Wolverine boys, girls basketball teams raise funds to help eradicate the disease
The seventh-annual participation of the Mountain Lake Area (MLA) Wolverine girls and boys basketball teams with “Coaches vs. Cancer” events, raising funds for research in the fight to eradicate cancer, centered around activities connected to a doubleheader game night against the squads from Southwest Christian (SWC) of Edgerton on Friday, January 15.
Special events included:
+ A chili and soup supper, sponsored by the Mountain Lake Fire Department. Proceeds went to Walt Beedy, former Mountain Lake Public High School mathematics instructor, Mountain Lake boys’ basketball book/stats keeper for 30+ years – and cancer patient
+ Wall of Hope recognizing those affected by cancer through donor donation.
+ Silent Raffle, with a wide variety of prizes, including elementary class projects
+ Lightning Games at halftime of both the girls and boys games.
+ Recognition of and Moment of Silence for people affected by cancer prior to the tip-off of the Boys’ game.
+ Coaching staffs of both teams dressed up in pink – and suits-n-sneaker – in support of those affected by cancer.
+ Those attending the games work pink to show their support in the cancer fight.
One hundred percent of funds raised (aside from the Friday fundraising meal) will go to help support the Cottonwood County American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life – and the lifesaving programs that help people stay well, get well, find cures and fight back against cancer.
Girls hang close to Eagles, but lose 13-point decision
The MLA girls club was down by only one point at half – 20 to 19 – to the Eagles, but could not hang on. despite a tough defense. Red Rock Conference rival SWC pulled away halfway through the second half for a 13-point win, 52 to 39.
Senior Signey Stoesz was top scorer for the Wolverines – and in the game – with 23 points. She added seven steals.
The Wolverines are now 7-4 overall.
The squad, coached by Wayne Klassen, travel to Edgerton Public on Tuesday, January 19. They will play a home game on Saturday, January 23, against the Hills/Beaver Creek Patriots and remain at home for a Tuesday, January 26 match-up with Martin Luther.
Wolverine boys notch another conference win
The Wolverine improved their conference mark to 6-1 (9-4 overall) with a 14-point win over the Eagles, 67 to 53. MLA held a five-point lead at the half, 31-26.
Junior Levi Stoesz pumped in 23 points, grabbed four boards, dished out four assists and nabbed two steals. Senior Ryan McCue chipped in 11 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two steals. Six points, nine boards and three assists marked sophomore Marcus Boyd’s night on the hardcourt and senior Slade Harder had six assists.
The Shawn Naas-coached club will host another Red Rock Conference foe – the Red Rock Central Falcons – on Tuesday, January 19. They are on the road to Adrian on Friday, January 22 and then return home to face Madelia on Monday, January 25.
Photo gallery of all that happened during “Coaches vs. Cancer” night
IVAN FLAMING ADDS shredded cheddar cheese to his chili at the chili and soup fundraising supper in support of Walt Beedy – and sponsored by the Mountain Lake Fire Department.GIRLS BASKETBALL COACHING staff Michael James, left and Kjell Eken, center, along with Mountain Lake Public School industrial arts teacher Donna Peterson, right, accept raffle tickets for the wide array of prizes raffled off for the “Coaches vs. Cancer” night.RETIRED MOUNTAIN LAKE Public School art teacher Nancy Nelson, second from left, adds the name of her longtime friend, and former teaching partner, Walt Beedy, retired Mountain Lake Public High School mathematics teacher, to the Wall of Hope. She was assisted by Brooke Naas, left.GAMES OF LIGHTNING – for youth to adults – hit the court at the halftime of both the girls and boys games.PLENTY OF PINK athletic socks define what the focus of the night was all about.5′ 8″ JUNIOR FORWARD Liana Blomgren, left, is under the basket to stop the Eagles’ Leah Buys, center, as Hope Veldkamp of SWC, right, responds to the play.SENIOR GUARD CHANAH Brandt, right, utilizes all of her feisty 5′ 4″ to wrestle the ball from the Eagles’Ann Pater, left.5′ 4″ SENIOR Guard Signey Stoesz, right, finds a lane through which to drive to the basket, around SWC defender Kassydi Vreeman. Stoesz had 23 points on the night.BROOK SUNDERMAN, 5′ 4″ junior guard, left, plays keep away with SWC’s Ann Pater, right.MAINTAINING HER DEFENSIVE position under the Eagles’ basket in order to stop SWC’s Mariah Talsma, left, from scoring is MLA’s 5′ 7″ senior forward, Bailey Swanson, right.JEWEL SOUTTHIVONG, 5′ 5″ Wolverine sophomore forward, right, was off the bench to keep the defensive pressure on SWC. With the ball is the Eagles’ Hope Veldkamp, left.THE WOLVERINES GIRLS Basketball coaching staff “bottomed out” their outfits with sneakers as part of “Coaches vs. Cancer.” From left, Head Coach Wayne Klassen, Ryan Jans, Amber Hughes and John Carrison (sending in a secret play).GIRLS AND BOYS Basketball team members – including Sam Grev – as well as students and fans, sport special T-shirts for the cancer fight night – “MLA Wolverines Help Beat Cancer.”RYAN MCCUE, 6′ SENIOR guard, right, flies past SWC’s Jared Vis, left, in a drive downcourt to the MLA basket. Following McCue to the Wolverine end is Slade Harder.AS A DEFENDER, the Wolverines’ Marcus Boyd, a 6′ 2″ sophomore guard, right, challenges the Eagles’ Dalton Vis, left. At back, are Levi Vander Woude of SWC, left and MLA’s Ryan McCue, right.LEVI STOESZ, RIGHT, a 6′ junior MLA guard, cuts off the intending path of the Eagles’ Logan Walhof, left.IT IS A foot race, with MLA’s 5′ 9″ senior guard Chris Boyd, right, with the advantage over SWC’s Jeremy Vander Woude, left.6′ 5″ WOLVERINE JUNIOR forward Aaron Fast, right, eyes his shot over the outstretched arm of his SWC defender, Levi Vander Woude.SLADE HARDER, LEFT, 5′ 10″ MLA senior guard, left, slows the progress of the Eagles’ ballhandler, Logan Walfhof, right.6′ 6″ TOMMY Kraemer, Wolverine junior center, uses all of his height to slide under the basket for a bucket.THE BOYS’ COACHING staff also donned sneakers to accent their dress suits. From left, Steve Thiessen (looking even more dapper with his bright pink bow tie), Paul Metcalf, Nate Brinkman and Head Coach Shawn Naas.
