Skyline Boys’ Basketball finished their season with a 13-11 record, going 5-8 against league opponents. While their record might not have been stellar, the team still had a successful season and were able to accomplish many things.
As a team, they shot 46% from the field, 57% from 2-point range, and had 15.3 assists per game, all team bests over the last six years. “We were proud with a lot of the accomplishments but we still want to make it a lot further in the playoffs and have a better record next year,” said Varsity Captain Ben Solomon (‘25).
Although their season just ended, the team is already thinking about next year. “[We want to] have a good offseason and play against some good competition in summer ball,” said Solomon.
Skyline Girls’ Basketball had an up-and-down season. After losing their first five games in the season, they won two out of their next three games. That was the best stretch in the season, but they were still able to finish with a record of 6-15. “The best thing about our season this year was beating our record from last year. It was great to watch every player grow and our team chemistry become so close,” said team Captain Reva Patchava (‘24).
Out of their six wins, two of them came against rival Huron. “Huron was a team we knew going into the season was our best bet to win,” said Patchava, “and all of us had seen what we were able to accomplish last year against them so it was more about holding that standard and continuing to improve our mindsets.” Skyline Women’s Basketball was able to improve its record from last year and maybe can use that to their advantage for next year.
While an overall record of 5-9-1 is not what Skyline Bowling was hoping to achieve in the long run, they had a significant focus on individual victories. “As much as bowling is a team sport, one of the lessons I’ve learned is to play your own game, and don’t worry too much about what other people are doing,” said team captain AJ North (‘24). “I’ve found when you focus on yourself, and the team aspect should come together”
Their record doesn’t tell their whole story. “There were a number of school record scores put up this season,” said North. “Skyline’s highest game was put up this season, our highest series ever, as well as several high scores.” If you look deeper than the numbers, there are vast improvements and accomplishments to be seen from Skyline’s bowlers. The team is looking to use their exploits from this season to improve upon the foundation they’ve built, and to come back stronger next year.
Skyline Boys’ Ice Hockey finished out the season second in the Southeastern Conference Red Division, with six conference wins to Saline’s seven. The team improved last year’s overall record of 12-15 to 12-12-2. “We worked a lot on work ethic, overcoming adversity, and being resilient,” said Alternate Captain Ezra Min (‘24), “In terms of culture, play, and effort, [this season] was a huge improvement over last year. We’re looking forward to next year.”
A favorite moment for the team was a huge win over Pioneer on MJR night: “We were down 2-4 in the third period and came back to win 6-5,” said Min. The team also won a big matchup against Anchor Bay during the Bay City Showcase in December, helping them on their way to their best finish since 2021.
Captain and Defenseman Graham Newton (‘24) earned a spot on the All-Conference First Team, in addition to breaking the Skyline Hockey all-time single season scoring record with 20 goals and 34 assists, totaling 54 points. Forwards Shane Roberts (‘24), Eric Van Alstine (‘25), and Aidan Moran (‘24) each earned All-SEC Honorable Mentions to cap off their seasons.
The Skyron Girls’ Hockey battled all season and finished sixth in the state. With the team beating their biggest rival Pioneer on December 20th, January 31st, and February 24th, they finished the season with an 18-8 record. At the Traverse City Tournament, they came away with three wins.
Skyron has shown this season that they can battle and grow as a team through the process. “The season went really well, we all grew so much as players and a team,” said Captain Lilly Shannon (‘24)
As their coaching has changed a little this year, they have still managed to create that team dynamic. “Our head coach was absent a lot but coaches such as Coach Hescheles and Coach Clavier stepped up and really helped us out throughout the season,” said Shannon.
Not only has the Skyron Girls’ hockey dominated on the ice but 4 players earned Division One All-State Awards. Lily Hescheles (‘24) earned a Defense Honorable Mention, Kendall Clavier (‘24) and Kennedy Marks (‘24) earned Forward Honorable Mentions, and Khaleela Hodge (‘24) earned Forward second team honors. In total these girls netted 140 points, 57 assists, and 83 goals.
Skyline Boys’ Swim and Dive finished third in the Southeastern Conference Red Division Championship, taking three gold, two silver, and three bronze medals in the process. Eleven of nineteen team members qualified for the MHSAA Division 2 State Championship Meet where they claimed fourth. Great teamwork made for speedy relays: all three relays entered by Skyline came home in the top five for their respective events.
A few standouts this season were Robby Shannon (‘26), who improved his 100 Freestyle time by 9 seconds, earning his first State Cut and Wesley Jenkins (‘25), who dropped nearly 18 seconds off of his 500 Freestyle earning himself a State Cut as well. “Throughout the season there was really high effort,” said Captain Luke Jordan (‘24), “We lost a lot of fast guys last year and a lot of [younger] guys came out of the woodwork and really stepped it up this year. We had an amazing season.”
Three team members earned All-State Honors: Lucas Caswell (‘24) in the 100 Butterfly and 200 Individual Medley, Owen McKelvey (‘25) in the 200 Freestyle and 100 Backstroke, and Stuart Knight (‘25) with seventh place in diving.
The Skyline Pompon team’s winter valiantly continued the strong bond they’ve developed over the past two seasons. Ever since the team started under their new coach Carrie Bora, it has been a whirlwind, but the girls’ individual experiences and success have been monumental. “No matter the level of dancer, they all are very important to the team,” says team captain and assistant coach Petra Bora (‘24). “There is a lot of growth.”
The winter season provided a lot of great moments for the group. “Seeing all of the competition girls, especially in the last senior night dance, was really cool,” remarked Bora. “We got to see all of the progress they made along the way.” With this dance being their first competition in a long time, it was a significant victory for the group. The season acted as a great send off for the senior dancers, and the team is looking forward to competing and cheering for our Eagles in the 2024-25 school year.
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