Suttons Bay senior Austin Vang broke the single game Michigan High School Athletic Assoction record for steals after a senior night performasnce that he will never forget.
In Febraury, Vang snagged snatched 16 steals in one game against Boyne Falls.
“I try to play 100% every game and it just happened to be my night ... Its a surreal feeling beause I’m in the history books now,” Vang said.
The record was officially announced last week after being submitted by Suttons Bay coach Noah Phillips months ago when he compiled clips and sent it to MHSAA.
Vang found out while working last week when coach Phillips called him and left a message.
Vang broke the record previously held by Felix Quevedo of Crystal Falls Forest Park with 15 in 2023.
The Norse defeated Boyne Falls 81-7 Feb. 18 when Vang had 10 points to go along with 16 steals. Initially the Enterprise reported, Vang having 14 steals. Now, his name is in the record books with 16.
“I was initially going to the game thinking I’m just trying to get all of the other seniors to score some points and really just dish out some passes, but just one after another, I started racking up steals,” Vang said.
Suttons Bay senior Isaiah McGrath scored 22 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists while Connor Sahs had 10 points and seven rebound, and Niko Franco with nine points and two steals. Vang will always take with him the importance of hard work and constanly getting better.
“The small things that go unnoticed such as defense,” Vang said.
One day, he wants to share his skills with the youths.
For coach Phillips, coming from a small-northern Michigan school, to be able to claim this record means a lot.
“Vang's very humble, but from a coach, I’m super proud. We had a great group of seniors, but you know to get that record, it means a lot to the school. It means a lot to me as a coach and just the community to kind of see that. Just because we’re a super small school north the Michigan. The hard work pays off and you know forever Austin will have that legacy,” Phillips said.
Vang thanks his coaches, Phillips and Ron Anderson, “ As well as my family for pushing me and my teammates, each and every one of them motivated me, pushed me to be better ... I’m truly thankful for all of them and they taught me so much,” Vang said.
