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Before we start this
afternoon’s varsity match up against the Brethren Bobcats, this year’s
team would like to recognize the 1997 girls’ basketball team for all of
their hard work and great achievements obtained a decade ago. Would
you please welcome at the half court some of the members of that team:
Coach Roger Smith,
Assistant Coach Tom Bromley, Julia Graham, Ashley Bradford, April
Bradford, Sara Greve, Rachelle Johnson, Nichole Newland
10 years ago, in
1997, the Onekama community had a great time participating in both boys
and girls the basketball seasons. The girls’ team is quoted as “Breaking
the mold from previous years and going where no other team had gone
before, the semi-finals.”
Who would have
thought the semi finals would happen at the beginning of the season?
Probably not many, given the challenges they were asked to overcome.
Because of school construction the team was forced to practice in
Arcadia, Brethren, and at West Shore Community College. They also had
to play their first 10 games on the road. As hard as this was, it
didn’t hold them back. They finished the 10 game road trip with a 7-3
record. |
Fortunately, the remaining
games of the regular season were all at home where the pep band, the
crowd, and cheerleaders showed their spirit.
When tournaments
came they had nothing to lose and much to keep on proving. The
tournament run was and is one to remember which is why up on our wall we
have many banners hanging. The team was victorious for a third straight
district championship beating both Frankfort and Brethren. They went on
to claim a first ever regional trophy beating our now conference rivals
MCE in a close 35-33 win. This win served as a stepping stone in the
quarter finals, as they went on to stun #1 Ellsworth in an under dog
victory 54-50. The tournaments ended at a much deserved place, the
state semi-finals at CMU. The team fell to Harper Woods Gallagher, the
1997 Class D Champions, putting their final record at 18-8. The defeat
was upsetting, but not because they lost, but because a season that had
had so many memories was over.
Today, for all of
the obstacles you had to overcome, and the hard work and great
achievements you obtained 10 years ago, we want to thank those of you
who could attend and also those who couldn’t. You have helped pave the
way and create a legacy for the current players and the future stars to
strive for. Thank you! |
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Team
Photos 1997
Back
row: Emily Manke, Alison Chase, April Bradford, Sarah Wild,
Chrissie Hilliard, Sandy Lautner, Ashley Bradford, Roger Smith
Front row: Julia Graham, Melissa
Hilliard, Rachelle Johnson, Sara Greve, Erynn Carter, Nicole
Newland, Sarah Johnson
Here
are players and # who attended the 1997 alumni recognition
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