
Charlie Woodhams, Otsego, Sr.
Coach of the Year
Gary Barns, Goodrich
Second-Team All-State
Orlando Lovejoy, Romulus Summit Academy, So.
Jaylen Hodges, Bridgeport, Jr.
Mykel Bingham, Grand Rapids Catholic Central, Sr.
Ryan Corner, Allendale, Sr.
Jack Karasinski, Grand Rapids Catholic Central, So.
Caron Clayton, Flat Rock, Sr.
Brendan Young, Fowlerville, Jr.
Coach of the Year
Mark McDaniel, Eaton Rapids
Honorable Mention
Jayland Randall, Harper Woods Chandler Park; Damon Terrelle, Detroit CMA; Zavion McClendon, Detroit Douglass; Tamario Adley, Harper Woods Chandler Park; Hunter Soper, Croswell-Lexington; DJ Voltz, Carrollton; Pete Calcaterra, Boyne City; Devon Boyd, Grand Rapids Catholic Central; Zac Velthouse, Hudsonville Unity Christian; Soloman White, Forest Hills Eastern; Ethan Alderink, Holland Christian; Tyler Zomerlei, Hopkins; Chase Wilson, Sparta; Joe Francis, Adrian; Ross Stofflet, Chelsea; Peyton Fedell, Escanaba; Rane Castor, Gladstone; Cam Ballard, Gladstone; Carter Hudson, Escanaba; Lucas Lyyski, Spring Lake; Chris Young, Buchanan; Braiden McDonald, Fremont; Rae’Quan Funches, Battle Creek Harper Creek; Ryne Petersen, Battle Creek Pennfield; Nick Szymanski, Ionia; Shayne Loynes, Ovid-Elsie; Caleb Leykauf, Perry; Griffin Gleeson, Eaton Rapids; Treyvon Lewis, Ferndale; Julian Scott, Detroit Country Day; LaTa’Vius Vaughter, Clio; Ryan Zimmer, St. Clair; Aidan Rubio, Goodrich; Tay Jones, Carrollton; Corey Thompson, Frankenmuth; Tyler Johnson, Crosswell-Lexington; Keagan Wendel, Standish-Sterling; Thomas Alfano, Shepherd; Paul Gadde, Alma; Case Martin, Alma; Hunter Woolston, Clare; Shane Jenkins, Clare; Charlie Nylander, Lansing Catholic; Jacob Wallace, Williamston; Justin Moore, Ovid-Elsie; Caleb Hardies, Macomb Lutheran North; Tipp Baker, Cadillac; Johnny Mistretta, Marine City; Daveyn Henderson, Richmond; Brent Wiles, New Haven; Sean Donaldson, St. Clair; Gavin Fisher, Fruitport.
Coach of the Year
Dave Jones, Lansing Eastern