Croswell-Lexington varsity head coach Katelyn Frostic (left) and assistant coach Rebecca Oden (right) prepare to present the families of Calli (Townsend) Newberry and Abby Bringard with their framed jerseys. Newberry and Bringard both tragically passed away from separate car accidents this past summer. Photos by Mike Gallagher
CROSWELL — Before Thursday night’s home and Blue Water Area Conference opener for the Croswell-Lexington girls basketball team, the Pioneers honored Calli (Townsend) Newberry and Abby Bringard.
Newberry, a 2017 graduate of Cros-Lex and Bringard, a 2014 graduate, tragically passed away just days apart this past June, from separate car accidents.
During their Pioneer playing careers, the two both wore the number 24, and played for longtime head coach Darren Bongard, who spoke to the Cros-Lex crowd on Thursday night.
“During their playing careers, they led our varsity team to five-straight BWAC titles, six-straight district championships and a regional final,” Bongard said. “Much more important than all that success and accomplishments that occurred here during that time was learning about the type of person that each of them were. Abby and Calli were incredible leaders, and led by example. They wouldn’t ask their teammates to do something, if they weren’t willing to do it themselves. Their goal was to compete at the highest level and they were the true definition of competitors.”
The Croswell-Lexington girls basketball team donned warmups reading: “We play for 24, Calli Newberry and Abby Bringard” for their matchup with North Branch last week.
Bongard added: “Abby and Calli were amazing, multisport athletes here at Cros-Lex and played a positive role in every sport they played. They had respect for everyone, which I was so proud of. I can personally say that I’m a better teacher, a better coach and a better person, as a direct result of having the opportunity to coach Abby and Calli. They made our school, and community, a better place. If you never had the chance to know them, I’m sorry, but you missed out.”
Following the speech from Bongard, Cros-Lex coaches Katelyn Noll and Rebecca Oden presented the families of Calli and Abby with the framed jerseys from each player’s senior seasons at Cros-Lex, both No. 24.
“I would like to personally thank Steve and Jodi Townsend and Paul and Kathy Bringard for allowing your daughters to be a part of our lives, and impacting all of us in a positive way,” Bongard said. “I also want to thank Chance (Newberry) for always being by Calli’s side and cheering her on. For supporting her in sports, as well as Calli’s passion to inspire young ladies to follow their faith. She set that example and we are very proud of it.”
Paul Bringard (left) and Steve Townsend (right), fathers of Abby Bringard and Calli Townsend, embrace after their daughters were honored before last Thursday night’s game with North Branch.
Noll then announced that the girls basketball program would start handing out a new award, the “24 Award” at the end of each season.
“The coaching staff will select a young lady from the varsity team, who posses the same characteristics of a great teammate that Abby and Calli displayed,” Noll said. “These qualities are, unselfishness, hard-working, passionate, honest, accountable, leading by example, striving to improve and believing in the team. We hope this award will allow us to honor, as well as keep Calli and Abby in our memories, for many years to come.”
The Pioneers then opened up conference play against North Branch, the winners of the Blue Water Area Conference last season.
The Cros-Lex girls, understandably, got out to a slow start on the emotional night, trailing 6-4 after the first quarter and 13-9 at the half.
In the final two quarters, however, the Pioneers outscored the Broncos, 26-13, to come away with a 35-26 win.
“I told them in practice yesterday, win or lose, the main thing is that we honor Abby and Calli,” Noll said. “I told them to play like they would play. Abby and Calli were very passionate players, they played for their team and they never gave up. We played ugly and honestly not how I wanted them to play, but they came through in the second half, they dug deep and we got the win. I’m sure Calli and Abby were rooting us on upstairs.”
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