The spotlight is on Detroit's rising stars! The 2025-26 Detroit High School Sports Awards, presented by Gift of Life Michigan, has officially unveiled its impressive list of player of the year nominees for the fall sports season. These athletes have dominated the fields, courts, and courses, and now their hard work is being recognized on one of the biggest stages for prep sports in Michigan.
The winners for each fall sport will be crowned during the live awards show on June 24 at the Motorcity Casino Hotel. This celebratory event, supported by Michigan Orthopaedic Surgeons and Consumers Energy, will honor the very best in high school athletics, from the fall season all the way through winter and spring.
Beyond the individual sport awards, the night will feature the announcement of several premier honors, including Boys and Girls Athlete of the Year, Boys and Girls Team of the Year, Coach of the Year, and the prestigious Courage Award. It's a night dedicated to celebrating excellence, leadership, and the powerful spirit of competition that defines Detroit-area sports.
For the nominated athletes, the journey to the podium includes some great perks. Thanks to event sponsors, all registered nominees receive a complimentary ticket to the event. Additional tickets for family, friends, and fans are available for purchase through the official show website.
This celebration is part of the larger USA TODAY High School Sports Awards program, highlighting top talent from coast to coast. Now, let's meet some of the standout fall nominees who have earned their place in the conversation:
From the gridiron to the soccer pitch, the list features incredible talent. Football standouts like Anthony Bitonti of Warren De La Salle and Gideon Gash of Novi Detroit Catholic Central represent the hard-nosed tradition of Michigan football. On the soccer side, players like Christian Craanen of Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central and Leah Corby of Rochester Hills Stoney Creek have showcased exceptional skill and leadership for their teams.
The full roster of announced fall nominees includes: Christian Craanen (Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central, SO); Nole Lorenzen (Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest, SO); Xavier Solgot (Macomb L'Anse Creuse North, SO); Leah Corby (Rochester Hills Stoney Creek, SR); Charley McKay (Brownstown Woodhaven, SO); Anthony Bitonti (Warren De La Salle Collegiate, SR); Moustafa Elzhenni (Sterling Heights Stevenson, SR); Gideon Gash (Novi Detroit Catholic Central, JR); Ryan Harrington (Orchard Lake St. Mary's Preparatory, SR); Ronnie Hill (Sterling Heights Stevenson, SR); Lucas Hoffmeyer (Walled Lake Western, SR); Jack Janda (Novi Detroit Catholic Central, SR); and Maximus Jansenvanvuren (Waterford Mott, SR).
Congratulations to all the nominees on a phenomenal fall season. The Detroit sports community will be watching on June 24th to see who takes home the top honors!