August 2023 Issue of Varsity Monthly Thumb Magazine

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PROUD TO COVER HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS IN THE THUMB 

August 2023 | Volume 11 Issue 8 

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PREPARATION

Owner Jason Parmenter 

Magazine Design Alyssa Buhl 

Photo Editor Kaitlin Gunsell 

Office Manager Brenda Tomlinson 

Regularly Contributing Photographers 

Kaitlin Gunsell - Kaitlin’s Klicks 

Jason Parmenter - Quad N Productions 

Mallory Hughes - Quad N Productions 

Jeff Caverly - Jeff Caverly Photography 

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TSA All Star Girls 

TSA All Star Boys 

Lakers 

Sandusky 

Bad Axe 

Caro 

Reese 

Cass City 

North Branch 

Marlette 

Harbor Beach 

Mayville 

Akron-Fairgrove 

Deckerville 

CPS 

North Huron 

Peck 

Ubly 

Cros-Lex 

Vassar 

USA 

Kingston 

Owen-Gage 

Caseville 

Brown City 

Millington 

Caro 

Frankenmuth 

QR Code to 

www.misportsphotos.com 

COVER IMAGE: 

Sandusky’s Tyler Bush at Marlette for 7-on-7 football on 7-12-23 and 

North Huron’s Gentry Zimmerman vs Harbor Beach for summer volleyball 6-26-23. 

Photos by Jason Parmenter 

PREPARATION 

Many people assume that not much goes on 

during the summer, but this summer 

especially, there has been a flurry of activity. 

More athletes in our area are playing on travel 

basketball and volleyball teams. Of course, the 

normal baseball and softball games are 

happening, but also lots of local summer 

basketball, football, and volleyball 

scrimmages and workouts are happening. 

We have thoroughly enjoyed getting out and 

seeing the athletes prepare for the upcoming 

seasons and chatting with coaches in a little 

more relaxed environment. We are also always 

impressed with the number of amazing men 

and women that continue to officiate year 

round to make these events possible. 

www.misportsphotos.com

PLAYERS OF THE MONTH 

Athletes are selected as the Players of the Month for their athletic 

accomplishments, leadership roles, and community impact. 

CONNOR 

MCGARRY 

CARO 

BASKETBALL 

SHELBY 

IGNASH 

CASS CITY 

VOLLEYBALL 

WHEN CARO’S CONNOR MCGARRY HITS THE 

HARDWOOD FOR THE 2023-24 SEASON, HE WILL 

BE MORE THAN READY FOR HIS SOPHOMORE 

SEASON. 

McGarry, who had a sensational freshman season, 

averaging nearly 14 points per game, 4.7 rebounds, 2.5 

assists and 1.9 blocks, is ready to take his game and the 

Tiger program to the next level. 

McGarry is putting in work with former Kingston 

standout Evan Neff, with their workouts beginning at 

5:45 a.m. When he’s not up early, he’s competing for 

Caro during the June summer league or his travel team. 

“It all starts before the season,” said McGarry. “Once 

you get to the season, you can’t just be scrambling 

should have been working and 

getting better during the off 

months.” 

He added: “One of my goals is to 

make my biggest strides during the 

offseason. I want to go as hard as I 

can, so when the season comes, it’s 

smooth sailing.” 

He credits his older brother for 

helping him stay balanced with 

rest and recovery, along with time 

management and nutrition. 

Along with the offseason work, 

McGarry has written goals for himself. 

Despite being a sophomore, McGarry has the 

mentality of a seasoned athlete. “My dad knows what it 

takes to get better,” he said. “And if you want to achieve 

excellence at something, you have to work hard for it. It 

all starts with staying focused, having a good mindset 

and then applying it.” 

McGarry also plays defensive back for the Caro 

football team and golfs during the spring. “Last year, 

I thought about dropping everything and just playing 

basketball,” he said. “I thought to myself, I’m only in high 

school once, so I want to enjoy everything. 

FOR MANY PREP ATHLETES, THE FOUNDATION 

OF SUCCESS IS BUILT DURING THE OFF-SEASON, 

ESPECIALLY THE SUMMER MONTHS. CASS CITY’S 

SHELBY IGNASH HAS ALREADY MADE AN IMPACT 

ON THE VOLLEYBALL COURT DURING HER FIRST 

TWO SEASONS. 

She played a key role in the Red Hawks winning a 

regional championship and advancing to the Division 3 

final four. 

Ignash has been hard at work during the spring and 

early summer, playing with a pair of travel teams. In June, 

she traveled to Florida with Michigan Elite Volleyball, for 

AAU Nationals, where the team took second in the Open 

Division. In July, Michigan Elite went to Chicago, where it 

finished top 10 at USAV Girls Junior Nationals. 

“I have improved my range during the summer,” said 

Ignash. “If something’s not perfect, I’m learning better 

how to make it work.” 

Although a decorated individual 

player, Ignash loves the team aspect 

of volleyball the most. “You have 

three people touching the ball every 

time,” she said. “Everyone has to be 

totally invested. You have to have 

complete trust in your teammates.” 

Volleyball is Ignash’s first love, but 

it’s not her only sport. She excels on 

the hardwood in basketball and on 

the softball diamond. 

With Cass City, Ignash helped 

guide the Red Hawks to postseason 

hardware in both sports. She believes playing multiple 

sports is essential for any prep athlete. “I think it’s really 

good to work different muscles, I feel like you could get 

injured more easily if you just played one sport.” 

As the Red Hawks prepare to follow-up their historymaking 

2022 volleyball season, Ignash believes she, and 

her teammates are ready for the challenge. “ 

ARTICLES BY PAUL ADAMS 

4 August 2023 CONTACT US AT 989-673-5826 VIEW FREE ONLINE AT WWW.VARSITYMONTHLYTHUMB.COM PURCHASE PRINTS AT WWW.MISPORTSPHOTOS.COM 

VIEW FREE ONLINE AT WWW.VARSITYMONTHLYTHUMB.COM PURCHASE PRINTS AT WWW.MISPORTSPHOTOS.COM CONTACT US AT 989-673-5826 August 2023 5

BASKETBALL 

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Photography by Jason Parmenter 

When protecting what matters most, the 

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BASKETBALL 

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LAKERS 

FOOTBALL 

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Photography by Kaitlin Gunsell 



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FOOTBALL 

7-12-23 7 ON 7 AT MARLETTE 


BASKETBALL 

6-20-23 SUMMER BASKETBALL AT VASSAR 




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7-11-23 YOUTH 14U TEAMS 


VOLLEYBALL 

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Photography by Paul Adams 

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We know loans aren’t one size fits all. That’s why we offer 

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7-19-23 SUMMER VOLLEYBALL AT MAYVILLE 



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Helping you achieve financial clarity 

Getting your finances in order isn’t always easy. That’s why we’re here. 

Together, we can assess your financial picture and personalize your 

strategy. We can help connect you to the following solutions: 

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429 N. State St, Suite 100 

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andrew.booms@thrivent.com 

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Thrivent is the marketing name for Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Insurance products issued by Thrivent. Not available in all states. Securities and investment advisory services offered through 

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VOLLEYBALL 

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UBLY 

BASEBALL 

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Photography by Kaitlin Gunsell & Jason Parmenter 

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48 August 2023 CONTACT US AT 989-673-5826 VIEW FREE ONLINE AT WWW.VARSITYMONTHLYTHUMB.COM PURCHASE PRINTS AT WWW.MISPORTSPHOTOS.COM

August 2023 Issue of Varsity Monthly Thumb Magazine

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