January 2024 Issue of Varsity Monthly Thumb Magazine

FREE 

PROUD TO COVER HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS IN THE THUMB 

January 2024 | Volume 12 Issue 1 

FREE 

Check out more 

photos here: 

JUMP BALL

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 

Gracie Bell - Quad N Productions 

Baily Fick - Quad N Productions 

Paul P. Adams 

Find our photos for sale at: 

www.misportsphotos.com 

View online at: 

www.varsitymonthlythumb.com 

Varsity Monthly Thumb has no liability for 

content, representations in advertisements, 

and articles may not express the opinion 

of the editors/publishers/owners. It is the 

buyer’s sole responsibility to clarify any and 

all advertising representations. Any burden 

of proof rests solely on the advertisers. 

Varsity Monthly Thumb reserves the right 

to edit or refuse any advertising or articles 

submitted for publication. We do not 

assume any liability for errors, but will 

correct it in next issue or a credit will be 

negotiated. 

Designs by Varsity Monthly Thumb are 

the property of Varsity Monthly Thumb/ 

Quad N Productions. 

Articles, editorials opinions in Varsity 

Monthly Thumb do not necessarily reflect 

the opinions of the staff of Varsity Monthly 

Thumb or the publishers. 

Copyright by Quad N Productions, LLC. 

All or part of Varsity Monthly Thumb, 

including photographs, stories and logos, 

cannot be reprinted without permission. 

Varsity Monthly Thumb is published 12 

times a year by Quad N Productions, LLC, 

189 N State St., Caro, MI 48723 

PHONE: 989-673-5826 

••••••••••••••••• 

WOULD YOU LIKE TO DISTRIBUTE 

VARSITY MONTHLY THUMB 

AT YOUR BUSINESS? 

JUST E-MAIL US AT 

BRENDA@VARSITYMONTHLYTHUMB.COM 

••••••••••••••••• 

6 

8 

9 

10 

12 

14 

16 

18 

20 

22 

24 

26 

27 

28 

29 

30 

31 

32 

33 

34 

36 

37 

38 

39 

40 

41 

42 

44 

46 

Caro 

Bad Axe 

Cass City 

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 

Brown City 

Caseville 

Owen-Gage 

Millington 

Caro 

Frankenmuth 

QR Code to 


COVER IMAGE: 

Marlette's Quintin Sartin starts the season tipping off against 

USA's Justin Jacobs on 12-7-23 at Marlette. 

Photo by Gracie Bell 

JUMP BALL 

After a two day break from the final football 

game of the season, Boys Basketball tipped 

off and got the 2023-2024 Winter Sports 

Season going quickly. 

As we hustled to get team pictures done, 

we also got to see nearly all of our area 

teams in the short 3 weeks before 

Christmas Break. 

We are excited to see good participation 

numbers this winter, and looking forward 

to watching teams improve as they work 

through the season. 

Please keep thanking our advertisers, and 

encourage other businesses to advertise as 

well. These advertisers allow this magazine 

to be produced. 

As always, pictures can be purchased at 


Photo purchases allow us to pay our 

photographers to keep going to games.

PLAYERS OF THE MONTH 

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

accomplishments, leadership roles, and community impact. 

JIMMY 

KRAMPITS 

CROS-LEX 

BASKETBALL 

JAIDYN 

VANOCHTEN 

REESE 

BASKETBALL 

Photo Courtesy of Keepsake Video Photo 

WITH THE RICH TRADITION CROSWELL-LEXINGTON 

HAS HAD OVER THE PAST FIVE SEASONS, IT’S BEEN 

ABOUT PREPARING PLAYERS FOR THEIR TIME TO 

SHINE. SENIOR JIMMY KRAMPITS EPITOMIZES THAT 

PHILOSOPHY. 

A four-year basketball player for the Pioneers, Krampits 

has worked his way from being a bench player, to a 

unanimous captain selected by his teammates. 

“I thought he showed great leadership and did a lot of 

good things this summer,” said Cros-Lex coach Lance 

Campbell. “He spent a lot of time 

during the last two years, to allow 

himself to be a better basketball 

player and put himself in a position to 

be a key guy for us this year.” 

Krampits had his character tested 

early, as he suffered a shoulder injury 

in the team’s first scrimmage of the 

year. 

“The injury seems to be behind him. 

He’s a guy that has to do a lot of stuff 

for us,” Campbell said. “He has to be 

able to score, rebound and share the 

ball and has to be a good leader.” 

Cros-Lex had a massive roster turnover from a season 

ago, so Krampits will be looked upon to lead the team. 

