Bulldog girls wrap up hoop year at banquet

Special award winners at the Colfax girls basket ball banquet were Brooke Webber, with captains and inspirational player trophies; Rachel Robinson, Miss Hustle trophy; Amelie Bruya with inspirational and MVP trophies; and Misty Skelton, most improved.

Basketball season for the Colfax girls wrapped up last Thursday with three seniors receiving a farewell and coaches presenting letters and special awards.

Seniors finishing out their hoop run were Brooke Webber, Shaina Simonson and Raven Ellis.

The Bulldogs girls, who said good-bye to a lot of hoop talent from a title team last year, were stopped in their quest for another state bid at Spokane in the first round of the state regionals against Lake Roosevelt in the University High gym.

Coach Corey Baerlocher said the early playoff shutdown was a disappointment, but he added he was proud of the team. The Bulldogs competed hard in games and made progress most of the year.

Baerlocher noted the Bulldogs just missed wrapping up another state entry at different junctures during the season and just didn’t quite get the job done.

Webber, the lone returning starter, was co-winner of the inspirational award and received the captain’s award. Coach Baerlocher noted Webber had 47 assists for the year. Simonson received the other captain’s trophy.

Sophomore Amelie Bruya was named most valuable player and shared the inspiration honor with Webber. Bruya had 35 three-pointers on the season and she hit 35 percent of her three point attempts.

Rachel Robinson, the junior guard who consistently made a big impact when she came off the bench, was named for the Miss Hustle honor.

Coach Baerlocher noted Robinson normally jolted opponents when she brought her “reckless abandon” mode onto the court.

Misty Skelton, also a junior, was named most improved. Baerlocher credited Skelton with mixing in more control with her speed to keep the game on track. Skelton had 85 steals for the season.

Varsity awards also went to Elkins, E.B. Hatley and Hannah Harazin, juniors; Nicole Sheer and Taylor Larsen, freshmen.

Coach Baerlocher noted the Bulldogs will return to the Bi County hoop run next year with a lot more experience down the roster and that could bode well for increased success.

Junior Varsity Coach Tom Fowler presented awards to JC Vontersch, Emma Klaveano, Cassidy Vorderbrueggen, Bailey Mackleit and Scoops Hahn.

Cheerleader Coach Rhonda Fowler credited Emily Ledbetter for being in the program for four years. Ashlyn Thompson was the other senior cheerleader. Also on the squad were Reagan Lowe, Rachel Napier, Lindsay Webber, Paige Mackleit and Jacee Thompson.