Rising Star – Maddie Voelker
MADDIE VOELKER Only a Junior at Goodrich High School, the 5’8 guard is a two-time AP all-state selection for her ability to get off shots — even when being defended by the Flint area’s top players. Voelker’s big games last…
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Continue ReadingMADDIE VOELKER
Only a Junior at Goodrich High School, the 5’8 guard is a two-time AP all-state selection for her ability to get off shots — even when being defended by the Flint area’s top players. Voelker’s big games last season included a school-record 44 points vs. Mt. Morris, 32 vs. Beecher and 25 against Flushing, when the Martians ended the defending Class A state champion’s 13-game winning streak in overtime.
The Player of the Year award in Flint-area girls basketball might not be going anywhere for a couple of years and that is good news for Girls Basketball fans.
Last season Voelker led the Martians to a district title and overall record of 18-5 despite a challenging schedule that included Class C state runner-up Ypsilanti Prep; Class B quarterfinalist Freeland; St. Ignace, which finished the regular season 19-1; Class C quarterfinalist Beecher; Class C New Lothrop, which went 18-2 during the regular season; and defending Class A champ Flushing.
Last year Voelker was also a unanimous selection to The Associated Press All-State team and a finalist for Class B Player of the Year after being named honorable mention all-state as a freshmen.
She hit 39 percent of 77 shots from behind the 3-point line, sank medium range jumpers while shooting 45 percent from the field, drove the lane for baskets, put back offensive rebounds and made 83 percent of her free throws. She also averaged 6.5 rebounds and 2.5 steals.
Voelker scored at least 30 points four times and set a school record with 44, breaking the mark set by 2015 Miss Basketball Tania Davis.
“She has the potential to rack up some numbers offensively because she’s so diverse in the way she scores,” said coach Jason Gray. “There’s nothing she doesn’t do well. She scores in so many different ways.”
“She’s really adept at finding ways to get a shot up and off. She has the ability to find the right angle quickly, get the ball up and have a chance to make it, not just … get fouled.”
Not surprisingly, several colleges are expressing interest in Voelker even though she’s only halfway through her high school career. She has got an offer from Wayne State and has also received offers from Northwood University and Lake Superior State.