The St. Ignace Saints Class C state runner-up and Upper Peninsula Team of Year girls’ basketball team was honored during an awards banquet Sunday, May 2. Pictured are (from left) Assistant Coach Doug Ingalls, Anna St. Andrew, Nicole Elmblad, Kristen Olsen, Chelsea Swope, Mallory LaLonde, Jackson Ingalls, Head Coach Dorene Ingalls, Samantha Radecki, Emily Hepker, Johnny Ingalls, Grace Wheeler, Katy LaTour, Mikaela Kelly, and Sarah Cullip. Members of the St. Ignace Saints Class C state runner-up girls basketball squad and Upper Peninsula Team of the Year were honored during an awards banquet attended by family and friends at LaSalle High School Sunday, May 2.

"This was a positive, electric, and amazing season not for just the girls, but for the school and community," said Coach Dorene Ingalls.

Coach Dorene Ingalls guided the Saints to their first final four appearance since 2002, compiling a 25-2 overall record that included a 10-0 mark and the championship of the Straits Area Conference. St. Ignace won districts in Rudyard, regionals in Escanaba, quarterfinals in Petoskey, and final four games at the Breslin Center on the campus of Michigan State University.

The coaching staff presented Nicole Elmblad with the Most Valuable Player Award and the Git R Done Award; Mallory LaLonde earned a Most Improved Player Award and the Hot Shot Award; Kristen Olsen a Most Improved Player Award and the Jump Hook Award; Samantha Radecki the Defensive Demon Award and the Ambassador Award; Grace Wheeler, the Miss Hustle Award and Playermaker Award. Katy LaTour earned the Perseverance Award, Emily Hepker the Tongue In Cheek Award, Anna St. Andrew the Instant Cocoa Award, Mikaela Kelly the Team Spirit Award, and Sarah Cullip the Rookie Award.

The six seniors on the team, Katy LaTour, Emily Hepker, Kristen Olsen, Mallory LaLonde, Chelsea Swope, and Samantha Radecki, also learned that six kittens had been named in their honor at the Mackinac County Animal Shelter.

"The season was a selfless act by all the players, but especially the seniors. The seniors overcame injuries and the depth and roots the six girls gave the team was a key to our success. It will tough to say good-bye."

Members of the junior varsity team earned certificates from coach Mandi Johnson. Junior varsity players this year are: Taylor Becker, Brooke Chambers, Autumn Huskey, Cassie Leveille, Ashleigh Campbell, Molly Paquin, Lauren Goldthorpe, Sam Gugin, Alexa Thibault, Sophie Peters, Kayla Fulgenzi, and Lori Beth Luepnitz.

After the awards presentation in the gymnasium, the players, coaches, parents, and guests enjoyed a barbecue meal in the school cafeteria.