MWPA Announces Week 5 Players of the Week

The Michigan Water Polo Association has announced their Week 5 District Players of the Week. Full breakdowns are below for each player's week.

District 1, Boys | Michael MacDonald- #5 ranked Grand Haven Buccaneers

The speedster racked up a 100 percent week in sprints won for the Buccos who played some stiff competition. Grand Haven pushed #2 Rockford to OT, and MacDonald factored in with an overtime goal in the eventual 9-8 loss to the Rams. MacDonald racked up 10 goals, nine steals and drew six exclusions for Bill Hamm's Buccaneers who remain a big-time contender.

District 1, Girls | Maddie Light #4 ranked Grandville Bulldogs

It was a busy week for Maddie and the Bulldogs who saw several top ten teams (#1 East Grand Rapids, #4 Ann Arbor Huron, #8 Ann Arbor Skyline, #10 Hotel/Okemos). The Dawgs went 3-1 against those four and a warrant is out for the arrest of this thief who had 17 steals in against THAT competition. Light also chipped in 12 goals, five helpers and drew five exclusions as Mitch Fountain's Bulldogs moved to 14-4 overall.

District 2, Boys | Paul Williams, #8 ranked East Grand Rapids Pioneers

Paul Williams is worth the price of admission, simply put. Williams put on a clinic in goal in the boys District 2 seeding tournament with 39 stops. He also fired seven assists up the pool, had five steals and scored TWICE from beyond half pool. The cannon-armed netminder helped boost Raheem Brown's Pioneers to a 3-0 district record. Footage of some of Paul's exploits is available for playback on the MWPA Streaming Page on youtube.

District 2, Girls | Sophie Stallworth #3 ranked Rockford Rams

Stallworth was the Rock the Rams needed when she made an ASTOUNDING 17 saves as the Rams upset #2 Hudsonville last week 5-4. Katie Clarin's Rams rebounded after falling the previous week out of the top spot in the MWPA poll with a resounding victory, and Stallworth made 25 stops on the week as the Rams picked up their ninth win of the season, tied for second most amongst girls teams.

District 3, Boys | Jonathan Carlson, Grand Blanc Bobcats

Grand Blanc entered the District 3 seed tournament unranked and with some challenges at their hands, but the best beard in the MWPA (Dan Command) and Jonathan Carlson led the Bobcats to some table-turning. The Bobcats took then #8 Birmingham Groves to the wire in a 6-5 loss, but rebounded to top #9 Birmingham Seaholm later that day to pull into second place in District 3. Carlson scored 14 goals, had 12 steals, NINE (yes, nine) drawn exclusions, dished out six assists and had three field blocks. Give the man credit, he did it at both ends of the pool, and helped earn some poll-points this week for the Bobcats.

District 3, Girls | Madison Gordon, Lake Orion Dragons

Gordon filled the net this week for Lake Orion. 11 goals in two games (5.5 a game) to go with six steals, three helpers and a pair of drawn exclusions. Kevin Ott's Dragons battle along as one of the busier teams in the MWPA having played more games than all but one team thus far as they continue to build their young programs.

District 4, Boys | Jack Shemke, #4 Ann Arbor Pioneer Pioneers

Shemke led the Pioneers through a wickedly challenging week unbeaten. Wins over #8 Birmingham Groves, #6 Ann Arbor Skyline, and #4 Ann Arbor Huron boosted the Pioneers into first place in District 4. Shemke filled up the box score with 13 goals, 12 steals, 10 assists and six drawn exclusions for Don Packard's Pio's as they continue to flex their muscles in the East Region.

District 4, Girls | Ella Enrique Shakespeare, #10 Ann Arbor Skyline Eagles

The Eagles have continued to test themselves with one of the strongest strength of schedule units in the state. Five of their nine games have come against top-ten opponents, and Ella Enrique Shakespeare led the way with eight goals and shot 75 percent from the field. Enrique Shakespeare also had three steals and drew three exclusions for Rebecca Godek's Eagles who have a rematch with #9 Saline tonight (Tuesday, April 28).