The Bemidji High girls basketball team was honored Monday night at its annual Awards Night fete at the High School Commons.
Special guests were the members of the varsity, B and C Teams that competed this winter.
The varsity, despite the unexpected loss of three players, two of them starters, prior to the start of the year, improved from a 6-10 finish in 2005 to 15-10 this year.
Head Coach Tim Mayclin served as emcee for the evening.
Freshman Coach Lindseth Gullickson thanked her players for their cooperation and dedication this year making her initial season as a coach a rewarding one. Her team ended 11-9.
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Singled out for special honors, voted by their teammates, were:
Most Improved Player: Anastasia Molnar
Hustle Award: Kylie Detschman
Defense Award: Amber Teal
MVP: Ashley Hirt
Jason Koester, also in his first season as team mentor, praised the competitive desire of his team that ended 14-10 with 10 of its games decided by five or fewer points.
Earning awards were:
Rambus Award; Kelli Christiansen
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Most Improved Player: Laura Chmielewski
Hustle Award: Ali Hougen
Defense Award; Jessica Treat
Rookie of the Year: Megan Larson
MVP: Samantha Fossand
Mayclin reviewed the varsity year citing a good early start as setting the pace for the successful campaign.
A five-game stretch beginning with the home tournament wins over Roosevelt and Duluth Central saw Bemidji end 4-1 and take Detroit Lakes into the closing minutes of the lone setback.
Bemidji was 15-7 late in the year before losing its final three games including a disappointing tournament opener to Brainerd.
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Injuries played a major role in the team's season with a number of key players sidelined or hampered by injuries down the stretch.
Among them were Brianna Pfremmer, Lindsey Gullickson, Carma Huseby and Brittany Mayclin, all starters.
Coach Mayclin cited the team's hard work as its strong point. "We out hustled almost every team we played this winter, win or lose."
He also praised his forces for earning the 4A state academic title with a 3.867 grade point average, second among all teams in the state.
Plaques were awarded to the 12 members who qualified for the team award.
Individual awards went to seniors Gullickson, Kara Thomas and Krista Stowe for making the individual all-state academic team.
Captains' plaques went to Gullickson and Mayclin who were cited for their leadership throughout the year.
"It was the most close knit group of the three I've had at Bemidji," said Mayclin, "and a fun group of kids to work with."
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Gullickson was recognized for being named a member of the North Central all-star game which will be played April 9 at Cass Lake.
Earning individual awards, again voted on by their teammates, were:
Rambus Award: Ashley Erickson
Most Improved Player: Pfremmer
Hustle Award: Mayclin
Best Defense Award; Liz Judkins
Rookie of the Year: Meg Claypool
MVP: Gullickson
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Thomas, speaking on behalf of the seniors, thanked the coaches, parents and cheerleaders for their support through the year and wished the returning players the best of luck in 2007.
Mayclin extended the same thanks on behalf of the captains.
Earning their 2006 cage letters were;
SENIORS: Lindsey Gullickson, Krista Stowe and Kara Thomas
JUNIORS: Brianna Pfremmer, Brittany Mayclin, Liz Judkins, Carma Huseby and Sam Fossand
SOPHOMORES: Lexi Gauwitz, Ashley Erickson and Kelsey Nelson
FRESHMEN: Meg Claypool and Megan Larson
The next banquet will be the wrestling Awards Night Tuesday at the Commons.
