Putting ‘claw’ into cancer fight

MLA grounds the Flying Dutchmen, 69 to 52

 

THE NETS WERE pink at each end of the court during the Wolverine girls’ “Coaches vs. Cancer” basketball games, honoring the specific fight against breast cancer.

 

The Mountain Lake Area (MLA) Wolverine varsity boys basketball squad nailed down a “Coaches vs. Cancer” victory Friday night, January 13 in the local gymnasium, taking the game against Edgerton Public by 17, 69 to 52,

MLA had a trio of players hitting double figures in scoring on the night. Under the basket, Aaron Fast tallied 15; Weston Osland laced 12, hot from behind the three-point arc and Marcus Boyd chipped in 10. Levi Stoesz was crucial on the boards, grabbing 11, and also dished out seven assists.

By the end of the first half, MLA had moved out in front by 11, 37 to 26, and while the Flying Dutchmen closed the gap in the second, the Wolverines held firm and pulled away for the conference win.

The win advances the Wolverines, under Head Coach Shawn Naas, to a 9-3 season record.

For the Flying Dutchmen, Trey Gilbertson scored 16, Mason Sluis hit for 13 and Dayne Niemeyer tallied 11 points.

The boys head to Edgerton tonight (Saturday, January 14) to take on Southwest Christian in a girls/boys doubleheader match-up. On Monday, they will host St. James Area.

The eighth-annual “Coaches vs. Cancer” events included the traditional “Wall of Hope” honoring those on one’s life who has been affected by the disease, recognition and Moment of Silence for cancer survivors and those who lost the battle prior to the varsity game tip-off, a prize raffle, a silent raffle for Mountain Lake Public Elementary School class projects and lightning games at half-time of both B-squad and varsity tilts.

MIKE JOHNSON

An added event to Friday’s “Coaches vs. Cancer” line-up was a chili/soup supper in the public school cafeteria, sponsored by Mountain Lake Fire & Rescue. All funds raised from the free will offering will go to Mike Johnson of Mountain Lake, plumber with Mountain Lake Co-Op True Value Hardware – and a cancer survivor.

One hundred percent of funds raised from “Coaches vs. Cancer” will support the American Cancer Society’s Cottonwood County Relay For Life and the Society’s lifesaving programs that help people stay well, get well, find cures and fight back against cancer.

In addition to the MLA girls and boys basketball teams, sponsors for “Coaches vs. Cancer” include Peterson Drug, Jessica Svehla, KDOM, Triumph State Bank, Odin State Bank, Glassy Treasures, Lana Sander and R. D. Harder Agency.

2017 “HOOPS FOR A Cure” T-shirt design.
THE WOLVERINE BOYS displayed various shades of pink on their socks as well.
THE WOLVERINE BOYS’ coaching staff carried on the “Suits-And-Sneaker” tradition during the games. From left, Steve Thiessen, Paul Metcalf, Assistant Coach Nate Brinkman and Head Coach Shawn Naas.
STUDENT SPECTATORS SHOWED their support for the Wolverine boys hard court squad.
MLA 6’3″ JUNIOR guard Marcus Boyd, right, hurdles the west sideline in order to save the ball from heading out-of-bounds. Guarding him at left is the Flying Dutchmen’s Landon Buckridge, a 5’10” junior guard.
AARON FAST, 6’6″ senior forward, left, stretches out every inch of his drame to defend the basket from the incoming threat of Edgerton Public’s Thad Gunnink, a 6’3″ senior center, right.
PUSHING THE BALL up-court for a Wolverine offensive attack is MLA 5’8″ junior guard Weston Osland, right, defended by the Flying Dutchmen’s 6’1″ senior forward Matthew Mouw, left.
THE WOLVERINES’ 6′ senior guard Levi Stoesz, right, muscles his way to the basket. Defending is Edgerton Public’s Mason Sluis, a 6′ senior guard.
TOMMY KRAEMER, RIGHT, 6’6″ senior center, focuses on the dribble of the Flying Dutchmen’s Dayne Niemeyer, 6’4″ senior guard., left.
KRIS MENKEN, LEFT, 6’3″ junior forward for the Wolverines, challenges Edgerton Public’s Thad Gunnink, 6’3″ senior center, right.
COMING OFF THE MLA bench to assist in the cause were 6’3″ senior forward Sam Grev, second from left, defending against Edgerton Public’s Dayne Niemeyer, left, along with Hunter Dahna, a 6’1″ senior center, right, jostling under the basket with the Flying Dutchmen’s Thad Gunnink, second from right.
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