Meet The Daily Reporter's 2024 Softball Dream Team

BRANCH COUNTY – The 2024 prep softball season here in Michigan is now firmly in our rearview mirror, and what a season it has been.

The Bronson Vikings swept the Big 8 Conference to claim another conference crown before winning their second straight Division Three district title. The Vikings then lost a heartbreaking game in the regional semifinals to see their stellar season come to an end. Bronson was led this season by five first-team All-Big 8 honorees, including the conference’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) in sophomore Ashlynn Harris, and two others who earned honorable mention honors.

The Quincy Orioles finished third in the conference standings and had three players named to the Big 8 All-Conference First Team and three others named to the All-Conference Honorable Mention Team while Union City finished fifth in the conference standings and had two players named to the All-Conference Honorable Mention Team.

The Coldwater Cardinals have seen a roster shakeup from last season, with the Cardinals’ top returners being a group of sophomores who all played collegiately last year. The young Cardinals have had some growing pains, but the future looks bright for coach Bill DeBeau and the Coldwater softball program.

Tekonsha had an up-and-down season, finishing 4-14 overall with some bright spots on the field this season.

With all of that in mind, we here at the Daily Reporter are proud to release our softball Dream Team for the 2024 season. The Dream Team is our attempt to recognize the best of the best in Branch County, those who go above and beyond and lead both through their efforts on the field and their behavior off it.

The following 16 players represent exactly what Branch County has to offer on the softball field. Needless to say, choosing All Area teams is not an exact science. There are so many great athletes in the county and unfortunately, some who may deserve to make it won’t, and some who you think don’t deserve to make it will. For questions or comments about the team, please contact Sports Editor Troy Tennyson at [email protected].

So, in terms of the Dream Team, each preseason, the Daily Reporter sports staff selects its Dream Team members, players from the area who we believe have demonstrated great ability, leadership and drive. The athletes chosen are athletes who finished the season in a good position with their respective teams and who have demonstrated integrity and hard work throughout the season. Coaches were consulted in the selection of these teams, both for the first team and for the honorable mention.

This year’s Dream Team consists of 16 student-athletes from all five Branch County schools, with another handful of players receiving honorable mentions.

So, without further ado, ladies and gentlemen, hello to The Daily Reporter Softball Dream Team 2024.

The Daily Reporter’s 2024 Softball Dream Team-

Cold Water Cardinals– Rylie Van Aken, Maren DeBeau, Mya Porter, Coley Burkhardt

Bronson’s Vikings– Ashlynn Harris, Brealyn Lasky, Mya Webb, Lydia Wells, Roni Bir, Ciara Blankenship

Quincy Orioles– Alyssa McCavit, Deziray Skirka, Payton Gross

Union City Chargers- Aislynn Phelps and Emily DeLisle

Tekonsha Indians- Reagan Henry

Honorable mention-

Cold Water Cardinals– Mackenzie Searing, Maddie Moore, TK Boyd

Bronson Vikings- Braelynn Gimenez

Quincy Orioles– Kaylee Modert, Josie Mescher, Miley Pointdexter, Makiya Feltner

Union City Chargers- Calli Wilkinson, Gracie Phelps, Lauren Tundevold

Tekonsha Indians– Angel VeenKant, Caterina Bruce

More: Bronson’s Harris named Big 8 MVP, 15 Branch County players earn All-Conference honors

For questions, comments or concerns regarding The Daily Reporter’s 2024 Baseball Dream Team, please contact Sports Editor Troy Tennyson at ttennyson@thedailyreportercom or you can also email [email protected].