Winter sports stars: Who are the top underclassmen around Kalamazoo? Our picks, your votes

Winter sports stars: Who are the top underclassmen around Kalamazoo? Our picks, your votes
Source: mlive

KALAMAZOO, MI -- Last but not least, it's on to the underclassmen.

MLive continued its winter sports stars series last week and crowned the Kalamazoo-area's top junior, Kalamazoo Central's Yazmyne Morales, but now it's time to cap things with selecting the most talented sophomore or freshman athlete.

And it's up for you to decide.

MLive/Kalamazoo Gazette has put together a list of 30 Kalamazoo-area athletes to choose from in the third and final poll of a fun series -- the best underclassmen winter sports athlete from Kalamazoo.

So, who gets your vote?

Cast as many votes as you'd like until the poll closes at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 24.

The star sophomore and Division-I prospect is one of the most talented young post players in the state and set Hackett's single-game scoring record this season with a 44-point masterclass in a victory over Galesburg-Augusta last week. Young is coming off an all-state freshman campaign where she averaged 21.8 points, 8.3 rebounds and 4.7 steals per game.

Logyn Hill, Lawton basketball
The freshman phenom poured in a game-high 26 points in Lawton's season-opening win and has been one of the Blue Devils' top scorers this season. Hill scored 25 points with four assists in a win over Delton Kellogg on Tuesday.

De'Niyah Colbert, Kalamazoo Central basketball
The freshman phenom scored a team-high 19 points in a game against St. Joseph earlier this season and has been a dominant force inside for the 11-6 Giants.

Alexis Walther, Schoolcraft basketball
The 5-foot-6 freshman is a rising talented guard that has been a force in Southwest Michigan this season, dropping a career-high 31 points in a win over Coloma this season. Walther has been one of the Eagles' leading scorers, a big reason why the team has a 12-6 record this season.

Leland Longcore, Otsego basketball
The 6-foot sophomore guard is part of a young Otsego core that perhaps has the makings of a bright future ahead. Longcore scored 16 points in a loss to Plainwell earlier this season.

Javayh Blanks, Kalamazoo Central basketball
The sophomore guard dropped a game-high 19 points in a win over Portage Central earlier this season, and has helped Kalamazoo Central post an 11-6 record this season.

Maliyah Flowers, Portage Northern basketball
The sophomore guard poured in a game-high 27 points in a win over Loy Norrix earlier this season and is another emerging talent on the Southwest Michigan hoops scene.

Charlotte Douglass, Mattawan basketball
The 5-foot-11 sophomore forward dropped 12 points in a win over St. Joseph earlier this month and also finished with 14 points in a win over Portage Northern on Monday. She forms a dynamic duo with junior Caitlin Ryan.

Keon Berry-Peake, Loy Norrix basketball
The sophomore dropped 13 points with 10 rebounds in a win over Gull Lake earlier this season and is a budding young talent in the Kalamazoo-area.

Jahnavi Marion, Kalamazoo Central wrestling
The freshman phenom improved her overall record to 28-1 by winning a district title last weekend and is the No. 2-ranked wrestler at 100 pounds.

Nathan Vallier, Vicksburg basketball
The 5-foot-10 sophomore dropped 15 points in Vicksburg's win over Schoolcraft earlier this season and is part of a young Bulldogs core with plenty of potential.

Drew McDonald, Marcellus Howardsville Christian basketball
The sophomore dropped a game-high 32 points in a win over Covert earlier this season and has helped the Eagles post a 9-12 record.

Dylan Nieuwenhuis, Plainwell
The sophomore is the No. 1-ranked wrestler at 113 pounds and improved his overall record to 35-1 by winning a district title last week.

George Nulty, Mattawan hockey
The sophomore has been a big factor for state-ranked Mattawan this season, scoring 16 goals with 15 assists for 31 points, which is third best on the team.

Kardi Colbert, Portage Central basketball
The sophomore guard is an up-and-coming talent that has formed a dangerous duo with star senior Ben Johnson this season. Colbert put up 20 points in a win over Battle Creek Central earlier this season and added 15 points in a win over Vicksburg on Tuesday.

Antonio Rivas, Paw Paw basketball
The sophomore scored 16 points with four rebounds in a win over Vicksburg earlier this season and is could be in store for a breakout campaign in 2026-27.

Cam Noe, Portage Central basketball
Best known for his football talents, Noe has provided a stout inside presence for Portage Central's hoops team this season. Noe scored 10 points with seven rebounds and three blocks in a win over Gull Lake earlier this week.

Stella Eachen, Three Rivers wrestling
The freshman is considered the No. 5-ranked wrestler at 140 pounds and owns a 34-6 record after qualifying for regionals with a second-place finish at last week's districts.

Presleigh Casselman, Constantine wrestling
The freshman is considered the No. 5-ranked wrestler at 190 pounds and owns a 30-5 record after winning a district championship last weekend.

Urijah Joostberns, Martin wrestling
The sophomore is considered the No. 4-ranked wrestler at 132 pounds in Division 4 and owns a 39-7 record after winning a district title last weekend.

Tyler Morales, Decatur wrestling
The sophomore is considered the No. 3-ranked wrestler at 157 pounds in Division 4 and owns a 48-2 record after winning a district title last weekend.

Zaiden Buell, Martin wrestling
The freshman is considered the No. 2-ranked wrestler at 120 pounds in Division 4 and owns a 46-2 record after winning a district title last weekend.

Adler Hofer, Martin wrestling
The sophomore is considered the No. 3-ranked wrestler at 126 pounds in Division 4 and owns a 37-5 record after winning a district title last weekend.

Gixxer Blair, Climax-Scotts wrestling
The sophomore is considered the No. 5-ranked wrestler at 175 pounds in Division 4 and owns a 33-3 record after winning a district title last weekend.

Greysin Hopp, Constantine wrestling
The sophomore is considered the No. 4-ranked wrestler at 120 pounds in Division 3 and owns a 37-4 record after winning a district title last weekend.

Tyler Cooper, Plainwell wrestling
The sophomore is considered the No. 5-ranked wrestler at 113 pounds in Division 2 and owns a 27-7 record after qualifying for regionals with a second-place finish at districts last weekend.

Brayden Meyer, Otsego swim
The freshman is considered the No. 23-ranked swimmer in Division 3 and just won the 200-yard IM (2:09.14) at Tuesday's dual meet with Wayland.

Corbin Chopp, Allegan swim
The freshman is considered the No. 38-ranked swimmer in Division 3 and won both the 100-yard breaststroke (1:03.88) and the 200-yard IM (2:10.68) at a meet with Allegan last week.

Liam Raseman, Otsego swim
The sophomore is considered the No. 45-ranked swimmer in Division 3 and won four events, including the 100-yard free (56.23) and the 200-yard free (1:57.08) at Tuesday’s meet with Wayland.

Griffin Davis, Mattawan hockey
The sophomore is Mattawan’s leading point scorer this season (45), flexing 19 goals and a team-high 26 assists for the state-ranked Wildcats.