2025 SEASON AWARDS

John Howlett guided his 7th grade team to a 14-8 season this year. The successful campaign included a run to the semi-finals in the league (NCAA) tournament before falling to runner-up Guilford. Coach Howlett and his staff produced a 100% win improvement year over year with much of the same roster and their continued growth shows massive promise for their 8th grade season in 2025/26. 

Coach Matt Ottochian was an instrumental asset in the 8th grade team this season. The team, who finished as the most successful in program history (22-8), was known for it's signature full court pressure and the 3-2 zone that would shut down sharp shooting teams. They won the preseason and postseason tournaments and secured the #1 seed in the postseason. The signature defensive design was all Coach Ottochian. His experience playing at the college level was also a source of insight for Coach Anthony LaPia. Coach Matt was a treasure chest of drills and disciplines that will prepare our players for the next level. 

Camryn LaPia and Cara Callahan were a mainstay at Wolverine games this season. Whether keeping the clock, running the snack stand, or helping with score keeping, these sisters were a dynamic duo. This season, each exceeded 40+ hours of community service which was appreciated and worthy of recognition from the program. For this, they were presented crystal awards on Awards Night. 

The L.E.A.D. Award was created to acknowledge the players, on each team, that demonstrate leadership, exemplary effort, a positive attitude, and gritty determination in their play. These are the role models of what a great teammate looks like. Our winners are shown to the right: Sydney Repko (5G), Annie Kansler (6G), Noah Mason (6/7BB), Noah Jones (6B), Max White (7B), and Owen Harris (8B). 

Improvement is an endeavor that our best players embrace. This award recognizes the love of the game and the way it carries through to practice habits, commitment to craft, and demanding excellence of ones self. This years winners are on the left: Jazzy Crespo (5G), Caroline Murphy (6G), Chris Holman (6/7BB), Evan Ingraham (6B), Matthew Filipowicz (7B), and Logan LaPia (8B). 

Defense is the cornerstone of ANY successful team. Those that commit to defense seem to find their way towards maximum playing time and big impact. Whether it's stopping the opponents top scorer(s), dominating the defensive glass, or protecting the rim, the DPOY is a jewel in the crown. This years winners from each team are: Makenna James (5G), Casey Brown (6G), Jaxson Graham (6/7BB), Evan Carbine (6B), Jack Corso (6B), and Co-DPOYs for (8B) are Gage Oxford and Mason Mejias. 

Your OPOY is someone who gets the offense going in a multitude of ways. It can be by taking on the task of ball handling against the press to distribute from the point position, scoring the ball in pressure situations, or being a clutch shooter with the game on the line. This years winners from each grade are: CiCi Rodriguez (5G), Mia Nieves (6G), Finn Gollareny (6/7BB), Maxwell Matuskey (6B), Cole Howlett (7B), and Conner Woolard (8B). 

The Most Valuable Player is a person who does it all to support the mission of TEAM success. This person has a well-rounded game that is impactful on both sides of the floor and they can be counted upon to play their biggest in the biggest moments of a contest. The winners for each team are: Cadence Callahan-LaPia (5G), Liliana Michalski (6G), Joey Bozzi (6/7BB), Teague Uhl (6B), Ethan Johnson (7B), and JJ Warrick (8B). 

The Wolverine Award is given to our most dynamic players and leaders. This person is a role model for the program producing on and off the court. They transcend team and represent the Wolverines brand as a whole. This years winners, CJ Callahan and Mia Nieves, are below with some of their accomplishments outlined. 

Mia Nieves is a dynamic scorer who pushes the Lady Wolverines program forward. In addition to her skills, Mia is the ideal teammate. She is supportive of others, selfless in her approach, and puts team success ahead of her own. This season, Mia was the leading scorer for her team and in the girls program and capped off the season with a 16 point 8 rebound effort in the playoffs. Additionally, she gives 110% on both sides of the floor as evidenced by her 2024 Defensive Player of the Year selection. For these reasons, and many others, Mia is our 2025 Wolverine Award Recipient. 

No player has done more to build the Wolverines program than CJ Callahan. As he departs his final, 8th grade season, he does so as the programs all-time leading in scoring (671 points) and assists (321) while being 2nd all-time in steals (241). In his early days as a Wolverine, CJ was a scorer who would carry the offense. As the team became top-flight, he worked other aspects into his game culminating in a 8.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 2.0 steals per game averages leading his team to a championship season. His growth as a player was expected. His emergence as a leader is the reason for his Program MVP status. CJ is a slam dunk winner for our 2025 Wolverine Award .