Colfax hoopsters finish big trophy year season

Special award winners at the Bulldog basketball banquet were Ryan Conrad, captains award; Justin Berarducci, most improved; Brandon Gfeller, most valuable teammate and Brandon Hoadley, inspirational.

Seven Colfax senior boys wrapped up their hoop careers last Thursday night at the Bulldog basketball banquet. Coach Reece Jenkin and the team also marked the end of a season which netted Colfax a state trophy for the first time since 1993.

The Bulldogs, who were 3-3 at the start of the league run, finished out the NE on a string of wins, topped the league playoffs and after a spill took a number-two District Seven slot into the state B show at Spokane behind Davenport.

They ran into a tough Liberty Christian team in the first round, but advanced to trophy day on two wins and finished in eighth.

Senior players finishing their hoop careers were Will Hatley, Dustin Huber, Tanner Gay, Caleb Bravard and Brandon Hoadley. Ryan Conrad, who stayed with the team despite being knocked out for the season for a football injury, and Dillon McNeilly, who played on the C squad, were also honored.

Coach Jenkin said the turning point for the season seemed to come after the Bulldogs were humbled by Northwest Christian, the defending B champs, in the first league round. After that, the Bulldogs seemed to get on a rail which went all the way to trophy day at the Spokane State B show. Special awards went to Conrad, team captain; Hoadley, most inspirational; Justin Berarducci, most improved and Brandon Gfeller, most valuable teammate. Other varsity players were JJ Robinson and Alex Teade.

Jayvee awards were presented by Coach Jeremy Bogle to Tyler Stevenson, Jamie Bledsoe, Lucas Lyon, Rick Scholz, Andrew Scholz, Conrad Geier, Brandon Soncarty, Jay Hart, Kellen Morgan, Tyler McNannay and Kyle Johnson.

Coach Randy Daniels noted he had 18 players on the team and worked to rotate all of them into each game to log some experience. The C squad awards were to Jacob Alteri, Ben Campbell, Ryan Christopherson, Brady Cornelius, Devin Davis, Brady Ellis, Josh Huber, Skyler Kerner, Cole Klaveano, Jeremy Kincheloe, Bryce Kramlich, Alvin Li, Kellen McNannay, Dillon McNeilly, John Mellor, Brock Morgan, Simon Nelson and Skylar Simonson.

The team presented gifts to cheerleaders Alex Mackleit, Karley Johnson, Reagan Lowe, Allie Vorderbrueggen, Heather Harder and Rachel Napier.

Danny Robinson received recognition for his work as manager, and Cornelius for his work as statistician.