Coldwater '5' makes up core of 23-24 The Daily Reporter Girls Basketball Dream Team

The 2023-24 Girls Basketball season is officially in our rearview mirror, and there was much to celebrate during the year.

Branch County had one Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) District champion as the Coldwater Cardinals brought home their second-straight Division 1 district title with a win over Gull Lake. The Cardinals came up just a little short in the regional semifinals, falling to Portage Central to end their superb season.

Coldwater looks to reload next season, as the team will say goodbye to three seniors but return all five starters from this season and will also welcome in a very promising group of freshmen.

Bronson put together a solid season and will return two All Conference honorees next season to a team full of talent, while Quincy saw a major resurgence and made an exciting trip to the MHSAA District finals before suffering a tough loss. The Orioles will say goodbye to some key seniors but will return last year’s leading scorer and a host of key role players.

Union City battled through their first year under new head coach Tina Scheidler and welcomes in a talented group of eighth graders who have only lost one game over the past four years, including travel ball. Tekonsha continues to trot out a young team but will return most of their minutes from this past season.

In short, the 2023-24 Girls Basketball season was full of intrigue, excitement and intense basketball, so it is indeed sad to see it end. But with the end of the season comes the inevitable postseason honors, and we are here to announce the 2023-24 The Daily Reporter Girls Basketball Dream Team.

Each prep season, The Daily Reporter sports staff selects its Dream Team members, those area players that we believe have shown great ability, leadership and drive. Those athletes chosen are athletes who finished out the season in good standing with their respective teams and showed integrity and hard work all season long, both on and off the court. Coaches were consulted in the choosing of these teams, both First Team and Honorable Mention.

So, without further ado, Ladies and Gentlemen, may I introduce the 2023-24 The Daily Reporter Girls Basketball Dream Team:

The Daily Reporter Dream Team Head Coach — Ken Smoker, Coldwater Cardinals

The Coldwater Cardinals repeated as Division 1 District champions this season and came within a hair of advancing to the regional final, all under the leadership of Smoker. Smoker has been the coach at Coldwater for a good many years and has always been able to get the very best out of his group of players. With many years of coaching and officiating under his belt, Smoker makes it his goal to teach the girls on his team how to be successful on and off the court. Not one to hold back the tears, Smoker's emotion, drive and love for the game and his team makes him a worthy honoree for The Daily Reporter Head Coach of the Year.

The Daily Reporter Girls Basketball Dream Team

Elli Foley, G/F, Coldwater, Junior

Rylie VanAken, G, Coldwater, Junior

Mya Porter, G/F, Coldwater, Junior

Elli Anderson, F, Coldwater, Junior

Coley Burkhardt, F, Coldwater, Junior

Aubree Calloway, G/F, Bronson, Junior

Brealyn Lasky, G, Bronson, Senior

Alyssa McCavit, F, Quincy, Senior

Kendyl Musielewicz, G, Quincy, Freshman

Ellie Williams, G, Union City, Sophomore

Addy Rumsey, G, Union City, Senior

Reagan Henry, F, Tekonsha, Junior

The Daily Reporter Dream Team Honorable Mention

Coldwater — Kenzie Scheid

Bronson — Payton Springstead, Ava Hathaway, Ashlynn Harris

Union City — Willow Austin, Jordan Chard, Calli Wilkinson

Quincy — Deziray Skirka

Tekonsha — Angel Veenkant, Addison Griffith

More: PHOTOS: The Daily Reporter Wrestling Dream Team

The Daily Reporter Dream Team was decided on by a combination of coach's suggestions, season long success, suggestions from opposing coaches, and the opinion of The Daily Reporter sports staff. If you have any questions or comments, please contact Sports Editor Troy Tennyson via email at ttennyson@thedailyreporter.com .

This article originally appeared on Coldwater Daily Reporter: Coldwater '5' makes up core of 23-24 The Daily Reporter Girls Basketball Dream Team