Basketball and cheer student-athletes honored

DAYTON–The 2022-23 Winter Sports programs of men's and women's basketball, and cheer, were honored for their efforts during the recently concluded season at a Sports Awards Dessert in the D.H.S. Auditorium Monday, March 20.

Cheer Advisor Vickie Hamann presented varsity letters to cheer members Mattilyn Carter, Ashley Essency, Cedar Stegall, Emma Hays, Sarah Shutters, Madison Kaehler, Wyntr McCauley and Kaylie Wellsandt. Scholar-athletes were Cedar Stegall, Sarah Shutters and Wynter McCauley.

Two were named Most Valuable Teammate: Mattilynn Carter and Ashley Essency. The Most Inspirational Award went to Cedar Stegall, and Emma Hays was voted Most Improved. The Coach's Award went to Sarah Shutters.

Hamann opened her remarks with appreciation for support of the community and Waitsburg Booster Club for sponsoring state t-shirts.

Lady Wolfpack Head Coach Dirk Hansen applauded his Lady Wolfpack players for their tenacity and perseverance during a season when some games were played with only five players. "You had the guts to get out there on the floor," Hansen said.

"Yeah, we didn't win many games," Hansen remarked. "So what? We almost won four. There is such a thing as a moral victory."

Remarkable games included the River View game where defender Alyssa Hollingsworth shadowed their best player, creating frustration that eventually lead to the player's fifth foul. Another game was lost in overtime, but Hansen said not all games should be counted as a loss.

Letter recipients were eighth-grader Hannah Peralez, Peyton Benavides, Grace Trump, Marissa Tupling, Teagan Culley, Alyssa Hollingsworth, Kamryn Tupling and Makenna Barron. Scholar-athletes included Peralez, Benavides, Trump and Hollingsworth.

Hansen gave special recognition to Claudia Benavides, a senior, who sustained an injured knee in the first game, but remained involved with the team.

Most Improved was presented to Marissa Tupling.

The Team Leader Award went to Makenna Barron.

Alyssa Hollingsworth was the recipient of Best Defender Award.

Two Most Valuable Player plaques were presented, one to Kamryn Tupling and the other to Peyton Benavides.

Peyton Benavides also received an Honorable Mention in the EWAC 2B All League selections.

Head Coach Roy Ramirez reflected on the 13-8 season. "I knew we were going to be talented," said Ramirez, "I just didn't know how talented.:

The season started with three disappointing losses. "You're the best oh-and-three team I've ever seen," he told the team prior to the fourth game.

After the fourth game, Ramirez said he re-evaluated his squad and shifted to a five-guard configuration, and I decided "to just let them play. I gave them the freedom to do what they wanted, although we did have some sets."

For the next five games, DW won, then interspersed several wins with a loss, reaching the post-season, winning two and losing two.

DW Wolfpack men receiving varsity letter awards were Wyaitt Booth, Benny Bryan, Blake French, Nolan Korslund, Lucas VanHoose, Ryland Kilts, Spencer Hansen and Monte Pettichord. Scholar-athlete recipients were Bryan, French, VanHoose, Hansen and Pettichord.

Except for the coach's awards, teammate voting selected plaque recipients, Ramirez said, and every vote tally separated first from second by one or two votes.

Most Improved Player was Ryland Kilts, and he also received the Mr. Hustle plaque.

Monte Pettichord was named Mr. Defense, Most Valuable Teammate and to the All-League Second Team.

Spencer Hansen was named Most Valuable Player, and he was also named to the All-League First Team.

Ramirez announced two recipients of the Coach's Award: Pettichord and Bryan.

Gage Holm, who was not present for the awards, received applause for being an All-League Honorable Mention.

All players received State Participant certificates.

DW Wolfpack Men's Junior Varsity certificates went to Tyler Coulston, Jarod Hankins, Jackson Karl, Victor Whitmore, Colton Steinhoff and Logan Seal. Scholar-athletes were Couldton, Karl, Steinhoff and Seal.