St. Ignace Girls and Boys Basketball Teams Honored at Awards Ceremony
By David Latva

The St. Ignace Saints girls basketball award winners, with the coach, include (from left) Amanda Coveyou, Nicole Elmblad, Jodie Langstaff, Coach Dorene Ingalls, Jessica Massaway, Chelsea Swope, and Kristen Olsen.

The St. Ignace Saints girls and boys varsity and junior varsity basketball teams, varsity and junior varsity cheerleaders, and the dance team were honored during an awards assembly at LaSalle High School Tuesday, March 18.

Saints Girls Basketball

Amanda Coveyou received the Most Valuable Award.

Chelsea Swope and Kristen Olsen were named most improved; Nicole Elmblad, rookie award; Jodie Langstaff and Melissa Massaway, senior awards.

Varsity Coach Dorene Ingalls and Robin Kissinger, junior varsity coach, introduced the players.

Coach Ingalls spoke about family atmosphere and working as a team to gain success for next year.

"Working means, in the off-season, in preparation for the 2008-09 season, come ready for the year with the drive and passion," she said in her speech.

The St. Ignace Saints boys basketball award winners, with the coach, include (from left) Gerrit Mortensen, Kyle Smock, Coach Doug Ingalls, James Peterson, and Anthony Lester.

The Saints posted a 14-7 overall record, with a group of young players that included just two seniors, four juniors, five sophomores, and one freshman.

"The future success for the Saints is in this group of talented players," she said.

Saints Boys Basketball James Peterson and Gerrit Mortensen were named this year's most valuable players.

Kyle Smock was named most improved player; and Anthony Lester, Peterson, and Mortensen were on the All-SAC team.

Varsity Coach Doug Ingalls and Junior Varsity Coach Jason Marshall introduced the team, as Coach Ingalls spoke about this season and his squad's team chemistry.

Cheerleaders, Dance Teams

Coach Janet Warren introduced the 12-member Saints varsity cheerleaders and, in the absence of Coach Marilee Barthelemy, spoke about the six junior varsity cheerleaders.

First-year coach Mary Ribble introduced the nine-member La- Salle High School dance team.