“We’re a very inexperienced team, we have five new 

starters,” Campbell said. “In order to be successful, we 

have to have someone lead us when things aren’t going 

well. That’s a role I think he can fill.” 

He added: “His voice is a little bit louder this year and his 

voice needs to be heard. When things aren’t going well, 

what’s he going to do to life our spirits to where we need 

to be.” 

Campbell described what he expects out of Krampits on 

the court. 

“We feed off of Jimmy’s energy,” he said. “He’s the type 

of kid that in summer basketball, he scored 20. He hasn’t 

done that yet, but we think that’s something that will 

Photo Courtesy of Mike Gallagher 

happen. Once he has a couple of good games, he will build 

off of it.” 

FOR REESE GIRLS BASKETBALL, THE SUCCESS OF 

THE TEAM BEGINS WITH HAVING A STRONG POINT 

GUARD. VETERAN COACH JOSH PICKELL HAS HAD A 

LONG LIST OF SUCCESSFUL POINT GUARDS DURING 

HIS TENURE AND BELIEVES JAIDYN VANOCHTEN FITS 

THE MOLD. 

Only a sophomore, Vanochten is in her second season 

at the varsity level with the Rockets. “She does great 

at attacking the lane and drawing 

defenders in,” said Pickell. “She can 

hit the open three. She’s an all-around 

good team teammate.” 

Vanochten was on Pickell’s radar 

when she was in junior high. “She was 

great in junior high, she was scoring 

15-20 points a game,” he said. “We 

had just lost Joise Johnson and Aydan 

Dalak, so in my mind, it was a great 

time to bring her up. We were very 

senior-heavy last year, so it was a good 

fit to plan for the future.” 

Pickell knew calling her up as a 

freshman would put some pressure on Vanochten. “With 

how we operate, the point guard in our system is a very 

tough learning curve,” he said. “Last year, for most of the 

season, I think she was just trying to get up to speed and 

not screw up.” 

He added: “This year, I’ve seen more of her taking a step, 

taking initiative, trying to attack more, which is what we 

need. She’s super coachable, always has a good attitude.” 

Through December, Vanochten was averaging 7.0 points 

per game, 5.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 4.0 steals. Pickell 

has goals for Vanochten for the remainder of the season 

and her career. 

“I want to see her take more of a leadership role and even 

be a coach on the floor,” he said. “That’s going to come 

with time. I’ve never seen her get down on herself or her 

teammates. She always has a positive attitude.” 

4 January 2024 CONTACT US AT 989-673-5826 VIEW FREE ONLINE AT WWW.VARSITYMONTHLYTHUMB.COM PURCHASE PRINTS AT WWW.MISPORTSPHOTOS.COM 

ARTICLES BY PAUL ADAMS 

VIEW FREE ONLINE AT WWW.VARSITYMONTHLYTHUMB.COM PURCHASE PRINTS AT WWW.MISPORTSPHOTOS.COM CONTACT US AT 989-673-5826 January 2024 5

CARO 

BASKETBALL 

12-1-23 CARO AT SANDUSKY 

Photography by Jason Parmenter 

When protecting what matters most, the 

EXPERIENCE 

MATTERS. 

Call the Soper Norris Agency today! 

(989) 673-5588 | lnorris@fbinsmi.com 

1701 W. Caro Rd., Caro, MI 



BAD AXE 

WRESTLING 

12-9-23 BAD AXE INVITE 

Photography by Paul Adams 

CASS CITY 

WRESTLING 

12-13-23 MARLETTE INVITE 

Photography by Baily Fick 



LAKERS 

BASKETBALL 

12-4-23 DECKERVILLE AT LAKERS 




SANDUSKY 

BASKETBALL 

12-1-23 CARO AT SANDUSKY 




BAD AXE 

BASKETBALL 

12-14-23 CASS CITY AT BAD AXE 


BASKETBALL 

12-14-23 CASS CITY AT BAD AXE 




CARO 

BASKETBALL 

12-7-23 HARBOR BEACH AT CARO 


LOANS 

CUSTOMIZED TO MEET YOUR NEEDS 

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

a variety of loan programs along with personalized service 

to find a loan that meets your unique needs. 

