Valley Conference coaches named senior Ava Hahn (second from right) to be member of the All-Conference team. She was also picked by the Clippers as their Most Valuable Player.
Hahn and other members of the Clipper girls basketball team were honored at an award banquet, which was held in the commons on March 13.
Hahn led the Clippers in points, assists, steals and rebounds.
“I had a lot of coaches come up and say it was fun watching her play,” said head coach Joe Remiger, who presided over the banquet. “It’s been a ton of fun coaching you.”
With an average of about eight boards each game, Hahn took home a specific award for being the Clippers top offensive and defensive rebounder.
“We put a ton of premium into this award,” Remiger said. “Even the best players shoot 35 percent from three-point land, so if you want to the ball, go get it. Yes, it’s going to take some work ethic. It’s going to take some muscle. It’s going to take determination. It’s going to take some footwork and balance getting low and staying wide and not quitting.”
With 41 points in the Clippers’ win over host Madelia, Hahn became their all-time single game leading scorer and took home hardware to commemorate the effort.
“At the first time out, she said ‘I’m not hitting anything,’” Remiger said. “But I said ‘It looks good, so keep shooting the basketball. If you miss, we’ll get rebounds.’ That night was a ton of fun to watch and stay out of the way.”
Sophomore Taylor McCabe (second from left) earned an All-Conference Honorable Mention and was also the Clippers’ Defensive Player of the Year.
“I put a ton of responsibility on her,” Remiger said. “She plays tough. I’m proud of what she did. She had a great attitude.”
Sophomore Kaitlyn Flowers (right) took home the Sixth Player award.
“She played a lot of different positions,” Remiger said. “She played on the JV and on the varsity. Towards the end of the season she played more time on varsity. She was one of our better rebounders. She did a good job at knowing when to go the bucket and either kick ball or look at finishing. If she was open on the floor, she wasn’t afraid to take a shot. She did a good job stepping up, especially the second half of the season and being a good role model and filler.”
Senior Addi Holden (left) was awarded for having the most blocks for the Clippers.
“A lot of times opponents are driving to the middle, and someone has to step out and help defensively. When they were down low and turned to shoot, they were probably going to be eating it if they didn’t do a ball fake. She was there with a hand up to their face or swat the ball out when they were shooting.”
Senior Lacey McCabe (center) was picked as the Clippers’ Most Improved Player.
“If you look at the beginning of the season to the end of the season, there was definite improvement there,” Remiger said. “Better rebounding. She got tougher. Her moves down low got better. She was more determined and knew what she was going to do.”
Along with the top award winners, earning varsity letters were Mollie Bowman, Taylor Wolf, Jocelyn Kortuem, Ceclia Gair, Kiya Sohn, Ava Kluntz, Emma Kortuem, Harper Rutz, Brooke Bosse and Allie Anderson.
With a GPA of at least 3.5 during the season the same group earned All Valley Conference Academic Awards.
“Good job keeping your grades up,” Remiger said. “That is reflective of your work ethic.”
With a loss to BOLD in the second round of the sections, the varsity Clippers, bridled by a small roster and injuries, ended their season with a 5-19 record.
“This year was the year of injuries,” said Remiger. “The first day of practice, Addi rolled her ankle, so we’re pretty much taping ankles the rest of the year. But a couple of wins were big wins for us. Mountain Lake Area in the playoffs. Alden-Conger. You could see the look in your faces that you wanted that game. The Waterville game was a big deal. For you younger players I hope that is just a taste for you of what’s to come.”
Remiger noted a sign in the locker room that says ‘Play like a champion,’ But champions aren’t built during a game, he said.
“We have to prepare like ones. Let’s put in the work and the time. The basketball season didn’t end when we lost to BOLD. IT was when it started. You’re going to see some improvement from November to February, but where you can really improve is from February to the next November, but you have to put in the work.”
Remiger said he was “super blessed” to have Myrriah Rutz as assistant coach.
“It was a year were a lot of unplanned things happened, but she just rolled with the punches.”
Rutz said her JV squad didn’t get a lot of practices together but showed up for every game of their 6-15 season.”
“You were ready to go. You worked hard and improved. You were fun. You asked questions. You called me out, and you didn’t cry when I yelled at you. I went through a ton of Band-Aids. That just shows you worked your tails off. It wasn’t the best, but we’re excited about next season. It was a great start, but I want to keep going.”
Remiger thanked Hahn and Lacey McCabe for serving as team captains. He thanked the Booster Club for its support, athletic director Rich Kern for the open communication with a changing schedule, Dean Koppelman for keeping the book, driving bus and rallying the girls.
“As far as support, a cheerleader, he’s the number one,” Remiger said.
Remiger also thanked Greg Davis for help with the book, student Carter Kern, teaches Dave Roberts and Brady Hahn and student Sam Baker for running the scoreboard, teacher Kyle Atherton for taping ankles, Brady Hahn and the Cleveland paramedics for assisting an injured Randolph player and this author.
The Clippers will have camps and games this summer.
