The Becker Bulldog girls basketball team — fresh off a fourth place finish at state — celebrated their successful season with a banquet and potluck for players, families and friends last Tuesday night in the commons area.

 

Head Coach Paul Lindsay hailed his team and made mention of key games during the season where the girls seemed to “gel” and come together to play for a unified cause.

 

“It was important how we grew together as a team and that closeness continued to swell as the season progressed,” he said. “The Duluth trip was key as well as how we played against Big Lake in sections right through to Willmar, Como,Winona and so forth.”

 

Assistant Coach Arnold Changamire and Brianna Mastey were invited to the podium to apeak about the underclassmen and their exploits this season. Changamire praised his youthful athletes and credited them with giving him such a satisfying coaching experience.

 

Mastey spoke on behalf of the JV squad and invited the starters up to the front of the room and spoke about the qualities of each and every player. The JV team finished the season with an impressive 20-4 record.

 

“Thanks for a great season,” said Mastey. “I can’t wait to have to put up with you again next year.”

 

 

Lindsay recognized the players who were named as Academic All-Conference including Alex Johnson, McKenna Anderson, Bryanna Edling, Lexi Masog, Renee Tripp, Victoria Kolbinger, Jalissa Johnson, Amber Vogl, Rachel Vogl and Amanda Lindsay.

 

Rachel Vogl was named Scholar Athlete of the Year with a 3.994 GPA. 

 

Tripp, Kolbinger, J. Johnson, A. Vogl, Emily Lipinski, Fitzgerald, Madison Kerzman, Edling, Anderson and Masog were named as Spotlight on Scholarship recipients.

 

Unanimous All-Conference nominees were Alex Johnson and Amanda Lindsay and Honorable Mention went to Abbigail Morrell and Alex Hanowski.

 

Alex Johnson was also named Player of the Year by the St. Cloud Times for the surrounding area — an honor she will receive today (Saturday) from Tom Elliott of the Times.

 

Coach Lindsay also acknowledged his players who made the distinction of making “state” and that included, A. Johnson, Kerzman, A. Lindsay, Fitzgerald, Morrell, Hanowski, Kolbinger, J. Johnson, A. Lindsay, A. Vogl, R. Vogl, Claire Thorn, Tripp, Mackenzie Swanson, Edling, Anderson, Masog, Whitney Raygor and Mackenzie Kramer.

 

As a final tribute, the coaches brought up six of the seven seniors — Hanowski, Morrell, R. Vogl, A. Lindsay,  Swanson and A. Johnson — and gave them plaques and Bulldog banners with their names etched and printed on them. Raygor was absent from the celebration. Coach Lindsay gave a verbal tribute to the seniors and highlighted each player’s talents and asked them what colleges they planned to attend to possibly continue playing basketball for.

 

“I can’t thank you enough for the years I’ve been able to coach you,” he said.

 

Asst. Coach Scott Gudmunson said, “I’ve worked in law enforcement for a third of a century and being around these kids has been more satisfying.”

 

Gudmunson was a deputy with the Sherburne County Sheriff’s office up until a few years ago when he retired.

 

“It’s been my privilege spending time with these girls,” he said in a very emotional speech. “I love these kids and wish them the very best.”

 

Alex Johnson and Amanda Lindsay played in an  All-Star game between Granite Ridge and Central Minnesota Conferences last Saturday at Pierz High School. Paul Lindsay was  the GRC coach for the game. 

 

Two Becker Bulldog boys basketball players —Matt Yoerg and Andrew Davalos — also played Saturday in the boys All-Star game immediately following the girls game.