Agriculture • Auto • Commercial 

Home Equity • Mortgage 

Loans are subject to credit approval. Member FDIC 

GUIDING THE WAY 

NorthstarAtHome.com 



REESE 

BASKETBALL 

11-28-23 AKRON-FAIRGROVE AT REESE 

Photography by Gracie Bell 



CASS CITY 

BASKETBALL 

12-2-23 CASS CITY VS NOUVEL AT SVSU 


Reggie Ignash 

covers Michigan 

Auto, Home, Life, Business, 

Farm and more 

(989) 872-4432 

6505 Main St., Cass City 

rignash@fbinsmi.com 

ReggieIgnashAgency.com 



NORTH 

BRANCH 

BASKETBALL 

12-14-23 NORTH BRANCH AT CROS-LEX 

WRESTLING 

12-13-23 MAYVILLE INVITE 

Photography by Kaitlin Gunsell 




MARLETTE 

WRESTLING 

12-13-23 MARLETTE INVITE 




HARBOR 

BEACH 

BASKETBALL 

12-1-23 USA AT HARBOR BEACH 

MAYVILLE 

BASKETBALL 

12-1-23 MAYVILLE AT BROWN CITY 



Orthopedic Services 

Dr. Branislav Behan 

Harbor Beach Medical Clinic 

(989)479-3291 

Services Include: 

• Joint Injury • Fracture Care • Joint Revisions 

• Joint Replacements • Arthroscopic Procedures 

• Hand Surgery • Robotic-Assisted Knee Surgery 

Your Safe Harbor for Great Healthcare! 


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: 

• Financial services 

• Education funding 

• Retirement savings 

• Investments and mutual funds 

Let’s connect to get you where you want to go. 

Generational Wealth Advisors 

Cody L. Pfaff, RICP ® , FIC 

Financial Advisor 

47 Westland Dr 

Bad Axe, MI 48413 

989-269-2208 | 

cody.pfaff@thrivent.com 

connect.thrivent.com/cody-pfaff 

• Insurance 

• Annuities 

• Charitable giving solutions 

Andrew Booms 

Financial Producer I 

429 N. State St, Suite 100 

Caro, MI 48723 

989-293-4615 

andrew.booms@thrivent.com 

connect.thrivent.com/andrew-booms 

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 Thrivent Investment Management Inc., a registered investment 

adviser, member FINRA and SIPC, and a subsidiary of Thrivent. Licensed agent/ 

producer of Thrivent. Registered representative of Thrivent Investment Management, Inc. 

Thrivent.com/disclosures. 

Insurance products, securities and investment advisory services are provided by 

appropriately appointed and licensed financial advisors and professionals. Only 

individuals who are financial advisors are credentialed to provide investment advisory 

services. Visit Thrivent.com or FINRA’s Broker Check for more information about our 

financial advisors. 

20328 R3-22 


AKRON- 

FAIRGROVE 

BASKETBALL 

12-5-23 PINCONNING AT AKRON-FAIRGROVE 

DECKERVILLE 

BASKETBALL 

12-4-23 DECKERVILLE AT LAKERS 





CARSONVILLE 

PORT SANILAC 

BASKETBALL 

12-15-23 CPS AT DECKERVILLE 


NORTH 

HURON 

BASKETBALL 

12-4-23 OWEN-GAGE AT NORTH HURON 




PECK 

UBLY 

BASKETBALL 

12-15-23 PECK AT OWEN-GAGE 


BASKETBALL 

12-7-23 UBLY AT USA 




CROS-LEX 

WRESTLING 

12-16-23 WRESTLING AT MILLINGTON 


BASKETBALL 

12-14-23 NORTH BRANCH AT CROS-LEX 




VASSAR 

USA 

BASKETBALL 

11-29-23 HARBOR BEACH AT VASSAR 


BASKETBALL 

12-1-23 USA AT HARBOR BEACH 


TUSCOLA 

Behavioral Health Systems 

Emergency Services 

available 24/7 

Mobile Crisis Services 

available for eligible youth 

up to age 21 

Contact Information 

989.673.6191 

or 

1.800.462.6814 



KINGSTON 

BASKETBALL 

12-20-23 CASS CITY AT KINGSTON 


BROWN 

CITY 

BASKETBALL 

12-1-23 MAYVILLE AT BROWN CITY 




CASEVILLE 

OWEN-GAGE 

BASKETBALL 

12-19-23 PECK AT CASVILLE 


BASKETBALL 

12-15-23 PECK AT OWEN-GAGE 




MILLINGTON 

BASKETBALL 

12-8-23 CARROLLTON AT MILLINGTON 




CARO 

WRESTLING 

12-22-23 CARO INVITE 




FRANKENMUTH 

BASKETBALL 

12-5-23 LAKE CITY AT FRANKENMUTH 




48 January 2024 CONTACT US AT 989-673-5826 VIEW FREE ONLINE AT WWW.VARSITYMONTHLYTHUMB.COM PURCHASE PRINTS AT WWW.MISPORTSPHOTOS.COM

January 2024 Issue of Varsity Monthly Thumb Magazine

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?