Lady Cats Hold Basketball Banquet (04/19/14)

The 2013-14, Clarion Area, Lady Cats Basketball Team held their Banquet on Thursday, April 18th, at the High School. The evening began with a meal catered by Daddy’s, in the cafeteria. After dining, the players, coaches and parents made their way to the Large Group Instruction (LGI) Room for the Awards Presentation.

Coach Roger Walter opened the ceremony, by recognizing and thanking various individuals for helping to make this season a success, among them, the players, his wife, Leigh, Assistant and Junior Varsity Coach, Chrissy Kriebel and the parents. He had the players give their parents a round of applause for all their support.

Coach Walter pointed out that he felt that the greatest award for the team this year was Clarion Borough Mayor David Walters presenting the team with a proclamation that designated April 2nd, “Clarion Girls Basketball Team Day.” The proclamation was presented along with a Key to the City, at the Borough Council Meeting, on April 1st.

The proclamation recognized the Lady Cats for winning the District Nine Class-A Championship two years in a row and for reaching the PIAA State, Elite-Eight two straight years, both first time accomplishments for the program.

Coach Walter also displayed the District Championship Plaque. He mentioned the great support the team received from their fan base from the student body and community this past season.

The Varsity Letter winners, Olivia Bartley, Kaitlyn Beichner, Kelly Beveridge, Laken Ganoe, Nicki Glenn, Grace Kroh, Kyla Miles, Anna Reed, Maci Thornton, Paige Weaver and Lauren Wiser were recognized.

Coach Walter presented several players with individual awards.

Given Co-MVP and Co-Defensive Player of the Year were senior, Kyla Miles and junior, Maci Thornton. Miles and Thornton were each given basketballs to recognize their going over 1,000 career points.

Thornton was recognized for being named to the Pennsylvania Sportswriters All-State Team. She is Coach Walter’s first and only the second Lady Cat and fourth Clarion boy or girl named All-State, joining Bobbie Simpson, Frank Brooks and Ed Hepinger.

Thornton has the Clarion Lady Cats Basketball record in steals in a season – 144; record for steals in a career – 334 and is ranked third in career assists – 276.

Miles is ranked second in the Clarion Lady Cats Basketball record book in scoring – 1,247 (behind number one Bobbie Simpson of 1,765); second in blocked shots for a career – 157; third in rebounds for a career – 788 and fourth for steals in a career- 267.

The two were also recognized, along with fellow Lady Cat senior Grace Kroh, for being named to the Tri-County Sunday / Courier Express All-Star Team.

Receiving the Most Improved Player Award was Nicki Glenn. Coach Walter listed some of her stats from previous seasons and compared them to this season, showing the great strides she has made in becoming a major contributor to the Lady Cats success.

Olivia Bartley was given the Bobcat Award. Coach Walter listed some of the qualities the coaches look for in the player receiving this award, among them: Coachable, Competitive, Compassionate, Respectful and for Caring more for the team than themselves.

After the Awards were given out, Coach Walter presented the 2013-14 Season Highlight video.
Briget Thornton spoke, expressing her gratitude for Melissa Glenn for putting the Banquet together, as well as others for their tireless work with the team and making the Booster Club a success this year.

Wolf’s Auto Outlet  –  Community First Bank –  The Lerch Group –  Burford & Henry  –  Luton’s Plumbing and Heating –  Computer Support –  The Carpet BarnSeth McClaine Design

The Booster Club provided the Varsity team members with a sweatshirt with the player’s name and number on front and on the back of the shirt a list of the Team’s accomplishments from this season, which include — KSAC North Champ, District IX Champ, repeat of PA States Elite 8. The Senior players were given personalized travel bags.

The girls also received individual plaques for winning the District IX Class-A Championship.

The program concluded with Coach and Mrs. Walter and Coach Kriebel being presented special gifts from the Lady Cats.

(Special thanks to Barb Beveridge for helping with this article. And thanks to Barb, Coach Walter, Coach Kriebel, Chris Ganoe and Jack Kenneson for information and photos throughout the season. Congratulations to the Lady Cats on a great season!!!!)