A three-sport star at Orchard View High School, Marie Thomas went on to become one of the best to ever play at Grand Valley State University. Thomas was the leading scorer and rebounder at GVSU for three consecutive years from 1992 to 1994, when she averaged a “double-double” of 22 points and 10.3 rebounds per game. She was a three time all-conference honoree and her 44 points scored in a single game remains a Laker record. Thomas, who was inducted into the GVSU Athletic Hall of Fame in 2002, still ranks second in school history in rebounds and fourth in points scored.

At Orchard View, Thomas was a four-year starter in basketball and softball and a three-year varsity starter in volleyball. She was a dominating pitcher and slugger in softball, but basketball was her best sport and she totaled 1,700 points and 1,100 rebounds during her prep career – earning first team All-State in both her junior and senior years.